Greetings from The Music Bowl! I'm the Wonderfish.
The Crossroads... Just looking at the word makes you feel like you're standing right in the middle of that lonely intersection, dusty roads in four directions as far as the eye can see, a breeze blowing your hair back, and sunshine beating down on your skin. That sense of adventure offered by a crossroads hooks us every time. There is a somewhat sinister undertone as well; we know we could sell our souls to the devil in exchange for our deepest desires if we wanted to. The weight of responsibility sets in. We know to take great care when we come to a crossroads because once we decide which way to turn and we start going, there is no way back. This fateful temptation both compels and unnerves us.
I've been thinking about this topic for a few days. A band I perform with recently learned Made Up Mind by the Tedeschi Trucks Band. In this song, Susan Tedeschi sings about being sought after. She gladly loses her seeker at the crossroad sign in the 3rd verse. Made Up Mind is fairly new, considering there are so many songs and covers about crossroads. Hearing the term makes me think first of the old, popular blues versions, Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Oh Brother! Where Art Thou, and, of course, the Allman Brothers.
There are numerous other artists that write on this topic. See for yourself: Songs about crossroads.
I'd like to share some of my favorites in the rest of today's #throwbackthursday post. Here we go:
2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Super Jam: Crossroads
Highlights: This is my all time favorite cover of Robert Johnson's signature blues song. All styles of musicians and all sorts of genres come together to perfectly demonstrate the power of the blues. Run-D.M.C. asks, "If we didn't have the blues, what the hell would we do?" to introduce the jam. Gary Clark, Jr. and Ann Wilson get the ball rolling with their exceptional lead vocals. Check out Neil Peart's solid ride cymbal accent at the 3:19 mark. Tom Morello sounds the sirens at the 5:03 mark and don't forget to pay attention to how tight the entire band is as they take it home around 6:13. Did I mention that John Fogerty and Dave Grohl sing verses, too? If you enjoy blues and rock and roll, you will feel happier after watching this. Do yourself a favor and take 7 minutes of your day to turn it up and take a break.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Tha Crossroads
Highlights: the intro vocals are catchy; if you like 90's hip hop and R-n-B, you will enjoy this song overall - I'm partial to the verse that starts around 2:20 in this video.
James Blake: Modern Soul
Highlights: I warn you now, this is a song you need to listen to at least three times to start appreciating all of the intricate details within. I recommend using headphones if possible. You will hear the main hook right at the start as Blake sings, "I know a crossroads where I see him, see them..." The descending melodies grow ever addictive, especially with the harmony tracks. If you close your eyes you can really get lost in this song. Blake sings more and more soulfully starting around 2:45. At times it seems like you are listening to something so minimal when in reality there are multiple textures to sift through. Find a moment for mindfulness with this tune. Shark's in the water! See you next week.
This week's sources:
The Crossroads Super Jam is courtesy of YouTube and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tha Crossroads by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is courtesy of YouTube and BoneThugsHarmonyVEVO.
Modern Soul by James Blake is courtesy of YouTube and Figue Figue.
The Crossroads... Just looking at the word makes you feel like you're standing right in the middle of that lonely intersection, dusty roads in four directions as far as the eye can see, a breeze blowing your hair back, and sunshine beating down on your skin. That sense of adventure offered by a crossroads hooks us every time. There is a somewhat sinister undertone as well; we know we could sell our souls to the devil in exchange for our deepest desires if we wanted to. The weight of responsibility sets in. We know to take great care when we come to a crossroads because once we decide which way to turn and we start going, there is no way back. This fateful temptation both compels and unnerves us.
I've been thinking about this topic for a few days. A band I perform with recently learned Made Up Mind by the Tedeschi Trucks Band. In this song, Susan Tedeschi sings about being sought after. She gladly loses her seeker at the crossroad sign in the 3rd verse. Made Up Mind is fairly new, considering there are so many songs and covers about crossroads. Hearing the term makes me think first of the old, popular blues versions, Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Oh Brother! Where Art Thou, and, of course, the Allman Brothers.
There are numerous other artists that write on this topic. See for yourself: Songs about crossroads.
I'd like to share some of my favorites in the rest of today's #throwbackthursday post. Here we go:
2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Super Jam: Crossroads
Highlights: This is my all time favorite cover of Robert Johnson's signature blues song. All styles of musicians and all sorts of genres come together to perfectly demonstrate the power of the blues. Run-D.M.C. asks, "If we didn't have the blues, what the hell would we do?" to introduce the jam. Gary Clark, Jr. and Ann Wilson get the ball rolling with their exceptional lead vocals. Check out Neil Peart's solid ride cymbal accent at the 3:19 mark. Tom Morello sounds the sirens at the 5:03 mark and don't forget to pay attention to how tight the entire band is as they take it home around 6:13. Did I mention that John Fogerty and Dave Grohl sing verses, too? If you enjoy blues and rock and roll, you will feel happier after watching this. Do yourself a favor and take 7 minutes of your day to turn it up and take a break.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Tha Crossroads
Highlights: the intro vocals are catchy; if you like 90's hip hop and R-n-B, you will enjoy this song overall - I'm partial to the verse that starts around 2:20 in this video.
James Blake: Modern Soul
Highlights: I warn you now, this is a song you need to listen to at least three times to start appreciating all of the intricate details within. I recommend using headphones if possible. You will hear the main hook right at the start as Blake sings, "I know a crossroads where I see him, see them..." The descending melodies grow ever addictive, especially with the harmony tracks. If you close your eyes you can really get lost in this song. Blake sings more and more soulfully starting around 2:45. At times it seems like you are listening to something so minimal when in reality there are multiple textures to sift through. Find a moment for mindfulness with this tune. Shark's in the water! See you next week.
This week's sources:
The Crossroads Super Jam is courtesy of YouTube and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tha Crossroads by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is courtesy of YouTube and BoneThugsHarmonyVEVO.
Modern Soul by James Blake is courtesy of YouTube and Figue Figue.
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