Daily Musings / page 15

Our display was average I would say.

Great pics, Al - was it raining here - looks like you had clear skies.

Thanks, Andy, for the WCBR link, which I didn't know about--I usually listen to WGBH for classical music, but this one looks like it has a lot of great choices of programs.

DH and I spent the Fourth down in Washington DC, visiting DD, though the heavy rain discouraged us from going down to the Mall to watch the 'works. Fortunately for the diehards who did go, the skies cleared and the show was great. We saw it on TV!

If anyone is ever in DC on July 4th, I recommend the annual concert of American music held at 11 am at the Washington National Cathderal. The giant pipe organs, plus tympani and cymbals, traditionally play a very non-stuffy collection of American show tunes. The concert always begins with the national anthem (1500 people singing in an acoustically-perfect space is really something!), and ends with a rendition of Souza's Stars and Stripes Forever in which the organ is turned every which way but loose.

It's not a religious service, but it IS patriotic.

Now we're about to fly back to Cape Cod, where I can't wait to see what awaits me in my garden! Maybe maters!!

I like classical music but I can't tell Bach from Maller! My first love is Jazz.

I also really like B. B. King.

I like just about every type of music - heavy metal German goth, classic rock, opera, classical, instrumentals, new wave, even some disco - but I do not like "crying in yer beer" country and western music - though I do like country rock like John Denver and Texas Bar Bands like ZZtop. oh and I like folk music - especially Gordon Lightfoot, and I also like some bluegrass and celtic.

I suggest blasting some German Goth at your Illumination Night.

I can only think of derogatory words to describe my thoughts about Country music. A couple of my neighbors love it, one plays it a bit too loud, lol.

That would flip the neighbours out! - we have a problem with loud cars playing hip-hop and ganstra music as they cut through on our streets, so I don't think most would appreciate German Goth added to the mix! I really don't know music (DH does) but there is this great song from the 1990s about burning witches . . . has a really driving beat (literally - you wouldn't want to drive to this 'cause you would be speeding very fast. The sound track to "Rainman" is also dangerous to drive to . . . )

Usually, the Illumination Committee hires a live band to play predictably but dancible rock and roll and some rock.

Well DH and I come from rather dysfunctional families, where country and western music was part of the scene - no pleasant memories for either of us . . .

How bout the blues? Always loved it. There used to be a club nearby specializing in the blues, complete with blue smoky haze and a small floor for groin grinding dancing. Such a shame it closed. As did the jazz club where I saw Miles Davis. Double shame.

'groin grinding'??

You must know it.

Sorry to say I don't!! I must attach a link to this Country music discussion for the South Forums!

You must try it then.

I remember riding my motorcycle with the Almond brothers "Tied to the whipping post" running through my head. bumm da da dumm, bumm da da dumm.

Funny, years ago when their music was popular I wasn't into it. Now I love southern rock. Go figure.
And if anyone likes old Americana music give Springsteen's Seeger Sessions a listen. You'll be on your feet, without a doubt.

What joy!

Mounds of joy!

I like the blues, too. Got close enough to Miles once to read his name engraved on his horn. I still have the picture in my mind of his red horn. Those were the days. Elvin Jones shook my hand when we were intorduced and acted as if it was his honor to meet on of his fans. What a great man. Meeting him literally took my breath away. When I heard that he had passed, I thought of his petite Japanese wife who set up his drums and tuned them for him. It it said that she had no problem hammering a nail or two into a bandstand so that his bass drum wouldn't slip in her full, dress kimono. What a team they made.

I like Jazz and Blues too. I had the distinct pleasure to walk alongside Wynton Marsalis as he played in the New Orleans style funeral procession for Lionel Hampton. Walked with him for about four blocks. Was a once in a lifetime experience. The hearse was drawn by a white horse. One of my all-time favorite vocalists is Billie Holiday. One of the great R & B voices that not many people know of was Johnny Hartman. He was the only vocalist that Coltrane ever recorded with. If you have never heard him, make it your business to. He was featured (posthumously, unfortunately) in Eastwood's Bridges of Madison County.

That's funny. I always thought they were called "The Allman Brothers". I like just about everything. I like to make sure my music keeps my attention, so I can't stand elevator music. I like for music to make me feel good when I listen to it, so I can't stand Rap or Heavy Metal. Other than those, I mostly listen to rock from all decades, Jazz, blues, soul, classical, oldies, disco, Brazillian... and so on.

Lucky you Victor!!! Wow, how terrific is that? How did you get such an honor?

Harper

Harper - I listen to oldies too - you know, the '90's.


Where is my pot 'o gold?

I had an early introduction to Jazz at the Newport Jazz festival when I was 14. Saw Ella, Sachmo, Lionel, Eddie Harris, Les McCann, Cannonball Adderly, Roland Kirk, Herbie Hancock (had to be very young) and many more.

I like a lot of stuff but not rap or heavy metal. If I had to chose 1 CD, it would probably be Paul Simon's Graceland. It might just beat out the Beatles' Rubber Soul and Abbey Road, Van Morrison's Moondance, Miles Davis' Kind of Blue.

Oooo! Lucky you about the festival. I really enjoy those albums, too. Oh, wait. Do we call them albums anymore?

Harper

I do. Wish I had something to play my LPs on!

I kept my turntable -just in case. I just don't have it hooked up.

I still spin wax daddy-o.

I got a wonderful turntable at the Goodwill in Westport for $15. The new cartridge cost $150 - but it still was worth it. Now I just need to find time to listen to the records.

I like soft rock, hard rock, oldies, classical and very , very little country.
Now don't throw rocks or tomatoes at me....but I even like some rap or "hip hop" as you call it. Raising 5 children.....I heard it all and learned to listen to the words. Not all of it is bad, and some just tell it like it is.
Andy, i enjoyed your side show, thank you! What was Sarah looking at up the tree?? She seems very intent, what ever it is!
You photos of the Canadian Geese and Swan are amazing!!!!!

Harper, the procession went right by my job on 125 Street. It was a Saturday AM and I had just finished getting things ready for our testing that day and had a break before the other engineers showed up. Went outside for coffee and there it was. I wish I had my camera. It was exactly like the scene in Live and Let Die with the funeral!

I won't throw rocks or tomatoes at you Celeste!!! I'm sure there's some good stuff even in the genres I don't generally like. How can I judge against an entire form of music? There's good and bad in everything. Have you heard of 'Common'? He's got some great melodies, even though he might be considered Rap.

Victor, Wow! There's stars in my eyes.

Harper

Here's an interesting tidbit. There was a kid on my block who was rapping in 1977, before ANYONE had heard of it. The Sugar Hill Gang get the credit for starting rapping - now Hip Hop - with their Rapper's Delight in '79. The earlier stuff was more interesting and much better before it became all about violence, cop killing and misogyny. What does it say when the 'artists' have posses and they are putting hits on each other, etc.??? I like to tell people that it's actually nothing new. It was well known that the Perry Como gang was always shooting up the Bing Crosby posse.

Well, the closest brush with fame I can claim is that I grew up in the same community as Chief Dan George.

For those of you who don't remember (virtually all of you lol) Chief Dan George played the old Indian in Little Big Man opposite Dustin Hoffman.

We used to see Chief Dan George all the time at the Capilano Shopping Mall in North Vancouver.

Well here's one for you, Michaela. I met the Great Gretzky outside the Time-Life bldg in NYC in 1985.

It's curious to me, as a sociologist, that rap and hip hop has such world-wide appeal. It may be "telling it like it is" - but not for most middle-class white Americans.

And, while music can be a very effective form of protest, I am not sure that misogyny is something we want to celebrate . . .

When rock and roll came out, there was a lot of nay-sayers discussing the "evil" of that music. I wasn't around then, but listening to it on DH's collections, it seems to be primarily about relationships and wanting to find someone to be with. Some are very maudlin (lovers dying in crashes) - but, mostly about trying to find someone to love.

Oh - that's too coool. Even for me! Oh, some basketball player shook my hand. He was getting an honourary degree, and choose me. Apparently I was to feel extremely honoured. He was tall and black . . . Russel?

Anyway, everyone else was totally appalled that I didn't understand and appreciate the significance of the gesture. And some, I think were extremely envious!

But Wayne Gretsky I understand!

And looking for good surf - don't forget the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean.

Yank, those are both in my "oldie" collection!