Songs You May Have Missed #529

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Zach Sestili: “Christy” (Year Unknown)

Thanks to a recently posted bit of archival video we’re thrilled to present a second piece of the early musical history of a dear friend, Mr. Zach Sestili aka Zach Pendulum.

All I know or recall about “Christy” (I hope Zach will correct me if I’m in error) is:

1. It was written at around age 16 for a high school crush and, despite playing it for her one day in school, Zach failed to win the girl.

2. By the time I saw Zach perform this song a few years later he had altered (and improved) the melody of a portion of the bridge section (“…and it makes me wonder, what do you need but a guy like me”) but though this video captures the song at an earlier stage of development it’s still more than worthy of the share.

3. Originally that bit of lyric was written as:

Christy, you have everything/And it makes me wonder, what do you need with a guy like me

But, ever one to take an optimistic point of view in his songs, Zach changed the single word “with” to “but” to give the lyric a more hopeful slant.

I keenly miss living in the same city as Zach. He was, and is, the kind of artist I’d never miss the opportunity to see perform. But I’m glad to have seen him up close on the occasions I did–it was simply mesmerizing.

As is the case with the song we previously presented here (“When the Lashes and the Stars Fall”) Sestili’s obvious writing, arranging and performing talents shine through despite the limitations of the original audio sources. If “Christy” and its accompanying video pique your interest, check out the “Lashes” post, wherein we gush at length about this guy’s gifts.

Enjoy!

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/01/21/songs-you-may-have-missed-300/

Songs You May Have Missed #528

hard way

James Hunter: “Carina” (2008)

James Hunter could be seen as a forerunner to the British retro-soul revival that gave us Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae. The obvious inspirations here seem to be Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson and the like, with perhaps a dash of Van Morrison’s horn charts. And the original songs are convincingly retro–like the kind of material you’d swear was written for a Stax Records session in the 60’s.

Songs You May Have Missed #527

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David Wilcox: “Eye of the Hurricane” (1989)

Never one to be content simply subsisting on what pop radio force-fed me, there was a time when I defiantly asserted my musical independence from lemminghood with statements like: “Steve Earle is MY Bruce Springsteen” and “The Jayhawks are MY Eagles”. Well, singer-songwriter David Wilcox seemed to fit the bill as MY James Taylor. Not meaning to say he’s a dead ringer in terms of singing voice, lyric content or any other particular characteristic. Wilcox just occupied the place for me that the better-known Taylor did for most.

The fact that the studio recording of “Eye of the Hurricane” and indeed the entire How Did You Find Me Here album sound like microphone and artist were placed into a giant tin can notwithstanding, Wilcox was known for thoughtful–at times even haunting–reflections crisply sung and smartly accompanied on acoustic guitar. Had Wilcox come on the scene about twenty years earlier, he might have competed for radio airplay with Taylor, Carly Simon and Cat Stevens. Instead he cultivates a small but loyal cult following and a rare spin on an NPR station.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/11/10/songs-you-may-have-missed-501/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/02/13/songs-you-may-have-missed-330/

Songs You May Have Missed #526

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Status Quo: “Fine Fine Fine” (1974)

One of those bands whose success never carried across the Atlantic, Status Quo were a one-hit wonder in America (“Pictures of Matchstick Men” in 1968) but have sold over 118 million records worldwide and have appeared on BBC-TV’s Top of the Pops 106 times–more than any other artist.

“Fine Fine Fine” isn’t among this band’s 100+ singles, but we’ve found it worthy of singling out.

It also makes for a rollicking boogie-woogie piano cover version:

Songs You May Have Missed #525

combo

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Brave Combo: “Spaghetti (Twist and Twirl)” (2001)

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer team with the world’s most versatile band (the fact that Brave Combo played at David Byrne’s wedding speaks to their credentials in that regard) on a most remarkable children’s song.

“Spaghetti (Twist and Twirl)” tells of a creatively frustrated chef whose young patrons are only interested in a single menu item. Fittingly, the song is arranged as a twist. And the lyric is an absolute hoot.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2022/07/10/recommended-albums-87-2/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/12/07/recommended-albums-32/

Songs You May Have Missed #524

lola

The Kinks: “Apeman” (1971)

It only peaked at #45 on the pop charts in 1971, but for my money this is one of the great rock songs of all time.

The desire to escape the everyday routine was a perennial theme in the songwriting of Ray Davies (see below).

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/26/songs-you-may-have-missed-469/

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