Welcome to a special edition of The Musical Tree! The previous Musical Tree on Nina Simone was the twentieth Musical Tree that was published! When I first started I had no idea that I would reach five, let alone twenty. As a way to thank you, my loyal readers, I have put together a playlist of my favorite songs, one from each Musical Tree. I hope you enjoy this, and I look forward to the next twenty. So off we go!
I had to start with Sister Rosetta, the evangelical guitar-playing woman who invented rock and roll riffs on the electric guitar. I’m happy to see that she is finally getting her just recognition. As B.B King said, the first time he ever heard an electric guitar was Sister Rosetta – that’s good enough for me!
2. Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas) – Jimmie Rodgers
What can you say about Jimmie Rodgers? The Singing Brakeman was a major early influence in not one but two uniquely American styles of music – country and blues. An absolute giant in American music. And who knew yodeling used to be cool?!
3. Minglewood Blues – Cannon’s Jug Stompers
While I was tempted to include The Grateful Dead’s version, which has the line ‘It’s T for Texas’, I decided to go with this version, which prompted other versions by numerous groups that all deviated from the original because hearing Gus Cannon on the banjo, and the distinctive thump thump thump of the jug, was hard to resist.
4. Big Road Blues – Tommy Johnson
Tommy Johnson is one of my favorite Musical Tree artists. Way ahead of his time with his stage antics, he helped propel Delta Blues and influenced so many blues artists. Toss in the fact that he was the originator of the Devil at the Crossroads story, years before Robert Johnson, and you have someone whose influence on Blues music cannot be denied.
5. I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say – Dr. John
Sadly, there are no surviving recordings of Buddy Bolden’s music. Dr. John brings a jazzy, tender feeling to one of Buddy’s signature songs. While it’s a contrast to the stories about the rowdiness at some of Buddy’s gigs, Dr. John pays great homage to one of the first pioneers of New Orleans jazz music.
6. In the 6th – Trombone Shorty
From a Reverse Musical Tree, the amazing Trombone Shorty continues the New Orleans jazz tradition started by Buddy Bolden that continues today.
7. All The Way From Memphis – Mott The Hoople
So many Musical Trees have crossed paths with Memphis that I had to include this song, written by Ian Hunter. It was eye opening to me to read about all of the artists, particularly punk, that he influenced. Ian is also one of the few Musical Tree artists still alive and performing today!
8. Soul Finger – The Bar-Kays
From the opening notes of Mary Had A Little Lamb to the neighborhood kids yelling ‘Soul Finger’ (for a free bottle of Coke), this infectious song is one of my favorites by a band, many of whose members’ lives came to a tragic end at a young age. They were good enough to back Otis Redding, so they are definitely worthy of a Musical Tree.
9. Canyon Moon – Harry Styles
My first reverse Musical Tree and one that made more than a few people go “Huh”? Harry’s classic rock influences can be heard in his music, including this song that sounds like it could have come out of Laurel Canyon in the late sixties. I’m really looking forward to what he comes out with next.
10. She’s A Rainbow – The Rolling Stones
This was from the Musical Tree on Nicky Hopkins, the great session piano player. As I write this I learned that we just lost Rolling Stone drummer Charlie Watts. I always thought that Charlie was the glue that kept the madness of Mick and Keith from spiraling the Stones out of control. A very underrated drummer. RIP Charlie.
11. Hound Dog – Big Mama Thornton
How could I not include this gem! Big Mama sings it like it is written, bawdy and bold. Songwriters Lieber and Stoller did not like Elvis’ version, including some of the changed lyrics. However, once the royalty checks started flowing in, I believe they learned to live with it!
12. I Loves You Porgy – Nina Simone
This beautiful, jazzy song was the only Top 20 hit for her, yet she recorded for over 40 years and the influence she has over artists, both current and past, makes her the unofficial leader in Musical Tree legacy. Coupling her music with her devotion to civil rights, Nina Simone was truly an amazing influence.
13. Stay High – Brittany Howard
I had to follow Nina Simone with Brittany Howard, who claims Nina as a huge influence. This song has received a lot of airplay in the House of the Musical Tree. The video touches me every time I watch it – from the shot of the cemetery where her older sister is buried to the very end when the Dad comes home from work greeted by his two daughters and wife. It is exactly as Brittany grew up. Just a beautiful song about love.
14. Pea Vine Blues – Charley Patton
Throughout my travels and research, one name kept popping up – Charley Patton. Credited as the first Delta Blues musician, he also pioneered the Blues tradition of referring to railroads in his songs. Pea Vine was the nickname of the local railroad that ran near the Dockery Plantation, where Charley grew up. Railroads and trains are often referenced in Blues tunes as a euphemism for freedom and escape.
15. Just A Dream – Big Bill Broonzy
I just love Big Bill’s style of Blues, almost laid back at times yet he went on to influence many Chicago Blues artists along with young English kids digging American blues and transforming it into their own, much like…..
16. Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks
While this song is not a Blues song per se, it is quite simply, in my opinion, one of the greatest pop songs ever written. Ray Davies acts as the silent observer watching Terry and Julie in a way that evokes both happiness and sadness – hard to do in a three-minute pop song. And yes, I’m still mad at NBC for cutting away from this song at the London Olympics closing ceremonies!!!!!
17. No More Doggin’ – Roscoe Gordon
A Memphis piano player credited with the Roscoe Rhythm that influenced what became Reggae music in Jamaica? How can I not write this story! Plus it’s a really good tune!
18. (Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Recorded just before his death, and released in the months after, ‘(Sittin On ) The Dock of the Bay would be both Otis and Stax Records biggest selling single. This would be the high point for the Stax label, as losing Otis along with other factors discussed in the article on Stax Records would lead to the label shutting down a few years after this song was a hit.
19. Layla – Derek and the Dominos
The only (so far) Musical Tree devoted just to one song. If you really want to understand why it’s here just go read the article.
20. Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie – Elizabeth Cotton
I’ll end with the first artist I wrote about, Ms. Elizabeth Cotton. Still one of my favorites to date, the sweetness in her voice as she sings this song gets me every time. A great story to tell with a happy ending – an artist getting recognized (and paid!) for her work by “some dead people in California”.
What are some of your favorite songs from the Musical Tree? Leave me a comment and let me know. Until then, follow your passion, stay happy, and be thankful for whatever inspires you.
Below you can find the Musical Tree Twenty playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. Happy Listening!