SCOTTS HIDDEN TREASURES #32

[Scott]

Simplicity is the hidden gem were looking at this week.

 

"Play a simple song for them!" - I heard these lyrics this week and just like that, the idea for this weeks hidden gems became clear.  Well... clear as mud anyway. Because, what's a simple song?  It could be a guitar, a stool and some heart felt lyrics.  That would be a good answer.  But so would a nice familiar blues riff with just the right amount of distortion.  It could be any number of things...

 

But what its not may be easier to articulate...

 

Its not overproduced, multi-layered, over complicated with multiple time changes and styles in one song.  Thats a different SHT list.

 

Lets start this off with the track that generated the thought, we'll let the music define this as we go.

 

TITLE: Play A Simple Song
BAND: .38 Special
ALBUM: .38 Special
YEAR: 1977
This is what you get when you mix an acoustic guitar with a steel guitar, and a great melody!  Yup, a simple song.  Can you hear what I mean yet?

 

 

TITLE: Large Time
BAND: Atlanta Rhythm Section
ALBUM: Champagne Jam
YEAR: 1978
Does this throw a curve ball into the concept of a simple song?  Love the simplicty in the reuse of the riff, not alot of complication in this song, just a nice bluesy in-your-face fun track, "no foolin around" as they sing in the song!

 

TITLE: Back Off
BAND: Doucette
ALBUM: Mama Let Him Play
YEAR: 1977
Its not just a southern thing, so I wanted to take this track with its simple blues riff and contrast it with the ARS track.  Simple rhythm and the lyrics are fun here, straight forward and understandable. Fun fun track!

 

TITLE: Heart Is Hard To Find
BAND: Jimmy Eat World
ALBUM: Invented
YEAR: 2010
This was featured in a recent NMC, but its a perfect fit for this list.  Theres real heart in the lyrics, no pun intended.  And the melody just pushes it into your soul!  Please be careful when playing, there is an "F" word at the 1:33 mark - but unlike some other bands who use it gratuitously, this seems to have a context for it.  Just a great song!

 

TITLE: Back To You
BAND: Bryan Adams
ALBUM: Unplugged
YEAR: 1997
This song has a really nice tempo and the chord progression is simple yet elegant, evoking emotion when listening to the lyrics that's pretty real.  Theres not alot of variation in the track, but its really effective in what it wants the listener to hear and feel.

 

TITLE: Without Love
BAND: Shooting Star
ALBUM: Circles
YEAR: 2006
For me this simple drum beat really works on this song.  A simple melody and chorus thats made better by the rhythm section.

 

 

 

TITLE: It Keeps You Runnin'
BAND: The Doobie Brothers
ALBUM: Takin' It To The Streets
YEAR: 1976
Imagine the confusion of The Doobie's fans to find there guitar driven good time band replaced with a drum machine, keybords, and soulful singer much smoother in style than they likely expected.  For me this track works because of it's simplicity, maybe the first time I ever heard such a work.

 

TITLE: Let It Out
BAND: Gary Wright
ALBUM: The Dream Weaver
YEAR: 1975
Keyboards, a bass guitar and drums only.  This albums really is deep on many levels while at the same time tracks like this one really shine in the approach and simplicity.  Just a cool track!

 

 

TITLE: Keep Pushin'
BAND: REO Speedwagon
ALBUM: REO
YEAR: 1976
Some time ago I posted a track from this album titled "Breakaway", and in it is the following lyric.  "Some songs have no meaning, and some songs try too hard, try to say it all and end up saying nothing".  This album is so good in its "not trying too hard."  The music really does the talking.  Keep Pushin is the lead off track.

 

TITLE: Steve Forbert's Midsummer Night's Toast
BAND: Steve Forbert
ALBUM: Alive On Arrival
YEAR: 1978
Maybe a folk song is what you would hear if the defintion of a simple song actually was a song!  And so its appropriate to end with a toast of sorts, to all of you!  Salute!

 

So...  does your idea of a simple song sound anything like these?

 

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HERES YOUR LINK...
http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/050257e466e84ba90b28e3a7aa276073

 

 

 

[Scott]

Sorry if I messed with anyone else's forum timing!  Loaded a bit early since I wont have the time this weekend to post... 

 

PS: GO GREEN BAY!!!!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Love that Doobies song.  McDonald is awesome on that.  Looking forward to this playlist, but I must say the first song I thought of was Simple Man, one by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the other by Bad Company.

[Scott]

Simple Man is not really "hidden" but certainly a "gem", though I like your thought process.  I had a Bad Company tune on my short list.  It was from the album Desolation Angels, titled 'Rhythm Machine'.  Ever heard it?

[Jon]

How about Stormtrooper Of Death's "Anti-Procrastination Song" as something simple?

[Scott]

I'll have to get back to you on that ...

[Jon]

I listened to this las Monday at work and nothing grabbed me at all. Not that it was bad, but it seemed like background music. I'll listen to it again, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of music or something.