Pophistory: music, movies, history, and life.
Rest in peace, Clarence Clemons, and thanks for being a part of many of the best music experiences of my life. Somewhere, the Big Man and Danny Federici are playing together again, perhaps working on their joyous solos for “Paradise by the C.”
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Music lovers know it can be difficult to explain the role that music (or other arts) can play in our lives. Music can uplift, and it can help one through pain, loss, and heartache. For example, in “Drift Away,” singer Dobie Gray described how when one feels blue, the rock and roll guitar may come through to soothe you.
In the video below, Melissa Etheridge gives one of the best explanations about the value of music as she briefly talks about her battle with cancer. Melissa Etheridge explains music better in this short introduction to Patty Griffin and her excellent song “When It Don’t Come Easy” from Impossible Dream
Etheridge reminds us how music can fill one and take one through a tough time in life. And then we get the outstanding Patty Griffin song, with lyrics that could describe the comfort one may find in music.
Everywhere the waters getting rough,
Your best intentions may not be enough;
I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home tonight;
But if you break down,
I’ll drive out and find you;
If you forget my love,
I’ll try to remind you,
And stay by you when it don’t come easy.
If music has ever uplifted or comforted you, then this 2005 performance from Lifetime’s “Women Rock” Breast Cancer Awareness Concert will touch you.
Bonus Cover Version: Here is a link to a cover of Griffin’s “It Don’t Come Easy” by Jessica Rae, who does a nice job with the song, making it quieter and more personal with just her playing her guitar. The Chicago native was selected as a “Rising Star” for the PBS show Legends & Lyrics. In addition to being very talented, she also works on behalf of several good causes. Check out Rae’s website too.
[image: public domain via]
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Chimesfreedom sends out wishes and prayers for Clarence Clemons, who is seriously ill after suffering a stroke. According to reports, although Clemons has had a number of health problems in the past, this time, members of the E Street Band have been asked to go see Clemons in Florida as soon as possible.
You cannot mention Clemons without the modifier “legendary saxophonist,” for all of his great work with Bruce Springsteen as a member of the E Street Band, not to mention his work with other artists, including playing on Lady Gaga’s most recent album. Yet, while others in the E Street Band have larger singing roles, Clemons’s voice is also an important part of the complete package. In 1985, he even had a singing top 20 hit when he released “You’re a Friend of Mine, singing with Jackson Browne (and Daryl Hannah).
The best part of the song is the title, as when we think of Clemons, one of the first things we think about is his lifelong friendship with Bruce Springsteen and the rest of the band. On stage, Clemons, Springsteen, and the rest of the band interact in a way that shows a bunch of friends having fun. Because of that, we audience members feel like we get to share a tiny bit in that friendship. We all hope to maintain friendships like that in our own lives. Big Man, for your music and your friendships, our thoughts are with you.
Update June 13 Evening: Latest reports are that after two brain surgeries, Clemons is in stable condition and making progress. June 18 Update: Clarence Clemons passed away. For our post on his passing, head to this link.
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Gram Parsons (1946-1973) created a lot of great music in his short life. His work as a solo artist and with bands such as The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers greatly influenced the country-rock and alt-country movements. He helped Emmylou Harris start her career. He was friends with Keith Richards and supposedly influenced some of the music made by the Rolling Stones. And he helped create the wonderful strangely named song “Hot Burrito #1.”
“Hot Burrito #1” appeared on the Flying Burrito Brothers Gilded Palace of Sin (1969) album. It was written by Parsons and the band’s bass player Chris Ethridge.
“Hot Burrito #1” is a great song with a horrible name. The song, of course, has nothing to do with burritos, and the band’s use of the word “burrito” was not limited to the one song. The band liked to play around with the “burrito” theme, naming their next album Burrito Deluxe. And yes, there is a “Hot Burrito #2.”
Reportedly, the original use of “burrito” came from bassist Ian Dunlop, who had been in the International Submarine Band and then started a group called “The Flying Burrito Brothers” before Parsons and Chris Hillman borrowed the name for their band. Dunlop still makes music and also is an artist.
At one point, Parsons and Hillman had a house in San Fernando Valley that they called “Burrito Manor.”
“Hot Burrito #1” has been recorded and covered by other artists, including Raoul Mao, The Black Crowes, the Cowboy Junkies, and Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket. The song has been covered around the world, including a version by Japanese band Ma’am.
Elvis Costello recorded the song, but apparently he did not like the name so he renamed it, “I’m Your Toy.” Even though “Hot Burrito #1” is an odd name for a song, “I’m Your Toy” is not really better. Similarly, Jose Feliciano renamed the song with the forgettable title, “Not That Kind of Guy.”
One sign of the greatness of the song and the melody from Chris Ethridge is that it holds up well no matter who sings it. But it is especially powerful in the Parsons version.
The song starts out with the singer speaking to a former lover, telling her how she will miss him (“You may be sweet and nice / But that won’t keep you warm at night”). Then slowly you begin to hear the aching desperation in the singer’s voice and in the lyrics (“But I don’t want no one but you / To love me, no I wouldn’t lie”).
Interestingly, even though we know “Hot Burrito #1” as a classic song, it was not released as a single, only appearing as the B side of the only single at the time, the less memorable “The Train Song.” “The Train Song” was recorded after The Gilded Palace of Sin was completed but released as a single.
While numerous cover versions of “Hot Burrito #1” are now on YouTube, the A side is not available there at all (you may hear a clip of The Train Song
Do you like the song? What is your favorite great song with a bad name? What other songs have cover artists renamed? Drop a comment.
Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly implied that “The Train Song” appeared on The Gilded Palace of Sin. Even though the song was released as a single to promote the album, it was recorded after the album was completed. The single “The Train Song” did eventually appear on Hot Burritos! The Flying Burrito Brothers Anthology 1969-1972 (2000). September 2013 Update: A live version of “The Train Song” is now on YouTube.
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Les Paul, who passed away in 2009, was born in Wisconsin on June 9, 1915. His guitar playing and innovations, like his development of the solid-body electric guitar, are responsible for much of the music we hear today.
Among his many accomplishments, in the 1950s he had a five-minute syndicated television show with his wife at the time, Mary Ford. During that decade, Ford and Paul had a string of hit jazz songs, and The Les Paul & Mary Ford Show was often used to fill in space between regularly scheduled shows.
You may read more about Les Paul’s life at the Les Paul website.
