Lord I believe it's rainin' all over the world..."Rainy Night in Georgia" is a chestnut that never wears out its lonely welcome. It's been covered by many singers, including Ray Charles, Otis Rush and even Rod Stewart, but the version by Brook Benton would be hard to top. (We've been told a duet by Sam Moore and Conway Twitty might challenge that notion, but until it plays at the Sanctuary we have our doubts.)
Benton's song was released in 1970 and went gold on this date. Having spent about eight years worth of nights in Georgia I can attest there are some rainy ones, some more lonely than others. But hardly a one of them gets by without this song popping into your head.
What's "Rainy Night" have in common with the swamp boogie classic "Polk Salad Annie"? Both were written by Tony Joe White. Now that's versatility for you...
Idol Chatter: There was quite a hubbub here in Milwaukee over home boy Danny Gokey's debut album release, and now we know why: My Best Days sold more than 65,000 copies, the highest first-week total by a male country artist in 18 years. American Idol's No. 3 finisher from Season Eight was sitting No. 3 on the Billboard country albums chart, proving you don't have to win to win. ... Lacey Brown's elimination Wednesday night reduces this year's field to 11. They could just as well have axed Tim Urban and Paige Miles, who completed the Bottom Three. ...
Break out some candles: It's not a crappy Birthday Band for March 18, if you can get by with vocals and percussion:
Charley Pride (1938): Singer, Grand Ole Opry
Wilson Pickett (1941-2006): Singer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
B.J. Wilson (1947): Drummer, Procul Harum
John Hartman (1950): Drummer, Doobie Brothers
I have Ray's "Rainy Night in Georgia" and will never find the need to hear any other version. But the man does have a corner on Georgia songs so why not spread the wealth around.
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