The Sunday Dozen: Weather Songs

Tomorrow is June 1st, the first day of hurricane season. We have a below average forecast this year but it only takes one. On that day, I always think of my late friend Michael Homan. June 1st was his wedding anniversary, so for many years, he and his wonderful wife Therese hosted a swell anniversary/hurricane season shebang. I miss it and him. It was the best way imaginable to kick off an ominous season and celebrate a friend’s nuptials. Happy anniversary, T.

The arrival of hurricane season isn’t the only inspiration for this weather songs post. Last week, Cassandra posted one of her marvelous series Musical Interlude: Rain. Last year, I posted a Rain Songs Dozen.

Shorter Adrastos: We’re all wet at First Draft.

The Weather Songs Dozen is one of my literal listicles: Every song title contains the word weather. The songs are a diverse group thematically and stylistically. As usual, they’re arranged in chronological order based on the recording date and I’ve selected my personal favorite version, which is only occasionally the OG. That’s not very original of me but what can ya do?

We begin by setting the Wayback Machine to 1930 with an instrumental by the man after whom New Orleans International Airport was renamed in 2001. Hit it, Louis.

According to the good people at SecondHandSongs there are over 500 versions of Stormy Weather. This one comes from the 1961 album; Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Songbook.

Poco was one of the OG country rock bands. Contemporary observers thought they’d make it big. Instead, The Eagles stole their thunder as well as bass players Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmitt. It’s unknown if that made frontman Richie Furay furious, but how can I pass up a chance at alliteration?

The next track qualifies as hippie prog rock. The Dead rarely performed the entire piece but frequently played the final movement, Let It Grow.

This post-Diana Ross Supremes song was produced and co-written by Stevie Wonder who was hotter than July in 1973. The song’s lyrics are about a relationship breakup but it’s hard not to read it as being about the diva’s departure from the group.

Jethro Tull front man Ian Anderson moved to the country in the mid-Seventies, then commenced writing songs of a rural ilk. This is one of them. FYI, weathercock is what the Brits call a weathervane.

Let’s get in some double trouble with Texas guitar titan, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

John Fogerty. Say no more.

The forecast calls for a Natalie Merchant lead vocal:

Weather With You was the biggest hit on Woodface, the only album the Crowdies recorded with Tim Finn as a member. It was a minor hit in the US but a monster hit in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia.

An unseasonable song from Maria Muldaur and special guest Dan Hicks without the Hot Licks.

Finally, a swell song from Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall who first appeared on First Draft last Friday.

That concludes the Weather Songs Dozen proper. Let’s get improper with some lagniappe featuring hurricane songs from Levon Helm, Carlene Carter, John Hiatt, Neil Young, and Roxy Music.

That’s it for now. Have a safe and dry hurricane season, y’all. If one strikes, whatever you do, don’t take the weather with you if you evacuate.