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Born to Jewish Hungarian parents in Brooklyn in 1941, Paul Simon grew up to be one of the foremost musicians of our time. He is best known for his albums with childhood friend Art Garfunkle, but I believe Simon’s solo work is where he really shines. “American Tune” is a fine example. With its melody, guitar picking, lyrics, and overall artistry, the song comes together as a masterpiece. “American Tune” expresses the recording artist’s political disappointment in the early nineteen-seventies. The nineteen-sixties bloom of racial equality, love, and peace had already blossomed and faded. While my favorite recording artists continued to produce heartfelt, meaningful, and exquisitely beautiful folk and folk rock music, America’s social and political evolution stalled. With the election of President Richard Nixon in 1972, the glowing hope and ideals of the prior decade receded into the background. Paul Simon artfully captures the undercurrents of this period in this remarkable song. Despite its melancholy tone, I am deeply moved by the beauty of the words and music. “American Tune” popped into my head unexpectedly and without warning. It literally came “from out of nowhere.” I think it did because we are about to take another evolutionary step backwards under the Trump administration. Please enjoy my cover of Paul Simon’s moving song.

The Incredible String Band burst onto the folk music scene in 1966 with the release of their first album, aptly named “The Incredible String Band.” As an avid lover and consumer of folk, I had never heard anything like their songs. The band started out as a trio composed of Clive Palmer, Robin Williamson, and Mike Heron. Williamson and Heron composed most of ISB’s music. Palmer eventually dropped out, replaced by other musicians and the girlfriends of Williamson and Heron. Signed by Electra Records, the group produced seven albums for the label, most notably their first four, which included “The Five Hundred Spirits or the Layers of the Onion” and “The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter.” Through intermittent tours and appearances at prestigious venues like the Albert Hall, The Incredible String Band gained worldwide fans and international recognition from their humble beginnings in Edinburgh, Scotland. Listen to Mike Heron’s lilting, whimsical “Painting Box” to get a sense of The Incredible String Band’s multifaceted musical range. Here’s my cover.

Nanci Griffith introduced her third album with its title song, “ Once in a Very Blue Moon, ” on the Austin City Limits TV show in 1984. She sang to a live audience with her typically bold and beautiful voice, which continues to endear this singer/songwriter to millions of people around the world after her passing. This poignant song could easily sound sad, but not the way Nanci performs it. With her crystal-clear voice, it actually sounds uplifting. A quality comes through Griffith’s songs. It sounds to me like “nothing will ever get me down.” I’m sure Ms. Griffith endured many hardships and obstacles in her life, but she always came out on top. I dedicate my cover to the memory of this inspiring woman.

Kate Wolf left a legacy of over two hundred songs that she recorded and performed in live concert. I’ve played a number of those songs here and in online groups. I’ve tried to embody and share Kate’s love, beauty, compassion, pathos, and joy. Now, it seems my journey with Kate’s music is ending with a few songs from her last albums. Here’s an upbeat one titled “Stone In The Water.” Bonus Track Linda Ronstadt made this song famous. I’m playing Eva Cassidy’s version of “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” close to the style she used to perform it. Paul Anka wrote the ballad for Buddy Holly, and Holly was the first to perform it in 1958. The song reached number 13 on the charts at the time. Ronstadt and Cassidy, two great artists, are no longer with us. They both sang like angels and their legends have grown over time. Their music lives on and is enjoyed by a worldwide audience. This track is dedicated to the memory of Linda Ronstadt and Eva Cassidy . My version of “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” #guitarstyle #acousticguitar #LindaRonstadt #folkmusic #vocalists #guitartechnique #popmusic #guitarpicking #guitarsolo #torchsinger #artists #guitar #femalevocalists #EvaCassidy #classicsongs #guitarmusic

Even if you aren’t a fan of seventies music, you’ve probably heard Don McLean’s hit song, “And I Love You So.” What you may not know is the song was widely covered by other recording artists, most notably Elvis Presley and Perry Como. Yes, I said Perry Como. In a career that spanned decades, Don McLean wrote and recorded twenty-two studio albums, four live albums, and 16 singles. He is best known for his song and album of the same name, “American Pie.” I’m constantly amazed at the way major recording artists create unique compositions to express their music. “And I Love You So” features an original picking method combined with interesting chord shapes. Learning to play a song the way the artist does is a great way to expand your musical scope and technique. Here is my cover of McLean’s hit. I’ve re-recorded it one fret lower. Take the next step that’s in your wheelhouse. This is the path to your success. #beautiful #DonMclean #seventiesmusic #folkmusic #artistprofiles #happiness #guitartechnique #solos #loverelationships #Joy #hitsongs #guitarpicking #vocals #love #inspiration #singing #sologuitar #profiles

“Crossroads” is another great song by Don McLean. It first appeared on his hit album, “American Pie.” Although the song is not as well-known as the title song and some of the other songs on the album ( “Vincent” “And I Love You So” and “ Empty Chairs “) Crossroads is nonetheless moving and beautiful. On the surface, the song is about a man remembering a long-lost love with a sense of regret and a desire to turn back time. I believe the subtext of the song has a larger and more universal meaning: hope and happiness can be found with anything that joins us on the inevitable journey of life. It doesn’t have to be a lover or anyone in particular. It can be an idea, a thought, an emotion, or even an absence of something or someone. An absence can be as strong a motivator as a presence. On the album, McLean performs the song on Piano. Fortunately, my good friend and tutor, Jerry’s Guitar Bar , has transposed the song for guitar. Here’s my version. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF . BELIEVE IN A POSITIVE OUTCOME. AND, IT WILL BE SO. #LPAlbums #DonMclean #seventiesmusic #guitartutorial #contemporaryartists #acousticguitar #folkmusic #memories #guitartechnique #loneliness #loverelationships #popmusic #guitarpicking #guitarsolo #reflections #songs #vocals #love #guitar #loss #AmericanPie #Crossroads #guitarplaying #seventiesera #singing #VincentVanGogh

"Against the Wind" is regarded as one of Bob Seeger's best songs. The lyrics are replete with the songwriter's reflections on his youth, past relationships, and music career. The metaphor of running against the wind came from Seeger's high school days, where he ran on the track team. Seeger created his eleventh album, "Against the Wind," intending to record hit songs. In other words, the artist wasn't overly concerned with aesthetics. He wanted to make a commercially viable collection of songs, leaving it up to Capitol Records which ones to release as singles. Along with his Silver Bullet Band, Seeger certainly succeeded. "Against the Wind" has been described as a bittersweet cross between country and rock music. The song holds an attraction for me as I look back on my life from the perspective of a 75-year-old. I've published eleven novels  and recorded innumerable songs. Has any of it made a positive and significant impact on the world? Perhaps in a very small sense, the answer is "yes." But the results have been far below my expectations. I'm sure we are all, in one sense or another, running against the wind. There are things we turn away from that must be confronted. There are obstacles we must overcome if we are to move forward. Seeger ends this song with a determination to keep running against the wind no matter what it takes. I offer my cover in the same spirit. # acoustic guitar # Audacity # Blue Mic # country music , # cover songs # famous bands # guitar strums # guitarist # home recording studio # musicians # pop music # recording music # recording software # relationships # rock music # Silver Bullet Band # soft rock # solo guitar # soloists # Song Meanings # songwriters

John Fogerty wrote this song, in part, for his son, Josh. Josh was three years old at the time, and John could barely wait for his son to hear him sing the song on the radio, especially the part that goes: “Doot doot doo lookin’ out my back door.” In the song’s chorus, a passing parade is mentioned. Fogerty says the lyric is inspired by a Dr. Seuss book he read as a child, “To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street.” Some people say the lyric “Won’t you take a ride on the flying spoon” is a reference to cocaine or heroin. Fogrety vehemently denies this. He discouraged drug use by any of his band members, saying drugs interfered with their music and their jobs. Credence Clearwater Revival gained prominence in the late 1960’s. The band split up acrimoniously in 1972. John Fogerty is still performing as of this writing. Here’s my cover of this fun song. John Fogerty

Cat Stevens ( Yusuf Islam) has never publicly said what this song is about, so we are left to offer our own interpretations. When I read the lyrics, I get a picture of a farmer of indiscriminate age waking up at the crack of dawn and looking out through a window at his fields. At the very instant when the sun rises, there is barely sound. Our farmer reflects back on his youth and how it felt every day to awaken with a song in his heart and the dreams he envisioned to pursue. The last refrain floated into my head from out of nowhere: "There'll be the evening, In the end, But 'till that time arrives, You can rest your eyes, And begin again." The lyrics are beautiful and express the child-like innocence found in many of Cat Stevens' songs. I interpret this last refrain to mean: Take advantage of and be grateful for every moment you are alive. Here's my cover. #sologuitar #guitarist #recordingartists #acousticguitar #songwriters #poetryinsong #songcovers #folkmusic #popmusic #BobDylan #CyndiLauper #DonMcLean #GordonLightfoot #EvaCassidy #JeffersonAirplane #FleetwoodMac #TheBeatles

Most of the lyrics in “Danny’s Song” were inspired by a letter Kenny Loggins’ brother, Dan, wrote to him in 1968 after Dan’s son, Colin, was born. In the letter, Dan said he planned to marry the boy’s mom, Sheila, and they planned to move to Berkley, California, even though they had no money. Kenny Loggins wrote the song in 1970 and released it as a single. It went nowhere. Later that year, Kenny teamed up with Jim Messina and released the song on their first album, “Sittin’ In.” Again the song went nowhere. If nothing else, “Danny’s Song” showcased Loggins’ talent for capturing a feeling for a moment in time. It was not until Anne Murray covered the song and released it as a single in 1973 that it became a hit, reaching #1 in Canada and #7 on the charts in America. The song’s success put Loggins and Messina on the map. Here’s my cover. #Music #Songwriter #Guitarist #BobDylan #JacksonBrowne #GordonLightfoot #CyndiLauper #RichardMarx #DonMcLean #EvaCassidy #TheBeatles #JohnPrine #CatStevens #VanMorrison

Back in the days when recording artists released singles, "We Can Work It Out" made its debut in 1965. The Beatle's manager, Brian Epstein, felt that the other song on the record, "Day Tripper," was more commercial and so, should be the lead song. Typically, the lead song of a single is recorded on the top side (A side) and the other song (B side) goes beneath it. Since both songs became hits, the record turned out to be the first double "A" single ever recorded. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the song with Paul writing the optimistic verses and John writing the more pessimistic chorus, in this case, the bridge. The song sprang from a disagreement Paul had with his then-girlfriend, actress Jane Asher. Jane and her mother, Margaret, had a powerful impact on Paul's life. The couple stayed together for five years from 1963 to 1968. Here's my cover.

After unceremoniously losing his job, Special Investigator Derrick Faulk is summoned by his close friend, Adrien Mattias, a developer of best-in-class nearly human Androids, for a mission that holds the future of their world in the balance. “Time is of the Essence,” as Adrien likes to say, and the clock is ticking. Romantic sparks fly, and guns blaze in “Androbiotica 2: Journey in Time,” the engaging sequel to “The Androbiotica File: Nearly Human.” Go with Derrick and his brilliant associate, Kristina Flemming, AndroBiotica’s Director of Research, for a ride into the future that will keep you guessing until the very end. AndroBiotica 2 can be read as a stand-alone novella. Take advantage of special introductory pricing at Amazon.com and major online retailers worldwide. Order Your Copy Today! #ebookbestsellers #multidimensional #future #timetravel #consciousness #heroines #technology #futuristicstories #beauty #relationships #illustratedebooks #meditation #ebookmysteries #love #ebookthrillers #mythicadventure #paralleldimensions #Goddess #Androids #adventure #plottwists