It’s been 6 months since I wrote a Name That Name post. I meant to get back to it sooner but life got in the way.
Name That Name 1.0 and 2.0 focused on women’s names. It’s the men’s turn.
This list was compiled from memory without any research whatsoever. That’s why I wound up with 3 Jack songs and one John tune. I’m not trying to jack you around or some such shit. I just dig the songs; Ya dig?
Name That Name 3.0 is in chronological order. On with the show this is it.
What better way to kick off the list than hitting the road with Ray Charles?
Matty Groves is a traditional tune that Fairport Convention took ownership of in 1969. The villain of this murder ballad is named Lord Donald. How timely is that?
We go from blood to booze with this splendid cover by Traffic. What’s not to love about Steve Winwood’s voice?
I’ve been obsessed with this song this year. It contains a brilliant string arrangement by Paul Buckmaster and sublime lyrics by Bernie Taupin. What’s my favorite Elton John song? It shall be Levon.
It’s another crime related tune with Jack Straw at the center of the wrongdoing. This Jack Straw is not to be confused with the former British foreign secretary and Labour politician of the same name.
Frank Zappa was inspired to write Andy because of some public whining by the character actor Andy Devine. He should have whined at John Ford who always gave him a gazillion kids and a harridan wife in the films they did together.
In Andy, Frank ponders this issue: “Is there anything good about you? If there is, I really want to know.”
Sir Duke is the first of two tunes named for a great American composer. In this instance, Duke Ellington. What’s not to love about a song with shout outs to Duke, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Satchmo, and Ella?
Hit it, Stevie.
One of my favorite Elvis Costello songs. It features some breathtaking piano playing by Steve Nieve. That’s the main attraction of the song.
When I was a kid, I was teased about the whole Peter Pumpkinhead thing. It didn’t bother me, neither does this epic XTC song.
Our second song about a great American composer. This time by a Canadian band with a goofy name.
What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? was inspired by a bizarre encounter between Dan Rather and some lunatic. It was not Donald Trump but it did occur in Manhattan where he used to live and is now loathed.
It’s time to stop jacking you around and conclude the dozen with a swell song by Colin Hay.
What’s an Adrastos music listicle without some lagniappe?
Our first taste of lagniappe is a live version of Matty Grove with Simon Nicol on lead vocals.
John Barleycorn’s nut brown bowl passes to Jethro Tull:
Finally, sometime Grateful Dead keyboard player Bruce Hornsby with his cover of Jack Straw: