Tag Archives: Transcendental Blues

June 06 in music history

Today: Steve Earle released Transcendental Blues in 2000 (read more)

“…what truly makes this one of Earle’s best records is that he refuses to be pulled down by musical decisions. It’s as if he never faced a problem of whether or not to add this or that instrument, or to veer off in this or that direction. He simply had the idea and went with it.” – Ryan Kearny, Pitchfork

Steve_Earle_Transcendental_Blues_Cover

Today: Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars was released by David Bowie in 1972 (read more)

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (often shortened to Ziggy Stardust) is a 1972 concept album by English musician David Bowie, which is loosely based on a story of a fictional rock star named Ziggy Stardust. It peaked at No. 5 in the UK and No. 75 in the US on the Billboard Music Charts.

 bowie-ziggystardust
William Everett “Billy” Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American musician whose work included R&B, rock, soul, funk and gospel. Preston became famous first as a session musician with artists including Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and was later successful as a solo artist with hit pop singles including “Outa-Space”, its sequel, “Space Race”, “Will It Go Round in Circles” and “Nothing from Nothing”, and a string of albums and guest appearances with Eric Clapton, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. In addition, Preston was co-author, with The Beach Boys’ Dennis Wilson, of “You Are So Beautiful,” recorded by Preston and later a #5 hit for Joe Cocker. 662px-Billy_Preston
 Levi Stubbles (June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008), better known by the stage name Levi Stubbs, was an American baritone singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the Motown R&B group Four Tops. He was also a voice artist, portraying villainous characters in films and animated television series, most famously having provided the voice of the alien plant Audrey II in the musical horror film Little Shop of Horrors, and Mother Brain in Captain N: The Game Master.  Levi_Stubbs
 Stanley Getz (February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as “The Sound” because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman’s big band, Getz is described by critic Scott Yanow as “one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists”. Getz went on to perform in bebop, cool jazz and third stream, but is perhaps best known for popularizing bossa nova, as in the worldwide hit single “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964).  stan getz

Bob Dylan: People Putting People Down (John Prine), Rome, Italy 6 June 1991 (Video) (read more)

bob dylan rome 1991

Spotify Playlist – June 06

Today: Steve Earle released Transcendental Blues in 2000


transcendental blues cover

“Everybody wants to be somebody’s something
Ain’t nobody wants to be blue”

Transcendental realism: “…is a concept stemming from the philosophy of Immanuel Kant that implies individuals have a perfect understanding of the limitations of their own minds.” (-wikipedia)

Blues: “…refers to the “blue devils”, meaning melancholy and sadness…a depressed mood.” (-wikipedia)

Transcendental Blues:  A philosophy that implies individuals have a perfect understanding of their own sadness and the limitations of their own minds (- me)

“transcendence is about being still enough long enough to know when it’s time to move on.” (- Steve Earle, liner notes)

Transcendental Blues (the song, live ACL):

“…what truly makes this one of Earle’s best records is that he refuses to be pulled down by musical decisions. It’s as if he never faced a problem of whether or not to add this or that instrument, or to veer off in this or that direction. He simply had the idea and went with it.”Ryan Kearny, Pitchfork
Continue reading Today: Steve Earle released Transcendental Blues in 2000

Today – Steve Earle released Transcendental Blues in 2000 – 13 years ago

transcendental blues cover

“Everybody wants to be somebody’s something
Ain’t nobody wants to be blue”

Transcendental realism: “…is a concept stemming from the philosophy of Immanuel Kant that implies individuals have a perfect understanding of the limitations of their own minds.” (-wikipedia)

Blues: “…refers to the “blue devils”, meaning melancholy and sadness…a depressed mood.” (-wikipedia)

Transcendental Blues:  A philosophy that implies individuals have a perfect understanding of their own sadness and the limitations of their own minds (- me)

“transcendence is about being still enough long enough to know when it’s time to move on.” (- Steve Earle, liner notes)

Transcendental Blues (the song, live ACL):

“…what truly makes this one of Earle’s best records is that he refuses to be pulled down by musical decisions. It’s as if he never faced a problem of whether or not to add this or that instrument, or to veer off in this or that direction. He simply had the idea and went with it.”Ryan Kearny, Pitchfork

Galway Girl – Steve Earle (live 2000):

This is one of Earle’s albums that I play the most (together with El Corazon), it is varied and all the songs are good (some are great).  It sometimes reminds me of Johnny Cash, sometimes of the Beatles at their melancholy best.  He references Harrison’s “Indian-style” music on the first (and second) track, and old-time droning blues on this and other tracks. He dips into celtic/irish folk music and he even touches heartland rock and bluegrass. As I said it’s an eclectic mix.

Steve Earle has a keen ear for melody, and the lyrics are as always good.

Everyone’s in love with youSteve Earle & The Dukes (live, Leno 2000):

And last, but not least, the fantastic song, Over Yonder (Jonathan’s song):

Transcendental Blues (Spotify):

– Hallgeir

Sources: Allmusic, Pitchfork, Liner notes, Wikipedia