Cover and Original - Early Morning Rain

I haven't done this in a while, here's an original song by one of my absoute favorite musicians, Gordon Lightfoot, and a couple of covers. I've always liked this song - it's a big of a travel one, and the imagery that Lightfoot puts into the song is fantastic. 

Early Morning Rain - Gordon Lightfoot

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) - Paul Weller

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) - Richard Hawley

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) - Elvis Presley

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) - Peter, Paul & Mary

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) - Paulson, Baker, Garvey and Kel

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) - Tony Rice

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) - Eva Cassidy

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It pours, man, it pours

It's raining today, and the weather of late here has been very dreary. It's one of those days.

Come Wind, Come Rain - Vashti Bunyan
Have You Seen The Rain? - Creedence Clearwater Revival
It Never Rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond
Rainy Day People - Gordon Lightfoot
River Man - Nick Drake

Hype - Buy - Look

Around the World: Canada

Oh Canada - one of the first countries that I'm more familiar with, and one that I've visited several times, and hope to in the future. Bordered by the United States to the South (and a little to the North), Canada is often relegated to the US's lesser cousin - something that's completely false. Canada is a wonderful country, with a rich history, and currently, one with an economy that’s doing really well. It used to be that the US dollar was a lot stronger up there, but recently, it’s done an about face, with the Canadian dollar matching the US dollar. Canada was first colonized by Europeans with the Vikings, but by the 15^th and 16^th centuries, exploration parties from the British and French arrived. The country was given up by the French after the seven years war, and the country was formed to its current state in 1867, and severed governmental control from the UK in 1982, although Queen Elizabeth II is still considered the head of state.

This was the first country that we've come to where I've really had to sit down and think about what group or singer best represented the country. Due to proximity, there’s a lot of music that’s shared between the US and Canada, and thus a lot more variety when it came to selecting one. I picked Gordon Lightfoot, from Ontario. Lightfoot has been singing and writing since the 1960s, gaining greater prominence in the world in the 1970s with a number of songs. For me, it’s a sound of nostalgia, as my parents listened to Lightfoot extensively when I was young, and I’ve started listening to him a lot more in the last couple years. He’s also one of the artists that I’ve seen in concert, when he came to Vermont when I was in high school.

Canadian Railroad Trilogy – Gordon Lightfoot

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On the Road Again...

I'm headed out of state again for multiple hours, so here's a mix of some of my favorite travelling-themed music.

On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
Carefree Highway - Gordon Lightfoot
Stop the Bus - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Wandering 'Round - Carbon Leaf
Three Hours - Nick Drake
Ventura Highway - America
See The World - Gomez

Have a good weekend!

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Five Bands that I've Seen

Ray Charles

- Ray Charles was probably one of the first artists that I saw in person who was a really big star. I don't remember a whole lot of the show, because I was very young at the time, but I do remember that he played a number of his classics and that in general, it was a fantastic night.

Georgia on my Mind - Ray Charles

Carbon Leaf

- I've seen these guys five times already, and they're certainly one of my favorite bands. I've enjoyed all of their concerts immencely, although some have been better than others. I can't wait to see them again at some point in the future.

Love Loss Hope Repeat - Carbon Leaf

Gordon Lightfoot



- Gordon Lightfoot has been a staple of my listening habits for a very long time, but it's only been within the past couple of years that I've really gotten to like his music. The concert that I was at really surprised me a little, but like the Ray Charles one, I was thrilled to hear a number of songs that I knew and enjoyed.

Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot

Cary Brothers

- Cary Brothers just got his main album out, and I was able to see him at the Higher Ground earlier this year, which was a very fun concert. He played a number of songs from his album, and had a duet with Priscilla Ahn, who opened for him. I got a chance to talk with him a little after the show, and he was a pleasure to talk with. I'll be seeing him later on this year.

Ride - Cary Brothers

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

- I've been out to see Grace Potter & The Nocturnals twice already this year and man, they're fantastic. Grace has an incredible sound, and the amount of energy that they had was just stunning. Plus, their music just rocks, and they look like they're having an absolutley fantastic time on in front of everyone.

Some Kind of Ride - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Other bands that I've seen:

The Wood's Tea Co. (Too many times to count)
The Alternate Routes
Priscilla Ahn
Stars of Track & Field
Steven Kellogg and the Sixers
Matt Nathanson
Paolo Nutini
Rane
Sara Wheeler

And ones that I'm planning on seeing:
B.J. Thomas
Billy Joe Royal
Brandi Carlile
A Fine Frenzy
Matt Nathanson
Cary Brothers
Dropkick Murphys (Maybe)