(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 279

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Dolly Dagger”. It was written and recorded by American musician Jimi Hendrix. It was originally released on the posthumous platter titled Rainbow Bridge in 1971. The single was backed with a studio cover of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new single “Angeline” by the modern Americana act known as Silver Lake 66. Silver Lake 66 is a pair of singing-songwriting musical performers: Maria Francis and Jeff Overbo. Recorded live in Portland, Oregon at the Hallowed Halls, the song was written by Francis. The track also features Francis on acoustic guitar and vocals, Overbo on electric guitar and backup vocals, Bryan Daste on pedal steel and backup vocals, Chaz Holmes on drums and backup vocals, and Toupee Zehr on bass.

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” this time is the song “Imagine” by English singer-songwriter and musician John Lennon. It’s off his 1971 platter of the same name. This informal tuneful tribute is by Oregon-based Hawaiian ukulele entertainer Sonny K. It was recorded live, outdoors early in 2020. K. enjoys covering familiar tunes on his ukulele.

Something Blue

Finally, our “something blue” this edition is the song “Pitiful Blues” written and recorded by American singer-songwriter and musician Malcolm Holcombe. It’s the title track from his 2014 album Pitiful Blues. If you’d like to hear his more recent work, be sure to keep an eye out for a full review of his new, upcoming disc titled Bits & Pieces. The new album drops on June 23, 2023.

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 The Domestic Geek and Rock n Roll Bride respectively)