This is an amazing story about beauty, perception, art, and what we see, or don’t see, as we go about our daily lives. Do you stop and notice, enjoy, live in the moment with something beautiful or do you walk past without a glance, without a thought for what’s happening right in front of you. What would you do?
Perusing Bandcamp for new music and ran across this band… really like them.
Every day I am thankful for you. I couldn’t agree more with the lyrics of this song. I am blessed and lucky to have… This kind of love….
I was just perusing some stuff and came across this great review of Sneakin’ Out, a local Portland band that happens to be one of my favorite local bands… I would probably put Pink Martini first and these guys second. This clip is great because you get to hear some of their music, which is awesome. These guys, three of them in all, play amazing music. There’s Cheddar on base… this guy knows how to have fun, dancing around, making some great faces, always with a sense of humor, always making you chuckle. Then there’s Dave on mandolin. This guys fingers are so fast you need stop action to see them. He does some really big things with a relatively small instrument. Last… Don on percussion. Oh, Don… xylophone, bongos, maracas, so many other things… and… a typewriter. Yes, there’s a first… a typewriter. He has impeccable timing, great for a percussionist yes, and also a wonderful sense of humor. These guys don’t only play, they entertain. There’s a truly groovy thing that happens… a sense of whimsy… I don’t know what else to call it…. when they start into one of their covers. Paint it Black to Beethoven… spectacular. There is one thing you always know for sure when you go out to hear these guys play… Sneakin’ Out will give you a great time. You will smile, you will laugh, you will be amazed at their naturally hypnotic musical talent, and you will want to know when their next show is going to be so you can get there early to get a good seat.
Check out this review… and get a little sampling of the joy.
I was perusing my Facebook feed today and noticed a repost of an article at The Donnybrook Writing Academy . You have to check out the article, but the gist is this… they got together as a staff, poured down a few beverages, and came up with a list of 100 songs that should never be played on the airwaves again. I looked over the list, sad to see some songs that I still enjoying hearing, and had this to say back to them…
I woke up this morning, a brown eyed girl who was born in the USA, feeling a little down. I heard the folks over at Donnybrook said good riddance to 100 songs I, and many other girls a lady and a loser all happen to get more than a feeling from. It’s not that I want to call them creep or suggest they have a black hole sun for a heart. That’s not it at all. I mean, come on people, can I get a baby one more time from all you on board the crazy train. Don’t stop believin’ people!
Once upon a time there were people who said don’t speak, listen, hold my hand, jump on the love rollercoaster, and quit bustin’ my humps! Don’t give in, don’t be a zombie. What a wonderful world this could be if people just got over the wicked game of radio censorship, put on their poker face, and like the speed of sound, like lithium, let that sound wash over them. It’s magic man. Or could be.
What’s with the haters? Don’t they know a love story when they see one or have they lost that lovin’ feelin’? I think Jeremy or Janie’s got a gun and they are out for a super freak on a leash named Fernando, the fortunate son he is, who only wants to experience the feeling of how to save a life through the beauty of jammin’ in Margaritaville to some classic tunes.
Can you hear me people? Or is the tubthumping too loud for you Luka? Am I livin’ on a prayer? Am I just a jump around pretty fly gettin’ the run-around? This censorship, this banning of the music that knows how to start me up, taking me on a stairway to heaven, it’s wrong. Am I getting too baba o’riley? Do I need to chug a little black velvet, cry like a free bird, pour some sugar on me, and take it easy? Maybe I need to take a moment and when I touch myself with a Kleenex to the eye, I should feel it in the air tonight… the feeling of fireflies, but maybe not… maybe it’s enter sandman, stage left.
I don’t want it to be so. God bless the USA, I want the good times. I want there to be a higher calling. If I had 1,000,000 for every time someone said I want to hold your hand, I want to know what love is, and I can’t help falling in love with these tunes man, I would be rich!
I feel like I’m making a Lisztomania here. Completely freaked out by the thought of losing the don’t worry be happy feeling of listening to some great tunes because a group of peeps at Donnybrook randomly decided, in a drunken stupor, that these sounds don’t make them feel like making love anymore. It’s like getting rid of American pie filled with apples. It’s like watching grandma who got run over by a reindeer. It’s theft, that’s what it is… they’ve been caught stealing. They are a bunch o’ bad to the bone peeps who might just blister in the sun if they keep going on like this. Robbing the tunes from the people who still want them.
I know this diatribe is turning into a bohemian rhapsody. It’s just that the boys of summer and I, who were born to be wild, want to say that if this heresy doesn’t stop it will fade into you and the longer it lasts the more you will lose that Friday I’m in love feeling. This is no celebration. This is no butterfly taking wing and whispering bawitdaba. This is a time to stand up, a time to light my fire and yours. This is a time to give up Santeria, crow like a rooster, whip it into shape, and take back our airwaves.
I want to say to these drunkards, though the thought of this does make for a good thriller, that the ants are marching now one by one, the boys are back in town, and we are going to take the money money and run yelling mony mony. There is no kryptonite that can stop us cuz this is nuthin’ but a G thang gangstas. I know without a doubt that when Stevie says I just called to say I love you, you, wastoids, will say I melt with you Stevie, and you won’t be able to stay at the YMCA, or look at waterfalls, or go walkin’ in Memphis again without wanting to listen to one of these songs.
It’s closing time on this missive, but I want you to know, you lit up fools, that you shook me all night long with this idea, but I know I wouldn’t be the gambler in saying that most of your body is a wonderland, your body of work that is, and I do appreciate it. After all of this, isn’t that thought just a little bit ironic… yeah?
This is something I wrote on the plane ride over to the U.K. a couple of weeks ago. Tried to post it when we landed and couldn’t, then with all the business of getting here and such I forgot about it, until today. I re-read it, liked it a lot, and so am posting it now. It’s relevent, anytime really….
December 10, 1:20 AM, Pacific time
Sun coming up over the Atlantic. Traveling in this plane, just having woken up from a nap laying across two seats and Karen (a miracle in and of itself). Taking pictues with my phone out the window and listening to the Hip (80) playlist on the ipod on my phone. Bose quiet canceling headphones on. The world is a beautiful place.
I’m having one of those moments… So filled with gratitude and wonder and love. So much love I feel like this smaller body of mine might not be able to hold it all in. Overflowing out of me as teardrops falling down my face. It’s so quiet in here right now. All these people sleeping, watching the movie or listening to their own music. All these people going somewhere…. To see someone they love, like we are, or to see somewhere new, or just making the journey home. And here we all are together, on this plane winging our way across the Atlantic as the sun comes up. I’m listening to Good Life right now, and it really is a good good life. Thank you thank you thank you thank you….
Now that is a long title for a post. Just had to use it… The Pogues Tuesday Morning is playing right now. It’s not that fortuitous, I actually looked up songs with Tuesday in the title and liked this one. That’s what a person does when they have some time on their hands, which I happen to. I’m amazed at myself for all the things I’m looking up now. Knowledge is power they say, if, and that a big IF, I can remember anything I’ve already looked up. Chances are not high it will all stay up there in the old noggin. Or, more precisely, that I will be able to access what is up there. A lovely side effect of all of this is an even worse memory than I had. LOL Ah well… I remember the important things… like the people I love. So it’s OK. Besides, my memory will improve again after.
Today has been a mellow day. My honey has gotten a lot of business done, both professionally and personally for us. She and Kev are, right now, at one of our rentals looking at the dryer. Seems it quit working and since we put it in there we are responsible for it. If Kev can fix it, great… if not, we buy a new (actually a used) one. Not too terrible. I’m here, hanging with the dogs. They are actually sitting in the living room on the chair looking out the window longingly waiting for Karen and Kev’s return.
Bah ha ha ha ha!! I had to do it. I think, additionally, what I really need to do is find the video of that song. Used to laugh… used to cry… used to sit around and wonder why… uh, no wait. That’s something else. I’m getting my 70′s tunes mixed up. Alas… being nearly 45 has it’s disadvantages, but also it’s advantages.
I was just chatting with someone about the aches and pains that come with getting older. My contention though is that yes, there are aches and pains, but the good parts about getting older are worth the occasional inconvenience of having an older machine. What, pray tell, do I mean? Well… what I mean is that as a person gets older they know themselves better, usually like themselves better, and are more of who they are… at home, out in the world, etc. We become more of ourselves and more comfortable with who that is. So I will take the stiff ankles (thanks to the racquetball injuries of my youth) because they come with a better me.
So what is all this alone again naturally stuff? No, Karen and I have not had some bad break up (not gonna happen folks… ever). No, what I mean is that I am the only PO in the office today. Everyone else is at a training. Apparently, according to my boss, I’m un-trainable. Can’t be trained. I accept this. Actually, I think I have it better than they do. It’s so quiet and peaceful around here. Music, birds outside, great view, good book to read during lunch… I can’t complain. I did go around this morning and take a photo of myself sitting at each of their desks. After the round of photos I sent them each a text including the photo I took in their office and told them I had them covered. Pretty funny. Funny to me at least. I obviously have no trouble entertaining myself.
And now, that song… Alone Again, Naturally I couldn’t get the code to embed it, but if you follow the link you’ll get a little treat from 1972. Enjoy!
The other song, I just looked up the lyrics, is I Need You by America. Here’s the video for that one… Gotta love America.
Music sometimes makes a scene, or a movie for that matter. Here’s a selection of tunes used in films that had an impact on me. By no means a comprehensive list, but a few who sprung to mind when I thought of doing this post. Enjoy and feel free to add your own in the comments section. Always looking for new music, new films to see, or reminders of films and music I’d forgotten about.
Let the River Run – Carly Simon – Working Girl
A nice little fable of a film. The song, at the end, sort of sums it up and lends itself to that feel good feeling.
Band of Brothers Requim – Band of Brothers
Beautiful piece of music and a fantastic mini series. If you haven’t seen it… do so. You may cry a lot, I did, but it’s amazing.
Have a Little Faith in Me – John Hiatt – Benny and Joon
I fell in love with this song after hearing it in this movie. A little fable of a film. This film just works.
Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon – Urge Overkill – Pulp Fiction
Tarantino knows how to use music in his films. This scene is just plain riveting. And the music in it is perfect for it.
Come What May – Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman – Moulan Rouge
I had no idea these two could sing, and sing so well. Besides which, this is a lovely lovely song.
Cell Block Tango – Various – Chicago
Fun fun. Listen to this a couple of times and you’ll find yourself singing along.
She’s Like The Wind – Patrick Swayze from Dirty Dancing
Patrick Swayze singing. Who doesn’t love that? Or love this movie for that matter. No one puts baby in a corner.
I Am Changing – Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson’s defining movie moment.
Long Ride Home – Patty Griffin – Elizabethtown
One of my favorite songs which was used really well in this movie.
Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – Once
A fantastic little film with some awesome music. If you have never seen this, or heard the soundtrack, or listened to the Frames, check some or all of that out. The two from this movie now have their own band called The Swell Season.
Vianne Sets Up Shop – Chocolat
This music just simply makes me happy.
Cruisin’ – Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis – Duets
Who knew Gwyneth could sing this well. Wow.
You’re The One That I Want – John Travolta and Olivia Newton John – Grease
No list is really complete without this. If you are a person of my age, give or take 10 years either way, you know and at least secretly, if not down right openly, love this song and this scene.
Back Where You Belong – Sinead O’Conner – The Water Horse
Just a really gorgeous song.
You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate – The Full Monty
Who doesn’t love rough burly guys dancing… I ask you.
All I Want Is You – U2 – Reality Bites
This song sort of sums up this entire movie.
Stuck In The Middle With You – Steeler’s Wheel – Reservoir Dogs
Ear cutting off scene so beware…. Tarantino knows how to use music in his films.
Goodbye Horses – Q Lazzarus – The Silence of the Lambs
R Rated, for those who care. I’d advise not watching if you do.
In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel – Say Anything
Iconic image from film this one. I think this spawned thousands of incidents where guys stood outside girl’s homes and played music.
Lust for Life – Iggy Pop – Trainspotting
Ok… so the voice over is in french, but for the purposes of this post it’s the music that counts…. 
In The Deep – Bird York – Crash
A truly intense gritty movie. Loved it. And loved this song in it.
People Are Strange – Echo & The Bunnymen – Lost Boys
The song in the first part of this clip is Gerard McMann’s Cry Little Sister, also good… Love when People Are Strange is playing and scenes of regular people doing what they do.
Sweet Jane – Cowboy Junkies – Prelude To A Kiss
Unfortunately I couldn’t find a video clip from the movie with the song in it so I had to settle for the video. A lot of people haven’t even heard of this movie. I liked it. Also a little fable of a movie.
American Girl – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Silence of the Lambs
The girl, before being kidnapped, drives along singing this song at the top of her lungs, no care in the world… and then… the second tune from this film. What can I say?
Like To Get To Know You Well – Howard Jones – Better Off Dead
This is the music video, not the clip from the movie… unfortunately.
Across 110th Street – Bobby Womack – Jackie Brown
A fantastic intro/opening credits to a movie. Love this and again love Tarantino’s use of music in a film.
I like this one…
Grandpa… This one reminds me so much of you. I love you.
This guy is inspirational. If you don’t feel good after listening to this then I don’t know what could make you feel good. Besides which, after listening you might also want to tune into some classical music. This is a lovely talk.
Totally hooked on this song right now.
Not exactly what the average person imagines when they think of high school students. And yet…. All the people playing in this orchestra are high school students from around Venezuela.
Possibly the worst video I’ve ever seen. I mean, what’s up with the creepy strange guy who keeps popping up in the background. It’s so bad it’s sort of compelling. I’m disturbed by it, yet somehow I’ve watched it a couple of times. This isn’t exactly the Blue Swede version I love. How can I ever listen to this song again without thinking of The Hoff. No, put it out of my mind… let it go. Maybe if I face my fear, and post it here, I will be cured of the scourge that is this video. It’s worth a try…
Thought I’d point the way to all the talented musicians in my and Karen’s families.
My cousin, Dave, is a composer currently living in New York. He’s getting his music work for pay life moving forward doing scores for indie movies, theater productions, commercials, and the like. He’s also quite the visual artist, but his focus is music. If nothing else listen to the Menarquia, which he composed, and La Campanella, which he sort of composed (read his intro to it) and plays. Just beautiful.
Karen’s cousin, Mike, is quite the song writer/singer/musician. He’s a doctor by trade, but spends as much time as he can in Nashville writing, singing, and trying to get his stuff out there. Check out Mike’s page. He isn’t singing on all the tracks, as you will be able to tell, but he’s there on many of them. He wrote all of them. Check him out. My personal favorites here are My Endless Dream and XOXOX.
My cousin, Karl, has been making music most of his life. He’s had quite a bit of indie success, touring in the US and Europe with various bands and alone. You can check out Karl’s page and see if he’s soon to be playing in a town near you. I’m loving That’s How I Got to Memphis and Dark Sedan.
My Uncle, Tom, has also been playing music most of his life. When he was younger it’s what he did for a living, traveling from place to place, mostly alone, but sometimes with a band, playing gig after gig. I was lucky enough to see him play once when I was a teen. He gave that up for a time… not music, just music for a living, and got all legit doing the attorney thing, but he’s now getting back into playing. We’re all glad, though I think he’s probably ecstatic about it. Very fun to watch him… he’s a fantastic guitar player. Sweet Pretty Lady and I Will Always Be Your Boy bring back great memories of Tom playing live and recording. I still have your album Tom and sometimes actually spin it.
Cousin Kevin… he’s an inspiration to all who know and love him. Let the music live on.
Gettin’ Down, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
People were really enjoying the sounds of Sneakin’ Out yesterday at Colonel Summers Park in SE Portland. These two were great. So much fun to watch. You could tell they were having an awesome time.
Mandolin, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Sneakin’ Out is a local Portland Band that’s fantastic. We enjoyed listening to them yesterday during the Sundays Parkways event in SE Portland. This is the mandolin player of the trio. He’s amazing. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard anyone play as fast as he can.
Bass, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
This guy isn’t only talented, he’s incredibly entertaining. He loves playing music, loves what he does. He’s constantly movin’ and groovin’ to the sounds as they are playing. Really wonderful.
Percussion, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
The Sneakin’ Out percussionist. He’s unbelievable. So talented. Plus, the guy plays a mean typewriter. I’m not even kidding. Check out the shot, at the left, in the middle of the frame. Yep… a typewriter.
Sneakin’ Out, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
After completing the Sundays Parkways circuit yesterday we rode back to the first park, Colonel Summers, to listen to a Portland band, Sneakin’ Out. We never miss an opportunity to see these guys if it’s possible to see them. They are, without question, of the most unique trios around… plus, they are damn good. These guys can play.
I’m just messing around online this morning before getting ready for work and listening to itunes. I have the mega playlist on shuffle. This one popped on, a blast from the past I absolutely love. Thought I’d share. Good morning everyone!
I’m totally hooked on this song right now…. I love that he goes out to listen to it in his car.
Concert Snacks, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
When one goes to an outdoor concert, one HAS to bring snacks. It’s an actual law isn’t it? We were not the peeps with foresight though, we can thank our friend, Sandy, for the snacks. Sandy, you and your cooler rock!
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