It's an obvious statement to say that we see an increase in sales of patriotic music at this time of year. From the traditional marches and rousing instrumental versions of "God Bless America" and "The Star
Spangled Banner", to the more contemporary Pop and country hits of recent times, there's no shortage of Flag flying songs promoting the Red,White and blue. The song that generally merits the most attention was never even a #1 single. Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" was only a #7 Country hit upon its initial release in 1984,but the song has taken over a whole new meaning, beginning back with the Gulf war of '91 and the events pertaining to last September 11th. While Greenwood's career would yield bigger hits, its unlikely he'll ever top the passion that "God bless the USA" evokes. In recent months a number of artists like Hank Williams Jr., Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Aaron Tippin, Paul McCartney. and even Toby keith have recorded songs with a Defiant, Pro-USA attitude--and listeners have been embracing the songs. Keith's song "Courtesy of the Red, White & blue(the Angry American)" is already a Top 10 Country hit, and a song he wrote with his father in mind and the September 11th tragedies. Hank Jr. redid his hit "A country boy can survive" and turned a 2002 version into "America Will Survive"--a 5 minute rant on how this country will pull through regardless of circumstances. Daniels hit the charts with "This ain't no rag, its a flag" which comes slightly more than 2 decades after his previous crossover hit "In America" with its "Take-no-prisoners" attitude. Travis' hit "America will always stand" has been a consistant seller for over 6 months now, and still remains lodged in the Top 10 on the Country singles sales chart. Artists finding their patriotic touch is nothing new though. Ssgt.Barry Sadler scored a huge #1 hit in 1966 with "The Ballad of the Green Berets". Elvis Presley recorded the live and elaborate "American Trilogy" in 1972 and got one of his many chart singles out of it. Bruce Springsteens "Born in the USA" shot into the Top 10 in 1984, and I can't count the number of recorded versions of songs like "God bless America" or even "America the Beautiful" that have been done by a variety of singers like LeAnn Rimes, Whitney Houston and even the NYPD Cop Danial Rodriguez. There are certainly more examples, but you get the idea. And as long as the national mood dictates it, you'll always see somebody come along with another song to touch the hearts of Americans world wide, as Alan Jackson did with his recent hit "Where were you(when the world stopped turning)".
ENTWISTLE'S LEGACY...
On the heels of the new 2 disk "Ultimate Who" collection, and on the verge of another World tour came the passing of the bands Bass player John Entwistle. I was fortunate enough to read perhaps the best tribute to an artist I've seen in some time, courtesy of Who biographer Dave Marsh. "His Bass playing really made him important. John Entwistle was the first musician to figure out how to use the bass for carrying forward melody and weaving additional themes through a song, while still stabilizing the beat-that is, he figured a way to balance the extreme playing of Pete Townshend and Keith Moon simultaneously, a stupendous feat. There wasn't any precedent for what Entwistle did, and all bassists owe him their sense of freedom".
Odds & ends....
Rhino has a 5 disk YES box set due out July 30. "In a Word:Yes(1969-)" includes 55 cuts, 6 of which have never seen the light of day. There's also an 80 page booklet included, with contributions from the likes of Cameron Crowe...Loverboy will be doing a package tour with Eddie Money and
Survivor called "The Triple shot of rock" starting August 22nd in Cleveland and finishing in Oregon october 6th. For additional tour dates,check www.loverboyband.com....New releases for July 9th include The Red Hot Chili Peppers with "By the way", Counting Crows with "Hard
Candy" and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones with "Jackknife to a swan"...Former SPIRIT and JO JO GUNNE vocalist JAY FERGUSON sees his 1978 solo hit "Thunder Island" reissued to CD via www.collectorschoicemusic.com...Concertgoers to Journeys current show get the opportunity to purchase their new 4 song EP which was recently completed. Titled "Red 13",the disk is available through the bands website and at concerts beginning in July. Guess that means it should certainly be available by the time the band hits the stage at the U.P. fair in August...Former popsters NELSON have converted themselves into a Country act now,and are currently on
tour. The twin sons of the late singer Rick Nelson had a hit with the 1990 LP "After the Rain" which sold 2 million copies and included the #1 hit "(Can't live without your)Love and affection". Hey, enjoy the parades and fireworks! Have a happy 4th! Got questions or comments about music? Contact Steve at themusictree@hotmail.com