Track of the Day: "The Last Ocean Rider," Keith Cross & Peter Ross (1972)

The Brits really had a way with rural rock. They absorbed bits of Americana and folk rock while retaining strong elements of their classical tradition and lyricism. Heads Hands & Feet were the best band to follow the The Band. Starry Eyed & Laughing did a nice job picking up the Byrds trail. And here's another, the lead track from Keith Cross & Peter Ross' wonderful one-off album, Bored Civilians. It starts off unassumingly but you start to realize there's something a little more special going on when they hit the lilting, sublime harmonies of the first "chorus" at around 0:50. Then drums kick-in as the song elegantly shifts through several parts, culminating in its staggering guitar solo (starting around 4:15) that lifts the song through its climax, coda and conclusion. Here, it's critical to note that Keith Cross was, only two years prior, the dazzling 17 year old guitar prodigy for the Beatles meets Cream proto-prog powerhouse, T2. Here, Cross trades his Hendrix-meets-Fripp pyrotechnics and distortion for something far more restrained and understated. That he is able to retain such emotional intensity with such restraint is testimony to his genius. It's not clear what happened to him after this album...

 
 


Track of the Day: "Somebody Like Me," Bobbie Gentry (1971)

#Trackoftheday. Delightful sunny day song from the deeply underrated Country/Soul/Pop singer/songwriter, #Bobbiegentry. She was nearly Dusty's equal as a vocalist and wrote most of her (often sophisticated, intelligent and soulful) songs. Somehow never quite crossed-over into pop culture consciousness. She deserves to.

 
 

Chris Squire (March 4, 1948--June 27, 2015)

Chris Squire (RIP) was one of the greatest, if not THEE greatest, bass player in rock history: forceful yet graceful, unerringly melodic yet wallopingly rhythmic, virtuosic yet frequently funky. Not only that, but he was also a strong vocalist and a charming raconteur. While his work with Yes is clearly immortal, here's my favorite track from his wall-to-wall excellent solo album.