Music

Beard rhythms

From my youth

/ fearsomebeard / 5 Comments

Due to the turbulence of the times I have been rather nostalgic of late. I guess you could call it yearning for a simpler, less stressful time.
Given what was going on in 1973 I’m not sure of it was actually a less stressful time. However being that I was a kid, I wasn’t carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Today, for some unknown reason, King Harvest’s Dancing in the Moonlight came to mind as my song of comfort. The tune is simple, melodic and fun.
May it bring you the moment of peace it has brought me.

King Harvest – Dancing in the Moonlight – 1973

Unrighteous Brothers

/ fearsomebeard / 2 Comments

Orville Peck and Paul Cauthen have teamed up doing covers of incredible duets to benefit MusiCares.
Incredible!

Unrighteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling – 9/24/2020

Unrighteous Brothers – Unchained Melody – 9/24/2020

Enjoy! Now you know what we will be listening to all weekend.

Elvin Bishop

/ fearsomebeard / 5 Comments

Being that I was a kid growing up in the 1970s, I look back on life with an awesome soundtrack. One of the jewels of that soundtrack is Elvin Bishop’s Fooled Around and Fell in Love.
Last evening as I was about to retire to the luxury of my extra firm California King bed, this popped up in my you tube feed. Being a nostalgic guy I couldn’t help but to click play.
Wow, there is a reason that this tune is a jewel in the Fearsome soundtrack of life. Mickey Thomas, one of Elvin’s back up singers at the time, is one truly talented singer. He is the one actually singing lead on this track.  This video is of his Midnight Special performance in 1977. The Midnight Special performances can be hit or miss. This is a hit.  A hit out of the park in fact.
It also is followed by the studio recording from which it became famous, a double feature of sorts. Enjoy!

Elvin Bishop – Fooled Around and Fell in Love – Midnight Special 1977

One should also note that I was pubescent at the time this song was released. Many a man crush I had at the time was consoled by the lyrics of this song. Oh… and the drummer is way hot.

Comfort Music

/ fearsomebeard / 2 Comments

Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris and Dolly Parton’s 1987 album Trio is a Fearsome all time favorite. Whenever I find myself in need of an uplift, all Fearsome’s has to do is remind me to pause and listen to the beauty of those three talented voices.

This morning is one of those moments.

Wildflowers – Linda Ronstadt/ Emmy Lou Harris/ Dolly Parton – Trio 1987

This particular tune, Wildflowers, is our favorite.
What tune brings you solace? Hope? Peace?

Orville Peck – Smalltown Boy

/ fearsomebeard / 2 Comments

Wow.
I’m somehow on a roll of posts that throw back to the first month of Fearsome Beard.
We first posted about this song HERE .

Bronski Beat / Jimmy Somerville’s Smalltown Boy gets right to the deeply rooted feelings of rejection and misunderstanding of my youth. As was in my first post, I realized I wasn’t as rejected as others I knew. However I knew that feeling and it tore, and still tears, at my soul. The very core of my being, love, was wrong according to the family, friends and society to which I was supposed to belong. It was isolating and lonely.

One of my recent musical interest has been the incredibly talented Orville Peck. My mouth literally dropped open when I opened my YouTube feed this morning and saw this cover. I couldn’t click play fast enough. I then stopped my morning routine to post it here on Fearsome’s blog.

Orville Peck – Smalltown Boy – 2020

Thank you Orville for covering and bringing new life to one of the most significant pieces of music of my life. Beautiful!

You don’t know me but I’m your brother

/ fearsomebeard / 5 Comments

Taking it to the streets.
Don’t take for granted your right to take it to the streets.
It is our right to call out wrong when we see it. It is our right to speak up. It is our right to have our own opinion. It is our right to express ourselves. It is our right to vote and to have our vote counted. It is not only our right, but our duty, to help our brothers & sisters for the better.

Vote.
Vote because not only your rights, but your life actually depends on it.

Takin’ it to the streets – Doobie Brothers – 1977

(OBTW, Michael McDonald is fine.)