Al’s Music of the Day, 15 January 2025

Music Ho!

I’ve been chronicling our 14-day Caribbean sea and shore adventure on my Instagram page, and matching music to each port of call has been fun and enjoyable.

The highlight of our trip was an excursion through the Panama Canal, which has always been a goal of mine. Mission accomplished!

Picking a tune for the photos was a challenge, as the only Panamá-titled song that came to mind was the Van Halen rocker.

Searching the internets, I was surprised to find there are many, many tunes incorporating Panamá in the title or lyrics.

Some 36 artists are credited with “Panama” songs, incorporating a wide array of styles, according to Lyrics.com: Pat Boone, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Foo Fighters, and Joan Osborne are just a few of the more recognized names.

One tune on the list resonated, more for the group than the title: “Panama Red” by New Riders of the Purple Sage. While never one of my favorite bands, several of my high school buddies were big fans.

My personal favorite cover of this song is by Poco.

Poco was formed after the breakup of Buffalo Springfield by Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Its Southern California country-rock vibe had some success and certainly longevity via several lineups.

I had the pleasure of seeing Jim Messina perform in a small venue a couple of years back and the session was stunningly good. Messina played several Poco tunes.

Flaubert opined that travel “makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

Apparently, travel also opens up musical opportunities.