The Seeds of Southern Rock

The Rhythm of Waking Up. The Right Decision Will Get Made in Its Own Time

Early Morning Listening Fantasy

I stood in the kitchen getting breakfast ready. The name of The Band woke up in my mind, but it was the sound of Creedence I was hearing clear and loud.

The decision was made.

I went through to my wee home office, sat down to breakfast in silence. Tunes could wait.

Being lazy, I logged into the great musical streaming Satan, put the wireless headphones on and went back to the kitchen. I put the breakfast bowl on the side, put the kettle on and got the paraphernalia ready for making tea.

Fogerty croaked in my ears, clearing my head, completing my revival, as the band, but not The Band, played on. It’s a mid-year early morning, almost at the year's peak.

“Bad Moon Rising” plays as I sit sipping tea, with Fogarty’s guitar resonant of Buddy Holly.

Creedence might be the ones literally playing in my ears, but it’s still The Band I’m thinking of.

Early Morning Really Listening

Now I have the get up and go to go and get their CDs, I’ll listen to The Band properly. Though I’m due an apology to Fogarty and co. for my laziness, and for not listening thoroughly.

Both bands live on an almost equal footing in my mind- The Band have the slight edge- as the true originators of what would come to be known as Southern Rock.

Which is an idea I’ve been meaning to expand on…

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Music often feels like it has come from another place, a mystical, otherworldly somewhere else, unknowable to all but the chosen few.

But this morning, if someone asks, “Where is that music from?”, I can answer them.

“It comes from Big Pink, my friend”

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I come to you recommending both those bands I’ve spoken of, Credence Clearwater Revival and The Band.

But most of all this morning, it’s one album that has my imagination in its firm hold:

That album is Music From Big Pink by The Band.

I can do no more for now than take a load off, just like Fanny, and sit back, relax and listen to the charms that disarm.

This has been a stream-of-consciousness production for The Old Anorak.

Recommended Listening

Music From Big Pink by The Band, Capitol Records, 1968
Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fantasy Records, 1969