Worth Another Listen • Earth, Wind & Fire

When I hear the music of Earth, Wind & Fire, I immediately transport back to high school and a Social Studies teacher I had a Smyrna High, Ms. Pinkett. You see, Ms. Pinkett had a unique style, at least for this young man in the seventies. Ms. Pinkett was keeping it real, not letting the tradition role of teacher to take over her own personality. She was African American, but not the first African American I had as a teacher. But she was the first that would regularly use "Solid" in the classroom. And the first would would regularly quote 'the elements' in her class. Oh, she wasn't talking about the elements on the periodic table. No, she would quote the words of the songs of the elements, Earth, Wind & Fire. And one of the few Social Studies teachers I remember thirty-some-odd years later.



There are a couple of things I find remarkable about "the Elements." One is that they had many changes in the line up of the band so many times, yet the quality of the sound never changed. The first time I remember hearing Earth, Wind & Fire was in 1975 when they had their #1 hit, Shining Star.



In 1978, they brought another song to the Billboard Top 10, with a style only they could have. They combined Soul music with R&B with a Dance flair that was their own. They had their own take on the Beatles song Got to Get You into My Life, part of the great songbook of Lennon & McCartney. It was part of the Beatles' Revolver album released in 1966, and made it on the charts in 1976, a few years after the Beatles broke up. This version by Earth, Wind & Fire peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.



The next single released by the band was the iconic September. The song, written by band founder Maurice White as members Al McKay & Allee Willis, was quite popular in the clubs, as well as on Pop radio. Released around Thanksgiving, is certainly could be heard through the holiday season. It made it to #8 on the Billboard US chart, and #3 on the UK Pop chart.



In 1979, they had another string of hits, including what might be a ballad for Earth, Wind & Fire, After the Love Has Gone. The song was written by legendary songwriter/producer David Foster as well as Jay Graydon and Bill Champlin, and produced by founder Maurice White. The song did well at the Grammy Awards, as it was nominated for Record of the Year and won for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The song also won a Best R & B Song for Foster, Graydon and Champlin as its composers. It made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot Hot in the US, and to #4 on the UK charts.



To find out more about Earth, Wind & Fire, visit their official website here. You can find their music on iTunes here, and on Amazon here. The links will bring you to their Greatest Hits collection, and I know Ms. Pinkett will be thrilled you purchased it. And I hope she is glad I still remember her so fondly.

GLEE Redux - Original Song

Music by Pink, Paul McCartney, the Hey Mondays, Sonseed, and Maroon 5.

Once again I am recapping the latest episode of Glee, only using the videos of the original songs rather than the made-for-TV covers. Hope you enjoy.

The show jumps immediately into Blaine and the Warblers singing Misery, a song by Maroon 5.



Blaine announces that this will be the lead song for competition. Finally Kurt steps up and says something about the fact that when the Warblers have a song, it is really Blaine with his back-up boys. It gives Blaine pause.

Rachel is singing a new song for Finn, called Only Child. Indeed it is better than the last song, Headband, but it is still fairly awful. Quinn was watching, and mentions that she worries Finn must be damaged to have the relationship with Rachel, but she still loves him. After all, he is the best way for her to be named Prom Queen.

Kurt is in his room, when Pavarotti gives his last tweet. Kurt rushes down to a contentious Warblers meeting to announce the parakeets passing. And, of course, breaks into song. He sings Blackbird, written by Paul McCartney for the White Album, but credited as usual to Lennon/McCartney.



The My Chemical Romance song is out, as Sue has made sure the band won't give the rights. Back in Glee Quinn steps up to say they will shine because of using original songs, and offers to write with Rachel. In fact, all the kids want a chance to write, and perhaps they will do all original songs.

Santana and Brittaney are having a moment, witch Santana being quite hurt. They are interrupted by Coach Sue, who threatens them, and makes Brittaney's locker explode. Santana shows up to sing a song she wrote with Tina about cute Sam, called Trouty-Mouth. Sam stops it, feeling self-conscious about the theme of the song being his mouth. Puck steps up to sing the song her wrote for Lauren, My Girls Gotta Big-A$$ Heart.

Blaine announces he does not want to sing everything, or the team will lose. He wants to do a duet, and do it with Kurt. The Warblers agree. After a commercial, Blaine says he wants to sing Candles by Hey Monday. Kurt is impressed it isn't a Top 40 selection, and Blaine says how he is inspired by Kurt. Soon, Kurt gets his first kiss, or at least one that isn't driven by rage or self-loathing. It is a lovely moment.

Mercedes sings her entry, Hell to the No. It is the best one so far! Although it is a great song, Mr. Shu isn't sure it is regional material. He mentions some of the best songs were written out of pain, and maybe the kids should think about that. Quinn and Finn are sneaking around, but only because Finn wants to spare Rachel's feelings. Quinn isn't as eager for that. When she and Rachel meet to write the song, Rachel asks about Quinn and Finn, and Quinn goes for Rachel's throat, telling her Quinn will win, and Rachel needs to go away. The songwriting team is over, and Rachel goes to write her song.

Sue meets Shu before they leave for the Midwest Regional Championship, and there is trash-talk happening.

The first group, Oral Intensity, sings a reggae version of Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine. Oh, my, this was a real song...



Next up, it is the Dalton Academy Warblers, and Kurt and Blaine singing the lead on Candles.



They immediately follow that with Pink's Raise Your Glass by Pink. The song is written by Pink, Tre' Shon Jenkins, Max Martin and Shellback. Of course, Blaine sings the lead vocals.



Finn tells Rachel to break a leg, and she tells him something right before they go on. We don't get to hear what she had to say. Rachel is singing the lead on the first original song in the competition, Get It Right, is a ballad composed specifically for Lea Michele. It is a good song, and tailored for Rachel's voice. She brings the crowd to it's feet. They immediately break into another original song, Loser Like Me. The own their experience as a loser, the slushies, the locker shoving, everything, and are bigger than it all. They end with glitter slushies for the audience, and with a heartfelt glance from Finn to Rachel. Quinn is not impressed.

The judges meet and are a wild group, going in every direction with their talk. However, it is the New Directions who take home the trophy. Sue can't help herself, and punches out the announcer. Back at school, Kurt buries Pavarotti, and is sad about losing. Blaine points out, however, that They got one another, much better than a silly trophy. They start holding hands. Back at McKinley, Rachel is named MVP by a unanimous vote, and gives a sweet speech, and they all hug. A sweet and happy ending. You know that can't last. Wonder what it up for next week...

To catch any episodes you might have missed, you can find them online for FREE at Fox On Demand here or on Hulu here.

Sunday Morning with The Beatles

I thought it might be ease into the Sunday morning with George, John, Paul and Ringo. That is right, I mean The Beatles! The iconic band of the 60s and 70s, known more, perhaps, for their rock and upbeat songs, had their share of ballads. On of the most love is This Boy, one of my favorite songs, was a B-side in 1963, but showcased the writing of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison.



This video uses the Beatles song Across The Universe, but uses images captured by the Hubble telescope, making this a true intergalactic collaboration. It was written by John Lennon in 1968, and certainly has the lyrical beauty of a Lennon classic.



And, finally, there is the beautiful song In My Life, here done with a video compilation from other sources, but a wonderful tribute to the band and this amazing song. The song was released in 1963, appearing on the Rubber Soul album. Written by Lennon/McCartney, is certainly showcases why their catalog of songs has become iconic.

Songs from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Top: Beatles, Wayne Newton. Then Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Yello and Dream Academy.

The late John Hughes not only knew how to make a great movie, he also knew how to use music that could score on the Pop charts. Take, for example, the soundtrack to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the 1986 film starring Matthew Broderick. The movie was not only a big hit, but it became an iconic part of Pop Culture, with an assortment of things like the phrase "Bueller. Bueller. Bueller," and other memorable moments. Another such moment is when Ferris is in the parade in downtown Chicago, lip synching to a classic old song. When Ferris pops up on the float 'singing' Wayne Newton's Danke Schoen. Here is a clip of Newton singing it in 1968 live. Now, it might be me, but doesn't he look like Justin Bieber?



While still in that parade, Ferris didn't shy away from a bit of rock 'n roll, delivering more lip synch with the Beatles' Twist And Shout.



I am not sure how Hughes discovered a somewhat esoteric Swiss electronica band, but he not only found them, he used them perfectly. Yello, with bandmembers Carlos Perón, Dieter Meier and Boris Blank, supplied a song that is instantly recognizable, although if I asked about the song Oh Yeah, you might draw a blank until you hit play. Here is the video for it.



There were very few bands that were like the New Wave outfit Sigue Sigue Sputnik. The band grew out of the great punk band Generation X, bringing the attitude and tempo with the slick New Wave style. Hughes used the song Love Missile F1-11 in the movie, and here is the video from the band.



While it was used as an instrumental, Hughes also had a cover of a song of The Smiths on the soundtrack. The Dream Academy supplied a gorgeous, mystical and lush version of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want for the film, and you can watch it here.



That John Hughes, he certainly knew how to score a movie, didn't he?

April 15 - Tax Day

What Better Way to announce the day than with the Beatles in cartoon form, singing about the Taxman. Here's to John, Paul, Ringo and George.