(Note: this series was originally published elsewhere.)

Something in music: origin

One evening at a hot, trendy L.A. nightclub on a rare solo outing, yours truly found himself standing alone at the bar preparing to review the upcoming act. Before he had taken more than a few notes, however, he was bookended by a pair of vivacious vixens who insisted on engaging your rockin’ writer in cozy conversation. Strangely, the subject of “marriage” arose.

One of the young ladies noted that when a gal is about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those very same terms could be applied to music too: “Something old” or classic, “something new” or recently released, “something borrowed”, a cover, and “something blue”, a blues song or a song with “blue” in the title. The rest is history.

‘Something’ in Music 306

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Stone Free” written by American singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix. It was actually the second song recorded by his band the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It first appeared in 1966 as the B-side to the band’s first UK single “Hey Joe”.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new song "All Waves Break" by Minnesota-based band Pert Near Sandstone. The band roster includes a quartet of singer-songwriters: Justin Bruhn on bass, Kevin Kniebel on banjo, J. Lenz on guitar, and Nate Sipe on mandolin, fiddle, and steel guitar. The song was written by Bruhn and is the premiere single off their upcoming new album titled Waiting Days which drops on October 20th, 2023.

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” this edition is the 1966 song “Take the Last Train to Clarksville” originally recorded by the American rock band the Monkees and co-written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. This clever cover version is by the Los Angeles, California-born rock band Speedbuggy USA. The track first appeared on the group’s 2018 disc Kick Out the Twang.

The current band roster features Timbo on guitar and vocals, Steve Kidwiler on lead guitar, Patrick Dennis on bass, Mike McNamara on drums and Greg McMullen on pedal steel. If you’d like to hear them play live, you’re in luck! They are prepping for a new tour with Dash Rip Rock. Check out these tour dates!

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” in this edition is the 2007 song “Clear Blue Skies” written and recorded by activist American folk music duo Emma’s Revolution featuring Sandy O and Pat Humphries. The song appears on their disc titled Roots, Rock & Revolution. If you would like to see Emma’s Revolution perform live and are in the area, you’re in luck!

The tuneful twosome will be performing live at Sing OUT!, a benefit to support the non-profit organization Human Rights Campaign at Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in Topanga. According to a recent e-communique, this “evening of music and social justice” will also include singer-songwriter and guitarist Tret Fure and singer, songwriter, humorist, and lecturer Peter Alsop. The show will take place on the outdoor stage and “streamed live for global access.”

Ticket prices range from $20.00 to $40.00 and are available online. The email reports that all the “profits from donations and ticket sales will go to support Human Rights Campaign, a non-profit organization at the forefront of the fight to end discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people.” Additionally, refreshments will be “available at the venue, and patrons are welcome to picnic in the gardens before the performances.”

Did we mention your favorite “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? If not, let us know. Don’t forget to send us your bride photos too!

(Images courtesy of Modern Wedding and Katie Corinne)