I have previously posted another song by the Canadian indie rock supergroup, The New Pornographers, “Champions of Red Wine.” Lately, I’ve heard quite a few great songs by this group, and I enjoy their sound with the variety of singers and instruments they use in their music. Today’s selection is one I’ve listened to often,Continue reading “These Are the Fables”
Tag Archives: Friends
Radio Sky
Okay… one more from the Corin Raymond mix CD: a captivating ballad from the Warped 45s, a roots rock/country band formed in 2007 in Toronto, Canada. This is one of those bands whose online presence is scant. Other than the fact they formed in 2007 and won a fans’ choice award at the NXNE musicContinue reading “Radio Sky”
Morning Glories
The fifth annual Crankie Festival takes place this week from Friday to Sunday in Winnipeg, Canada, where I live. The music and art festival website describes the crankie as “a moving panorama, an old storytelling art form that was popular in the 18th century.” My sweety and I have attended most of these festivals, andContinue reading “Morning Glories”
Promise
Today’s selection is a blissful track by English singer-songwriter, composer and musician Ben Howard (b. 1987). It’s a perfect sound for the late afternoon, as Sweety and I had a late-ish lunch that lasted several hours with friends we hadn’t seen since 2017. And I’m feeling sleepy from the big meal and long conversation, soContinue reading “Promise”
Barracuda
Today after meditation and other morning routines, I scrolled through social media for a few minutes and serendipitously landed on a video of “Barracuda,” the blazing 1977 hit by Heart, a rock band formed in 1967 (as The Army) in Seattle, Washington, USA. The song actually gets a mention in my post from nearly threeContinue reading “Barracuda”
Once Upon Another Time
The first time I heard the music of American singer-songwriter and actor Sara Bareilles (b. 1979) was when I listened to “Winter Song,” co-written by her and fellow American singer, songwriter and actor Ingrid Michaelson (also b. 1979). It was a cover by the Canadian alternative folk/country trio, The Good Lovelies, performed during a musicalContinue reading “Once Upon Another Time”
Hamburg Song
Today, on the way the spend the day caring for our youngest grandson, a random mix from my phone served up “Hamburg Song” by the English alternative rock band Keane. It’s been over a year since I posted something by them, and I enjoyed the contemplative flow of this keyboard and vocal piece as IContinue reading “Hamburg Song”
Slow and Steady
I am confident that today’s selection will appeal to a dear friend and regular commenter who loves lyric videos. And I imagine he will like the song, too. The instrumentation is varied and creative, with dreamy sounds and interesting claps and other percussive elements that help make a warm and beautiful place that enwraps theContinue reading “Slow and Steady”
Grenadier
Welcome to the final installment of our look at Dark Little Ones, the new album by Canadian singer-songwriter Kieran West. I’m going to tell you what the song means for me, and some of the backstory from my perspective. My son Kieran will have the last word on today’s post. All the songs on thisContinue reading “Grenadier”
Both Sides Now (from the film, CODA)
As a person born with the miraculous gift of hearing, I savour the sounds of music, people and the world, every single day. Music has such power that it can elicit many moods and feelings. Each morning, I turn on my computer and speakers and listen to music while going about my morning routines. It’sContinue reading “Both Sides Now (from the film, CODA)”
String Duo No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Viola, K. 423, II: Adagio
Earlier today, I thought I would like to post about a piece featuring the viola. It’s an instrument with a beautiful tone, slightly deeper than a violin and less so than a cello; it helps fill out the soundscape of a string orchestra. Surfing around YouTube, I landed on a wonderful string duo featuring AmericanContinue reading “String Duo No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Viola, K. 423, II: Adagio”
Verbovaya Doschechka
Sometimes, even the shortest piece of music can hold a depth of feeling and meaning far beyond the time it has your attention. An excellent example of this complex brevity is “A Gaelic Blessing” (which I posted here in August 2020 to mark the occasion of a friend’s ordination ceremony). Today’s selection is another wonderfulContinue reading “Verbovaya Doschechka”
We Resist
Around the time when I was hanging out with the friend I mention in my post on R.E.M.’s song “Drive,” he introduced me to the music of the rock band Midnight Oil. Formed in 1972 under the name Farm and after changing their name in 1976, Midnight Oil developed a strong following in their homeContinue reading “We Resist”
Kalina
The week-old war in Ukraine remains high in the global consciousness. In the past few days, I’ve heard some state that it is getting a level of attention never devoted to other illegal invasions through history. This may be true, though, in my opinion, it doesn’t change the fact that the world is in aContinue reading “Kalina”
Ruckert-Lieder, III: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen
Today I’m sharing the third in a set of five songs Austro-Bohemian Romantic composer and conductor Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) wrote in 1901-1902. Mahler’s collection is a setting of poems by the German professor, translator and Romantic poet Friedrich Ruckert (1788-1866). The first four pieces in the set were premiered in 1905, with Mahler conducting theContinue reading “Ruckert-Lieder, III: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen”
Mysteries (1)
“… i’ll be there anytime…” It’s the tail-end of a really full day that followed a night somewhat empty of sleep. By the time I did all the important stuff I had set out to do today, and after a top-up of some time in nature, I walked in the door awash in fresh snowflakesContinue reading “Mysteries (1)”
Bizarre Love Triangle
Today’s selection is a cover of a song by the English post-punk band New Order from their 1986 album Brotherhood. (For other songs by New Order, please see my posts on “Love Vigilantes,” “Your Silent Face,” and “Crystal.”) Nouvelle Vague is a French cover band that I’ve featured once before. A friend had enthusiastically toldContinue reading “Bizarre Love Triangle”
Stumblin’ In
American singer-songwriter and actor Suzi Quatro and English rocker Chris Norman, the lead singer of the band Smokie, teamed up on the single “Stumblin’ In,” released in November 1978 in the United Kingdom and January 1979 in the USA. At the time, I was recently out of school. I hated high school, having felt likeContinue reading “Stumblin’ In”
Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)
Hello friends, family, followers, One year ago, I posted the instrumental version of “Christmas Time Is Here” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. It’s a family favourite… well, most of the family likes it. Last December, I also posted “Linus and Lucy” and “Fur Elise” from the same album, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Please have a listenContinue reading “Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)”
All This Joy
I have a weekly Zoom call with a man who, though we’ve never met in person, is one of two dear friends from Colorado, USA. In between calls, he and I often text each other to check in, and sometimes send audio texts. A variety of ways to keep connected when travelling to meet upContinue reading “All This Joy”
Artificial Nocturne
I don’t remember how I came to know the music of the Canadian band Metric. It might have been through CBC Radio 3, the public broadcaster’s internet-based station. At any rate, I know that when I discovered them, I was hooked. Founded in 1998 in Toronto, Ontario, by Emily Haines and James Shaw–who are alsoContinue reading “Artificial Nocturne”
Ave verum corpus
After this past Wednesday’s post on a rap song by Little Simz, I started looking for classical music pieces in which the brass section came across as boldly as those in Simz’s song, “Introvert.” I haven’t found one yet, and I feel that speaks to my lack of knowledge of the genre. I’ll keep lookingContinue reading “Ave verum corpus”
Entangled
In 1975, the English singer, songwriter, producer and activist Peter Gabriel left Genesis, of which he had been a founding member in the 1960s. I was introduced to Genesis and Gabriel’s music by a school mate though, I didn’t follow Gabriel closely until his album Us (1992). (I posted about that friend in “Washing ofContinue reading “Entangled”
New Safe
In August, one of my friends from Colorado sent me a link to “New Safe,” a song by British singer-songwriter David John Morris. After a few weeks of not listening to much music at all (What?! I know, right?!) I finally sat down and played the song. I also sampled the rest of the albumContinue reading “New Safe”
The Blizzard (The Colorado Song)
Yesterday, when I shared my return-from-holidays blog post of a song by Nanci Griffith (1953-2021) on my Facebook wall, I made a comment that more summer stories would follow. Well, Judy Collins’ “The Blizzard,” her tribute ballad to the beautiful state of Colorado, USA isn’t a summer song by any stretch, but it does evokeContinue reading “The Blizzard (The Colorado Song)”
So Long Ago
Well, hello there, how have you been doing?! I’ve really been enjoying summer, and hope you have, too (and I’m not ready for it to be over!). It is so good to be back to sharing music and stories with you after taking an extended summer break from My Song of the Day for Today.Continue reading “So Long Ago”
Friday on My Mind
Yes! Another Friday! This weekend, pandemic restrictions will loosen significantly in my province, Manitoba, Canada. While I’m grateful we are closer to having family gatherings (at least outdoors, like the latest one we had in September 2020), I do feel some of the measures the government will implement are once again too much, too soon,Continue reading “Friday on My Mind”
Planet Earth
Today’s selection is the first song I ever heard by the English new wave/art-rock/new romantic band Duran Duran. Formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England, the band takes its name from the character Dr. Durand Durand from the 1968 science fiction film Barbarella, which starred American actor, environmentalist and political activist Jane Fonda. Duran Duran isContinue reading “Planet Earth”
Sowing the Seeds of Love
One of the most remarkable bands to emerge in the 1980s has to be Tears for Fears. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith: an English twosome who, I feel, revolutionized music by merging new romantic/new wave sensibilities with the rawness of arena rock, mixed with socio-political consciousness. “Sowing the Seeds of Love” perfectly represents all thoseContinue reading “Sowing the Seeds of Love”
Happiness
Guy Garvey, the lead singer of the English band Elbow, is a big admirer of the Scottish group, The Blue Nile. I’ve only come to know the latter’s music through Garvey’s Sunday program on BBC 6 Music, Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour (in the afternoon in England; morning over here). I previously posted another song byContinue reading “Happiness”
Diamonds
The song “Diamonds” is one I heard many years ago, and it attracted me with its simple but effective guitar riff and drum beat. However, I never gave much more thought to it, never learned anything about the band — The Boxer Rebellion — and never thought to look for an official music video untilContinue reading “Diamonds”
It’s Just Another Morning Here
Yes, it’s just another morning here. It’s a Friday, though, so that means some of you will have few days off. And this weekend, pandemic restrictions are being lifted slightly here in Manitoba to allow gatherings of up to five people from two households, outside, on private property. It’s something, and I’m glad we’ll beContinue reading “It’s Just Another Morning Here”
Losing My Religion
It’s been a busy day of appointments plus a bike ride, a few phone calls and an online gathering before I took the time to sit down and complete today’s post. During a free moment this afternoon, I thought I’d visit my YouTube feed for a song idea. Of course, several of Rick Beato’s WhatContinue reading “Losing My Religion”
(Just Like) Starting Over
I remember, in 1980, being excited about Double Fantasy, a new record by John Lennon (1940-1980) and Yoko Ono, after Lennon had pretty much disappeared from the music industry a few years earlier. Back then, I was a 20-year-old with a few circles of friends, a great job, and several relationships with women that wouldContinue reading “(Just Like) Starting Over”
Charlie Darwin
I’m not sure where I first heard the song “Charlie Darwin” by the band The Low Anthem, though it may have been on KEXP Seattle during The Morning Show with John Richards. Ben Knox Miller and Jeff Prystowsky formed the band, which is currently a foursome, in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, in 2006. They self-releasedContinue reading “Charlie Darwin”
Whole Lotta Love
As I opened YouTube today, I saw it offered up a few suggestions of videos by American record producer and educator Rick Beato, whose “What Makes This Song Great?” series I quote in several posts on this blog. I watched episode 43, which profiles and breaks down today’s selection, “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin.Continue reading “Whole Lotta Love”
Moonlight
The first movement (Adagio sostenuto) of the Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Major, Opus 27, No. 2 (“Moonlight Sonata”) by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), is a very well-known piece of solo piano music. Some might even say it’s overplayed. Not me. Beethoven wrote the sonata in 1801 and dedicated it to a studentContinue reading “Moonlight”
Get Home
Yesterday, I featured a magnificent and beloved Canadian musician, Gordon Lightfoot. Today, it’s another one from my country, Sarah Slean. I found the official music video for Slean’s song “Get Home,” which appears on her album The Baroness (2008). It’s produced in a visually pleasing film noir kind of way, like some of her otherContinue reading “Get Home”
Radio Free Europe
I don’t know that I ever realized this before, but the sung lyrics in the R.E.M. hit “Radio Free Europe” are basically incomprehensible. Apparently, this was deliberate, perhaps much like Adriano Celentano’s intention was with the mostly gibberish lines in his 1972 song I posted a few days ago, “Prisencolinensinainciusol.” In my January 31, 2020Continue reading “Radio Free Europe”
What a Wonderful World
“And I think to myself / What a wonderful world…” (from “What a Wonderful World,” by Bob Thiele [aka George Douglas], George David Weiss) Today’s my birthday. It’s my second pandemic birthday, and while last year I felt a slight tinge of sadness about not gathering with family and friends, this year my feelings ofContinue reading “What a Wonderful World”
Secondhand
Happy Friday, folks! This afternoon, I went to Costco to do a big shop for my sweety and me and for a friend, and, while driving, Apple CarPlay was on a totally random play, picking from my entire music library. It was pretty cool… heard some things I hadn’t played in a long time! SweetyContinue reading “Secondhand”
The Course
Today I’m sharing a folk song I heard during an online gathering over a month ago and which has stayed with me since. “The Course” is a stirring, soulful anthem by Ayla Nereo, a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, dancer and filmmaker from northeastern California, USA. The song evokes, for me, a sense of fellowship and the togethernessContinue reading “The Course”
Sandman’s Dust
As I mentioned in a post earlier this week, my sweety and I have numerous friends in Colorado, USA. We all hold heavy hearts at the senseless killing of ten women and men at a grocery store in the city of Boulder on Monday. Sweety and I spoke with some of our folk today andContinue reading “Sandman’s Dust”
I Grieve
Late last evening, after a full and busy day that ran well into the evening, I was unaware of the shooting in Boulder, Colorado, USA, until a near-bedtime visit to Facebook told me a friend there had checked in as safe during a major public crisis. No doubt that message, and all it meant, wasContinue reading “I Grieve”
Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya
Last night as I lay in bed at 1:00 am, unable to get to sleep (the change to daylight savings time always messes me up), the song “Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya” randomly popped into my head. I have no idea why. The song was the only major hit for New England, a group discoveredContinue reading “Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya”
New Amsterdam
Recently I wrote, in a post on Fleetwood Mac’s “Second Hand News,” about my record-playing parties at my parents’ home where I’d often play only one song from a record, take it off, put on another, and so on. A more modern take on that practice is to buy only one track from an album,Continue reading “New Amsterdam”
Thank You
It’s a year ago this week that things really started unravelling in my city of Winnipeg, Canada, with the COVID-19 pandemic. By around Friday, March 13 of last year (and I am not sure I picked up on the significance of the date at the time…), most non-essential stores and venues were talking about closing.Continue reading “Thank You”
Second Hand News
It was 1977. The year Fleetwood Mac released Rumours which, flabergasting to me, was their 11th studio album. I suppose I must have thought the band had just started up with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s arrival and the popularity of Rumours. But there also seemed to be a kind of a “new band hype”Continue reading “Second Hand News”
The World Song
Time is such an interesting concept. A few weeks ago, well, January 17 at 10:03 pm, to be exact (according to the Shazam app), I heard a song, and my iPhone told me it was Petula Clark singing “The World Song.” Based on that time of the evening, it had to be while my sweetyContinue reading “The World Song”
Carry On Wayward Son
“Carry on my wayward sonThere’ll be peace when you are doneLay your weary head to restDon’t you cry no more” (from “Carry On Wayward Son,” by Kerry Livgren) If you were living in the 1970s, I think it would be nearly impossible not to immediately recognize the above lines as the unaccompanied introduction sung byContinue reading “Carry On Wayward Son”
Fix You
“Tears stream down your faceWhen you lose something you cannot replaceTears stream down your face and I…Tears stream down your faceI promise you I will learn from my mistakesTears stream down your face and I…” (from “Fix You,” by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, Will Champion. Full, unofficial lyrics are available at AZLyrics.com.) Today,Continue reading “Fix You”
Shut Your Eyes
I am not sure how I lost track of it, but before Apple’s iTunes program was divided into its constituent parts in the last year or so, I had used the Genius playlists function. Genius would build a playlist of music compatible with a specific song a person selected from their library. This morning, aContinue reading “Shut Your Eyes”
New Clothes
“It’s raining outsideWater falls from the skyAnd it’s sad but it cleans all the dirt from the streets” (from “New Clothes,” by Amy Belle) A new day, a new week, a new month. A chance to begin again, again. And similar to the lyric, rain may not always be welcome and uplifting, “but it cleansContinue reading “New Clothes”
Big Jet Plane
So, hands up, everyone who’s yearning to get away on holiday! It’s now over a year since the first COVID-19 cases developed worldwide, and most of us have spent ten or more months in some form of restricted lifestyle. Like the character in the video for today’s song, many are trapped in unrewarding routines (orContinue reading “Big Jet Plane”
Goose Snow Cone
Content warning: this post contains discussion of mental health. I first heard Aimee Mann’s music in the film, I Am Sam, which starred American actor Sean Penn as a single father with an intellectual disability, at risk of losing custody of his daughter. The soundtrack is made up entirely of covers of Beatles songs; MannContinue reading “Goose Snow Cone”
Things to Live For
Jackson Maloney is an American poet and singer-songwriter living and creating art in Colorado, USA. I came to know him through a mutual friend and at online community gatherings held early in the 2020 lockdown, including early-morning poetry sharing sessions. He released his first collection of poems, Becoming, in 2018, and the ten-song album ThingsContinue reading “Things to Live For”
Bros
In my two previous posts on the London, England alternative-rock band Wolf Alice (“Turn to Dust” and “Don’t Delete the Kisses”), I’ve mentioned their single, “Bros.” This morning I figured, it’s about time I posted about the tune. It makes a good “Friday song,” as I hope you’ll agree. The official music video portrays manyContinue reading “Bros”
Capsule
Today is a fine day. A morning meditation shared with friends across the country; appointments made for car and house maintenance; a few text chats with various friends and family; then this afternoon, time outside with my sweety. We walked along the river path in the sun with the temperature hovering around freezing. It wasContinue reading “Capsule”
Limelight
Formed in 1968, Rush has to be one of Canada’s most extraordinary rock acts. And clearly, institutions agree. In 1996, band members Geddy Lee (vocals, bass, keyboards, composer), Alex Lifeson (guitars, composer) and Neil Peart (1952-2020; drums, percussion, lyricist), were named as Officers of the Order of Canada, the Canadian government’s highest distinction for aContinue reading “Limelight”
You Make Loving Fun
In the midst of internal upheaval in Fleetwood Mac, the band released “You Make Loving Fun” as the fourth single from the historic 1977 album, Rumours. Christine McVie (formerly Christine Perfect) wrote and sang the song. Early this morning, in the lifting of a few days burdened with anxiety and darkness, this great piece ofContinue reading “You Make Loving Fun”
Mary
On many days, I know in advance what song I might post here, but it is often the inspiration of a moment, a serendipitous co-mingling of music with life. That is maybe an uncertain way to go, but it has kept my days interesting while outside everywhere, the 2020 dumpster fire has smouldered. On thisContinue reading “Mary”
Good Mother
Yesterday, I shared reminiscences of my record collection and one of my favourite artists, Brian Eno. Ah, memories. As each December ends, Sweety and I look at memories we’ve made together, and with family and friends, in the past year. We also look ahead to what we would like to do in the coming twelveContinue reading “Good Mother”
Colorblind
Tonight, Sweety and I took part in an online marking of the winter solstice. In part, it was like an inventory of the losses and heartaches the year has brought for many in attendance, and there have been many; some big, some small and yet, here we are. We are blessed in so many ways,Continue reading “Colorblind”
Elevator to Heaven
Neither any of my siblings nor I have musical talent. It wasn’t something any of us learned as children, though we all share a deep love for music, and that certainly was something influenced by our parents, and later by friends and the bands we grew up listening to and sharing as a family; somethingContinue reading “Elevator to Heaven”
The Birds
Maybe you’ve been a follower of this blog for a while. In that case, you’ll know I take a lot of inspiration and acquire much of my new music from the recommendations of Guy Garvey, the lead singer of Elbow during his weekly program, Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour on BBC 6 Music, on Sundays (2:00Continue reading “The Birds”
Belong
This morning, I listened to part of the archive of Friday’s episode of KEXP’s The Morning Show with John Richards, as I’d missed the start of the program that day. In Richards’ opening set, he played “Belong,” an R.E.M. song covered by the Hobart, Australia band, Quivers. I Shazamed the piece, but the app couldn’tContinue reading “Belong”
Symphony No. 3, Op. 36, III: Lento – Cantabile Semplice
Today I ponder on the eve of the eighth anniversary of one of the pivotal days of my life: the day our dear friends’ daughter was killed along with 27 other people: children, educators, the killer’s mother and himself in two incidents (at a home and a school). Upon returning to my office from aContinue reading “Symphony No. 3, Op. 36, III: Lento – Cantabile Semplice”
Let It Be
The day has flown by today. I was up early and did the usual routines, playing with Perry Como the Cat and all that. And having had that one last opportunity to take my road bike out on Tuesday, I gave it a season’s-end scrubbing and buffing in the basement, then covered it up forContinue reading “Let It Be”
Thank You for Being a Friend
Most people will remember the song “Thank You for Being a Friend” as the theme for TV’s The Golden Girls, which ran from 1985 to 1992. The show used a cover version recorded by Cynthia (Cindy) Fee. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Andrew Gold (1951-2011) wrote the song and recorded it in 1978, and itContinue reading “Thank You for Being a Friend”
Downtown Lights
With another weekend here and us firmly in December, this would typically be when people would be filling the stores, doing their holiday season shopping. Well, not in my city, Winnipeg, Canada. Stores continue to be restricted to selling essential items only for in-person shopping; all other sales are by online/phone orders, with delivery orContinue reading “Downtown Lights”
Oh, the Boss Is Coming!
Today, I was doing a moderately strenuous ride on my bike trainer; close to an hour of almost steady climbing during a ride that lasted 90 minutes in total (including cool down), with 687 metres (2,254 feet) elevation gain over 32.3 kilometres (20 miles) travelled. I rode a bit beyond the 30 km structured workout,Continue reading “Oh, the Boss Is Coming!”
I Wandered by a Brookside
I have been taking a course over Zoom on the topic of intentional life transitions. Tonight was the third of four classes, and it was an illuminating evening, as was the coursework in preparation. Among the tasks we were to do between classes was to go and “wander aimlessly.” I had a lot of troubleContinue reading “I Wandered by a Brookside”
Love & Hate
Love & Hate. Right & Wrong. Us & Them. Black & White (or any colour contrast…). Today as I observe the ongoing coverage of the United States election, I try to wade through the biases of two extremes that have expanded to take up so much space in our consciousness. I just want to knowContinue reading “Love & Hate”
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Today I did another “thing” on the bike. Not a long distance outdoors, like the 100 kilometres (60 miles) I cycled on September 18, but inside, on the trainer. I rode one of the most challenging climbs on the smart trainer platform, Zwift, the Alpe du Zwift, a virtual course designed through GPS data toContinue reading “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
Holiday
Holiday, anyone? “If we took a holidayTook some time to celebrateCome on, let’s celebrateJust one day out of lifeHolidayIt would be, it would be so nice You can turn this world aroundAnd bring back all of those happy daysPut your troubles downIt’s time to celebrate” (from “Holiday,” by Lisa Stevens, Curtis Hudson) If there wasContinue reading “Holiday”
Worlds Away
Many have said that after the 1950s, 60s and 70s, the 1980s were a wasteland for music. I beg to differ. The emergence of post-punk, new wave, new romantic, synthpop and other genres, combined with other major genres like folk, progressive rock, heavy metal, arena rock and others, led to many different sounds for modernContinue reading “Worlds Away”
Autumn Leaves
Autumn leaves. As autumn begins. My sweety loves to create a family dinner. Over the years, we’ve had the good fortune to share our Thanksgiving dinner table with our own and other families, sometimes folks who had no relatives here to be with, or were experiencing severe challenges, or came to be with us forContinue reading “Autumn Leaves”
Love Right (prelude)
The American musician, composer, producer, educator, blogger, author, activist and all-around awesome human, Noah Baerman, made a brief appearance on this blog once before when I bought one of his recommendations on one of those days when Bandcamp was waiving fees, forwarding 100% of payments to the artists. That recommendation and purchase inspired the postContinue reading “Love Right (prelude)”
MLK/Pride (In the Name of Love)
My philosophy on anything the British musician, visual artist, sound designer, music producer, theorist and activist Brian Eno puts his name to is simply, “buy it.” That practice has never failed me since first picking up one of Eno’s albums at the behest of one of my brothers in 1976 (as I’ve mentioned before here,Continue reading “MLK/Pride (In the Name of Love)”
Summer 2
Gratitude. For life. For love. For everything. Yes, everything. I learned about three years ago, through Jeffrey Duvall, a beautiful, soulful, kind and generous spiritual guide and very dear friend I’ve known since 2008, of the immutable connection between grief and gratitude. And, how receiving all the sorrowful experiences of our lives helps us to moveContinue reading “Summer 2”
In a Manner of Speaking
Sweety and I have a friend we met through another, longtime friend, but have only seen a handful of times over the years. We have connected on social media and come to know her better in the past year or so, much of this through the pandemic where online conversation was one of the fewContinue reading “In a Manner of Speaking”
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Okay, so we’re stuck in the 80s for another day… call it a distraction from the challenge I’ve told you about, with me not wanting to let go of summer. It’s real, folks, I tell ya… Anyway, today’s selection reminds me of summer. The most powerful memory I have of hearing Tears for Fears wasContinue reading “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
Taking Tiger Mountain
Today I was thinking of posting an ambient piece — something to chill out on. You see, last night, I was not feeling tired at all, and so I stayed up to watch two episodes of a new series I found on Netflix, Away, about a NASA mission to Mars. I enjoy a quality scienceContinue reading “Taking Tiger Mountain”
Listening Wind
Today I was thinking of the 1980 album by Talking Heads, Remain in Light. In my opinion, it’s their best and most inspired work. A visit to the vinyl collection in the basement and a look at the album and liner notes reminded me that Brian Eno, David Byrne and Talking Heads co-wrote the album’sContinue reading “Listening Wind”
Washing of the Water
I’ve loved Peter Gabriel’s music for years. He’s one of the most amazing, influential and versatile musicians I’ve heard. I was introduced to his music by one of my high school friends, who was prominent in our group, though meek and mild and never pushed his presence. Thinking back, I admire that quiet strength. HeContinue reading “Washing of the Water”
Deadwood, South Dakota
Today in the car, Nanci Griffith’s rendition of the song “Deadwood, South Dakota” came on autoplay. I’ve posted Griffith’s songs twice before: “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness,” and “Late Night Grande Hotel,” and the latter is one of the selections on Sweety’s and my wedding CD. In these posts, I talk about Griffith’s longContinue reading “Deadwood, South Dakota”
A Gaelic Blessing
Welcome to Classical Sunday. I’ll say right off that I would never have wished for the global pandemic. It is horrible to know that so many people have suffered and died, many alone, and countless peoples’ health and livelihoods are still under threat. Our family and friends have remained healthy, and we hope to continueContinue reading “A Gaelic Blessing”
I Want to Know What Love Is
When I think of it, it’s funny how the relationships in youth often seemed so predicated on competition, on one being better than the other. Today, Sweety and I were on a mission to find some fresh-picked corn-on-the-cob. There’s a farmers’ market we went to once this summer, but it did not feel safe toContinue reading “I Want to Know What Love Is”
The Dreaming
Today a dear friend and mentor shared an article from DailyOM.com. This website promotes “… a universal approach to holistic living for the mind, body, and spirit and supports people who want to live a conscious lifestyle.” The article, “Aboriginal Dreamtime,” is about the Indigenous people of what is now known as Australia. It’s aContinue reading “The Dreaming”
Every Time I Think of You
Lately, I’ve thought a few times about the band The Babys, which began forming in London, England in 1973, though they weren’t active until 1975. One of the guys in my high school group of friends had at least one of their records and is the only person I’ve ever known who owned any ofContinue reading “Every Time I Think of You”
Celeste
Tonight I’m revisiting the 2020 Brian and Roger Eno album, Mixing Colours. The album has been on my mind again lately, and later today, as I travelled through the various aspects of the day. (Please see my previous thoughts about the album, Brian Eno and his musical roots, in my posts on the pieces “Ultramarine”Continue reading “Celeste”
What the World Needs Now Is Love
After the last two days’ posts, I gravitated toward posting something by Burt Bacharach today. First, it was a track from Painted from Memory, his 1998 collaboration with Elvis Costello (which Sweety and I also listened to with our Brightman/Stewart/Lauper friends… we have been very tight with them for years, and after the husband’s passingContinue reading “What the World Needs Now Is Love”
Yellow Moon
Last night over Winnipeg, Canada, the Moon appeared big and yellow in the southeastern sky. A friend and neighbour had told us on Friday night, at an outdoor, socially-distanced dinner hosted by another couple of neighbour-friends, that it would appear like this, and so we all took note to watch the next night. On Saturday,Continue reading “Yellow Moon”
In My Place
Sweety and I celebrate our wedding anniversary on July 25. The day we were married it wasn’t quite as hot as today will be; it was a perfect, non-humid 25°C (77°F). We had a small wedding, which was initially going to be at the home of friends. As the date drew nearer, Sweety’s mom wasContinue reading “In My Place”
Thank U
Today I was looking for a song about gratitude, and when I thought about it, Alanis Morissette’s “Thank U,” from her 1998 album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie was ideal. Let me tell you why. I’ve mentioned before that a few years ago, my mum died. Months after, I took part in a retreat themed onContinue reading “Thank U”
Pick Me Up
Have you ever had a close relative or friend that you knew you could count on, no matter what? If so, isn’t that the most amazingly comforting thing, ever? Especially when you truly need it? Life hands us all sorts of things, and some are bad; some of them are hardwired into us, some happenContinue reading “Pick Me Up”
Ultramarine
Today, I’m feeling a little low on energy. I’ve been cycling in the high heat and humidity, so am taking a couple of days off. It also has been an emotional day, attending the COVID-socially-distanced, outdoor interment service for our dear friend’s mother; she was a delightful, vibrant and kind soul who was taken tooContinue reading “Ultramarine”
Arena
Today’s selection is another 1980s song. It’s by the English electronica band Colourbox, who released albums from 1982 to 1987. They were among the 4AD record label artists that collaborated on the project, This Mortal Coil, from which I recently featured the cover, “Song to the Siren.” “Arena” comes from the band’s 1985, self-titled record.Continue reading “Arena”
Sailing
Sweety and I have seen Rod Stewart in concert in Winnipeg, Canada, three times, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing him each time. We saw him once with my mum, and twice with dear friends — once in the tenth row at what’s now called Bell MTS Place. This was a couple I have talked about before,Continue reading “Sailing”
Green, Green Grass of Home
So, six weeks ago we, along with our next-door neighbours and another couple of neighbours down the street (she of that latter couple being the ringleader of the project) de-thatched, raked, de-thatched again, raked again, aerated, and once again raked our lawns, then spread manure, a mix of different grass seeds, and then fertilizer. (OverContinue reading “Green, Green Grass of Home”
Song of the Day for Today 