The Temptations knew.
I love our kitties.. Eggs and Fee in full on hugging mode.
This is patently insane behavior and is yet another example of why this goon is unfit for office. It’s such a common thing, in fact, that I suspect someone will tell me that he does this all the time and I shouldn’t be surprised anymore.
Matt Birchler has More
Would she be proud of herself? I wondered. Would she come to a new understanding of what she was capable of? Would she feel like a more full-fledged cat if she could find it within herself to take such a leap of faith?
Today marks the 19th month since my cancer diagnosis. In many ways it seems like much longer, so much has happened since then. But then it also seems unfathomable that it has been that long. Time is such a weird dynamic when you are living in trauma.
I am having some charging issues with my laptop so am working exclusively on an iPad until I can get it resolved. It’s been an interesting couple of days. I can’t accomplish everything I would like to do but am adapting surprisingly well. The micro.blog app makes posting here relatively easy so will try to keep you updated.
Roger Waters w/ Eric Clapton play a perfect “The Gunner’s Dream”
Seems like I could use this advice today from David Ford
New music from The Barr Brothers always makes for a good day. Here’s Red Moth Solar Companion
Tasmin Archer beautifully covers Deep Dark Truthful Mirror
Gina packed up all the no longer needed medical and ostomy supplies that we’ve had stacked in our bedroom for the last 17 months. What a joy to see the empty space where that all used to sit.
I am “I still have one of these” years old.
Our little Fee is such a cutie.
Joe Biden recognizes my efforts. Thanks Joe.
Kurt over at Cultural Offering put together his own fine list for the music challenge - good stuff within.
Listen here
I saw this floating around on Twitter and it intrigued me. I struggle with the daily commitment right now so I just powered my way through it and did it all at once. It was a challenge as I seriously overthought it but then I just relaxed and put the first thing that came to mind. It’s a good list of songs if nothing else so I made a playlist over at Spotify that you can listen to here
A song you like with a color in the title - “Blue Chair” / Elvis Costello
A song you like with a number in the title - “One” / U2
A song that reminds you of someone - “Late For the Sky” / Jackson Browne
A song that needs to be played loud - “Three Days” / Jane’s Addiction
A song that makes you want to dance - “I Can’t Turn You Loose” / Otis Redding
A song to drive to - “Going Mobile” / The Who
A song about drugs or alcohol - “Red Eyed and Blue” / Wilco
A song that makes you happy - “Time is Tight” / Booker T. & the M.G.’s
A song that makes you sad - “Gone” / The Head and the Heart
A song you’re never tired of - “Cowboy Song” / Thin Lizzy
A song from your preteen years - “Strutter” / Kiss
A song you like from the 70’s - “Watch The Sunrise” / Big Star
A song you’d love to be played at your wedding - “And I Love Her” - The Beatles
A song you like that’s a cover by another artist - “Waiting In Vain” / Annie Lennox
A song that’s a classic favorite - “The Weight” / The Band
A song you’d sing a duet with someone on karaoke - “Raspberry Beret” / Prince
A song from the year you were born - “Dear Prudence” / The Beatles
A song that makes you think about life - “These Days” / Jackson Browne
A song that has many meanings to you - “Caulfield” / runaway dorothy
A song you like with a person’s name in the title - “Kayleigh” / Marillion
A song that moves you forward - “Complicated” / Poi Dog Pondering
A song you think everybody should listen to - “Rivers and Roads” / The Head and the Heart
A song by a band you wish were still together - “Blue Sky” / The Allman Brothers Band
A song you like by an artist no longer living - “Watching The Wheels” / John Lennon
A song that makes you want to fall in love - “Let’s Stay Together” / Al Green
A song that breaks your heart - “A Little Bit of Everything” / Dawes
A song by an artist whose voice you love - “Love Got In The Way” / Kandace Springs
A song you remember from your childhood - “Ruby Tuesday” / The Rolling Stones
A song that reminds you of yourself - “I Wanna Stay Home” / Jellyfish
A song that comforts your soul - “Into The Mystic” / Van Morrison
It’s always a pleasure to listen to this gem, it ranks among my very favorite albums and the one that brought Marillion some recognition in the US. It’s hard to write a review for this because it’s so personal and beloved. For the sake of this exercise though, Misplaced Childhood is easily the best of the 80’s era Genesis albums…
Wow, it’s been a while since I last listened to this one. Not because I don’t love it, but it’s a real commitment of both time and attention. Clocking in at about 4 hours, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Recorded New Year’s Eve 1998, it’s just what the title says it is, Gov’t Mule captured live with a load of special guests. It’s a nice mix of their own songs along with some epic covers of songs by Free, Little Feat, Black Sabbath, Robert Johnson, Neil Young, and more. I think only Gov’t Mule could end such a show with a thirty minute version of Afro-Blue.
I enjoyed listening to this again because it reminded me of just how much I love this band, particularly in a live setting. I’ve got a ton of their live shows that they allow to be openly taped and traded but I admittedly haven’t listened to them in a while.
This is available in two versions. Completists will want the Limited Edition four CD Deluxe set if you can find it. The rest of you will probably be satisfied with the 2 ½ hour 2 CD set that is readily available and also streaming on Spotify.
Gov’t Mule is one of my favorite bands and this is a pretty good representation of what you might expect from them, particularly at one of their sprawling NYE shows. It captures them, warts and all, and that’s a real good thing.
A lot of people are posting their favorite John Prine songs so I thought I’d do something a little different and share one of my favorite cover versions. I know most people know the Bonnie Raitt version of this one but I always loved the way that Tedeschi Trucks Band did “Angel From Montgomery”
This time last year I was a few months in to my chemotherapy. I can’t imagine how I would handle things if I were going through it this year in the midst of the outbreak.
I had my colon revision surgery on March 11th, two days later they closed the hospital to visitors and cancelled elective surgeries. I feel like I dodged a bullet, both in getting my surgery done and not catching Covid 19 while hospitalized.
As I continue to recover from my surgery I think about how much I looked forward to the return of ‘normal’ in my life. Obviously what we are going through is not normal, and who knows when any sort of normalcy will return. What will our new normal look like?
An Album a Day April - Day 2
It’s a tough act to follow Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons which makes this one feel like it flew under the radar upon release.
That’s unfortunate because I think it fits right up there with XTC’s best. Filled with the same sort of pure pop songs you expect, Nonsuch is a real joy to listen to and a fine, and dare I say required part of any collection. If you’re not familiar with XTC this would also serve as a wonderful introduction.
An Album a Day April - Day 1
A wonderful collection of pop - folk - rock on this stunningly gorgeous debut. Beautiful harmonies abound especially on songs like “Rivers and Roads”.
I really can’t say enough good things about this - it was especially calming to me as I underwent my chemotherapy. Probably my most listened to album from the last ten years.
Give it a listen and be sure to let me know what you think.
Joseph Arthur - Our Shadows Will Remain
Not sure whether to call this diverse or inconsistent. In either case it’s an interesting mix of styles that just didn’t grab me. I can see the appeal but it’s just not executed in a way that is compelling to me.
Shea Seger - May Street Project
Singer-songwriter Shea Seger presents an impressive debut of hook laden songs often with heavy beats. Culling from a variety of diverse influences she reminds me of so many others but still maintains her own unique voice.
Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
Hook laden pop rock that borders on being too clever for its own good. It’s a bit sporadic but the highlights are there and for the most part it works. I enjoyed it and will certainly dig a bit deeper in to their stuff.
