Feb 22 2025 12 mins
Lennon and McCartney eloquently recited an affirmation stating that In My Life I Loved Them All.
The affection for certain artists and the melodic poetry they injected into our souls has remained in our wiring through the good, the bad and the uncertain times of our lives.
One beloved gentleman we cherish was known as Arthur Alexander. Known as June to his closest companions, he was a one of a kind country-soul songwriter and singer. It can easily be said that he invented the genre.
The fifth American studio album by the Rolling Stones, released in December 1965, contained the Alexander classic "You Better Move On". From that moment on I was hooked on his intimate honesty and at times, the violent dillemas created within the stories he told.
From "Anna" to "Rainbow Road" he took us into a world of hurt, light and truth.
"Anna" was first made familiar to us all through the Beatles cover version of this classic.
On June 17, 1963, they performed the tune for the BBC radio show Pop Go the Beatles and was included on their Vee Jay LP Introducing The Beatles.
In 1994, "Adios Amigo: A Tribute to Arthur Alexander" was released with industry legends engaging their versions of some of his classics.
Roger McQuinn, the man whose voice elevated the Byrds to historic heights recorded "Anna" for the occasion.
His reading of this tear stained composition is dealt a tender touch and inspires the notion that when the very best translate the very best, we are often rewarded beyond emotion.
On that same tribute recording, another unexpected performance is revealed.
Robert Plant, known for his howling , screeching and a jet plane vocal roar illustrated in the metal blues ventures of Led Zeppelin offered up a remarkable surprise.
Plant's ability to take Arthur's haunting chant' "If It Really Has To Be This Way" down a road of interrpretation few of us knew he could travel, is a revelation which should inspire every singer to better worlds.
Once again, proof of emotive genius is discovered when a vocalist of Plant's caliber is sworn to the oath of conveying the inner depth of the heart as written by a master of song craft.
And so we enter this new realm of Double Trouble with the talent and awe of three pioneers of popular music.
We double down on the voices of Robert and Roger as the giant shadow of Arthur Alexander
conducts a human orchestra of words, urges and the need to confess that which few are capable of expressing with such passionate poise.
Robert remains with us at 82 and Roger at 76.
Arthur Alexander boarded The Mystery Train on June 9, 1993 at 54.
Ladies and gentleman. Welcome To Double Trouble.
Rich Buckland