Music

You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see.
Mainly marine images with a classic from Van Morrison.

Someone (not me) recently made a birthday present for their "angel."
(Click the player image on the start button to view here or on another part of the image to get the video at YouTube.)
I have lyrics after the "read more" jump.

Tom worked his webby magic on my ramblings and we are pleased to present to you the May/June issue of Sunni’s Salon. Don’t worry, there’s none of the negativity that burst out here fairly recently, and aside from my opening rambling remarks, it strikes me as a mostly light and fun issue. We hope you enjoy it!

Oh, and a scheduling note: it’s my goal to get future issues up closer to the beginning of the second month they cover from now on. This one was delayed by that aforementioned emotional turbulence; and I’m already taking steps to try to minimize the disruption my imminent adventure might bring on. Hoping is.

I stayed up late last night, ostensibly to work, but instead I browsed YouTube for a bit ... and found some great stuff. Here’s one I especially enjoyed, even though the video part is too static—a live performance of Ain’t Nobody’s Business:



Direct link to the vid on YouTube.

I have reiterated many times how difficult it is for me to choose favorites ... but Billie Holiday has no serious competition for my favorite female singer.

For your reading pleasure, whenever you’re able to get to it: An insightful insider's look at Warren Zevon.

I guess Ian is proving himself a bigger Rush fan than I am; he’s apparently been checking their web site regularly for new stuff. Yesterday he pulled an interesting quote out of the liner notes for Snakes and Arrows ... I found the entire essay [PDF] well worth reading.

I’ve just spent about 45 minutes downloading a bunch of music from two different sites that came to my attention within the past few days. One site primarily offers short clips of full songs; the other offers full songs in a variety of styles, including one I like but don’t see much of these days – ragtime.

So, anyone want to guess which music folder I’ve deleted, and which I’m currently listening to and enjoying immensely?

During all my years in band, I never even attempted to learn to play the drums – in retrospect, I guess I thought being left-handed would be a problem (never mind the fact that one of my best friends back then was an awesome drummer, and also a southpaw). Drumming seems to be one of the few things that is truly a binary function for me: either it’s good or it isn’t. [Okay, maybe it should be trinary, because those canned drum tracks that seem to be so popular aren’t simply bad, they are a blight infesting music with their bland safeness.] “Good” doesn’t necessarily mean dazzlingly complex, either. A nice variety of sounds that complement the other components of the music, and adds interesting variations in repeated verses or the chorus, is much appreciated.

But I also appreciate the razzle-dazzle of drum masters, and am happy to share a YouTube clip I found that celebrates two of the legends of drumming. Kirsten and Alex, this one’s for you (and you too, Uncle Warren)!




(YouTube vid link for those who prefer to go there to watch)

For those whose amusement tastes run differently, there are plenty of items to chuckle over in the Top 100 April Fool’s Day Hoaxes of All Time, as compiled by the Museum of Hoaxes. I’m rationing my reading of the list.

Yah, I’m playin’ when I should be workin’ ... it’s been a tough week.

Frank Zappa may get the credit for most folks’ knowing what those initials stand for, but I read somewhere that his was a cover of an older R&B tune. The initials stand for “White Port and Lemon Juice”—a sort of simple wine cooler way before Bartles and Jaymes’ time.

What am I doing thinking about booze so early in the morning? Well, I’ve been working hard at this month’s issue of the Salon, and the end is in sight—but there’s still a big push ahead, and I almost always work better after a bit of tipple. And it’s Friday at last! Also, I awoke this morning with that song running through my head; and now I’m thinking about various drink combinations I’ve tested and liked.

But first, an important news bulletin: the Rush web site has tour dates up! Current listings run from June through October; the latter month is devoted to European venues. Looks like it’ll be a while before they show up near here ... but damn, Toronto on September 19 would be a terrific near-birthday celebration ... although I’ll admit to a little wistful longing when I saw “Riverbend” leading off the September schedule. Many good times with my brother were had at Riverbend ... 8/26 in Indianapolis, Michael! So it looks like I’ll have plenty of time to save up my pennies.

Now, on to the business at hand: the weather was glorious this past weekend, and I tried to enjoy as much of it as I could. We don’t have any new calves yet – holding at three for over a week now – but the influx of birds has been dramatic. Here’s a list of the more interesting ones that have been spotted: pileated woodpeckers (not a new arrival, though); swifts; loons (just passing through); kingfishers; bluebirds; red-winged blackbirds; sandhill cranes; and whooping cranes. No signs of hummingbirds, orioles, goldfinches, bald eagles, or turkey vultures yet.

Yesterday, the snolfs found several frogs of varying species, as well as a turtle in the creek. We haven’t seen any snakes about, but it’s just a matter of time, as they are abundant here. One can sit outside and practically watch the grass green up ... in fact, that sounds like a very good idea right about now. The ground is too waterlogged for the farmers to be out working the land, so apart from the occasional vehicle driving by, the air is filled with birdsong, breeze whisperings, and creek gurglings.

Good news was coiled in my inbox this morning, disguised as an email from my good friend Ian. Rush has a new album forthcoming – it’ll be released May 1 – and their web site is currently teasing with “Tour dates coming sssssoon!”.

Yes, that’s how it’s written ... presumably because the new album is titled Snakes and Arrows. Ha! (And possibly, Ouch!) If you click through to their site (not recommended for those on dialup), one of the options available is to hear one of the tracks, titled Far Cry. Just gave it a first listen myself ... sounds pretty interesting lyrically, but my initial impression is that the mastering engineering still sucks.

What about the musical road trip?, you ask ... Right. Thanks for getting me back on track. Ian and I made a deal that if Rush toured again, we’d see a show together if at all possible. Maybe even catch the Toronto show (yeah, we were insane when we made the deal). I don’t remember the details, and am too lazy-busy to look them up on his site at the moment. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out!

Idle afterthought: if they follow the Presto tour show approach, I could be one very happy snake, even if I’m in nosebleed seats for the show.

Last winter, MAL reported that he’d seen a couple of rabbits around his house, and tried to feed them, but they rejected his offerings—even carrots, which he described as “chocolate for rabbits”. This year, though, they’ve gotten over whatever qualms they had; and with the brutally cold weather, and more recently, substantial snow accumulations, we’ve been happy to share our carrots with them. We figured they were eating them, since we’ve observed a few nibbled-on stubs, along with rabbitprints in the snow, and a few pellets.

This song snippet seems very appropriate this morning, for one friend who’s able to celebrate the moment that others likely see as adversity, as well as for another who’s apparently stuck in a bit of a rut. From Rush—One Little Victory:

Celebrate the moment
As it turns into one more
Another chance at victory
Another chance to score

The measure of the moment
Is a difference of degree
Just one little victory
A spirit breaking free

One little victory
The greatest act can be
One little victory

I’m not sure that that’s the official version—it’s what my ears hear.

As long as we’re drawing breath and willing to try, there’s always “another chance at victory”.

Only because 1] I'm up early again and 2] since he doesn't allow non-Blogger commenting any more, this is about the only way I can let my buddy Freeman know I still read his terrific blog, I'll respond to his blog tag. [Updated 3/8: see end of fourplay list]

After seeing my Musical Maunderings selections in this month's Salon, a friend commented on how eclectic my music collection is. Is it ever! But to be honest, it isn't just "my" collection -- the music at my fingertips comes from three grownups who all enjoy music very much, plus some contributions from the teenagers. I'm not brave enough to set my music player on random—I just don't think I can handle a sequence of, say, Miles Davis – Tone Loc – Merle Haggard – Frank Zappa – Dread Zeppelin – Metallica – Fairport Convention – Henry Mancini—but I do select unfamiliar artists from time to time, and usually enjoy at least a song or two. And the snolfs are often nearby, absorbing whatever bits of the musical stream that catch their attention.

So, it was met with some surprise the other evening when my daughter requested Tom Lehrer's Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. My son was a bit upset—he seemed to think it an endorsement of the activity. I don't think so ... but all the same, I'm glad we don't have any rat poison around for her to experiment with. Mostly because we don't have pigeons around here, but an assortment of lovely birds, including a recent influx of robins, and it'd be a shame to lose them.

In case you're wondering, yes, I've fielded some questions such as, "What's 'making book'?" and "What's a poll tax?" Hey, they're getting a good education from it, right? Heh.