Celebrating The Best Music – With An “E”!

These “Songs For Sunday” all have one common element – the later “E”…whether it’s the name of the Artist or the Title of the song, this is a letter rich in musical history, while also offering up some fresh new music as well!

You know the drill, so let’s begin with a song from my hometown of Seattle…and one of the most iconic bands in rock:

“Even Flow” by Pearl Jam

The 90’s “grunge” sound was defined by several bands: Soundgarden and their “superunknown”, Nirvana and their “teen spirit” and of course Pearl Jam, who sang about “Jeremy”:

“At home drawin’ pictures of mountain tops
With him on top, lemon yellow sun
Arms raised in a “v”
And the dead lay in pools of maroon below”

This was definitely music about disaffected youth, which leads us to “Even Flow”:

“Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies
Oh, he don’t know, so he chases them away
Someday yet, he’ll begin his life again, yeah
Oh, whispering hands, gently lead him away
Him away, him away…
Yeah!”

Here is the powerful performance by the band:

The band still records and tours, and their music remains as powerful as ever…and yes, this is me rocking out in The Edgewater Inn’s Pearl Jam Suite:

OK, I admit my wife looks much more like the. rock star than I do…Alex and I stayed in the Pearl Jam Suite, where the walls are covered with handwritten lyrics and tour posters! There’s also a Guitar to play loud as well!

Yes, this is also the Hotel where The Beatles fished! Click here to see what a night in the room is like!

https://johnrieber.com/2019/04/13/we-rocked-the-pearl-jam-suite-seattles-edgewater-inn-the-beatles-fished-there/

Speaking of bands who transcend time, here is one from the 70’s that is still recording and touring as well:

“Evil Woman” by The Electric Light Orchestra

Some of the biggest mainstream pop hits of the 70’s and 80’s came from “ELO” and mastermind Jeff Lynne.

Well, Lynne has been taking ELO out on the road again – and here is a recent live version of the classic pop song “Evil Woman”, with a lush orchestral sound:

Jeff Lynne and the band were finally recognized by The Grammys – you can see that tribute by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/25/elo-rocks-the-grammy-awards-brilliant-70s-orchestra-rock-jeff-lynnes-beatles-love/

Here is another one of my favorite bands of all time:

Eagles – “Take It Easy”

The iconic debut album cover…a sunrise over the desert, announced the arrival of The Eagles, and this debut album included “Witchy Woman”, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and of course “Take It Easy”.

It was their first big hit, written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, and is still one of their signature songs. Here is that iconic song, as fresh sounding today as ever:

Did you know The Eagles got their start backing up Linda Ronstadt? Click here for the story of how Linda remembers that time:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/01/the-birth-of-the-eagles-linda-ronstadts-back-up-band-had-a-peaceful-easy-feeling/

Time to fly across the pond and check in with a terrific British band with an “E”:

Elbow – “Asleep In The Back”

This British band is one of the most acclaimed of the last decade, but this gorgeous song, from their debut album, is still the greatest for me:

Elbow still releases acclaimed music, one of a number of British bands I love…here are a few more, including one I say is for people who think Coldplay are too hard-edged – click here to find out who:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/09/21/the-new-british-invasion-keane-athlete-doves-elbow-kasabian-long-live-rock/

Here’s another great English singer/songwriter, with one of his catchiest hits:

“Everyday I Write The Book” – Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello has had a long career making music, but this 1983 music video shows him off to his most joyous:

Elvis got his start in the 70’s with such power pop/punk songs as “Watching The Detectives” and “Alison”, and he still releases great music.

Still across the water, how about this iconic 80’s band who still tours today:

“Everybody Wants To Rule The World” – Tears For Fears

My wife and I saw Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, Tears For Fears, live in Los Angeles in September…they were phenomenal – listen to their terrific live version of their signature hit:

The band performed 90 minutes of non-stop hits – and sounded incredible!

Finally, this volatile Artist has been “Slim Shady”, “Rap Boy” and more…and just keeps coming back…

“Guess who’s back, back again
Shady’s back, tell a friend”

Eminem – “Without Me”

The song was Eminem’s return after the successful The Marshall Mathers LP, intended as a sequel to “The Real Slim Shady” and essentially saying that he is back to save the world. It also refers to Eminem’s role in the music industry and his effect on culture.

“So the FCC won’t let me be
Or let me be me, so let me see
They try to shut me down on MTV
But it feels so empty without me”

Here is the great video:

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So there you have it, music and musical Artists with an “E” – you can go to my main page to see what I shared for letters “A” through “D”…let me know what you think!

Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, London, Music, Obscure Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities

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