These Days – When You Can’t Do What You Do, Do What You Can. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #BonJovi #Bounce #JonBonJoviSoulFoundation

Well folks! Today is a first.

I am featuring a song by Bon Jovi. If you love him because you think his music is good, or because he is cute, please read on.

If you don’t like him because you think his music is for the most part predictable and formulaic, please read on.

Even if you are jealous and simply wish you had hair almost as perfect or that you possessed just a fraction of his good lucks and charisma, I suggest you read on.

Yes, please read on, because there is a depth to Jon Bon Jovi that Ted Tocks Covers is long overdue in sharing. I will use this space to acknowledge this fact, as we celebrate John Francis Bongiovi on his 60^th birthday.

From my perspective, in order to properly celebrate, it was important to avoid being too predictable in my choice of feature songs. This is why I opted for ‘These Days’ which is the title track from Bon Jovi’s 1995 album. It became the fourth single from this release. The album caught my attention because it was produced by Peter Collins, who worked with Rush on their ‘Power Windows’ and ‘Hold Your Fire’ albums in the mid ‘80s. The song grabbed me because of its relevance to the present day and how it seems,

Everybody’s got their cross to bear, these days.”

Jon Bon Jovi

No matter where you go, there are reminders, but we all persevere. For some, the struggle is much greater than others. What defines us as good people is our ability to recognize those who could use a hand up, and then do something to assist.

“These days the stars seem out of reach

These days there ain’t a ladder on the streets

These days are fast, nothing lasts in this graceless age

There ain’t nobody left but us these days”

Jon Bon Jovi

This is where Jon Bon Jovi minus the rock and roll persona enters the story. I give you Jon Bon Jovi, the humanitarian.

About a decade after Bon Jovi released ‘These Days’ he founded the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. This non-profit initiative aims to break the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness by developing lucrative partnerships and creating programs intended to drive funding for innovative community focused organizations. The ‘Soul Foundation’ states in their mission:

It is the organization’s goal to recognize and maximize the human potential in those affected by hunger, poverty and homelessness by offering assistance in establishing programs that provide food and affordable housing while supporting social services and job training programs.”

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation

Initially, the ‘Soul Foundation’ took its name from the Philadelphia Soul arena football team who were committed to localized efforts to improve their city. One of the key members of the ownership group was Jon Bon Jovi. Once the value of their charity work was recognized the foundation moved to a wider presence. As part of this endeavour, they sought a combination of individual, community, political and corporate support. Solutions created by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation are meant to be long-lasting and ideally self-sustaining. Little by little, the Foundation is determined to;

Rebuild pride in one’s self and one’s community one SOUL at a time.”

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation

It’s interesting that this all began in Philadelphia, which is affectionately known as ‘The City of Brotherly Love.”

One of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s greatest achievements over the past 15 years is their work in the area of affordable and supportive housing. Through their efforts nearly 1000 units have been built across 11 states. Beneficiaries in this space include families, youth and veterans who had been left vulnerable in a society that leaves those most marginalized alone to fall through the cracks. As an offshoot to this aspect of the Foundation’s efforts, Jon Bon Jovi and his team, led by his wife of nearly 33 years, Dorothea, created the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey about decade ago. This branch of the organization focuses on issues related to homelessness, hunger and nutrition. The Soul Kitchen serves nutritious culinary dishes designed by accomplished chefs in a classy restaurant atmosphere. The business model works on a ‘pay it forward’ premise where diners either contribute volunteer hours or pay for their meal plus provide a donation. By 2016 a second location opened in Toms River, New Jersey. Since the initial opening in 2011 the Soul Kitchen has served over 140,000 meals. The fascinating aspect of this vision is that the Soul Kitchen has achieved their initial goal; which was to drive awareness to issues related to poverty, hunger and homelessness. Soul Kitchen is proud that 47% of the Kitchen’s patrons pay for their meals and then pay it forward with donations, while the remaining 53% of diners who are people deemed to be in need, benefit from the support of a generous community and the vision of Jon Bon Jovi, Dorothea and their team. Basically, if you can pay, you pay and if you can’t you volunteer your services.

Best of all, diners are asked to share a table with other diners in order to promote the community concept and instill a sense of camaraderie. The result is a wonderful dining experience for an important cause.

Enjoy this clip that features Jon Bon Jovi and the Soul Kitchen mission through the enthusiastic response of his staff and patrons.

Further to the Soul Kitchen message, here is Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea sharing the story behind the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

These are the stories Ted Tocks Covers loves to share.

‘These Days’ we need to hear more about initiatives like this, that are geared toward making the world a better place.

Sometimes we get caught up in a news cycle that convinces us that there is little in the way of positive items to share. We are led to believe that;

Even innocence has caught the midnight train.”

Jon Bon Jovi

We are sold on the premise that life is a matter of survival of the fittest and as individuals we need to either sink or swim.

Sometimes all we need is a hand up. A little understanding, compassion and hope. Ted Tocks Covers frequently speaks to the fact that we can mine this type of meaning from the music we listen to on a regular basis.

But, when the artists who deliver the music back up their songs with action, the meaning becomes more profound and the cause becomes something we can collectively support through action.

Further to Soul Kitchen’s mission, in January of 2019, the non-profit offered free meals to government workers that were affected by Lord Farquaad’s government shutdown.

More recently, during the height of COVID-19 in May of 2020, Dorothea and Jon heard about a major food shortage at food banks in Long Island, New York. Within three weeks they had the shelves fully stocked. People in need throughout the Long Island area benefited from the ‘Bon Jovi’s’ generosity.

We both care about people and when we see injustice or we see people suffering, I think like any human we try to help people.”

Dorothea Bongiovi

As always, actions speak louder than words.

Continuing in this regard, here is Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles doing ‘Do What You Can’ which was released at the height of COVID-19, in July of 2020.

The message is clear in this chorus.

When you can’t do what you do
You do what you can
This ain’t my prayer, it’s just a thought
I’m wanting to send
‘Round here we bend but don’t break
Down here, we all understand
When you can’t do what you do
You do what you can”

Jon Bon Jovi

During the early days of COVID-19 lockdowns Bon Jovi played only the first verse and chorus and then in an effort to involve his fans he asked them to write their own verse and relate their lockdown experience. He received thousands of fan-created verses. The final version of the song, written by Bon Jovi, was performed live acoustically during the ‘Jersey4Jersey’ benefit concert which raised six million dollars for the state of New Jersey, which was among the hardest hit during the early days of the pandemic.

Here is that performance.

Somehow it all comes down to living in the present and being as good as you can be every day.

Getting back to today’s feature, because ‘These Days’ is not among the most immediately recognized Bon Jovi hit songs (granted, it was included on Disc 2 of the ‘Greatest Hits: Ultimate Collection’) there was not an abundance of covers. I recognize that Bon Jovi fans might argue that ‘These Days’ is not necessarily a deep track in the Bon Jovi library. It does share a title with the album after all. Therefore, I wouldn’t argue with them because frankly, they would know way better than me. The point is, in comparison to ‘Living on a Prayer’, Wanted Dead or Alive’ or ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’, cover versions were not plentiful. All of this leads to the point that what the covers lacked in quantity, this version by a Bon Jovi tribute band called Bounce made up for in quality. This comes complete with a symphony orchestra and all the passion the band could muster in delivering it to what no doubt, was a crowd of devoted Bon Jovi fans.

I just thought this was pretty special.

Ted Tocks Covers has often advocated for what exists as the deep tracks in any artists library. With Bon Jovi, maybe there is something there. This is something I will explore in time. Admittedly, I have never been a fan of the overplayed commercial material. Having said that, I do understand why his fans love him, and I recognize that he is way more than a hard rock David Cassidy with power chords. There is a strong appeal that makes him a massive presence and obviously there is a whole lot of substance to his character.

‘These Days’ when one has to search just a little bit longer for the good in everyone, that moves you to the front of the line.

Cheers to Jon Bon Jovi. He’s a rock star, he is a philanthropist, and he stands on the right side of many important social issues.

‘These Days’ what more could you ask for?

My respect grows with every word I type.

Streets of Philadelphia – I walked a thousand miles just to slip this skin. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #BruceSpringsteen #NeilYoung #RichieHavens #MelissaEtheridge #MollyJohnson #EltonJohn #ToriAmos

It was Jackson Browne who most accurately assessed what Bruce Springsteen accomplished when he composed ‘Streets of Philadelphia’. 

To write from the perspective of someone who is emaciated, with AIDS, is to forsake all of the strength Springsteen had staked his career on. It is quite a feat.”

Jackson Browne

For two decades, Bruce Springsteen wrote in a passionate way about the working man and the day to day experience we call life. He channeled the hard working, salt of the Earth individual who busted their ass every day, but seemed to always be one step away from catching a break. He became a champion for the downtrodden. As a hard-working and honest artist he was the perfect reflection of his fan base. 

In the early ‘90s, at the invitation of director Jonathan Demme, Springsteen took the challenge of writing a song for the movie ‘Philadelphia’. This was a different Bruce Springsteen. This time, he was not necessarily writing to mirror his audience, he was writing to convey a social atrocity that was becoming a rampant, cross- cultural theme; fear based discrimination due to one’s sexuality in relation to the AIDS epidemic and the ultimate social stigmas. The truth is, people needed to be educated. The question was, would his fans be ready, and on a broader level, would the world be ready for such an education?

As we all know, the song is very concise. It delivers a powerful soliloquy aimed to project the theme of the movie through Springsteen’s eyes. ”Philadelphia’ tells the story of a Philadelphia lawyer, played by Tom Hanks, who is fired from his firm after contracting AIDS. As a result of this action the lawyer seeks restitution from his employer, and he is supported in this fight by another lawyer played by Denzel Washington. 

It becomes a powerful presentation expressed through empathy and compassion. Music and theatre combined.

In case the lyrics don’t tell the story, the video serves as an evocative demonstration of the deeper message, and it truly is what Bruce Springsteen has always represented. 

I was bruised and battered, I couldn’t tell what I felt
I was unrecognizable to myself
I saw my reflection in a window, I didn’t know my own face
Oh brother are you gonna leave me wastin’ away
On the Streets of Philadelphia

I walked the avenue, ’til my legs felt like stone
I heard the voices of friends vanished and gone
At night I could hear the blood in my veins
It was just as black and whispering as the rain
On the Streets of Philadelphia

Ain’t no angel gonna greet me
It’s just you and I, my friend
My clothes don’t fit me no more
I walked a thousand miles
Just to slip this skin

The night has fallen, I’m lyin’ awake
I can feel myself fading away
So receive me brother with your faithless kiss
Or will we leave each other alone like this
On the Streets of Philadelphia

Bruce Springsteen

Once again, through his ability as a masterful songwriter he presents a degree of empathy that millions of listeners could identify with. He humanizes a horribly marginalized community and creates a wider sense of understanding.

This is the power of songwriting and to his credit Bruce Springsteen manages to get his point across in a different medium. The effectiveness of this galvanizing message is captured in this review by William Ruhlman of AllMusic.com. 

The song might have been written from the point of view of the suddenly ill and unemployed lawyer, now walking the streets. But it is also a more general statement of alienation and dispossession that is made all the more powerful by the calm, repetitive musical pattern and Springsteen’s sad, resigned vocal.”

William Ruhlman

The result, as we all know nearly 30 years later is ‘Streets of Philadelphia’ became a #1 hit in nine countries worldwide. It also enjoyed top 10 success in at least 11 other countries. It went on to win an Academy Award and four Grammys. Here is the performance from the 1994 Oscars. After his performance the award is presented by Whitney Houston. 

True to his character, and not forgetting the inspiration for the song, Bruce dedicated the award to those;

…who have lost their lovers and friends and sons.” 

Bruce Springsteen

 He was touched that the song meant something to so many who had lost so much.

Springsteen’s adaptability is also noted in this passage from an article by Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times.

Springsteen sings in a voice that expresses the helplessness and heartache of someone dying of AIDS as convincingly as Springsteen once conveyed the dreams and aspirations of youth.”

Robert Hilburn

While rightfully, it could be argued that it took way too long, the message needed to be delivered. Bruce Springsteen became an important vehicle. 

While we are discussing the movie ‘Philadelphia’, Ted Tocks would be remiss if the song of the same title by Neil Young was not mentioned. Young’s ‘Philadelphia’ was presented along with the closing credits. It offers a very candid message of love and acceptance as he pleads for people not to turn their backs on loved ones in their time of need, while emphasizing no one should ever have to be ashamed for being who they are. This song does not get enough attention for its importance. 

Here are the lyrics

Sometimes I think that I know
What love’s all about
And when I see the light
I know I’ll be all right.

I’ve got my friends in the world,
I had my friends
When we were boys and girls
And the secrets came unfurled.

City of brotherly love
Place I call home
Don’t turn your back on me
I don’t want to be alone
Love lasts forever.

Someone is talking to me,
Calling my name
Tell me I’m not to blame
I won’t be ashamed of love.

Philadelphia,
City of brotherly love.
Brotherly love.

Sometimes I think that I know
What love’s all about
And when I see the light
I know I’ll be all right.
Philadelphia.

Neil Young

Here is the closing scene of ‘Philadelphia’ which puts the lyrics in context. 

Getting back to today’s feature song; through the years, several artists have covered ‘Streets of Philadelphia’ very effectively and evocatively. Let’s go right back to the beginning in 1993. Rhino Records embarked on a project that explored sixty years of Academy Award winning songs called ‘Academy Award Winning Songs (1934-1993)’ but they were unable to get the licensing rights to use Bruce Springsteen’s version so they commissioned Richie Havens who does a phenomenal job. 

Whenever Ted Tocks Covers gets an opportunity to include Melissa Etheridge, we are all over it. Here she is doing a vocal track over some background accompaniment at the American Film Institute’s (AFI) Lifetime Achievement Award tribute to Tom Hanks. Watch the video and you not only see the passionate performance by this amazing artist, but the appreciation of Tom Hanks while she sings. Melissa Etheridge moves the audience to tears as she not only sings, but acts out the powerful Springsteen lyrics. This is art in its purest form. 

This performance by Canadian jazz talent Molly Johnson is extremely strong. She released it in 2007 as a bonus track on her 2007 album ‘Messin’ Around’. The beauty of this cover exists in its emphasis on the vocals. The backing music is strong but not overstated, in favour of Johnson’s plaintive delivery. Just the way it should be. 

As this post unfolds it becomes increasingly apparent that every version of ‘Streets of Philadelphia’ is important. Here is Sir Elton John in 2013 performing the song at MusiCares tribute to Bruce Springsteen. The perfect song to pay respect to The Boss, and the perfect artist to cover this song. Elton John’s philanthropic work in advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ rights through the years is virtually unrivalled. 

Another artist Ted Tocks Covers has grown to love through years of writing this blog is Tori Amos. Here she is in 2014, at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia doing a wonderful presentation. The audience loves every note and Tori literally feels every word she sings.

From this perch, almost three decades removed from the original creation one continues to marvel at the fact Bruce Springsteen was able to communicate so much in three verses and a bridge. It all goes much further though. As he stated in his acceptance speech, he was hoping that ‘Streets of Philadelphia’ would allow people to recognize their differences, and respect each other instead of succumbing to the ‘veil of fear’ that seems bent on tearing us apart. 

The people most impacted by this crisis ‘walked a thousand miles to shed their skin’. For a period of time, it seemed we were getting somewhere, but every time a new issue arises the same players err on the side of marginalization and separation.

It’s sad to me that out of so much promise, destructive forces continue to do their best to increase the divide. As always, the motivations are greed, a desire for power and suppression of a minority voice. 

Will we ever learn?

In Canada we have the CONservative Party who exist as exhibit A. In the fall of 2021, the CONs lost a very winnable election largely due to the fact their only path to being a united party seems to be a movement toward radical right-wing lunacy. Yet again, they find themselves in search of a leader, after jettisoning the leaf in the wind known as Erin O’Toole. This occurred in part after the CONservative Party of Canada became irreparably divided. One major crisis existed in the form of C-6 which was an act to amend the Criminal Code as it relates to Conversion Therapy in Canada. It seems to the majority of the CPC, this was a bridge too far. Rather than work with the LGBTQIA2S+ community, they would rather contribute to their marginalization. During the third reading of the bill in June a total of 62 of these MPs voted against the amendment to the Bill. Here is the legislation as it was introduced. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/11/government-introduces-legislation-to-ban-conversion-therapy-practices-in-canada.html

Fortunately some degree of sanity prevailed and by the time December came around the Conservative Party initiated a motion to fast-track the legislation. While this seems like a victory on the surface, there was an ulterior motive. The CPC was clamouring for self preservation and they were concerned that open debate about this Bill would reveal the fact that within the CPC there was no true consensus on this seemingly straight-forward issue.

It seems about 1/3 of the country agrees with the regressive doctrine that guides the CPC.  It is so sad, that such people walk among us. Sadder still, is the fact that divisive opportunists like Candice Bergen, who is presently the interim leader, voted NO to C-6, and Pierre Poilievre would exploit this divide if it means taking control of the party that seems to value nothing more than the power that fortunately for the majority of Canadians, continues to be so elusive. 

It seems to me, the answer to the party’s problems reside within their own core. They are continually exposed for who they are and incredibly, a portion of our population still look to them for leadership. It reminds me of this quote.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

Maya Angelou

Sadly, while this time-honoured advice from Maya Angelou is a notion I respect, so far I have failed to heed her wisdom. Instead, I cling to the hope that those who are so lost, may miraculously change. 

Would casting them adrift only serve to continue the divisiveness or would it be beneficial to my own mental health? 

I continue to struggle with this internal debate. I tell myself,

Sometimes I think that I know
What love’s all about
And when I see the light
I know I’ll be all right.”

Neil Young

While I weigh the options I will listen to the music and do my best to understand the message.

Life becomes much more clear in this space.

Ted Tocks Covers – Top 3 Posts for February. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #TrailerParkBoys #Supertramp #TinyTim #FleetwoodMac #AllmanBrothersBand #TheKinks

Ted Tocks Covers began 2022 on a high note in January, shattering the 2000 page view mark for just the second time ever. That trend continued through the short, cold and snowy month of February. Once again, Ted Tocks posts exceeded 2000 page views, and averaged well over 70 page views a day. Proudly, the feature enjoyed readership in over 50 countries worldwide, including Ukraine and Russia. For those people I have a message.

Ukraine – Your resolve in the face of a gross atrocity is mind blowing. The whole world is behind you. Stay safe and strong.

Russia – I can only assume that if you are reading Ted Tocks Covers you have a heart and are somewhat worldly with a commitment to being a global citizen. You may even be brave enough to be protesting against the evil, autocratic man-child. If so, please stay safe while you stand for what you know is right. The world is watching and sadly, your country is not only despised, but you are slowly being frozen out. Unless something is done soon, Russia may not recover in your lifetime.

Closer to home, Canada had a few problems of its own.

For the better part of a month a bunch of anti-vax, anti-mask, unemployed, uneducated, (some) openly racist morons invaded our nation’s capital claiming to be fighting for freedom. Ironically, the fact that they were allowed to literally take over a small city, and temporarily invade several border crossings for some inexplicable reason, demonstrates that they in fact, had never lost their freedom, but when your guiding light is ignorance, logic tends not to be a primary motivation.

Anywhere between 60% and 70% of Canadians disagreed with the ‘convoy’ and their idiotic tactics. Among their greatest supporters were of course the Republican Lite Party, which in Canada is known as the Conservative Party of Canada. Many of their members openly cheered on and financially supported what soon became an illegal occupation. They did this while spewing proven lies and divisive rhetoric. While all of this was going on it was revealed, and many of us knew all along, that this was a radical right-wing coup, orchestrated by forces much greater than a guy in Kamloops who couldn’t drive a load of Doritos over the British Columbia border into Seattle.

It is not lost on intelligent Canadians, or by informed people worldwide that these imbeciles in their hot tubs and bouncy castles, literally robbed Ottawa residents of the freedom they claimed to be fighting for while using children as human shields. Well at least they got to set up BBQs during this insane takeover. Maybe they fried up some chicken fingers during the occupation, the good kind…8 bucks.

For the record, if you are having trouble following:

Julian represents Canada

Mr. Lahey would be Prime Minster Justin Trudeau

Ricky and Ray are the protestors

I need to stress that you can listen to all the blues music you like. Ideally you can watch people play it in live venues. Just get vaccinated and get a job.

Even closer to home, I spent the month of February enjoying a short term ‘retirement’ before I embark on a new adventure. It seems all I did is shovel snow and watch the country and the world slowly unravel. Fortunately, I took some time for myself and enjoyed relaxing with my family, who as always, are right there for me.

Of course, whenever I needed some time to retreat, I went out for some long walks, accompanied by the music that always manages to sustain me. So, let’s move on and explore the songs that really stood out in February.

We could all use an escape.

Like Noam Chomsky says:

No one is going to pour truth into your brain. It’s something you have to find out for your yourself.”

Noam Chomsky

Before I move on to the top three original posts for February, I will share a couple of older posts that generated a high level of readership this month.

Fool’s Overture – Somehow this song seems so appropriate during such a turbulent month. I suspect it came up on people’s Google searches, and I guess the algorithms worked in Ted Tocks favour and allowed the wisdom of Roger Hodgson and the musical brilliance of Supertramp to wash over them as they attempted to make sense of things.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips – The success of this post has always astounded me. It was written well over two years ago as an homage to the eternally fascinating, and eccentric artist Tiny Tim. While he is not for everyone, he had substance and he drew upon a wide range of musical styles. He was also a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. ‘Tiptoe Through the Tulips’ has generated well over 300 page views since I wrote it. It is currently the 15^th most read Ted Tocks feature. It’s all pretty cool to me so I wanted to share it in this monthly summary.

Now, here are this month’s Top Three posts.

#3 – 45 Years of Rumours – This post was a ton of fun to write. February marked the 45^th anniversary of the release of the monumental Fleetwood Mac album, ‘Rumours’. Ted Tocks went through the album track by track and explored several quality covers. Some great listening.

#2 – Blue Sky – Any time Ted Tocks writes about the Allman Brothers Band he gets lost in the story and the music. This post was no exception. This Dickey Betts creation is an Allman Brothers  Band classic that became a sentimental favourite for many, as it became one of the last songs the great Duane Allman ever recorded. The original is incredible, but it takes on greater meaning with the many outtakes, live versions and of course quality covers by several acts who revere this timeless band.

#1 – Tired of Waiting for You – Every time Ted Tocks features The Kinks, a pattern emerges. This feature represents one of the first songs Ray Davies ever wrote so that back story is shared. This feature’s popularity was fuelled by my on-line friend Dave at www.kindakinks.net who shared it on his page. What unfolded went much deeper, as I discovered a phenomenal documentary where Ray Davies discusses everything around him that serves to inspire his writing. It is a fascinating look into the mind that created a soundtrack to our lives, and a journey into how music has the ability to carry us all away.

If you get confused, listen to the music play.”

Robert Hunter

If you missed these features the first time around enjoy them now. If you think a friend might like to spend a few minutes with some good music, please share because…

#MusicisLife

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Thank you for continuing to read Ted Tocks Covers. I look forward to sharing more music with you as we wade deeper into 2022. Hopefully March is a better month.

Stay safe and have a grateful day and let me leave you with this thought…

When you make a stance on any social or political issue, have a look around you and see who is supporting the cause. If you stand with white nationalists, Islamaphobes, homophobes, illiterate morons, insurrectionists, COVID denying mass murderers, adulterers, rapists, drug addicts and openly ignorant mouth pieces for far-right lunacy, you are on the wrong side.

More simply stated…Follow the money.

Wake up, before it is too late.

Thank you for following.