Tag Archives: Randy Meisner

Let’s Take A Moment Day 515

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?

Aug 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.

Today we remember singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg, who was born 70 years ago on August 13, 1951 in IL, His father, the subject of his son’s 1981 song, “Leader Of The Band”, was the director of a local high school band. The younger Fogelberg taught himself guitar & piano, which led to his participation in his first band at the age of 14,

When he was in college he was performing on his own at small coffee houses. He was discovered in the early 1970’s and played in Nashville for a while to perfect his craft. His 1974 album, Souvenirs, was produced by future Eagle Joe Walsh, featured Gerry Buckley of America on acoustic guitar and Graham Nash, Randy Meisner and others on backing vocals.

Fogelberg’s 1982 song “Missing You” (Day 377) is my absolute favorite of his, with today’s coming in right behind it. In that glorious musical year that was 1978, he released Twin Sons Of Different Mothers, a collaboration with jazz flautist Tim Weisberg. This was a Top 30 hit for them and my favorite track from that album. And Fogelberg’s holiday inspired tune, “Same Old Lang Syne”, deserves a mention here as well as a poignant bridge between the post Christmas pre-New Year’s reflective pause.

“The letters and calls got you climbing the walls
And everyone wants a favor
They beg to remind you
Of times left behind you“.

Dan F

Dan Fogelberg circa 2000. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg: “The Power Of Gold” (1978, written by Dan Fogelberg).

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

Stay well.

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Let’s Take A Moment Day 357

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.

Today is birthday #75 for Randy Meisner, best known as the original bass player for The Eagles. Born March 8, 1946 in Nebraska, he started playing with a local group in 1961. By 1968 he joined the band Poco but quit just before the first album came out due to creative differences. After that he joined Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band before Meisner was hired to be in Linda Ronstadt’s backing band in 1971 which later became The Eagles.

I loved them growing up but sadly all the years of battling over the direction of the band, member firings & certain others acting more important and controlling than others have left me with mixed feelings that spill over into how I hear most of their music now. That is my struggle. But my love for Meisner, who quit the band in 1977 due in large part to all the fighting, has never waned.

Of course his vocal on 1975’s “Take It To The Limit” is phenomenal, but I have absolutely swooned over today’s song from the first time I listened to the “Hotel California” album straight through. My adoration for this track has grown even more since then and increases almost daily. Meisner’s voice is beautiful, evocative and melancholy all at once. It takes me back to my younger days while making me feel very much in awe of his talent in the present. I am grateful for this man’s talent & voice every day.

“Well, it might take years to see
Through all these tears
Don’t let go
When you find it you will know”.

Randy

Randy Meisner circa 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Eagles: “Try And Love Again” (1976, written by Randy Meisner).

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 214

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?

Thoreau quote 2

(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.

Throughout her career Linda Ronstadt sang many songs originally recorded by other artists like Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou”, Chuck Berry’s “Back In The USA” and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ “Ooo Baby Baby”, amongst others. But she also worked with unknown songwriters and helped establish their careers through her interpretations of their tunes. One of the composers she collaborated often with is Eric Kaz. He co-wrote several of her songs including “Love Has No Pride” (Day 15), “I Won’t Be Hangin Round”, “Sorrow Lives Here” & today’s track. His music has also been recorded by country superstars George Strait and Alison Krauss, former Eagle Randy Meisner and Bonnie Raitt, to name a few. Today’s song is the title track from Ronstadt’s 1989 album and I think it is one of her best.

“Life isn’t easy
Love never lasts
You just carry on
And keep moving fast“.

Eric Kaz

Linda

Top: Songwriter Eric Kaz. Bottom: Linda Ronstadt. Both pictures circa 1975. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Linda Ronstadt: “Cry Like A Rainstorm” (1989, written by Eric Kaz).

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

Stay well.