I think the editors of the 1001 Albums book have a thing for ambient, sort-of chill music. They are coming a little too often for my tastes. Maybe I need to chill out more so I'll need this music more. Anyway, no complaints about this album, it just doesn't seem like something to listen to during the daytime sitting at my desk.
Dolly Parton | "Coat of Many Colors" (1971)
Dolly Parton is truly a great talent, She writes songs full of emotion, drama without melodrama, catchy but not cliché. She scores them to music, and then authentically interprets them as a singer. Her warbling voice and sparks of sassiness evoke rural mountain country life, poverty, lost love, heart-ache, and the strong will of a valiant southern woman.
Take away the steel guitar and twangy arrangements, and these lyrics would work from Broadway to an Opera stage, from a French café to the latest pop album.
Forget a dubious acting career and an amusement park and give this album a listen. You'll be glad you did.
Tortoise | "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" (1996)
What a relief! Wikipedia says that Tortoise's music defies easy categorization. I agree with those "experts". I don't know exactly what it is. It is often soulful or sad, occasionally raucous and joyous, almost always instrumental. Listening to this album takes you through a variety of moods. It would be appropriate piped(!) through your headphones as you take an afternoon nap in your La-Z-Boy.
Thumbs up.
About the album cover image: "Millions Now Living Will Never Die - Tortoise" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.
The Gun : a week in the "life" of a (formerly) legally owned firearm.
On September 30th, a handgun was stolen from a lockbox inside a car parked in a residential neighborhood near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The lockbox was locked, but the car's owner forgot to lock the car. Thieves just took the box.
On October 2nd, that gun was used in Golden Gate Park to kill Audrey Carey, 23, from Montreal, Quebec. She was on a backpacking trip.
On October 5th, that gun was used to kill Steve Carter, 67, as he hiked in Marin County. The shooter also shot Mr. Carter's dog.
On October 7th, Police in Portland, Oregon arrested 3 suspects based on GPS information from Mr. Carter's car which was stolen from the scene of the shooting.
The gun was recovered. It has had quite a week.
On Ben Carson, Muslim ShariaLaw and Christian Biblical Law
“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.”
I get it. He's worried that a Muslim would place their religious beliefs and loyalties above the US Constitution. That's the same reason I worry about having a Christian in charge of this nation. Later, when asked to clarify, Dr. Carson said that he guessed it would be okay as long as the Muslim candidate renounced Sharia law. I had thought Carson was stupid, but he's on to something. It would be okay as long as the Christian renounced Biblical law.
Please please please intelligent moderate and conservative Republicans: Start throwing your voices, support, and money behind your other candidates who are less about hate, ego, and pandering to extremists and more about rational political debate and philosophy. I may not agree with your politics, but if your more rational candidates don't get more support soon, they are not going to be able to continue their campaigns and you're going to have a Bozo (or Bozette) representing you in the next election. That's a danger we just can't risk.
Great shot! Great edit!
This is not my work, but I wanted to share this great example of a great photo made even better by artistic editing. Someday...
The Kinks | The Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
Ridiculously good.
A couple of passengers commented while I was playing this in the car:
- One guy said thanks for the reminder and immediately added The Kinks to his playlist for the evening at the microbrewery where he works.
- Another (young) guy was tapping along to the beat all through the ride. He said he really liked it. He'd never heard of The Kinks!
I like my waiters and waitresses to be as clean as the next guy
But I would prefer they take care of this at home.
NYC Salvation Taco (Sep 2015)
Beatles | Revolver (1966)
The Beatles had started to stretch their musical muscle by this time. AND, like watching an athlete stretch, at times you are amazed at their physique and flexibility ("Tomorrow Never Knows") and at times it looks like it hurts ("Love You To"). Both songs heavily incorporate eastern sound and instruments, but one doesn't work. That one little nitpick aside, this is a great album.
Everyday I vow again
I vow again to feel better. To be in a better mood.
But my vow is hollow -- hollow just like I feel.
I tell myself that I will force myself to do things, to participate, to act. I'll act not how I feel, but act how I am supposed to feel. I'll be better off. At least those around me -- the people I care most about -- will feel better about me.
Instead I spread my misery like an infectious disease.
Would I, would those I love, be better off if I was simply alone?