Tuesday Tunes 93: Run

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Those of you who might be familiar with my posting schedule, if such it can be called, may have noticed that I didn’t offer up my usual second post last weekend. Apologies if I have wrecked your life, but the reason for this was twofold: firstly, I was unwell for three days and secondly, coupled with the terrible news from Ukraine, that all left me feeling that I just didn’t want to do it. I had been thinking of giving you a Saturday Smiles post but somehow it just didn’t seem right: the funnies will still be there for another occasion. But Tuesday is here again and I want to keep this series going: we all need some music to brighten our lives at present, I think. My theme for this week is: Run. I’ll leave you to work out what prompted it.

This seems as good a place as any to begin, and the song is accompanied by some great pictures from Jackson Browne’s 1977 tour, with 3-D effects:

Running On Empty was the opening and title track of Jackson Browne’s fifth album, released in December 1977. It was recorded during August and September of that year, either live on stage or in tour-related locations such as hotel rooms. The video is a montage of the album in creation, and gives a great photographic record of the enjoyment the band had in making it. It reached #3 in the US and #8 in Australia, but didn’t chart in the UK. This feels slightly odd to me, as it has been awarded a gold disc here but Jackson’s previous album, The Pretender, did make our chart, reaching #26, but only has a silver disc. This one must have been a slow burner of a seller!

That is one of the five tracks of this week’s selection of eight that I think might be familiar to you. This next tune is one of the three on which I’d take bets that you don’t know them:

This is the opening track on a 2011 album by Dax, entitled Beating Hearts And False Alarms. I came across the album in the days when I made much use of a site called Noisetrade, on which artists could offer for free tasters of their music. These could be singles, EPs or, as in this case, full albums, and were sorted by the site as being ‘for fans of…’. I don’t recall who they thought Dax was like, but I downloaded the album and have never regretted it – it is very good, and this track has been a favourite of mine since then. Dax – whose full name is Dax Penick – is a difficult guy to pin down. In my Apple Music library I also have an album by him from 2003 and an EP from 2010, but these were downloaded from Noisetrade and don’t appear to be available now. He has, however, been releasing new music since 2017 under the name Of Jagged Risings and this song is included on an EP from 2020 called Crooks. It’s almost as though he doesn’t want people to hear his music, isn’t it! Whatever he is doing, it seems to be working: I’ve found a website that gives his net worth as being $20m. Noisetrade, by the way, has been taken over by Paste magazine, which is continuing the Noisetrade role in offering free music via their website, if you’re interested.

After that trip into the ‘unknown but very good’ here’s one from the ‘well-known but very good’:

Run To You is a track from Bryan Adams’ fourth album, Reckless, released in November 1984. This is the one that gave him his big breakthrough, getting to #1 in both the US and his Canadian homeland, and #7 in the UK. This song was released in October 1984 as the lead single for the album, and did its job well, reaching #6 in the US, #11 in the UK and #4 in Canada. The album is fantastic, and includes songs like Heaven, Somebody, Summer Of ’69, and the brilliant duet with Tina Turner, It’s Only Love. Highly recommended.

Another of the ones I doubt you know is next. This is from one of the bands who prove that, although it might be a surprise to American readers, we have a thriving country music scene here:

As you can see from the video, this was a track on The Wandering Hearts’ debut album, Wild Silence, which was released in 2018 and got to #1 in the UK Americana chart. The band is now a three-piece, comprising A.J. Dean, Tara Wilcox and Francesca ‘Chess’ Whiffin, and they released an eponymous second album in 2021. They have appeared several times at the big UK C2C event, and have played at both the Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry, having been invited there by Marty Stuart. I rather like their lovely harmonies, and I’ve read that, once conditions allow, they will be returning to the US to tour there: I hope it goes well for them, as I think they deserve a wider audience.

This next one is also an audio-only version, but I think you may know this lot:

Run For Your Life was the closing track on The Beatles’ sixth album Rubber Soul, which was released in December 1965 and reached #1 in the US, UK, Canada, Germany and Australia. This was another of those albums which was buggered around by the record company: North America only got twelve tracks on it, the rest of the world were given fourteen. Your loss, guys! Like almost all of the songs on the album it wasn’t released as a single: those were the days when singles and albums were largely kept apart.

My next choice is one of those that simply had to be included. Not only is it a superb song, but while you watch the video think about runaway children who have been lost to their families. Many have been found as a result of this video and the publicity it generated, but sadly many others are still missing, as you can see from the comments if you watch it on YouTube:

In view of what I said earlier about Ukraine, this is a heartbreaking watch: it makes me so grateful for my family. This was the third track on Soul Asylum’s sixth album, Grave Dancers Union, which was released in October 1992 and became their first album to make the charts anywhere, ultimately peaking at #11 in the US and #27 in the UK. Runaway Train was released in June 1993 as the third single from the album, and was the main driver for the album’s success, getting to #5 in the US, #1 in Canada, and #7 in the UK, as well as making the top ten in many other countries. I used to play the album a lot during my long commute around the North Circular Road in London, and still bring it out occasionally now: this song is too good to ignore!

For today’s penultimate tune I’m giving you the third of the three that I said you might not know. This is another great song with a superb video, filmed at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science:

Thunder And Rain are an ‘Americana’ band from Golden, Colorado. They have released three albums to date, and this song featured on the third of those – 2020’s Passing In The Night – though that was listed as an alternative version: this one is the original. Run With You was first released as a single in 2016 but, as the band isn’t widely known, they don’t have a Wikipedia page and information about them is a little hard to come by, so I can’t tell you how well it has done. The driving force behind them is their vocalist, Erinn Peet Lukes, who has been forging her own path since the pandemic began and getting the band tother proved too difficult. I follow them on Facebook, though, and there are signs that they may be getting back together. I hope they do, as their music is a delight, and they have one of the best covers of Sweet Child Of Mine under their belt. For a time this disappeared from YouTube, after gathering loads of views, but someone reposted it a few years back. It’s well worth a look, and you’ll find it here – G’n’R go bluegrass, and before anyone tells me that Walk Off The Earth did a bluegrass version of the song, I can only say that Thunder And Rain did it first and, in my opinion, much better!

I’ve played today’s final song before, but I love this guy’s music and this video is brilliant:

Running Down A Dream was a track on what was officially Tom Petty’s first solo album, Full Moon Fever, which was released in April 1989. The members of The Heartbreakers played on the album, though, as did Jeff Lynne, George Harrison and Roy Orbison from The Traveling Wilburys. The album reached #3 in the US and #8 in the UK, and has sold more than 6m copies. This song was released in July 1989 as the second single from the album, peaking at #23 in the US and #55 in the UK. It’s a great album, and it includes the song I Won’t Back Down, which has become an iconic signature tune for the Florida Gators college handegg (sorry, football) team since Tom’s passing. Again, highly recommended.

That’s all for this week. I’ll return in a few days with my regular monthly review, which will be a short one, as it was a quiet month. Until then I’m keeping everything crossed for the safety of the people of Ukraine, and hoping that all those morons who told us that a vote for Brexit was ‘taking our country back’ will now realise what those words really mean. Take care 🤞

57 thoughts on “Tuesday Tunes 93: Run”

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  3. Clive! Dax here. I was thinking about an old show in Nashville, googling the date with my daughter and just happened to find your article. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least! It’s a long story but as you noticed most of my music was rebranded in 2017 as Of Jagged Risings… there are still a few songs that need to be released though… It definitely wasn’t my intention to be elusive though that has definitely been the case these past few years… Funny enough 2022 was the year I decided to let my website go ha ha Thanks again for listening and taking the time to write about me! Very much appreciated.

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    • Wow, Dax, this is a first! I’ve never had the artist comment on one of my posts before! I’m really glad that you found this – good to know that Google picks up my stuff. I have all of your rebranded songs in my Apple Music library and hope that you continue on that path – it would be good to hear new music from you. But why drop the website? Are you planning a new one? I really think your music deserves a wider audience and should be promoted, other than by someone with a relatively small blog! If you scroll down the comments on this post you will see that others enjoyed your song too. I know you have a WordPress login, as you could comment on this, and I’m grateful for your follow – I tried to return the compliment but there didn’t seem to be anything there. Mr Elusive strikes again! I hope that life is good for you – take care 😊

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  5. Hi Clive!
    That thunder and rain band was awesome and you sure have a knack for finding good music
    And side note – I used to rollerblade in golden Colorado – it was 15 minutes from my forms and I had to escape the religious zealots at my Christian college! It was one (of many) disappointments with the Christian community and realizing how varied and sometimes crazy some of them can be – or just off – just kind of weird or legalistic and militant! Anyhow – escaping to golden gave me a chance to exercise and enjoy the small town vibe – they have an old country store that was fun to visit too – and of course the coors brewery – also – golden was almost the capital of CO and they mention that a few places! Years later my hubs and I dined at Table Mountain Inn as a favorite date night place – and so seeing a band from GOLDEN was super cool today – and the song was beautiful with fast lyrics and smooth melody!
    —
    The running on empty is a radio song that did bring me back to childhood
    So interesting that it didn’t chart but had the other good success!
    —
    The earworm today is Petty and runnin down a dream!
    Great jam and I also have seen the video before (I am not one to have seen a lot of videos but that one I happen to know and like)
    —
    And the song that I love with “run” in it is rep’s “take it on the run”

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    • Glad you enjoyed them Yvette, and that I managed to bring back some lovely memories for you. Thunder And Rain are great and I hope they do get together again. Erinn is good as a solo act but the band vibe is what I like most about them.

      Good that you knew some of the others too – I thought they might be well-known, especially in the US.

      You mean REO Speedwagon? Love the song, but when you consider that I left out Born To Run you can see the competition it was up against!

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      • wow – Born to Run is good one too.
        and it is so interesting when bands break up and then get back – and then maybe do projects – like you noted that the Petty song was on his first solo album but some of the heartbreakers played on it (something like that)
        and I prefer theban vibe too – I have not heard Erinn’s solo work – but bands do add something –
        oh – and this is a side note –
        was visiting my mother in February (down in fl) and one of our many trips to the local small store – I saw a cover with Led Zeppelin on it – and grabbed a couple pics to show ya! It was right around the time when you and I chatted a little about Led Zeppelin and then boom = there they were on the newsstand – and in one of the images you could see the magazine called Cream – now that was a mega flashback

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      • There are so many – it’s clearly a popular word for song titles! Given what I was suffering from I considered playing Keep On Running but thought that might have been a bit much 😉

        We had a version of Cream here too but I never read it – I went for the weeklies, the best of which was Sounds. Some great memories of Led Zep for you – a great band, and I got to see them play live 😊

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      • hahah – to the keep on running –
        and that is like serious bragging rights to see such a legend of band live –
        I will be sure to link your blog when I get around to posting about Led Zeppelin. I have the pics and now just need to wait for the mood.
        –
        and by the way – I just finished my “story” for Marsha’s story chat and added in some tunes – I don’t really do that with short stories – but had an idea – not sure if she will have me cut the story – but I did think of you (DJ Clive) when I realized I added in the songs – hmmmm
        I will let you know when it goes live and maybe you can check it out
        —

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      • Sorry, only just fo7nd this!

        They did a tour in 1971 of UK universities as a warm up before a major tour of Europe and the States. I saw them at Uni of Kent, in Canterbury. We all sat on the floor and I was a couple of rows back from Robert Plant. Stairway to Heaven was introduced as ‘here’s one off our new album!’

        Looking forward to both of those posts – as I do for all yours 😊

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      • Wow – being so close to Robert plant is a another special thing – dang!
        And I hope I don’t forget my post ideas – lol – because for about two years now I have been wanting to do a Pink Floyd one – yikes
        Anyhow – hope your well is off to a nice start / ☀️

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      • It wasn’t a high stage, either. If I’d been a girl I might have been tempted to touch him 😂

        Just look back at these comments if you forget your post ideas, they’ll be there as a reminder. The week is going tolerably well, so far: my football team are playing at this very moment, and leading 5-0 with about 15 minutes to go! Hope yours is good too 😊

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      • That game sounds awesome to be watching! And I love when we get to chat live via blog! Woo hoo
        I will come back to this post for a reminder when needed – and day has been pleasant for me –
        Still
        Finishing up weekend house projects – like taking down stuff we set up during pandemic – including a big “ol shelf that never worked like I thought it would – feels good to have that removed
        Off to yoga in a bit!
        Have a great rest of your day and see you tomorrow for some tunage 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

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      • It doesn’t happen often! I always enjoy live chats too, not always possible with American readers due to time difference. 9.45pm here so I guess your evening is just starting?

        Sounds like you’re having a productive day, and yoga will be good, I’m sure. Have a great evening. Tomorrow’s post is ready for a final edit in the morning 😊🎶

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  7. Hi Clive, Hope you’re doing better and listened to the Dr and do as the pic stated. Love it. @Esmesalon #SeniorSalonPitStop

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  8. “Apologies if I have wrecked your life, but the reason for this was twofold: firstly, I was unwell for three days and secondly, coupled with the terrible news from Ukraine, that all left me feeling that I just didn’t want to do it. ”

    I’m feeling you Clive. Hope you’re feeling better.. there are no words right now. Love the songs.. take care dear! 💖💖🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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  9. Thanks so much for a great selection of familiar and unfamiliar. It’s always nice to get reminders of old favorites I haven’t listened to for a while as well as meet new bands/performers. I don’t know. Your prediction was right on the money. I didn’t know any of the three, but I liked them all. Run and Hide by Dax is precisely the kind of sound I love. A big thank you for bringing us that as well as three songs I love from Bryan Adams, Jackson Browne, and Tom Petty. I’ve also appreciated the Soul Asylum video as well. Surprisingly, my least favorite tune this week is from The Beatles.

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  10. Hi Clive. Thanks for some nice tunes and I’m glad you ‘ran’ it. Events in Ukraine have affected many people’s mojos I think. So you’re not on your own and I understand when you say it feels a bit wrong to show any cheer or humour. But, re the tracks.
    Jackson Browne – never heard that one.
    Dax – I enjoyed that one but never heard of them. (I’ll try Noisetrade)
    Bryan Adams – Always liked him. Great voice and great guy from all accounts
    Beatles – The harmonies are great on that track. I have the original LP but haven’t played it for years.
    Thunder and Rain – A bit too country for me but she has a great voice.
    Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever is indeed a good album.
    BFN

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    • Thanks, Paul, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t alone in feeling like that, and I was in two minds about doing this one. I’m glad I did, though, and the response has been positive.

      I’m surprised you didn’t know the Jackson Browne one – I thought that was one of his better known songs!

      Dax has some stuff on Paste – which is where you get taken if you try to find Noisetrade. They are the newer ones under his band name Of Jagged Risings. Also on Apple Music.

      Yes, I’ve heard that about Bryan Adams too. Must be the Canadian in him.

      I don’t think the Beatles ever did something I didn’t like, apart from maybe that long Revolution 9 thing on the white album.

      Erinn does have a great voice – and you need to try more country!

      That album is one of Tom Petty’s best, I think.

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  11. great way to start – one of my favorite Jackson songs.

    I like Dax’s voice – good song…

    I did not recognize the song from Bryan – but I do know Summer of 69…

    I agree, wonderful harmonies from Wandering Hearts; I wish them the best with their US tour…

    I did not know the song from the Beatles – even though the band sounds a bit familiar…

    what a sad, but powerful song from Soul Asylum…

    I did not know Thunder and Rain – but they sound terrific.

    nice closing song.

    but…

    I just assumed your final song would be “Born to be Run” – you must have had a good reason for leaving it off. it’s the song that launched his career…

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    • And mine, too.

      Dax does have a good voice and writes good songs too. Pity he’s so elusive, though – I spent more time trying to find him than on any other part of the post!

      I’m surprised you didn’t recognise the Bryan Adams one, and suspect that Summer Of ‘69 might have eclipsed it.

      The Wandering Hearts haven’t made much of a dent in the mainstream charts here, but I’m still hopeful for them. And Marty Stuart’s support might help over there.

      The Beatles one is an album track, probably not well known. I think they did alright for themselves.

      Soul Asylum produced a real rock classic with this one, and the campaign aro7nd it was pretty successful.

      I didn’t expect anyone would know Thunder And Rain, but they are very good and I hope they do get back together. Erin has announced on Facebook that they are trying to plan some gigs.

      I love the Tom Petty one and that video is great.

      As for Bruce, yes it would have been an obvious choice but I was trying not to be predictable, and he has been here a few times of late 😊

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  14. Very nice, Clive. I love Bryan Adams. I think I first learned about Tom Petty from you, I’m not sure but I think it was you. Anyhow, I enjoyed this song of his very much. I have taken the view that I can’t worry about things I can’t control or I’ll go mad so I’m just focusing on my own things and not worrying about war to the extent possible.

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  16. Clive, I am glad you “ran” with this post. Anything that starts with Jackson Brown and ends with Tom Petty has to be great. “Running on Empty” is Brown’s best effort as an album, but he had a lot of good songs over the years. Petty’s body of work stands up to many, with this effort being near the top. Keith

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    • Thanks, Keith. This one kind of fell into place, and I could have included many more. Jackson and Tom have been favourites of mine since they first released albums all those years ago in the 70s.

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      • I saw Jackson Browne at the Royal Albert Hall in London, in 2010. A fabulous evening! Sadly, I never got the chance to see Tom Petty, though. His passing was so sad, coming just a week after the end of what he had said would be his final tour, so that he could spend more time with his family.

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      • Clive, that Browne concert sounds terrific. We caught him the first night of a tour, so he was still working out the kinks. We did get to see Petty, with a remarkable opening act in Steve Winwood, which we were late for, darn it. We only saw Winwood sing a couple of songs. Keith

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