Hello!

“I can’t think of anything to say, *laughs* except it’s marvelous…”
-Pink Floyd

I really don’t have anything to say, but I wanted to stop in and say, “Hello!” Hope all is well with everyone

Phantom on Ice

Still sick folks, but cognizant enough to post another something silly.  I randomly got in the mood to listen to The Phantom of the Opera movie soundtrack when I got home from work tonight.  So I put it on, promptly remembered all the faults in the movie, and why I usually prefer to listen to the original Broadway cast.

Before I finished listening tonight, I came across a blog by a pal and fellow WriMo, Kat with a K, entitled The Music of the Night… Being a lover of synchronicities, I tromped on over, and watched this nice video:

It’s Phantom on Ice!  Nice medley of Phantom of the Opera, Music of the Night, and All I Ask of You (Reprise) (the part of the reprise used in the figure skating was originally the music the chandelier fell to … and I still imagine it that way, even though they kept the music in the movie, but removed the falling where the music occurs … which I always thought made no sense.  Why keep the music if you’re gonna move the chandelier?).

There are many reasons why I didn’t like Phantom the movie.  Rhiannon may murder me for saying this on the website, but I thought Gerard Butler was a soul-less Phantom.  There was nothing intense about him.  Sure, he was loud–shouted a few of the best notes in the score–but loud can still be hollow.

I remember the last time Rhi and I saw Phantom at the Boston Opera House a few years back.  It was amazing.  The way that Phantom’s voice quavered during the All I Ask of You (Reprise) gave us both a case of Niagara Falls.  Just thinking about it gives me chills.

Anyways, this was supposed to be short.  Thanks Kat, for the inspiration!

P.S. For the record, I love most of Gerard Butler’s other work.  In general, I find him smoking hawt, and I wouldn’t mind waking up in a bed with him and Hugh Jackman … now there’s a stud with a voice!

Also, I should commentate The Phantom of the Opera, the book.  Twas a great read.

P.P.S. While looking for that pic of Jackman/Butler, I saw this article about a Phantom Sequel.  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, is this for freakin’ real?  I hope not.  That’d be really lame.  Can’t find anything about it on imdb, so it looks like no movie is being made of it.  I might like to hear the music though.  Especially if they got Jackman.  Anyone know anything else about this, please let me know!

My Classical Point of View

Excluding the people I love, second only to writing, music is the most important thing in my life.   I’m not sure I could write without it.  Sure, there are those times I need absolute silence in order to focus on the idea I’m putting onto paper.  However, for the most part, music can ease the writing process, facilitating the desired mood for a particular piece of writing.

A few months back I got the urge to listen Classical music–instrumental is what I was really after, and I did start with some movie soundtracks.  I listened to John Barry‘s soundtrack to Somewhere in Time (starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer), which has Rachmaninov ‘s Rhapsody a Theme of Paganini .  This is one of my favorite movies from growing up (based on the equally awesome book, Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson), and I always loved the music in it.  John Barry’s The Old Woman is still one of my favorite pieces of music.

From there, I moved on to Fantasia.  Y’all remember that one right?  I was a Disney Kid, I had to watch it.  I think cartoons are a great way of getting kids in to Classical music.  Come to think of it, I have to track down Fantasia 2000 and watch that again.  Anyways, that movie lead to The Nutcracker and Tchaikovsky.  There, I also found Sleeping Beauty, the ballet.  I knew that the Disney version of Sleeping Beauty based it’s music on the ballet, but I never realized just how much GREAT music they cut! Before I moved on from Tchaikovsky, I also discovered I knew–and loved–his fifth symphony.  It too was used as a basis for another great movie moment from my childhood:  Maytime (staring Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, and John Barrymore), the last opera in the film, Czaritza, is based on Tchaikovsky’s music.

Classical music is everywhere, I find.  Didn’t Mr. Holland try to teach us that?  Thanks Richard Dreyfus; I should have listened to you sooner.  All I’m sayin’ is, those of you out there who think listening to Classical is too boring/old fashioned, like I was before this Classical craving struck me, then stop thinking and start listening.  I promise you’ll find SOMETHING you already know.  The lack of lyric (or understandable lyric in some cases) really helps the writing process.  I find myself giving in to the muse with ease with the aid of such pieces of music.

Chopin‘s Nocturnes shall be next, I think.  Then I’m going to delve into Dvořák … that should be interesting, I’m sure!

Wagner on the Brain

For a while now I’ve been looking to get into some music of the “Classical” nature.  Over the passed year a series of mystery movies have been aired on PBS: The Inspector Lewis Mysteries.  It was Music to Die For (in series two of the show) which turned my attention to Wagner.

A-Hunting We We Go

Although it has been a couple months since I saw the episode of Inspector Lewis where Wagner is a motif, last night, the desire to know more struck me.  So off to Google I trot, then over to Wikipedia and read Richard Wagner’s page.

Then I realized:  isn’t it wonderful that I could do this?  In the late hour last night I had the desire to delve into the world of Wagner, I suddenly found myself walking down the epic path.  The internet is such an amazing thing.  It allowed me to hunt down the knowledge I was craving.  Well, I’m still craving.  However…

Seek and Ye Shall Find

Der Ring des Nibelungen is a series of four operas that tell one grand tale–the story of the ring of Alberich.  The plot: a ring of power is created and fought over for generations.  Sound familiar?  I thought so too.  I continued reading and found out that Tolkien wanted no association to be made between his epic Lord of the Rings and Wagner.

It is true, they drew from the same myths to create both their tetralogies, but even I believe it a case of coincidence that both stories feature a ring of supreme power.  I’ve thoroughly read the Lord of the Rings twice, and while perusing synopses and librettos of Der Ring des Nibelungen that seems to be where the similarities end.

The Beginning of an Obsession

This is only the beginning, I fear.  These opera aren’t anything to sneeze at.  Like I said, it’s a series of four, and the final opera (Götterdämmerung–The Twilight of the Gods) is reported to take up to six hours to perform.  The recording I’ve attained is nearly fifteen hours from the start to finish.  Plus I have to read the libretto translation just so I know what’s going on.

So far, the music is utterly addictive.  I haven’t been able to stop listening.  Last night I read a little of the translation while listening … it was amazing.  Quite a storyteller Wagner was.  I could see some of the myths he drew upon, and was very pleased with the pictures my imagination came up with.

I think I’m going to have to read the translation away from the recording at some point as well.  I feel like this magical series of opera have shown up right on time.  This might not be the last time you get to hear about them.  I suggest you go give it a listen.  Even if you don’t get into it as much as I have, it’s still worth your time.  The highlights will probably suffice for you though, haha!

Nine: The Movie Musical

Not to be confused with 9, the interesting computer animated Tim Burton movie from the fall of this year.

Nine: The Movie

All I have to say is: Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, and Sophia Loren.  Those names are enough to get me into any movie … especially when together.  It’s interesting to see Kate Hudson and Penelope Cruz thrown in there as well.  The whole cast excites me.

What I can figure out from the trailer, the movie is about Guido–and Italian movie director–who seems to have lost his spark.  So, he has affairs … with everyone.

Nine: The Soundtrack

The soundtrack came out two days ago, and I listened to it last night.  Amazing.

Overture Delle Donne

For some reason, my family doesn’t live overtures.  I think they’re a lost art.  When I saw Les Mis on Broadway, they didn’t have an overture.  Most musicals I’ve ever seen/been in have cut the overture.  Overtures are like the preview of what’s to come musically.  My favorite overture of all time is Gypsy‘s.  As for this overture … it’s pretty good.  A nice introduction.

Guido’s Song

An amusing little song sung by Daniel Day-Lewis.

A Call From The Vatican

I was surprised, and yet not surprised, at how hawt this song is.  It’s even musically driving.  Penelope Cruz doesn’t have a bad voice on her.  I wonder how much these vocals are corrected.  I hope not too much.

Folies Bergère

Judi Dench has a voice!  Brassy and full of spunk–just like you’d imagine it to be.  She has all her usual fierceness only reinforced by the hint of a French accent. Hah!  I’m already addicted to this song.

Be Italian

So, I’ve heard this song before from a couple of different places.  I’m sure I’ve heard it on T.V. at some point.  According to Rhiannon, Fergie can’t sing live very well.  I cannot attest to this.  However, this version of the song is quite amiable on the ears.  Makes me want to get down and dirty French/Italian style.

My Husband Makes Movies

When this song first came on I thought it was Nicole Kidman singing.  Marion Cotillard has a very similar tone.  For me, the only purpose of this song is to forward the plot.  Having not seen the movie yet, I’m not sure I get it.  The previous two songs are fun enough to get into on their own.  This song does have some nice moments, but most of the lyrics will be lost to me until I see them movie.  It’ll most surely be one of my favorites … these songs usually are.

Cinema Italiano

Another song I’d heard before this.  My first thought is: Kate Hudson … what?  In the trailer you see her performing a little be of the song covered in shiny, surrounded by Italian men.  I have to admit, it was a little scary to watch, but musically it’s rather nice.  Kate Hudson’s voice isn’t that bad at all!  Now I should expect a beating from my sisters … who rather like Kate Hudson.  But c’mon people … how many times does she need to fall down before we get sick of it?

Guarda La Luna

I didn’t expect much singing to come from Sophia Loren–let alone think she’d have a whole song to herself.  I’m glad she does.  I’ve been a fan of this seldom thought of great actress.  Probably because she was just a piece of ass. Haha!  I’m glad she’s in this, and the song has a certain melancholy to it.  It is already one of my favorites.

Unusual Way

Something I never thought I’d hear again … Nicole Kidman singing.  Thank you Ms. Kidman for helping open the doors to movie musicals again! And welcome back!  I know your voice is assisted a little bit, but I don’t care!  Movies are made for dreams to come true … you’re a great singer on film.  Oh!  For a moment I forgot … you did have a song in Happy Feet.  You sang with Hugh Jackman.  Purr.

Take It All

Marion Cotillard is back singing a song worthy of a striptease.  I think I might know where this song goes.  They showed flashes of it in the trailer.

I Can’t Make This Movie

This doesn’t make it sound like the movie ends well …

Finale

… especially since this comes next, and it doesn’t sound too cheerful.

Quando Quando Quando

This has got to be a song the credits run to.  I know this song as well … and Fergie does a pretty decent job with it.

Io Bacio … Tu Baci

Noisettes … not sure who that is, but I think I’ve heard this song as well.  I think I have it mixed in with my Rosemary Clooney/Peggy Lee stuff.  If it’s not there, it should be, because it’s very similar.

Cinema Italiano (The Ron Fair Remix)

The same song spiced up a little bit.  These have got to be the songs that go with the end credits.

Unusual Way

This one sung by Frank Griffith.  I prefer Nicole Kidman’s, but I’m biased.

I can’t wait to see this movie.  Don’t know if I’ll see it when it comes out on Christmas day.  I’ll be sure to update again when I’ve seen it.  For now, ta!

Lady Gaga | The Fame Monster

The Fame Monster

Bad Romance

Ok, I’ll admit the first time I heard this song, I thought the “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa!” was ridiculous, especially when she sang, “Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!”  Especially since the song has such a stereotypical dance song beginning.

Upon a second, third, fourth and millionth time listening I have come to accept the fact that “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa! Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!” is actually an ancient chant used by magic-men, priests, shamans, and sorcerers for millions of years to control the masses.  Somehow Lady Gaga has found out these secrets and I am now prey to her whims; this song is highly addictive and should not be listened to lightly.  This ALBUM is highly addictive.  I actually considered staying home yesterday because I knew my mother wouldn’t let me listen.  I did manage to leave the house, but just barely.

A random note: I love the way she says the word “love” especially near the end of the song.  Almost lav.

Joey’s Two Cents

Okay, I wasn’t going to do this–but!–with Rhiannon’s growing obsession I am finding myself listening to Lady Gaga more and more often.  Other people’s excitement inspires me, and (shame the devil; I cannot tell a lie) I am in “lav, lav, lav,” with Lady Gaga.  In fact, I can categorically say this gay-guy is GuGu for Gaga.

This song is huge.  It’s edgy, it’s got a good beat, and (most importantly) it’s catchy!

Alejandro

Once again, I went into this song thinking, “This is absolutely ridiculous: why is she even talking like that?  Who the hell is Alejandro, and why should I care?”  And then the beat started.  And once again I was completely hooked.  I seriously hope to choreograph this song with Joey, because I think it would make an amazing partner dance.  It would be a Latin/ballroom/hiphop/modern combo, because I have no actual dance training: I go with how I feel!  I SO hope he decides to do it – dancing on Tuesdays would be so much fun and get our creative juices flowing!

Joey’s Two Cents

This song makes me want to drink wine and do Dirty Dancing kinda dancing.

Monster

OMG, this SONG!  If it weren’t so dirty, I would’ve played this at the haunted house.  I can’t keep saying these songs are addicting, but they are.  If only my boyfriend would condescend to listen to her with me, I’d dance my little ass off.  Ah, well.

(Lesbian question number one: “I asked my girlfriend if she’d seen you round before / She mumbled something while we got down on the floor baby / We might’ve fucked not really sure, don’t quite recall / But something tells me that I’ve seen him, yeah.”  Okay, who is saying what here?  Just pointing it out.)

Speechless

I won’t make the pun, but she did an amazing job on this song.  She has an incredible voice!  The way she emphasizes words and phrases in this song has such a tug on my soul—and really, who hasn’t felt like this?  I want to give her a hug!  As I said to him earlier, “Does it sound like she killed him at the end of this song, or am I just ‘Pulling a Joey?’”  Seriously, the way she says, “Why you speechless,” sounds like she offed him.

Joey’s Two Cents

Turns out we BOTH pulled a Joey.  The song is actually about Lady’s father who wouldn’t get surgery he needed to survive.  It’s a song she wrote on tour, because she couldn’t get to him.  I already thought the song was melancholy … now, infinitely more so.  I love this song.

Dance in the Dark

Not gonna lie, this song turns me ON!  It’s such an edgy sort of romance that runs through this whole section of the album.  I wish this album had come out the end of high school, although the music snob in me then would never have let me listen to it.  But it fits so well and fits so many eras of my life.  These songs would have made a nice companion, although I probably wouldn’t have recognized why, then.  Although I will say, her random Madonna “Vogue” moment is kind of strange—don’t get me wrong, I love it.  But that was immediately what I thought of, which makes me wonder if she meant to?

Telephone

This is an anthem.  I probably would have played this song at top volume in our dorm.  I’ve always wished I had the self confidence that Beyonce has, in this song and in Irreplaceable.  The content of these songs have a lot more depth than the earlier songs, in sound and in lyrics.  I love how this song goes from Beyonce telling off this guy to singing, “I’ll be dancing, I’ll be dancing,” and the beat picks up.   I also love how she distorts her voice on, “ringing,” to sound like a cell phone.  Lav, lav, lav…. I’m repeating myself way too much!

Joey’s Two Cents

Highly addictive.

So Happy I Could Die

This song makes me want to dance and cry at the same time.  It’s also my Lesbian question number two.  I can’t even use one quote to demonstrate it because the whole thing sounds like to me like a girl in love with her best friend.  Now, in context of the whole album, it could be that she is so relieved to be out with her best friend and away from her asshole boyfriend.  This is another song that’s edgy and sexy, but listening to the lyrics takes you a lot deeper than the sound itself.  Just hearing this in a club would be wicked fun to dance to, and you get the pleasure of catharsis by listening to the lyrics when sitting at home.

Teeth

I LOVE THIS SONG!  Seriously, the driving, carnal beat in this song is original and hypnotic, and the lyrics are suggestive of filth.  Bad girl meat?  Vampires?  What is not to love about this song???  I would love to choreograph this song, too, but I envision a group number for this.  I’m going to leave off, now, because I can’t help dancing to this song!

“Live and More” Donna Summer

I really had no choice today.  I’ve been feeling nostalgic, been listening to a lot of stuff I grew up listening to.  This album was introduced to us (myself and my three siblings) by our father.  We used to call it “the neverending record.”

To Rhiannon’s likely disdain, the album is very 70s disco.  Naturally, I still love this album.  It’s great to have on in the background when you want upbeat music that you know all the words to … and I know ALL the words to this album–not ashamed of it either!

Once Upon A Time

The perfect warm-up song for an album chalk full of great dance music.  No, I do not do disco moves.  I have no such coordination when I’m improvising.

Fairytale High

Kicks up the energy a little bit.  I usually can’t sit still during this song.  Moves perfectly into the next song.  I could only find a video to this one.

Faster and Faster to Nowhere

Classic disco craziness.  I love dancing to this one with my niece.  She mimics my crazy moves, and I feel all cool and stuff.  It’s a good time.

Spring Affair

Something nice and light, but still kicking.  She gives her introduction in the beginning of this song.  I love how it’s a whole show, with a story, in this performance.

Rumour Has It

Picking up again, and back to dancing.  If you like albums that just let you have a steady stream with subtle variations, you’ll like this album.  I often listen to this while cleaning … it’s good motivation.

I Love You

Definitely in my top three favorite songs on this album.  Donna Summer’s voice is clear and strong, and the repetition is beautifully done.  I love you, Miss Donna Summer!

Only One Man

This song is sexy, I don’t care who you are.  Things calm down for a bit, and even though I skip this song when I’m in a real dancing mood, it’s delicious.

I Remember Yesterday

Another classic disco song.  If you felt bored at ALL in the last song, fear not–the dance session is on again.

Love’s Unkind

And the disco continues with a cute 50s shtick.  Rhiannon, if you listen to any of these–DON’T listen to this one–you’ll despise it.  Okay, listen to it then.  You want the CHANCE to gripe, right?  Have at it.  Gripe away.  Have you even read this far?  I suppose we’ll find out.  By the by, I <3 this song.  Just sayin’.

My Man Medley:  The Man I love/ I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good

We slow it down again for another bit of storytelling/sexy singing.  She’s such a great vocal performer.  No wonder I can’t not listen to this whole album.

The Way We Were

I know, I’m a bad gay man.  I’m not sure who sang it first, Barbara or Donna, but I’m pretty sure it was Barbara.  It’s a nice fit on this album, and Miss Summers sings it well.

Mimi’s Song

A nice goodnight song for her daughter.  It sounds like she might have written it backstage before the performance, but musically it’s pleasing.

Try Me I Know We Can Make It

Back to some great disco songs.  If we weren’t going to listen to the whole album as kids, we’d start it here and listen to the rest.  We’d often repeat the record from here on out after listening to it once all the way through.  These songs I’m still a bit obsessed with.  I listen to them often.

Love to Love You Baby

Hawt.  Plain and simple.

I Feel Love

Almost techno-trance.  I could see this song getting remixed very well for dance clubs nowadays.  I get lost in it myself when listening.

Last Dance

If you know Donna Summer’s music, you know this song.  I’ve heard this song so much on the radio, and this live version is spectacular.

The Deep (Deep Down Inside)

The only song on the album I raise my eyebrow to.  It seems so oddly placed.  I would have left it at “Last Dance.”  Don’t get me wrong, the song is alright, but it doesn’t really fit with the rest for me.  I usually forgo listening to it.

In Memory of Mary Travers, In Defense of Puff, the Magic Dragon

Mary Travers

Yesterday the world lost an amazing woman and musician; Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary has gone off to the Land of Honalee. I hope she enjoys, “Frolicking in the autumn mist,” for the rest of eternity.

Her unfortunate death has prompted me to address a subject that has always been a thorn in my side, pretty much since I was old enough to express myself. I’ve been listening to the albums “Peter, Paul and Mommy” and “Peter, Paul and Mommy, Too,” for as long as I can remember, and I’ve loved the song “Puff, The Magic Dragon,” just as long. And regrettably, for just as long, people have been telling me the song is about marijuana.

I am here to tell you that this is not true. Not only do all three artists deny these references, but if you listen to the song, it has so much meaning without looking for hidden, silly ones.

It is the inevitable fact of life that as we pass from our childhood innocence and imagination to our adult experience and self-consciousness, we become afraid of, or uninterested in, opening ourselves up to the images and scenarios that come to us so easily as children. That is what this song is about – losing your imagination. When’s the last time any of you have climbed in a refrigerator box and rocketed to outer space? If you’ve done this lately, I say good for you! But chances are you haven’t, unless you have a little kid, of course.

This song paints a picture of a young boy who has grand adventures with his best friend, Puff. Puff is a big, friendly dragon, and the two are inseparable for all of Jackie Paper’s early life, accompanying him on trips to meet royalty and fight pirates. Unfortunately, “A dragon lives forever, but not so little (girls and) boys.” Jackie grows up and probably becomes interested in girls and cars and no longer has time for his old friend.

When I graduated from high school, I remember listening to this song on repeat for quite a while and crying a few times, mourning the loss of my childhood. Little did I know that it would be after college that I actually found my way back to imagination – and how improved my life is now! I hear this song and no longer mourn the loss of my childhood (although today I mourn the loss of Mary), but instead revel in the fact that Puff isn’t really gone, but still in his cave, waiting for me to call him out and, “play along the cherry lane.” I think I will go do that now.

Thank you, Mary Travers, for your extraordinary talents and lovely voice. You will be missed.

Paolo Nutini | Sunny Side Up

Album Cover - Sunny Side Up

Sunny Side Up

Honestly, I got into Paolo Nutini because of that song – you know the one – from a sneaker commercial.  Of course I had already heard “Last Request” in a million different sappy videos, but mostly unconsciously.  The first album was great, but I’m afraid I’ve over played it at this point.  Thankfully, Nutini has a new album!  Okay, okay. It came out in June, but I’ve just given it the listen it deserves.  It surpasses the first album, no question.  I truly do recommend it.  It’s a great album to wake up to in the morning.  Sets you in marvelous spirits.

“10 / 10″

Upon first listen, this song sounded so radically different from the Paolo Nutini of “These Streets,” that I wanted to turn and run.  And I did.  Hence the reason it’s taken me this long to fall in love with this album.

After listening to the entire album – after I got over the fact that this is an evolved Paolo Nutini – this song began to shine for how much fun it is!  Suddenly, the careless articulation sounds like the carefree syllables of Rusted Root.

“Coming Up Easy”

Very early rock ‘n roll sounding.  I likes.

“Growing Up Beside You”

This song reminded me a lot of The Beatles for some reason.  I think it may have been the way the song began.  There is a version of “Blackbird” similar.

“Candy”

A nice, even tempo.  Here some of Nutini’s lyrics become more distinct.  I’ve noticed with his style the words either matter or they don’t.  He’s really clever when he wants to be, but this is only a taste of the cleverness to come out of this album.

“Tricks of the Trade”

Although the passed three songs are perfectly nice, and I do like them all, three slower tempo songs in a row is a bit much for me.  And this one is the slowest.  Don’t get me wrong, this is a great song, and I love it for a melancholy mood.  I’d be surprised if this hasn’t been on prime-time reality t.v. yet.  I know the next song, so I wish to get on with it, and I usually skip this song for the next.

“Pencil Full of Lead”

In a word – awesome (like hotdogs).  Qualities of back yard band dance offs.  Like the stuff out of “Crybaby.” Stuffed full of imagination, this is one of the songs where Nutini’s lyrics are the clearest with gems like “I got food in my belly and a license for my telly/And nothing’s gonna bring me down.”  In these lyrics Nutini shows how he’s evolved.  “These Streets” was a very somber, sorrowful artist’s album, even though there are elements of that in this album Nutini has grown, and is able to offer us sets of pure joy in songs like this!

(Only because I like to over-analyze things) I thought the line I quoted earlier, “I got food in my belly and a license for my telly/And nothing’s gonna bring me down,” was rather odd.  What exactly did he mean by telly?  First thought, British English slang for television is telly, but what would he need a license for?  If there is someone out there who knows what a license for television is, let me know.  Otherwise, lets move on to what my little brain discovered!

The Telly home entertainment server is range of computer systems designed to store, manage, and access all forms of digital media in the home. Based on Interact-TV’s Linux Media Center software, it provides user managed libraries for music, photos, and all forms of video from recorded television programming to DVDs.

–Wikipedia

Could this be something Paolo Nutini uses to create his music with?  Did he use it as a lyric knowing it would be cleverly hidden from those who couldn’t notice?  Who knows!  Who cares!  It’s cool to know it could be interptreted that way.  And the song opens my imagination.

The first time I listen to the song I was swing dancing with my curtains as all the clothes in my closet gathered around cheering.  Every book in my room took flight.  The chair was playing limbo with the desk.  My futon turned back into a couch for all the electronics to rest on…they’re over worked…it was fantastic!

“No Other Way”

This is a nice song to slow dance to with someone you love.  The way Nutini moans in this song.  I’m reminded of the soulfulness of early rock ‘n roll again.  A name that constantly pops in my head while listening to this album is Otis Redding. I guess this comparison has been made.  Redding is more soul and rock n’ roll, and Nutini definitely has soul.

Paolo Nutini

There is no song in the world like an uplifting song, and this is more than an uplifting song.  I’ve mentioned Rusted Root and Otis Redding…Paolo Nutini has managed to take it all to the next level, and he really has me here.  I’m floating on clouds with him in this song.  I can see the blue skies implied in this song.

“Chamber Music”

This song is a bit out of left field.  You might not believe it’s Paolo Nutini singing.  With the solo acoustic guitar it’s reminiscent of Willie Nelson.  Then the trio of accordion, guitar and flute – it’s a rather nice listen…but it’s going to jar some people.  A nice fusion of American Cowboy and Celtic sounds.

“The Simple Things”

I dedicate this song to my family, because it definitely describes how I feel – or how I should feel – about them.  I admit, sometimes I get caught up in my own little world, but don’t we all?  That’s the reason we have songs like these to remind us.

“Worried Man”

I love this song for the simple fact that it’s a bardic tale.  I imagine him in cap, cape and playing the lyre to a court of kings in this song.  I love stories.  Always have.

“Keep Rolling”

If there was a perfect goodbye for an album, this would be it.  I’m sad that it’s over, but I usually go back to “Pencil Full of Lead” and listen all over again.  You should too!

Riding the Wave?

Today began like most other days.  I woke up around 9:30am (a bit early for me on a day off), but not too unusual.  I don’t regularly wake up at any hour.  So I hop onto the computer.  Check my email and tweets.  I notice Rosie and Sandra (my little sisters) have tweeted some enigmatic notices for those interested.  I knew something was up and intended to call Rosie later.

I chat with Branden for a while, and we make tentative plans for that evening.

I wrote the next batch of Chapter Five of the book Rhi and I are so feverishly trying to finish draft one of by the 21st of September…a day that means many things.  It’s Rhiannon, Phil (my brother), and Emily’s (my niece; Sandra’s daughter) birthday.  It is also the symbolic first day of autumn, my favorite season, and it just so happens to be the day the next Mika album comes out.  Anyway, I digress.

I was ready for a break in writing.  I took the short walk over to Shaw’s Supermarket looking for inspiration for dinner.  I picked up a few pieces of fruit I like.  Got two desserts for myself and my mother at the bakery, then wandered over to the meat department.  It was sitting there – gleaming in it’s cellophane wrapping – begging to be taken home with me.  How could I refuse such a perfectly beautiful roast?  But the size of it, nearly five pounds.  Was is possible to slow cook this in time for dinner?  It was eleven thirty.  I asked the meat guy and he said 6-8 hours.  We’re late eaters, my mother and I, it would work.

When I get home, the first thing I do is put the roast in the crock pot.  Inspiration comes to me.  I don’t want to just fill the pot with water.  I want to give this roast some flavor.  I open all the cabinets – smelling and tasting spices and sauces and broths – OH me, oh my, such choices.  I go with my first instinct and add equal amounts of organic canned apple juice and water, rosemary, two bay leaves, and I season the roast with salt and pepper.  The fragrence, by the way, is amazing right now…I can’t wait to devour this roast.  Around 3:30 I’ll add the potatoes and carrots.  This should be a nice meal.

Back in my room I crack open the one and only Pepsi I’ve allowed myself to purchase today and sit back down at the computer.  I talk to Branden again and it seems he won’t be able to get together with me until later that night, and I had a sudden strong urge for Mommy-time.  I’d been neglecting her lately, and I knew it.  Whenever people come over we’re usually holed-up in my room.  Rhiannon and I are usually hard at work, and I usually keep my door shut nightly as a courtesy (I listen to music a bit too loud to leave my door open).  It has been about a month since Mom and I have had some “us” time.  We like our “us” time.  SO I cancel with Branden and we decide another time is best.

Then, before I get started writing again, I decide to call Rosie to see what was up.  I found out what she was stressed about, a private matter I don’t think appropriate to bring up here.  Although I will say that it ended with her telling me that Mom wanted her to come over tonight with Landon (my godson, Rosie’s son).  How lucky for her that I got such a large roast!  How lucky I just so happened to clear off my schedule to hang out with Mom tonight and be free to be there for her!  It was almost as if divine providence was guiding me through such a great day as it has been for me.  Giving me the urge to cook real food, then finding the perfect match to what will be a nice end of the day.

After I got off the phone with Rosie I called Mom at work.  I got some more of the specifics of Rosie’s problem then told her about how neat it was that my day had inadvertently made it so tonight would be as pleasant as could be for the four of us.  She laughed and agreed, because she intended to do a little grocery shopping this morning, but got called into work early!  What another nice coincidence.

Now, I sit here wondering…is this what they mean by riding the wave of life?  Is this what they mean when they say go with the flow?  Have I handed my life over to a higher power?  Sure, the events of today were mundane, but it is still nice to see how connected everything seems when you’re not stressed and just letting life play with you…instead of playing with life.  I am full of so much inspiration today; I will be surprised if I get any sleep tonight.  I may write until I can’t move anymore.  It is such a grand feeling.