'Well I tried to make it Sunday...'

I should post America more often.

It's been a couple of years now.

I love their music.

'I'd Love to Change the World...'

From Ten Years After.

And from the band's Wikipedia entry:

The song was written and sung by Alvin Lee. The song reflects the widespread confusion concerning world events in the time-frame when it was written. With lyrics such as "Tax the rich, feed the poor/ till there are no rich no more," the song derides the standard counter-cultural position on social issues, contending that higher taxes on the rich would only wipe out the upper class, while leaving poverty as much of a problem as ever. The chorus of "I'd love to change the world/ but I don't know what to do/ so I'll leave it up to you," adds an ironic twist to such sentiments, since changing the world is unlikely with a simple rock song. The song features a folk-inspired chord pattern to support the melody.

A studio version is here.

*****

[guitar]
Spoken 'Now, turn on'

Everywhere is freaks and hairys
Dykes and fairies
Tell me where is sanity?

Tax the rich, feed the poor
Till there are no, rich no more

I'd love to change the world
(Dee-dee-dee-dee)
But I don't know what to do
(Dee-eee-dee-dee-dee-dee)
So I'll leave it up to you-ooo-ooo
(Be in my prayer)

Population, keeps on breedin'
Nation bleedin', still more feedin'
Economy

Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees made honey, who needs money?
Monopoly

I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
(Dee-eee-dee-dee-dee-dee)
So I'll leave it up to you-you-ooo
(We-eee-dee-dee-dee-dee)

Oh, yeah!
[guitar]

'History of the Eagles'

As regular readers will recall, my wife and I saw the Eagles at the Honda Center in Anaheim a fews years back, and also Don Henley at Harrah's Rincon in 2011. They are  ---- without any doubt ---- one of the greatest American rock bands. Showtime's broadcasting the new Eagles documentary on February 15 and 16th, and here's the teaser trailer:

There's a longer trailer here, and at the Hollywood Reporter, "History of the Eagles Part 1: Sundance Review." And at Rock Cellar Magazine, "The ‘History of the Eagles’ Documentaries to Premiere on Showtime in February (Video)."

More at Rolling Stone, "Q&A: Don Henley Opens Up About 'The History of the Eagles' at Sundance."

'Take Me Home, Country Roads'

Lisa Graas tweeted out a version of this last night. Peaceful.

The Wikipedia entry is here.

'Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind...'

Inspired by William Jacobson, who's been posting Seals and Crofts videos at his sidebar over the last few day

'Up on Cripple Creek'

This is a memorial video for Levon Helm.

See the obituary at the New York Times, "Levon Helm, Drummer and Rough-Throated Singer for the Band, Is Dead at 71."

Laura Marling Live at Coachella 2012 — 'Ghosts' / 'Blackberry Stone'

A nice clip, via London's Daily Mail, "You're supposed to watch the bands! Besotted Emma Watson only has eyes for new boyfriend as they kiss at Coachella":

Emma Watson has fallen under the spell of Will Adamowicz, clearly enchanted by her new beau.

The besotted duo attended Coachella, but spent more time gazing at one other than watching bands.

The Harry Potter actress didn't seem shy kissing her boyfriend in full view of the public at the music event, which is around a 90 minute drive from Los Angeles, even closing her eyes passionately as she planted a kiss on Will's lips.

Dressing down for the festival, birthday girl Emma - who turns 22 today - sported jeans, a leopard print scarf and a feathered gilet as the balanced shades on her head doubled up as a hairband.

Will, who has been dating Emma since the end of last year, looked equally infatuated as he gazed at his famous girlfriend with a look that only couples in their honeymoon phase possess.

When they weren't lost in each other's eyes adoringly, they still appeared content just to be together.

Lots more from the festival at the link.

Laura Marling's lyrics to "Ghosts" here.

The Doobie Brothers - 'Long Train Running'

So I'm reading Small Dead Animals and Kate mentions that The Doobie Brothers broke up exactly 30 years ago today. The band has an amazing history. Tom Johnston was a leading member of the band during the early years, and he wrote some of the band's most heavily rocking hits. More later...

'Like a Rolling Stone'

From Monday's drive time, "10 at 10" from 1965 at The Sound LA:

Get Off of My Cloud - Rolling Stones
Gloria - Them
In the Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
Do You Believe in Magic - Lovin' Spoonful
The Kids are Alright - The Who
Wooly Bully - Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs
Set Me Free - The Kinks
Like a Rolling Stone - Dylan
For Your Love - Yardbirds
You Won't See Me - Beatles

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kidding you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hanging out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're going to have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him, "Do you want to make a deal?"

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinking, thinking that they got it made
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it, babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Dan Peek, 1950 – 2011

Just learned of Dan Peek's death, at Wizbang, "Dan Peek, RIP."

I posted this clip last year, "This Is For All the Lonely People..."

See the write-up at Ultimate Classic Rock, "FOUNDING AMERICA MEMBER DAN PEEK DIES AT 60." Also Aaron Goldstein at American Spectator, "Dan Peek, R.I.P."

Plus a news report at Kansas City Star, "Dan Peek, founding member of soft-rock trio America, dies at 60."

Sixties too young. God bless Peek's family.

More From 'The Top 100 Albums of All Time' — David Bowie 'Ziggy Stardust' at No. 79

"Star."

Heard it yesterday while out to the skatepark, "No. 79: David Bowie | Ziggy Stardust (Side 2)":

PREVIOUSLY: "The Sound L.A., 'Top 100 Rock Albums of All Time' — J.T.'s 'Sweet Baby James' at No. 83'."

The Sound L.A., 'Top 100 Rock Albums of All Time' — J.T.'s 'Sweet Baby James' at No. 83

For the holiday weekend, at The Sound L.A.: "The Top 100 Rock Albums of All Time." Pretty interesting. David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" came in a No. 88.

I was out for a bit and heard "No. 83: James Taylor | Sweet Baby James (Side 1)," including, "Oh, Susannah":

As this post goes live, "No. 81: Elton John | Madman Across the Water (Side 1)", is on the turntable. It's happening all weekend and you can listen from your laptop.

(And this reminds me of my good friend Tony from Down Under, who posts his weekly Sunday Night Music entries over at P.A. Pundits International. Enjoy the music, Tony!)

This Is For All the Lonely People...

Hey, California GOP ... don't give up ...