Tag Archives: Kenny Loggins

Music Monday: January 9, 2023

Posted in Music, Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

It is only the second week of the new year and already we have a triple play. And the first milestone is closest to my heart because this artist holds mine in both of his hands. Fifty years ago on January 5, 1973 Bruce Springsteen released his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. The nine tracks from this record is how the musical legacy for The Boss began and it was quite stunning. Several of the songs have become well loved classics including “Blinded By The Light” (which was a #1 hit for Manfred Man’s Earth Band in February 1977), “For You”, “Growin’ Up” and today’s song, my favorite cut from the record. Fifty years later, this man is getting ready to tour again since the pandemic shut everything down. But he spent that time making new music, co-writing a book and hosting a couple of podcasts, amongst other things. And he continues to be the constant in my life.

Kenny Loggins was born January 7, 1948 making this birthday #75. I fell in love with him as a solo performer before discovering his impressive work with Jim Messina (from Buffalo Springfield & Poco). Today’s song is from their first album, Sittin’ In, which was released in 1971. Loggins was also co-writer of The Doobie Brothers hit, “What A Fool Believes” in addition to a lot of movie music from films like Caddyshack, Footloose & Top Gun. And in my favorite episode of “Dharma & Greg”, Loggins not only performed “Danny’s Song” but flexed his comedic muscles when he participated in the hilarious quirky one-of-a-kind wedding between Abby & Larry.

Yesterday marked the 88th birth anniversary for the man the world crowned The King. Elvis Aaron Presley was born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Roughly two decades later, he changed the face of music, the landscape of pop culture, the word censorship in the television medium, the image of what a U.S soldier looked like and basically put the world on a whole new path. It was the one less traveled and it made all the difference. All hail The King.

Greetings 1

Greetings 2

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Elvis

Top two pictures: The front and back covers, respectfully, of Bruce Springsteen’s 1973 debut album. Middle: Loggins & Messina’s 1971 debut album. Bottom: Elvis Presley from his 1968 televised comeback special. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Spirit In The Night” (1973, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Loggins & Messina: “House At Pooh Corner” (1971, written by Kenny Loggins).

Elvis Presley: “Love Me Tender” (1956, written by George R. Poulton, Vera Matson, Elvis Presley & (uncredited) Ken Darby).

Stay safe.

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25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 3

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 3

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Kenny Loggins released his debut solo album in 1977. He had already charmed the world with hits like “House At Pooh Corner”, “Your Mama Don’t Dance”, “Danny’s Song” and others during his years partnered with Jim Messina. But Loggins had many more songs to write & sing on his own including today’s from his first record 44 years ago. It has become a seasonal favorite despite having to struggle to find it on the radio each year amongst the tunes that are played several times a day.

I can listen to today’s pick all month long & not come close to getting tired of it. It may only mention the holidays once in the lyrics but going home for them, even in the figurative sense by honoring the people & the traditions we love, is a journey most of us take this time of year whether we want to or not. And as bittersweet as our memories may be, going home should be celebrated just like the song says.

“Whenever I find myself too all alone,
I can make believe I’ve never gone,
I never know where I belong,
Sing me home“.

kenny-loggins

Kenny Loggins circa 1978. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Kenny Loggins: “Celebrate Me Home” (1977, written by Bob James and Kenny Loggins).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Let’s Take A Moment Day 429

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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?

May blog 2021

(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.

My parents were married 59 years ago on May 19, 1962. Today’s song is dedicated to them.

“I wanna sing you a love song
I wanna rock you in my arms all night long
I wanna get to know you
I wanna show you the peaceful feelin’ of my home“.

Loggins and Messina

Kenny Loggins (L) and Jim Messina (R) circa 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Loggins & Messina: “A Love Song” (1973, written by Dona Lyn (D.L.) George and Kenny Loggins).

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 368

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?

March 2021 Blog

(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 March 19, 1976 The Doobie Brothers released the album, Takin’ It To The Streets. It was the group’s first one with keyboard player, songwriter & vocalist, Michael McDonald. He helped move the group in a different sound direction that led to their mega hit 1978 album, Minute By Minute.

McDonald was brought in to fill the void from original member Tom Johnston’s temporary leave for health issues in 1975. He tried to come back during the tour for the group’s next album, but after another health problem he decided to leave the band he co-founded for good in 1977. During Johnston’s years the band was known for its heavy guitar driven tunes courtesy of his and Patrick Simmons playing. But with McDonald the band took on a more keyboard centered sound which only added to the success of this already talented group.

“She musters a smile for his nostalgic tale
Never coming near what he wanted to say
Only to realize
It never really was“.

Doobie_Brothers_1976

The Doobie Brothers circa 1976: Back row (L-R): Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Keith Knudsen, Tom Johnston, John Hartman, Patick Simmons. Front: Tiran Porter and Michael McDonald. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Doobie Brothers: “What A Fool Believes” (1978, written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald).

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 297

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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?

Shakespeare music

(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.

We now join wannabe golfer Carl Spackler in his fantasy about playing in a fake Masters Tournament from 1980, already in progress:

“What an incredible Cinderella story. This unknown comes outta nowhere to lead the pack at Augusta. He’s on his final hole. He’s about 455 yards away, he’s gonna hit about a two iron, I think …

Swat!

Boy, he got all of that. The crowd is standing on its feet here at Augusta. The normally reserved Augusta crowd is going wild … for this young Cinderella who’s come out of nowhere. He’s got about 350 yards left. He’s going to hit about a five iron, it looks like, don’t you think? He’s got a beautiful backswing … That’s …

Swat!

Oh! He got all of that one! He’s gotta be pleased with that. The crowd is just on its feet here. He’s a Cinderella boy, tears in his eyes, I guess, as he lines up this last shot. He’s got about 195 yards left, and he’s got a, it looks like he’s got about an eight iron. This crowd has gone deadly silent. Cinderella story, out of nowhere, former greens keeper, now about to become the Masters champion.

Swat!

It looks like a mirac . . . It’s in the hole! IT’S IN THE HOLE!!!“

If you can listen to today’s pick and not recite that monologue word for word in your head, then you did not have the full “Caddyshack” experience. That includes the theme song by Kenny Loggins, who turns 73 years old today. Born January 7, 1948 in Everett, WA, I love him for many things and that movie is near the top of the list. Also because he had Levittown NY’s pride & joy, Eddie Money, singing back-up on this record.

Caddyshack 1

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Top: Bill Murray doing his best lip curl as Carl Spackler in 1980’s “Caddyshack”. Bottom: Kenny Loggins circa 2010. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Kenny Loggins: “I’m Alright (Theme from “Caddyshack)” (1980, written by Kenny Loggins).

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 167

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?

Bruce quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

I have written before about how big 1978 was for me in  music, so not surprisingly today’s song was released that year as well.  It is by another band I liked enough to listen to when they came on the radio but that is about as far as it went.  Poco was born from the ashes of the 1960’s group, Buffalo Springfield, to become a 1970’s country rock group.  Today’s song and another hit, “Crazy Love”, helped them earn their place in that genre.  When they released their album, “Legend”, I fell head over heels in love with today’s track.  It has all the staples I love in a song: a good vocal, interesting lyrics, a beautiful string arrangement and a fabulous sax solo.  It was written & sung by Paul Cotton who joined the band after Jim Messina (yes, of Loggins & Messina fame) left in 1970.

Today’s song is a wonderful tribute to New Orleans and while that city is famous for its music, the track also celebrates other things, namely the beauty of the Mississippi River rising, the site of the “full moon in tight shining down on the Pontchartrain” and the peace of “the cool southern rain”.  It’s really a beautiful love letter to the city.  We should all love one as much as Cotton loves New Orleans, even if it’s only for a day.

“And I trust in your love
Never falling down
I trust in your love
Just like I do in this town
Whoa, never falling down“.

L-R:  Poco circa 1978 & songwriter Paul Cotton circa 1974.  (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Poco:  “Heart Of The Night” (1978, written by Paul Cotton).

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 79

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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?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

When I was a teenager I earned money by babysitting.  One of my favorite things to do after the kids went to bed was to look through the album collections of their parents.  It was a great musical education for me as I came across a lot of great singers and songs that way.  One of the best discoveries I made doing this was “The Best of Friends” album by Loggins & Messina.  Up to that point I only knew Loggins from his hit “This Is It” and as the co-writer of “What A Fool Believes” with Michael McDonald for The Doobie Brothers.  The album also introduced me to his partner, Jim Messina, and his earlier bands Buffalo Springfield & Poco.  All 10 songs on the record are fabulous from the writing to the vocals to the arrangements.  But today’s pick is the one I love most, with “House At Pooh Corner” coming in a very close second.

Loggins
(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

 

Loggins & Messina:  “Angry Eyes” (1972, written by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina).

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 62

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?

Peanuts music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

When Michael McDonald joined The Doobie Brothers in 1975, the sound of the band changed from a rock & roll guitar driven one to a more soulful piano/keyboard one.  Their 1978 album, “Minute by Minute” was a smash and produced the band’s biggest hit, “What A Fool Believes”.  That song was co-written by McDonald and Kenny Loggins and won Record & Song Of The Year at the Grammy Awards in 1980.  When the band broke up in 1982, McDonald went on to become one of the greatest blue eyed-soul singers ever in his successful solo career.  Today’s song remains my favorite of his from the Doobie Brothers days.

The Doobie Brothers In Amsterdam

The Doobie Brothers circa 1978 L-R:  Tiran Porter, John Hartman, Michael McDonald, Keith Knudsen, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Patrick Simmons (seated).  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Doobie Brothers:  “It Keeps You Running” (1976, written by Michael McDonald).

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

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2019: Day 7

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Greetings from another charming vintage Christmas card circa 1950’s.  Swoon!!!

day 7

Found on Pinterest (original soutce unknown).  

When you think of the best blue eyed soul singers this country has ever produced, today’s singer is either at or near the very top of the list, depending on who you ask.  That incredibly talented voice, his prowess on the keyboards, his collaborations with Steely Dan and his tenure with the Doobie Brothers is what this five time Grammy winner is best known for.  He is also a friend and frequent collaborator with the writers of today’s song.  It’s always a treat to find a “new” Christmas song, and this is an exceptional one.

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald:  “On Christmas Morning” (2001, written by David Foster & Kenny Loggins, circa 1989).

kenny loggins

For an added bonus, listen to Kenny Loggins’ own version of this song recorded for his “December” album released in 1998.

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 20

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

I follow a lot of unbelievably talented & creative women on Instagram, and since their pictures are so beautiful, I wanted to share a few with you.

Little Farmstead.jpg

Courtesy of Julie @ Little Farmstead 

If you like simple rustic farmhouse elegance, then you need to visit Julie’s Instagram page, @littlefarmstead.  Her neutral palette is punctuated with natural elements and lots of texture.  She also shares life on her farm with her beautiful family.  If all that were not enough, this year they added a few baby doll sheep to all the fun.  And yes, they are as adorable as they sound.  Visit her IG page to see them & the rest of her pretty pictures.  Thanks, Julie, for letting me share your picture!!!

Now to today’s song.

Remember when we were kids and we had to wait ALL YEAR to watch the Christmas specials-Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and my all time favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas?  Once a year was never enough for me.  I hummed the music all year long, danced the same dance as all the characters did when no one was looking and replayed the ice skating scene over and over again in my head in the middle of the summer when winter seemed years away.

Over the years I bought the corresponding book, the DVD and the music CD.  I probably watch the special on average once a month and I never tire of it.  When I am having a bad day and cannot adult another second more, I climb into bed, get under my covers and escape into that beautiful world of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and the rest of the gang.  And after 30 minutes in the safest most perfect world I have ever known, all becomes a little easier in the one I have to live in.  And I make no apologies for that.

Here is my favorite song from this heartfelt special along with a few covers that deserve honorable mentions.

peanuts-2

The Peanuts by way of the Vince Guaraldi Trio:  “Christmastime Is Here” (1965).

Anita Baker:  “Christmas Time Is Here” (2005).

Shawn Colvin:  “Christmastime Is Here” (1998).

Diana Krall:  “Christmastime Is Here” (2005).

Kenny Loggins:  “Christmastime Is Here” (1998).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!