Music Monday: June 9, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Levon Helm was born 85 years ago on May 26, 1940 in Elaine, Arkansas. Best known as the drummer and primary singer for The Band, the multi-instrumentalist eventually branched out into acting. His best known role was as Loretta Lynn’s father in the 1980 film, “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Helm also appeared in “The Right Stuff” (1983), “Smooth Talk” (1985) and “In The Electric Mist” (2009).

After a bout with throat cancer in 1998, he regained his voice to record his 2007 album, Dirt Farmer. It won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2008. Two more Grammy wins soon followed, one in 2010 for Best Americana Album for his 2009 release, Electric Dirt and the other in 2012 in the same category for 2011’s Ramble at the Ryman.

Helm’s autobiography, “This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band“, was published in 1993. He died from throat cancer on April 19, 2012 at age 71.

Top: Levon Helm circa 1977. Bottom: Helm (R) with Sissy Spacek in 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, better known as Tom Jones, celebrated birthday #85 yesterday. The Welsh superstar was born June 7, 1940 in Wales. He started singing as a child and by 1964 he was signed to Decca Records. Two years later he won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966. From 1969 to 1971 he hosted his own TV show, “This Is Tom Jones”.

That exposure coupled with his signature powerhouse baritone voice made him one of the leading sex symbols of the 1970’s. He eventually branched out into acting and by the 1980’s started recording country music as well. In 1988 he teamed up with The Art Of Noise for a cover of Prince’s song, “Kiss”. Jones has spent the last 40 years performing, recording music (his last studio album, Surrounded by Time, was released in 2021) and participating in shows like “The Voice”. Jones’ 60 year career remains a part of music & pop culture history.

Top: Tom Jones circa 1970. Bottom: The performer circa 2019. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

April marked the 80th birth anniversary of one of my favorite voices from Motown. Tammi Terrell was born Thomasina Winifred Montgomery on April 29, 1945 in Philadelphia, PA. By the time she was 15, she was discovered by songwriter & record producer, Luther Dixon. A year later she was a backup singer for The Godfather of Soul, James Brown. In 1963, she released a song he co-wrote, “I Cried” on his label, Try Me Records. On Terrell’s 20th birthday in 1965, she was signed to Motown Records. By 1967, she was recording duets with Marvin Gaye. Their songs were successful on both the R&B and the pop charts.

In October 1967 she collapsed on stage and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Terrell fought a brave fight that ended 55 years ago when she died on March 16, 1970 at the age of 24.

Top: Tammi Terrell circa 1968 by Earl Fowler for SOUL Newspaper. Bottom: Terrell (R) with Marvin Gaye (L), circa 1967. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

John Fogerty turned 80 last month. Born John Cameron Fogerty on May 28, 1945 in Berkeley, California, his most successful solo album was released forty years ago in January 1985. It hit the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for one week on March 23, 1985. Between his years as the lead singer & primary songwriter for Creedence Clearwater Revival and his solo career of 52 years, Fogerty’s voice remains a constant in the classic rock genre.

Top: John Fogerty from his days with Creedence Clearwater Revival circa 1970. Bottom: The singer circa 2015. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Michael James “Mick” Hucknall was born 65 years ago on born June 8, 1960 in Manchester, U.K. He was the lead singer for the band, Simply Red. The group’s undeniable sound was led by the incredibly rich soulful timbre of Hucknall’s voice & the poignancy of his poetic lyrics. The band’s debut album, Picture Book, was released nearly 40 years ago in October 1985.

The third single put the group on the map and garnered them overnight success. Hucknall wrote it when he was 17. It hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week on July 12, 1986.

Another of their songs that I simply adore is from their fourth album which was released in September 1991. It is the title track which was the second single and like every Simply Red song, Hucknall’s incredible voice makes it an experience worth hearing again and again.

Top: Simply Red’s 1985 album. Middle: The band in the 1980’s with Mick Hucknall featured in the center, seated. Bottom: Hucknall circa 2021. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Levon Helm and Sissy Spacek: “Ain’t Got The Time” (1980 appearance on The Midnight Special. Credit(s) unknown. NOTE: The video cuts out just before the song ends, but it is a great performance nonetheless).

Tom Jones: “She’s A Lady” (1971, written by Paul Anka).

Tammi Terrell: “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You” (1967, written by Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock and Harvey Fuqua).

John Fogerty: “Centerfield” (1985, written by John Fogerty).

Simply Red: “Holding Back the Years” (1985, written by Mick Hucknall and Neil Moss).

Simply Red: “Stars” (1991, written by Mick Hucknall).

Stay safe & well.

27Jan2025

Music Monday: January 27, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Less than a month into the new year and already a loss. Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band, passed away on January 21 at age 87. He was a multi-instrumentalist and true musical virtuoso who added such a unique and resounding piece to what turned out to be an incredible group of musicians.

Born August 2, 1937 in Canada, he & the rest of The Band-Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson-formed in 1957 and a year later were the backing band for singer Ronnie Hawkins until 1963. By 1965, The Band were backing Bob Dylan during his electric phase. While he was recuperating from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in 1966, The Band rented a house in upstate New York where they recorded their first album, Music From Big Pink, released in 1968. The Band broke up in 1977 and their last concert in 1976 was captured in the film, “The Last Waltz”, released in 1978.

The Band’s 1969 self-titled album (L-R): Richard Manuel, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

After that Hudson played as a session musician, reformed The Band for a brief stint (with all but Robertson in attendance), did some solo work & performed with his wife, Maud, who died in 2022. According to the AP’s report on his death, Hudson faced financial struggles in the later years of his life including bankruptcy, foreclosure & an auction to sell his personal items in 2013 when he could no longer afford a storage unit. Like the other three members of The Band, Hudson had sold his interest in the group to Robbie Robertson who had been called out on several occasions by both Levon Helm and Rick Danko for taking advantage of his so called brothers while they were struggling at their lowest points. Robertson also refused to acknowledge their contributions to the songwriting process.

When he died in 2023 his net worth was allegedly around $50 million dollars, yet did nothing to assist Hudson at the very least by paying for the back rent on the storage unit to save his belongings. By that time they were the last two surviving members after Helm’s death in 2012. Whatever brotherhood existed in The Band during their 19 years together, it does not seem Robertson had any part of it once the group disbanded. By comparison one of his biggest admirers, Eric Clapton, agreed to give his Derek & The Dominos bandmate Bobby Whitlock songwriting credit in 2017 for a few tracks for the group’s only album, 1970’s Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, just ahead of its 50th anniversary reissue. Moral of the story: it is never too late to be a decent human being. And Hudson seemed to be one of the good ones who deserved a better ending to his story.

Eric Garth Hudson: August 2, 1937 – January 21, 2025.

Top: Hudson in the late 1970’s. Bottom: The musician circa 2015. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

The Band: “The Weight” (1968, written by Robbie Robertson).

The Band: “I Shall Be Released” (1968, written by Bob Dylan).

The Band: “Up On Cripple Creek” (1969, written by Robbie Robertson).

Until next time, happy listening!!!

14Aug2023

Music Monday: August 14, 2023

Posted in Music, Music Monday by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Last month The Band’s debut record, Music from Big Pink, turned 55 years old. Last week, guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson passed away at the age of 80. As much as I loved the group as a whole, it was incredibly heartbreaking to see how they became so divided over songwriting credits and money (his 2020 documentary seems to validate his bandmate’s claims against him, not to mention it was conveniently released after three of them-Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Levon Helm-died so they could not defend themselves). But for a while what those five musicians created together was incomprable. The Band influenced the likes of The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, U2 and so many others. That leaves the group’s multi-instrumentalist, Garth Hudson who turned 86 on August 2, as the sole surviving member.

the-band-bw1-photo-elliott-landy-www-elliottlandy-com — **The Band circa 1968 (L-R): Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)**

Legendary girl group superstar Ronnie Spector was born Veronica Yvette Bennett 80 years ago on August 10, 1943 in New York, NY. She co-founded and sang lead for The Ronettes (which included her older sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley) who gave us a sound and a style all their own. They played a significant role in 1960’s American music and Spector’s influence was felt by superstars such as Keith Richards, Darlene Love, Steven Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen, amongst many others. Spector’s 1990 memoir, “Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, Or, My Life as a Fabulous Ronette” (alternatively titled as “Be My Baby: The Autobiography of Ronnie Spector“) is definitely worth the read. Sadly, we lost this incredible woman in 2022.

Bruce Springsteen (center) with Ronnie Spector behind him with The E Street Band circa 1978 (L-R): Danny Federici, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, Clarence Clemons, Roy Bittan and Gary Tallent. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Country star Luke Combs has given a new generation an education in the strength of a great song with his cover of Tracy Chapman’s extraordinary 1988 debut single. It was a #1 hit for her on the Billboard 200 for one week in August that year and Comb’s version is currently #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Back in June the song hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Country Songwriters chart, making Chapman the first black woman to hit the top of a Country chart as the sole songwriter. It is one of my all-time favorite songs and I think she is a beautiful writer and singer who deserves every accolade that comes her way. Kudos to Combs for bringing this gem back to the charts.

Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Band: “The Weight” (1968, written by Robbie Robertson).

The Ronettes: “Baby, I Love You” (1963, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phil Spector).

Tracy Chapman: “Fast Car” (1988, written by Tracy Chapman).

Luke Combs: “Fast Car” (2023, written by Tracy Chapman).

Stay safe and well.

12Aug2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 514

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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?

(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.

I am not sure if today’s song is considered PC or not anymore given the whole cancel culture climate we are in. I do not mean to offend if it is. I just hear it as a great track by one of my favorite bands. And in honor of Garth Hudson’s 84th birthday earlier this month I want to share it. He was born on August 2, 1937 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and he was the only member of that fabulous band who did not contribute vocals. He was too busy as a multi-instrumentalist to add that to his resume. He contributed keyboards, saxophone and accordion playing to the group which helped define their sound from day one.

Robbie Robertson may have been the principal songwriter for The Band, but he alone could not have given life to those songs in the phenomenal way the five men did as an ensemble. He & Hudson, who has been working as a solo artist for the last two decades, are the only living members left from this incredible group. I think it is so sad the other three have missed so much. But together they reached the likes of Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Elton John & many others who were completely inspired by what The Band created as a whole. That is one impressive fan base. Here’s to 100 more birthdays for Garth Hudson.

“Now I don’t mind chopping wood
And I don’t care if the money’s no good
You take what you need
And you leave the rest“.

Top: Garth Hudson circa 1971. Bottom: The Band circa 1970 (L-R): Rick Danko, Hudson, Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

The Band: “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (From the music documentary “The Last Waltz”, released April 26, 1978. Recorded live on November 25, 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Originally released in 1969, written by Robbie Robertson).

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

Stay well.

26Apr2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 406

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

On this day in 1978 one of my all time favorite music docs was released. “The Last Waltz”, a film about The Band’s farewell concert directed by eminent director Martin Scorsese, was released on April 26, 1978. This was the movie that let me see some of my favorite artists perform for the first time including The Band themselves, Neil Young, Van Morrison, The Staple Singers, Muddy Waters and my great musical love, Eric Clapton.

He had been covering many of his favorite blues songs since Cream’s 1966 debut album and he continued the tradition in to his solo career. Today’s song was recorded live at my old stomping grounds, The Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on June 28, 1975, as part of Clapton’s 1975 live album, E.C. Was Here. But watching him perform it with one of his favorite bands in this superb film made it extra special.

“You’re gonna reap just what you sow
That old saying is true
Just like you mistreat someone
Someone’s gonna mistreat you:”.

Levon Helm on drums and Eric Clapton on guitar in a scene from 1978’s “The Last Waltz”. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Eric Clapton & The Band” “Further On Up The Road” (From the music documentary The Last Waltz, released April 26, 1978. Recorded live on November 25, 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Originally recorded in 1976, written by Don Robey and Joe Medwick Veasey).

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

Stay well.

29Dec2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 288

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(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.

Today marks the 77th birth anniversary for the bassist for The Band, Rick Danko. Born on December 29, 1943 in Canada, he was playing banjo by the time he was in first grade. By the time he was around 13, he was in a band. In 1960 he was playing in The Hawks with Ronnie Hawkins where he would eventually meet the other four members of his next group, who went on to play for Bob Dylan before going out on their own as The Band. Today’s song is from their debut album, “Music From Big Pink”.

I love this track for a few reasons. It was highlighted in a couple of exceptional episodes in two of my favorite shows. In November 1991 it was used in “The Wonder Years” (season five episode 6, “The Triangle”) and in 2003 Aaron Neville’s version was featured in “Without A Trace” (season one episode 13, “Hang On To Me”). The song was written by Bob Dylan who let The Band record it first. But mostly I love it because Richard Manuel’s lead vocal is absolutely heartbreaking & the harmony vocals by Danko & drummer Levon Helm are superb. Both men also provided the group with one of the best rhythm sections in rock & roll.

“They say every man needs protection
They say that every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall“.

The Band circa 1972 (L-R): Garth Brooks, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Band: “I Shall Be Released” (1968, written by Bob Dylan).

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

Stay well.

26Nov2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 255

Posted in Holidays, Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope it is a safe enjoyable day however you choose to celebrate it.

On this holiday in 1976, The Band performed their final concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Several of their fellow musicians joined them on stage to give the group a proper goodbye including Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison & Neil Young, amongst others. It was all filmed by Martin Scorsese who turned it into the documentary “The Last Waltz” two years later. It may not have been the movie the entire group thought they were making, but there is no denying how great they sounded on every song, including today’s pick. It is from The Band’s self-titled second album, which was certified gold on November 26, 1969, only two months after it was released.

“Now there’s one thing in the whole wide world
I sure do love to see
That’s how that little sweet thing of mine
Puts her doughnut in my tea“.

Top: The Band’s self-titled second album (L-R): Richard Manuel, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson & Robbie Robertson. Bottom: “The Last Waltz” movie poster from 1978. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Band: “Up On Cripple Creek” (Live performance from “The Last Waltz” concert film recorded November 25, 1976. Originally released in 1969, written by Robbie Robertson).

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

Stay well.

21Oct2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 219

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

In 1978 SNL cast members John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd introduced us to their singing counterparts, The Blue Brothers, through the song, “Soul Man”. At one point in the tune, Belushi said “Play it, Steve”. That Steve is the innovative legendary guitarist Steve Cropper who has been gracing the world with his impeccable talent for six decades. Today marks his 79th birthday.

Born today in 1941 in Missouri, his family relocated to Memphis when he was nine. He started playing guitar at age 14 and the first band he was in went on to become a session band, The Mar-Keys. That brought Cropper to the attention of Stax Records owner Jim Stewart who hired Cropper as the label’s A&R man. Around the same time he co-founded his own group, Booker T & The MG’s with keyboard player Booker T. Jones, drummer Al Jackson Jr. and bassist Lewie Steinberg, who was eventually replaced by Donald “Duck” Dunn. That band was unique for two reasons: their trailblazing sounds which formed the foundation of southern soul music with elements of funk sounds and despite the fact that it was Memphis, Tennessee in 1962, the band was an equal balance of race with two white members and two black members.

Booker T & The MG’s became the house band at Stax and set the sound, tone & rhythm for the label, just as The Funk Brothers were doing for the Motown label in Detroit. Cropper not only played guitar for his group but started composing songs with many of the singers on Stax. He co-wrote “Knock On Wood”, “Raise Your Hand” & “634-5789” with Eddie Floyd, “In The Midnight Hour” (Day 131) with Wilson Pickett and “Mr. Pitiful”, “The Happy Song”, “Just One More Day” & “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” (Day 28) with Otis Redding. He & Cropper had become good friends and it was left to him to finish & produce “Dock Of The Bay” after Redding’s tragic death in 1967. It became a #1 hit in March 1968 for four consecutive weeks.

Cropper, who appeared in both Blues Brothers films (released in 1980 & 1998, respectively), is still actively playing & touring. He is considered to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time. He has contributed his signature sound or produced records by Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Levon Helm, Albert King, Roy Orbison, Rod Stewart, Leon Russell, Etta James. Art Garfunkel, Peter Frampton, Dolly Parton and John Mellencamp. He released 11 solo records between 1969-2018 and 13 albums with Booker T & The MG’s between 1962-1994, including today’s song which hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart & #1 on the R&B chart in 1962. It is considered one of the finest instrumentals ever recorded and I concur.

Top: Booker T & The MG’s circa 1962 (L-R): Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper & Al Jackson Jr. Bottom: Cropper & his beautiful talented hands circa 2000. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Booker T & The MG’s: “Green Onions” (1962, written by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg & Al Jackson, Jr.).

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

Stay well.

12Sep2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 180

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Six months have now passed since the pandemic came into our lives. I will refrain from using the terms that have become our new language and just say as difficult as this time has been, I am thankful for this outlet because it has given me back the magic of music. Listening to songs and artists I somehow lost track of or denied myself the joy of because I felt obligated to put others first in enabling ways or because of work or domestic monotony or anything else “I was supposed to do”. Well this time has taught me I come first-finally-and I will no longer deny that nor will I apologize for it. In the middle of a pandemic, I found me. How can I not be grateful for that? So, to quote Casey Kasem, on with the music. And a virtual road trip to clear out the cobwebs.

The voices I have heard in music have affected me in different ways. Some were subtle, some were intense and some were massive. Today’s singers fall into the last category. The first time I heard The Band, I fell in love with not one but three distinct beautiful voices-the ones belonging to Rick Danko, Levon Helm & Richard Manuel. Danko’s vocal on “Long Black Veil“, Helm’s vocal on “The Weight” (see day 60) and Manuel’s vocal on “I Shall Be Released“, with each of the other singers providing harmony on those songs, is some of the most remarkable music I have ever heard. After the original group broke up in 1976, the three singers along with fellow bandmate, multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson, reformed as a band in 1983. And despite the heartbreaking loss of Manuel in 1986 to suicide after an ongoing battle with drug & alcohol addiction, the other three members carried on.

Every time I heard their music or saw one of the singers, I felt at home. I remember sitting in a movie theatre watching “The Big Chill” and doing an internal cartwheel as soon as I heard the acoustic guitar intro to “The Weight” during the breakfast scene where every one gets their running shoes. Or when I was in the same theatre watching “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and seeing Levon Helm on the big screen as Loretta Lynn’s father, Ted Webb. Or whenever I needed to see “The Last Waltz” just one more time.

Danko died of heart failure in 1999 which is when this stunning group ended their career for good. Helm kept acting, performing and making music on his own, right up until he died in 2012 from cancer. With all three of these beautiful voices gone now, there is a place inside my soul that just yearns for them. Their contribution to music in general and my world specifically, is immeasurable, despite the efforts of others to downplay or forget their roles in one of the most extraordinary bands to ever make music.

“Everything dies, baby, that’s a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City“.

Top (L-R): Richard Manuel, Levon Helm & Rick Danko circa 1969. Bottom: The Band, 1993 (© New York Times): Rick Danko, far left; Garth Hudson, with hat, Levon Helm, with beard, on the right (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

The Band: “Atlantic City” (1993, 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.

2Jul2015

Fourth of July Music Celebration

Posted in Uncategorized by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Hello, fellow Vixens!!! Happy July!!!

With the long holiday weekend to celebrate our nation’s independence upon us, I thought I would share the songs I listen to whenever I take a road trip. There is something about the open highway that is invigorating and inspiring to me. Seeing this beautiful country from different vantage points reminds me how lucky I am to call it home.

One of my favorite buildings in Waxhaw, NC.

I celebrate that freedom with the musicians who have contributed to the soundtrack I live my life to. The songs I chose may not specifically mention or relate to the holiday at all, but they or the artists singing them remind me of home. This is my comfort music.

And given the current climate with the Supreme Court’s ruling and one state’s steps to see us all as equals under the same flag, this year’s observance of the 4th of July seems more important than ever.

The view from one of my favorite antiques barns in Jeffersonville, VT.

So here is what I will be listening to this weekend:

10) “Feeling Stronger Every Day” by Chicago. A great American band named for their home city. And what a message for anyone who needs some encouragement.

9) “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. America’s all American band born on the bayou by way of California.

8) “The Weight” by the Band. The late Levon Helm at his best.

7) “American Pie” by Don McClean. An unlikely anthem if ever there was one.

6) “Dancing in the Streets” by Martha and the Vandellas. Does it get more American than Motown-a/k/a Detroit-where Chevys were made? Remember the car maker’s old tag line? “Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet”. What a visual.

5) “Roadhouse Blues” by the Doors. The harmonica adds the perfect amount of Americana to this rocker.

4) “Me & Bobby McGee” by Kris Kristofferson. A song about falling in love while on the road with the “windshield wipers slappin’ time”. Jack Kerouac would have been so proud.

3) “This Land is Your Land” by Pete Seeger & Friends. Forget why they were there. Just focus on the moment when Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen and others stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to sing one of the greatest songs celebrating our country.

2) “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen. New Jersey’s elite music master celebrates the best of this country (see #3) and the worst (“Born in the USA”). But no one does it with more passion, grace or heart than Freehold’s fortunate son.

1) “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles. It’s Ray Charles singing. Enough written.

Bonus: ANYTHING by Otis Redding. My top choices are “Tramp” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay“.

What will you be listening to over the holiday weekend?

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July, Vixens!!!

The display in front of one favorite antiques stores in Babylon, NY.

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Lilacs & Rust

Music & makeovers! I swoon for chippy paint, a gorgeous patina and a fabulous song!!! I love great music (read: Bruce Springsteen & Otis Redding), white lilacs, walking in freshly fallen snow, the Golden Girls, road trips and the fall!!!

Tag Archives: Levon Helm

Music Monday: June 9, 2025

Music Monday: January 27, 2025

Music Monday: August 14, 2023

Let’s Take A Moment Day 514

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 406

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Levon Helm on drums and Eric Clapton on guitar in a scene from 1978’s “The Last Waltz”. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 288

Let’s Take A Moment Day 255

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Let’s Take A Moment Day 219

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Top: Booker T & The MG’s circa 1962 (L-R): Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper & Al Jackson Jr. Bottom: Cropper & his beautiful talented hands circa 2000. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 180

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Fourth of July Music Celebration