MOG

Yellow Ledbetter is a first in a series of posts entitled Vintage B-sides/Outtake Classics. I selected this Pearl Jam b-side because I heard it on the way to work yesterday. You know how it is when a song comes on that you haven't played in ages and then the chords and lyrics just take you over. In that moment you remember why you first loved that song.

I have to say being a writer, I've always been a lyrics kind of guy. The words are usually the first part that connects me to a song. This changed after I moved to New Orleans when I became engrained in the French Quarter and Uptown music scene there. I actually learned a few chords on guitar and even did a few sessions with my friend's band and another one with buddy who was an engineer at a studio there. Ever since, I've been more cognitive about chords in the backbeat and over all sound of a song.

There's something about Mike McCready's guitar riffs on Ledbetter. It's like he's channeling Hendrix. His chords lift this song from b-side obscurity into instant classic-dom. (yes, I just made up this crazy word) One of my favorite b-sides and an outttake which deserves it's place on Ten. I'm sure when Sony releases it's Legacy edition Yellow Ledbetter will finally find its way on the remastered/reissue of Ten.

What are some of your favorite Vintage B-sides and Outtake classics?