Gerry Rafferty Was Born 77 Years Ago Today

by Kevin Burton    The headline to an article in The Independent called Gerry Rafferty a “bipolar alcoholic industry misfit.” His biographers including his daughter Martha dispute none of that.    The article was printed on the occasion of the 2021 release of “Rest In Blue” an album of Rafferty demos polished and completed by …

Songwriting School, Class In Session

by Kevin Burton    International Songwriters Day was observed yesterday and I’m staying on that theme.     This post is a service to all you songwriters, or really any kind of writers, out there. But who am I kidding, it’s also to keep my head in the game and stoke those musical fires again.    …

Songwriters Day, A Musical Day Of Reckoning

by Kevin Burton    I grew up mostly at the school for the blind in Ohio. But I had (still have) some partial vision and I played a lot of sandlot baseball in my day.    The school used to hire recreation leaders to work with us restless kids. I think these were students from …

What’s Going On? New Marvin Gaye Music?

by Kevin Burton    There might be some court wrangling first, but there is a chance the world will get to hear some new Marvin Gaye music.    According to multiple reports, a collection of  tapes of previously unheard Gaye songs has been discovered in Belgium. The troubled genius moved there in 1981 to get …

“Go All The Way” Is A Sonic Treasure

by Kevin Burton    My tribute to the late Eric Carmen continues today with a closer look at The Raspberries’ rocking masterpiece, “Go All The Way.”    Carmen died in his sleep last weekend at age 74 according to his wife Amy. His songs, including “No Hard Feelings” and “Boats Against The Current,” which we …

“No Hard Feelings” By Eric Carmen Is A Gem

by Kevin Burton     You remember Eric Carmen for “All By Myself” and for the Raspberries’ “Go All The Way.” But it’s one of his B-sides that resonates most with me.    We got word last week that Carmen had died at age 74. The news sent my mind to several places, including to a …

50 Years Ago, Terry Jacks’ “Season In The Sun”

by Kevin Burton    When you move into a house, you see it and feel it in a way all your own. You inhabit that space with your special vitality.    The way others see that space, if they see it at all, may be interesting, but it lays no lasting hold on you.    …

Singer Lachi Lifts Up Her Voice For The Blind

by Peter D. Kramer lohud.com    “Hello, my name is Lachi. Like Versace,” says the woman in the fabulous dress and the beaming smile. Then the New York-based singer-songwriter takes more time than most people, to describe herself.    She offers a visual self-description for blind people in her audience, saying she is a Black …

Billy Joel, We Love You Just The Way You Are

by Kevin Burton    I’m inclined to give Billy Joel a pass, aren’t you?     Hasn’t he proven his brilliance?  Hasn’t his place in music history been settled, certified for decades now?     Any music-related hall of fame that he is not in, he should be in. Hey, if Dolly Parton is in the Rock …

Tears Of Joy In This Valentine’s Day Music

by Kevin Burton    I have made the case for “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney as the greatest love song ever written.    But it’s Valentine’s week and nobody’s going to buy that claim just now. Feb. 14 calls for something with a different feel.    So I phoned a friend, so to speak. …