Tag Archives: music

Let’s Take A Moment Day 105

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?

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.

Blue eyed soul is a weakness of mine, but given my love for all things Motown that is certainly not surprising.  There are several singers who do it exceedingly well and today’s song showcases one of the best.  Daryl Hall & John Oates have had a phenomenal run as one of the most successful duos in music history, and part of that success is due to Hall’s soulful voice.  There are so many of their songs that showcase his incredible gift, but my favorite is the song that first introduced them to audiences back in 1975.

Hall and Oates

Daryl Hall (L) and John Oates (R) at the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Brooklyn, NY.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Hall & Oates:  “Sara Smile” ( 1975, written by Daryl Hall & John Oates).

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 104

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?

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.

In September 1998 I watched the pilot episode of “Will & Grace”.  As much as I liked the two title characters, I fell head over heels in love with their friends, Jack & Karen, played by Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally.  Their chemistry was remarkable and their onscreen antics were like none I had ever seen before on network television.  For the eight years of the show’s original run, I followed Mullally on the talk show circuit where I discovered her beautiful singing voice.  She has put out a number of CD’s over the years and one included one of my favorite songs by Tom Waits (see Day 92).  I saw her perform it on “The Late Show With David Letterman” in 2002 and she was fabulous.  The last verse has some of the most beautiful lyrics I have ever heard:

“In a land there’s a town, and in that town there’s a house
And in that house there’s a woman
And in that woman there’s a heart I love
I’m gonna take it with me when I go.”

Megan

(Image courtesy of meganmullally.net.)

Megan Mullally:  “Take It With Me” (2002, written by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan).

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 103

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?

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.

The Beatles introduced us to the songwriting team of Lennon & McCartney while The Rolling Stones gave us Jagger & Richards. They have written so many great songs that rock over the last 56 years, but out of all of their ballads, this is my absolute favorite.

“Childhood living is easy to do
The things you wanted I bought them for you
Graceless lady you know who I am
You know I can’t let you slide through my hands
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”

Stones

The Rolling Stones circa 2010:  L-R:  Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger & Ron Wood.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Rolling Stones:  “Wild Horses” (1971, written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards).

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 101

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?

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.

Another one of my great loves, Kris Kristofferson, celebrated his 84th birthday on June 22.  He has been in some of my favorite movies including “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”, “Welcome Home”, “Payback” and “Christmas In Connecticut”.  But he will always be one of my musical heroes for writing such poetic and eloquent songs about love, either the loss of it or the great joy of having it.  A lot of artists have covered the many songs in his remarkable and varied catalog, but to me there is nothing better than his raspy expressive voice singing his own works of art.

“Wakin’ in the mornin’ to the feelin’ of her fingers on my skin
Wipin’ out the traces of the people and the places that I’ve been
Teachin’ me that yesterday was somethin’ that I’d never thought of trying’
Talkin’ of tomorrow and the money love and time we had to spend
Lovin’ her was easier than anything I’ll ever do again.”

Keis

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Kris Kristofferson:  “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” (1971, written by Kris Kristofferson).

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 97

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?

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.

My dad liked today’s song because it reminded him of his father.  Now I like it for the same reason.  Happy Father’s Day to all.

Mike Mechanics

Mike & The Mechanics circa 1988 L-R:  Paul Carrack (lead vocals), Adrian Lee (keyboards), Mike Rutherford (guartarist), Peter Van Hooke (drummer) and Paul Young (bass).  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Mike & The Mechanics:  “The Living Years” (1988, written by Mike Rutherford and B.A. 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.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 94

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?

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 U2 burst on to the music scene in 1980, it was clear from their song lyrics this was not an ordinary band.  The stories they told were wrought with detail, emotion and meaning.  But I don’t think anyone could have predicted what a humanitarian Bono would go on to become.  He has been trying to end hunger and poverty around the world ever since he recorded the charity single, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in 1984.  He has met with  everyone from world leaders to the heads of charitable organizations to the Pope himself.  And throughout all this work, he never took the eye off the ball with the band and continued to make great music.  It also did not affect his impossibly good looks, either.  Today’s song is my favorite from U2’s extraordinary catalog.

U2
U2 circa 2000: Adam Clayton (bass), Bono (lead vocals & guitar) the Edge (lead guitar & backing vocals) & Larry Mullen Jr. (drums).  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

U2:  “One” (1991, written by U2:  Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, & Larry Mullen 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.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 82

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?

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.

There is no shortage of great southern country rock bands in music history.  But when you find one that combines that sound with jazz, the blues, live improvisational jams, killer slide guitar and lyrics that tell great stories in an astonishing agonized soulful vocal, then you have the best of the best.  At least for me, which is why I think The Allman Brothers Band is the greatest of the greats.  My first listen to “Ramblin’ Man” made me a fan, but when I heard “Whipping Post” I felt introduced to a new religion only few had the privilege to know.  Gregg Allman sounded like his wounds were bleeding as he sang each note, and just when I thought I couldn’t stand the pain another second, the mesmerizing guitar riffs playing off the keyboards catapulted me into the middle of a completely different storm.  But instead of a deafening noise, it was an emotional baptism into the new divinity I discovered.  I never really recovered from the experience.  And I am thankful for that every day.

Unfortunately both Allman brothers are gone now, but I can’t think of two siblings who gave the classic rock world more than Duane & Gregg.

Allman Brothers

The Allman Brothers Band (L_R):  Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), Duane Allman (lead & slide guitar), Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriter),  Jaimoe Johanson (drums), Butch Trucks (drums), , & Berry Oakley (bass) in 1971 as photographed for the cover of their second album, Idlewild South.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.) 

The Allman Brothers Band:  “Midnight Rider” (1970, written by Gregg Allman and Robert Kim Payne).    

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 80

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?

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 the first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1986, several notable people speculated that eventually everyone would get in.  Not true.  While many of those inducted in the last few years have me shaking my head (Abba, really???) so does the absence of Bad Company.  They are an unbelievably great band and have one of the greatest lead singers to ever take center stage:  Paul Rodgers.

I fell head over heels in love with his magnificently powerful soulful voice the first time I heard him sing “All Right Now”, a monumental tune he co-wrote for his first band, Free.  But his years with the band he co-founded, Bad Co., solidified his reputation as a great singer-songwriter.  From “Can’t Get Enough”, “Simple Man”, “Running With The Pack”, “Feel Like Makin’ Love”, “Shooting Star” and so many others, Rodgers has penned many of the group’s biggest hits.  He also plays guitar, piano & keyboards.  Rodgers’ talent and the band’s musicianship are undeniable which helped them become a powerhouse group in the 1970’s.  Yet despite being eligible for induction into the HOF since 1999 (25 years after their debut album came out in 1974), Bad Co. has yet to be voted in.  And for the life of me I cannot understand why.  (The HOF has also snubbed Tina Turner, Warren Zevon, John Coltrane and Todd Rundgren.  But I digress).

Bad Co 3

Bad Company circa 1974 (L-R):  Boz Burrell, Mick Ralphs, Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke. 
(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Let’s not forget that Rodgers also had a five year stint touring with Queen beginning in 2004.  He was also in a band with Jimmy Page in the 1980’s (The Firm) and made tribute records to two of his musical heroes, Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters, the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination.  Not to be overlooked, the other members of Bad Co. have great resumes as well:  guitarist and group co-founder Mick Ralphs, who has written or co-written many of the group’s songs (including “Can’t Get Enough” & “Feel Like Makin’ Love”), was once a member of Mott The Hoople (best known for “All The Young Dudes”) & has toured with David Gilmour; bassist & songwriter Boz Burrell, who was also a member of King Crimson and drummer & songwriter Simon Kirke, who was also in Free and toured with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band.

I consider all of their albums my favorites for different reasons, but when you name one after a Jack Kerouac novel (1979’s “Desolation Angels”) I think it takes center stage (no pun intended).  And who doesn’t need a fantasy to escape to right now more than ever?

 

 (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company:  “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” (1979, 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 68

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.

The birth of MTV introduced us all to the very talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Squier.  His 1981 album “Don’t Say No” produced four big songs:  “The Stroke”, “My Kinda Lover”, “Lonely Is The Night” and today’s hit which is my absolute favorite.  And who else remembers his sing along holiday video, “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You“?  Sadly the same way MTV helped make his career it also broke it.  The video for his 1984 release “Rock Me Tonite” was viewed by many as a sell out to his rock roots, not to mention being criticized for what was perceived as a homosexual message (remember this was almost 40 years ago).  Over the years Squier has toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band while many hip-hop artists have sampled his music.  And most importantly, who can forget Chazz Michael Michaels’ “tsunami of swagger” to “The Stroke” in 2007’s masterpiece “Blades of Glory”?  🙂

Billy Squier

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Billy Squier:  “In The Dark” (1981, written by Billy Squier).

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 65

Posted in Music by

i 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.

Five years ago today, my world changed irrevocably when the man I love said goodbye.  On May 20, 2015 David Letterman retired from his late night show and I have not been the same since.  What follows is the tribute I wrote for him 5 years ago.

I am finally ready to address the end of “Late Night With David Letterman”.  Yes, I am aware his show ended almost a month ago, but since I am still processing his decision to retire it should be no surprise I cannot handle the finality of the situation.

DL

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Here is a not so fun fact about me:  I get very attached to things and people and change is very difficult for me.  I am not sure why since I am as spontaneous as they come.  Perhaps it is part of my Pisces swimming in two different directions personality, if I believed in such things.

But Dave is a hard one for me to say goodbye to.  You see, he was my roommate (figuratively speaking)…..my first roommate by which the rest would be judged and fail to compare with.  When I moved out to my own place I had a job working 4-12 in a call center (say it with me:  EW!!!).  So I got home around 12:30am and I was totally alone.  No friends to see or even to call since they were asleep to accommodate their 9-5 lives.  I had my prime time shows taped on my VCR, but since it was the summer they were repeats.  I loved living in my own place but I had not counted on the loneliness my different schedule would bring.  I loved being up in the middle of the night when I lived at home and when I was in the dorm at college, so this was unfamiliar territory for me.  To coin a phrase, I wasn’t in Kansas anymore.

So I started off on my own yellow brick road.  In my world that meant turning to one of my consistence forms of comfort since I was a child:  the television (my version of Toto).  And there was David Letterman-my Scarecrow, from 12:30 AM to 2AM.  These were the glorious days before infomercials, so there were actual programs on for the whole night.  Dave was followed by three episodes of one of the greatest shows ever-“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (the Tin Man)-from 2AM-3:30AM and two episodes of “The Bob Newhart Show” (the Lion-in the Chicago show, not the Vermont show)-from 3:30AM-4:30AM, after which time I was ready for bed.

But I digress.

Dave was like that one friend in college who pulled all nighters with me and introduced me to a whole new world I not only loved, but one in which I belonged.  It was sarcastic (Question:  If Abraham Lincoln were alive today, what would he be doing?  Answer:  Clawing at the inside of his coffin trying to get out), and silly (Dave going into a “Lamps Only” store and asking if they sold t-shirts), had experiments with Chris Elliot and skits with Larry “Bud” Melman (a/k/a Calvert Grant DeForest), not to mention great music, courtesy of Paul Schaeffer and the Band and a slew of phenomenal musical guests.

The first part of Dave’s career-the NBC years- also brought:  Stupid Pet Tricks, Rocket Chair Races and of course, the Velcro wall, the Alka-Seltzer suit, the sponge suit, the Magnet suit and the Rice Krispies suit.  We also watched Dave throw things off the roof of a five story tower, crush things with a steamroller, play the “Will It Float” game and of course introduce us to many gifted comics as well as his nightly Top 10 list.

will it float

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The move to CBS gave new life to his career (and to the legendary Ed Sullivan Theater) thanks to an 11:30 PM time slot.  During these years we also saw the more poignant moments:  Dave’s first night back after the September 11 attacks with Dan Rather, Dave’s return after his open heart surgery with the Dr.’s and nurses who were at his side, talking to Warren Zevon about his impending death, Dave becoming a father and his subsequent marriage to his son’s mother and visiting his own mother’s home for periodic segments.  It was difficult to watch him try so hard to be Oprah’s friend (she already has Gayle & her dogs), but then he was right back to his zany self musing about the meaning of “sod busting” with Paul after he and the band played “Wildfire” during a commercial break.  And true to form, Dave finally brought on Michael Martin Murphey to perform the song as a great climax to the running joke.

One of my favorite memories was a joke by Pee Wee Herman.  It may not be your taste, but it made me roll!!!

My favorite guest:  Richard Simmons.  His interaction with Dave was too hilarious for words so watch for yourself here.

Over the years my life and my schedule changed.  I lost the Tin Man and the Lion along the way, but Dave remained a constant in my life.  There were times I could only watch his monologues (or would only watch them, if only to avoid sitting through interviews with “reality stars”).  But except for his health related absences, Dave was a fixture in my life for decades.  I will and do miss him very much.  😦

It’s been a year of very sad TV goodbyes but I think I will miss Dave most of all.

Ciao, Scarecrow.

Actress Scarlett Johansson talks about her new film, “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” on the Late Show with David Letterman, Monday April 27, 2015 on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS ©2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved
David Letterman and Michael Martin Murphey (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Michael Martin Murphey:  “Wildfire” as performed on “Late Show With David Letterman” in 2007 (originally released in 1975, written by Michael Martin Murphey and Larry Cansler).

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

Stay well.