After a very long time The Music Club convened in person April 22nd, 2022 for a much enjoyed 25th Anniversary meeting. Enthusiastically hosted by Joan Barrett, who picked the theme ‘Memories’, the members – some original, some new – picked these songs to share…
Since it had been such a long time since the group had met, Joan kicked things off with this appropriate song, Etta James’ “At Last”.
Next up was Joel Constantian with his favorite Beatles track, “In My Life” from the ‘Rubber Soul’ album.
Quickly jumping in to segue, first time participant Mike O’Neill dropped a more obscure track by The Cyrkle, “Turn-Down Day”. Released on their album ‘Red Rubber Ball’ in 1966.
A change of era with the next track from Simon Hill, who recalled his past experiences in the Caribbean as inspiration for his pick – the B-52’s “Theme For A Nude Beach” from the ‘Bouncing Off The Satellites’.
Art Coussoulis went long and nobody objected to the nine plus minutes from Peter Gabriel’s epic ‘Secret World Live’ album. We all grooved to “Shaking the Tree”, which also features Paula Cole on vocals along with an all star band.
The Music Club co-founder Rudy Danzinger followed with the classic vocal from Julie London. The opening track on her 1955 debut album, ‘Julie Is Her Name’.
Another first time attendee Peter Klein followed with the epic 1968 track from Frankie Laine, “You Gave Me A Mountain”.
Third generation Music Club member Maura O’Neill kept the nostalgia going by spinning the 1964 Tommy Tucker classic, “Hi-Heeled Sneakers”, which she learned of from her late grandfather (and Music Club co-founder) David Haynes vast music collection.
Original Music Club member Barb Danzinger followed, recounting her experience working as a young blackjack dealer in Lake Tahoe and having Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis and Peter Lawford all at her table together!
Another first time attendee, Sean O’Neill brought us back towards the present with the Phil Collins classic, “Do You Remember?”
Angelique Hill guided us in an Americana direction with a gorgeous track from New York band Hem and their 2002 album, ‘Rabbit Songs’.
Original Music Club member Lyn Overton was unable to be there in person so Joan played a track for her, the surprising (to anyone who only knows “Midnight at the Oasis”) cover of Dylan’s “Well, Well, Well” by Maria Muldaur.
The we were into open session and Joel led the way with Loudon Wainwright III and the awesome, “Heaven and Mud”.
Both Mike and Simon picked the same track to segue perfectly. John Prine’s, “When I Get To Heaven”, which everyone singing along!
Joan brought a sucker punch to the feels with the late Eva Cassidy’s incredible cover of Sting’s “Fields of Gold”.
Jaimee O’Neill went country for her first contribution offering up the Eric Church tearjerker, “Three Year Old”, from his 2015 album, ‘Mr. Misunderstood’.
Angelique added a second helping of Hem for the crowd – the delicious, “Half An Acre”.
…and Simon played the wistful “Dreamsicle” from the fabulous Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit’s 2020 album, ‘Reunions’.
Rudy sent us back to the 1950’s with Bobby Darin’s uptempo stomper, “That’s All”.
Joel gave us some more Loudon Wainwright III with the apologetic ‘Mr. Guilty” from 1975.
Mike followed with some 60’s soul in the shape of the dulcet tones of Lenny Welch and his 1963 hit, “Since I Fell For You”.
It was down to the younger O’Neills to close out the evening. First up Sean spun the Beach Boys classic, “God Only Knows”…
…Maura then ended the playlist with Linda Eder’s stunning jazz rendition of “On The Street Where You Live” from her 2003 album, ‘Broadway My Way’.
A great time was had by all! It was quickly decided that in-person meetings were back to stay and we would all work to expand the number of attendees.
Look out for the playlist from our next meeting (as well as Earworms) and follow our daily theme days on our Facebook Group.