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* A legislator texted me last night asking if I’d post “Free Bird” some morning. No way, I said. I was in a band that played that song in high school. I’ve heard it about a billion times. I used to love it when I was a kid, but I just can’t listen to it anymore. It’s just so tired, so ridiculously overplayed, so… ugh. And my friends and I have long viciously mocked drunken tourists who inappropriately scream requests at Tom Irwin for their own favorite silly cover songs by shouting “Free Bird!!!” at them. Tom eventually wrote a tune called “Ain’t No Jukebox” in reply.

I looked around online for quite awhile (these morning music posts are taking up a huge amount of my time, by the way) and couldn’t find anything close to a fresh, vibrant cover, so I decided to post a killer acoustic tune by a direct descendant of Skynyrd’s red-hot southern insanity. Here’s Blackberry Smoke…

Well, my fall from grace was a sight to see
Good turned to bad and bad turned to misery
I found out what it is and what it’s not
And all I ask for sure ain’t what I got

Well I’ve been rained on, rode hard and put up wet
Danced with the devil ’til I’m in debt
Took all I got and there ain’t much left of me
I’ve been knocked down, drug out and left for dead
Barely held together by a few old threads
Hey, I’m still here, but there ain’t much left to see
Well I’m still holding on and there ain’t much left of me

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 2:23 am

Comments

A couple of exceptionally skillful musicians! Sometimes their sound reminds me a little of the Dead.

Music: nice to wake up to, nice to go to sleep to too.

Time for me to rest now, but I’ll be Bach later.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 4:51 am
yeah, you have all my sympathies looking for just the right piece of music to start the day. i feel for ya…

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 5:43 am
This is killer.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 6:12 am
Yeah, well, us locals get our fair share of requests rejected by Tom Irwin, too. Good times…

Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:17 am
I believe most requesting “Free Bird” these days do it as a joke. Just listened to a Shawn Colvin concert CD and someone yelled that. She said no but told s story about when she was in a band that played clubs and weddings, the most requested song was “Smoke on the Water.”

Comment by MickJ Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:25 am
Yeoman’s work with the morning music.

I can only imagine the level of difficulty rising to meets the next day’s expectation.

Thanks for another gem today.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:39 am
Have you posted Depeche Mode’s “Get the Balance Right”? It seems appropriate for this governor’s race.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:42 am
If Quinn wins, Jimmy Buffet’s “Love & Luck” might fit.

Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:44 am
Hey. Rich ain’t no jukebox either.

Whatever music pops easily into his mind will work just fine.

Ok, back to minding my own business.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:51 am
Here’s another in the same vein from the Deadstring Brothers - from Detroit via Alabama and Exile on Main Street.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm0AcCOhLX8

Comment by Short but Slow Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:54 am
That was great. Now how about “Stairway to Heaven”?

Comment by a drop in Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:16 am
THANK YOU Rich for no “Free Bird.” Can’t downvote that song fast enough when I hear it on Pandora.

Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:31 am
Perfect. Could become the new Illinois State Song.

Comment by nobody Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:43 am
“A legislator texted me last night asking if I’d post “Free Bird” some morning.”

Name the member. That’s an impeachable offense.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:48 am
Great song to start today, Rich. I really appreciate the time you put in to find these great starters. Keep them coming. I enjoy finding new groups to listen to. Takes my mind off of the election races.

Comment by Big Joe Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:48 am
It has been interesting to hear this kind of music sober. It makes them sound new.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:53 am
Thanks for the great song choices. You have excellent taste in music!

If you’re looking for something new, try the A.V. Club’s “A.V. Undercover” project. There’s a great Neutral Milk Hotel cover by The Swell Season.

Comment by Hari Seldon Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:54 am
great chorus. good pick.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 8:58 am
First thing I do when I walk into my office this morning is grab a cup of coffee and press play on whatever gem you’ve dug up for us.

Hugely grateful for this, Rich!

Comment by I'm New Here Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:08 am
When I was at the UofI, it was customary to request “White Rabbit”

In recognition of the upcoming election, how about “Burning Down the House” by Talking Heads?

Comment by Steve Reick Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:15 am
Your morning music posts are a great way to start the day…I’m thinking “Let It Be Me” for Quinn, and “My Way” for Rauner, lots of great renditions for both songs!

Comment by huggybunny Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:20 am
The music takes up a big portion of your morning because you enjoy it — and obviously I do too!

Comment by IBE Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:55 am
I actually heard someone call out “Free Bird!” at a Beastie Boys concert back in the 90’s…..There is apparently no limit.

How about a little “Dear Mr. Fantasy” as we approach the backstretch?

Comment by BAC Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:05 am
What a great tune and pristine sound. Thanks for sharing it with us this morning.

“Free Bird”

Even the request to play that song is so old and cliche.
I love Skynyrd, and there are so many great tunes that the band did beside “Free Bird,” which is a classic but has been overplayed beyond death for some.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:15 am
@ Rich - (these morning music posts are taking up a huge amount of my time, by the way)

Why not take a note from Rauner and outsource it?

You’ve got gobs of CapFaxers. I imagine they’d be happy to submit suggestions. As long as they include a link to a vid or a track it should make your life easier.

It’s your jukebox so you still decide what’s worthy of going on air.

Comment by A. Nonymous Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:20 am
You can do “Freebird”. Just post this bluegrass style cover of it.

Searching for songs and then searching for cover versions of those songs can on occasion turn up something good to great. More often it’s “less than good”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbUL4zC70Wo

Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:24 am
IrishPirate, I listened to that version yesterday. It just wasn’t fresh and different enough.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:26 am
This has been so generous of you, Rich. We all really appreciate it…brings us to a more interesting place before the craziness begins.

Comment by Belle Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:40 am
Rich,

“Don’t Bring Me Down”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Sye7fnpYg

Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:47 am
Here is what I know;

I personally look forward to Rich picking the music.

It’s his musical commentary to make us smile, think, enjoy, and then get to the Post at hand.

It’s the reverse, for me, of the “Sopranos” close, with incredible music choices filling my ears as the credits roiled in the screen.

This is the overture. These great choices start the day, as the opening credits begin today’s episode.

No pressure, Rich, but I look forward to these like wondering about what song would close the “Sopranos”. They’ve been restaurant quality.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:10 am
Thanks - great tune! “I may not change the world but I’m gonna leave a scar”

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 1:19 pm
For your viewing pleasure- my favorite anti-freebird protest song-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm4rGMG4UOc

Comment by RFG Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 5:26 pm
Check out “A good one comin’ on”. Pure Party music and a lot of fun.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:05 pm