Happy Birthday Garth Hudson

Today Garth Hudson celebrates his 80th birthday. He was a forming member of The Band and a much-in-demand and highly respected session musician. The Band was the one of the first bands who lead me into traditional American music. And still I go back to this kind of music from time to time. They were very different to lots of other bands in the late 60's when guitar solos ruled the world. It was the organ sound of Garth Hudson (and the voice of Levon Helm) that made their music extraordinary.

The Band - When I paint my masterpiece
The Band - Chest fever

Old Vine In New Bottles

Back in 1974 Al Green recorded Take Me To The River a classic downtempo soul song. Some people recognized this one as a good song and played it like many others of Al Green. In 1978 Talking Heads made this cover on their second record More Songs About Buildings And Fruit. It was one those songs for me that combined classic soul music with  intelligent pop music and some NY-based punk influences. David Byrne once wrote about this song:

"Coincidence or conspiracy? There were at least four cover versions of this song out at the same time: Foghat, Bryan Ferry, Levon Helm, and us. More money for Mr Green's full gospel tabernacle church, I suppose. A song that combines teenage lust with baptism. Not equates, you understand, but throws them in the same stew, at least. A potent blend. All praise the mighty spurtin' Jesus." 

Another cover version that is better than the original.

Talking Heads - Take Me To The River