This Week's Joy

This week's joy comes in having a day off today.
Unfortunately that joy has been minimized because leaving at 4:00 last night was not an option since I was juggling a lot of different things, and then ended up leaving at almost 5:00 and deciding that the best thing was to just go into work this morning and clear things up.
On the plus side, Monday is a holiday, and I'm not working.
So, my four day weekend will turn into 3 1/2, and I suppose that I can live with that.
Another thing that I'm finding joy with today is music.
Well, that's everyday, but today I think while I clean up the house, and find time to knit, I'll be listening to some music from the 60s.
Namely Gerry and the Pacemakers.
What a geriatric sounding name, don't you think?
Although I suppose in the early 60's when they started becoming popular the idea of a "pacemaker" was of someone setting the pace, such as a musician, or even a race car. This, as opposed to contemporary vernacular where we only think of it in terms of someone who is old and whose heart needs to be electronically maintained so it continues to function.



In doing my search for Gerry and the Pacemakers I just discovered that they'll be playing at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls on June 1 and 2. Hmmm, my anniversary is on June 1. Guess where we'll be going, honey! (And I think that I might even bring my mother along.)
Today, however, having received a good inch of snow, there's no worry that we'll have any sun to bother us while we're crying.
Don't worry about me either.
I'll be inside catching up on my knitting and humming along with the boys who represent the Mersey Beat.

Now if I could just get Simone to move off of my chair.
Cheers, mates!

Sick, sick, sick

I know, I know, I know...I hadn't been sick once this winter.
That was true, until yesterday.
Fortunately it was a true 24-hour bug, even though it's left me a little weak, and almost completely without appetite.
That's when you know I'm sick.
Plus I was too sick to knit, and I could only read, and then sleep, and wake up to read some more, and then sleep again. And then I went to bed at 9:00 last night.
I must have been sick.
I'm on the mend, however, and am able to function like a human.
Tonight I had to drive my daughter to her friend's house, and it's a good distance from the house, so the following song is the one that I found I had to listen to, you know how that is. And then you listen to it over, and over, and over.
Fortunately the little one had headphones on, or else I wouldn't have been able to get through it once while she was in the car.
Here's an abbreviated version of the song:



Not a great video, and this piece is missing over 3 minutes of music, so if you're so inclined, take a listen to the overture in its entirety. Love that Vanessa Mae. She's an amazing (not without controversy, but still, an extremely talented musician).

Fandom

It has become apparent to me during my many years on this earth, that we all have different levels of obsession fascination with celebrities.
For some, we would go out of our way to breathe the same air, and for others, well, they could be standing there and we would turn away, totally disinterested.
Well, that's how I roll anyway.
I suppose this would be part of the laws of attraction too.
Some may find the cute guy who gives out parking tickets attractive, and others may like the guy who works on their computer.
It's all a matter of taste - preference, if you will.
During my life I have met, or breathed the same air as, some seemingly important people.
Not all of them have caused me to become excited to be in their presence.
And again, it's about what interests me.
So let's go back over my preferences which are, in no particular order knitting, books, and music.
And here's a segue.
I was looking through my bookshelf this morning, surprised at the number of books I have that I didn't even realize I owned!
Sad, I know.
Of course I didn't find the one book that I was looking for (and you know that as soon as I buy it again I will find it), but I did find another that I have wanted to read - Adrienne Martini's Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously, but obviously bought and shelved, and that's where it's been.
I really had forgotten about this book, not because I think it's bad, but mostly because it was on a bookshelf and hidden by some other things (namely knitting patterns). It really needs to be moved to my ever-growing to-be-read bookshelf. (Just wanted to assure you that I did move it - I know you were concerned.)
In looking through the book I realized (again because I know that I knew this when I purchased the book originally) that Adrienne Martini teaches in the same state university system in which I work.
How close we are! And yet so far. Her campus is three hours or so away.
But this is totally awesome, right?
Is she someone that everyone would know?
Perhaps not, but she is a published author so according to my standards (or preferences), and I say this even while working on a college campus where there are a plethora of professors who have published, I'm thrilled. And this is mostly because she's also a knitter.
Now who doesn't love a knitter, I ask you. (Note the lack of a question mark - I'm not looking for a rebuttal to this statement.)
I'm certainly not the best knitter in the world, nor the most enthusiastic, but I do love making the things that I am able to create. It is a very fulfilling activity, and the yarn is just so darn pretty.
Hang on, here's another segue.
Imagine my delight when they announced that a performer at an upcoming concert was hosting a knitting circle before her show. That sounds like a show that is right up my alley.
Can you guess the performer?
None other than.....Christine Lavin.
Ask me if I'm ten kinds of excited about the concert tonight.
I think you know the answer.
Do I listen to her music?
I can honestly say that I recently discovered her through Pandora of all places (she pops up on my Kate Rusby station), and I didn't really even connect who she was until I looked at the Christmas CDs that I had randomly purchased two years ago and realized that I had indeed purchased Christine Lavin Presents: Just One Angel.
I'm a little slow at connecting those dang dots, but eventually I make my way there.
I don't think I'm at a disadvantage in not being overly familiar with her music.
After all, she's a knitter.
And knitters, as we know, are exceptional people.
(All hand crafters are exceptional, let's be honest.)
And as a knitter I'm sure she'll be forgiving, and grateful that we've been drawn to her concert through our mutual love of yarn, and we will more than likely go away as life long fans.
I'm counting on it.
Would I feel this same way if Brad Pitt, or someone equally famous were showing up for an event?
No, because again, their attraction to others doesn't float my boat. (Although for some reason I have this attraction to Jean Reno - I think it's the French accent. Don't say eww; again, it's personal preference, right?)
I feel no common bond with some of these famous celebrities.
Singers (and writers) who knit, however, oh yeah, we're there.
Tonight, then, my red headed friend, my knitting friend, my daughter, and I will be welcomed into the inner circle.
This is going to be an exceptional evening spent in the company of exceptional people.

It's a Family Afffair

Has that title got you singing?
It does for me - every time.
You know, when you have children you try very hard to help them shortcut through the rough times.
Especially with music.
I ask mine all the time, "Why are you listening to that crap?"
They laugh.
I get serious.
"Listen, there's Yes, the Allman Brothers, Neil Young, and Tori Amos - all sorts of wonderful artists out there who make exceptional music, and not the vulgarity-ridden crap you're listening to."
Sometimes the lesson takes.
We are nothing if not a family of Tori Amos fans.
All of us - yes, even hubby.
Well, fan is a strong characterization - I would say that he has songs that he really likes, and might even have on his iPod, but he's not worshipper of the Cult of Tori like some of us.
But I've talked about music before, so I won't go on about that. Just know that I don't think all new music is bad, however, so give us some props for having great taste in some new tunes - we are nothing if not music-prescient at times - hello - Skrillex - Grammy nom - kudos dude!
Stick with me here, I'm getting to the segue.
So yesterday I'm in the car with the sometimes angry beautiful teenage girl and my baby boy, and I said to her, "You know, we need to finish watching Family Affair"
She replied, "Yeah, I know."
And then she did something totally unnatural and completely unexpected.
She started singing, "It's a family affair...it's a family affair."
Know that tune?
It's this one:

Wait....what?!?!?
Was she actually singing.....gasp.....good music???
She was!
And then, of course, I ruin it by trying to teach a lesson.
"You know," I said, "the song I like best by Sly is 'If You Want me to Stay.' That bass line is remarkable." And THEN I proceeded to start singing.
Way to ruin a magic moment, eh?
Sometimes you just have to let them talk without teaching.
Apparently that's happened with her pulling some Sly and the Family Stone out of her back pocket.
She's listening.
I just need to shut up.
Here's s'more Sly to see you out.

Long Live Rock

Music is such a big part of my life.
I realize that I should probably be listening to more non secular music, but I'm sure the Lord will forgive me for finding inspiration in all types of music.
And music can be inspirational, and bring good feelings of harmony and love.
It also causes us to think.
Sometimes we think about why a particular artist is popular even though they have no discernible talent, can't sing without auto tune, and never perform completely live.
Then there are musicians and artists who you don't have to wonder why or how they're so talented - they just blow your socks off.
Elton John is certainly one of them.
The man is talented - we can't even begin to doubt that.
I remember that for a long time (in the 70s) I didn't really like him.
Why?
Because it wasn't cool.
At least to my friends.
Fortunately I'm at the stage in my life where I don't give a right crap what others think (but you will tell me if I've offended you at any point, won't you?) so I listen to the music I like.
And I could never understand why I stopped openly liking Elton John when secretly I adored his music.
His songs are not really just "songs" but more like anthems.
Ones that encourage audiences to sing along.
I've never had the pleasure to see him live, and you know, I'm okay with that.
I hate crowds anyway.
If I could go back in time, however, when his voice was in its prime, there are certain songs I'd want to hear him perform.
So for your listening pleasure here are some great songs with which to start your day.
Enjoy.







And this last one I include - even though it's not a complete version of the song - because it really embodies that anthem-like, crowd-unifying spirit of Elton John's music (and, I believe, Bernie Taupin's lyrics - couldn't cook with fire without him). Cameron Crowe really captured that feeling, don't you think?



For the record, I know that Elton John did not sing "Long Live Rock."
I like The Who too.

Concerts

How can I resist this concert?
It's only three blocks from my house (win!), and Christine Lavin is a fantastic artist, an alum, and best of all a...well, read the last line and you'll see just how confident I am that I will be in attendance at this performance:

Friday, February 3


Christine Lavin:

My 25th Anniversary Concert: What Was I (EVER!) Thinking?

This Brockport alumna (’73) has made her mark interntationally as a singer, satirist and raconteur extraordinaire. During her concert she will share some of her early hits while introducing her latest songs, all the while weaving hilarious stories through her music, reflecting on the people, events, near disasters and minor miracles that have defined her life and music. As folksy as she is charming, join Lavin for a knitting circle prior to the show.

This concert is sponsored in part by the Office of Alumni Relations and Development.

Friday, February 3 at 7:30 pm

$15/$10 Seniors, Alumni, Faculty and Staff/$8 Students

Tower Fine Arts Center Mainstage

Oh yes, everyone loves a knitter.

Yes! No! More Dubstep!

The deal was that if I drove her somewhere then we got to listen to my music.
She pouted for most of the way.
Who is she?
The last one left at home, the spoiled youngest one, the baby otherwise known as She Who Will Turn My Hair Gray Before Its Time.
The rule has always been that whomever is driving has control over what is playing.
If you don't like it then this is why you have your own headphones and iPod.
It reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Lisa wants to listen to something on the radio, and Homer tells her that when she drives she can listen to what she wants. No, I didn't get my rule from The Simpsons. Anyway, next thing you know there's eight-year old Lisa standing in the seat and driving while Homer rides shotgun.
I'd post the clip, but I can't find it (nor have I looked very hard for it).
You'll just have to believe me that it was funny.
So here I am in the car with Pouty Patty feeling kind of bad (but not really) as a Yes song came on my iPod.
"Hey, listen, your sister loves this song!"
Always a way to encourage her since she idolizes her sister.
No joy.
"All I wanted to do," she said, "was listen to one song."
"What, your friends don't like dubstep?"
"No, they don't."
"Fine," I said, "one song."
Now I admit that I'm fond of dubstep - it has a great beat (and you can dance to it, Dick), but I was driving! My car, my rules, right?
So not in my control.
And I think that's what it is all about - it's not that she hates my music, or that I hate her music, well not all of it because I'm really not liking the direction Britney Spears is going, but that we both want to be in control of what we listen to.
I try to tell her how difficult it was when I was growing up because when we took trips it was usually my mother, my stepfather and me, and he would only listen to WEZO which was an easy listening (think of elevator music) radio station.
Ugh.
She should be so lucky that I even let her listen to one song, right?
Just to give you an idea of what we're talking about, here is a song that is not what she was playing last night, but that has been in constant rotation in the car for the past few outings:



Not a bad tune, right?
She's really been into it lately since the older ones went to a Skrillex concert last month.
I like this music - I really do - and when they mix the music, and add in the dub you don't necessarily feel like you have to dance as with old school house music because the dub is more hypnotic.
Do I even know what I'm talking about?
Who knows.
Okay, are you still with me? This is the song I was getting into (being hypnotized by) when she forced me to change to her song:



Alas, musical choices continue to painfully reflect the huge generation gap in American households.
What are your kids forcing you to listen to?

Not new music, but relatively new to me

Too good not to share:



Lovely.

And just to provide some variety, here's her cover of a Kinks song:



For the record, this song, "Village Green Preservation Society" is the theme song for the British tv show "Clatterford" known in England as "Jam and Jerusalem" which leads me to three questions that remain unanswerable, but I'll ask them anyway:

1) why does the name always have to be changed (or dumbed down) for Americans, i.e., Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone became the Sorcerer's Stone

2) why is British tv so much better than American tv

3) why does American tv always have to remake a British show only to see it fail miserably nine times out of ten (the only success being "The Office")

Sometimes I forget that the musician wants me to buy more than just one album

See how I used the word "album" in the title?
That's how I'll always date myself.
I mix the word CD into my conversation every now and then, but to me a compilation of 10-12 songs will always be an "album".
Anyway, that's not what I'm here to talk about.
And the other thing I won't talk about is knitting because at chez moi none has been getting done.
Perhaps tonight while watching my little Guppy swim I'll knit.
What I am here to talk about is a musician, one who passed away today: Gerry Rafferty



This is probably not the song you're used to hearing by him, but his album "City to City" is one of my choices for a perfect album meaning that every cut on it is perfect. To me at least.
And I will always love this album, and think fondly of this very talented man.
His voice is smooth and soothing, and will always remind of 1978.
As I'm writing this I've listened to "The Ark" three times, and "Baker Street" four times.
Still not sick of it!
Unfortunately, I never explored any of his other music.
I'm sure he would have liked to have been known as an evolving artist, and not as a man who is known only for his album "City to City" or even by the single "Baker Street" from that album.



You probably also remember him as the lead singer of Stealer's Wheel (hit single - "Stuck in the Middle With You"), but I bet he was much more than that.
And now he will be just a memory.
Fortunately many of us have fond memories of Gerry Rafferty.
I actually feel quite emotional, as if part of my childhood is gone, but you know that train left the station a long time ago, so I guess I am just sad.
Well at least we have his music.
Some people don't even leave that much behind.

Take the Covers Off

DN1 and SN1 introduced us to the band Pomplamoose, and DN2 and I spent quite a while on YouTube watching their videos on Friday.
Of course then I had to buy their music.
These two are great, and so talented that it is amazing.
They are great producers, their videos are amazing, but most importantly they put such a great spin on the songs they cover I just can't get the music out of my head and I've been listening to it incessantly over the past four days.
Plus they look like they're having a blast.
Here is a great cover of Earth, Wind and Fire's "September".
Check it out, and then check them out.
Well worth the money spent on iTunes.

The End of Peter, Paul and Mary

Mary Travers from Peter, Paul and Mary has died of complications from treatment following a bone-marrow transplant. She had been battling leukemia.


Peter, Paul and Mary sang many of the songs I heard growing up, my favorite album being, of course, Peter, Paul & Mommy.
I bought the CD as an adult and would often play it in the car, even when there were no kids around.
Instead of leaving you with a stirring rendition of "Puff the Magic Dragon," however, I'll post instead one of my all-time favorite PP&M songs:



...and the music lives on

(Why is John Denver there, you ask?
Of course you know he wrote this song.)

Does anyone even know who Franz Liszt is anymore?

DN1 sent me a link (on MySpace) to this video "Lisztomania" by Phoenix from their new album (CD?) Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
Interesting stuff - quite catchy, especially when you listen to it five times through like I just have - so I thought I'd share it with you.
Let me know what you think.



And then there is the first video that came out featuring this song, before the official version, called the Brat Pack Mash-up. Good stuff here too:



The band prefers their effort, but the brat pack one is pretty popular too.
Which version do you like better?
Or, would you rather just listen to the song?

P.S. Yes, I know who Franz Liszt is, although I rarely listen to his music (except the Mephisto Waltz. According to reports, he was the Michael Bolton (ugh) of classical music in the early 19th Century. Go figure. They even made a movie about him. Hmm, learn something new everyday.

Getting Nostalgic

"So...the needle plays from the outside in, right?"
That was the question DN1 asked me when she was going to put a record on the turntable.
Thus began our cultrual literacy lesson on Saturday night.
For months, actually years, I have been wanting DH to set up his turntable so we could just listen to records. We have so many that we have been toting around for years.
Okay, decades, really.
Saturday night we finally did it.
DH finally set up his turntable, and was actually shocked to see the sales slip inside the box: he had bought it 20 years ago.
How time flies.
That's right about the time we stopped buying records and started buying CDs.


When DN2 saw the turntable she was so excited she wanted to cry.
She said, "You set up the record player?!?!"
It was really cute, the way that neither girl had ever used a turntable before, much less knew where and how to put the needle on the record.
Finally something where my knowledge was relevant rather than nostalgic.
And we had so much fun.
What was even more better was going through some of our several boxes of records up in the attic - I forgot how much music we had.
I pulled this out for DH (well I like her too):


Good old Shirley Murdock.
Do you remember the scandal when a man impersonated her in D.C. for a while in the '80s, and was running up bills in her name?
If I could find a news article about it I would reference it.
Then I pulled out something from my childhood:


(Yes, Ken, I have this album, and the other Royal Guardsman album. Mom gave them to me so go complain to her.)
DH and DN1 could not understand why I love this album, but I think it's great stuff!
Guess it's just too different for their taste.
DN1 wanted to hear some Beatles records, and later on, with beers in hand, we all chilled and listened to Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here:


We spent the time perusing the album cover and sleeve, and DN1 made this observation:
"I have totally missed out on album art."
She's right, the pictures on CDs do not match up with the artwork that was on albums.
There was usually a message in there, and if not, then album art contained another type of creative forum for the artist and the record company.
Her generation has also missed out on 45s, stacking records so the next one comes down for continuous play, and taping a penny to the arm so the needle doesn't skip.
I used to think my grandmother's Victrola was old-fashioned, but just think, listening to records is now considered nostalgic.
Who knew it would hit my generation so soon.

What Gets Me Through My Day

Tomorrow and Friday are vacation days.
How will I get through today?
By listening to this:



Tell me if it doesn't make you dance.
Peace.
Out.

Seasonal Feelings

For the record, when I talk about being "out of season" this is the song that goes through my head every time I say that phrase.
It's the REO Speedwagon song Out of Season off of the High Infidelity album.
Since the embed is disabled, you'll have to head over to check out the video yourself (click on the song title link).
Man, does this song take me back to spring 1981.
Totally.
And since I know we all love our REO Speedwagon, seriously, who doesn't, here's a song for you from 1978:



Don't you miss The Midnight Special?
I remember back when I was 15 hanging out at some guy's apartment with some friends waiting to watch Linda Ronstadt on The Midnight Special.
Ah, those were the days.
Now I'm heading upstairs to do laundry and knit a sock.
How far the mighty have fallen.

...but there's always time for TV

In my haus there has been: not much knitting, quite a bit of reading, no cleaning, but as the title reads, there's always time for TV.
Some of our latest favorite shows:

Sonny With a Chance - actually a very well-written show, the characters can be annoying at times, but they're teenagers (or portraying one). Check it out.

Big Bang Theory - It doesn't get much better when Sheldon takes on Penny in a mental and verbal wrestling match. Tawni on the aforementioned show was TOTALLY wearing a "Penny Blossom" on Sunday's show. Still love Chuck Lorre's writing -- I hope he can sustain it.

Flight of the Conchords - I've enjoyed this duo since their first quirky episode. The show is so random, how could you not love it. And the season finale already???

And for the piece de resistance (why can't blogger do accents?).
The newest "leaked" Tori Amos song from her upcoming album:



Sounds like we'll be heading to a concert soon!

Various Shades of Blue

I hate to repeat myself, but I will, and I'm going to talk about Pandora again.
It keeps me company at work, and I enjoy it.
Lately, I've been listening to a lot of the Indigo Girls .
Well, I really like their music, and DN1 and I used to harmonize along with them.
Secret revealed?
I used to think we could be the next Naomi and Wynonna, but that hasn't happened.
Yet.
For the record, I'm not that good of a singer, I just like to sing.
I've got an Indigo Girls radio station on Pandora - and of all the Pandora stations I have, this is by far my favorite.
(Maybe someday we can all reveal our Pandora stations to each other, what do you think?)
I've discovered a lot of new music on this station - bands and artists that have been around for a while (The Waifs, Vienna Teng, Brandi Carlile, Ani DiFranco, Matt Nathanson), but that I'm just now discovering.
It's very enlightening.
So when I took the quiz about "What Girl Group Should You Be In?", I was pleasantly surprised, but pleased too:

You Should Be In the Indigo Girls

Your all about expressing yourself through music Lyrics are your poetry - think Sylvia Plath meets guitar

What Girl Group Should You Be In?

They're coming to UB next month, but I don't have tickets.
I wonder if there are any left.
Tell me, what girl group should you be in?
Satisfy my curiosity, and maybe I'll write you a song and you can sing along.

If it's Tuesday, it must be...

...no, not Belgium.
We're still in Canada, but we'll be back.
In the meantime, listen to one of my favorite Canadian bands.
Tell me if this doesn't take you back 30 years.
Oh yeah.

You've gotta love those Canadian performers.

Passing it along

I have a song in my head and it won't go away.
It's been hanging around for almost 24 hours.
Seriously, I heard it last night on Prairie Home Companion.
Now if I follow the rules established by Homer Price I can rid myself of it.
Not familiar with Homer's rules?
You might have to read about them in this particular book, but that's the only hint I'm giving you.
Here's the song:



If you can't stop humming or singing this song, and I can, then I know I've been successful.
Sorry to do this to you, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
(BTW, in the version I grew up singing, Dan was indeed late for his supper, and as supper was over, dinner was cooking, and old Dan Tucker just stands there looking.)

Free Radio BS

I like to listen to music and I really cannot work without it.
It entertains me, and I like to sing along.
Sometimes I sit in my chair and do a kind of dance – so professional, I know.
You should hear me hum.
Lately I have been listening to Pandora radio; I think I might have mentioned that already.
What is great about Pandora is you can set up a radio station based upon a song or an artist, and then they will play music that is similar. On iTunes the Genius function is comparable in setting up a new playlist.
I have created several radio stations, such as Tori Amos, Indigo Girls, Damien Rice, and Patty Griffin, but last week I came into work and was thinking about Bobby Sherman.
Who doesn’t spend their day thinking about him?
I pulled up the internet and went to the Pandora homepage, and at that point I decided that I needed to make a new radio station – one that featured Bobby Sherman.
Oh, and it was great. All these tunes from the 60s started playing, some familiar and some really obscure. I know Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, Tommy Roe, and Jay and the Americans, but I’m less familiar with bands such as Marmalade, The Insect Trust, and The Flower Pot Men. Still, it’s fun, because about every 10th song Bobby comes on and sings.
Today something strange happened.
It was more than strange - it was unprecedented, unanticipated, and it caused a bit of unease.
Modern songs started playing on my Bobby Sherman station.
And by modern I mean contemporary, such as – get this – Panic at the Disco.
Hello!
I’m supposed to be listening to Petula Clark, with an occasional Herman’s Hermits hit thrown in every once in a while. Panic at the Disco? My kids listen to that band.
How did this happen?
That song must contain some of the same elements as Bobby’s songs.
What does this mean?
I’m still reeling, because I can’t figure if it was a random occurrence, or if I should expect it more often.
This caused me to wonder -- If I created a Panic at the Disco station, would Bobby Sherman show up on there?
That, my friends, is a question for the ages.
Does anyone know for sure?
Will we ever find out?