Monday, February 2, 2009

Grateful

Ever listen to music that you know, in some way, has saved your very life? Listened to over and over again; something about the words and the melody that holds you together when you've fallen apart?


Driving in the car the other day I was listening to Counting Crows/August and Everything After and I was reminded of the days that I held on to this music with a grip that meant I had a chance, I might make it through a hurricane of sadness. Life was the hardest it had ever been; marriage crumbling, kid in trouble with the law, living in a fire-trap behind a furniture store while we waited to move to our new house. Ultimatums, anger, and distrust colored every day a weird hue.


I would crank Adam Duritz full blast, screaming out tears and frustration. I found a deeper meaning to these songs that stitched a gaping wound in my heart. Each and every song was my therapy and I grabbed it every chance I got.


When I hear it today, I am so thankful for it. What talent behind these words.

Round Here: we talk just like lions, but we sacrifice like lambs.

Murder of One: there's a bird that nests inside you, sleeping underneath your skin. when you open up your wings to speak, I wish you'd let me in.

Perfect Blue Buildings: gonna get me a little oblivion, baby, try to keep myself away from me.


Every song speaks to me, even today, speaks of where I've been, what I've traveled through.



On a lighter note, and speaking of music, we rented the documentary called "Tommy Dowd, and the Language of Music" last night. If you have loved music over the years, you'll have fun watching this. Otis Redding doing Try a Little Tenderness = goosebumps.

Tom Dowd, producer/recording engineer, recorded first in mono, then tape, learned of the 8 track from Les Paul and was using that tecnique for years before other producers had even heard of it, to digital, and could pull sound out of a mixer that most could not. He "made" the musicians famous, perfected their music, made them better.

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionTOM DOWD & THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC profiles the extraordinary life and legendary work of music producer / recording engineer Tom Dowd. Historical footage, vintage photographs and interviews with a who's who list of musical giants from the worlds of jazz, soul and classic rock shine a spotlight on the brilliance of Tom Dowd, whose creative spirit and passion for innovative technology helped shape the course of modern music. Tom Dowd's credits include recording sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Otis Redding, John Coltrane, The Allman Brothers Band, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Cream, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Booker T. & the MG's and countless other musical luminaries.
Includes Music & Interviews with Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, The Allman Brothers Band, Les Paul, Otis Redding, Thelonious Monk, Booker T. & the MG's & many more!

He was so respected and so loved by all of these musicians. It's a fascinating piece and full of great music! Check out the customer reviews!

2 comments:

amuse me said...

We saw Counting Crows a few years ago live in concert -- awesome show! The whole place rocked!

Anonymous said...

Stand In The Rain, by Superchic(k) is my comfort song. I can really relate to the words, and I find the chorus really comforting.

"So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, whats lost can be found
You stand in the rain "

You can read the rest of the words here: http://www.metrolyrics.com/stand-in-the-rain-lyrics-superchick.html

Flora & Fauna

Books I have known & loved

  • Life of Pi
  • A Hundred Years of Solitude
  • Kite Runner
  • The Way the Crow Flies
  • Fall on Your Knees
  • Poisonwood Bible
  • East of Eden
  • Shantaram
  • I Know This Much is True

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