Working on some new music ideas I arrived at a guitar and saxophone dual. Trading 2’s and 4’s, guitar and sax call and answer with melodic riffs. Have a listen and reply if you like what you hear. We appreciate your comments.
Music Trivia
| 14 Feb 1961 | The Beatles performed at the Cassanova Club, Liverpool, and at Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool where they played a special Valentine’s Day show. Paul McCartney sang Elvis Presley‘s ‘Wooden Heart’, wearing a wooden heart pinned to his coat, covered with satin and embroidered with the names “John”, “Paul”, “George”, and “Pete”. The heart was raffled off, and the winner also won a kiss from Paul. |
Tis The Season
Merry Christmas to all
and to all a Happy New Year
Enjoy the holidays with friends and family near or far.
Good cheer to all!
There’s a chill in the air
Leaves are down
Days are shorter
Weary travelers,
On a lonely road
See holiday lights along the way
Chorus
Friends and family
Gather close
Around the fireplace
Singing songs
Raising spirits
Ti’s the season
V2
The tree is lit
Stockings hung
Cards are sent
Candles burning bright,
For loved ones…,
Wishing they were near
Chorus
Friends and family
Gather close,
Around the fireplace
Singing songs
Raising spirits
And warming hearts
Bridge
V3
It’s getting colder
Leaves are down
Days are shorter
Weary travelers,
On a lonely road…
Home is around the corner
Chorus 2X
Friends and family
Gather close
Around the fireplace
Singing songs
Raising spirits
Dire Straits Tribute
Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1995.[1]
Their first single, “Sultans of Swing“, from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by hit singles including “Romeo and Juliet” (1981), “Private Investigations” (1982), “Twisting by the Pool” (1983), “Money for Nothing” (1985), and “Walk of Life” (1985).[2] Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc[3][4] and is the eighth-bestselling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, the fifth most of all time.[5]
Dire Straits’ sound draws from various influences, including country, folk, the blues rock of J. J. Cale, and jazz.[6] Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only members who lasted from the beginning of the band’s existence to the end. After their first breakup in 1988, Knopfler told Rolling Stone: “A lot of press reports were saying we were the biggest band in the world. There’s not an accent then on the music, there’s an accent on popularity. I needed a rest.”[7] They disbanded for good in 1995, after which Knopfler launched a solo career full-time. He has since declined reunion offers.[8]
Dire Straits were called “the biggest British rock band of the 80s” by Classic Rock magazine;[9] their 1985–1986 world tour, which included a performance at Live Aid in July 1985, set a record in Australasia.[10] Their final world tour from 1991 to 1992 sold 7.1 million tickets.[11] Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards (Best British Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other awards.[12] They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Dire Straits have sold an estimated 100 million units worldwide, including 51.4 million certified units, making them one of the best-selling music artists.
A Tribute To Dire Straits
Frank Sinatra
1954 – Frank SinatraThe first ‘teen idol’, was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Three Coins In The Fountain,’ the singer’s first UK No.1. The song was The Academy Award winning Best Original Song of 1954.
This Day In Music
1963 – The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘She Loves You’, the group’s second No.1. It became the biggest seller of the year and the biggest selling Beatles single in the UK.
Keep My Heart @ Pandora
If you stream your music at Pandora, You can play the entire Keep My Heart album at Pandora. Here’s the link to get there. Click the button below!
You’ve Never Heard It Like This
Great musician performing covers in his own style. Take a look at Jay Howie playing
Tied to the Whipping Post by the Allman Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1xV1Orb_E4
Francis Scott Key pens “The Star-Spangled Banner”
On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort M’Henry,” was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over Fort McHenry at daybreak, as reflected in the now-famous words of the “Star-Spangled Banner”: “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”
Francis Scott Key was born on August 1, 1779, at Terra Rubra, his family’s estate in Frederick County (now Carroll County), Maryland. He became a successful lawyer in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and was later appointed U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
On June 18, 1812, America declared war on Great Britain after a series of trade disagreements. In August 1814, British troops invaded Washington, D.C., and burned the White House, Capitol Building and Library of Congress. Their next target was Baltimore.
After one of Key’s friends, Dr. William Beanes, was taken prisoner by the British, Key went to Baltimore, located the ship where Beanes was being held and negotiated his release. However, Key and Beanes weren’t allowed to leave until after the British bombardment of Fort McHenry. Key watched the bombing campaign unfold from aboard a ship located about eight miles away. After a day, the British were unable to destroy the fort and gave up. Key was relieved to see the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry and quickly penned a few lines in tribute to what he had witnessed.
Mo’s House Rules (remembering the band)
Hard to believe it’s been 18 years since I hung out with Mo Budlong and the gang. I was sorting through my CD collection and found Mo’s House Rules “I Love Rock n Roll”. I connected with the group through Jeff Wilson. No relation to the Wilson brothers but drummer Ron Swallow was a road manager for the Beach Boys. Said he took the job after turning down a similar offer from the Beatles. (The pay wasn’t enough to live on he said). Ron played drums when Dennis couldn’t make it on stage and he fit right in looking like a Beach Boy still.
A lot more stories to tell but here are two cover songs by Jewel from the “I Love Rock n Roll” CD we recorded live and released in 2002.
Vocals: Maria Berbeo, Tim Howell, Jeff Wilson
Drums: Ron Swallow
Rhythm Guitar: Jeff Wilson
Lead Guitar: Tim Howell
Bass: Mo Budlong
Eric Myles Project 