Five Degrees of Musical Progression

Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 by Travis Cody in
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OK, you've waited long enough for the explanation of my Five Degrees of Musical Progression for the tracks from Five on Friday Set 50.  If you missed the Set, just scroll on down to check it out.

So here it is.

Magnet and Steel, written and performed by Walter Egan - This was the melody that stuck in my mind during my commute last Thursday.  The song was inspired by Stevie Nicks, who produced it with Lindsey Buckingham. 

Landslide - The song was written by Stevie Nicks and was featured on Fleetwood Mac's tenth album, Fleetwood Mac, released in 1975.  I was already in love with Stevie's voice, but this song taught me to appreciate what an incredible songwriter she was and is.

By the Time I Get to Phoenix - Stevie Nicks is from Phoenix AZ.  This song was written by Jimmy Webb and originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965.  Probably the most recognized cover of the song is by Glen Campbell, in 1967, although it is one of the most covered songs of all time.


Tender Years - This is a stretch and you probably won't have made the same leap I did.  Jimmy Webb released an album in 1970 called Words and Music, on which he sang his own songs.  In the movie Eddie and the Cruisers, the character Eddie Wilson (played by Michael Pare) says to Frank Ridgeway (played by Tom Berenger), "Words and music man, they need each other".  The song Tender Years is featured in the movie.  It was written and recorded by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band.


Angel - Here's another leap.  John Cafferty released an album called Roadhouse in 1988.  The movie Roadhouse was released in 1989.  The song Angel is by Jeff Healey.  He and his band were featured in the film as the house band at the Double Deuce, as well as friends of Dalton (portrayed by Patrick Swayze).

Making my Set from this kind of progression was really fun.  I'm going to do this again.  For those of you who enjoy playing along with FoF, I think I'll let everyone know in advance and we can all put together our progressions for the same day.

Sound like a plan?

9 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:
    11 January, 2011 06:31

    Thanks for the explanation. I wouldn't have guessed. But I'm glad I got to come back and read about it!

  1. Akelamalu says:
    11 January, 2011 06:56

    Ah!

    Did I tell you we saw Fleetwood Mac live early last year? Stevie was F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!

  1. Charles Gramlich says:
    11 January, 2011 08:35

    I remember Roadhouse and the music quite well. I liked that movie.

  1. Travis Cody says:
    11 January, 2011 17:17

    GGG: I figured a couple of the leaps I made would be stumpers.

    Akelamalu: I've never seen the Mac, but it's definitely a ticket for which I would pay a premium.

    Charles: Me too.

  1. Akelamalu says:
    12 January, 2011 04:51

    It cost us £75 each but I'd have paid double!

  1. Vinny "Bond" Marini says:
    13 January, 2011 07:41

    WOW..I missed Friday as I traveled...then the last three days have been crazed...

    I went back and looked at the music...your progression on #4...I can see it, I never would have made that leap, but I saw it when explained.

    I like this...I have done a few what is the theme for FoF, but never a progression

  1. Linda says:
    13 January, 2011 21:26

    Ah ... I never would have guessed that sort of a leap at all from #3 to #4 but it makes perfect sense once you write it out!

    I think it would be fun for all of us to do a Leap of Five as it were one of these Fridays! It would be really interesting to see what we came up with!

  1. Linda says:
    13 January, 2011 21:26

    Ah ... I never would have guessed that sort of a leap at all from #3 to #4 but it makes perfect sense once you write it out!

    I think it would be fun for all of us to do a Leap of Five as it were one of these Fridays! It would be really interesting to see what we came up with!

  1. Julia Phillips Smith says:
    14 January, 2011 08:26

    I was skirting around the edges! Definitely put out an all-points bulletin when it's time to play Musical Progression.

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