Fifteen inches of snow, and a song about Billy Martin brought me back to a theme I haven't visited in a long time... way way back in Edition no. 49 was Baseball Songs volume one. It was a great Dave's Dozen of favorite Baseball songs, but wait there are more! Plus I imported one just today that I didn't own back in 2015 when it was released. More on that later, but now let's sneak peak of the covers within the list.
Ok, some of you know the 2015 album I just bought... guesses?
Welll it's not the first song, which this list will follow traditions of the volume one. Chuck Brodsky and John McCutheon have multiple songs and albums out on the theme, but only two songs from each seemed fair last time, so we'll follow that requirement.
1) Sermon on the Mound - John McCutcheon
Well the first song is neither in Bandcamp or YouTube so I needed to add this video for you to hear the song.
2) My Favorite Spring - Tom Paxton
Hey when you can find your folk icon hero on Bandcamp, you share it, and jeez guys two strikes on finding the songs in YouTube.
Yep I fixed the YouTube, because this song deserves to be heard.
3) Centerfield - John Fogerty
Ok a classic that didn't make Volume one... this one is for sure in YouTube with great old photos.
4) A Safe Green Place - Beth Wood
Of course I had no idea that when I got to a song that was obtained in Patreon, that it would be the third I needed to share. I did reach out to Beth and ask for permission to share this since it was a Patreon Exclusive back in Jan 2023. Yes, she is a great follow consider supporting her efforts. Here is most of her post:
I am reflecting on our almost three years together here on Patreon, and I am in awe and wonder at how you have stood by me and cheered me on! I love making things for you, and I'm excited to keep doing more of that in the new year. You push me to stay consistent in my creative practice, and you feed me both literally and figuratively! I hope my humble offerings are food for your spirit in return.
I have a new song for you! I know I say this every time, but this was a really fun one! It was fun for a few reasons...Firstly, it is what I call a postcard song -- just a little snapshot of someone in an intimate moment. Secondly, it's a little different than anything I've written before in that it has a rapid-fire delivery of words. It was super challenging and new to write this way and I loved it!
And the most fun part is that this song was inspired by a book of poetry my dad wrote! For Christmas, dad gave our family a book of poetry about/inspired by family, kids, love, birds, baseball, and significant stories in his life. This book is an absolute treasure!! (that's my adorable nephew Keane on the cover.)
One morning over coffee, I was wondering what I would write a song about this month, and I glanced over and saw his book sitting there. I thought, "a safe green place, hmmmmm" and then started improvising. The song that came out is just a simple story, but one I had fun creating. (Don't worry, I made sure it was ok with Bob before I shared this song and his book with you, and he gave it a thumbs up!)
The title comes from the title of Bob's book, which comes from author Luke Salisbury.
Here's to safe green places and to dads who inspire!
Here's to a new year full of poetry and songs and possibility.
Here's to creativity and never-ending gratitude.
Here's to rainbows.
Yours in song,
b
this happened today...
Wow I can embed an unlisted video and save it in a playlist... this is not the third video I needed to add for this playlist.
5) The Day Billy Martin Quits - The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank
Boy did I score an unopened record at an antique shop in Kaukauna; this regional group was always on my list to see someday instead I got a record for $4. I just said, come to me precious. I find importing it that it had this great baseball song on it; and it inspired me to do this playlist.
6) The Ballad of a Ballgame - Christine Lavin
Pick me, pick me, pick me..
7) The Ballad of Eddie Klepp - Chuck Brodsky
I need to contract Chuck to pen the ballad of Dave Schipper, and he could steal the fact that a foreman in the laser shop used to sing my name to Day Tripper whenever I walked into his department. Oh and Eddie well he was the first white guy to play in the Negro league.
8) Baseball Tomorrow - Eric Douglas
I believe this came to me as a recommendation after I posted Volume One; and yes it is in YouTube for the playlist at the end. Of course in baseball isn't there another game tomorrow?
9) Baseball In Heaven - Wattle & Daub
I got this song in 2023, so just proves I'll try to find theme songs anytime.
I did a double take on the YouTube channel page name but these two are Wattle & Daub.
10) Baseball On The Block - John McCutcheon
Here we go again, John's songs tend not to be on YouTube; but this one was but not shareable in a playlist. I believe that is the stupid made for children setting and this is one of John's kids cds.
11) Letters In The Dirt - Chuck Brodsky
Chuck's infamous song about racial history of America showing up in baseball.
Here is Chuck on stage with of course John McCutcheon doing a baseball set of music, and includes a story of him meeting Richie Allen.
12) Touch Em All - Pat Donohue
Yes these lists are much more challenging to find the songs if you haven't listened to them before; this is a nod to Kirby Puckett a hero and a heck of a nice guy who played baseball for the Twins. Yes I was at the game when he hit a walk off home run in Game Six to force a Game Seven.
Yes... we have a 11 songs you can stream on YouTube right here.
Next steps:
- Stop over to the Review page to my other most spinned and loved albums.
- Browse the rest of the blogs by stopping at this "Theme Page."
If you use Facebook, we have a page "Like" us there and it will help you remember to read the next post
You could always decide to feed my music addiction and donate to the cause. If you did, I will spend it only on music and even will buy the music you recommend if you tell me to. Here's a Paypal donate button
