Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Tina

It was just two months ago that Terri and I were mesmerized by the traveling company of Tina: The Musical. If you get the opportunity to see this amazing production, it comes highly recommended from us (yeah, it's coming to Madison next summer...but we couldn't wait). And, for you, it will doubtless take on an even more special meaning, as she's now tearing it down in Heaven's House Band.

Known best for her iconic version of John Fogerty's "Proud Mary," our Music Friday homage will focus on the amazing duets Tina did during her sensational career. Not that her solo work was in any way lacking...but it was the sheer joy she exuded when riffing with others that always gave me goosebumps.

This list is by no means complete...but these are my favorites:

With Jimmy Barnes (probably Tina's most perfect vocal match) on "(Simply) The Best."

With Mick Jagger at Live Aid and "State of Shock/Only Rock n Roll."

With David Bowie on "Tonight," (and we can only pray they danced this week upon her arrival).

With Cher in 1975 and "Shame Shame Shame."

And, the one song I'd take to a desert island if I had only one to choose? "It's Only Love" with Bryan Adams.

The rabbit hole? There may be others that some may like better...but the concert I loved most was from the "Private Dancer" tour (and two of my favorite duets above are from that concert).

Thank you for all the love, Tina. We'll so miss you. And, that's all.

Tip of the Hat

It's been a couple years since we lost Michael Stanley. But, I smile every time his music shuffles forward.

It happened just the other day when "When I’m Holding You Tight" came on (sorry, no video)...and I reveled in the reality of the lyric:

So many nights
Alone in the darkness
Just me and you
Both had someone to use
We played a game with no rules
Felt we couldn't lose

But it was the final few moments that made me really smile...when the singer screamed, "Ooh baby."

Such an homage to fellow Cleveland rockers The Raspberries and the classic "I Wanna Be with You."

Chills.

Opening a Concert

For so many acts, they come on stage and start the show. And that's OK, I guess. But I want something more. Like the beginning of Lou Reed's show years ago...where the intro of "Sweet Jane" teased the audience to a frenzy.

On this Music Friday, we offer this video of the opening of Alice Cooper's show at the Olympia in Paris...which transitions into one of his best: Poison.

Love it.

Gordon Lightfoot

It's a shame that Gordon Lightfoot is best known for his biggest hit, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." While it's one of the best "story songs" ever, it belied his vast collection of lyrically evocative compositions.

As with so may performers from the 70s, the video vault is somewhat limited...but these are among his best:

Sundown: I can see her lying back in her satin dress in a room where you do what you don't confess.

If You Could Read Mind: I walk away, like a movie star who gets burned in a three way script.

And, there's Carefree Highway. Searching through the fragments of my dream shattered sleep.

RIP.

 

Belafonte

Singer. Actor. Activist.

in the 50s and 60s, Harry Belafonte was a rare breed. A man who utilized his undeniable artistic talent to showcase the insanity of racism.

Beyond his drum solo witb Animal and all the island-inspired hits...we say farewell to this amazing talent with this: "Try to Remember" from a concert in 1977.

Sleep, sweet prince.

Prince

Hard to get one's head around the realization that we lost Prince 7 years ago today.

Rather than link up to some of his best, this Music Friday honors him with some evocative covers of his amazing catalogue.

When Doves Cry by The Be Good Tanyas and by Nonpoint 

Nothing Compare 2 U by Sinead O'Connor

The Beautiful Ones by Beyonce

When You Were Mine by Mitch Ryder

And...OK, probably his most electrifying performance.

Make it rain harder, indeed

Springsteen

Absently listening to one of our go-to internet radio stations the other day, I was instantly brought to attention with the thunderous opening drum roll of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." And I smiled as a cascade of memories washed over me. 

Maybe it was the Spring that song became ubiquitous...when it wafted out of virtually every window on the Quad. Maybe it was remembering the day that a dear friend employed that song (instead of the traditional wedding recessional) when he married the love of his life. Or maybe it's that these are among the most evocative lyrics in rock history.

On this Music Friday, "Born to Run" is the song that will always bring a smile to my face...whether on a Road Trip mix tape or on a stray internet radio playlist.

Tramps like us, indeed.

Absently listening to one of our go-to internet radio stations the other day, I was instantly brought to attention with the thunderous opening drum roll of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." And I smiled as a cascade of memories washed over me. 

Maybe it was the Spring that song became ubiquitous...when it wafted out of virtually every window on the Quad. Maybe it was remembering the day that a dear friend employed that song (instead of the traditional wedding recessional) when he married the love of his life. Or maybe it's that these are among the most evocative lyrics in rock history.

On this Music Friday, "Born to Run" is the song that will always bring a smile to my face...whether on a Road Trip mix tape or on a stray internet radio playlist.

Tramps like us, indeed.

Bobbi Ercoline

You may not know the name, but you probably know her picture.

Music Friday has, of late, been filled with recording artists that have departed terra firma. Bobbi was not one of them...but we all knew her. She was the woman wrapped in a multi-colored blanket, hugging her boyfriend on the cover of one of the most important albums of the rock era, Woodstock.

We lost her last month...but will never forget that moment in time, captured on Max's farm.

And, we'll never forget the music...and among the most electric performances:

Sly & the Family Stone with "Dance to the Music / Take You Higher," Santana's "Soul Sacrifice" and "Freedom" from Richie Havens.

You may have others in your Top Three...but those are the ones that still stop me in my tracks over 50 years later. As does the cover shot with Bobbi.

RIP.

 

Darrell Scott

One of the truly great singer songwriters out there, Terri and I had the chance to see Darrell Scott in concert a few years ago and we've been fans ever since, From the mournful "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" to the nostalgic Ben Bullington cover "Born in '55", Darrell is as gifted a storyteller as they come.

As we break into Spring, this one seems pretty appropriate right about now on this Music Friday. This is "It's a Great Day to be Alive."

I got rice cookin' in the microwave.
Got a three day beard I don't plan to shave.
And it's a goofy thing but I just gotta say, hey
I'm doin' alright.

Hope you are, too.

Bobby Caldwell

Dude had a voice and a style. "What You Won't Do for Love" suffered because the record label refused to do a proper video in the MTV era. His hit "The Next Time I Fall" was performed by Pete Cetera and Amy Grant.

Still, for the time, he had a style and verve. Even if most didn't recognize his incredible talent. We lost him last week.

RIP, Bobby.