David Porfirio Tops Blog Chart with cool, jazzy Instrumental (SNS week of 10/18/2020)

 It's another typical week on the music front:   Sadly, three more passings in Spencer Davis, Tony Lewis of the 1980's band The Outfield, and Jerry Jeff Walker.    More politics, as the election nears including an item about a noted Jersey artist, currently on my blog list with "Letter To You" threatening to move out of the country if a certain President is re-elected, and more complaints about what is passing for pop music.   What the heck is a WAP, anyway? (That's the name of a "song" by Cardi B featuring a Meghan Thee Stallion. (Huh?).     And you wonder why we don't care?

But anyway, it's looking inward this week, as artist David F. Porfirio ascends to the number one spot this week with "Driving At Dusk".  The jazzy, rather prog and mystifying piece becomes only the second instrumental to hit the pole position on my list, following "Elizabeth's Theme" by Dirty Beaches, which hit the leader spot back in autumn 2012.   

True to its name, the six minute plus song, is progressive, eclectic and definitely a driving-on-the-highway sort of song, which held true when I did a couple of road trips recently.   As if it was a coincidence, Porfirio, who lives in Queens, NY, posted the song on his Facebook page today.    In his post, Porfirio says that he wanted to fuse three influential guitar players into the one song:  Carlos Santana, Omas Khorshid, an Egyptian born artist who had passed away in 1981, and the recently-passed Eddie Van Halen.  

The song, from his current Overactive Imagination is pretty much the tip of the iceberg as to his talent.  In addition to the compositions on this album, he has released many singles.   He recently posted an awesome instrumental version of "Lovely Day", the Bill Withers song from 1977.  Another timely gem, "Autumn in New York", fits the season, with his unique, yet, sort-of-retro-ish guitar playing rivaling George Winston's piano playing for fall supremacy.   

Porfirio may not exactly be classified as jazz, but then again may as well could be.   It's "jam" but more of a "peaceful" version of it.   Get one of his albums, or stream his songs, and sit back (or if in your car, drive), and enjoy this unique talent.

While I pretty much in the opening paragraph of this blog, essential dissed current pop music, that  seems strange in that the two new entries in the top 10 are by---pop artists.   Miley Cyrus moves from 8 to 5 with "Midnight Sky" and threatens to become her second number one on my blog.  Not bad for a singer who may deem the "poster girl" for bad pop music.    And while most people think "Wrecking Ball" was her only good song, it's probably because they don't really pay attention to the music.   Say what you well about Miley, but she does have talent.  Meanwhile, former One Direction member Harry Styles moves 13-8 with "Watermelon Sugar", a former Billboard #1 song that's still in that magazine's top 10.  There should be more pop songs like this.

I added seven new songs this week to my playlist, led by the latest from The Blue Stones, "Let It Ride".  It's a slice of melodic hard rock, vintage, perhaps, but fits right in with the current alternative scene.  It should easily top the recent "Shaking off the Rust".... A couple weeks back, I mentioned the latest by the Black Pumas, "I'm Ready", which is on the deluxe version, of their self-titled debut.  I had added the first single from that set, "Black Moon Rising" a few weeks back, but with alt radio playing the new one, I figured I'd add that one as well.   It's another great example of what this band is all about.   Soulful, psychedelic and rocking as well.   It kind of reminds me of the 1960's band Love.   

Remember New Order?  The 1980's-era band was one of the first that I got into, when I started listening to alternative music.    Classic songs by this brit-synth-pop band which had evolved from Joy Division, included "Blue Monday", "Bizarre Love Triangle", "True Faith", "Fine Time" and "Regret".    The band has split up and reformed twice, most recently in 2011.    Although they released two albums in the 2010's, their new song, "Be A Rebel" is their first blog appearance.  Their sound hasn't changed much since their heyday.   It is a catchy, chugging song that should stick around on the playlist awhile.   

Also added is the new one from Eliza  & the Delusionals' "Sentimental".  The band is coming off two big blog hits, including  "Just Exist" (#15) and "Pull Apart Heart" (#5).   This one may take a few listens to get into it, but then again, "Pull Apart Heart" took a few weeks as well, and it wound up making a big impact.   Of Monsters and Men's latest is "Visitor".  Another nice effort for the Icelandic band headed by Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir, probably that country's best import since Bjork from The Sugarcubes. 

Next is the latest from Jersey rockers Bon Jovi, "Do What You Can".   While efforts earlier this year by The Rolling Stones and Twenty One Pilots hovered around the COVID-19 situation, Jon Bon Jovi and company deal with the crisis head on, as the song, which features country artist Jennifer Nettles, is all about the efforts that are being put in to deal with  the continuing crisis that we are facing in the ongoing pandemic.    Finally Kathleen Edwards follows up "Options Open" with "Hard On Everyone", definitely in the singer-songwriter mode.  A nice one. 

I had earlier mentioned that we lost a few more musicians.   Spencer Davis, head of the band that bears his name, died of pneumonia at age 81.    His band was noted for hits like "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm A Man".   The band has reformed several times and was still active at the time of his death.......Tony Lewis may not have been a household name, or perhaps his band The Outfield, for that matter, but, as many friends have noted, they made an impact.   1985's "Your Love" was a #6 song from their debut Play Deep (also top 100, and they had other top 40 hits through 1992).  Lewis was 62.   Finally Jerry Jeff Walker, a predominately country artist, passed from throat cancer complications.  He was 78.  He only had two Hot 100 entries, the highest being "Mr. Bojangles", which became a big hit for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1971.   The song has been oft-covered since, by many artists, most notably Sammy Davis, Jr. 

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

October 18, 2020

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	3	NUMBER ONE: DAVID F. PORFIRIO "Driving at Dusk" Album: Overactive Imagination	10
2	1	Michael Kiwanuka - You Ain't The Problem	10
3	4	The Mystery Lights - 21 & Counting	10
4	2	Winnetka Bowling League - Come to the Beach	11
5	8	Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky	6
6	5	Shannon Marsyada - A Love That Doesn't Hurt	12
7	7	My Morning Jacket - Feel You	13
8	11	Guards - So It Goes	15
9	13	Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar	9
10	6	Screen Age - Blue Eyed Addiction	23
11	14	Elle King - The Let Go	7
12	15	Real Estate - The Main Thing	7
13	23	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: DEVON GILFILLIAN "The Good Life" Album: Black Hole Rainbow	6
14	18	Surfer Blood - Karen	7
15	10	Karen Wallo - Rain Away My Sorrow	10
16	17	Animal Island - Tonight	8
17	9	Elise Farnsworth - In the Morning Light	14
18	22	Pickwick - Never Gonna Be Enough	7
19	12	The Regrettes - What Am I Gonna Do Today	16
20	26	Dan Croll - Away From Today	7
21	21	The Jayhawks - This Forgotten Town	13
22	20	Delta Spirit - How About It	14
23	29	Iration - Right Here Right Now	8
24	31	The Backseat Lovers - Kilby Girl	14
25	16	Bakar - Hell N Back	16
26	24	James Bay - Chew  On My Heart	8
27	38	MOVER OF THE WEEK: FLEET FOXES "Can I Believe You" Album: Shore	3
28	19	Eliza and the Delusionals - Pull Apart Heart	21
29	32	Sea Wolf - Blood Pact	11
30	35	Christina Alessi & the Toll Collectors - Whatever Gets You Through	3
31	25	Donna Missal - Let You Let Me Down	22
32	37	Morgan Wallen - 7 Summers	5
33	39	Pretenders - Didn't Want to Be This Lonely	5
34	30	Delacey  - Chapel	26
35	28	Gary Clark Jr -Feelin' Like a Million	9
36	45	Mabel - Mad Love	4
37	27	Christina Alessi - So In Love With You	15
38	33	Pepper - Change●	25
39	42	Black Pumas - Black Moon Rising	5
40	36	Chicano Batman - Blank State	10
41	34	Tennis - How To Forgive	12
42	46	Bruce Springsteen - Letter To You	4
43	48	Tame Impala - Is It True	8
44	49	The Rolling Stones ft. Jimmy Page- Scarlet	5
45	51	The Go-Go's - Club Zero	4
46	53	The Beths - I'm Not Getting Excited	4
47	60	Tennis - Superstar	2
48	55	Saint Motel  - Preach	5
49	44	Donna Missal - How Does It Feel	17
50	43	Colony House - Original Material	20
51	52	Billie Eilish - My Future	6
52	63	Bright Eyes - Mariana Trench	3
53	57	The Strokes - Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus	3
54	40	Ray LaMontagne - Strong Enough	19
55	76	Milky Chance and Jack Johnson - Don't Let Me Down	17
56	---	TOP DEBUT:. THE BLUE STONES "Let It Ride" (Single Only)	1
57	41	Best Coast - Everything Has Changed	27
58	73	Phoebe Ryan - Ring	4
59	50	Dreamers - Heat Seeker	14
60	62	Nothing But Thieves - Real Love Song	5
61	68	Django Django - Spirals	2
62	47	Real Estate ft Sylvan Esso - Paper Cup	18
63	74	Phoebe Ryan - Try It Sober	2
64	79	Bebadoobee - Care	2
65	---	Black Pumas - I'm Ready	1
66	72	Ava Max - Kings and Queens	2
67	---	New Order - Be A Rebel	1
68	54	Foster the People - The Things We Do	6
69	71	Walk Off the Earth - Further We Go	3
70	77	Machine Gun Kelly - Bloody Valentine	5
71	78	All Time Low ft. Black Bear - Monsters	3
72	56	Neon Trees - New Best Friend	12
73	---	Eliza and the Delusionals - Sentimental	1
74	59	AJR - Bang!	26
75	86	The Regrettes - I Love Us	2
76	---	Of Monsters and Men - Visitor	1
77	67	Elise Farnsworth - Safety Net	23
78	---	Bon Jovi -ft. Jennifer Nettles - Do What You Can	1
79	58	Black Pumas - Colors	18
80	65	Norah Jones - I'm Alive	20
81	61	The Outcrops - Lost Days●	30
82	64	MyKey ft. Cavetown -Was It Something I Said?	20
83	---	Kathleen Edwards - Hard on Everyone	1
84	69	The Rolling Stones - Living in a Ghost Town	25
85	66	Moon Taxi - Hometown Heroes	8
86	70	Arkells - Years In the Making	9
87	75	Michael Franti and Spearhead - I Got You	8
88	83	Semisonic - You're Not Alone	11
89	81	Weezer - Hero	18
90	84	Avett Brothers - Victory	7
91	80	Finneas - Let's Fall in Love For the Night	20
92	87	Amy Shark - Everybody Rise	11
93	82	King Tappa - No Drama	21
94	85	The Milwaukees - No Way Out	14
95	88	The 1975 - If You're Too Shy	14
96	89	Phoenix - Identical	6
97	90	Cayucas - Yeah Yeah Yeah	9
98	91	Echosmith - Lonely Generation	15
99	93	ZZ Ward - Break Her Heart	19
100	94	Avi Wisnia - Sky Blue Sky	19

 

 

Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.   ● Songs with 25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲   Songs with 50 or more plays.