Author Archives: Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Let’s Take A Moment Day 496

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

This week drummer Simon Kirke will celebrate birthday #72. He is from two of my favorite bands, Free (“All Right Now” Day 182) and Bad Company (“Can’t Get Enough” Day 413, “Rock & Roll Fantasy” Day 80, “Simple Man” Day 358) and today’s song.

Kirke was born on July 28, 1949 in England. Around age 17 he met guitarist Paul Kossoff and joined the band he was in. Both men left in 1968 to form Free where Kirke met up with his nearly lifelong bandmate, Paul Rodgers. They would form Bad Company together in 1973. Here’s to 100 more birthdays to Simon Kirke and 100 more years of Bad Company music.

“Well I was the crazy fool
Who followed you home from school
I was hoping that you would know
But you had to go breaking my heart“.

free

bad co

Top: Free circa 1970 (L-R): Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Simon Kirke and Andy Fraser. Bottom: Bad Company circa 2010 (L-R): Howard Leese, Simon Kirke, Paul Rodgers, Todd Ronning. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bad Company: “Love Me Somebody” (1976, written by Paul Rodgers).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 495

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today’s song hit the #1 position for one week on July 27, 1985. It was written by Daryl Hall who recorded it with John Oates for their 1980 album, Voices. But it was singer Paul Young who took it to the top of the charts five years later, showing us all that another blue eyed soul singer could interpret one of Hall’s songs nearly as well as he did.

“If we can solve any problem
Why do we lose so many tears
So you go again
When the leading man appears“.

Paul

Hall_Oates_Voices

Top: Paul Young circa 1985. Bottom: Hall & Oates 1985 album, Voices. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Paul Young: “Every Time You Go Away” (1985, written by Daryl Hall).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 494

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

In March 1992 Bruce Springsteen released two albums on the same day. It was not his original plan, but when the debut of Human Touch was delayed and rescheduled closer to the when the next record, Lucky Town, was due to come out, he decided to just let them go together. These records were his first after he dissolved the The E Street Band in 1989. But despite their absence, Springsteen’s classic unmistakable sound was still undeniable.

“So you been broken and you been hurt
Show me somebody who ain’t
Yeah I know I ain’t nobody’s bargain
But hell a little touchup and a little paint“.

Bruce

Bruce Springsteen circa 1992. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Human Touch” (1992, written by Bruce Springsteen).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 493

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Sam Cooke released the single “Chain Gang” on July 26, 1960.  It reached the #2 spot in the country later that year, the second time he was in the Top Five following the success of his #1 hit from 1957, “You Send Me” (Day 261).  Three years later he was in the Top Ten with today’s song. 

Cooke had so many things going for him:  his silky smooth voice, his suave debonair good looks and his ease & confidence in front of an audience to name a few.  But another important talent that set Cooke apart from other performers of his day was his songwriting ability.  He was succinct, eloquent & expressive with both his words & music.  Today’s track is no exception.  It also contains a bit of levity which only adds to its charm.    

“Another fella told me he had a sister who looked just fine 
Instead of being my deliverance 
She had a strange resemblance 
To a cat named Frankenstein”.

Sam
Sam Cooke circa 1960.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sam Cooke: “Another Saturday Night” (1963, written by Sam Cooke).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 492

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

John Lennon & Paul McCartney met as teenagers 64 years ago in Liverpool, England in July 1957. Both were from the same city, both had already lost their mothers, both wanted to play music & eventually both were in the same band. They became songwriting partners, their group morphed into The Beatles which turned into that whole redefining music & culture thing and they all became legends. But that is where the similarities ended.

One listen to the songs they co-wrote together and it was obvious which one was the primary songwriter. And it had nothing to do with who was on lead vocal. Lennon’s music was deeper, spiritual, insightful & intellectual. McCartney had his moments with that approach as well, as evidenced on songs like “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude” to name two.

But McCartney was a master at catchy tunes, pop lyrics & storytelling. If there was one album that showcased both men’s’ distinct qualities, it was 1968’s showpiece, The White Album. And like most of The Beatles records, I found myself completely enthralled with Lennon’s songs, especially today’s pick.

“The sun is up the sky is blue
It’s beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence
Won’t you come out to play“.

The Beatles

The Beatles circa 1969 (L-R): John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “Dear Prudence” (1968, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 491

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On July 8, 1998 Frank Sinatra’s songs & movies were given new places of honor-The Smithsonian and Library of Congress. Today’s song was included in that group and it was played on two space missions: Apollo 10 and Apollo 11, which landed on the moon 52 years ago today on July 20, 1969. Sending a huge thank you out to all our rocket men & women-past, present & future-for having the courage & desire to take us all higher and higher.

“Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like on
A-Jupiter and Mars”.

Sinatra

Apollo 11 Astronauts

Top:  Frank Sinatra album cover photograph circa 1960.  Bottom:  The three crew members of NASA’s Apollo 11, May 1969 (L-R):  Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin Jr. (Bottom Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images).  (Images found online.  Original sources unknown).    

Frank Sinatra: “Fly Me To The Moon” (1964, written by Bart Howard).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 490

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

In November 1972 Steely Dan released their debut album Can’t Buy A Thrill. It hit the Top 20 on the Billboard album chart the following year & produced three of their best known songs: “Do It Again”, the group’s first single which was a Top Ten hit in 1973, “Dirty Work” (Day 130) and today’s track. It was their second single & another hit reaching #11 the same year. In the nearly 50 years since the group released their first album, their music is a fresh, innovative & evocative today as it was then. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were an incredible team.

“You’ve been telling me you’re a genius since you were seventeen
In all the time I’ve known you I still don’t know what you mean
The weekend at the college didn’t turn out like you planned
The things that pass for knowledge I can’t understand“.

Thrill

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Steely Dan: “Reelin’ In The Years” (1972, written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 489

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Singer & piano player Billy Stewart was born in 1937 in Washington, D.C.. He started singing gospel music with his brothers by the time he was 12. In the early 1950’s he switched to secular music where he met fellow performer Bo Didley. He hired Stewart to sing back-up which led to a record contract with Chess Records in 1955.

He had his biggest hit in 1966 with a cover of the Gershwin tune, “Summertime”. Sadly, Stewart died in 1969 at the age of 32 in a car accident with three members of his band. Today’s song, a Top 30 hit from 1965, has always been my favorite of his. It never fails to reminds me how much talent this man had as a singer, songwriter & musician.

“Why don’t you decide to be
I’ll tell you all of my dreams now
Oh, I love you, I pray for your love
Would come to me a someday“.

Billy-stewart-1

Billy Stewart circa 1965. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Billy Stewart: “I Do Love You” (1965, written by Billy Stewart).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 488

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

A couple of days ago Yusuf/Cat Stevens announced on social media that the soundtrack to “Harold & Maude” is being released today in the UK with a new cover in honor of Record Store Day. He was only in his early 20’s when several of his songs were chosen to carry the dark comedy and it was an overwhelming success.

The music, like the singer, was insightful interesting & reflective. It is one of my favorite movie scores of all time & one of my most beloved movies ever. It is quirky, eccentric, funny warm & heartbreaking. Just like life. And it makes you feel like despite how different & alone you may feel at times, if you keep looking, there is a place where you can finally belong.

And here’s to an early happy birthday wish to Yusuf/Cat Stevens. He was born Steven Georgiou on July 21, 1948 making this year birthday #73. May he celebrate 100 more.

Well if you want to say yes, say, “Yes”
And if you want to say no, say, “No”
‘Cause there’s a million ways to go
You know that there are“.

Cat

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Yusuf/Cat Stevens: “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out” (1971, 1984, written by Cat Stevens).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 487

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

After The Gold Rush is one of my favorite Neil Young albums. Released in 1970, it contains some of his best loved songs including the title track, “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” (Day 241), “Southern Man” and today’s song. It is a simple succinct sparse track that hit me inside in the way only Young can. There is such an elegant beauty yet undeniable sadness to his music I get lost in it. I find it brings me to a place of absolute joy & heartache all at once.

“Now that you found yourself losing your mind
Are you here again
Finding that what you once thought was real
Is gone and changing“.

N Young 1970

Neil Young circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Neil Young: “I Believe In You” (1970, written by Neil Young).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.