Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Aug. 31/09

One week to go, no not to the end of my holidays, but to all the kids from kindergarten to gr.12 (and victory lap as gr.13 is now referred to) who have to return to school in 8 days. Happy Monday everyone. ,OK so I had this post already written when I ran into some old stuff that reminded me of school. Not my school mind you a fictitious school in Pennsylvania. So I had to rewrite the entire blog, cause if I didn't I would be all mad at myself, this is supposed to be fun right?

The song appears in an amazing movie from 1978 and the movie was apparently completed for 2.7 million American dollars. The film has since been deemed "culturally significant" whatever that means. The song was written by a group of brothers and sung by someone else in the movie, sort of.

Here are some of the lyrics:

I want you to know

I said I want you to know right now, yeah!

You been good to me baby

Better than I been to myself

Here are some hints:

Otis Redding had nothing to do with this song, my man! The current singer is named Dewayne Jessie who "starred" in the movie, but didn't sing it in the movie. Many of you will have seen this movie in high school or just after high school depending on your age. Mashed potatoes have never been the same since this movie, never mind other kitchen aids. This song should make you want to .............oops almost gave it away there.

I would like to know:

The name of the song:

The brothers who wrote it:

The name of the movie:

The name of the band from the movie:

Who produced Dewaynes album in 1989:

Have a great week. I trust that you and yours will enjoy the last days of freedom. I hope that this little foray into school music has brought a smile to your face. Last week it was "Sesame Street" this week is slightly different. A place of higher education and fraternal fun is the setting.

The big reveal for the week of Aug.24/09

Hello there and welcome to Friday. For what would a week be without a Friday, short maybe, but who does not enjoy Friday? I like Fridays because they seem like the last push to the finish line when I can say, I made it! Since I am vacation this week, Friday doesn't have the same appeal, although I am having lunch with a 7 and 9 year old, so that will be fun.

I had one guess this week. he was correct, and honestly stated that he needed "a little help from his friends" to get all the answers. Honesty is the best, isn't it, even when it comes from a syrupy Billy Joel song. Congratulations to Gary D. who gave me two of the correct answers from memory and the other two probably from google.

Here are your answers:

The name of the song: Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard

The writer: Paul Simon

Whose mother sang back-up on another song: Whitney Houston's (Cicely Houston)

Who played on the former duos famous song: Bridge over Troubled Water, played by Larry Knechtel

There are a few versions of this song available on YouTube, but I like this one the best, kinda brings childhood, music, silly songs(or is it?) and memories all together in one wonderful video, enjoy:

Have a great weekend. Enjoy the latest Hurricane (that might be tough). No matter what occurs, take some time to rest and reflect and for those of you who will be shopping for back to school stuff next week, have fun, enjoy the last week of summer and the wonderful anticipation of kids going back to school, or the dreaded first day of school that comes for some (kids and parents).

"Often, when I am reading a good book, I stop and thank my teacher. That is, I used to, until she got an unlisted number."

Tuesday Musings # 49

Happy Tuesday everyone

I had an early morning appointment today and as often as I can, I listen to the satellite radio in the car particularly to hear a preacher/speaker by the name of Chuck Swindoll. Since I was in and out of the car I was only able to listen to some of hat he said.

One quote, regarding maturity, went something like this: "we need to move from thin skinned and hard hearts to thick skinned and soft hearts". The path to maturity is more than just the passage of years. It is more than just an external experience, it includes the changes that are required in the heart of every person, including me and you.

I was raised to respect my elders for they have had more life experiences than I have and when I was a youngster. Those elders remembered the first and second world wars as well as the Irish civil war and the English occupation. They had many shared memories but were they mature?

I recall the vitriolic hatred of anything British or related to the crown because of the behaviour of the members of the occupying forces which included the death of my grandfather and other atrocities. I still see no forgiveness and that too is a lack of maturity.

The wonderful thing about "Tuesday musing" is that I never plan where I will go , I hear or think something and I "allow" the keys to take me where my thoughts are to go. Maturity is eternally linked with forgiveness. If we cannot forgive, then no matter how much we posture about our so called intelligence, we are not mature and if the definition above is correct then our existence remains of thin skins and hard hearts. Now where is the love in all that?

Happy Tuesday everyone

So much to Say #2

"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter"

I went to the Dr. the other day with a few questions hoping to get some answers and I think that I now have more questions and less answers. Out of that appointment and doing some time with a phlebotomist, it's all come to this: they tell me I have Andropause. I asked, "is this for real" or is it just another bad joke, unfortunately, the Dr.(who I trust and appreciate) advised me that it really is what it sounds like and trust me it does what they say it will do.

So, I get to deal with andropause. Less humanely referred to as male menopause. I now have the pleasure of getting regular shots of testosterone to try to fight off the symptoms, most of which mirror the symptoms of menopause. There were other methods of delivery, but the shot every two weeks at least allows me to drop my drawers in front of a nurse with a sharp object filled with thick serum that's supposed to hurt. So far(three shots down) the anticipated pain has not arrived.

Why am I writing about this? I wonder how many men out there have experienced this and have no one to talk to about it. I would love to chat with someone who has gone through this so that I can speak to someone who understands the male perspective on this mostly hidden affliction.

I live in an community where the "learned" refrain to any adversity is either is "suck it up" or it's "the Lord's will" based on a complete misunderstanding of scripture and a lack of compassion. I need to state that not everyone abides by the refrain and not everyone agrees with the refrain, but, too many of the people that I have been able to rub shoulders with subscribe to the approach. There are some who do not and I appreciate them for their reality. Unfortunately, there are too few like Mrs C. and the Mechanic who are so real and who care deeply no matter what and will always be there to lend a hand(or bring a tractor) when needed.

I have started to read a book called mid-life manual for men and wonder of this tome has any comments about Andropause. I have begun to develop a new friendship with a man who also sees the hardness in the "suck it up" crowd and we intend to be compassionate to each other and to others as we walk this walk.

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Aug. 24/09

So you think your schoolin's phony? Well that's the theme for the next two weeks. Something to do with school. From that intro you can be assured that I will not be using "School" from Supertramps amazing album, "Crime of the Century". Did you know that this was their third album? Most people I know thought it was their first. More trivia to come.

Welcome to the new week. I am resting, reading and doing lots of listening. I have never used this writer/singer in the blog, not really a fan of the majority of the work this person did. There was a time when the work he did was quite artful. Oops now you know it's a man.

In a couple of days

they come and take me away

but the press let the story leak

and when the radical priest

come to get me released

Wow, after reading some things about this song, I am completely confused and even the author doesn't seem to have a straight answer about the genesis of the song(not a hint). The album was released in January 1972 and was the first solo album by this artist. The album was self titled and achieved first position on the charts in Japan, Norway, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. As noted I have never owned a solo album of this artist, but somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind I recall owning an lp of him and his former musical partner, I recall being entranced by a song about fisticuffs or something.

here's what I would like to know:

The name of the song:

The writer of the song:

Whose mother sang back-up on another song from this album:

Who played piano on the former duos most famous song(and what is the song):

Have a great week. I am enjoying the rest, reading, relaxation(a different three "r"s). Feel free to write to me here with your answers. I look forward to hearing from you as tales from the school yard are only two weeks away, but not for me cause my kids are almost done.

A quiet saturday morning

The most noise I can hear this morning is my untrained typing on my keyboard and the kettle boiling for my tea. It's funny, I love my cup of tea in the morning on weekends, I always have a coffee on workdays, but the weekends are for my cup of Irish tea. I can also hear the goldfinches roller-coasting through the air as fly back and forth, I love their call.

There's a plane on its' way somewhere but it is miles up there. I am alone with my thoughts as I am the only one up at this time. It looks like my beloved had a rough night, it is only a few nights after surgery. She is still asleep and I am glad that she is getting some rest, it's no fun when pain affects most parts of life. The kids are gone, Josh is in the south and Alex is camping. Sure made for a quiet dinner last night, I made homemade French Onion Soup, would Rick eat that Sharon?

Unfortunately, it sounds like the neighborhood is finally coming to life. The Jays are squawking noisily and the procession of cars that often seems like the Indy 500 or Talladega have begun their migration down our street. It's odd for it to be this quiet at this time of day, I'll take it. though.

The big reveal for the week of Aug.17/09

Good morning music fans and I pray that the folks in Durham are ok after the crazy weather up there yesterday. I have friends that live there and was thankful to hear they are all ok. Funny though, I was through there on Wednesday on a beautiful day in Grey County. Life brings ups and downs no matter who we are. Some bring great opportunities to grow, some just to kvetch and some to teach lessons, my difficulty is determining which is for what reason.

The Woodstock obscure lyric is officially done with this weeks blog. I had no guesses this week. I think, based on my return mail, that most of you are on vacation. Some of you picked a good week. I start vacation (yes again) this afternoon for two weeks. We had planned to go to Virginia to visit Josh, but we have several trips (3) to Sunnybrook planned, so the trip to the good old U.S. is on hold until the fall. We will be spending our Thanksgiving with him.

Here are your answers to this weeks questions:

The name of the song: "With" A Little Help from My Friends

Who wrote it: Lennon and McCartney

Who sang it at Woodstock: Joe Cocker

What exactly was he saying: arrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh (see below)

They took the video off youtube! When I tried to find it on the popular video sharing site the following message showed up: "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by WMG." We all know that the "w" stands for warner and we're not talking Kurt the QB.

Now, I am all for copyright and maintaining the financial integrity of an artist, the writer, singer and even the current owners of the Woodstock film rights. But this is crazy, if you submit this song by Joe Cocker and include Woodstock in the youtube search engine, loads and loads of videos show up, but not the one that tries to have a bit of fun. Oh well, censorship is alive and well on the internet, NOT! If I chose to, I could see just about every depravity known to man and yet, I can't have a laugh at a 40 year old version (not virgin) of a song written 42 years ago. What a bunch of white washed sepulchres, oops that line was from someone else and about someone else, I just couldn't deny myself. Here is a sanitized version, it's still one of the "pictures" of Woodstock that comes to my mind when I think about the fair.

Oh well, I'm off as of about 3:00 pm today for two weeks of rest. The blog will continue and I'll probably tease you with some end of summer related tunes, prior to the school year beginning the second week of September. Have an awesome weekend, enjoy the cooler temperatures, your family, friends and loved ones. Remember to take time to see the world, not just the blur as it flies by.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope"

Tuesday Musings # 48

Happy Tuesday everyone

A short one today. I am in the middle of driving back and forth to Hamilton as my beloved was supposed to have surgery yesterday, but it was postponed and "may" happen today.

This is a day that I better not say what I think because the truth will really come out. I am finishing this much later in the day happy to say that my beloved has had her surgery, she is well and everything that was planned has been accomplished.

Sometimes little diversions are placed before us so we can watch the bigger picture unfold. Others benefited and lived as we were experiencing a small level of discomfort. Rhetorically speaking, would I rather have the absence of my discomfort at the expense of significant loss and even death to another, of course not! A woman and mother of two small boys and a new infant is alive today because she was in a position to be treated in the operating room that was set aside for my beloved

And so, the big picture rules, as always. We have learned more lessons again, we have learned to wait and trust, to place others before ourselves and to manage our own fears in the light of the One who loves us and asks us to "cast your cares upon Me".

Come unto me and I will give you rest, and we did and He did!

Happy Tuesday everyone. and Peace to all of you!

obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Aug. 17/09

Good morning music fans, forty years ago, the final acts at Woodstock were still playing. At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Monday Aug.18, 1969, a left handed guitarist took the stage to a dwindling crowd. In 13 month this impressario was already dead, so sad. In addition to his passing, another participant Janis Joplin, died weeks after the festival. And so the three days of the "Woodstock Music & Art Fair was over. I wonder how many realized that this event would be a significant gatepost in musical history.

Some Woodstock trivia:

Joni Mitchell (who wrote the song Woodstock) was signed to be on the Dick Cavett instead of attending Woodstock, Iron Butterfly was stuck at the airport, Jethro Tull turned it down because they thought it wouldn't be a big deal(and apparently Ian Anderson didn't want to perform in front of a "bunch of unwashed hippies). Carlos Santana was paid $1,500.00 for playing. The event was actually held at Bethel NY at Max Yasgur's 600 acre farm. Jefferson Airplane was the first band to confirm they would attend, Ravi Shankar is the father of Norah Jones and The Grateful Dead were shocked (literally) whenever they touched their microphones..............and no Joe Cocker was not stoned or drunk at Woodstock, at least when he was performing................ now you know some of the rest of the story (with apologies to the late great Paul Harvey).

I wanted to end this journey to Woodstock on a fun note, so huge props to my friend Perry, who sent me the video you will see at the end of the week. I hope that you will enjoy it. Here are the lyrics and the questions:

Do you need anybody?

I need somebody to love

Could it be anybody?

I want somebody to love

I would like to know the following

The name the song:

Who wrote it:

Who sang it at Woodstock:

What exactly was he saying anyway(watch the video closely):

I hope you have a great week. I'm off today. My beloved has surgery in Hamilton this afternoon, so this was prepared ahead of time. In five days I will be on vacation (yes again), we need the time to rest and recuperate and we are going to do that. I hope you have enjoyed this little foray into the past and particularly the music of Woodstock. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any suggestions for the blog.

Tuesday's with Morrie (no spoilers)

Just finished reading this little book by Mitch Albom. A good story of Mitch going back to meet with his former college(it's American) professor as the professor teaches him life lessons as he(the professor) is dying of ALS.

Mitch learns lots of life lessons and so does Morrie. It's well writer and has sold lots of copies. It was pretty light and yet deep, one particular quote that stands out for me is stated while the professor, a life long agnostic says in response to a question about the after life: "I have not settled on one yet, however, this is too harmonious, grand, and overwhelming a universe to believe that it's all an accident".

Sad that a death bed is where the realization that all of this is not an accident, better late than never. Thankfully, more and more so called educated people have begun to accept that coming from monkeys, primordial slime or some accidental cosmic experience is not the genesis of our universe