California Playlist
1) California Girls — The Beach Boys: At one time the Institute was located in California and there is a lot to be said for an amazingly complex state. That said, it has its downside and the Institute decamped to the East Coast where — if nothing else — the ground is a bit more stable.
To be sure, California has served as metaphor and aviator for colonization, expansionism, imperialism, gold rushing, ranching, oil exploration and produce. Then after the turn of the century (1800 to 1900's), California became a muse for the arts. First film, then TV and finally Beat Poetry and literature .
This brings us from the 1500's to the 1950's in about two sentences and on to the doorstep of a certain post war suburban home in Hawthorne California where three brothers, a cousin and a family friend were working up vocal arrangements. To paraphrase: if not them, who, if not then, when.
The stars were aligned to celebrate the youthful promise of post war America’s baby boom and said babies were entering their teen years within an ascendant America still free of the doubts of Vietnam, Watergate and the first oil embargo. And what better way to celebrate youthful good cheer then a global travelogue that ends in sunny California with the cutest girls in the world? Better put on some shades to listen to this one.
2) California Sun — The Rivieras: Leave the shades on, this is literally and figuratively a sunny song even though the vocals are a bit subdued. The bright organ makes this a memorable early Sixties Surf Rock confection that would inspire groups like The New York Dolls and The Ramones. The later group would cut a Punk Rock version but the original remains golden.
3) California Dreamin’ — The Mamas and The Papas: More like a page from John Phillips’ road diary then a conscious exercise in song writing. At least that is what John Phillips would have you believe regarding this song.
On an East Coast winter’s day, the infamous singer/songwriter realized just how much he missed his adopted California. The rest is Pop Rock musical history. A gorgeous vocal hit.
4) California — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: First off, let us note that this native son of Florida has made several spot on references to the Golden State throughout his long career (He is now a long term resident of Malibu). So here we have a full on tribute as opposed to a reference. That said, let us now note how odd a career this Hall of Fame artist has had. This fantastic song is just one of several that appears on a stellar album labeled as a soundtrack to a, relatively speaking, obscure film called She’s The One.
Bruce Springsteen writes a single dour song for a movie and wins an Oscar. Tom writes an entire album of great tunes and the whole thing is, more or less, forgotten. Such are the vagaries of critical and commercial taste. Tom Petty continues to release memorable work but his recognition is a notch below superstardom. I guess he will just have to content himself with millions of dollars and fans but no Oscar.
5) California Stars — Wilco: Still in the prime of his life, Woody Guthrie was confined, more or less, to his home by a debilitating battle with Huntington’s Disease which eventually took his life at 55. Beyond dispute, he was one of America’s greatest songwriters. The musical equivalent of Mark Twain despite his relatively short career. Except that he left behind notebooks full of unrecorded song ideas. The Guthrie family — after almost two decades of hesitation — allowed British folkie Billy Bragg to take a crack at setting the lyrics to music. In turn, he brought Wilco onto the project. The result is a monumental tribute to the man, his music and, in this particular case, the things that inspired him about America (To be clear, he was also a critic of social injustice). And what could be more inspiring then a blanket of stars in a night sky above, say, the Yosemite valley. You get the picture I hope!
6) California Okie — Commander Cody: And how did people like Woody Guthrie end up in California? The answer is the Dust Bowl migration of the late 1920’s and 1930’s and this is song about those dislocated souls.
7) California Country Boy — Cracker: There are many California’s: Northern and Southern Coastal California which is generally what we think of and then there is the Central Valley. This is also known as America’s salad bowl and it is where so many Midwesterners relocated in the 1920’s and 1930’s. This tune celebrates the succeeding generations of those migrants.
8) California Riots — Jamey Johnson: California is home to many modern transients or migrants. They come to work or study but long to return to their point of origin. To be sure there are many who take the opposite prospective. No matter how long they live away from California, the Golden State is still considered home… This song is about the former.
9) Californication — Red Hot Chili Peppers: These boys are so rooted in their Southern California vibe it is a wonder it took them several albums to come up with this one. Then again, they had to work out of their youthful angst. This song marks a more serious turn in their artistry and it is thoughtful and consequently downbeat.
10) California Kid — Beat Farmers: One of the stranger bands to come out of the early Eighties LA music scene. What is not strange or unique is the Country music influence. California is awash in great Country music and influence and, in fact, has its own Country sub-genre: Bakersfield. This, no doubt, can be attributed to the great Dust Bowl migration. But enough history, check out this oddball Country tune.
11) California Man — Cheap Trick: Rollicking number from the Tricksters. There always was a California Power Pop gloss to their best early stuff. That said, take a guess at where they were from if you didn’t already know this…Illinois…
12) California Love — Tu Pac: A personal favorite and just a great fun tune. Of special note is the “full to the brim” production values and the just to this side of the pop mainstream divide. This, of course, highlights his tragic murder and what could have been. Music should not be deadly, not even the music business. Setting the sadness aside, this is a great closer in that Tu PAC name checks most of the state in the fadeout. Till next time…enjoy!!!
