Sunday, March 22, 2015

Foreverly- Billy Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones


Billy Joe Armstrong is the lead singer for the rock band, Green Day.  Do you remember the song "American Idiot"?  Norah Jones is ...well, what is she not? She is a fantastic singer/songwriter AND musician!   The fact that they got together in 2013 and made an album is surprising but I was pleased to find that they did so!

The album, "Foreverly", is a re -interpretation of an album from The Everly Brothers that was released in 1958 entitled "Songs Our Father Taught Us".  They are old songs from their childhood that they sang simply for the harmonies, they didn't really pay that much attention to the lyrics.  While they are some of the saddest songs that you will ever hear, they are sung with such gentle voices and genuine respect that they are very meaningful to me.   I found a very good interview about this from the New York Times, you may read it just here.  An unlikely duo...that is what it calls them.  Perhaps so, but I love it when the love of music brings people together!

And don't you just love The Everly Brothers?   I love how their voices blended together in their songs.  (Phil Everly died in January 2014.)  Billy Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones must feel the same, the songs that they have given us in this album reminds me very much of The Everly Brothers.  The song "Long Time Gone" is the single that they released from the album.  The lyrics are here too, so you can sing along.  Enjoy!
Stonehenge it is NOT but folks try their best!  Arabia Mountain, March 2015.

27 comments:

  1. I love a good hurtin'/revenge fantasy song! I've made note of this CD on my "to buy next" list -- thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy to pass this info along. Sorry I just found out about it! I am usually about two years behind, sometimes more.

      Delete
  2. I did love the Everly Brothers singing. Haven't listened to any of their tunes recently but maybe I should. I love your header picture. Do you have those blooming now? It'll be awhile before anything is blooming here, but there are buds every where.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay for the harmonies of The Everly Brothers!
      And yes, our cherry trees are blooming now in Rockdale County. They were a gift from the president of the Japanese company, Maxell, from about 30 years ago and people in this county have planted them all over the county ever since! They are in bloom now and they are gorgeous!

      Delete
  3. Good harmony is always hard to resist. It sounds like a great album.

    Things are obviously bloomin' down in Georgia - lucky you! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't worry, your Spring won't be far behind and won't you welcome it with open arms!
      Spring is blooming here and it is very welcome to us too.

      Delete
  4. My youngest son came to one day with an exciting discovery. He had found music by these two guys who sounded like one person. He was absolutely sure I would like them. He said they were called the Everly Brothers. Of course he was shocked to learn that not only did I know and love their music but they were popular in the 1950's. The Everly Brothers are one of two groups that never recorded a bad song.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that story that he was shocked to learn that you loved them too! HA!
      Now, I am curious, what other group would you say never recorded a bad song?

      Delete
  5. It's been a long time since i heard this style of music, and now i wonder why i stopped listening to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's like listening to Bill Kenney, you just don't hear voices like that anymore. Wish I owned a radio station, you would hear all kinds of music!

      Delete
  6. You were always good at finding the harmony in the seeming cacophony of life... thanks for passing that skill on to me! Love you mom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Son! So happy to see your sweet comment here.
      Searching for harmony....sounds like someone could work that into a song!
      Hint, hint...
      Love you too! xx

      Delete
  7. I don't know Billy Joe Armstrong but am a huge Norah Jones fan. I'd love to hear her doing some Everly Brothers. Will keep an eye out for that CD, it should make good company when I have a long way to travel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Billy Joe Armstrong has a really great voice. The fact that he made this album with Norah Jones shows that he must have great intelligence too!
      I think Norah Jones is great too! The album is very different from anything else you might have heard, but their voices...wow, the blend is just incredible!

      Delete
  8. Very informative, keep posting such good articles, it really helps to know about things.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A wonderful blending of voices. (As it was with the Everly Bros, too). Smooth velvet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, just like velvet! That describes the sound perfectly! Thank you.

      Delete
  10. Good tunes! Loved it! I enjoyed the Everly Bros. back in the day and it's nice to know good music just gets better with time. I had to do some back reading on your blog to catch up..I missed a few posts and I'm really excited about red nose day! I hope to get the surgery dept. involved in that project! Have a good week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey! I was going to do a post about Red Nose Day closer to the time and I was going to mention that the workplaces get on board and I could just SEE your surgery dept. doing so!! How about that, I am a bit of a "seer" of the future, so you have to let me know if your co-workers will play along!
      x

      Delete
  11. They make a fine duo. The Everly brothers were great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't you love that they did this album? They did it with a genuine love and respect for The Everly Brothers and that comes shining through for me.

      Delete
  12. Oh - I like that. And I like the two of them separately; American Idiot was a fine album.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are both great singers. And I do agree with you, American Idiot was a brilliant piece of work.

      Delete
  13. I had no idea about this CD. As a lover of Nora Jones (as a singer!) and the Everly Brothers I shall investigate it forthwith.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have now listened to it and I'm so glad that you introduced me to it. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Graham! I am tickled to have told you about this! You have made my day. Thank YOU! :-)

      Delete