Three for the Road: The Beatles, Weezer, Queen Electric

Some days, I take the train to work. Other days, I drive. Either way, I listen to music on the way. I put the iPhone music player on shuffle, and off I go. Calling my collection eclectic would be an understatement. It's often an interesting mix. There are songs though, that I really wish the world could appreciate as much as I do. Songs that make me say, "Ooh, listen to THIS! Isn't it great?!"

Here's what I heard this morning:

The Beatles: "I, Me, Mine"
The song was originally released on 1970's Let It Be. It was one of two George Harrison compositions on that record, the other being "For You Blue." This is the version from 2003's Let It Be: Naked. Ironically, it is supposedly the last song the Beatles recorded together, with Lennon in absentia. This version is sans the strings and brass that Phil Spector had layered on at a later date for the original 1970 release. I really love the acoustic guitar you can hear in the background during the verses, and the classic Beatles' background vocals, that almost seem to mock the "beep-beep-n-beep-beep, yeah!" from "Drive My Car."



Weezer: "Undone - The Sweater Song"
I am a late comer to Weezer. That said, I think the 1994 Blue Album is fantastic. There were three top-ten U.S. Rock chart hits, though this is the only one that broke the Billboard Hot 100. It's a crazy, little, non-sensical song that makes me recall my college and clubbing days. Oddly enough, some of those people I used to hang with still live that lifestyle. Oh well. Here's "Undone..."



Queen Electric: "Gonna Let You Down"
Scot Steven, singer, songwriter, guitarist, heads up this three-piece blues rock outfit. I saw them open for The Tubes in 2012 at the Sellersville Theater. I thought their stuff was catchy and I bought their self-titled 2011 release in the lobby after the show. I don't know anything else about them. I THOUGHT I did, but what I thought I knew I was unable to verify. If I am able to verify my suspicions, then I will update this blog with something more about them. If any of you reading knows anything about them, please let me know!



Until next time...

Three from the Train: Wendy and Lisa, The Beatles, Ramones

Wendy and Lisa: "Crack in the Pavement"
OK, I'm gonna get grief for this. Wendy and Lisa are an example of the chicken/egg paradox. I really appreciate what Prince has accomplished as an artist. But none of his stuff (with maybe the exception of the Purple Rain soundtrack) appeals to me as much as Wendy and Lisa's 1990 album, Eroica. There are songs on this record that are devastating. And in listening to the sound of this record, it begs the question, who had the bigger influence on whom? I KNOW that it's blasphemy to suggest that Prince wasn't the bigger influence, but I'm not convinced that it couldn't have been the other way around. Either way, enjoy this track and please, check out the rest of this record.



The Beatles: "She's A Woman"
Released Thanksgiving, 1964, "She's a Woman" was the b-side of the "I Feel Fine" single. It wouldn't show up on an album until Past Masters Volume 1, released in 1988. The song did appear briefly in the movie, HELP! What stood out to me, this morning, was Paul's killer vocal on the song and his piano part in the background.



Ramones: "Commando"
First rule is: Listen to Ramones
Second rule is: Like Ramones
Third rule is: Listen to More Ramones
Fourth rule is: Repeat.
Originally from 1977's Leave Home (the version I heard this morning), Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Ramones "Commando" live...