Jesse Winchester

One of my favorites, the greatly-underappreciated Jesse Winchester, died this past Friday. While his “Nothing But A Breeze” appears on my Top Songs list, he wrote and recorded numerous other classics as well, both while in self-imposed exile in Canada and after his return to the States. The Washington Post ran a nice obituary this morning.

I was lucky enough to get a front-row seat this past October when Winchester did a show at the Barns at Wolf Trap. All acoustic, and one of the most intimate shows I have ever seen.

#71 What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted -- Jimmy Ruffin (1966)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQywZYoGB1g

Despite neither being written by any of the usual Motown regulars nor being performed by one of the label’s biggest stars (Jimmy was always overshadowed by brother David of Temptations fame), “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” is undoubtedly one of the greatest songs to come out of the Motown hit factory. Although Ruffin’s version is still the best, the song also inspired some notable cover versions over the years. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA0GcXV2njY -- Joan Osborne, featured in the wonderful documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGxZsnm7srU -- Colin Blunstone (from the Zombies) & Dave Stewart (not from the Eurythmics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2_k-SoZnwE -- Paul Young

#72 Mama Said -- The Shirelles (1961)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L842mz-tNBQ

There were quite a few “girl groups” in the late Fifties and early Sixties, but the Shirelles were among the most successful and the best (as far as I’m concerned anyway), and they didn’t even need any help from Phil Spector. Among their many strengths was selecting great material – not only were some of their big hits (notably “Dedicated to the One I Love” and “Baby It’s You”) later successfully covered by other artists (the Mamas and Papas, and Smith, respectively), but the same is true of some tunes that few people are aware they did originally, such as “Boys” (the Beatles) and “Sha La La” (Manfred Mann).

I’ve always had a weakness for songs that say something about life, and “Mama Said” (there’d be days like this) certainly qualifies. Of course, so does “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”.   ;-)

Additional note – the B-side of the single is the classic “Blue Holiday”, which will undoubtedly make it onto my as-yet-uncompiled list of Favorite Christmas Songs.

Updated 5/15/2014 -- According to CSN's story on the Orioles' 9-3 loss to Kansas City on April 27th, Adam Jones found a little solace after dropping a fly ball for a three-base error on the first batter of the game:
“The elements are the elements. Missed it,” Jones said. The song [says], ‘Mama says there’ll be days like this.’ Sometimes you get them, you know what I mean?”