Tag: Freegal Music

Daily Digital & Print Suggested Reads: Monday, October 30, 2017

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, here are our suggested daily recommended titles in print or media and digital formats.

(Note: Click on the photo of the item you’d like to request or check out)

Our digital suggestion for today is the e-book:

Homemade Holiday Craft Your Way Through More than 40 Festive Projects by Sophie Pester & Catharina Bruns:

Bring the magic of a handmade Christmas into your home with 40 projects for gifts, decorations, and homemade wrapping paper.

Save time and money with the festive craft projects in Homemade Holiday. Clear, step-by-step instructions guide readers to create fresh flower garlands, bake edible gift tags, make homemade bath salts, and paint authentic tree ornaments. With last-minute ideas and lots of inspiration, this book will help you wrap up gift-giving and decorating for the holiday season.

And our suggested print book for the day is:

David Bowie: A Life by Dylan Jones:

Dylan Jones’s engrossing, magisterial biography of David Bowie is unlike any Bowie story ever written. Drawn from over 180 interviews with friends, rivals, lovers, and collaborators, some of whom have never before spoken about their relationship with Bowie, this oral history weaves a hypnotic spell as it unfolds the story of a remarkable rise to stardom and an unparalleled artistic path. Tracing Bowie’s life from the English suburbs to London to New York to Los Angeles, Berlin, and beyond, its collective voices describe a man profoundly shaped by his relationship with his schizophrenic half-brother Terry; an intuitive artist who could absorb influences through intense relationships and yet drop people cold when they were no longer of use; and a social creature equally comfortable partying with John Lennon and dining with Frank Sinatra. By turns insightful and deliciously gossipy, DAVID BOWIE is as intimate a portrait as may ever be drawn. It sparks with admiration and grievances, lust and envy, as the speakers bring you into studios and bedrooms they shared with Bowie, and onto stages and film sets, opening corners of his mind and experience that transform our understanding of both artist and art. Including illuminating, never-before-seen material from Bowie himself, drawn from a series of Jones’s interviews with him across two decades, DAVID BOWIE is an epic, unforgettable cocktail-party conversation about a man whose enigmatic shapeshifting and irrepressible creativity produced one of the most sprawling, fascinating lives of our time.

You can also request items by calling the library at: 607-936-3713 x 502.

Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL

Online Catalog Links:

StarCat

The catalog of physical materials, i.e. print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc.

The Digital Catalog (OverDrive)

The catalog of e-books, downloadable audiobooks and a handful of streaming videos.

Freegal Music Service

This music service is free to library card holders and offers the option to download, and keep, three free songs per week and to stream three hours of commercial free music each day:

RBDigital

 

Digital magazines on demand and for free! Back issues are available and you can even choose to be notified by email when the new issue of your favorite magazine is available.

About Library Apps:

You can access digital library content on PCs, Macs and mobile devices. For mobile devices simply download the OverDrive, Freegal or Zinio app from your app store to get started. If you have questions call the library at: 607-936-3713 and one of our Digital Literacy Specialists will be happy to assist

Suggested Listens October 2017 Week 1

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, here are our six musical recommendations for the week; five streaming suggestions and one recommended album on CD.

(Click on the photo to stream or request the album)

Freegal Streaming Suggestions*

Deuces, T’s, Roadsters and Drums by  And The Young Cougars by Hal Blaine (Genre: Classic Rock, Hot Rod Rock, Surf Music):


Drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Hal Blaine is best known as a member of the influential group of studio musicians known as The Wrecking Crew. Blaine played on thousands of recording sessions in California in the 1960s and 1970s. This 1963 album is one of his few solo albums. The records contains 22 surf instrumentals with the sounds of hot rods interspersed throughout. It is a fun album and includes the songs: Challenger II, Nashville Coupe, Mr. Eliminator, Deuces, TS, Roadsters and Drums, Gear Stripper and Hawaii 1963.

Now Hear Our Meanin’ by The Kenny Clarke Band (Genre: Jazz, 60’s Jazz):


The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Band features a combination of great Jazz musicians that played in Europe during the sixties. The group, which produced great swinging jazz, usually recorded in Cologne, Germany. This is their third album from 1965 and it features Kenny Clarke on drums, Francy Boland on piano, Sahib Shihab on flute and baritone sax and Ake Persson on trombone.

Songs on the LP include: Johnny One Note, Night Lady, I’m Scared of Girls When They’re Good Looking, A Ball for Othello, Sabbath Message and Now Hear My Meanin’

Harlem Street Singer by Reverend Gary Davis (Genre: Blues):


The Reverend Gary Davis’s finger style guitar playing has had a great impact on the evolution of folk and rock finger style guitar playing since his the blues revival of the 1960s. This is his third album, originally released in 1960, is considered one of his best and was recorded in only three hours! This version of the LP is the bonus edition which features 8 extra songs.

Songs on the album include: Samson and Delilah, Let Us Get Together, I Belong to the Band, Pure Religion, Lo, I Be With You Always and Motherless Children.

King’s Record Shop by Rosanne Cash (Genre: Country/Rock/Pop/Folk etc.):

This now classic album by Rosanne Cash was originally released in 1987. The album features her usual excellent work, songwriting wise and playing wise, with great musicians providing backup, Rosanne singing in top form and some excellent back up from other well-known musicians including Patty Smith and Steve Winwood.

Songs include: the empowering tune Rosie Strikes Back, The Way We Make a Broken Heart, If You Change Your Mind, The Real Me and Somewhere Sometime.

And just a note on Rosanne’s music, if you’re not familiar with it – it is generally categorized as country but she is one of those artists who rises above genre categories – she mixes country, folk, pop and rock with a bit of blues thrown in for good measure so easily, that if country isn’t usually your favorite type of music and you instead prefer pop, rock or folk music and you haven’t previously listened to Rosanne Cash’s music before – you really should check it out as it is top notch!

Brahms: The Piano Trios by Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos & Johannes Brahms (Genre: Classical):

This is the brand new albumby the renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax. Ma and Ax are joined by violist Leonidas Kavakos for this album of Brahms Piano Trios.

Here’s the composition list for this album:
Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Opus 87
1 Allegro
2 Andante con moto
3 Scherzo: Presto
4 Finale: Allegro giocoso

Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor, Opus 101
1 Allegro energico
2 Presto non assai
3 Andante grazioso
4 Allegro molto

Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Opus 8
5 Allegro con brio
6 Scherzo: Allegro molto
7 Adagio
8 Finale: Allegro

Compact Disc Recommendation of the Week:

Carolina Chocolate Drops & Joe Thompson (Genre: Folk, Blues & Country):

The Carolina Chocolate Drops were a string band consisting of Rhiannon Giddens on banjo and fiddle, Don Glemons on guitar, jug and harmonica and Justin Robinson on banjo and fiddle. Giddens has since gone solo to great acclaim. This album was recorded at the 2008’s MerleFest held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and features the then 90 year old fiddler Joe Thompson.

Songs on this album include: Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind, Corn Bread & Butter Beans, John Henry and Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad.

Music Videos of the Week:

Have Fun!!! Play Drums!!! By Hal Blaine

Manteca by The Kenny Clarke Band

Bebop by Kenny Clarke

Runaway Train by Rosanne Cash

Glory Halleloo by the Rev. Gary Davis

Brahms Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor – Movement I (excerpt)

Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major – Movement I (excerpt)

References

Artist Biography & Discography Information
http://www.allmusic.com/

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713.

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and including our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York. Library cards are free and at our library you can obtain one by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features both your name and your current address.

Suggested Listens September 2017 Week 4

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, here are our six musical recommendations for the week; five streaming suggestions and one recommended album on CD.

(Click on the photo to stream or request the album)

Freegal Streaming Suggestions*

1. Grant Hart & Husker Du:

Last week that Grant Hart, best known as the lead singer, songwriter and drummer for the 1980s punk group Husker Du died after a battle with cancer.

If you’re not familiar with his work it sounds like the epitome of 1980s punk rock – glossy and fresh and similar in scope to the work of R.E.M. and it is definitely worth checking out.

The Freegal Music Catalog features several albums by Husker Du and Grant Hart’s solo album debut too.

So I’m going to recommend three albums that feature Grant Hart’s music and if you like the first one, Husker Du’s 1984 release Flip Your Wig, then you’ll the other two as well – Husker Du’s 1985 album Zen Arcade and Hart’s first solo album, 1989’s Intolerance.

Flip Your Wig by Husker Du:

Songs include: Flip Your Wig, Every Everything, Makes No Sense At All & The Wit & The Wisdom.

Zen Arcade by Husker Du:

Songs include: Something I Learned Today, Never Talking To You Again, Dreams Reoccurring & What’s Going On.

Intolerance by Grant Hart:

Songs include: All of My Senses, Now That You Know Me, Fanfare in D Major and Roller-Rink.

2. Ain’t Goin’ That Way by Hokum Boys and “Banjo Joe” Gus Cannon (Genre: Blues):

The Hokum Boys were a group that played in the twenties and early thirties. The core members of the band were of pianist Alex Hill and guitarists Dan Roberts and Alex Robinson.

And a note on the word “Hokum, “Hokum” was a term from the ’20s used to describe music full of double entendres dealing with sex, drinking and drugs, and thus no respectable person from the period would be caught dead listening to it! This compilation includes 20 tracks from the Hokum Boys, Banjo Joe and Blind Blake, featuring Hokum Blues; Gambler’s Blues; Selling That Stuff; Jonestown Blues; He’s in the Jailhouse Now, and more.

3. Little Girl by Syndicate Of Sound (Genre: Classic Rock/Sixties Pop):

Syndicate of Sound was a mid-sixties band from San Jose, California and consisted of Don Basking on guitar and vocals, Bob Gonzalez on guitar, Larry Ray on lead guitar, John Sharkey on keyboards and John Ducksworth on drums.

Their music is great traditional rock that sounds like it was made in the mid-sixties; and as the LP was released in 1966 that is right on the proverbial money!

Songs in include: Big Boss Man, Almost Grown, Little Girl, Lookin’ for the Good Times and Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby.

4. You Ain’t Talkin’ To Me: Charlie Poole And The Roots Of Country Music by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers (Genre: Country/Folk):

This set includes 45 songs recorded by Poole between 1925 and 1931. Today we’d call this music old time country or perhaps Americana – but whatever designation we use – it is great early country music with banjos and fiddles front and center.

Songs include: Shootin’ Creek, There’ll Come a Time, White House Blues, Hungry Hash House, & Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down Blues.

5. Open Book by Fred Hersch:

This album is a brand new release by jazz pianist, composer, educator and activist Fred Hersh and includes the songs: The Orb, Whisper Not, Zingaro, Plainsong, Eronel and more.

CD Recommendation of the Week:

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron:

This collection features some of poet, activist and rap progenitor Gil Scott-Heron’s best music from the early seventies.

Songs include: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, The Get Out of the Ghetto Blues, Lady Day and John Coltrane and Whitey on the Moon.

Videos of the Week: 

Makes No Sense At All by Husker Du:

The Hokum Blues by The Hokum Boys:

Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers:

Little Girl by the Syndicate of Sound:

Open Book by Fred Hersch:

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron:

References:

Artist Biography & Discography Information:
http://www.allmusic.com/

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Have a great day!

Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and includes our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York!

Library cards are free if you live in our service area. And you can obtain a card by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features your name and your current address.

 

Suggested Listens September 2017: Week 3

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, here are our six musical recommendations for the week; five streaming suggestions and one recommended album on CD.

(Click on the photo to stream or request the album)

Freegal Streaming Suggestions*

1. Between The Lines: Sara Bareilles Live At The Fillmore by Sara Bareilles (Genre: Pop):

This concert performance by singer-songwriter and pianist Sara Barilles is full of energy and includes the songs Bottle It Up, Fairytale, August Moon, Love Song and more. Twenty eight songs in all.

2. Grateful by DJ Khaled (Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap):

D J Khaled worked for years as a radio DJ before breaking out as a performer himself. Songs on his new album include To the Max, Wild Thoughts, I’m The One, On Everything & I Love You so Much.

3. Imaginary Appalachia by Colter Wall (Genre: Folk/Country):

S

Singer-songwriter Colter Wall hails from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada and has been playing great music for several decades. Imaginary Appalachia, released in 2017, is his first U.S. album. Songs on the LP include: Sleeping on the Blacktop, Johnny Boy’s Bones, Caroline, Living on the Sand and Ballad of a Law Abiding Sophisticate.

4. Let’s Get Together/The Collectors #1 by Dickey Betts and Great Southern (Genre: Country/Southern Rock):

Singer-songwriter & guitarist Dickey Betts was a member of the seminal rock group The Allman Brothers Band. And he even wrote two of their most famous songs Ramblin’ Man and Jessica. After the band broke up in 1976 Betts formed the group Southern Comfort. And if you like classic rock or want to hear more of southern rock than this is a great double album set to check out.

Songs in this collection include: Rave On, Here Come the Blues Again, Donna Maria, George on a Fast Train & Steady Rolling Man.

5. Live At Carnegie Hall-1938 Complete by Benny Goodman & his Orchestra (Genre: Jazz/Swing):

AllMusic’s Bruce Eder offers an excellent explanation as to why you should listen to this album if you’ve never heard it!

Eder notes of the album “Benny Goodman’s January 16, 1938, Carnegie Hall concert is considered the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history: jazz’s “coming out” party to the world of “respectable” music, held right in that throne room of musical respectability, Carnegie Hall.” And Eder is right this is a great album of swinging music!

And just a note about the sound quality of the set; it was recorded in 1938 via 78 RPM transmission discs intended for radio broadcast — a common way of recording at the time. So the songs are great, and you can clearly hear the music, just be aware you will also hear some light crackling in the background something that is uncommon with music recorded today.

Songs include: Don’t Be That Way, Sometimes I’m Happy, One O’Clock Jump, Shine, Life Goes to a Party and Honeysuckle Rose.

CD Recommendation of the Week:

The Big Chill Soundtrack (Genre: Soundtracks/Sixties Music):

The Big Chill Soundtrack was very popular when it was released, and has continued to be in the years since. In fact the album was so popular that they released a second soundtrack titled The Big Chill: More Songs From The Original Soundtrack, a deluxe double album edition of the original soundtrack that features 38 songs and later still they released a 15th Anniversary Edition of the original soundtrack.

This LP on CD is the original soundtrack that has been so popular over the last 30 years!

Songs include: I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, My Girl by The Temptations, Good Lovin’ by Rascals, The Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and Joy To The World by Three Dog Night.

And as a related bonus suggestion check out–

The Big Chill 15th Anniversary Edition on DVD:

The Big Chill Trailer: 

Music Videos of the Week:

Bottle It Up by Sara Bareilles from the David Letterman Show:

Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller:

Sleeping On Blacktop by Colter Wall: 

Good Time Feeling by Dickey Betts and Great Southern:

(from the album Atlanta’s Burning Down — also available through Freegal: https://goo.gl/Ynd6y1)

Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra from the film Hollywood Hotel:

References:

Artist Biography & Discography Information:
http://www.allmusic.com/

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Have a great day

Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and includes our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York!

Library cards are free if you live in our service area. And you can obtain a card by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features your name and your current address.

Suggested Listens September 2017: Week 2

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, here are our six musical recommendations for the week; five streaming suggestions and one recommended album on CD.

(Click on the photo to stream or request the album)

Freegal Streaming Suggestions*

1. Happy Endings by Old Dominion

This is the second album by the bright country pop group and should appeal to those that like modern pop and country. The album features fun pop culture references in their song No Such Thing as a Broken Heart to Jack & Diane (from John Mellencamp’s early eighties song of the same name) and thoroughly relateable topics as in the songs Shoe Shopping, Be With Me and New York at Night. The bright upbeat songs in this collection are perfect if you’re taking a long drive too.

2. The RCA Singles by Stained Glass


I’m a huge fan of classic rock and have listened to it since, well, since the songs of the seventies were new…

Having said that, I’d never heard of the band Stained Glass before. The band, which despite their name isn’t a religious or gospel group, formed in the mid-sixties and has that mid-sixties acoustic rock sound. To my ears, the group sounds a bit like the Searchers and they were certainly influenced by the Beatles even covering George Harrison’s If I Needed Someone.

The band was a trio that consisted of Songwriter and bassist Jim McPherson, Bob Riminger on guitar and Dennis Carrasco on drums.

Songs in this collection include: the previously mentioned If I Needed Someone, My Buddy Sin, Vanity Fair, We’ve Got a Long Way to Go and Bubble Machine.

So if you’re a classic rock fan – check it out!

3. In the Year 2525 (Exordium Terminus) by Zager & Evans

And yes, I’m on a classic rock kick this week! If you’ve ever heard the eerie song In the Year 2525 – this is the album it came from!

Zager and Evans were a short lived folk rock duo consisting of guitarists and vocalists Denny Zager and Richard Evans.

This album has folk, rock and psychedelic-rock elements and includes the title track, In the Year 2525, which hit #1 on the Billboard Pop Chart in 1969. Songs on the LP include the title track In the year 2525, the horn centric Taxi Man which has a nice driving beat throughout and several folk pop songs including Cary Lynn Javes & I Remember Heide.

4. Don Williams in Ireland: The Gentle Giant in Concert:

This is a mellow collection of the late great country artist’s best songs recorded live in concert.

Songs include: I Believe in You, Good Ole Boys Like Me, Back in My Younger Days, Elise, Till the Rivers All Run Dry and more.

5. The Essential Preservation Hall Jazz Band:

The band hails from New Orleans and have been playing great traditional Jazz since the sixties – and by “traditional” I mean their music prominently features horns, piano and even banjo but guitars, a staple of modern Jazz, are elusive!

Songs in this collection include: Tiger Rag, Mood Indigo, The Buckets Got a Hole in It, St. Louis Blues, Georgia on my Mind and more.

CD Suggestion of the Week:

Crossroad by Tracy Chapman:

Chapman’s 1988 self titled debut album brought singer songwriters back into the collective public consciousness. This is her second album from 1989 and it is a great collection of thoughtful, introspective songs that both relate to how life is lived today (Okay, in 1989 and now) and that pack a “Hey, pay attention to this topic!” punch.

Songs include: Crossroads, Freedom Now, Material World, A Hundred Years, This Time & All That You Have Is Your Soul.

Music Videos of the Week:

No Such Thing as a Broken Heart by Old Dominion 

My Buddy Sin by Stained Glass

In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

You’re My Best Friend by Don Williams

Tailgate Ramble by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Fast Car by Tracy Chapman 

Sweet Home Chicago by Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Jeff Beck & company from the 35 annual Kennedy Center Honors Show in 2012

References

Artist Biography & Discography Information
http://www.allmusic.com/

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713.

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and including our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York. Library cards are free and at our library you can obtain one by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features both your name and your current address.

Suggested Listens September 2017: Week 1

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, here are our six musical recommendations for the week; five streaming suggestions and one recommended album on CD.

Freegal Streaming Suggestions*

Suggestion 1:

Songs of Bob Dylan by Joan Osborne:

The brand new album by the rock singer with blues rock roots.

Songs include: Tangled up in Blue, Buckets of Rain, Highway 61 Revisited, High Water, Masters of War and Right Them Bells.

Here’s the link to stream the new Joan Osborne album:

https://goo.gl/424T1v

Suggestion 2:

Steve Winwood Live by Steve Winwood:


This just released album features a selection of Steve Winwood’s Greatest Hits including: I’m a Man, Glad, Can’t Find My Wan Home, Had to Cry Today, 40,000 Headmen & The Low Sparks of High Heeled Boys.

Here’s a link to stream the new Steve Winwood album:

https://goo.gl/6mBEn9

Suggestion 3:

The Legendary Bill Evans Trio – The 1960 Birdland Sessions by The Bill Evans Trio:

A classic Jazz album featuring Bill Evans on piano, Paul Motian on drums and Scott LaFaro on bass.

Songs include: Autumn Leaves, Our Delight, Come Rain or Come Shine & Blue in Green.

Here’s a link to stream the Bill Evans Trio LP:

https://goo.gl/dybhDL

Suggestion 4:

American Roots by Various Artists:

This various artist’s collection features some great mid-twentieth century folk and blues artists including: Big Mama Thornton, Bill Monroe, Muddy waters, David Grisman, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie & The Staple Singers.

Songs include: Bumble Bee (Big Mama Thornton), Cheyenne (David Grisman), Nobody Knows by Mahalia Jackson, Willing Conscript by Pete Seeger and New Born Soul by The Staple Singers.

Here’s a link to stream the American Roots collection:

https://goo.gl/vrvNsQ

Suggestion 5:

Summer Place 76’ by the Percy Faith Orchestra:

This LP Features up-tempo but mellow background music with a pinch of disco added!

Songs include: Summer Place ’76 (Theme From “A Summer Place”), Feelings, Maybe September, Dream Your Dreams & Send in the Clowns.

Here’s a link to stream Summer Place ’76:

https://goo.gl/7rJqEU

CD Suggestion of the Week:

8 Classic Albums by Harry Belafonte:


Import-only four CD set containing eight albums from the vocalist and activist: Mark Twain, Belafonte Sings the Blues, Calypso, to Wish You a Merry Christmas, Belafonte Sings the Caribbean, Belafonte, An Evening with Belafonte and Love Is a Gentle Thing.

Songs in the collection number 89 and include: God Bless The Child, The Fox, Delia, Day O (Banana Boat Song), Jamaica, Farewell & In That Great Gettin’ Up Mornin’

Here’s a link to request the Eight Album Harry Belafonte set:

https://goo.gl/8YMwZA

Music Videos of the Week:

Tangled Up In Blue by Joan Osborne

Back in the High Life Again by Steve Winwood

Autumn Leaves by The Bill Evans Trio

Bumble Bee by Big Mama Thorton

 Cheyenne by The David Grisman Quintet 

References

Artist Biography & Discography Information
http://www.allmusic.com/

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Have a holiday weekend!
Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713.

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and including our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York. Library cards are free and at our library you can obtain one by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features both your name and your current address.

Suggested Listens August 25, 2017

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, here are our six musical recommendations for the week; five streaming suggestions and one recommended album on CD.

Freegal Streaming Suggestions*

The Genius Of The Electric Guitar by Charlie Christian:

This collection features the seminal work of early electric guitarist Charlie Christian. Christian died tragically young of tuberculous in 1942 at age 25; but not before recording some great music with Benny Goodman’s band. In an age when popular music was dominated by horns, Christian was one of the first guitarists to bring the new electrified guitar to the front and center of the stage and recording studio.

This is an outstanding collection featuring all of Christian’s best recordings including Flying Home, Rose Room, Memories of You, AC-DC Current, Gone with the Wind, Lester’s Dream & Wholly Cats. Guest musicians that appear on this collection are a variable who’s who of Jazz/Swing greats of the time including Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, Fletcher Henderson and Benny Carter. Check it out!

Here’s a link to stream the Charlie Christian collection:

https://goo.gl/gQ7MS4

The Essential Jimmie Rodgers by Jimmie Rodgers:

This Columbia Records collection features songs recorded by the yodeling country music pioneer from 1927 to 1933. Rodgers was an extremely talented individual who was one of the first country singers to sing of the hard working life laborers experienced in the early twentieth century. Rodgers was a hard working laborer himself. He spent a number of years working as a break man on the railroads; so when he sang about gamblers, ramblers, bounders and rounders, as his AllMusic biography states – he knew of what he sang! And I had to look up definitions for the early twentieth century words “bounders” and “rounders;” as I had never heard them before! The former term describes a dishonorable man and the later a drunken man. Rodgers, like Charlie Christian, died young of tuberculosis; but he left behind wonderful recordings that not only influenced country musicians for decades after his passing, but that also, like Woody Guthrie’s music, captured what life was like for poor working class Americans in the early twentieth century.

This collection includes the following songs Blue Yodel (T for Texas), Train Whistle Blues, In The Jailhouse Now, My Carolina Sunshine Girl, Frankie and Johnny & Peach Pickin’ Time in Georgia.

Here’s a link to stream the Jimmie Rodgers collection:

https://goo.gl/5xLNzA

 Pearl (The Legacy Edition) by Janis Joplin:

This 1971 release shows the gritty classic rock singer Joplin at her finest. It is regarded by many critics as her second masterpiece, after her 1968 debut Cheap Thrills. Songs include: Move Over, Cry Baby, A Woman Left Lonely, Half Moon, Buried Alive in the Blues, Me and Bobby McGee & Mercedes Benz.

Here’s a link to stream Pearl:

https://goo.gl/aFEgs4

The Search for Everything by John Mayer:

Popular singer-songwriter & excellent guitarist John Mayer released his first album Room for Squares in 2001. On that first album, Mayer concentrated on producing thoughtful acoustic folk-rock music. Since then, he has emerged as a talented guitarist and branched out to record music that includes blues and jazz elements. The Search for Everything is his new album and features the songs: Still Feel Like Your Man, Emoji of a Wave, Love on the Weekend, In the Blood, Changing, Moving On and Getting Over and Rosie.

Here’s a link to stream The Search for Everything:

https://goo.gl/su7JNy

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy by Sarah McLachlan:

Talnted singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan released her first album, Touch, in 1989. 1993’s critically acclaimed Fumbling Towards Ecstasy was her third album and is considered a classic. Songs include: Possession, Good Enough, Elsewhere, Hold On, Fear and the title track – Fumbling with Ecstasy.

Here’s a link to stream the LP Fumbling Towards Ecstasy:

https://goo.gl/yofi4p

CD Suggestion of the Week:

Eight Classic Albums by Dinah Washington:

This set contains eight albums from the wonderful singer including: Dinah Jams, For Those in Love, In the Land of Hi-Fi, The Swinging Miss D, What a Difference a Day Makes, The Two of Us (With Brook Benton), I Concentrate on You, September in the Rain, Summertime, Come Rain or Come Shine, There’ll Be A Jubilee, On The Sunny Side of the Street and many more.

Here’s a link to request the Dinah Washington collection on CD:

https://goo.gl/oZtFhe

Music Videos of the Week:

Charlie Christian:

Swing to Bop

Stompin’ at the Savoy

Jimmie Rodgers:

Waiting for a Train

Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)

Janis Joplin:

Ball and Chain

Somebody to Love

John Mayer:

Ain’t No Sunshine

John Mayer & Keith Urban:

Don’t Let Me Down

Sarah McLachlan:

Angel

Building A Mystery

Dinah Washington:

Cry Me A River

What a Difference A Day Makes

References

Artist Biography & Discography Information
http://www.allmusic.com/

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and including our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York. Library cards are free and at our library you can obtain one by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features both your name and your current address.

Weekly Recommended Listens: June 9, 2017

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, this week we’re kicking off a month long look, at the American music that was influenced by, and came just after, the first British Invasion that began with The Beatles appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.

As a reminder, our weekly music postings feature the following sections:

I. Links to AllMusic Biographies of the Artists/Groups of the Week

II. Freegal Music Recommendations Of The Week (streaming music)

III. CD Music Recommendations Of The Week

IV. Videos Of This Weeks’ Artists/Groups

V. References (for those who’d like to know a bit more about the artists of the week).

And this week we’ll check out the music of three of the most popular American bands of the mid-sixties: The Beach Boys, The Monkees and The Grass Roots.

I. Links to AllMusic Biographies of the Artists/Groups of the Week:

The Beach Boys AllMusic Biography by John Bush
https://goo.gl/AqNSLM

The Grass Roots AllMusic Biography by Bruce Elder
https://goo.gl/KT1tEj

The Monkees AllMusic Biography by Mark Deming
https://goo.gl/2Zdf5D

II. Freegal Music Recommendations Of The Week (streaming music)

The Beach Boys:

The Beach Boys originally hailed from Hawthorne, California and consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis & Mike Wilson their cousin Mike Love and mutual friend Al Jardine. Bruce Johnson joined the group in the mid-sixties after the band’s songwriter Brian Wilson retired from touring. The Beach Boys played Surf Music to begin with and then transitioned into playing great sixties era rock music until Brian Wilson, the creative genius behind the group, became ill and retired from the group for the remainder of the sixties. Brian eventually regained his health and later returned to playing music.

The early Beach Boys albums, and they released five albums in the U.S. before the arrival of The Beatles, are great Surf Rock albums. And by the time they released 1965’s Today! album they really had transformed into playing great sixties rock with Brian Wilson’s top notch songwriting as a base.

The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys

The Freegal Music Catalog doesn’t feature any original studio albums by The Beach Boys. However, they do have an interesting collection of their songs, some recorded live, on an album released by the Piros/Send label and titled simply The Beach Boys. I would describe their early music as having the combo theme of being Surf and “it’s cool to be young” style of music – and those are the types of songs that are dominant in this collection. This collection includes the songs: Surfin’ Safari, Surfer Girl, I Get Around, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, and Ride The Wild Surf.

The album also contains one song, Good Vibrations, in which you can hear the beginnings of the blossoming creativity the group found in the mid-sixties under the songwriting and musical production guidance of Brian Wilson. And as that lone song is from their more creativity period – I’ll save the suggestions for their later songs for the CD section of this posting – as we there are a variety of great Beach Boys albums available for request in StarCat.

Here’s a link to stream The Beach Boys album:
https://goo.gl/undv3M

The Monkees:

The Monkees were a band put together directly in response to The Beatles! Specifically, they were put together in response to The Beatles success with their 1964 film A Hard Days Night. The band consisted of Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz. The group had their own zany TV show, which was certainly inspired by A Hard Days Night, and released some great pop-rock music. And they actually get something of a bum rap as being nothing more than a Beatles knock off band. However, if you listen to their music it does hold up as solid upbeat pop-rock music.

The Freegal Catalog doesn’t feature any of The Monkees studio albums; however, two of their best-known songs can be found in the catalog – the Neil Diamond classic I’m A Believer and the theme from their TV Show “Hey, hey, we’re the Monkeys and people say we monkey around, but where too busy singing to put anybody down” – very catchy!

And on to the streaming suggestions!

I’m A Believer from the various artists LP Sugar Sugar
This is the original song from a various artists album with a super long title: Sugar Sugar: The Very Best Pop Golden Oldies of the 1960s by the Ronettes, Sonny & Cher, The Monkees, And More

Just a pre-listening note: This album features a few original recordings, including I’m A Believer, some re-record version of popular songs and a few songs credited simply to “Various Artists.” Nevertheless, the album contains a solid collection of upbeat pop-rock and is perfect listening to whilst sitting around the pool!

Here’s a link to stream the album:
https://goo.gl/3Q5yD8

The Monkees TV Show Theme from the various artists LP Aquellos Maravillosos Años

Here’s a link to stream the song:
https://goo.gl/c57E2R

The Grass Roots:

The Grass Roots formed in Los Angeles in the mid-sixties and consisted of Rob Grill on vocals and bass, Wayne Entner & Creed Barrington on guitars and Rick Coonce on drums. The group was guided by the classic rock songwriting team of P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri who wrote a number of their songs.

The Grass Roots recorded some great songs that complimented the mid-to late sixties era including: Where Were You When I Needed You, Let’s Live For Today, Things I Should Have Said, Temptation Eyes and Midnight Confessions.

And the Freegal Music Catalog features a number of greatest hits style collections by the band, however, they all feature re-recorded versions of their music – so I recommend you skip them, check out the YouTube videos by the band further along in this posting and request a CD by the group through StarCat!

III. CD Music Recommendations Of The Week

The Beach Boys:

Five Classic Albums:

This multi-disc set features five of the band’s early albums: Little Deuce Coupe, Surfin’ USA, All Summer Long, Summer Days (And Summer Nights) and Pet Sounds. This five album, five disc set, contains more than fifty songs. To my ears the first two albums Little Deuce Coupe and Surfin’ USA find the band playing solid Surf rock but still finding their musical footing while their songs/playing on the last three albums All Summer Long, Summer Days and Pet Sounds are really solid as if they did indeed find their footing and were beginning to creatively blossom as a band.

The songs on this set include: Surfin’ U.S.A., Shut Down, Little Deuce Coupe, I Get Around, Wendy, All Summer Long, Help me Rhonda, California Girls, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, God Only Knows and many more.

Here’s a link to request the five CD set: https://goo.gl/IXoiH9

The Smile Sessions:

In 1966 The Beach Boys, under direction of their primary songwriter and musical director Brian Wilson began working on the album SMiLE which Wilson intended to be a seminal work of progressive pop rock with psychedelic roots. Many, many hours of studio recordings were made but the album, which the rest of the band and their record label – Capital didn’t think was a commercial enough project put pressure on Wilson to finished it or abandon the project – so abandon the project they did. And in the decades that follow this unreleased album took on an almost mythical reputation as the greatest rock album never released. The album was finally released on CD in 2011 and the music is very cool! This is no Surf or youth orientated album – and if you are already a Beach Boys fan you should enjoy this set – if however, you’re new to listening the band in an in-depth way – you might want to skip this album and check out Pet Sounds or the classic greatest hits collection Endless Summer.

This collection includes the songs: Our Prayer, Heroes And Villains, I’m in Great Shape, Child is Father Of The Man, The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow), Good Vibrations, You’re Welcome, Cool Cool Water and more – 40 songs in all.

Here’s a link to request the Smile box set in StarCat: https://goo.gl/rmydjC

The Monkees:

The Monkees Greatest Hits:

This is a 1995 album released by the great Rhino Records and it includes The Monkees (TV Theme), Last Train To Clarksville, I’m A Believer, (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone, A Little Bit Me, A LIttle Bit You, Daydream Believer and Pleasant Valley Sunday.

Here’s a link to request the album in StarCat:

https://goo.gl/JgZpFS

The Grass Roots:

The Complete Original Dunhill/ABC Hit Singles:

 Believe it or not, there isn’t a single album by The Grass Roots available through out the entire Southern Tier Library System – so we’re rectifying that musical travesty and have one on order! The LP is titled The Complete Original Dunhill/ABC Hit Singles and features all 24 of the hits they had in their mid-sixties heyday including: Mr. Jones (Ballad of a Thin Man), Where Were You When I Needed You, Let’s Live for Today (Both Censored & Uncensored Versions), Things I Should Have Said, Midnight Confessions, Temptation Eyes, Glory Bound and Anyway The Wind Blows.

The album should be available in StarCat soon!

IV. Videos Of This Weeks’ Artists/Groups:

The Beach Boys – three performances from the Ed Sullivan Show

Wendy

I Get Around

Good Vibrations

The Monkees

Last Train To Clarksville

Pleasant Valley Sunday

I’m A Believer

The first episode of Monkees TV series:

The Grass Roots:

Midnight Confessions

Temptation Eyes

Let’s Live For Today

VI. Print References:

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)
Sixties Rock: A Listener’s Guide by Robert Santelli (Contemporary Books. Chicago. 1985.)

Online References:

The Beach Boys AllMusic Discography by John Bush
https://goo.gl/Srpldb

The Grass Roots AllMusic Discography by Bruce Elder
https://goo.gl/KT1tEj

The Monkees AllMusic Discography by Mark Deming
https://goo.gl/PGMDhA

Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713.

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and including our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York. Library cards are free and at our library you can obtain one by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features both your name and your current address.

 

Weekly Recommended Listens: May 2017: Week 2: Sixties Rock: The First British Invasion Continued

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, this week we’re continuing our look at the sounds of the First British Invasion that roughly covered the time frame from February 1964 through May 1967.

And just as reminder, each weekly recommended music posting features the following sections:

I. Links To AllMusic Biographies Of The Weekly Artists/Groups
II. Freegal Music Recommendations Of The Week (streaming music)
III. CD Music Recommendations Of The Week
IV. Videos Of This Weeks’ Artists/Groups
V. Wild Card Print Book Recommendations Of The Week

Our artists for this week are The Dave Clark Five, The Hollies & The Zombies.

I. Links To AllMusic Biographies Of The Groups of The Week:

The Dave Clark Five Biography by Richie Unterberger
https://goo.gl/SXRJEI

The Hollies Biography by Richie Unterberger
https://goo.gl/1pE3Cs

The Zombies Biography by Richie Unterberger
https://goo.gl/NXdOrO

Freegal Notes:

To access Freegal Music from a desktop or laptop simply click on the following link: http://stlsny.freegalmusic.com/

The Freegal Music Catalog homepage will display — it looks like this:

The Freegal Music app can be found in your app store and it looks like this:

II. Freegal Music Recommendations Of The Week:

The Dave Clark Five: The Dave Clark Five hailed from the North London region of Tottenham and consisted of Dave Clark on drums, Mike Smith on vocals and keyboards, Denny Paxton on saxophone, Lenny Davidson on guitar and Rick Huxley on bass. The band came to the U.S. in early 1964, right on the heals of the Beatles, and had their first U.S. hit, Glad All Over in March. Subsequent hits included: Bits And Pieces, Do You Love Me, Can’t You See That She’s Mine, I Like It Like That, Catch Us If You Can and You Got What It Takes.

The Freegal Music catalog doesn’t feature any full-length album by The Dave Clark Five; however, I did find two songs by the group that you can stream through Freegal and they are:

One of their biggest U.S. hits, Glad All Over

From the various artists album Top 100 Hits – 1963, Vol. 1
https://goo.gl/o8X38o

And the fun instrumental Chaquita

From the various artist LP The Greatest Instrumentals 1934~1962:
https://goo.gl/ttRSuh

To request a full length Dave Clark Five album — check out the CD Recommendations section.

The Hollies: The Hollies formed in Manchester, England in 1963. The band consisted of Allan Clarke on vocals, Graham Nash on vocals and guitar, Terry Hicks on guitar and vocals, Bobby Elliott on drums and Eric Haydock on bass. Haydock was replaced by Bernie Calvert in 1966.

The Hollies U.S. hits of the sixties included Look Through Any Window, Bus Stop, Stop Stop Stop, On A Carousel, Pay You Back With Interest, Carrie-Anne and Jennifer Eccles.

Late in 1968, Nash left the band to form the seminal trio, Crosby, Stills & Nash, with David Crosby and Steven Stills.

Clarke, Hicks and Elliott continued playing with the band into the seventies; and the group had three more top ten hits: He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) and The Air That I Breath.

The Hollies Greatest Hits:

This album contains all the band’s U.S. hits of the sixties hits except Jennifer Eccles. And as a bonus it contains their three big seventies hits: https://goo.gl/3UtfvB

Evolution: Evolution was released in 1967 and features a cool blend of vocal harmonies, classic rock and psychedelic influences with some nice sounding acoustic guitar playing woven in for good measure. Songs on the album include Jennifer Eccles, Carrie-Anne, When Your Lights Turned On and the nostalgic Ye Olde Toffee Shop.


https://goo.gl/ksYp3u

The Zombies: The Zombies were from Hertfordshire, England and consisted of Colin Blunstone on vocals, Rod Argent on keyboards, Paul Atkinson on guitar, Hugh Grundy on drums and Chris White on bass. The group produced excellent, smooth flowing pop music rich with harmonies and organ playing. The group put out four great albums in the sixties: The Zombies, Begin Here, I Love You and Odessey and Oracle, and had three top ten hits during that era: She’s Not There, Tell Her No and Time Of The Season.

As with The Dave Clark Five, The Freegal Music Catalog does not contain a full-length Zombies albums; however, you can stream several of their hits – found on various artists compilations.

She’s Not There

From the various artists collection 60’s Top Hits, Vol. II
https://goo.gl/TZ2UHp

Tell Her No

From the various artists collection Essential in Music, Vol. 2
https://goo.gl/z0lsTm

Time of the Season

From the various artists album Grandes Éxitos 1969:
https://goo.gl/QUaozd

As with music of the Dave Clark Five, for a link to StarCat to request a full-length Zombies album on CD, check out the CD Recommendations Section.

Freegal Wild Card Streaming Pick Of The Week:

The Essential Herbie Hancock by Herbie Hancock:

I have to say, and I’m showing my vintage, I didn’t realize Herbie Hancock had been recording music for as many years as he has been. His first album, Takin’ Off, was released in 1962! Not a surprise to Jazz fans but to those listeners of pop and rock who came of age in the mid-eighties as I did – that came as a surprise. I was a young teenager when MTV launched, and I can recall his song Rockit and the stylish/bizarre companion video of the song that was shown on MTV.

And the song Rockit itself doesn’t sound like jazz to me — it has a very modern sound to it, even all those years later. And, in doing research for this posting I learned that Hancock has been very prolific both in recording music and in playing in a great variety of styles over the years including jazz, hip-hop, fusion, modern and dance.

The Essential Herbie Hancock album offers a good introduction to Hancock’s work and includes the songs: Butterfly, ‘Round Midnight, Hidden Shadows, Joanna’s Theme, People Music and of course, the MTV favorite Rockit.

Here’s a link to stream The Essential Herbie Hancock album:
https://goo.gl/H9uWGi

And if you want to know more about Herbie Hancock, here’s a link to his AllMusic biography written by Richard S. Ginell: https://goo.gl/09HJPV

III. Compact Discs Recommendations:

Dave Clark Five:

The History of the Dave Clark Five:

This fifty song double CD features the band’s greatest songs icluding: Glad All Over, Bits And Pieces, Do You Love Me, Because, Having A Wild Weekend and Catch Us If You Can.
https://goo.gl/8wO2Wk

The Hollies

The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years: The Complete Hollies, April 1963-October 1968:

This six disc collection features all the songs The Hollies recorded between the spring of 1963 and the autumn of 1968. The music was recorded during the height of the band’s popularity and contains great songs written by Clarke, Hicks & Nash. In fact, all the singles released by the band from October of 1966 until Graham Nash left the group at the end of 1968 were co-written by Clarke, Hicks & Nash. The group produced great harmony-rich pop-rock and if you’re not familiar with their music you really should check it out.

The 158 songs on this collection include: Time For Love, Too Much Monkey Business, Honey And Wine, Look Through Any Window (both English and French versions), Hard, Hard Year, On A Carousel, Have You Ever Loved Somebody and much more.
https://goo.gl/0MuAj4

The Zombies

The Singles Collection As & Bs 1964-1969

This 28 song collection features the A and B sides of all 14 Zombies singles including: She’s Not There, Tell Her No, Beechwood Park, I’ll Call You Mine and Time of the Season.
https://goo.gl/a6Ib9h

IV: Videos Of This Weeks’ Artists/Groups:

The Dave Clark Five

Glad All Over:

Bits And Pieces:

Over And Over: 

https://youtu.be/AbyHPxFrFU8

Catch Us If You Can:

The Hollies

Bus Stop:

Just One Look:

Stop Stop Stop:

The Zombies

Tell Her No:

She’s Not There:

Time Of The Season:

V. Wild Card Print Book Recommendation Of The Week:

Our suggested music read this week is the autobiography of Cream drummer Ginger Baker! And here’s the info on the book:

Ginger Baker: Hellraiser: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Drummer

by Ginger Baker

The music, the marriages, the polo, the drugs, the trans-Saharan trucking scheme—the drummer best-known for his work in Cream and his contributions to World Music tells his whole fascinating story.

Peter “Ginger” Baker is a legend. A pioneering drummer who has transcended genres, he did much to popularize world music with his fierce passion for the rhythms of Africa. He is that rare thing, a critically-acclaimed musician who has enjoyed global success with not one but several supergroups to his name, including Cream and Blind Faith. Here, Ginger tells his story for the first time and without any self-censorship. It’s an often harrowing, but honest journey from his humble beginnings in war-torn south London to his adopted home in South Africa’s beautiful Western Cape—complete with polo club. He tells of his life-long love of jazz, how he discovered the drums and African music, and life on the road. He also confesses to the heroin use that should have killed him in his colorful 1960s prime, working and playing with the biggest names of the time. In the 1970s, he came up with a trans-Saharan trucking scheme, was a successful rally driver, built an ill-fated recording studio, and discovered a consuming passion for playing polo. He talks candidly of the loss and recovery of his fortune, his three marriages, Cream’s 1993 induction into the rock’n’roll hall of fame, their subsequent successful reunion in 2005, and his hopes for the future. — From the publisher.

Here’s a link to request the biography:

https://goo.gl/6Dj08H

VI. General References & Artist Specific References:

General References:

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Sixties Rock: A Listener’s Guide by Robert Santelli (Contemporary Books. Chicago. 1985.)

Recommended Artists Specific References:

The Hollies Evolution AllMusic Review by Lindsay Planer
http://www.allmusic.com/album/evolution-mw0000690238

Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713.

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and including our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York. Library cards are free and at our library you can obtain one by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features both your name and your current address.

Weekly Recommended Listens: March 2017, Week 2: Sixties Rock: Blues Rock

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, wow what a snowy week we’re having for it being March!

At least it is almost spring!

And as I forgot that Word Press doesn’t use U.S. time, the original unfinished version of this posting went out much earlier today — I apologize for that! Here is the complete version!

We’re on to week two of our look at the sub-category of our 2017 music theme, Sixties Rock, Blues Rock!

And as usual we’ll be offering suggestions of music you can listen to both by streaming it through the library’s digital Freegal Music Service* and by checking out albums available in the library’s compact disc collection.

Just as a reminder, our weekly music postings have the following sections:

I. Brief Artist Bios

II. Freegal Music Recommendations Of The Week (streaming music)

III. CD Music Recommendations Of The Week

IV. Videos Of This Weeks’ Artists/Groups

V. Wild Card Print Book Recommendation Of The Week (a print book that focuses on a musician, musicians, songwriters or other musical genres, styles etc. from any musical era)

VI. References (for those who’d like to know a bit more about the artists of the week).

Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, here are our spotlighted bands/musicians for this week:

The Butterfield Blues Band,

The Electric Flag

& Johnny Winters.

I. Brief Artist Bios:

The Butterfield Blues Band: The Butterfield Blues Band was formed in Chicago in 1964. The group was one of the young American bands responsible for bringing the sounds of Chicago Blues music to the attention of white Rock n’ Roll fans. By 1965 the group had its classic line-up of: Paul Butterfield on vocals and harmonica, Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield on guitars, Billy Davenport on drums, Jerome Arnold on bass and Mark Naftalin on keyboards.

Just prior to recording their first album, the group backed-up Bob Dylan’s during his famous gig at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival – where Dylan stunned folk fans by switching from playing an acoustic guitar to playing an electric guitar and being backed by a band playing electrified instruments. Bloomfield went on to play on Dylan’s classic Highway 61 Revisited album.

But I digress!

Getting back to the Butterfield Blues Band, the band played a great mixture of blues and blues rock with a bit folk and sixties rock vibes thrown in! The band’s first three albums are top notch! Those LPs are: 1. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, 2. East West and 3. The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw.

The group was together from 1964 to 1971. Butterfield and Bishop went on to solo careers. And Mike Bloomfield was a founding member of the short-lived but very worthy of mention, and listen, band – the Electric Flag before he too went on to a solo career.

The Electric Flag: Former Butterfield Blues Band guitarist Mike Bloomfield was the driving force behind The Electric Flag. His idea in forming The Electric Flag was to put a blues rock band together and include a horn section. In addition to Bloomfield, the band included Nick Graventies on vocals, Barry Goldberg on keyboards, Harvey Brooks on bass, Buddy Miles on drums and a horn section including Marcus Doubleday on trumpet, Peter Strauss on tenor sax and Herbie Rich on baritone sax. The group recorded two soundtracks and two albums in their short existence of which the best is their first studio album A Long Time Comin’, which one might describe as a psychedelic blues album.

Johnny Winter: Guitarist Johnny Winter was born in Beaumont Texas in 1944, followed two years later by his future songwriter and keyboard playing brother Edgar. Interestingly, both brothers were albino. Both brothers played the blues, although Edgar veered off onto other musical paths as well – and I mention Edgar because his music is worth a listen too.

Johnny Winter met with critical acclaim that brought him to the attention of a larger audience after his first album, Progressive Blues Experiment, received a glowing Rolling Stone review. Winter released two more great blues rock albums in the 1960s Second Winter and, despite its title, his third album simply called Johnny Winter. He continued to record and play concerts until his death on tour in 2014.

Freegal Notes:

To access Freegal Music from a desktop or laptop simply click on the following link: http://stlsny.freegalmusic.com/

The Freegal Music Catalog homepage will display — it looks like this:

The Freegal Music app can be found in your app store and it looks like this:

II. Freegal Music Recommendations Of The Week:

1. The Butterfield Blues Band Freegal Recommendation: There aren’t any full length studio recordings of The Butterfield Blues Band in the Freegal Music Catalog. However, there are some songs by the group available in the catalog and a cool album by guitarist Mike Bloomfield that also features a few songs by The Butterfield Blues Band.

1. The Don’t Say That I Ain’t Your Man!-Essential Mike Bloomfield 1964-1969

The Mike Bloomfield album,The Don’t Say That I Ain’t Your Man!, is credited to Mike Bloomfield as a solo artist.

However, the album two songs he recorded with The Butterfield Blues Band as well as music he recorded throughout the the 1960s – both before and after his tenure with The Butterfield Blues Band.

 Some of the earliest songs in the collection feature Bloomfield on vocals and he was a superb guitar player but not a super strong singer.

The two songs on the album that feature The Butterfield Blues Band are: Born in Chicago and Work Song.

Additional songs in the double album set include: I Got My Mojo Working, Killing Floor, Albert’s Suffle, It Takes Time and Don’t Think About It, Baby.

Here’s a link to stream the Don’t Say That I Ain’t Your Man! album:

https://goo.gl/PHZEEN

2. Born In Chicago by the Butterfield Blues Band from the compilation LP Monterey International Pop Festival (Live):

The second cool album I’m going to suggest from the Freegal Catalog, that features The Butterfield Blues Band, is titled Monterey International Pop Festival (Live).

The album features, and you guessed it, live performances by artists and groups that played at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s contribution is a live version of a song from their first album the previously mentioned titled Born in Chicago.

And granted, that is the only song by The Butterfield Blues Band on this set. However, the album is great fun to listen to, because, in addition to the Butterfield Blues Band, it features songs by a whole host of popular sixties artists including: Simon & Garfunkel, Big Brother and the Holding Company (with Janis Joplin), The Association, Eric Burdon and The Animals, The Who, Otis Redding, The Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe & The Fish, Booker T. & The MG’s and more.

Here’s a link to stream the Monterey International Pop Festival (Live) album:

https://goo.gl/HZezhe

And as a post script note on the Monterey Pop Festival album. I had actually forgotten how great the album and the video of the concert it came from both are, prior to doing this posting; as it has been a number of years since I’ve listened to the album and watched the video. So, in putting on my Acquisitions Librarian hat, I’ve ordered a copy of the DVD set The Complete Monterey Pop Festival from The Criterion Collection and it should be available to circulate soon!

The Electric Flag Freegal Recommendation: 

A Long Time Comin’

The Freegal Catalog does feature the first horn-centric upbeat studio album by The Electric Flag – A Long Time Comin’. Songs on the album include: Killing Floor, Groovin’ Is Easy, Over-Lovin’ You, She Should Just Have, Wine, Texas, Stittin’ In Circles, You Don’t Realize, Another Country, Easy Rider, Sunny, Mystery, Look Into My Eyes and Going Down Slow – this is definitely a fun sixties blues rock album!

Here a link to stream the A Long Time Comin’ album:
https://goo.gl/Vck6nn

Johnny Winter Freegal Recommendation The Essential Johnny Winter Collection:

If you find you like the music of Johnny Winter, which reminds me a bit of ZZ Top’s music, then you are in luck! As there are many, many of his albums listed in the Freegal Music Catalog. I’m going to recommend two: The Essential Johnny Winter Collection, which features more than thirty songs from throughout Johnny’s career including: Rock Me Baby, Highway 61 Revisited, Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Johnny B. Goode and Rollin’ and Tumblin.

Here’s a link to stream the Essential Johnny Winter Collection:
https://goo.gl/i7LpVD

Johnny Winter – Second Freegal Recommendation – Second Winter:

And my second Freegal recommendation is Johnny Winter’s second album, 1969’s Second Winter. Second Winter too, is available in the Freegal Catalog. The album includes the songs: I’m Not Sure, Memory Pain, The Good Love, Slippin’ And Slidin,‘ I Love Everybody, Hustled Down in Texas and many more.

Here’s a link to stream Second Winter:

https://goo.gl/m48B3X

Freegal Wild Card Album Pick Of The Week:

The Essential Frank Sinatra, The Columbia Years:

I’m going to venture way off the Blues Rock path this week with my Wild Card Pick of the Week! I’m going to suggest a cool, kick-back and relax collection of songs by Frank Sinatra! The album is titled The Essential Frank Sinatra, The Columbia Years. This double album set features more than thirty songs including: All or Nothing At All, Night and Day, Blue Skies, Nancy (With The Laughing Face), When Your Lover Has Gone, Stormy Weather and many, many more from Sinatra’s early years. Check it out!

Here’s a link to stream the The Essential Frank Sinatra album: https://goo.gl/OUnx3O

III. Compact Discs Recommendations Of The Week:

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band CD Recommendations:

Our library owns three cool albums by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, their first three albums released in 1965, 1966 and 1967 respectivley: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band,  East West & The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw. If you only have time to listen to one album by The Butterfield Blues Band, I’m going to suggest you listen to their first self-titled album The Butterfield Blues Band CD as it gives you a solid low-down on what the group sounds like.

The Butterfield Blues Band Album:

The Butterfield Blues Band album, also referred to as The Paul Butterfield Blues Band album, features the following songs: Born in Chicago, Shake Your Money-Maker, Blues with a Feeling, Thank You Mr. Poobah, I Got My Mojo Working, Mellow Down Easy, Screamin,” Our Love Is Drifiting, Mystery Train, Last Night and Look Over Younder Wall. It is a great Blues Rock album!

Here’s a link to request the The Butterfield Blues Band CD via StarCat:

https://goo.gl/KWAFOl

The Electric Flag CD Recommendation: 

A Long Time Comin’ 

As with the Freegal recommendation, I’m going to recommend you listen to The Electric Flag’s first studio album A Long Time Comin’. Here’s a complete song list for the LP: Killing Floor, Groovin’ Is Easy, Over-Lovin’ You, She Should Have Just, Wine, Texas, Sittin’ In Circles, You Don’t Realize, Another Country, Easy Rider, Sunny, Mystery, Look Into My Eyes (Album Version) and Going Down Slow (Album Version).

Here’s a link to request A Long Time Comin’  on CD in StarCat:

https://goo.gl/hs14PB

Johnny Winter CD Recommendation: 

Second Winter:

The library owns two CDs by Johnny Winter, Second Winter from 1969 and 1991’s Let Me In. If you only have time to listen to one CD by Winter – I recommend the 1969 double album Second Winter.

Here’s the complete song list for the double album set:

Disc 1: 1. Memory Pain 2. I’m Not Sure 3. The Good Love 4. Slippin’ And Slidin’ 5. Miss Ann 6. Johnny B. Goode 7. Highway 61 Revisited 8. I Love Everybody 9. Hustled Down in Texas 10. I Hate Everybody 11. Fast Life Rider 12. Early In The Morning and 13. Tell The Truth.

Disc 2: 1. Help Me 2. Johnny B. Goode 3. Mama Talk To Your Daughter 4. It’s My Own Fault 5. Black Cat Bone 6. Mean Town Blues 7. Tobacco Road 8. Frankenstein and 9. Tell The Truth

And here’s a link to the StarCat request page for the Second Winter CD:

https://goo.gl/ug8Dh1

Wild Card CD Pick Of The Week:

A Sailor’s Guide to Earth by Sturgill Simpson:

This album won the Grammy for Country Album of the year last month. The album is classified as country but is really a mixture of country, classic rock and folk with a few tinges of jazz thrown in for good measure. The album includes the songs: Welcome To Earth (Pollywog), Breakers Roar, Keep It Between The Lines, Sea Stories, In Bloom, Brace For Impact (Live A Little), All Around You, Oh Sarah and Call To Arms.

Here’s a link to an NPR review of the album:
https://goo.gl/XO0LqJ

And here’s a link to request the CD version of A Sailor’s Guide to Earth album via StarCat: https://goo.gl/Ox0GKJ

IV: Videos Of This Weeks’ Artists/Groups:

The Butterfield Blues Band:

Driftin’ Blues – concert footage from the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival:

https://goo.gl/pqf84m

Born In Chicago from the 1965 Newport Folk Festival:

https://goo.gl/qzlSEh

The Electric Flag:

Goin’ Down Slow & Killing Floor – this clip isn’t a concert clip but features some great music and a slideshow of photos of the group:

https://goo.gl/6Srlh7

Johnny Winter:

Be Careful With A Fool from Danish TV circa 1970:

https://goo.gl/wBPbdN

V. Wild Card Print Book Recommendation Of The Week:

Respect Yourself Stax Records And The Soul Explosion

by Robert Gordon:

In the late 1950s, Jim Stewart, and his sister, Estelle Axton, moved their little fledgling recording studio into the defunct Capitol Theater in Memphis, Tenn., opening their doors and establishing the record label that gave birth to gritty, funky soul music. A masterful storyteller, music historian Gordon (It Came from Memphis) artfully chronicles the rise and fall of one of America’s greatest music studios, situating the story of Stax within the cultural history of the 1960s in the South. Stewart, a fiddle player who knew he’d never make it in the music business himself, one day overheard a friend talking about producing music; he soon gave it a try, and eventually he was supervising the acclaimed producer Chips Moman in the studio as well as creating a business plan for the label; Estelle Axton set up a record shop in the lobby of the theater, selling the latest discs but also spinning music just recorded in the studio and gauging its market appeal. Gordon deftly narrates the stories of the many musicians who called Stax home, from Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, and Otis Redding to Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, and the Staples Singers, as well as the creative marketing and promotional strategies—the Stax-Volt Revue and Wattstax. By the early 1970s, bad business decisions and mangled personal relationships shuttered the doors of Stax. Today, the Stax sound permeates our lives and, in Gordon’s words, became the soundtrack for liberation, the song of triumph, the sound of the path toward freedom. -Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Here’s a link to the StarCat request page for the book Respect Yourself Stax Records And The Soul Explosion:

https://goo.gl/ZxvMzo

VI. General References & Artist Specific References:

General References:
The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

Blacks and Whites Made the Blues ‘Born in Chicago’ Tells of Titans Who Taught Young Protegés by Larry Rohter (JULY 25, 2013)

Blues Who’s Who: A Biographical Dictionary of Blues Singers by Sheldon Harris. (Da Capo. New York. 1991).

Sixties Rock: A Listener’s Guide by Robert Santelli (Contemporary Books. Chicago. 1985.)

Sturgill Simpson: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth: Nashville rebel pens a song cycle to his son that’s full of soulful left-field brilliance
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/sturgill-simpson-a-sailors-guide-to-earth-20160414

Artist Of The Week Specific References:

Electric Flag Biography by Richie Unterberger
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/electric-flag-mn0000135829/biography

Johnny Winter Artist Biography by William Ruhlmann
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-winter-mn0000819983/biography

Johnny Winter, Virtuosic Blues Guitarist, Dies at 70 by Ben Sisario (JULY 17, 2014)
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/18/arts/music/johnny-winter-dies-at-70-virtuosic-blues-guitarist.html

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Biography by Steve Leggett
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-paul-butterfield-blues-band-mn0000016835/discography

Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and including our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York. Library cards are free and at our library you can obtain one by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features both your name and your current address.