(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 322

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “The Crystal Ship” by the American rock band known as The Doors. It first appeared on their 1967 platter titled simply The Doors. (While the band’s drummer, John Densmore once told your rockin' writer that Morrison knew little about songwriting, Morrison is credited for writing it.)

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the song “Broken Hearts” which was written and recorded by Northern Ohio's Americana musician and songwriter Ben Gage. The tune is included on his new, upcoming album titled Two Singing Songs which drops on Friday, November 3, 2023. Gage leads the way on vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, and harmonica. He is backed by Dan Socha on electric guitar, upright bass, acoustic guitar, percussion, and vocals; and Tuck Mindrum on percussion. (Keep your peepers peeled for a full review of the album on this website!)

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song "Something In The Way" recorded by the American rock band Nirvana. It was written by the band’s singer and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. The song originally appeared on the group’s second studio album, Nevermind, which dropped in 1991.

This dedicated cover is by American singer-songwriter and musician Joy Autumn. It is featured on her recently released tribute disc titled Come As You Are - A Tribute To Nirvana In Olympia. Autumn spoke of the work not long ago on social media.

She said: “This album is an homage to my local songwriting hero, Kurt Cobain. I grew up in Olympia, Washington and Nirvana’s music inspired my belief that anyone from anywhere—even a rainy, small town—can rock out and achieve their dreams. It gave me a lot of pride knowing that Nirvana wrote their biggest hits in the same sleepy, dreary town I woke up in each day.”

She concluded: “‘Come As You Are’ is one of my favorite Nirvana songs. Kurt wrote it a couple of miles from my childhood home in Olympia, WA, and when I found myself, once again, living at home during the pandemic, I recorded these songs in my childhood bedroom and gave them my own artistic flair. I’m hoping I can spread Nirvana’s music to a younger generation, even those who may not be inclined to listen to grunge.”

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” this time is the song “Big Railroad Blues” recorded by Leftover Salmon and written by band member Drew Emmitt. This live and lively cut appears on their 2015 disc titled simply 25. The album features Vince Herman (vocals, guitar, and washboard), Drew Emmitt (vocals, mandolin, fiddle, and electric guitar), Greg Garrison (bass and vocals), Andy Thorn (banjo and vocals), Alwyn Robinson (drums), and then-member Bill Payne (keyboards).

If you’d like to hear what the band’s co-leader, Vince Herman, is up to now, you’re in luck. According to a recent email, Herman is on tour and “out to have some fun.” Over three decades “after founding Leftover Salmon,” he’s dropped a solo album, Enjoy The Ride, and is out on “the road to play a batch of songs developed in his new Nashville home.”

He admits that the music is “a bit of a departure from the ‘Salmon sound' and more focused on his personal “idea of what country music is.” The Vince Herman Band roster for the tour includes “Nathan Graham (upright bass), Dakota Holden (pedal steel), Ian Cory (banjo/fiddle), his son Silas Herman (mandolin/guitar), ...and Lawrence Nemenz (drums).” Here are the November dates!

NOVEMBER*
11/1 Wed - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
11/2 Thu - Charleston, SC - Charleston Pour House
11/3 Fri - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre
11/4 Sat - Knoxville, TN - Open Chord Stage
11/5 Sun - Asheville, NC - Asheville Music Hall
11/7 Tue - Lexington, NC - High Rock Outfitters
11/8 Wed - Atlanta, GA - Smith's Olde Bar
11/9 Thu - Tupelo, MS - Blue Canoe
11/10 Fri - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
11/11 Sat - Nashville, TN - 3rd & Lindsley Nashville
11/12 Sun - Louisville, KY - Whirling Tiger
11/14 Tue - Newport, KY - The Southgate House Revival
11/15 Wed - Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
11/16 Thu- Wayne, PA - 118 North
11/17 Fri - Blairstown, NJ - Roy's Hall
11/18 Sat - Thomas, WV - The Purple Fiddle
11/19 Sun - York, PA - Appell Center for the Performing Arts
*All November dates w/ Airshow

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 Off Beat Bride, Rock n Roll Bride and/or original owners)