Notes on Music

 

Gordon Lightfoot

Two music notes (ha ha) of interest were in the news this week.

The first was the passing of Gordon Lightfoot. The Canadian singer-songwriter was well-regarded in the music world and was a national treasure in his native land. As music can always trip the nostalgic feels, hearing of his passing puts me back in my parent's 1971 Chevrolet Impala with WABC on the AM dial.

Note that we did not have FM in my parent's car until 1986. Yes, I thought that was insane also but, then again, my life has been working for an AM radio station.

But Lightfoot's songs -- so many, and all so popular -- emanated from the speakers of the car as we cruised from Mahopac to parts unknown. "Sundown," "Carefree Highway," the gut-wrenching "If You Could My Mind," and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" are among the many hits.

I can hear the great DJ Dan Ingram talking up a Lightfoot hit in his humorous way right to the post of the vocal. Brilliance. All of it.

Lightfoot was beloved and many have expressed their love for him and his work as well as sadness of his passing.

In terms of music, I suppose it does evoke a simpler time of well-constructed and thoughtful songs with strong arrangements. In terms of modern music, think of the Lightfoot as the Soft Seventies (Taylor's Version).

May Lightfoot's music survive like the legend lives on from the Chippewa on down. Of the big lake they call Gitchigumi.

*****

Sheryl Crow

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced their 2023 class this morning. Of particular note to me was the inclusion of Sheryl Crow, who I admit to being a fan of since seeing her open up for The Eagles in 1994.

I'm surprised actually. Given the Hall of Fame does an online fan vote, and Crow wasn't tracking particularly strongly there, I didn't think she had the critical acclaim to make this leap.

But somewhere there were voters who supported her inclusion. 

My struggle with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just like everyone else's struggle. It's really of "Pop Music Hall of Fame" but nomenclature aside, it's astoundingly flawed. I'll join the chorus who are outraged at Warren Zevon missing out again, for instance. Iron Maiden and Soundgarden also appear, in my opinion, to be egregious oversights.

There have just been so many swings and misses, reminiscent of other Halls of Fame. There are acts in the Hall who, in one critic's opinion, are like letting the steroids users in (baseball reference if you're not getting it).

We could highlight the obvious choices -- The Beatles, Chuck Berry, The Stones, Beach Boys, Little Richard, and so on. Let's face it. Those are among some of the no-brainers.

But, as with anything else, it gets subjective (and personal). Given Maroon 5 isn't in and thank the musical gods for that (hi John Nash!) I won't call any particular bands out for being in the Hall of Fame, despite those who sing little ditties that give music a bad name.

I digress.

Here are the 2023 honorees:

Performer Category 

Kate Bush 

Sheryl Crow 

Missy Elliott 

George Michael 

Willie Nelson 

Rage Against the Machine 

The Spinners 

Musical Influence Award 

DJ Kool Herc 

Link Wray 

Musical Excellence Award 

Chaka Khan 

Al Kooper 

Bernie Taupin 

Ahmet Ertegun Award 

Don Cornelius

I'd rather highlight the good here (ignoring my rage against RATM). Again, forgetting being hung up on the "rock and roll" thing here, I love seeing Don Cornelius (come on? "Soul Train!"), Al Kooper, and Chaka Khan (Ch...Ch...Ch...Ch...Chaka Kahn!) among the nominees.

Bernie Taupin -- you know, he wrote a few things with Elton John -- should have been in a while ago so it's richly deserved. Taupin and his music will always make me smile.

I suppose I'd rather just nod to those who got the call this morning.

Otherwise, meh. 

I think it's key to save the rage (against the machine or otherwise) given that this is basically the Hall of Fame for a few egomaniacs. Look, I never expect Huey Lewis and the News to even get nominated. Does that bother me? I suppose a little given contemporaries that I think they stand up well next to have been nominated. 

I guess selling over 30 million records means nothing. 

But this is a dicey business where "critics" get their say and, a few voices get the ultimate say (Jann Wenner, anyone?). Again, in my effort to not criticize others (despite veiled attempts contained herein), I'll withhold comment.

But do I think any less of Lewis and company for not being nominated? Good grief, no. Like Don Mattingly, Paul O'Neill, Bobby Murcer, and countless sports and musical artists, they're in my Hall of Fame. While it would be great to see them immortalized I also wouldn't want them to get crapped on. I'm fairly certain Sheryl Crow is getting that treatment today.

As for Crow, look, at first glance, I didn't see her as a Hall of Famer. But I did see a body of work that is pretty fantastic with a lot of critical praise. Her 1998 album The Globe Sessions remains a treasured part of my music collection. Honestly, it's an important album to me. 

As a recent Showtime documentary demonstrated, she's had a huge impact on music, especially women in the business from Brandy Carlile to many others. 

Now, I'll wade into a dicey pool here and also mention that Crow has strong support among LGBTIQA+ and, in 2023, that's a good look for an organization like the Rock Hall. Call that controversial if you wish, and I'm not trying to say that Crow checks a particular political box, but it doesn't hurt her either. Her acceptance among fans works in her favor.

So, if you're paying attention: a solid body of musical work, is influential and popular among her peers, is a cancer survivor, and the Hall hasn't honored many females, she'll be seen as a solid pick.

But questionable among the masses I'm quite sure. 

Anyway, I think I'm going to listen to some music now.