Song of The Day: Jefferson Airplane – Today

R.I.P. Paul Kantner, the driving force behind Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship, bands who, to this day, have not really received their due as radical innovators of revolutionary Rock, well beyond their fame as hippie hitmakers; a transition in which Kantner (and Grace Slick) was the driving force (and Hugo Award nominee!).

Today is a Balin/Kantner composition, featuring Jerry Garcia on the plaintive guitar melody, that has only become more popular and recognized over the years. Saxophonist Tom Scott’s version was a beat digger staple before Pete Rock and CL Smooth sampled it for the basis of their 1992 single They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.), which has become an acknowledged classic of the Golden Age of Hip-Hop. Funny that one of my favorite sixties ballads, would also lead to one of my favorite Hip-Hop jams. More recently, Experimental collective, Ulver have paid tribute to the song with a beautiful cover, securing the song’s legacy with a new generation.

 

The Boss covers The Easybeats

Watching Easybeats videos in remembrance of singer Stevie Wright, I stumbled on this cover from last year’s Australian, Bruce Springsteen tour. Watching Springsteen attack the bouncy, can’t-wait-for-the- weekend anthem, with his raspy delivery and aggressive demeanor, makes for a fascinating study in contrasts. Fortunately, because it’s The Boss, it totally works. R.I.P. Stevie.

R.I.P. to The Easybeats, Stevie Wright

The Easybeats were Australia’s finest proponents of 60’s Garage Beat, Pop and Psych, and Stevie Wright was undoubtedly one of the finest singers to emerge from that scene. With 1966’s slice of pure Pop perfection, Friday on My Mind, The Easybeats cracked the Top 20 in both the US and UK, a feat that no future Easy’s single was able to repeat. Their lack of international follow up success is as  confounding as it is a shame, as The Easybeats were clearly one of the era’s best. Thankfully their homeland gave the boys the chart topping success that they deserved with three numbers ones, and a string of successful singles.

The good news is that there is a substantial amount of footage of the band in their prime, which clearly backs their legend. Enjoy.

From the bands 1968 Pop Psych masterpiece, Vigil, which featured the party rocker, Good Times, which has become a staple of numerous bands live sets over the ensuing years.

 

 

Song Of The Day: Angelina – Wishing My Life Away

This is one of my absolute favorites. Imagine the Byrds and Velvet Underground collaborating, on a dark, creepy, Girl Group vibe. The guitar sounds like Lou Reed going on a psychedelic jangle pop bender, and really, that’s a match made in heaven as far as I’m concerned. Mix that with a little Jackie DeShannon and pre-solo fame, Carole King, and you’re pretty much concocting my perfect cocktail.

I am saddened to say that I know nothing of Angelina, other than this is the B-side to her 1966 Fontana single, Just Don’t Know How. Actually, for all I know this is her sole, but, oh, so substantial, contribution to the world of music. I need to know more. Who plays on this? Are there additional cuts? Give me answers internet! I need more Angelina!