Born on this day ...

[Music Head]

^^

I like that
good to hear he's still out there
fell in love with his debut back in 78
showed promise to my ears
it went downhill from there
I have 4 albums
as is common for me the first was the best

[Ruby]

^Yes - I like "The Magic Tree" song and it's a pity about all that promise going away. 
Curious to know if you like the rest of the new album if you get a chance to listen some time. 
I suspect it might be the best he's put out in some time. 

"Romeo's Tune" has become my current earworm and it's a difficult one to shift!!

[Ruby]

June Tabor was born on this day in 1947, in Warwick, England. She is a queen among folk musicians and has a dark contralto voice which is clean and precise (now and then reminds me of Tanita Tikaram's sound). 

She is known for her ability to extract meaning from lyrics without in any way becoming over the top or unbearable and aside from her solo work has performed and recorded with Maddy Prior, the Oyster Band, Huw Warren (who is such a beautiful pianist), Fairport Convention, and others. She took about a decade break from performing and recording at a certain point in her life during which time she worked as a librarian and then ran a restaurant with her husband although she did continue to sing with FC on occasion. The 90's saw her return to both stage and studio. 
 
Tabor is, in every respect, the complete antithesis of any of today’s popular music bimbettes and would have been even if they were somehow miraculously the same age. She’s real - doesn't have any pretensions and is not swayed to make her music any other way than as she wishes it to be.

It’s a cover (obviously ) but it’s so well done IMHO (with Huw Warren) – “Don’t Think Twice” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvIdPe34JTI

“Where Are You Tonight?” from Aqaba … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyQX8MMveXk

“Dives and Lazarus” with the Oyster Band … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjAzsqzT0CE

“Finisterre” from her album Ashore … Huw Warren’s lovely keys again … starts slowly and builds up … 

[Ruby]

Michael George "Chick" Churchill was born on this day in 1946, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England. He was, and still is, the keys player for Ten Years After which I suspect currently bears little resemblance to its former self but which also, apparently, maintains a steady fan base. He started piano lessons at the age of six and continued studying classical music up until his teens at which point blues and rock superseded his previous interests. 

When Ten Years After split up in 1976, and before their reunion in 1988, he went into management at Chrysalis Music and then went on to co-found a music publishing company which focused on artists from the American south. Not sure what happened to that - seems to have fallen by the wayside. 

He also made a solo album in 1973/4 titled You and Me which I stumbled upon some time ago, and liked …. quite the line-up on this one! Roger Hodgson, Rick Davies, Martin Barre, Cozy Powell, etc., etc. ... https://www.music-discussion.com/showthr...#pid131254.

[Ruby]

Trevor Rabin was born on this day in 1954, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was raised in an exceptionally musical family and classically trained from a young age – he plays piano, guitar and bass and probably a few other instruments besides. His father was a highly regarded violinist who spent fourteen years as the leader of the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra and who supported his son when he ventured into the rock arena, even contributing to one track on the nascent band’s first album - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1KsckU3VtM - and very fab it is too - that violin! 

It’s probably safe to say that Trevor and his cohorts, Duncan Faure (who later went on to join The Bay City Rollers), Ronnie Robot and Neil Cloud were South Africa’s first super popular rock band within the demographics of the time. They called themselves Rabbitt and they had girls fainting in the aisles, literally! (For the record, I was not one of them, lol! A bit before my time, and in any event, I was listening to my friend's older brothers' music which for me, had more substance. Might have been a music nerd.) Rabbitt was a fortuitous combination of talent and sex appeal which was unprecedented in those days. In actual fact, the first track the band did that got some attention was a cover of “Locomotive Breath”  - I think that was before all the others joined him, in any event, they went on to have great success for a very short period, especially with this song – “Charlie” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5YuI7tKVzU. 

Rabbitt wasn’t able to tour internationally due to restrictions because of apartheid and that was one of the reasons they ended up fizzling out. Meanwhile, Trevor didn’t stop – he’d scored a movie (has since composed for dozens more films), and in the early 80’s he took an opportunity to move to the UK where he got involved with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. From there his virtuosity and ability earned him a place in the then Yes line-up (after having declined an invitation to tour with Foreigner) and I’d be surprised if anyone here wasn’t familiar with “Owner of a Lonely Heart”, which he wrote – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVOuYquXuuc.

He’s also collaborated with and contributed to many other muso’s offerings, not least, Michael Jackson, Seal, Paul Rodger, Rick Wakeman, Tina Turner, Roger Hodgson, and so it goes on. He’s still musically involved with Jon Anderson and Wakeman, and has also recorded a number of solo albums which I have to confess to having dipped into from time to time without much enthusiasm, for some reason! Took this opportunity to listen to his most recent solo (which isn’t recent at all, having been released in 2012, but anyway), it's called Jacaranda, which is his self-indulgence and is definitely tinged with the colours and experiences of his home country – specifically Jo’burg which is where I grew up, so I know where he’s coming from and enjoyed the listen. No doubt about it – he has skills …

This is blocked in my country, but maybe not in yours ... 





Just in case - one from Jacaranda that isn't blocked … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6nN6o9a...-gffiMUoJU

[James Otto Sweet Heart]

Happy 57th birthday to country singer Trace Adkins!

God bless you and him always!!!

Holly (a day one fan of Trace)

[Ruby]

Martha Davis was born on this day in 1951, in Berkeley, California. She is the lead singer, guitarist and (unbeknown to me, up to now), primary composer for the new wave band The Motels. The first incarnation of The Motels made it fairly big in the early to mid 80’s then faded out after about 6 years; she then made a solo album and went into semi-retirement from the biz but it wouldn’t leave her alone – nor she it. She was asked to write songs for various people/films and she continued to compose, involve herself in theatre work, and eventually create a second Motels, and then a third.

This present line-up has been going for around 14 years and seems quite stable – they released an album last year titled The Last Few Beautiful Days. I listened to it – some songs I liked, others not so much, and for some reason I’m reminded of Edith Piaf, to a degree, and there are similarities to Marianne Faithfull now and then. Somehow it’s still 80’s new wave/pop but it also manages to sound updated, which is a paradox! I liked this one but can’t find it on YouTube - https://open.spotify.com/search/results/...%20at%20Me

Helluva life this lady’s had – married at 15, and by the time she was 19, divorced with 2 kids additionally having lost her mother around that time. More recently, in 2016 her daughter died as a result of an overdose – presumably of prescription medicine as it was the same scenario and same drug as Prince. 

Her thoughts on the musical era we’re in – she says it’s about “… what people want for themselves from the business, instead of wanting to just create and make wonderful music; I think there’s a big emphasis on celebrity and being a star, and living that lifestyle … it shouldn’t be about that …”  She says she has always made music for the simple reason that it makes her happy. 

Although still very actively touring, she lives outside of Portland, Oregon on a farm with a bunch of alpacas and a host of other creatures. She says she loves the funny little sounds alpacas make and wants to record them for backup singers, lol! Having met a few alpacas, I can relate. 

A link to a written interview in case anyone’s interested …
https://crypticrock.com/interview-martha...he-motels/

Another one from the latest album – clip won’t play in my country - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eJ1nfoqpj4

And from way back … the track that I associate with what I know of The Motels, which admittedly, is not a lot! … 

[Ruby]

Alphonso Johnson was born on this day in 1951, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a bassist and worked as a session musician before bagging himself a place in Weather Report’s line-up following the departure of Miroslav Vitous. Not too shabby, landing a spot with those fusion giants at the tender age of 22! He’s played with a range of artists across the rock/jazz/fusion spectrum and released three or four solo albums as well as having taken on the role of teacher, conducting clinics and seminars all over the world, while also serving as an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern California and California Institute of the Arts.

He is known for his fluid, innovative style – he started out playing the double bass, but soon moved on to the electric bass (and acoustic) and the Chapman Stick, of which he is a master. 



He’s on albums by Billy Cobham, Rod Argent, John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Santana Stanley Clarke, Steve Hackett and Phil Collins, to name a less than comprehensive handful. 

From Collins’ Face Value – “This Must Be Love” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiBpWhtENXk

From his first outing with Weather Report, Mysterious Traveller – “Cucumber Slumber” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3sBSHEivzs

And from a collaborative live album Alivemutherforya, his composition, “Bahama Mama” … 

[Ruby]

Masanori Takahashi, aka Kitarō (which means man of love and joy) was born on this day in 1953, in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. A practising Buddhist and the son of Shinto Buddhist farmers who were keen for him to have agrarian, rather than musical dreams. Parental wishes notwithstanding, he has made a significant mark in the field of new-age/electronica.

He became enamoured of the analogue synthesizer fairly early on, and while touring in his first band, Far East Family, met and was given some lessons by Klaus Schulze on how best to make it work. He went solo in 1977 and first came to the attention of international ears with his soundtrack to the Japanese documentary The Silk Road: The Rise and Fall of Civilizations, which is gorgeous.

Kitarō is not in love with the new-age label – his outlook on life and study of philosophy direct his creations and he simply believes that it is his responsibility to produce music that has a good influence on society.

He’s been nominated for no less than 17 Grammy Awards – won once – for his album Thinking of You. This is the opening track, “Estrella”, which means star (the music is appropriately twinkly!)  … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DFQQLa3gNQ

The main theme from The Silk Road … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzykmqHtew0

His work is primarily instrumental but there are one or two exceptions here and there – his collaboration with Jon Anderson on the album Dream being one …

[Ruby]

Vincent “Vinnie” Colaiuta was born on this day in 1952, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He’s been drumming since the age of seven – took to it naturally and hasn’t stopped since. Aside from extensive session work across a range of genres, he recorded and toured with Frank Zappa, worked with Gino Vannelli, recorded and toured with Joni Mitchell and likewise Sting, as well appearing with musicians/bands such as Jeff Beck, Steely Dan, Katherine Jenkins, John McLaughlin, Tori Amos, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Lindsay Lohan! In other words, his is pretty much a name you see on every second album . Seriously - 647 albums by my count. Didn't know where to start - all a bit overwhelming!! https://www.vinniecolaiuta.com/Home/Discography
 
He’s won innumerable Drummer of the Year awards and has a place in both the Modern Drummer and Classic Drummer Halls of Fame. He is particulalry noted for his performance on Joe’s Garage which Modern Drummer cites as one of the top 25 drum performances of all time – here’s a snippet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlIe5mBqIB4
 
This one’s a bit obscure but I like it … Indio’s “Hard Sun” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1tVvQUAcf4
 
“Negative Girl” – Steely Dan … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAnTph40pgE
 
And because these are just so perfectly put together, on all levels, including the lightest of touches from Mr Colaiuta … “Lilac Wine” from Jeff Beck’s Emotion and Commotion … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG8L9EOm1Ao

Followed by "Never Alone" from the same album - an intuitive, sensitive and incredibly versatile drummer ... (IMHO)