Category Archives: On Music

Wet boots and rain: An autumn mixtape

September 21, 2026 Dennis Hartley Leave a comment

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on September 19, 2026)

I raked the leaves on our front lawn
It took all afternoon.
I started at ‘round half-past one
and said, “I’ll be done soon.”

But once I saw how more leaves fell
Each time I made a pile,
I quickly saw this outdoor chore
Was going to take a while.

And so I did what my dad said
A winner does to win:
I studied that great pile of leaves,
And then I jumped right in.

– “Raking Leaves”, children’s poem by Shel Silverstein

*sigh* Is nothing sacred anymore in our increasingly myopic universe?

Several roads in the town of Pomfret will be closed to vehicles this fall as residents look to keep leaf-peeping visitors out of residential areas. […]

Pomfret has long struggled with an influx of out-of-state visitors during peak foliage season, after leaf peepers popularized the area due to its breathtaking views of the changing leaves.

Sleepy Hollow Farm on Cloudland Road was recently called “Vermont’s most photographed spot,” which has led to tourists blocking traffic, littering and creating issues for town residents. The road has been closed each year during the foliage season to prevent traffic incidents and keep order.

Tourists from around the globe have been seen flocking to the quiet residential area. It is common to see photos on social media depicting large crowds of visitors snapping photos of foliage during peak season.

Dag-blasted leaf peepers!

Very bucolic, but I’m happy to simply enjoy the photo; I don’t feel an urge to drive several thousand miles just to snap a selfie. As Roy Neary says in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, “You think I investigate every Walter Cronkite story there is?!”

As another character in Close Encounters observes, “Einstein was right”. Each year passes faster than the previous. Per Pink Floyd, You can run to catch up with the sun, but it’s sinking; racing around to come up behind you again. To wit…The sun is the same in a relative way but you’re older; shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

Don’t you hate that?

Speaking of seasonal changes, the passage of time, and shortness of breath…I was rooting around in a box of personal memorabilia the other day (it’s something that old people do) and came across this patch:

In 1991, I participated in the Fairbanks Equinox Marathon, which apparently is still a thing:

The Equinox Marathon is the premier running event in Interior Alaska. With most of the course on trails and a challenging climb up and over Ester Dome —and up and over it again! — it is a challenging marathon that will test your running abilities. But don’t worry if it seems overwhelming! Our generous 10-hour time cutoff is great even for hikers who can keep a steady pace.

As the name suggests, the race takes place near the Equinox, in this case the autumnal equinox usually in the 3rd week of September. This is the time when we near the end of our beautiful, green Fairbanks summer, as the leaves turn yellow and orange, and trees begin to lose their leaves. But it is (usually) before winter’s snows begin to fall. The entire community comes out to run, volunteer, and spectate in this big end-of-summer social event.

That “generous 10-hour cutoff time” was a boon for me, as I hiked it (I was never a “long-distance runner”, by any stretch of the imagination). My final time was just shy of 9 hours (and most of the “spectators” at the finish line were at home eating dinner when I limped across). Needless to say, that was one long-ass walk. I certainly didn’t set any records, but hey…it was a personal achievement for me. Good times!

Anyway, since this coming Tuesday’s Fall Equinox has raced around and come up behind us again, I thought I’d rake through my music collection and curate a pile of suitably autumnal tunes.

To follow Shel Silverstein’s lead…Let’s jump right in!

“Autumn Almanac” – The Kinks

Released as a single in the UK in 1967, Ray Davies’ fond sense memory of the Muswell Hill neighborhood of North London where he grew up recalls The Beatles’ “Penny Lane”.

From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar
When the dawn begins to crack
It’s all part of my autumn almanac

Breeze blows leaves of a musty-coloured yellow
So I sweep them in my sack
Yes, yes, yes, it’s my autumn almanac

“Autumn Leaves” -Jim Hall & Ron Carter

Lovely instrumental cover of Joeseph Kosma & Jacques Prevert’s classic (originally popularized by Yves Montand in Marcel Carné’s 1946 film noir Les Portes de la Nuit) performed live by two jazz greats-Jim Hall (guitar) and Ron Carter (stand-up bass).

“The Boys of Summer” – Don Henley

I suppose one could make a case either way as to whether Don Henley’s 1984 hit qualifies as a “summer song” or an “autumn song”. Here’s my gauge: generally speaking, upbeat and celebratory is a summer mood; wistful and introspective is autumnal.

Nobody on the road
Nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer’s out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets
The sun goes down alone
I’m driving by your house
Though I know you’re not home

“Falling” – Joe Vitale

Joe Vitale was a key member of Joe Walsh’s first post-James Gang band Barnstorm. In addition to contributing drums, flute, keyboards and vocals, Vitale also co-wrote some of the songs. This cut is from his outstanding debut solo album, Roller Coaster Weekend (1974).

“Forever Autumn” – Justin Hayward

This lovely tune, featuring a lead vocal by Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues was a highlight of Jeff Wayne’s 1978 double LP rock musical adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds.

“Harvest Moon” – Neil Young

This is the title track from Young’s eponymous 1992 LP (a sort of sequel to 1972’s Harvest), which won a Juno award (Canada’s equivalent to a Grammy) for Album of the Year.

“Indian Summer” -Dream Academy

The Dream Academy’s most wistful and transporting song is best appreciated with a good set of headphones. Drift away…

It was the time of year just after the summer’s gone
When August and September just become memories of songs
To be put away with the summer clothes
And packed up in the attic for another year
We had decided to stay on for a few weeks more
Although the season was over now the days were still warm
And seemed reluctant to five up and hand over to winter for another year

“Inner Garden I” – King Crimson

Contrary to what you may assume, not every track by this venerable prog-rock outfit takes up half an album side; some of their best compositions say all they need to say with surprising brevity.

Autumn has come to rest in her garden
Come to paint the trees with emptiness
And no pardon
So many things have come undone
Like the leaves on the ground
And suddenly she begins to cry
But she doesn’t know why…

“The Last Day of Summer” – The Cure

Technically, you have until thisTuesday, September 22 at 8:05 pm EDT to enjoy the last day of Summer…but close enough for rock ‘n’ roll.

But the last day of summer
Never felt so cold
The last day of summer
Never felt so old

“Leaf and Stream” – Wishbone Ash

This compelling, melancholic track is sandwiched between a couple of epic rockers on the Ash’s best album, 1972’s Argus (which I wrote about here).

Find myself beside a stream of empty thought,
Like a leaf that’s fallen to the ground,
And carried by the flow of water to my dreams
Woken only by your sound.

“Leaves in the Wind” -Back Street Crawler

Back Street Crawler was a short-lived group formed in 1975 by guitarist Paul Kossoff after he left Free. Sadly, by the time 2nd Street was released in 1976, Kossoff was dead at 25 (lending additional poignancy to his mournful guitar fills on this track).

“Moondance”– Van Morrison

The evocative title track from Morrison’s 1970 album is one of his signature tunes.

Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘Neath the cover of October skies

“November” -Tom Waits

This song is a tad unsettling, yet oddly beautiful. Not unlike Waits’ voice. Dig the theremin.

No shadow
No stars
No moon
No care
November
It only believes
In a pile of dead leaves
And a moon
That’s the color of bone

“October”-U2

Sporting naught but two short verses, this was an uncharacteristically minimalist arrangement for U2 at this stage of their career (from the band’s eponymous 1981 album).

October
And the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear
What do I care?

October
And kingdoms rise
And kingdoms fall
But you go on
And on

“Ramble On”-Led Zeppelin

Arguably the One Autumnal Song to Rule Them All, with all its wistfulness and stirrings of wanderlust. Only don’t try to make any sense of the Gollum reference-it’ll make you crazy.

Leaves are falling all around
It’s time I was on my way
Thanks to you I’m much obliged
For such a pleasant stay
But now it’s time for me to go
The autumn moon lights my way
For now I smell the rain
And with it pain
And it’s headed my way…

“September” – Earth, Wind, & Fire

Well of course I remember “the 21st of September”…it’s today’s date, fergawdsake! Sheesh. One of EWF’s biggest hits, it reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1978. Ba-dee-yah.

“September Gurls” – Big Star

Founded in 1971 by singer-guitarist Chris Bell and ex-Box Tops singer/guitarist Alex Chilton, Big Star is one of the seminal power pop bands, and this is one of their most defining songs.

“Summer’s Almost Gone” – The Doors

From the Doors’ 1968 album Waiting For the Sun. Haunting, with Jim Morrison in fine form.

Morning found us calmly unaware
Noon burn gold into our hair
At night, we swim the laughin’ sea
When summer’s gone
Where will we be?

“Time of No Reply” – Nick Drake

Gone much too soon, his sad short life was as enigmatic as the amazing catalog he left behind.

Summer was gone and the heat died down
And Autumn reached for her golden crown
I looked behind as I heard a sigh
But this was the time of no reply

The sun went down and the crowd went home
I was left by the roadside all alone
I turned to speak as they went by
But this was the time of no reply

“Urge for Going”– Joni Mitchell

You thought I forgot this one, didn’t you? Luck of the alphabet. It feels redundant to label any Joni Mitchell song as “genius”, but it’s hard to believe this came from the pen of a 22 year-old.

I awoke today and found the frost perched on the town
It hovered in a frozen sky, then it gobbled summer down
When the sun turns traitor cold
And all trees are shivering in a naked row
I get the urge for going but I never seem to go
I get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown

Behind the Music, Documentary, On Music, Rock 'n' Roll

Hollow body be thy name: Don’t Forget Me (***)

September 14, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on September 12, 2026)

Look up in the sky, up towards the north
There are three new stars, brightly shining forth
They’re shining oh so bright, from heaven above
Gee we’re gonna miss you, everybody sends their love

– from “Three Stars”, by Eddie Cochran

I was introduced to Eddie Cochran’s music long before I realized that I had been introduced to Eddie Cochran’s music. Hell…I was playing Eddie Cochran songs long before I realized I was playing Eddie Cochran songs. To elucidate: I found cuts like “Summertime Blues” by the Who, “Cut Across Shorty” by Rod Stewart, “Twenty Flight Rock” by Montrose catchy, easy to figure out and fun to play on guitar.

In the early 80s I was living in San Francisco, and worked for a spell pulling product at a distribution center for a Bay Area record store chain called The Record Factory. The job didn’t pay for shit, but one of the perks for me as a music geek was having access to the “returns” warehouse, which was where you could find all the cool stuff (and buy it at cost!). I was pawing through the bins one day and stumbled across this import compilation:

Well, you could’ve knocked me over with a feather when I scanned the track list and espied “Summertime Blues”, “Cut Across Shorty”, and “Twenty Flight Rock” among the selections (I’m a little slow on the uptake, but eventually I figure things out). One thing that struck me while listening to the originals was how stripped-down they were in comparison with the cover versions that I had cut my teeth on. There was something…elemental about them.

For instance, take “Summertime Blues”. Cochran’s relatively minimalist backing arrangement (with acoustic guitar and hand claps front and center) makes quite a contrast with The Who’s power chord-driven version on their Live at Leeds album. Yet, Cochran’s version is no less powerful; and the lyrics convey a timeless expression of teenage angst.

I’m gonna take two weeks
Gonna have a fine vacation
I’m gonna take my problem
To the United Nations
Well, I called my congressman
And he said, quote:
“I’d like to help you, son
But you’re too young to vote”

When Cochran wrote the song (at age 19), he was, in fact, too young to vote. Sadly, he was too young to die when he was killed in a 1960 car accident at age 21. Despite his short time on the planet (releasing only one studio album in his lifetime), his music and stage persona inspired a bevy of rock and roll’s heavyweights, from the Beatles to the Pistols.

For her documentary Don’t Forget Me, Kirsty Bell utilizes family recollections, personal diaries, original fan letters, rare archive material, and commentary from contemporary musical luminaries to tell Cochran’s story. In addition, “Eddie” himself (portrayed by Jack Harris) makes an occasional appearance and does some first person voiceovers (this “ghostly narrator” device has become somewhat trite since the 1981 documentary This is Elvis, but thankfully Bell doesn’t overdo it).

As recounted in the film, Cochran’s career trajectory was nothing, if not meteoric. His older brother gave him a guitar in the early 1950s, and taught him a few chords. By 1955, he was dropping out of high school to become a professional musician. By 1956, he was making his first movie appearance, in the Jayne Mansfield vehicle The Girl Can’t Help It.

Keep in mind, Cochran is all of 17 years old in that clip. All the elements that made him a star are on display: good looks, natural charisma, confident stage presence, and most importantly…a true rock and roll attitude (which in hindsight, borders on punk). Plus, the cat knew how to hold an axe; he was the archetype for the guitar hero.

As a guitar player, I appreciated the nods regarding his weapon of choice: a 1955 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins hollow body guitar, modified with a Gibson pickup (I had a chance to view it up close some years back at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum). While we’re on the subject of gear, I do have one minor quibble with the production designer. In one of the reenactment scenes, “Eddie” is in a recording studio, speaking on the phone. In the background sits a Marshall amp head. Marshall heads were not in production until 1962-two years after Cochran’s death (I know…there’s an annoying pedant in every crowd).

The breadth of Cochran’s influence is demonstrated by the array of legendary rockers on hand who are eager to sing his praises: Keith Richards, Cliff Richard, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, Peter Frampton, Billy Idol, Suzi Quatro, Brian Setzer, Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, and Sting (Sting strums and sings a bit of “Three Steps to Heaven”, a possible nod to his cameo in the 1979 film Radio On, where he played a rural gas-station attendant who kills time singing Eddie Cochran songs).

My “minor quibble” aside, this is an engaging portrait of an artist whose influence arguably holds more import than his relatively scant output; then again, as he sang (almost self-prophetically) in his touching tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, “Three Stars”:

Ritchie, you were just starting to realize your dreams
Everyone calls me a kid, but you were only seventeen
Now almighty God has called you, oh so far away
Maybe it’s to save some boy or girl, who might have gone astray
And with your star shining through the dark and lonely night
To light the path and show the way, the way that’s right
Gee we’re gonna miss you, everybody sends their love

(Currently in UK theaters; US theatrical release pending)

On Music, Up the Workers

I owe my soul: A Labor Day mixtape

September 7, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on September 5, 2026)

Since it’s Labor Day Weekend, I thought I’d take a break from sticky floors and stale popcorn to let the music do the talking. I’ve chosen 20 songs in honor of those who make an honest living (you know…most of us lowly taxpayers, toiling away down here in the trenches). Cheers!

“Welcome to the Working Week” – Elvis Costello

“9 to 5” – Dolly Parton

“Work to Do” – The Isley Brothers

“She Works Hard for the Money” – Donna Summer

“A Well-Respected Man” – The Kinks

“Smithers-Jones” – The Jam

“Blue Collar” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

“Five O’clock World” – The Vogues

“Chain Gang” – Sam Cooke

“Take This Job and Shove It” – Johnny Paycheck

“Sixteen Tons” – Tennessee Ernie Ford

“Big Boss Man” – Jimmy Reed

“Union Maid” – Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger

“Which Side Are You On” – Billy Bragg

“Career Opportunities” – The Clash

“Working Man” – Rush

“Blue Collar Man” – Styx

“Earn Enough For Us” – XTC

“Friday On My Mind” – The Easybeats

“Manic Monday” – The Bangles

On Music, On Pop Culture, Tribute

A Story to be Told: A tribute to Dolly

August 26, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on August 25, 2026)

I tell you there will always be music
As long as there’s a story to be told
There will always be music
‘Cause music is the voice of the soul
There will always be music

-from “There’ll Always be Music”, written by Dolly Parton

In my 2022 review of the documentary Leonard Cohen: A Journey, A Song, I wrote:

Several years ago, I saw Tom Jones at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Naturally, he did his cavalcade of singalong hits, but an unexpected moment occurred mid-set, when he launched into Leonard Cohen’s “Tower of Song”. Jones’ performance felt so intimate, confessional and emotionally resonant that you’d think Cohen had tailored it just for him. When Jones sang, I was born like this, I had no choice/I was born with the gift of a golden voice, I “got” it. Why shouldn’t Tom Jones cover a Cohen song? I later learned “Tower of Song” has also been covered by the likes of U2, 8Nick Cave, and The Jesus and Mary Chain. A truly great song tends to transcend its composer, taking on a life of its own. The reasons why can be as enigmatic as the act of creation itself.

Today, we lost the composer of many, many “truly great songs”. In fact, Dolly Parton wrote an estimated total of 3,000 songs over her lifetime, 450 of which she officially released (the only other artist I can think of who comes close is Prince, who reportedly had several thousand unreleased songs languishing in the vaults when he died).

Dolly Parton was, of course, much more than a singer-songwriter, and the tributes have been pouring in accordingly. Digby summarized Dolly’s legacy beautifully earlier today:

She was an international superstar, a national treasure, an icon, a brilliant songwriter, and a true mensch in every way.

I think of her and Willie Nelson as the two symbols of the best of America, representing the heart and soul without all the strife and hate. They both managed to evade the politics and culture war nonsense and just be beloved by everybody because of the sheer force of their inherent decency and talent. And of the two, Dolly is the one who most openly put her money where her mouth was with everything from books and library programs for poor kids to the development of the COVID vaccine. She had strong principles and lived by them, but, miraculously, without making enemies along the way.

Amen.

Back to how a great song can transcend its composer. Assuming you are familiar with Whitney Houston’s take on “I Will Always Love You”, here are interpretations of 10 Dolly Parton songs that stay on message throughout a diversity of genres from country to skate punk; proving beyond a doubt that Dolly’s music is indeed “the voice of the soul”.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – “Jolene“

Marianne Faithfull – “Down from Dover”

Johnny Cash – “I’m a Drifter”

Sinead O’Connor – “Dagger Through the Heart”

Dan Bettridge – “The Bargain Store”

Halestorm – “I Will Always Love You”

Millencolin – “9 to 5”

Candi Carpenter – “Little Sparrow”

The Mandators – “Coat of Many Colors”

Tina Turner – “There’ll Always Be Music”

On Music

Book of Saturday, Vol. V: A chillaxing mixtape

August 10, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on August 8, 2026)

It’s been another one of those news cycles, hasn’t it? Believe me…I feel your pain.

So stop doomscrolling already, grab your favorite tranquilizer (prescription or otherwise), don a pair of noise cancelling ‘phones and settle back for another one of my chillaxing “Book of Saturday” mixtapes (vol. 5, if you’re counting). I’ve sequenced the songs in a manner designed to evoke and sustain a particular mood-so for maximum effect, may I suggest that you listen to it in order. And remember, I am not a licensed music therapist, I just play one on TV.

Peace.

Kate Bush – Symphony in Blue

Steve Hackett – Kim

Moody Blues – The Actor

Joe Walsh – Days Gone By

Kinks – Waterloo Sunset

Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever

Yes – Nine Voices

Be-Bop Deluxe – Visions of Endless Hopes

Eric Matthews – Forging Plastic Pain

Captain Beyond – Sufficiently Breathless

Elton John – Where To Now, St. Peter?

Blind Faith – Can’t Find My Way Home

Neil Young – For the Turnstiles

Supertramp – Even in the Quietest Moments

Led Zeppelin – Going to California

Barclay James Harvest – Song With No Meaning

Budgie – You Know I’ll Always Love You

Pooh Sticks – Million Seller

Michael Andrews – When I Call a Name

XTC – Chalkhills and Children

Todd Rundgren – Wailing Wall

Double – The Captain of Her Heart

Nick Nicely – On the Beach (The Ladder Descends)

Howard Jones – Hope You Find It

Lush – Tiny Smiles

Previous posts with related themes:

Book of Saturday

Book of Saturday II

Book of Saturday III

Book of Saturday IV

On Music

I hide in my music: 10 Essential Albums of 1976

June 29, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on June 27, 2026)

Forget America 250-I think I’m having a Bicentennial Minute:

Okay, that was only 30 seconds…here’s a Bicentennial Minute:

And that’s the way it was, back in 1976. America celebrated its 200th birthday, a couple of scruffy-looking nerds named Steve founded Apple Computer, the unmanned Viking 1 landed on Mars, a peanut farmer named Jimmy beat incumbent Gerald Ford for the presidency, Rocky was the top-grossing film, Happy Days was the TV ratings winner, and Billboard’s #1 song of the year was:

Of course, there was a lot more going on with music outside of the sales-driven pop charts; arena rock was at its zenith, disco and funk were fighting for the lead in the clubs, and the burgeoning punk scenes in New York and London were threatening to tear it all down.

Hard to believe that was 50 flippin’ years ago. So it goes.

Here are my top 10 album picks of 1976, with an additional 10 appended (to temper the hate mail that I’m going to get anyway).

And just remember kids…it’s only rock ‘n’ roll.

Boston – Boston

I remember the first time I heard Boston’s “More Than a Feeling” wafting from my car radio. Nighttime, miles from nowhere. I was driving my 1976 Subaru DL sedan (paid for in cash with Alaska pipeline loot) from upstate New York to Fairbanks (it’s a long-ass drive). Those fat power chords, soaring lead vocals and precise harmonies shot straight through my Nucleus Accumbens and lit my 20 year-old Amygdala up like a Christmas tree. And that was just the first single from a debut that turned out to be pretty, pretty good overall.

Choice cuts: “More Than a Feeling”, “Foreplay/Long Time”, “Hitch a Ride”, “Smokin'”.

Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton

I’m convinced that there was a law on the books in the late 70s that required every record collector to own a copy, regardless of whether or not they actually were an avid Peter Frampton fan. Personally, I’ve never begrudged the success of this 2-LP set (8x Platinum sales in the U.S.), because I happen to think he is one of the guitar greats, and have been a fan since his Humble Pie days. Granted, some cuts have been run into the ground by classic rock radio, but Frampton Comes Alive! remains one of the best live albums of all time.

Choice cuts: “Show Me the Way”, “It’s a Plain Shame”, “All I Want to Be (Is by Your Side)”, “Wind of Change”, “Shine On”, “Do You Feel Like We Do”.

Private Eyes – Tommy Bolin

Although his recorded legacy spans less than a decade, guitarist-songwriter Tommy Bolin’s place in the rock pantheon is assured. Between 1968 and his untimely death at 25 in 1976, he co-founded the Colorado-based hard rock band Zephyr, played sessions on seminal jazz-fusion albums by Billy Cobham (Spectrum) and Alphonse Mouzon (Mind Transplant), and was a full-fledged member of The James Gang (Bang, Miami) and Deep Purple (Come Taste the Band).

Private Eyes was Bolin’s followup to his excellent first solo album Teaser (released the previous year). A strong set of songs, showcasing Bolin’s eclectic guitar chops (incorporating samba, reggae, country, jazz, fusion and hard rock) and his distinctive vocal phrasing. Sadly, just 3 months after Private Eyes was released Bolin died of a drug overdose, following a concert where he opened forJeff Beck (Beck once credited Bolin’s playing on Billy Cobham’s Spectrum album as the inspiration for his own foray into fusion). Gone too soon.

Choice cuts: “Sweet Burgundy”, “Post Toastee”, “Shake the Devil”, “Gypsy Soul”, “You Told Me That You Loved Me”.

Quantum Jump – Quantum Jump

This genre-defying debut didn’t make a huge splash, but is chock full of memorable tunes. Fronted by vocalist-keyboardist Rupert Hine (who composed the bulk of the music with lyricist David MacIver), it’s a unique fusion of funk, jazz, rock and prog, with tight arrangements and top-flight production. MacIver’s playful and enigmatic lyrics recall Steely Dan. Hine (who died in 2020) went on to release a number of solo albums; he also composed TV and movie soundtracks and became an in-demand studio producer (Tina Turner, Rush, Howard Jones, Suzanne Vega, Thompson Twins, et.al.).

Choice cuts: “The Lone Ranger”, “No American Starship”, “Over Rio”, “Alta Loma Road”.

Shake Some Action – The Flamin’ Groovies

While they started out as a proto-punk garage band, this San Francisco outfit made a profound transformation after they traveled across the pond to Wales in 1972 to work with producer Dave Edmunds (two songs from those 1972 sessions ended up on Shake Some Action, the remainder of which wasn’t recorded until 1976, with additional production by Greg Shaw). The result was an album power pop aficionados consider the gold standard. Nary a weak cut.

Choice cuts: “Shake Some Action”, “Yes, It’s True”, “You Tore Me Down”, “Please Please Girl”, “I’ll Cry Alone”.

Smile – Laura Nyro

One of the great American songwriters, Laura Nyro remains underappreciated as a recording artist. Granted, to the public at large her most well-known compositions will always be associated with the artists who made them hits (e.g. “Wedding Bell Blues”, “Save the Country”, and “Stoned Soul Picnic” by the Fifth Dimension, “And When I Die” by Blood, Sweat, & Tears, “Eli’s Coming” by Three Dog Night, “Stoney End”, “Flim-Flam Man”, and “Time and Love” by Barbara Streisand), but she has been cited as an inspiration by the likes of Carole King, Todd Rundgren, Joni Mitchell, and Elton John.

Smile marked a second wind of sorts for Nyro, who had taken a 4-year breather from the music business. Many of the songs have a relaxed, warm jazzy-pop vibe, some are more textural, with quiet interludes that incorporate traditional Asian instrumentation (reminiscent of Jade Warrior). Nyro’s vocals are heavenly throughout.

Choice Cuts: “Children of the Junks”, “Money”, “Midnite Blue”, “Stormy Love”, “Smile (With Mars at the End)”.

The Ramones – The Ramones

“Hey ho, let’s go!” …and we’re off to the races. Recorded in a week, The Ramones’ debut crams 14 songs into 29 minutes, which was indicative of the brief yet brain-rattling sets the band had been performing in New York clubs like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City (get in and get out before the audience knows what hit ’em). Not unlike AC/DC, the band came steamrolling out of the gate with their formula, ignored trends and held fast until the rest of the world caught up with them. The album only sold around 6,000 units in its first year of release (!) but eventually reached gold status in 2014. However, the influence of this album cannot be overstated. Two words: Punk rock.

Choice cuts: “Blitzkrieg Bop”, “Beat on the Brat”, “Judy is a Punk”, “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”, “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue”, “Let’s Dance”.

The Runaways – The Runaways

This may be tough to fathom now, but the idea of an all-female rock band, who actually played their own instruments and wrote their own songs, was still considered a “novelty” in the mid-70s. In 1975, a music industry hustler and self-proclaimed idol-maker named Kim Fowley had an epiphany. If he could assemble an all-female rock band with the ability to capture the appeal of The Beatles by way of the sexy tomboy ethos of glam-punk queen Suzi Quatro, he could conquer the charts and make a bazillion dollars.

Ladies and gentlemen…the fabulous Runaways.

Depending on which camp is doing the talking in any tell-all book you may read or documentary you might watch, it was either due to, or in spite of, Fowley’s dubious manipulations that Cherie Currie (lead singer), Joan Jett (guitar and vocals), Sandy West (drums), Lita Ford (lead guitar) and bass player Jackie Fox (and her eventual replacement Vicki Blue) did make quite a name for themselves, and high-kicked a breach in rock ’n’ roll’s glass ceiling with those platform boots, empowering a generation of young women to plug in and crank it to “11”. Their 1976 debut album has held up quite well.

Choice cuts: “Cherry Bomb”, “You Drive Me Wild”, “Rock and Roll”, “American Nights”.

Year of the Cat – Al Stewart

Fun fact: The wispy-voiced troubadour who sang about “strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre” once took guitar lessons from King Crimson founder Robert Fripp. OK, they were teenagers at the time, and were destined to go off in very different musical directions…but that happened. Stewart toyed with different genres early in his career, eventually settling on the London folk club scene in the mid-60s as a solo artist.

By the time he released The Year of the Cat (his seventh album) he had developed a more sophisticated hybrid of folk, soft rock, and light orchestral prog. While I wouldn’t call it a “concept album”, every song tells a story (it’s very cinematic, like an omnibus of character studies). Beautifully produced and arranged by Alan Parsons.

Choice cuts: “Lord Grenville”, “On the Border”, “Broadway Hotel”, “One Stage Before”, “Year of the Cat”.

Third World – Third World

While they wouldn’t fully find their voice until their outstanding 1977 followup 96 Degrees in the Shade, this is still a strong debut from this innovative reggae outfit, who seamlessly incorporated hard funk, sweet soul, smooth jazz and world beat into their sound (recalling similar cross-genre bands like War and Osibisa). I had the pleasure of catching them in 1980 at The Old Waldorf in San Francisco; it was one of the best live shows I’ve ever attended.

Choice cuts: “Satta Massagana”, “Slavery Days”, “Brand New Beggar”, “Got to Get Along”, “Sun Won’t Shine”

Bonus Tracks!

Here are 10 more gems from 1976 worth a spin:

Blondie – Blondie

Faithful – Todd Rundgren

Hejira – Joni Mitchell

Legalise It – Peter Tosh

The Modern Lovers – The Modern Lovers

Romantic Warrior – Return to Forever

Sad Wings of Destiny – Judas Priest

Sincerely – Dwight Twilley Band

Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder

Unorthodox Behaviour – Brand X

Previous posts with related themes:

10 Essential Albums of 1970

10 Essential Albums of 1971

10 Essential Albums of 1972

10 Essential Albums of 1973

10 Essential Albums of 1974

10 Essential Albums of 1975

On Music

Happy Solstice: A Summer Mixtape

June 22, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on June 20, 2026)

I didn’t move to the Puget Sound for this kind of abuse:

First-time visitors in town for Seattle’s World Cup Monday game must have thought we’ve been lying about rain, fog and Juneuarys all this time.

As the first men’s soccer game got underway at Lumen Field, temperatures at nearby Sea-Tac Airport rose to 90 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. That breaks a 1963 record of 88 degrees for the warmest on this date.

Hot damn, summer in the city. Speaking of El Niño (God help us)-here are a few of my fave songs of the season. You’ve heard some a bazillion times; others, not so much.

Stay cool!

Martin Newell– “Another Sunny Day” – Despite the fact he’s been cranking out hook-laden, Beatle-esque pop gems for five decades, endearingly eccentric singer-musician-songwriter-poet Martin Newell (Cleaners From Venus, Brotherhood of Lizards) remains a selfishly-guarded secret by cult-ish admirers (guilty as charged). This summery confection is from his 2007 album A Summer Tamarind.

First Class – “Beach Baby” – UK studio band First Class was the brainchild of singer-songwriter Tony Burrows, who also sang lead on other one-hit wonders, including “Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes” (The Edison Lighthouse), “My Baby Loves Lovin’” (White Plains), and “United We Stand” (The Brotherhood of Man). This pop confection was a Top 10 song in the U.S. in 1974.

Jade Warrior– “Bride of Summer” – Here’s a summer tune you’ve never heard on the radio. This hard-to-categorize band has been around since the early 70s; progressive jazz-folk-rock-world beat is the best I can do. Sadly, original guitarist Tony Duhig passed away in 1990. His multi-tracked lead on this song is sublime.

Bananarama– “Cruel Summer” – A more melancholy take on the season from the Ronettes of New Wave. I seem to recall a rather heavy rotation of this video on MTV in the summer of ’84. The video is a great time capsule of 1980s NYC.

Takuya Kuroda – “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” – Japanese trumpeter Takuya Kuroda’s 2014 cover of a Roy Ayers composition is a hypnotic, transporting “headphone song”. Immerse yourself.

The Beatles – “Good Day Sunshine” – The kickoff to Side 2 of Revolver finds Paul McCartney in full cockeyed optimist mode. Everything about his song is “happy”, from the lyrics (I feel good, in a special way / I’m in love and it’s a sunny day) and the bright harmonies, to George Martin’s jaunty ragtime piano solo. Paul has said that he was inspired by the Lovin’ Spoonful.

Pink Floyd – “Granchester Meadows” – This is from one of Pink Floyd’s more obscure albums, Ummagumma. Anyone who has ever sat under a shady tree on a summer’s day strumming a guitar will “get” this song, which is one of David Gilmour’s most beautiful compositions. I love how he incorporates nature sounds. Aaahh…

Joni Mitchell– “The Hissing of Summer Lawns” – The haunting title cut from Joni’s 1975 album, co-written by drummer John Guernin (who also plays Moog). The song also features Victor Feldman on keyboards and James Taylor on guitar.

Sly & the Family Stone– “Hot Fun in the Summertime” – A quintessential summer song and an oldies radio staple. And don’t forget…I “cloud nine” when I want to.

Walter Egan– “Hot Summer Nights” – While it didn’t achieve the gold status of his 1978 chart hit “Magnet and Steel”, Walter Egan’s first single (taken from his 1977 debut album Fundamental Roll) is a minor classic that still sounds so right blasting out of your car radio.

Mungo Jerry– “In the Summertime” – It wouldn’t have worked without the jug.

Marshall Crenshaw– “Starless Summer Sky” – In a just world, this power pop genius would have ruled the airwaves. Here’s one of many perfect examples why.

The Isley Brothers– “Summer Breeze” – Seals & Crofts wrote and performed the original version, but the Isleys always had a knack for making covers their own. Ernie Isley’s guitar work is superb.

Weekend –”Summerdays” – Weekend was a spin-off of The Young Marble Giants. Formed in 1981, the Welsh band only released one studio album (1982’s La Variete), but they created a distinctive sound that ages well, compared to many of their indie contemporaries. This breezy number encapsulates the vibe-an infusion of jazz, samba, pop and world beat topped off by Allison Statton’s soothing vocals.

The Lovin’ Spoonful– “Summer in the City” – All around, people lookin’ half-dead/walkin’ on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head. Written by John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian and Steve Boone, this 1966 hit is a clever portmanteau of music, lyrics and effects that quite literally sounds like…summer in the city.

XTC– “Summer’s Cauldron/Grass” – A mini-suite of sorts, all about summer romance, lazy days, and the uh, things we did on grass. Produced by Todd Rundgren.

Blue Cheer– “Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran wrote and performed it originally, and the Who did a great cover on Live at Leeds, but for sheer attitude, I have to go with this proto-punk (some have argued, proto-metal) classic from 1968.

The Kinks– “Sunny Afternoon” – This poor guy. Taxman’s taken all his dough, girlfriend’s run off with his car…but he’s not going to let that ruin his summer: Now I’m sittin here/ sippin’ at my ice-cooled beer/ lazin’ on a sunny afternoon…

Central Line– “Walking Into Sunshine” – Gotta walk into the sun, ah-ah. A hook-laden jam by the now-defunct UK funk outfit. If this 1984 club hit doesn’t brighten your day…I’d seriously look into it.

The Beach Boys– “The Warmth of the Sun” – This song (featuring one of Brian Wilson’s most gorgeous melodies), appeared on the 1964 album Shut Down Vol 2. Granted, not as celebratory and upbeat as your typical Beach Boys summer jam; but still a favorite.

Behind the Music, Documentary, On Music

Tribeca 2026: Earth, Wind, and Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World) (****)

June 14, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on June 13, 2026)

As a self-proclaimed, smarty-pants “musicologist”, I thought I already knew everything there was to know about the wildly successful pop-funk institution Earth, Wind, and Fire. I was wrong. In his absorbing documentary (this year’s Opening Night world premiere), musician and filmmaker Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (Summer of Soul, Sly Lives!) takes a deep dive into the group’s evolution and flowering, tracing both its musical and spiritual roots.

The lion’s share of screen time is devoted to the group’s late founder and bandleader Maurice White, an ambitious, dynamic and (as it turns out) somewhat complicated and enigmatic individual. I’ll admit that I had no idea White played drums in the Ramsey Lewis Trio from 1966 until 1970 (when he left to form the first iteration of Earth, Wind and Fire). The most fascinating revelation for me was White’s embrace of Afro-futurism, and how he incorporated it into the group’s ethos (while the two bandleaders’ musical styles were quite different, I was struck by a number of similarities with free jazz pioneer Sun Ra’s journey).

The vibe is largely joyful and celebratory, but this is no hagiography. Former group members pull no punches about how mercurial and controlling White could be; some recall how they were made to feel less like creative collaborators and more like employees. Still, they all acknowledge White’s total commitment to his musical vision and how he tirelessly strove for excellence. Inspiring, moving, and packed with jams from a top-shelf catalog. (Now streaming on HBO/MAX).

On Music, War

Soldier’s things: a Memorial Day mix tape

May 25, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on May 23, 2026)

Memorial Day, like war itself, stirs up conflicting emotions. First and foremost, grief…for those who have been taken away (and for loved ones left behind). But there’s also anger…raging at the stupidity of a species that has been hell-bent on self destruction since Day 1.

And so the songs I’ve curated for this playlist run that gamut; from honoring the fallen and offering comfort to the grieving, to questioning those in power who start wars and ship off the sons and daughters of others to finish them, to righteous railing at the utter fucking madness of it all, and sentiments falling somewhere in between.

The Doors- “The Unknown Soldier” – A eulogy; then…a wish.

Pete Seeger- “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” An excellent question. You may not like the answer. When will we ever learn?

Tom Waits- “Soldier’s Things” – The reductive power of a simple inventory. Kleenex on standby.

Bob Marley- “War”– Lyrics by Haile Selassie I. But you knew that.

The Isley Brothers- “Harvest for the World”– Dress me up for battle, when all I want is peace/Those of us who pay the price, come home with the least.

Buffy Sainte Marie- “Universal Soldier”– Sacrifice has no borders.

Bob Dylan- “With God On Our Side” – Amen, and pass the ammunition.

John Prine- “Sam Stone” – An ode to the walking wounded.

Joshua James- “Crash This Train” – Just make it stop. Please.

Kate Bush- “Army Dreamers”– For loved ones left behind…

Posts with related themes:

Bringing the war back home: A Top 10 list

All This and WW III: A Mixtape

Inglourious Basterds

Five Graves to Cairo

King of Hearts

The Wind Rises & Generation War

City of Life and Death

Le Grande Illusion

Paths of Glory

Apocalypse Now

Behind the Music, On Music, On Pop Culture

Paul is back (he never really left us, luv)

April 13, 2026 Dennis Hartley

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on April 11, 2026)

I swear, Paul is everywhere, man. This documentary premieres on BBC-2 tonight:

Damn, I wish I could get BBC-2 here in the colonies; that’s right in my wheelhouse (yes, I know there are various “ways” to tap into the live feed, but I get the impression they all involve hoisting the pirate flag to the toppermost of the poppermost before setting sail).

Oprah shared a great Macca story with Stephen Colbert this week:

Two weeks ago, Sir Paul rocked L.A. in his first concert dates for 2026:

Playing the first of two nights at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood Friday night, Paul McCartney acknowledged the tiered arrangement that had VIPs up in the balcony and the hoi polloi down on the floor. “Hello, you people upstairs, in the posh seats,” he said early in the show, and then, “You poor people down here have gotta stand up.” It almost seemed as if he might be alluding to a similar, famous speech given when the Beatles played for British royalty in 1963 — “The people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands, and the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewelry.” That was John’s thing, back then, but leave it to both Beatles to have a bemused sense of class consciousness.

Of course, when the world’s most celebrated living musician is playing at a 1,200-capacity venue, everyone in attendance is feeling like a VIP. Maybe most of all those on the floor, who, perhaps more to the point, had reason to feel like lottery winners. While there were some guest-listers at ground level as well, most of those in attendance had made it through a system in which they pre-registered with AXS and were selected for the opportunity to purchase $200 tickets (or a more expensive tier with exclusive merch bags). […]

Although they also got the chance to buy freshly minted merch with the logo of his forthcoming album, “The Boys of Dungeon Lane,” he did not premiere anything from that impending set, nor even play “Days We Left Behind,” which was just released Thursday as his first new single in five and a half years.

McCartney did mention “Days We Left Behind,” which led to the expectation he was about to play the nostalgic ballad, before he set the crowd straight. “We’re in the process of learning it, so don’t ask us to do it” he said, going on to explain what was giving him a little trouble in getting it down for live purposes. “And it’s in B, but I wrote it in C, but for some reason it’s in B.. I said, no, too much for me!” he quipped, apparently writing the disparity off as an Andrew Watt thing. Nonetheless, there were appreciative shouts about the new song, and McCartney replied, “I’m glad you love it.”

The new single is quite lovely, actually:

I daresay, at 83, Paul is starting to act his age:

Looking back at white and black
Reminders of my past
Smoky bars and cheap guitars
But nothing built to last

[CHORUS]
Nothing ever stays
Nothing comes to mind
No one can erase
The days we left behind

See the boys of Dungeon Lane
Along the Mersey shore
Some of them will feel the pain
But some were meant for more

[CHORUS]

[BRIDGE]
We met at Forthlin Road
And wrote a secret code
To never be spoken
I stand by what I said
The promise that I made
Will never be broken

[CHORUS]

In the skies, the skylarks rise
Above the sounds of war
Since that day, I knew they’d stay
With me for evermore

He had me at “…along the Mersey shore”.

Then there’s the new Wings doc that recently dropped on Prime Video:

Yeah, I know…this poor bloke doesn’t get enough coverage. That said, Morgan Neville’s intimate, candid portrait is an absorbing watch; beginning with the dissolution of the Beatles and covering the entire span of Wings’ history (1971-1981). The story of Paul and Linda’s relationship instills the film with a deeply emotional resonance. Worthwhile for fans.

Oh…and Sir Paul will be the musical guest on SNL on May 16th.

You can “OK Boomer” me until the troops come home, but as fucked-up as the world is right now (and on so many levels)…the fact that NASA is back on track and Paul McCartney has released a new one assures me that somewhere, out there in the ether…hope remains for humanity.

Previous posts with related themes:

Here, There, and Everywhere Now and Then

A Cellar Full of Goys: The Beatles Get Back

Turn off your mind and empty your wallet: ‘Revolver’ Deluxe review

Fab Faux: 25 Best Songs the Beatles Never Wrote