According to the Bible, God created Light right after heaven and earth. Man needed much more time, but he also managed to create his own, artificial light, turning night into day. Whether natural, electric, or supernatural, the light fell broad on songs as well.1. Shine A Light – The Rolling Stones
(Mick Jagger-Keith Richards)
A song that was brought to life in 1968, when Mick Jagger wanted to express his feelings about the continuous descent of his friend Brian Jones' life. It was initially entitled Get A Line On You but after Jones' death, with slightly altered lyrics and a new title, it was recorded by Jagger, along with Mick Taylor (guitar, bass), Jimmy Miller (drums), Billy Preston (piano, organ, responsible for the gospel sound of the song) and a mini female choire and was included in the great double album of the Stones, Exile On Main Street (1972). Magical, even nowadays...
2. Blinded By The Light – Bruce Springsteen
(Bruce Springsteen)
The first song from his first album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. in 1973, but also the very first single of the Boss' career. At first it didn't do well at the charts, but it became a great success in 1977 from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. A beautiful song that revealed Springsteen's talent back then, but it sure did not forerun for the greatness to come...
3. Long As I Can See The Light – Creedence Clearwater Revival
(John Fogerty)
The track that closes the album Cosmo’s Factory (1970) by the CCR is an exceptional token of this great band's potential. A beautiful electric piano and saxophone and a masterly performance by Fogerty. It can be heard at the finale of the film State Of Play (2009) by Kevin Macdonald.
4. Heading For The Light – Traveling Wilburys
(George Harrison-Jeff Lynne-Roy Orbison-Tom Petty-Bov Dylan)
A song by George Harrison from Traveling Wilburys Vol.1, the first of the two albums released by this real supergroup. With the characteristic sound of guitars by the ex-beatle and the recognisable "touch" of Jeff Lynne in the sound and the production, it comprises one of the reasons for the unexpected success of this gang at the end of the 1980's.
5. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
(Johnny Marr-Morrissey)
Here we have one of the most beloved songs by the British from Manchester, from their best album, according to many, The Queen Is Dead (1986). Melancholic, nostalgic and nervous lyrics, guitars and keys at the band's familiar style and Morrissey always "gloomy" singing: “To die by your side/ Well, the pleasure – the privilege is mine”.
6. Light From Your Lighthouse – The Fireman(Paul McCartney)
A little country, a little gospel, multiple vocals recordings and uplifting mood characterize this uplifting song from Electric Arguments (2008), the third album by the duet The Fireman, comprising by Paul McCartney and Youth.
7. White Light – Starsailor
(Ben Byrne-James Stelfox-James Walsh-Barry Westhead)
One of the dramatic songs easily written by the gang of Joe Walsh. Alterations between sober and noisy parts, a lot of electricity and pervasive melancholy hold the rein here. From On The Outside in 2005.
8. Temple Of Everlasting Light – Kula Shaker
(Crispian Mills-Alonza Bevan)
Crispian Mills and his gang meant, somewhere around 1996, to transform London to... New Delchi. With their super-successful debut album, K, they brought eastern philosophy back in fashion, along with the sounds the Beatles had initially introduced to western mass culture, 30 years before. This exceptional moment comes from that album.
9. Seen The Light – Supergrass
(Gaz Coombes-Rob Coombes-Danny Goffey-Mick Quinn)
Here is one of the most underestimated bands of the last 20 years. Despite their undoubted abilities and their always interesting and fresh musical view, they never managed to reach the sales of other, less talented colleagues of theirs. Take for example this exceptional pop song from their fourth album, Life On Other Planets (2002). Do you know of many who would be bale to create something like that?
10. What Light – Wilco
(Jeff Tweedy)
We close with one of my most beloved bands and a song from the magnificent Sky Blue Sky (2007), their sixth album in a row, for which they have chosen smoother forms and sounds. Enjoy them and remember our appointment, next Friday.
* Photos from http://www.slackerastronomy.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/slide.png και www.wikipedia.org.
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