I started a music WhatsApp group in 2023. I send one song a week on a Friday, with links to both Apple and Spotify, and an accompanying narrative/capsule piece. You’ll read it here on a Sunday. If you want to engage about a song, get a playlist or just get in touch, email me on [email protected].
Bob Dylan turns 84 tomorrow. This week, a few people sent me a YouTube clip of Bob on his latest Outlaws tour with Willie Nelson doing a surprise cover of Garden Party, and delivered of course, with just a hint of irony. You can watch it here and hear Bob name-checking himself:
The original Garden Party, today’s Friday song, was recorded in 1972 by Rick Nelson and The Stone Canyon Band. Nelson, or Ricky Nelson as he was first known when he was a blue-eyed, slick-haired teen idol, was a rocking “Elvis understudy”. He had played a concert with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and others at Madison Square Garden – the “Garden” referred to in the song’s title – in late 1971.
After starting the gig with hits like Hello Mary Lou and Be-Bop Baby, Nelson then shifted his attention to the changing direction of his music, an easy country/country-rock style, which, with his new long-haired look, was greeted with widespread disappointment among the audience.
A song or two into his musical departure, Nelson departed the stage and never returned that night. Garden Party was never a party for him, so his recollection of it, composed and recorded in a song a few months later, has a vein of irony and sadness running through it.
The Dylan clip sent me back to listen to the original track, with its simple, drive-train bass line, pedal steel guitar, smooth harmonies and Nelson’s warm tenor.
It’s a personal favourite of mine, relaxed and easy sounding, perfectly produced, and it skilfully sketches a visual story with many musical references, a touch of philosophy and life lessons too, all in under four minutes.
When you listen – if you haven’t paid attention before – you’ll hear references to Nelson’s own songs; to Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode; John and Yoko; George Harrison (using his famous Mr Hughes alias); the Stones (Nelson played Country Honk at the Madison Square Garden gig); Bob Dylan; and a Bob song, She Belongs To Me, which Nelson had also covered and played on the night … and on it goes.
Garden Party has been covered faithfully by many, including John Fogerty with a couple of Eagles, and now the Mighty Bob too. Take a listen today to the original. Hope it’s a good addition to your weekend.
Happy Friday (on a Sunday)!
Listen to Garden Party on Spotify here.
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