A Record a Week: Ronnie Hawkins - s/t

SIDE 1.
ONE MORE NIGHT (Dylan)
BITTER GREEN (Lightfoot)
I MAY NEVER GET TO HEAVEN (Buddy Killen & Bill Anderson)
WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN (Public Domain)
MATCHBOX (Carl Perkins)
LITTLE BIRD (Jerry Jeff Walker)

SIDE 2.
ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS (Dylan)
FORTY DAYS (Berry)
DOWN IN THE ALLEY (Solmon Burke, Bert Berns, Babe Marvin & Joseph C. Martin)
WHO DO YOU LOVE (Ellis McDaniel)
HOME FROM THE FOREST (Lightfoot)

This record contains covers of some of the most influential folk and rock artists over the years. Hawkins took the success of the band and parlayed it into a solo career. His skill in different styles of music shines through on this record. Not only does he do justice to the talent of the original artists, but also adds his own jazz/folk/country spin to the songs.

I hear his tribute to the original artists in his singing style, but I also hear a lot of Elvis Presley. Not all the time, but in a few of the songs, he seems to take a 'Can't help falling in love with you' approach in the vocals.

I just love this record, and this is coming from a person who isn't a Hawkins fan. I'm not not a Hawkins fan, I just haven't explored the catalog or heard enough to ever consider myself a fan. This record definitely gets the thumbs up.

Sunday Brunch: Strawberry Cake

This is a tweaked version of a Martha Stewart recipe.

Gone before I could get a picture!

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
6 tbsp Vegan Margarine
1 cup Dry Sweetener (cane sugar or white work best)
1/2 cup Almond Milk
1 Egg Replacer
1 tsp Vanilla
8-10 Strawberries, washed, topped and halved


In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, cream margarine and sugar. Slowly add almond milk, egg replacer and vanilla. It may look a little lumpy at this point, but it'll come together. Stir in flour bits at a time and beat until smooth. Pour into a lightly greased round cake pan and top with halved strawberries.

Bake at 350F for 10 minutes and turn heat to 325F until golden across the top (don't let the edges get too hard at the expense of getting the whole top golden, it's not that important). Make sure a fork comes out clean from the middle, though.

Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

A Record a Week: Hair (Musical Theatre Soundtrack)

SIDE 1.
AQUARIUS
DONNA/HASHISH
SODOMY
COLORED SPADE
MANCHESTER ENGLAND
I'M BLACK/AIN'T GOT NO
AIR
INITIALS
I GOT LIFE
HAIR
MY CONVICTION
DON'T PUT IT DOWN
FRANK MILLS
BE-IN

SIDE 2.
WHERE DO I GO
BLACK BOYS/WHITE BOYS
EASY TO BE HARD
WALKING IN SPACE
ABIE BABY
THREE-FIVE-ZERO-ZERO
GOOD MORNING STARSHINE
THE FLESH FAILURES (Let the Sunshine In)


When I think Hair, I think 'This is the dawning of the age of aquariua'. Either one makes me think of the other. It also reminds me of the time my wife and I went to see the show in Toronto.

Now, the story is set in the sexually-free era of the 1970's when the hippies were at their peak. However, when the scene where they get naked under the parachute and lift it high in the air (spoiler alert), they looked suspiciously well-groomed.

Like many musicals, this one has a few terrific songs and a handful of songs you couldn't recall by the end of the record if you were offered a platinum plate full of your favourite fresh-from-the-oven cookies. Usually it goes like this: gradual opener gives way to strong second song that carries tune from opener. Two or three songs that carry the story forward, usually including a solo from a b character. Powerful song from main character, possibly including love interest. Two more story-pushing songs, then a steady beat song that includes a reprise of the opening song. INTERMISSION. Repeat similar pattern, except the final song includes multiple reprises.

Maybe I could write a musical!? (Relax, I have to finish my one-person show and my translation of the Odyssey first)