No matter the source of our distress – be it heartbreak, romance smothering or the end of high school – music provides much-needed solace. And when times get tough enough, ballads such as those found within its vast catalog can bring tears to our eyes and provide the needed catharsis.
Few country legends can match this country legend’s performance of Trent Reznor’s defiantly emotional track “Angstfest”. His clever interpretation turned this tragedy into an American epic.
Townes Van Zandt
Van Zandt was an esteemed Texas singer-songwriter whose repertoire included traditional folk, acoustic country and gospel music. Unfortunately, his life ended suddenly due to heart arrhythmia on New Year’s Day 1997 at only 49 years of age; but his lasting impact can still be heard today via contemporary groups like Psychic TV, The Corrs and Natalie Imbruglia.
His debut album, For the Sake of the Song, introduced many to Van Zandt’s dark yet whimsical lyrics. Characters like Sad Cinderella (an alcoholic at night), Delta Momma Blues (a faithful daughter giving into prostitution), and Snow Don’t Fall (an ex-gambler who loses everything) all find solace in Van Zandt’s gentle voice and guitar picking, who capture their pain with empathy and beauty.
High, Low and In Between is slightly less focused than its predecessor but contains some great material. Fraulein (A Clapalong) stands out as an unexpectedly effective departure for a man who typically preferred acoustic guitar; and title track remains one of his finest works.
However, the rest of the album is rather dull and uninspiring compared to its counterpart, Our Mother the Mountain’s darker original in terms of mood and melody; also a string section on ‘Many A Fine Lady’ sounds too orchestrated for this type of music; nevertheless pretty ballads such as ‘Like A Summer Thursday’ and ‘Talkin’ Karate Blues’ do very well indeed.
The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las, comprised of two pairs of sisters (lead singer Mary Weiss and twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser), began performing while still high school students in a Queens band. They played talent shows, teen hops and local clubs until George “Shadow” Morton noticed them and offered them their first demo session with his song Simon Says which became their breakout hit in late 1964 as well as starting their partnership with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s Red Bird Records.
This song is an elegant rendition of an age-old tale: unrequited love lost forever. Sung by two girls singing it with all the sadness associated with such songs, its haunting vocal hook and muted Booker T organ make this track both sad and instructive at once.
After the success of Remember (Walking in the Sand), The Shangri-Las were quickly booked for personal appearances and began leaving high school to focus on their music career. Mary, her twins, and Betty Weiss signed with Red Bird Records when they were still just 15-16. Betty briefly left during that year to have her baby, returning later that summer when it was time for Betty Weiss’s turn as group member.
After taking a brief hiatus, the girls returned to the studio and recorded demos for Sire records before performing at CBGB with Lenny Kaye. Unfortunately, however, this revival didn’t last for long and ultimately disbanded in 1968.
Otis Redding
Otis Redding was revered as the “King of Soul.” His philosophy was that music should unite people from diverse backgrounds regardless of race or background, which he demonstrated by hiring both a white manager and multiracial band – two steps that were unheard-of among black musicians during the ’60s.
Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia and began his musical career singing with his Baptist church choir. At 15 he left school to support his family and began touring as vocalist with Johnny Jenkins’ Pinetoppers band – popular on southern college music circuits. Through Jenkins he was brought to Memphis’ Stax studios for recording sessions where they recorded “These Arms of Mine”, a hit that eventually led him signing a recording contract with Stax records.
Stax was built around the belief that everyone deserves equal opportunities, and no one more exemplified this democratic ideal than Redding. He came into the studio lugging someone else’s gear and left with a contract in hand.
Redding was a beloved personality who left an indelible mark on many lives. Aside from his legendary musical legacy, Redding left behind an enduring legacy through his wife Zelma as family matriarch who oversees daily requests to use Redding songs in commercials, music sampling, and the Otis Redding Foundation; his sons Dexter and Otis III remain active musicians who tour internationally.
Basildon
Basildon is an Essex town that is proud of its rich history of innovation and entrepreneurialism. From large employers such as Ford, Case New Holland, Costa Coffee Roastery to successful start-ups and small businesses (9 out of 10 of which employ less than 9 people), the people of Basildon take great pride in calling it home.
This borough offers excellent transport links, beautiful countryside and international air access. Additionally, its economy is expanding and boasts its own business park. Heiligenhaus in Germany and Meaux in France have both twinned with it while Gweru is their sister city relationship partner.
Lewis Silkin, Minister for Town and Country Planning in 1948, predicted that Basildon would become “an attractive destination for visitors from everywhere”. Yet today it’s difficult to discern why all this excitement was necessary.
However, there are plenty of sad songs from the ’80s that can bring back those feelings from when you were a child. From Britney Spears and Spice Girls songs to solo performers like Rick Springfield or Brian Wilson’s rendition of “La Bamba,” you are bound to find something that triggers fond memories of your lost innocence.
Gloucester Park dominates the centre of Basildon and other parks and recreation grounds include Kent View Recreation Ground in Vange, Northlands Park, Mopsies Park and Howard Jubilee Park. Furthermore, numerous football, cricket and rugby pitches can be found within its boundaries, along with improvements made across its many sports pitches. A new Sporting Village expected in 2010 will make Basildon the center for sporting activity for southern Essex as it improves pitches throughout its boundaries.
The Pointer Sisters
Pointer Sisters may have faded in popularity with disco and funk’s decline, yet their ability to combine diverse genres into an enjoyable whole remains unparalleled. While known for their retro look and ability to cover classic songs with ease, they were adept at using different forms such as jazz, electronic music, bebop boogie-woogie blues soul funk country in their performances as well.
The sisters were always open to new sounds and approaches. On their 1975 album Steppin’ they covered Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire,” an unlikely choice given their traditional R&B sound derived from gospel influences, yet somehow fitting perfectly within their repertoire. “Why not?” became the motto for many musical adventures they experienced as well.
In 1976, June and Bonnie made an impressive performance of “You Gotta Believe”, an uptempo gospel-funk standard popular at that time, in Richard Pryor’s film Car Wash. Their rendition inspired modern gospel girl group sound; that year also marked the release of their last album as part of four-member group; June eventually disbanded to launch solo careers; in 1983 they released “Having a Party”, signaling its end as well.
The Pointer Sisters’ last Planet Records single was 1985’s “Dare Me.” Contrasting with their earlier albums which focused mostly on jazz and bebop-oriented material, “Dare Me” reached both pop and country charts simultaneously; furthermore, its dance-pop video became a trend setter used frequently during Jane Fonda workout routines and featured films. They released another RCA Records release called Contact which reached top 10 but was less successful; Bonnie continued scoring hits and joined her sisters for their 1995 Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame presentation and 1996 concert performances of “Jump (For My Love).