Heart Banter by David Gittlin

The Seekers are an Australian band formed in 1962. The Folk and Gospel group achieved the zenith of their popularity in the mid ’60’s with several hit songs. Their most memorable chart-topper is a song titled “I’ll Never Find Another You.” It reached #1 on the UK charts in 1965, making the Seekers the only Australian band with a #1 hit song outside of Australia. The song reached #97 in the United States, quite a feat in itself. The group has continued to perform to standing ovations around the world into the 1990’s. I am dedicating this song to my wife of 37 years, Bonnie Erens-Gittlin. Without exaggeration, every word in the lyrics of this song applies. I am grateful to have spent my adult life with this woman and the beautiful daughter we have raised. Here’s my cover. Listening to the Heart Brings Peace and Harmony into a Life Chapters (00:00:10) - "For You Will Be My Someone Forever"

“True Colors” is a song with legs. It started out as a song written for a mother in a traditional ballad format. Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly wrote the song in 1986 and offered it to Anne Murray, a popular singer at the time. Murray passed on the song. Cyndi Lauper took it and creatively revamped the format into a stark and breathtaking version. The song became a hit worldwide because of its universal appeal. The songwriters acknowledge that Lauper was the perfect artist to adapt the song partly because of her bold style. Released as the title song on Lauper’s 1986 album, “True Colors,” is the only original song on the album that the artist did not help to write. In 1998, Phil Collins covered the song on his “Greatest Hits” album. Australian country music star Kasey Chambers covered the song as the theme for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. In 2007, Cindy Lauper launched “The True Colors Tour” to support gay rights and fight hate crimes. In 2016, Justin Timberlake and actress Anna Kendrick used the song in the soundtrack for the movie “Trolls.” Kodak also used the song to advertise its film stock. Like I said: The song has legs. Here’s my version. Chapters (00:00:05) - True Colors

Eric Andersen’s voice, songs, guitar, and piano playing created a career that has spanned over 45 years. He has recorded 25 albums of original songs and made numerous tours of North America, Europe, and Japan.His songs have been recorded and performed by world-renowned artists such as Judy Collins, Peter Paul and Mary, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, The Grateful Dead, Linda Thompson, plus many others in Europe, Australia, England, and Japan. One of Eric's most famous songs is "Thirsty Boots." I loved it from the first time I heard it. Here's my cover. Chapters (00:00:09) - A stranger stops for a while

Cat Stevens first met Alun Davies as a backup musician in a recording session. He liked what he heard. After another session, Stevens recognized that Davies was an exceptional talent. In a following private session, Stevens played something like fifty of his original songs for Davies, whereupon Davies decided Cat was also an exceptional talent. He agreed to accompany Stevens on an upcoming tour. After the tour, Davies became Stevens' permanent 2nd guitar until Stevens stopped playing music with his conversion to Islam in 1977. When Stevens began performing again in 2003, the two artists reunited. Here is a new version of "How Can I Tell You" with me playing and singing Davies' now famous second guitar part. Chapters (00:00:00) - How Can I Tell You That I Love You?

In this song, Cat Stevens is singing to a woman he yearns for in a Human form. On another level, he may be singing, aware or unaware, to the Divine Feminine. In either case, the object of Stevens’ love is unattainable in the present. Yet, I believe, the admirer (Stevens) continues to yearn for his beloved in the hope that he will, one day, meet his perfect love. There are many interpretations of “How Can I Tell You.” In my view, the song is hopeful rather than despairing. However one interprets “How Can I Tell you,” I feel the song is filled with incredible beauty that cannot help but shine through. Stevens first met Alun Davies as a backup musician in a recording session. He liked what he heard. After another session, Stevens recognized that Davies was an exceptional talent. In a following private session, Stevens played something like fifty of his original songs for Davies, whereupon Davies decided Cat was an equally exceptional talent. He agreed to accompany Stevens on an upcoming tour. After the tour, Davies became Stevens' permanent 2nd guitar until Stevens stopped playing music with his conversion to Islam in 1977. When Stevens began performing again in 2003, the two artists reunited. Here is a new version of "How Can I Tell You" with me playing and singing Davies' now famous second guitar part. Chapters (00:00:00) - Sam How Can I Tell You That I Love You?

Have you heard of Steve Gillette? If you were alive in the 1960s and liked folk music, there’s a chance the name rings a bell. Gillette never reached the top of the charts, but he’s a very talented singer/songwriter. Many of his songs have been performed by artists you have heard of, including John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia, Nanci Griffith, and Linda Ronstadt. “The Bells in the Evening” appears on Gillette’s debut album, released in 1967. The album, simply titled “Steve Gillette,” stands as one of Steve’s finest recordings. “The Bells” is a bittersweet (actually sweet-bitter) song of love blossoming in the spring and fading away in the fall. I find the melody and lyrics deeply moving. Perhaps you will, too. The song is also replete with imagery. When you listen, what images come to your mind? I’ve revisited “The Bells of the Evening,” adding a new background track by Giovanni Egusquista. Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:24) - How to Remember a Love Song

A movie studio commissioned a composer to write "Everything I Do" for Kevin Costner's Film, "Prince of Thieves." Bryan Adams, with his producer Mutt Lange, wrote the lyrics, bridge, arrangement, and outro. Adams used a line from the movie for the song title. The studio did not like the instrumentation in the finished product. They buried it midway in the credits, not anticipating what a huge hit the song would become. "Everything I Do" is one of the most successful singles of all time, selling over 3 million copies. It was #1 for 16 weeks in England and seven weeks in the United States. Please enjoy my cover with background instrumentation by Giovanni Egusquiza.  Chapters (00:00:12) - "Everything I Do, I Do It For You"

If you missed the vocal and guitar cover of "Heaven," here it is again with a rocking digital enhancement. Chapters (00:00:07) - God's Love Songs For People In Heaven

"How Can I Tell You" with digital instrumentation. Chapters (00:00:23) - "Always Thinking of You"

Previous to this writing, I had never heard of Bryan Adams. I am in the minority because Adams has created a number of beautiful, chart-topping hits that most people besides me are familiar with. “Heaven” is another song that came into my mind from someplace I can’t define. When I heard Boyce Avenue’s stirring performance of it, I fell in love with the song immediately. On July 15, 1985, “Heaven” reached #1 on the Billboard Chart. Paradoxically, it was written for a movie that flopped. Bryan Guy Adams was born in 1959. As a teenager, he played in bands and in local studios.  In 1978, he met drummer and songwriter Jim Vallance, and together they formed a partnership that lasted for decades.  Their early collaboration helped Adams strike a deal with A&M Records for a reported one dollar.  His debut album was released when the folk-rock genre exploded in the early eighties.  The album was good enough to earn Adams a second one with A&M. It helped establish Adams as an artist on the rise.  His third album, 1983’s Cuts Like a Knife, proved to be the singer-songwriter’s breakthrough effort, including three Top 40 hits. Later that year, while working on his fourth studio album, Reckless, Adams considered including “Heaven” on it, but initially felt it didn’t live up to the quality of the rest of the album. At the last minute, however, Adams changed his mind and added “Heaven” to the Reckless tracklist. Reckless went on to sell 12 million copies worldwide, becoming the most successful album of Adam’s career. Here’s my cover of “Heaven.”  Chapters (00:00:06) - Baby, You're All That I Want In Heaven

Here’s another song, written by Paul Kennerly and made famous by Emmylou Harris, called “Heaven Only Knows.” The song was released on Emmylou’s 1989 album, “Bluebird.” The song reached #16 on the Hot Country Music Chart. Since I’m a newcomer to the Country Music Scene, I’d never heard of Paul Kennerly before. He’s an Englishman who has written 30 published Country Music songs. (I guess there are stranger things that abound in our world). I don’t recall Kennerly’s name being mentioned in connection with any of the songs I’ve covered here. Be that as it may, he has written two powerful songs that Emmylou Harris has brought to my attention. I covered the other song, “Born to Run,” in my previous blog. “Heaven Only Knows,” as performed by Emmylou and her band, features a driving beat, compelling lyrics, and the recording artist’s beautiful, singular voice. Digital Backup by Joaquin Masch Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:08) - Why Loving You Should Make Me Cry

“Long May You Run” is written by Neil Young. The song came alive for me when I heard Emmylou Harris and her band perform it. Now in her seventies, Emmylou is still beautiful and sings like an angel, as attested to in the video I’ve included. After hearing Miss Harris’ version of the song, I began listening to many of her other reels on YouTube. She is a consummate, unique performer, not to mention beautiful. Emmylou’s music has remained consistently excellent throughout her forty-year career. Willie Nelson is quoted as saying, “There are two types of people in this world…those who love Emmylou and those who have not met her.” Harris has released more than twenty-five albums. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Here’s my cover.

Here’s another song, written by Paul Kennerly and made famous by Emmylou Harris, called “Heaven Only Knows.” The song was released on Emmylou’s 1989 album, “Bluebird.” The song reached #16 on the Hot Country Music Chart. Since I’m a newcomer to the Country Music Scene, I’d never heard of Paul Kennerly before. He’s an Englishman who has written 30 published Country Music songs. (I guess there are stranger things that abound in our world). I don’t recall Kennerly’s name being mentioned in connection with any of the songs I’ve covered here. Be that as it may, he has written two powerful songs that Emmylou Harris has brought to my attention. I covered the other song, “Born to Run,” in my previous blog. “Heaven Only Knows,” as performed by Emmylou and her band, features a driving beat, compelling lyrics, and the recording artist’s beautiful, singular voice. Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:08) - Heaven Only Knows Just Why Loving You Should Make Me Cry

While searching for a video of Bruce Springsteen playing his iconic hit “Born to Run,” I stumbled upon a video of Emmylou Harris singing “Born to Run.” Now, here’s the fascinating surprise: Emmylou is singing an entirely different song written by Paul Kennerly. And this song really rocks. Released in 1982 as the second single from Harris’ album Cimarron, “Born to Run” reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Emmylou Harris sings like an Angel. She is a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. I put Emmylou into my Hall of Fame alongside other Angels by the names of Eva Cassidy, Nanci Griffith, Linda Ronstadt, and Kate Wolf. Here’s my cover of Paul Kennerly’s “Born to Run.” Chapters (00:00:11) - Well I Was Born To Run

“Long May You Run” is written by Neil Young. The song came alive for me when I heard Emmylou Harris and her band perform it. Now in her seventies, Emmylou is still beautiful and sings like an angel, as attested to in the video I’ve included. After hearing Miss Harris’ version of the song, I began listening to many of her other reels on YouTube. She is a consummate, unique performer, not to mention beautiful. Emmylou’s music has remained consistently excellent throughout her forty-year career. Willie Nelson is quoted as saying, "There are two types of people in this world...those who love Emmylou and those who have not met her." Harris has released more than twenty-five albums. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:07) - Long May You Run

The Beatles have produced a motherload of work in the thirteen* albums they released. Within their massive discography, there are bound to be songs that the band members liked or disliked in varying degrees. Lennon and McCartney wrote “It’s Only Love” in 1965. The song is about a complex relationship that is ultimately worth it because, after all, “It’s Only Love,” and that’s the way it often goes. I was surprised to learn that John Lennon thought the song was “pure rubbish,” meaning that it was only a filler song created to feed the hounds of commerce. Paul McCartney had a more optimistic view: “Sometimes we didn’t fight it if the lyric came out rather bland on some of those filler songs like ‘It's Only Love.’ If a lyric was really bad, we'd edit it, but we weren't that fussy about it because it’s only a rock ‘n’ roll song. I mean, this is not literature.” Most fans, like myself, can relate to the song, finding the lyrics acceptable and the melody beautiful. Here’s my cover.

Jackson Browne has always been a brilliant lyricist, singer, guitarist, and songwriter. I have enjoyed playing many of his songs on this blog. All of them are my favorites, and “Enough of the Night” is no exception. Written when he was turning forty, Browne originally thought he was writing about someone else, until he realized that “Enough of the Night” was about himself. He had grown tired of a destructive lifestyle that mostly involved drugs (Cocaine). He decided the time had come for a change, and Browne writes about it poignantly in his lyrics. Listen closely, and you’ll see what I mean. “Enough of the Night” is also reminiscent of Jackson’s sister, but that’s another story entirely. Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:08) - Enough for the Night

The Jackson Browne song “You Love the Thunder” is about a musician and a lover who joins him on tour, a thread that underlies many of the songs on Browne’s album, Running on Empty. The album explores life on the road from performances, to backstage, hotel rooms, and relationships with band members and audiences. The lyrics of “You Love the Thunder” suggest that while Browne’s lover may not always enjoy the difficult aspects of a musician’s life on the road, they are irresistibly drawn to the excitement of the lifestyle and the passion that runs through it like a vein of valuable ore. The line, “To be a woman in love with a man in search of the flame,” exemplifies the central meaning of the song: the enduring, though sometimes challenging, love for someone driven by a passionate, and likely spiritual quest. Chapters (00:00:04) - You Love the Thunder and You Love the Rain

When the Eagles were a struggling group in Los Angeles, they noticed many beautiful women married to older, successful men. It posed the question: Were these women happy or unhappy? One night, while drinking in their favorite bar, they spotted a beautiful young woman. Alongside her, a fat, old, rich guy sat drinking. They were chatting, and apparently a couple. Glen Frey, the group’s leader, commented, “Look at her. She can’t hide those lying eyes.” The Eagles realized they had a great idea for a new song. They began to write the lyrics of "lyin Eyes" right then and there. The song tells an in-depth story about women who have taken the easy way out by marrying for money alone. While the song is entirely fictional, it has an incontrovertible ring of truth. Maybe that’s why Lyin’ Eyes reached number 8 on the Country Chart. It is the only Eagles song to become a top 10 Country hit. Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:15) - There Ain't No Way to Hide Your Lion Eyes

When the Eagles were a struggling group in Los Angeles, they noticed many beautiful women married to older, successful men. It posed the question: Were these women happy or unhappy? One night, while drinking in their favorite bar, they spotted a beautiful young woman. Alongside her, a fat, old, rich guy sat drinking. They were chatting, and apparently a couple. Glen Frey, the group’s leader, commented, “Look at her. She can’t hide those lying eyes.” The Eagles realized they had a great idea for a new song. They began to write the lyrics right then and there. The song tells an in-depth story about women who have taken the easy way out by marrying for money alone. While the song is entirely fictional, it has an incontrovertible ring of truth. Maybe that’s why Lyin’ Eyes reached number 8 on the Country Chart. It is the only Eagles song to become a top 10 Country hit. Here’s my cover.

“Glenn Frey and Don Henley wrote this song together, and Frey sang lead. Along with “Desperado,” it was one of two songs they came up with in the first week that they started writing together. The songs formed the basis of the Eagles’ second album, with Frey and Henley comparing the life of a cowboy to that of a musician. “Tequila Sunrise” shows the transient nature of each lifestyle, as the singer falls for a woman who just wants to use him and move on. The theme didn’t immediately connect with the buying public, but the songs and the album stood the test of time.”*  *Excerpted from Songfacts® Chapters (00:00:19) - It's Another to Kill The Sunrise

Cat Stevens wrote “The First Cut Is The Deepest” when he was eighteen. At the time, he had no intention of becoming a worldwide star performer. He sold the song for thirty pounds to P.P. Arnold, a soul singer who lived near him in London. She released “The First Cut Is The Deepest” on her first album. It reached #18 on the U.K. charts in 1967. Eventually, Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow covered the song, making it a major hit in America. Stevens released his version of the song on his debut album, New Masters. Because he never released “The First Cut Is the Deepest” as a single, the album went largely unnoticed. Despite his shyness, Stevens’ songwriting and singing burst through to make him an international star in the music industry. I’m using Stevens’ version in my cover.

In this song, I believe (Yusuf) Cat Stevens is singing to a woman he yearns for in a Human form. On another level, he may be singing, aware or unaware, to the Divine Feminine. In either case, the object of Stevens’ love is unattainable in the present. Yet, I further believe, that the admirer (Stevens) continues to yearn for his beloved in the hope that he will, one day, meet her. In this sense, the song is hopeful rather than despairing. However one interprets “How Can I Tell you,” I feel that the song is filled with incredible beauty that shines through. And thank you, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), for your always beautiful, wise, and inspiring music. Here's my cover. Chapters (00:00:23) - "How Can I Tell You That I Love You..."

Many of Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ songs convey underlying messages about childhood and the relationships between children and adults, such as ‘Father & Son’ and ‘Oh Very Young,’ to name a few. “Where Do the Children Play?” is no exception. It becomes increasingly timely with each passing day, given the environmental crisis we are facing. The song refers to the destruction of natural spaces caused by overdevelopment and industrialization. It asks a fundamental question: What future awaits our children when the spaces where they play are increasingly paved over and polluted?  “Where Do The Children Play” prompts us to consider the inherent features of the ‘progress’ we are making, as well as Humanity’s impact on planet Earth. Essentially, this beautiful and simple song begs for a balanced relationship between Human Beings and nature. Typical of a Cat Stevens song, the rhythm is quite unique. Here’s my cover.

"Father and Son" is a song about the age-old story where the father’s vision for his son does not align with his son’s dreams for the future. Cat Stevens refurbishes the story with his unique and beautiful phrasing in the lyrics and melody. It has taken me some time to warm up to this song due to the violent rift I had with my father regarding my future. My Dad passed away in 2006, and now, in my older years, I can see and appreciate the opportunities he gave me. I am at peace with the relationship, and I am inspired by my father's accomplishments. You might think this song pertains to Cat Stevens' struggles with his father, but that is not the case. His father owned a Greek restaurant, and like all fathers, wanted his son to join the business. Stevens, of course, had vastly different ideas. Wisely, his father never stood in the way of his son's dreams. Stevens wrote this song, imagining a Russian father and son differing about the son's future. "Father and Son" was originally planned as part of a stage play. The project never saw the light of day. Stevens eventually released the song on his "Tea for the Tillerman" album. Here's my cover.

Far from old age, Cat Stevens wrote “Oh Very Young” when he was twenty-five. The wisdom in the song surpasses Stevens’ chronology with lines like, “You’re only dancin’ on this Earth for a short while.” Stevens contracted tuberculosis when he was nineteen, and it almost killed him. After that experience, Stevens kept an eye on the Big Picture. Always the explorer, Stevens sought the meaning and purpose of life, as illustrated in his songs like “On the Road to Find Out.” He eventually converted to Islam in 1977. Around the same time, he permanently left the world stage as a singer and songwriter. In his relatively short career, Cat Stevens left us with a body of music that is still relevant today and, to millions around the world, extremely enjoyable. Originally, I played this song using a picking method, and then I switched to strumming. I watched a video of Stevens performing the song with a strumming method. I thought, I’ll never be able to play it that fast. To my amazement, I wound up playing the song as fast as Stevens when I strummed it. Interesting. Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:08) - Oh, Very Young What Will You Leave Us This Time?

Willie Nelson made “Always On My Mind” one of his signature songs. Upon hearing the song for the first time, Nelson knew that he wanted to add “Always On My Mind” to his repertoire. Several recording artists, including Elvis Presley, released the song unsuccessfully. When Nelson recorded it in 1982, the song became a smash hit. Nelson’s sensitive rendition made the song a top 5 hit and a Grammy nomination. Wayne Carson wrote “Always” as an apology to his wife when he was working in a recording studio in Memphis and stayed ten days longer than he expected to. When Carson called his wife to tell her that he had to stay in Memphis longer, she let him have it. To make his wife feel better, Carson told her she was “always on his mind.” “It just struck me like someone had hit me with a hammer,” Carson told the LA Times. “I told [my wife] real fast I had to hang up because I had to put that into a song.  ‘Always’ is about one long apology. I guess there are a lot of people in the world who are looking for a way to say [what the lyrics express] in a song.” “Always On My Mind” popped into my head from out of nowhere. Coincidentally, I’ve been hearing it at the gym where I work out, but after the fact. I’ve decided that it’s a reminder from the cosmos to appreciate my loyal wife of thirty-six years. Here’s my cover played in Nelson’s style. Chapters (00:00:14) - Sometimes I Think I Didn't Love You Enough

This song is about a man who gives up his dreams to live a life of routine monotony due to the crushing necessity of earning a living. In a 1997 interview with Mojo magazine, Browne said of this song: “I’m a big fan of ambiguity and its bountiful rewards, and ‘The Pretender’ is two things at once. It’s that person in all of us that has a higher ideal, and the part that has settled for compromise, like Truffaut says, there’s the movie you set out to make, and there’s the one you settle for. But in a more serious sense, ‘The Pretender’ is about 1960s idealism —the idea that life is about love, brotherhood, justice, social change, and enlightenment. These concepts were prevalent as our generation reached its stride, and later, we settled for something quite different. So when I say ‘Say a prayer for The Pretender,’ I’m talking about those people who are trying to convince themselves that there really was nothing to that idealism.” (excerpt from an article by SongFacts.com) The boldface type is about a lyric in the song I could relate to most, since I lived through that period: “I want to know what became of the changes we waited for love to bring. Were they only the fitful dreams of some greater awakening?” Here’s my cover of “The Pretender.” Chapters (00:00:20) - Praying for the Pretender

Jackson Browne wrote “For A Dancer” in memory of a modern dancer friend who died tragically in a fire. When Jackson’s wife, the model Phyllis Major, died suddenly in 1976, “For A Dancer” mysteriously took on a new meaning. “That’s how songs work,” Brown said in an interview. “They migrate into other parts of your life and other experiences.” Browne eventually played the song at the funerals of two other celebrity friends. And if one listens to the lyrics closely, “For A Dancer” becomes a larger commentary on the intransience of life itself. We cling to it like a thread. To me, the larger meaning underscores the necessity of using every precious moment wisely. Here’s my cover. Chapters (00:00:12) - A Dance for the Dead

Jackson Browne's guitar techniques, lyrics, and melodies stand apart from the crowd. What he says through his music is sometimes searing, sad, and occasionally, happy. However, all of Browne's songs have something in common: an incredible sensitivity and beauty. Browne wrote "These Days" when he was only sixteen years old. Despite his youth, Browne demonstrated a keen sense of heartbreak. I'm not sure how a sixteen-year-old could feel the depth of emotion and remorse expressed in this song. If we assume Jackson experienced and gave voice to the words and tone of "These Days," then he was wise beyond his years and deeply rooted in himself from early on. The song had its first release when a protégé of Andy Warhol named Nico picked it up on her "Chelsea Girl" album. Brown played acoustic guitar in the background. "These Days" gained wider recognition when several artists subsequently covered it. Brown eventually released his version of the song in 1973 on the album "For Everyman." He rewrote "These Days" to make it more optimistic. In his own words, Jackson remembers, "Over the rest of my teenage years and into my 20s, I developed a kind of optimism, a kind of resoluteness, so I changed [one verse] to: 'I'll keep on moving, keep improving.' That's more to me what life is made of, the idea that I'll get through this, I'll continue looking." I've always wanted to play this song the way Jackson Browne does. Thanks to my friend Jerry Lambert, I can now do it. Here's my cover.

I first heard "Cornflower Blue" as the opening song on Kate Wolf's 1983 double album "Give Yourself to Love." As I listened to the album many times over, "Cornflower Blue" grew on me (no pun intended). I began to appreciate the exquisite beauty in the lyrics and in Kate's lovely singing voice. Oftentimes, songs like this one will find their way into my heart, and I feel compelled to play them myself. With this song, I had my doubts. The chances were good that I might not pull it off. Learning how to play "Cornflower Blue" like Kate does was like learning how to walk again. The style is completely counterintuitive to what I'm used to, but I'm glad I made the effort. I hope my cover of the song conveys some of the mystery and beauty of the original.

“Pluck” is the word that comes to mind when I think of Nanci Griffith and her music. In terms of stature, Nanci can be described as diminutive, or perhaps petite is a better, if overused, description. Ironically, the essence of Nanci Griffith is anything but small. She imbued her songs with a crystal clear, powerful voice and confident stage presence. In her simple way, Griffith is remembered as a giant among country and folk singer/songwriters. With twenty-four albums released from 1978 to 2002, Griffith has left a lasting impression on an art form she once described as “folkabilly.” Nanci’s music merges the elegant folk of her early years with the folk-rock of her later years. I’ve covered many of Nanci’s songs on this blog, including this latest, “Trouble In The Fields.” It’s a penetrating and beautiful song inspired by Griffith’s recollections of her great-grandparents’ struggles with drought and hard economic times during the 1930s. “Trouble In The Fields” is dedicated to Nanci’s great aunt and uncle, Nettie Mae and Tootie, farmers for eighty years near Lubbock, Texas. Here’s my cover.

There is beauty within us. There is beauty everywhere in the world. All we have to do is to want to feel it and see it. Even in the midst of darkness, this is the dawn of a new age. It may be difficult to believe or see it, but it’s happening. Nothing can deny us our destiny in love. Not doubt. Not ignorance. Not fear. Some of us are at the forefront of this new world. Kate Wolf was one of these visionaries. I’m a great admirer of her work and her music. Here’s my cover of “Brother Warrior.”

In a 2009 interview, Cat Stevens (by then Yusuf Islam) is quoted as saying: “I was on holiday in Spain. I was a kid from the West End of London--I never got to see the moon on its own. In the dark, there were always streetlamps. So there I was on the edge of the water on a beautiful night with the moon glowing, and suddenly I looked down and saw my shadow. I thought that was so cool; I’d never seen it before.” The song is about finding hope in any situation, of being present and joyful. With the simplicity and joy of a child, Stevens writes about seeing life as it is in the moment, without comparing it to others’ lives or other times in an individual’s life. Moonshaw is a beautiful song expressing the idea that every moment in life is rich and unique. Whether we are aware of it or not, Stevens is saying, we are always “leaping and hopping on a Moonshadow” every second of our existence. He cautions against being too wrapped up in our worries and concerns about what could be or what has been, and consequently missing the richness of life as it is. Here’s my cover played in the artist’s style.

On a musical tour of the Western United States, Gordon Lightfoot discovered a highway sign that read, "Carefree Highway." The words on the sign led Gordon to write a song about a carefree lifestyle and a lost love. Ligtfoot put the lyrics away in the glove compartment of his car. Eight months later, Gordon wrote the music for "Carefree Highway" after almost forgetting about the song. Wouldn't you know that the song became one of Lightfoot's biggest hits? Here's my cover.

Tom Paxton released "The Last Thing On My Mind" in 1964 on his album, Ramblin' Boy." The inspiration for the song came from Dave Van Ronk and Bob Dylan's versions of "He Was A Friend of Mine." This lost love ballad became one of Paxton's biggest hits. He is also known for his protest songs against the Vietnam War and other social injustices. (What Did You Learn In School Today?) "The Last Thing On My Mind" was one of the first songs I learned some forty years ago when I started playing the guitar. This is the first time I've released my cover publicly. The themes of the song include friendship, loss, and the passage of time. Here's my cover.

John Fogerty wrote "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" about his brother, Tom Fogerty, who left Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1971 at the apex of the band's popularity. The departure of his brother was a sad time for John Fogerty. Eventually, the hurt healed, and the meaning of the song changed for John. In his own words, "This song was originally written about a very sad thing that was going on in my life. But I refuse to be sad now. These days, this song reminds me of my little girl, Kelsy, and every time I sing it, I think about Kelsy and rainbows. "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" is another song that emerged unexpectedly from my subconscious. The song bounced around in my head until I played it. Here's my cover.   

The voice I'm referring to belongs to Kate Wolf. She wrote and performed (mostly in her native California) over 200 songs. Her music comes directly from the heart and tends to be bittersweet. A recording of Kate playing a song by Tom Paxon called “Hold On to Me Babe” drew me to Wolf’s music again. Her voice is transcendent, as it is in most of her recordings. I haven’t been listening to Kate’s music lately, and her version of Paxon’s song reminded me of the beautiful realms she takes me to. Here's my cover of one of Kate's early works titled "Looking Back At You."

I’ve always wanted to learn Kate Wolf’s guitar-picking style. Granted, she plays every song she’s written differently, but I just wanted a glimpse. Since Kate has mostly been an under-the-radar, brilliant singer/songwriter, no one has taken the time to create an accurate tutorial of her guitar method. That is until now. My go-to-teacher, Jerry Lamberth, best known for his unequaled guitar tutorial site (Jerry’s Guitar Bar,) has finally posted the first of what I hope will be many lessons of Kate Wolf’s songs. I’ve recorded Kate Wolf’s remarkable story and several of her songs on previous blogs. To learn more about this courageous and uniquely talented person, go to: “An Unfinished Life” “Gentle Love” “Feeling the Heart” and “Through Her Music”. Not surprisingly, “Across the Great Divide” is one of Wolf’s most popular songs. Without Jerry’s help, I would never have figured out how to play the song Kate’s way. She uses a simple and, at the same time, complex alternating base method the likes of which I’ve never seen.

Bob Dylan recorded the first version of “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” in 1962. He didn’t release it until 1971 on his “Greatest Hits Album.” Oddly, Ian and Sylvia were the first recording artists to release the song in 1963 on their album “Four Strong Winds.” The song is about longing for a loved one, specifically Suze Rotolo, who Dylan dated from 1961 to 1964. It is widely believed that another Dylan song, “Girl From The North Country,” is also about Rotolo. Here’s my cover.

Is Marc Cohn a one-hit wonder? The answer, in a word, is “yes.” That being said, Walking in Memphis is a noteworthy accomplishment for a man who has spent most of his career steadfastly under the radar. To his credit, Marc won a Golden Globe Award in 1991 for Best New Artist. Now, well into his fifties, Cohn is still touring with an ambitious schedule ahead in 2023. Working on this song made me wonder: What made Elvis Presley so popular? In case you may be wondering too, here's an article that helps to explain it. Here’s my cover of "Walking in Memphis."

My cover of Jackson Browne's song which is about his search for love and the wisdom of an older woman.

In her brief lifetime cut short by Leukemia, Kate Wolf managed to become a major influence on the folk scene with songs like “Give Yourself to Love,” “Across the Great Divide,” “Green Eyes,” “September Song,” and many more. Here's my cover of "Green Eyes."

Here’s another Gordon Lightfoot tune that may not be as recognizable as many of his other songs that I’ve covered here. Somehow, “I’ll be Alright” crept into my consciousness, and I’m happy to offer my cover of the song in this post. To me, the song is as lovely and memorable as many of Lightfoot’s hits, including: “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Early Morning Rain,” and “Song For A Winter’s Night.” Please enjoy this remembrance of the one and only Gordon Lightfoot.

"Girl From The North Country" is another one of those songs that popped into my head from out of nowhere. I can't decide if it's a message from the Beyond or just a little piece of my subconscious rising like a sunspot from the deep layers of my skin with aging. Whatever the case, "Girl From The North Country" is one of Dylan's earliest recorded songs, written in 1962 and released in 1962. Listening to it now, I find the ballad enchanting. As a young adult, I followed Dylan's work tangentially since it was so much a part of the mainstream. Lately, I've developed a deep appreciation for Dylan's music and the man himself. I've covered several Dylan songs in this blog, including "Mr. Tambourine Man," "My Back Pages," and now this one. "Girl From The North Country" is a beautiful ballad recounting a lost love. Many believe the woman in the song is Suze Rotolo. At the time, Dylan had just dropped out of college to pursue his musical career in New York City. Rotolo had just graduated from high school and entered the Greenwich Village folk scene. Their first meeting took place at the First Riverside Church concert in New York City. Dylan described the meeting in his memoir: "Cupid's arrow had whistled past my ears before, but this time it hit me in the heart, and the weight of it dragged me overboard." Eventually, the couple lived together in Greenwich Village and then grew apart when Dylan went to England, and Rotolo went to Italy to continue her education. After some time passed, Dylan went to Italy to find Retolo. At the same time, Rotolo returned to New York City. The couple finally reunited and lived in Dylan's apartment until their final breakup. The album cover of Dylan's second album, Freewheeling, features Dylan and Rotolo walking arm in arm down a Greenwich Village street.

Born to Jewish Hungarian parents in Brooklyn in 1941, Paul Simon grew up to be one of the foremost musicians of our time. He is best known for his albums with childhood friend Art Garfunkle, but I believe Simon’s solo work is where he really shines. “American Tune” is a fine example. With its melody, guitar picking, lyrics, and overall artistry, the song comes together as a masterpiece. “American Tune” expresses the recording artist’s political disappointment in the early nineteen-seventies. The nineteen-sixties bloom of racial equality, love, and peace had already blossomed and faded. While my favorite recording artists continued to produce heartfelt, meaningful, and exquisitely beautiful folk and folk rock music, America’s social and political evolution stalled. With the election of President Richard Nixon in 1972, the glowing hope and ideals of the prior decade receded into the background. Paul Simon artfully captures the undercurrents of this period in this remarkable song. Despite its melancholy tone, I am deeply moved by the beauty of the words and music. “American Tune” popped into my head unexpectedly and without warning. It literally came “from out of nowhere.” I think it did because we are about to take another evolutionary backward step under the Trump administration. Please enjoy my cover of Paul Simon’s moving song.

I’m watching an interesting film titled “If You Could Read My Mind.” The Canadian documentary is about the life and career of Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot arrived in downtown Toronto as a young man after growing up in Oridella, a small rural Canadian town. Since there were no clubs to play in at the time, Gordon landed a job in a bank to earn a living. Lightfoot was about to earn a promotion when he told his manager that he had decided to leave the bank to accept a role as an extra on a square-dancing Canadian TV show. Lightfoot’s manager found it hard to believe that the young man was leaving a good job with a future to go square dancing. As folk music became commercially viable in the late sixties, clubs began to spring up featuring promising musicians. Gordon landed a spot in one of them. He stood apart from the crowd because he performed many of his own songs in a characteristically pure voice. After he developed a following, a club owner invited Lightfoot to perform at his club across the street at twice the salary. Lightfoot gratefully accepted the invitation to perform at the Riverboat, Toronto’s premier folk music club. With his beautiful voice and prolific outpouring of quality music, it was only a matter of time before Warner/Reprise Records rewarded Lightfoot with a one million dollar recording contract, an unheard-of number for a Canadian singer. His first album with the new label was released in 1970 when Gordon was forty-two. Lightfoot had left United Artists after five albums because he felt they did not represent him adequately. “Sit Down Young Stranger” shipped 80,000 copies before sales stopped dead. The album “had no legs” in the industry’s parlance. Warner changed the name of the album and picked a new single to lead it off. “If You Could Read My Mind” became a runaway hit when an announcer on an important local radio station kept playing it. Sales of the album ballooned to 650,000 copies. The rest is history. Here’s my cover of the song.

Nanci Griffith introduced her third album with its title song, "Once in a Very Blue Moon," on the Austin City Limits TV show in 1984. She sang to a live audience with her typical, bold, and beautiful voice, which continues to endear this singer/songwriter to millions of people around the world after her passing. This poignant song could easily sound sad, but not the way Nanci performs it. With her crystal-clear voice, it actually sounds uplifting. A quality comes through Griffith's songs. It sounds to me like "nothing will ever get me down." I'm sure Nanci Griffith endured many hardships and obstacles in her life, but she always came out on top. I dedicate my cover to the memory of this inspiring woman.  

The Incredible String Band burst onto the folk music scene in 1966 with the release of their first album, aptly named “The Incredible String Band.” As an avid lover and consumer of folk, I had never heard anything like their songs. The band started out as a trio composed of Clive Palmer, Robin Williamson, and Mike Heron. Williamson and Heron composed most of ISB’s music. Palmer eventually dropped out, replaced by other musicians and the girlfriends of Williamson and Heron. Signed by Electra Records, the group produced seven albums for the label, most notably their first four, which included “The Five Hundred Spirits or the Layers of the Onion” and “The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter.” Through intermittent tours and appearances at prestigious venues like the Albert Hall, The Incredible String Band gained worldwide fans and international recognition from their humble beginnings in Edinburgh, Scotland. Listen to Mike Heron’s lilting, whimsical “Painting Box” to get a sense of The Incredible String Band’s multifaceted musical range. Here’s my cover.

“Against the Wind” is regarded as one of Bob Seeger’s best songs. The lyrics are replete with the songwriter’s reflections on his youth, past relationships, and music career. The metaphor of running against the wind came from Seeger’s high school days, where he ran on the track team. Seeger created his eleventh album, “Against the Wind,” intending to record hit songs. In other words, the artist wasn’t overly concerned with aesthetics. He wanted to make a commercially viable collection of songs, leaving it up to Capitol Records which ones to release as singles. Along with his Silver Bullet Band, Seeger certainly succeeded. “Against the Wind” has been described as a bittersweet cross between country and rock music. The song holds an attraction for me as I look back on my life from the perspective of a 75-year-old. I’ve published eleven novels and recorded innumerable songs. Has any of it made a positive and significant impact on the world? Perhaps in a very small sense, the answer is “yes.” But the results have been far below my expectations. I’m sure we are all, in one sense or another, running against the wind. There are things we turn away from that must be confronted. There are obstacles we must overcome if we are to move forward. Seeger ends this song with a determination to keep running against the wind no matter what it takes. I offer my cover in the same spirit. Recorded with Audacity software–Absolutely the best free recording software out there.