Author: Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Daughter of Sicilian immigrants, wife, mother, grammy, friend, empath, survivor, dreamer, storyteller, humorist, singer, musician, author, blogger, wannabe-poet, plant rescuer, cook, lover of good wine, food, iced cappuccino, elephants, the sea, Montauk, Sicily, movies and music, especially my beloved Beatles. ♡✒️♬
Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #29

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

© Misky

This is it, kids …. the final installment of Feb Fab Faux Four! What a trip this has been for me!

The Beatles have been in my life since WMCA NY disc jockey Jack Spector played “I Want To Hold Your Hand” on December 26, 1963. That’s a very long time ago – just over 60 years – and I imagine some of you weren’t even born yet. I’ve seen the Beatles perform live in concert and I’ve lived through every transformation in the 7 years, 7 months and 24 days they were together. I loved them. I still love them. They are not only in my heart but in my soul.

My goal here on this month-long blog was to have fun and not try to convert anyone into becoming Beatles fans, but after 29 days, I think I may have done exactly that with a few of you.

During this month I discovered that really good Beatles covers are very difficult to find; they are few and far between. Also, judging by the fact that almost every Beatles video presented on this blog was preferred over the cover reinforced what I already knew: the Beatles are hard to beat. They are the best group that ever was or ever will be!

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Now it’s time to get into our final song.

Many Beatles tracks have had interesting afterlives, and this is one of them. It sits towards the end of the last album they made together – 1969’s Abbey Road – but it is less a song than a segment, a tender part of the medley at the end of side two. In one minute and 32 seconds, it evokes nostalgia, innocence and loss in its lyrics and melody, about the impossibility of getting back home (“Once there was a way…”), and the singing of lullabies to a child (“Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry”).

Next comes the seventh and penultimate song in the album’s climactic medley. It features unison vocals in the chorus from all four Beatles, a rarity in their songs. The middle bridge – featuring brass instruments, electric guitar, and vocals – reprises the beginning of “You Never Give Me Your Money”, but with different words. The lyrics have been interpreted as an acknowledgement by the group that nothing they would do as individual artists would equal what they had achieved together, and they would always carry the weight of their Beatle past. The song is said to be about the Beatles’ business difficulties and the atmosphere at Apple at the time.

The final song of the medley is quite clearly the denouement, not only of the album but of the Beatles as a group. All four Beatles have a solo, including a Ringo Starr drum solo. Ringo disliked solos, preferring to cater drum work to whoever sang in a particular performance; in fact, this is the only drum solo he recorded with the Beatles. George, John and Paul perform a rotating sequence of three, two-bar guitar solos. The idea for a guitar instrumental over this section was George’s, and John suggested the three of them each play a section. The Beatles’ recording engineer, Geoff Emerick, later recalled: “John, Paul and George looked like they had gone back in time, like they were kids again, playing together for the sheer enjoyment of it. More than anything, they reminded me of gunslingers, with their guitars strapped on, looks of steely-eyed resolve, determined to outdo one another. Yet there was no animosity, no tension at all – you could tell they were simply having fun.” In 2007, the final track of the medley was ranked at number 7 on Q magazine’s list “The 20 Greatest Guitar Tracks”.

I listened to a lot of cover versions of this medley and it was impossible to find one that I really liked, except for Phil Collins. I came very close to going with Phil’s recording but I just couldn’t hit the share button on the video. For me, his remake is more of a George Martin remake with Phil singing Paul’s part and playing the drums over a Beatles’ recording. Since I couldn’t find the perfect cover, I made the decision to close out this month by playing only one version …. the original. Nothing else will do. If anyone knows of a version they think is better than or comparable to the original, you are most welcome to drop the link into the comments box. I look forward to hearing them. No professional tribute bands, please.

I can’t think of a better way to say “the end” than by featuring the medley from the fabulous Abbey Road. Here are the Beatles with “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End”.

That, my friends, is how it’s done!

I hope you enjoyed spending February together listening to Beatles music; it’s been an incredible experience for me. To you who stuck with me and left comments throughout the month, I am in awe of you and so greatly appreciative. Thank you!

As the Beatles sang: “And in the end the love you make is equal to the love you take“.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Be Our Guest, Music Blog

Just Mama

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

This is the final challenge this month from Glyn at Mixed Music Bag, which is to write about a band or singer that starts with the Letters C or D.

Ellen Naomi Cohen was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 19, 1941, the granddaughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Her family was subject to significant financial stress and uncertainty during her childhood years. Ellen’s father ran a lunch wagon and her mother was a nurse. Sometime in high school Ellen began calling herself “Cass”. She became interested in acting and shortly before graduation, moved to New York to further her acting career. After the death of one of her friends, she took on his name and Cass Elliot was born.

You may know her better as “Mama Cass”, from her time with the Mamas and the Papas.

Cass Elliot was known for her sense of humor and optimism and was considered by many to be the most charismatic member of the group. Her powerful, distinctive voice was a major factor in their string of hits. If you want to know more about the Mamas and the Papas, there’s plenty to read in Wiki.

After the group broke up, Cass Elliot released five solo albums; for this post I will feature Cass Elliot’s biggest hit as well as my favorite song by Mamas and the Papas.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me“, a 1931 song with music by Fabian Andre, Wilbur Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn, enjoyed its highest-charting success when it was covered in 1968 by Cass Elliot with the Mamas and the Papas. Gus Kahn’s sentimental, bucolic lyrics citing “birds singing in the sycamore tree”, “stars shining” and “night breezes” are a lullaby, specifically a romantic one of parting lovers.

This is a solo Cass Elliot with “Dream a Little Dream of Me” from her album “Mama’s Big Ones”.

“Creeque Alley” is an autobiographical hit single written by John and Michelle Phillips in late 1966, narrating the story of how the Mamas and the Papas was formed, and its early years. It also recounts Cass Elliot’s life after leaving high school and moving to NYC to pursue an acting career.

The title of the song, which does not occur in the lyrics, is derived from Creque or Crequi (pronounced “creaky“) Alley, home to a club in the Virgin Islands where the New Journeymen, John and Michelle Phillips’ original group, spent time on vacation. The lyric “Greasin’ on American Express cards” refers to that time during which they could only make ends meet by using their credit cards, and the lyric “Duffy’s good vibrations, and our imaginations, can’t go on indefinitely” refers to Hugh Duffy, the owner of the club on Creeque Alley.

The Phillips’ lyrics mention, directly or indirectly, many artists and bands who were part of the folk music scene at the time, including fellow band members Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, Zel Yanovsky and John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonfull, Roger Mcguinn of the Byrds and Barry McGuire of the New Christy Minstrels. Michelle Phillips is referred to in the lyrics by her nickname Michi (“John and Michi were getting kind of itchy, just to leave the folk music behind”).

The song peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard pop singles chart the week in 1967, becoming their last Top 10 hit. It made #9 on the UK Singles Chart, #4 on the Australian and #1 on the Canadian charts.

This is “Creeque Alley” by the Mamas and the Papas.

Lyrics

John and Mitchy were gettin’ kind of itchy
Just to leave the folk music behind
Zal and Denny workin’ for a penny
Tryin’ to get a fish on the line
In a coffee house Sebastian sat
And after every number they’d pass the hat
McGuinn and McGuire just a gettin’ higher
In L.A., you know where that’s at
And no one’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass*

Zally said Denny, you know there aren’t many
Who can sing a song the way that you do, let’s go south
Denny said Zally, golly, don’t you think that I wish
I could play guitar like you
Zal, Denny and Sebastian sat (at the Night Owl)
And after every number they’d pass the hat
McGuinn and McGuire still a gettin’ higher
In L.A., you know where that’s at
And no one’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass

When Cass was a sophomore, planned to go to Swarthmore
But she changed her mind one day
Standin’ on the turnpike, thumb out to hitchhike
Take me to New York right away
When Denny met Cass he gave her love bumps
Called John and Zal and that was the Mugwumps
McGuinn and McGuire couldn’t get no higher
But that’s what they were aimin’ at
And no one’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass

Mugwumps, high jumps, low slumps, big bumps
Don’t you work as hard as you play
Make up, break up, everything is shake up
Guess it had to be that way
Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful
Michelle, John, and Denny gettin’ very tuneful
McGuinn and McGuire just a catchin’ fire
In L.A., you know where that’s at
And everybody’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass
Di di di dit dit dit di di di dit, whoa

Broke, busted, disgusted, agents can’t be trusted
And Mitchy wants to go to the sea
Cass can’t make it, she says we’ll have to fake it
We knew she’d come eventually
Greasin’ on American Express cards
It’s low rent, but keeping out the heat’s hard
Duffy’s good vibrations and our imaginations
Can’t go on indefinitely
And California dreamin’ is becomin’ a reality

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Phillips / Michelle Gilliam
Creeque Alley lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

*“And no one’s getting fat except Mama Cass” refers to making money and has nothing to do with gaining weight. By the end of the song, hinting at Cass Elliot’s struggles with recording success, the lyrics changes to “And everybody’s getting fat except Mama Cass”.

On July 27, 1974, Cass Elliot finished two weeks of solo concerts at the London Palladium and went on a 24-hour celebration binge. She first attended the 31st birthday party for Mick Jagger after which she went to a brunch in her honor presented by Georgia Brown. While there, according to biographer Eddi Fiegel, Elliot was blowing her nose frequently, coughing and having trouble breathing. Next she attended a cocktail party hosted by American entertainment journalist Jack Martin. She seemed in high spirits but also appeared physically exhausted and sick. She left that party at 8:00 pm on Sunday, July 28, saying she was tired and needed to get some sleep.

Elliot retired to an apartment owned by singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson who allowed her to stay there. Several hours after Elliot left Jack Martin’s cocktail party, she died in her sleep at age 32. According to autopsy results, she died of a heart attack, and there were no drugs in her system. Four years later, the Who’s drummer Keith Moon died in the same bedroom, also aged 32 years.

Cass Elliot’s ashes are buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. 

Mixed Music Bag 2024 – week 9 – Delphic

NAR©2024

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #28

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome to the second to last day of F4.

Today I have chosen for you one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded by the Beatles. I was hoping I’d be able to feature this number for a couple of reasons; in addition to being a stunning piece of music with gorgeous lyrics, it’s one that’s rarely heard.

The song begins with a distinctive electric harpsichord intro, then John Lennon joins in, his guitar mimicking the harpsichord line. The vocals enter in their prominent and perfectly tuned three-part harmony. This was one of the few Beatles recordings to feature a Moog synthesizer, played by George Harrison.

According to John, the song’s close musical resemblance to the first movement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” was no coincidence: “Yoko was playing ‘Moonlight Sonata’ on the piano and I said, ‘Can you play those chords backwards?’ Our song was written around those chords. The lyrics speak for themselves …. no imagery, no obscure references.“

While I was hoping to feature this song I was also reluctant; I couldn’t find any good covers. And then I discovered today’s remake and I’m pretty sure I forgot to breathe for a few of seconds.

Let’s listen to the song.

This is “Because” by the Beatles

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This is Elliott Smith with his remake of “Because”

This may very well be my favorite Beatles song. If I’ve said that before, please excuse me; I have so many favorite Beatles songs.

Elliott Smith was a dedicated fan of the Beatles, as well as their solo projects and claimed that hearing the White Album was his original inspiration to become a musician. In 1998, Smith contributed a cover of the Beatles song “Because” to the soundtrack and closing credits of the film “American Beauty”.  This was the only Beatles song that Smith ever officially released.

This is too close to call; for me it’s definitely a draw.

What do you say about “Because”?

Join me tomorrow for my final post of F4.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Uncategorized

February Moon

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

The haibun theme at dVerse is Snow Moon.

It’s one of those rare delights – an unusually quiet morning with no appointments, no grandchildren to watch and nothing to do except roll over and glance out the bedroom window.

It’s that time just after dawn but before the sky has fully lightened and I think if there’s no name for this time of day, there should be.

I yawn and stretch, feeling no tension in my body, and when my eyes open, I audibly gasp as everything around me has frozen in time. Suspended in the sky is a pregnant pearlescent circle, full and perfect, a translucent milky orb.

Good morning, Snow Moon; this is serendipity at its finest.

Snow Moon, oh so shy
You fly away at my glance
Where are you hiding?

NAR©2024

Haibun Monday 2-26-24: Snow Moon

This is “Snow Moon” (February) by Felt Piano

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Short Story

The Beachcomber

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

I guessed that something was wrong as soon as I saw the look of shocked disbelief on my husband David’s face. 

“Babe, what’s wrong?”

With tears in his eyes David whispered “I lost my wedding ring!”  

It was our last night in Cape Cod. After dinner we went for a walk on the beach. There was a lot of seaweed in the ocean from a storm a few days before. We walked along the shore, teasing each other with clumps of seaweed; that’s when the ring must have slipped off his finger. But exactly where we had no idea. We crawled around searching but it was dark and we couldn’t see anything. David was devastated. 

“Hon, I know your wedding ring means the world to you but we can always replace it.”   

“I know, Jess, but it just won’t be the same.” 

Dejected, we returned to our room and went to bed. After hours of trying to get to sleep, I grabbed my laptop and Googled “Will a ring wash ashore after falling in the ocean?” 

Almost immediately there was a *ding* on my laptop … a response from “TheRingFinders.com”. It read: “We can help find any lost metallic object on the beach or in the water. Enter your zip code and we’ll get back to you ASAP .” 

I entered the zip code for Cape Cod and 10 minutes later I heard from Rick at “RingFinders”. After explaining our situation, Rick said he’d be at our B&B at 7:00 AM to start his search. Thank God for the Internet! 

True to his word, Rick was already on the beach at 7:00. We ate breakfast on the veranda, never taking our eyes off Rick as he searched everywhere with no luck. It was almost checkout time when he trudged up to the B&B.   

“No luck, folks. You’re gonna get socked in traffic if you don’t leave now. I’m sorry to disappoint you but I’m not giving up. I’ll keep in touch with you either way.” 

Disheartened, we checked out and loaded up the car. Taking one last look at Rick, we waved goodbye when we realized he wasn’t waving goodbye … he was waving in excitement. He ran up the beach with his arm in the air, hand clenched in a fist.    

“I found it, folks! I found your ring” he shouted. 

We ran to meet him and he grinned as he placed a wet, sandy ring in David’s hand.

The ring was under 11 inches of water and seaweed!

Overjoyed, David hugged Rick and we asked how much we owed him. 

“This is a free service we provide but we gladly accept donations” Rick explained. “Its very rewarding to see the joy on people’s faces when they’re reunited with their precious lost items.” 

I don’t remember how much we gave Rick … that’s not important. What I do remember is David glancing at his ring all the way home and smiling. 

What an experience and certainly an incredible act of kindness. Thanks, Rick!

NAR©2024

Authors Note: Every word of this story is true. David is my son and Jess is my daughter-in-law. Theringfinders.com is a real organization and Rick, a stranger to David and Jess, did them a service they will remember for the rest of their lives. Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction!

This is Acker Bilk with “Stranger On The Shore”

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #27

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to Feb Fab Faux Four. We’re down to the final three days of the month; after this, I won’t be allowed to play another Beatles song until summer!

This next song is clearly about a guy begging for his woman not to leave him. It’s a real belter, with a hard and heavy Louisiana-style blues/rock sound.

Paul says he remembers “wanting to get the vocal right, wanting to get it good; it’s hard on the voice and if it comes off even a little bit lukewarm, then you’ve missed the whole point.“

John said “Paul wrote it, so what the hell, he’s going to sing it. If he’d had any sense, he should have let me sing it.”

Haha! I happen to like this song a lot and think Paul did a fine job on it. Let’s see what you think of my cover choice; as usual, the original will play first.

From the Beatles, this is “Oh! Darling”

🪲

With his rendition of “Oh! Darling”, this is Graham Bonnet

Oh, sweet baby Jesus! This is how to do a cover! You stick to the basics, changing it up just enough to make it your own without tearing the hell out of it and making it unrecognizable.

I’ve always loved the gritty, down & dirty sound of the blues; “Oh! Darling” is a perfect example of that style of song. Graham Bonnet, front man for such hard rock and heavy metal bands as Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group and Alcatrazz was born to sing a song like this.

I adore Graham Bonnet. He’s got one of the best voices in rock, hard rock and metal. And since today is my birthday, Graham Bonnet singing “Oh! Darling” is my gift to me!

Talk about hitting all the right notes. My vote goes to Graham Bonnet.

Two more days after this; stop by again tomorrow.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #26

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to Feb Fab Faux Four!

Today’s song is another request. I did not have this one programmed so the cover choice is not mine. It’s a great number for the category of lesser known songs and I was glad to receive the request and cover suggestion.

During the recording of today’s song, Paul McCartney reportedly stormed out of the studio due to tension and disagreement with the band over the song’s arrangement and direction. The creative process for the Beatles during this time was often intense and fraught with artistic differences, which could lead to such incidents.

The song was originally inspired by an LSD trip; the lyrics were written by John Lennon based on an experience he had with actor Peter Fonda. It’s another case of he said, she said …. or in this case …. she said, she said.

This is “She Said, She Said” by the Beatles

🪲

And here is our requested cover version of “She Said, She Said” by Lonestar.

No input from me on this one, kids, so you’ll have to virtually duke it out on your own. No hitting below the belt!

I’m looking forward to reading your comments.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

A Little Alone Time

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write something clever
in exactly 91 words, using the word “intent”.
This is my response in exactly 91 words.

Angie eased into the bathtub.

Her once lithe and graceful body had been rebelling for a while; now it had declared mutiny.

She didn’t expect to have free time today so this moment of solitude was bliss.

Angie barely had time to relax when she heard the persistent nudging on the door; a black paw soon found its way into the narrow opening.

Sidney, the cat.

He was intent on getting into the bathroom to see what Angie was up to without him.

“Sid!” Angie scolded playfully. “A little privacy, please!”

NAR©2024
91 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #352 – Intent
FOWC with Fandango — Privacy
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Expect
FOWC with Fandango — Lithe
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Bliss

This is Rufus Wainwright with “Alone Time”

All text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #25

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to the 4F Club! Four days to go.

Today’s song is another in your face, bare naked plea inspired by John’s love for Yoko. As he put it: “When it gets down to it, when you’re drowning, you don’t say, “I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,” you just scream.”

John and Yoko had a real connection. I don’t think the other Beatles disliked Yoko; I think they resented her hanging around all the time. None of the other wives came to the “office” every day; she was the 5th wheel, a distraction. John was totally into her and not what the group was doing. She was a constant presence and made things uncomfortable but neither she nor John cared.

Here are the Beatles with “Don’t Let Me Down”

🪲

From Wales with their cover of “Don’t Let Me Down”, this is Stereophonic.

Here we have another case of “If I didn’t know the original, I’d be all over this one“. I love the sound of the lead singer’s voice and the group has a really good vibe. I like this cover a lot but, just like the cover of “I Am The Walrus”, it’s too slow. Besides, all I think of when I hear this song is the Beatles rooftop concert.

Another one for the Beatles. What are your thoughts?

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Do You Have Any Singles?

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Today, Jim at Song Lyric Sunday is asking us to write about a song that was not originally released as an album single or never became a single.

The songs I’ve chosen were written and recorded by one of the biggest bands to come out of the UK in the 60s. No, not the Beatles! This time I’m talking about the Rolling Stones. Contrary to what some people believe, a person can be into both the Beatles and the Stones. Shocking, isn’t it!

Here’s a quick bio: The Rolling Stones were formed in London by founding members, vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts. During their early years, Jones was the primary leader of the band.

Just like all bands starting out at that time, the Stones’ catalog consisted of cover songs. When they began writing their own songs, the Jagger-Richards partnership became the band’s primary songwriting and creative force; this alienated Brian Jones, who developed a drug addiction that by 1968 interfered with his ability to contribute meaningfully. Jones left the band shortly before his death in 1969, having been replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor. In 1971 the Stones released the album Sticky Fingers, the first of eight consecutive #1 studio albums in the US. Taylor left the band at the end of 1974 and was replaced by Ronnie Wood. Following Wyman’s departure in 1993, the band continued as a foursome.

Two of the Rolling Stones’ songs that were never released as singles are both mega hits – “Gimme Shelter” off their 1969 album Let It Bleed and “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” from their first #1 album, Sticky Fingers.

“Gimme Shelter” is about the political and social unrest at the time. There was the war in Vietnam, race riots, the murders by the Manson Family and politicians being assassinated. Mick Jagger sings of needing shelter from this “storm”. Merry Clayton is the female vocalist featured singing the line “Rape, murder, it’s just a shot away”. She delivered a chilling vocal with her voice cracking on the word “murder” at the 3:01 mark and you can hear Jagger in the background saying “Whoo!” The Stones didn’t release the song as a single but Merry Clayton did …. in 1970 which made it to #73 in the US.

This is “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones; be sure to listen for Merry in the background.

“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” is the fourth track on the Rolling Stones’ 1971 album Sticky Fingers. The first two and a half minutes of the song are down and dirty, riff-tastic Rolling Stones. The last four and a half minutes are an improvised, instrumental jam session. The length of this song made for a tough sell; in order to improve the chances of radio play, singles were held to around three minutes. The entire track was captured in one take, with the jam being a happy accident. The band had assumed the tape machine had been stopped and were surprised to find the entire session had been captured. Originally they were going to end the song before the jam started, but were so pleased with the results, they decided to keep it in.

The four singles from Sticky Fingers were “Brown Sugar,” “Bitch,” “Wild Horses,” and “Sway.” However, popular consensus is “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” stands miles higher than “Sway”. Not only does it bear one of the Rolling Stones’ most instantly recognizable guitar riffs, but it’s been included in the soundtracks for  a number of movies including Casino and The Fighter.

But what’s the song all about? What are the Stones trying to tell us? It’s probably best not to read too much into the lyrics of this one since even Mick Jagger isn’t exactly sure what he wrote! Appearing on the track is Bobby Keys, who had debuted his saxophone for the Stones on “Live With Me” back on Let It Bleed. Mick Taylor’s got that impressive guitar track starting at the 4:32 mark.

So, since I don’t have any spectacular words of wisdom to add to that, let’s just enjoy the Stones and “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking”.

The Rolling Stones’ estimated record sales of 200 million makes them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. They have won three Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Billboard and Rolling Stone magazine have ranked them as one of the greatest musical groups of all time. I definitely concur. 

Thanks so much to Jim for all the work he does week after week on Song Lyric Sunday.

Should Have Been a Single

NAR©2024

All text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #24

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to F4! We’re going to take a trip back in time.

I’m featuring another Beatle covering one of their favorite rock & roll songs; if you’ve been keeping track you know there’s only one Beatle I haven’t featured yet. So, who’s the last man standing? You’re about to find out …. but first, let’s listen to the original song which the Beatles covered.

From 1960, here are The Shirelles with their hit, “Boys”

🪲

And here are the Beatles with their version of “Boys” with Ringo doing the singing.

There’s no doubt the fabulous girl groups from the early 60s broke boundaries and paved the way for future artists BUT …. and you knew there was a but coming …. this definitely goes to the high octane performance by Ringo and the boys. You can tell they are all into this one 100% and having the time of their lives! We can’t forget, however …. without groups like The Shirelles, the Beatles might not even exist.

What do you say …. girls or boys?

Join me again tomorrow; only five days left.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Short Story

Far Away Land

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Jenne, our genial host at The Unicorn Challenge,
has offered up the photo below as our inspiration
to write a story of no more than 250 words.
This is my 250-word response to that challenge.

© Ayr/Gray

There was once a land so very far away from every other land that it was almost completely forgotten by all the inhabitants of the world.

And on that land there were trees and bushes and plants of every type imaginable. Each tree, plant and bush bore the most incredible edibles … luscious fruits of every variety known and unknown to man. There were at least 10,000 kinds of grapes, 8,000 sorts of apples, 3,000 types of pears, 2,000 varieties of peaches, 1,000 kinds of bananas, 400 types of berries, 400 varieties of oranges, etc. There were many sorts of vegetables that grew underground as well as on trees. There were streams, lakes and rivers with crystal clear water abundant with fish.

And on that very far away land lived a cyclops … giant, of course, as all cyclopes are. He was left there years ago by his parents who knew he would never survive life in the city, a life of ridicule and torment and loneliness. They also knew they would never be able to show him any kind of love or affection; indeed, his mother was repulsed by the feel of his rough skin, and unable to look into his one large, blood red eye.

But the cyclops was not forgotten. Every birthday his parents would travel thousands of miles to bring him candy. He would greedily eat the candy and they would leave. Until the last visit when he ate the candy and for dessert, his parents.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-23/02/24

This is Cream with “Tales of Brave Ulysses”

All text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #23

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome to the final week of Feb Fab Faux Four! Let the countdown begin!

Today I’m featuring a lovely ballad off their 1970 “Let It Be” album. John explained how the words of the first line came to him: “I was lying next to my first wife in bed and I was irritated and I was thinking. She must have been going on and on about something and she’d gone to sleep and I kept hearing these words over and over, flowing like an endless stream. I went downstairs and it turned into a sort of cosmic song rather than an irritated song, rather than “Why are you always mouthing off at me?” [The words] were purely inspirational and were given to me as boom! I don’t own it you know; it came through like that.“

This is “Across The Universe” by the Beatles.

🪲

With his remake from the “I Am Sam” soundtrack, this is Rufus Wainwright and “Across The Universe”

Truth be told, I don’t really know that much about Rufus Wainwright so I Googled him and found out that he is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter and composer. He has recorded eleven studio albums and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical operas and set Shakespeare’s sonnets to music for a theatre piece by American director and playwright Robert Wilson. Up until today I had no songs by Wainwright on my playlist; now I have one.

I listened to a few covers of this piece, including Bowie’s and one by Wainwright with Moby and Sean Lennon. None of them came close to the original.

This solo piece was a shining star for me. I’m not quite ready to call it a draw so score one more for the Beatles.

What are your thoughts?

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Remains Of The Day

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle, our gracious host at Friday Fictioneers,
has challenged us to write a story of 100 words or less,
using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.

Photo Copyright Alicia Jamtaas

Too many arguments, too many years of spiteful words. She’d had enough.

He walked into their bedroom where she was packing. “How can you do this, like it was nothing?”

“Like it was nothing? Do you really think this is easy, like tossing out yesterday’s leftovers?”

“Twenty-three years, Beth. You can’t throw that away.”

“Would you just let it be, Sam, and go to work.”

“I’ll see you when I get home, Beth.”

“Oblivious” she murmured.

Of course she was gone when he returned. Nothing left but remains of the day.

And he didn’t have a clue what to do.

NAR©2024
100 Words

23 February 2024

This is Steve Tyrell with “A House Is Not A Home”

All text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Birthday Thursdays

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Welcome to Birthday Thursdays! Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on this day. There won’t be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures – just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.

Happy Birthday to Marni Nixon (Voice Dubber/Ghost Singer)
Born February 22, 1930 in Altadena, California

Marni Nixon talks about Dubbing for Marilyn Monroe and Debora Kerr


Yul Brynner & Deborah Kerr perform “Shall We Dance” from “The King and I”. (Marni Nixon dubbed Deborah Kerr’s singing)

“Tonight” from “West Side Story” with Marni Nixon as ghost singer for Natalie Wood

Audrey Hepburn’s voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon for “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady”

Marni Nixon doing her best Marilyn Monroe in “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”

NAR©2024

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #22

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to F4!

Today I’m featuring a fun song from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, a work regarded by musicologists as an early concept album. At the end of August 1966, the Beatles had permanently retired from touring and pursued individual interests. While on a return flight to London in November 1966, Paul came up with an idea that formed the impetus of the Sgt. Pepper concept: creating songs for an Edwardian military rock band.

Meanwhile……

John was out one day and he stopped at an antique store where he saw a framed poster on display advertising a circus. As he read the poster, an idea started forming. He bought the poster and hung it in his music room at home. Everything came together, incorporating many of the words from the poster almost exactly as they were written (except Henry the Horse was actually named Zanthus) and the result was a fantastical number unlike anything the Beatles had done before.

Here is “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!” by the Beatles.

🪲

And here is Cheap Trick with their rendition of “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!”.

There was always a method to the Beatles madness. Love it or hate it, this song beautifully displays the brilliant imagination, unparalleled musicality and creative genius of the Beatles. This song helped keep Sgt. Pepper from becoming an overwhelming Paul McCartney project …. and thank goodness for that!

So, what about the Cheap Trick version. It’s very good, the best cover I could find, and why wouldn’t it be good? It sounds like Cheap Trick bought the sheet music for “Mr. Kite”, rehearsed it and did their level best to sound as close to the Beatles as possible. It’s a replica of the original and shows little imagination of its own but it’s done well …. I’ll give Cheap Trick that much.

This one goes to the Beatles, without question. Join me tomorrow for an interesting selection.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag #8 February Monthly Challenge
where we’re asked to write about a song by any group or solo singer
beginning with the letter C or D.

Formed in San Jose, California in 1970, The Doobie Brothers are known for their vocal harmonies and their flexibility in performing across numerous genres. Active for 50+ years, with their greatest success during the 1970s, the group is still performing and touring today.

So, what’s up with their name? Well, it’s really not that hard to figure out but the story goes that during the formative days while the group was trying to come up with a name, the guy who lived next door and hung out with them said “Since you’re always smoking pot, why not just call yourselves ‘The Doobie Brothers’?” The band members couldn’t deny that was true but thought the name was “really dumb”; they decided to go with it just until they came up with a better name but they never did.

The Doobie Brothers improved their playing by performing live all over Northern California in 1970. They attracted a particularly strong following among local chapters of the Hells Angels and got a recurring gig at one of the bikers’ favorite venues, the Chateau Liberté in the Santa Cruz mountains, playing there through the summer of 1970. A set of demos, which showcased dual lead electric guitars, three-part harmonies and some wicked drumming, caught the ear of the Warner Brothers’ staff and eventually earned the group a contract before the year was out.

Breakthrough success came to The Doobies after the 1972 release of their album “Toulouse Street” which contained the hits “Listen To The Music” and “Jesus Is Just Alright”. A string of hits followed, including “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove’.

“Listen To The Music” was written by lead singer and guitarist Tom Johnston and was the Doobie Brothers’ first big hit. Upon the release of the single, Cash Box said that it’s “the group’s mellowest rockin’ mood yet, one that could see them through to chart territory with AM play.” The staff of Billboard consider it the Doobie Brothers’ best song, saying that it “ranks high in the pantheon of rock n’ roll feel-good hits” and should “get your foot tapping and bring a bit of a smile to your face.”

“Listen To The Music” remains a staple of adult contemporary and classic rock radio. The band uses it as an encore song during live shows. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2020. The group has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.

Let’s listen to some Doobie Brothers; smoke ’em if you got ‘em.

This is “Listen To The Music” by The Doobie Brothers

LYRICS

Don’t you feel it growing, day by day
People getting ready for the news
Some are happy, some are sad
Whoa, gotta let the music play


What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
Gotta get a message, get it on through
Oh, now momma don’t you ask me why

Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
All the time

Well I know, you know baby, everything I say
Meet me in the country for a day
We’ll be happy, and we’ll dance
Oh, we’re gonna dance our blues away

And if I’m feeling good to you and you’re feeling good to me
There ain’t nothing we can’t do or say
Feeling good, feeling fine
Oh, baby, let the music play

Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
All the time

Like a lazy flowing river
Surrounding castles in the sky
And the crowd is growing bigger
Listening for the happy sounds
And I got to let them fly

Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
All the time

Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
All the time

Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
Whoa, oh listen to the music
All the time

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Tom Johnston
Listen to the Music lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Mixed Music Bag 2024 – week 8 – Caravan

NAR©2024

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Poem

Paying The Price ~ A dVerse Quadrille

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Today at dVerse Quadrille we are asked
to wrote a 44-word poem using the word “touch”.

He cried out,
fingers
instantly blistering,
the tender skin
red and peeling
like
a
scalded
tomato.

Whimpering pitifully,
he went in search
of his
mother,
hoping for
a
gentle
touch.

“Foolish boy.
You were
warned
not to
touch;
now you must
pay
the
price.”

NAR©2024
44 Words

Quadrille #195 – Don’t Touch that Dial! (Stay and Write a Poem)    

The Rolling Stones, “Play With Fire”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #21

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to Feb Fab Faux Four.

Now it’s time for something completely different. I got a request to feature today’s song; if I get a request and I have room, I’ll post it. Too bad requests didn’t start coming in until just the other day. Regarding requests …. I will give you some info about the original song but will not comment on the cover.

So, just what the hell is this song about anyway? For John Lennon, the answer was simple: “That was just a sort of nice line that I made into a song. It was about me and Yoko. Everybody seemed to be paranoid except for us two, who were in the glow of love. Everything is clear and open when you’re in love.“

Additionally, the lyrics contain sayings the Beatles heard from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In further comments on the song, John said it addressed his bandmates’ initial reaction to his relationship with Yoko. There is also wide speculation that the title of the song as well as some of the lyrics reference John and Yoko’s heroin use during ’68.

Recorded early in the sessions for the White Album, the track typifies the Beatles’ return to a rock sound in 1968 after their psychedelic period.

I had originally programmed Soundgarden’s cover of this song but when the request came in, I went with that instead.

Ok, enough chitchat. Here we go.

Here are the Beatles with “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey”.

🪲

Today’s requested remake of the Beatles’ song with the longest name as done by Fats Domino.

Just for fun, here’s Soundgarden:

Discuss amongst yourselves.

That’s it for today, kids. I’m outta here.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Short Story

Death In The Family

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge is asking us to
write a Six Sentence Story using the word “pass”.
This is my six sentence story.

The house is quiet tonight ….eerily quiet …. for all the lights are off and only the glow of candles shines dimly through the curtained windows, performing a ballet of shadows on the walls and ceiling; every so often a door softly opens, barely perceptible murmurings are audible, then the door gently closes as intermittent muted sobbing creeps up from the parlor.

I sit on my bed huddled under a blanket, a tiny flashlight flickering a pale yellow beam on my diary as I jot down my memories of the day; I must be quiet because my mother will be very upset with me if she discovers I’m still awake at this late hour.

My window is open just enough to let in some fresh air and the distinct smell of cigarette smoke wafts up into my room; I peek out to see my mother’s uncles sitting on the back steps silently smoking their unfiltered Lucky Strike cigarettes, their black armbands starkly visible against their plain starched white shirts. 

I tip-toe across the length of my bedroom, praying the old wooden floorboards beneath the well-worn rug will not creak and ever so slowly I turn the glass doorknob; the hallway is dark but I can detect a muted light downstairs and I scurry nearer to the staircase railing for a better look as I sit there hugging my knees asking myself if I should creep downstairs and take a peek.

A few hours earlier the ambience of the house was much different, still subdued but active as delivery men came and went and acquaintances passed through the hallway into the parlor to pay their respects while my mother and the other women labored in the kitchen like mute worker bees, preparing trays of food for the constant flow of visitors, and my father, along with my uncles, positioned the many floral arrangements throughout the parlor; we children sat quietly on the two enormous matching sofas along the side walls, eyes downcast, confused and uncharacteristically subdued, occasionally glancing toward the walnut casket resting atop a platform in the center of the room and quickly look away.

Around 6:00 we were quietly whisked away into the dining room where we silently ate our supper, then returned to the parlor to continue our vigil; it had been a long and sorrowful day, the longest day in our young lives, for the family matriarch, my great-grandmother had died.

Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt!

This is Enrico Caruso singing “Mamma mia, che vo’sapé” (“My mother, what did you know?”)

This recording was made in September 1920, less than a year before Caruso’s death. His health was failing and the recording equipment was, by our standards, primitive. Despite all that, the power and beauty of his voice remain unmatched.

NAR©2024

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Short Story

Driving Lessons

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

“Danielle wants to learn how to drive, Bob”

“Don’t look at me, Helen. Last year’s lessons with Vanessa nearly put me over the edge.”

“Well, I can’t do it! Ever since Marcia Morelli snatched that promotion for Real Estate Agent of the Year away from me, I’m spending all my time at work playing catch up.”

“That’s not my problem, Helen. Anyway, I signed on to coach Brandon’s baseball team this season, remember?”

“Oh, cry me a river, Bob! You’re the one who took an early retirement; your schedule is much more flexible than mine.”

“That’s right, I retired so I could do things I enjoy like playing golf  and going fishing. It’s important to stay mobile after retirement so we don’t become dust in the wind.”

“Well, if you can’t do it and I can’t do it, why don’t we get Vanessa to teach Danielle how to drive?”

“Are you out of your mind, woman! Vanessa’s been driving less than a year. She can’t take Danielle out driving! Can you imagine the mayhem when those two hit the streets?”

“At least I’m making suggestions, Bob. All you’re doing is justifying why you can’t do it.”

“Oh, Helen, save your breath and don’t look at me with such contempt. I’m right and you know it. I won’t idly sit by and watch both our daughters driving without an adult in the car. It’s out of the question.”

“You won’t? Oh, that’s wonderful, Bob! I knew you’d come around!”

“Now hold on there, Helen. I didn’t agree to anything.”

“Why, sure you did, Bob. You said you wouldn’t sit idly by while the girls are driving around without an adult in the car.”

“But I didn’t mean…..”

“Look at it this way, Bob. Danielle is used to being driven everywhere she goes. If you don’t teach her how to drive, you’ll just have to drive here wherever she wants to go. I’d say this is a win/win situation.”

“And how do you figure that, Helen?”

“Simple! By giving Danielle driving lessons, you’ll be doing your part to keep our insurance rates down, you’ll be able to coach Brandon’s baseball team and still have time to do the things you enjoy and you won’t turn into dust in the wind. And all it takes is just one daily one-hour driving lesson! You’re a genius, Bob!”

“I am? Yeah, I guess I am. Hey! Wait just a gosh darn minute, Helen!”

NAR©2024

FOWC with Fandango — Learn
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Edge
FOWC with Fandango — Snatch
FOWC with Fandango — Flexible
FOWC with Fandango — Mobile
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Streets
FOWC with Fandango — Contempt
FOWC with Fandango — Driven

This is Kansas with “Dust In The Wind”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #20

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome to day 20 of Feb Fab Faux Four. We’re coming ’round the bend and the finish line is in sight!

Yesterday I hinted that today’s song was a huge hit for one of the Beatles during his solo career …. and by huge I mean HUGE. This was our Beatle’s first single as a solo artist and it topped the charts worldwide; it was the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the UK and the first #1 single by an ex-Beatle in the US and England. By the late 1970s, it was the most covered song written and released by any of the former Beatles since the band’s break-up. Did I say it was huge?

Our Beatle wrote today’s song in praise of the Hindu god Krishna, while intending the lyrics as a call to abandon attachment to any one religious sect through his blending of the Hebrew word “hallelujah” with chants of “Hare Krishna” and Indian prayers. 

That last bit of information was a dead giveaway, I’m sure, so let’s cut to the chase and play some music.

Here is George Harrison with “My Sweet Lord”

🪲

This is Edwin Starr’s remake of “My Sweet Lord“

My sweet lord! Can I get an “Amen”?!

I know the obvious choice for a cover version is Billy Preston but we’ve all heard that one too many times. Edwin Starr has given us a slowed down, almost gospel-like version and I have to give him kudos for taking on such a big song; his vocal range is impressive. I like his arrangement but it can’t hold a votive candle to George Harrison’s

“Every time I put the radio on, it’s ‘Oh my Lord’. I’m beginning to think there must be a God” said John Lennon after George scored the first number one hit by any solo Beatle. Sour grapes? Typical biting humor from John. And none of them thought George had what it took to write decent songs.

In 1976 George was slapped with a lawsuit claiming that “My Sweet Lord” sounded too much like the 1963 hit by the Chiffons called “He’s So Fine”. George took his guitar to the court and demonstrated how he wrote the song, but he was found to have committed “subconscious plagiarism”. It doesn’t seem to have negatively impacted his career. I’ll let you be the judge. Here are the Chiffons with “He’s So Fine”.

Well, all I can say is there’s a similarity. I think the Chiffon’s lawyers got lucky on this one.

That’s it for today, kids. Nine more vids to go before I’m outta here.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Uncategorized

Hail To The Chief

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday in the U.S., celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2024 will occur on February 19 …. hey, that’s today!

Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.

While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. Very few people do that and the holiday is a day off for federal employees, kids have winter break this week and Presidents’ Day sales are going strong in stores around the country.

Hey, if you can’t laugh at the leader of the free world, who can you laugh at? Enjoy the holiday!

Presidential Bloopers

Here’s One Weird Fact About 45 Presidents (sorry Joe!)

NAR©2024

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #19

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome to day 19 of Feb Fab Faux Four. Are you having fun yet?

We’re spinning the wheel in the other direction and going back in time to another tune the Beatles covered.

Today’s number is a rockabilly song often credited to Carl Perkins; however, it been brought to light that Carl’s song is actually based on a 1936 song of the same name written by singer/songwriter Rex Griffin. Griffin’s song didn’t really go anywhere and Carl Perkins’ 1957 release achieved widespread popularity. Lucky Carl Perkins! The Beatles covered the song in 1964. 

The Beatles recording was first released as the final track on “Beatles For Sale” in the United Kingdom late in ’64 and as the concluding track on the North American album “Beatles ’65”. The remake by the Beatles features a false ending which means the final musical phrase (not vocals) repeats itself after the song seems to have stopped; this false ending does not appear in the Carl Perkins version.

Here is Carl Perkins with his 1957 recording of “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”.

🪲

And from 1964, here’s “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby” by the Beatles featuring George Harrison on lead vocals. George was a life-long fan of Carl Perkins; it was a thrill for him to actually meet and perform with Carl.

There’s not a damn thing wrong with a George Harrisong!

As a diehard George fan, I love everything he ever did and believe the quality of his his solo work after the Beatles split is better than anything the other three produced. In this remake, George’s vocals were processed with the STEED effect; I doubt I’ll be able to explain this process with great clarity so I’m leaving it highlighted if you’d like to read about it.

Carl Perkin’s rockabilly recording is great but my vote goes to George and the boys. 

Before I close this page out, here is a bonus track …. the original 1936 recording of Rex Griffin’s “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”. Enjoy this very unusual and different arrangement.

I’m back tomorrow with what became a huge hit for one of the Beatles during his solo career. Join me to see which song it is.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Uncategorized

Here’s A Howdy-Do!

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt is asking us to
write something original in exactly 38 words,
using the word “gregarious”. This is my response.

Look at that old skinflint!

He’s always been the cheapest, nastiest SOB in town.

Now he’s all chipper, greeting people with friendly smiles.

I’ve been wondering where this sudden gregarious attitude is coming from.

Two words: employee discount!

NAR©2024
38 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #351 – Gregarious

This is Chris Cagle singing about that “Wal-Mart Parking Lot”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #18

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome to F4. This is one of those songs that had everybody wondering what the hell it was all about.

John Lennon wrote today’s song to bewilder listeners who had been seriously trying to interpret some of the Beatles’ lyrics. He was partly inspired by two LSD trips and Lewis Carroll’s poem “The Walrus and the Carpenter”.

George Martin arranged and added orchestral accompaniment that included violins, cellos, horns, and clarinet. A 16-voice choir of professional studio vocalists also joined the recording singing nonsense lines and shrill whooping noises. Shortly after release, the song was banned by the BBC for the line “Boy, you’ve been a naughty girl, you let your knickers down.” Scandalous!

Have you figured out today’s song? I’m sure you have. Let’s check it out.

This is “I Am The Walrus” by the Beatles

🪲

With their cover of “I Am The Walrus”, this is Spooky Tooth

So, what did you think of this version by the progressive rock band, Spooky Tooth? I thought it was pretty good except for one thing ….. it was too slow. As you can see, the cover lasted almost two minutes longer than the original. It dragged on and probably should have been called “I Am The Sloth”.

No question …. this one goes to the Beatles. That’s my opinion; what’s yours?

Stop by for a jumping little number coming up tomorrow.

I”ll see you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

The King of Queens

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Today in Song Lyric Sunday, Jim as asking us to write about a song(s) composed by a duo. I’ve chosen a duo not only from the US but from my hometown of New York. As a kid, I’d sing these songs in my bedroom pretending I was a major recording artist. Didn’t we all? I found myself happily swimming in a sea of wonderful memories as I wrote this post.

This former husband and wife duo wrote many of the 60s biggest hits and those songs were recorded by everyone from Aretha Franklin to James Taylor to the Beatles. He wrote the lyrics and she wrote the music to songs such as “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, “Take Good Care Of My Baby” and “The Loco-Motion”, and chances are you’ve danced to a hit single by this dynamic songwriting duo.

I’m talking about Carole King and Gerry Goffin.

During the spring semester of her freshman year at Queens College in NY, Carole King was introduced to Gerry Goffin while at the student lounge. Goffin, three years older than King, was looking for someone to write lyrics for a musical he was writing. King took a look, said she wasn’t interested and added “You know, I write rock ‘n’ roll songs” but allowed Goffin to drive her home. Soon she was writing songs for his musical, he writing lyrics for her songs.

King and Goffin were married in 1959 when she was only 17 and pregnant with their first child. They quit college and took day jobs, Goffin working as an assistant chemist and King as a secretary.  And in the evenings, they wrote songs together. High school friend Neil Sedaka got them an audition with music producer Don Kirshner; he offered a guaranteed advance against royalties of $1000 a year, to be doubled if the deal was renewed for a second year and tripled if for a third. The rest is history.

Their songs were always impeccably structured. Their music was for teens and dealt with themes of  love, rejection and jealousy and teenagers dealing with them on their own terms. Carole’s heart-tugging melodies and Gerry’s superb lyrics captured the tone and the everyday language of their audience’s  inner experiences with uncanny accuracy.

Carole had a gift for arrangement, knowing how to build a song. To help sell her songs, she began making low cost tapes to demonstrate her ideas to the producers. Those demos were so good that often the producer only had to copy them with the proper instrumentation to have a hit record.

One night in the fall of 1960 Carole and Gerry returned from an evening out and found a note from Don Kirshner saying he needed a lyric by the next day for the Shirelles. Goffin immediately began writing and King composing; the result was “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” In January 1961, the song became the first song by a female group to reach #1 on the pop charts since the McGuirre Sisters in 1958, and first ever for a black female group.

Kirshner decided that Goffin & King were capable of running a record label and put them in charge of Dimension Records. For over a year they had a more consistent track record than any of their competition, including Phil Spector’s Philles Records. By 1964 they had come up with another 23 hits, but their best work was behind them and the British Invasion had begun.

However Goffin & King were heroes to these English groups. The Beatles recorded “Chains” and Paul McCartney was quoted as saying he wished he could write as well. On their first U.S. tour, meeting them was a priority. The Beatles were not the only British band that felt that way but by 1965, Carole and Gerry’s talents were becoming less important as groups such as the Byrds, the Young Rascals and the Beach Boys set the tone for other upcoming artists who wrote their own material.

By 1967 Goffin & King’s marriage was crumbling due to creative disenchantment, internal pressures and the times.  They were divorced with King moving to California where she started a group called “The City” and came into her own as a performer. When Carole King found her solo niche, the team of Goffin & King ended.

I’d like you to think for a minute about those exhilarating days of young love as teenagers. Our parents called it “puppy love” and didn’t take us seriously, saying it would never last and we’d get over it. Some parents were dead set against their daughters or sons getting romantically involved at such a young age; really, who could blame them but who could blame us teenagers for falling in love? We can’t control what the heart feels and it was especially difficult for teenage girls. As much as we like to think people have evolved, they really haven’t changed all that much. Teen girls who have sex are thought of as promiscuous while guys are macho and sewing their wild oats. It’s an age old dilemma, the most personal situation young people can find themselves in.

Nothing obvious or indelicate was ever revealed in our featured song but if you read between the lines of Gerry Goffin’s gorgeous lyrics, there’s little doubt what this song is about. Using a variation on the theme “will you respect me in the morning?”, here are the Shirelles asking in a sublimely delicate and romantic way, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

Lyrics

Tonight, you’re mine completely
You give your love so sweetly
Tonight, the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow?

Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment’s pleasure?
Can I believe the magic of your sighs?
Will you still love me tomorrow?

Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I’m the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night (when the night)
Meets the mor- (meets the morning sun)

I’d like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now, and I won’t ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?

So tell me now, and I won’t ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me-

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Carole King / Gerry Goffin
Will You Love Me Tomorrow lyrics © Screen Gems-emi Music Inc., Aldon Music Inc., Screen-gems Emi Music (r.mellin M.)

In 1960, the Shirelles released the first version of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” with “Boys” on the B-side. The single’s first pressing was labeled simply “Tomorrow“, then lengthened later. When first presented with the song, lead singer Shirley Owens did not want to record it because she thought it was “too country“; she relented after a string arrangement was added. However, Owens recalled on Jim Parsons’s syndicated classic radio program, “Shake Rattle Showtime“, that some radio stations had banned the record because they had felt the lyrics were too sexually charged.

In addition to reaching No. 1 in the US, the song reached No. 2 on the R&B chart, No. 4 in the UK and No. 3 in New Zealand. This version, with session musicians Paul Griffin on piano and Gary Chester on drums, was ranked at No. 126 among Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Billboard named the song No. 3 on its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

From 1971, the incredibly talented Carole King with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”

NAR©2024

Collaborating Songwriting Partners

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #17

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to the Feb Fab Faux Four. This song is surrounded by mystery, skepticism and a lot of a disappointment.

The story goes that John Lennon wrote this song about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Beatles’ Indian guru. The group took an interest in Transcendental Meditation after attending one of Maharishi’s lectures. They went to India to study TM specifically at his camp, but left early when they began to fear he was more of a cult leader than an enlightened being. Speculation was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was using his status to seduce women.

Controversy among the Beatles lies in whether they all believed the stories or if John was seeing and believing things that weren’t really happening. Sadly, there’s no one who will tell the real story. John and George are dead, Ringo’s all about peace and love and Paul’s all about Paul.

There are many people who believe there are strange events surrounding the Beatles, including the conspiracy theory that the original Paul was killed in a car crash in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike named William Shears Campbell (who also happened to be extremely talented!) Supposedly, they were sworn to secrecy. Who knows …. maybe when there’s only one man standing will some of the truths be revealed, but I doubt it.

Lennon called today’s song “Maharishi,” but changed the title to “Sexy Sadie” to keep from getting sued. The opening lines make Lennon’s sentiments perfectly clear.

This is “Sexy Sadie” by the Beatles.

🪲

Doing his cover of “Sexy Sadie” this is Paul Weller

Paul Weller achieved fame with the new wave band, the Jam then had further success with the blue-eyed soul sound of the Style Council before setting out on a solo career. 

I think he did a fine cover of Sexy Sadie, keeping very true to the original, but his remake lacked the finesse and subtlety of John’s. My vote goes to the Beatles.

We’re going in the opposite direction tomorrow; come join me.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Short Story

Man Or Beast

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

It’s time once again for The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to respond to the photo prompt
by writing something brilliant in 250 words or less.
In exactly 250 words, this is my response.

© Ayr/Gray

The first half of my morning commute was always quite pleasant. I’d buy a muffin and a freshly brewed cup of coffee at Britain and McCain’s, then hop on the Metro North New Haven line. The 7:18 train was brightly lit, clean, and the seats were suitably arranged, making for a comfortable ride. I’d always see the same faces, fellow suburbanites with their briefcases and newspaper tucked under an arm. A nod or a wave was all that was necessary; it was all quite civilized. Arriving at Grand Central Terminal, I’d hustle to catch the subway; once inside, all masks of civility were discarded. It became a jungle, survival of the fittest.
Finding a seat on the subway was a continuous battle. Any shred of human decency was stripped away as people trampled each other in the hope of securing a place to sit or, at the very least, a spot against a wall on which to lean. If you were unable to find neither seat nor wall, you’d have no choice but to position yourself in the aisles where you could hang onto the hand straps suspended from the ceiling or stand shoulder-to-shoulder like disgruntled sheep crammed in a stall with no place to go. If anyone should stumble and fall, God help them because no one else would! Livestock on their way to the slaughterhouse. No wonder so many people were frustrated and disillusioned, dragging themselves to jobs they hated in conditions not fit for man or beast.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-16/02/24

This is the Beatles with “One After 909”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #16

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to F4. We are now two days into the second half of the month.

Considering the edgy progressive complexity of today’s song, it’s amazingly difficult to believe it was released in 1963 and was composed primarily by two guys who could neither read nor write music. This little number takes us all over the place with notes and chords and harmonies we don’t expect and somehow, it all works.

It’s a classic.

Here are the Beatles with “Not A Second Time”

🪲

This is “Not A Second Time” as done by the Pretenders

It seems only right that this progressive, edgy and complex piece be covered by the Pretenders and their legendary front-woman Chrissie Hynde; they are, after all, the icons of punk and New Wave music.

This is a really good cover; it stayed true to the original with a good electric piano break but I expected a little more from this group which has always been on the cutting edge.

This one goes to the Beatles.

Join me tomorrow for a cool tune off the White Album.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.