Just Chillin’

Breezin’
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On This Day In:
2020	Two Hours From Now
	Criminal Incompetence, Criminal Indifference Or Both
2019	Slow Wisdom
	It Is A Start…
2018	Young, Fun And Playing Well
2017	Earning Your Blessings
2016	A Suggestion…
	Capable Of Being
2015	Looking For The Needles In The Haystacks
2014	The Definition Of A Gentleman
2013	Thar She Blows (Not)!
2012	Naturally
2011	Been Here, Done That
	Remember
2010	Timeless Classics

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Versions

Today, two for the price of one:
On Broadway
Favorite Line(s):
They say that I won’t last too long
On Broadway (on Broadway)
I’ll catch a Greyhound bus for home
They all say (on Broadway)
But they’re wrong,
I know they are
Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won’t quit till I’m a star
On Broadway (on Broadway)
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On This Day In:
2022	Beyond Racial Classification
2021	There’s Still No Voter Fraud
	Versions
2020	Another Reason #DonTheCon Continues To Lie About The Pandemic
	A Receptive Push
2019	I’m Still Struggling To Rise
2018	Once Suddenly Free
2017	What Is Childlike
2016	The Latter A Lot Quicker Than The Former
2015	Notes On My Nightstand
2014	Generations
2013	Two For One
2012	Seen And Heard
2011	The Hazards And Vicissitudes Of Life

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The Children Are Our Future

Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.
—    Lady Bird Johnson
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On This Day In:
2021	Vote NO In The California Recall
	On And On
2020	The Importance You Can Have
	Slow Dancin’
	Trump Reaffirms His Administration Is The Cause Of West Coast Wildfires
2019	A Lifestyle
	Day 16: Cheat Day
2018	The Children Are Our Future
2017	And Three
2016	Nine Parts Mystery
2015	Little Or No Common Ground
2014	Just Between Me
2013	Beyond The Strings
2012	Saving The Union
2011	Still And Too Often

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A Longer Blog Than You Want To Read (Probably)

I have today off to recover from driving Rebecca back to UCLA for her senior year.  She’s living in an apartment this time, instead of in the dorms like last year.  The place is reasonably large and looks comfortable enough.  I’m sure Bec and her roommate will enjoy the year.
The drive was surprisingly easy.  We left early (5:30) and there was very little traffic.  We stopped for a quick brecky at Mickey-D’s and were unpacking by 12 noon.  I was back on the road by 12:30 and back home by 6:30.  The drive back was fairly boring with no one to talk to, but I cranked the music up and sang along with some favorites – The Everly Brothers, The Commodore’s and Jimmy Buffett.  I’m going to have lots of lyrics to add to my site!!
Speaking of which, I’ve added two more of my own poems (for a total of 9, now), and six more song lyrics.  The lyrics are a mixture of old and VERY old, with one exception (a patriotic song).  Anyway, here’s the brief intro to each:
Mine:  For Those That Might  –  There is a saying in Japan that it is the raised nail which meets the hammer.  This is true universally, but until the hammering actually starts, the other nails don’t know there is a raised nail.  The interesting thing about nailing is, once your start, you frequently have to hammer the nails around the raised one as well.  The transfer of energy by the wood “raises” the neighboring nails, so the good carpenter has to give them all a quick tap as well.  Of course, this has a rippling effect to the nails around them, too.  Is there any doubt that a small group of dedicated individuals can change history…  They are the only ones who ever have!!
What’s A Woman Worth?  The physical beauty of youth fades with time like the glory of kings and civilizations.  But true, inner beauty – deepens and grows until, finally, it replaces the illusion of youth and strength.  Making beds, washing clothes, holding hands on long walks, quiet conversations between the lights going off and the arrival of sleep – these are some of the millions of “little” things that mean love.  This poem came out of two ideas – smelling a fragrance in a pillow and life being like the pages of a book.  The rest just flowed from that…
Lyrics:  Signs – (Written by Les Emmerson and performed by The Five Man Electrical Band) is one of the great “Who died and made you Ayatollah?” songs of all time.  Not really a “protest” song as much as a rant of the young against the established.  (If you don’t recognize my “Ayatollah” reference, you weren’t around in the early ’80s.)  …And yes, I’ve dropped the same message into the collection basket (on more than one occasion).  I’m not sure the person opening the envelope “gets” the reference, but it brings a smile to my ironic heart to think God’s getting my missive (and thanks!)
Just An Old Hippie – (Written by Howard Bellamy, performed by The Bellamy Brothers) is one of those great, country story songs.  I’m not sure how younger folks relate to it because there are a lot of historical references, but for me – it’s damn near 100% accurate.
The Greatest Love Of All  – (Written by Linda Creed; Performed by George Benson) is probably more frequently associated with Whitney Houston, but I always think of it by George Benson.  Sadly, (for me,) this wasn’t one of the songs he played at the recent concert I attended.  As selfish (Ayn Rand-ish) as this may sound, I’m not at all sure you can truly love someone else unless you do love yourself.  This is the philosophical “true” love I’m referring to.  Of course, you can “truly” love someone else (and devote your life to them) and still not like yourself (low self-esteem issues), but I don’t rate this as equally “true” love.  “I love myself AND I love and sacrifice for you, too!” is for me a purer form of love.
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ –  (Written by Barry Mann, Phil Spector and Cynthia Weil;  performed by The Righteous Brothers;  Bobby Hatfield has passed away, Bill Medley has his own site now) is one of the greatest songs of all time.  Is there any greater expression of lost love than a person not closing their eyes when you kiss them or no tenderness in their fingertips – or eyes, when you reach for them?  The funny thing about this song is Wikipedia reports the song almost never came to market because it was considered too slow and almost a full minute longer than what was the standard playing time (for back then on the radio).  How fine is the line between never reaching air and becoming the most played song in American radio history…
Treat Her Like A Lady – (Written by Ali-Ollie Woodson and Otis Williams;  performed by The Temptations) is one of those up-tempo songs the Temptations are famous for.  There are not enough songs about being a gentleman and this is definitely one of the best.  If you look this up on YouTube, be aware there is more than one version, and the version which seems to pop up the most does not match with my lyrics.  The explanation is lyrics are sometimes changed to match a venue or occasion.  I briefly considered using the alternate version, but decided against it, because it’s not the way I remember the song – and because the alternate really doesn’t make any sense.  The main difference is the substitution of the word “celebration” for “liberation”.  Liberation makes sense;  celebration does not.
An American Soldier – (Written by Chuck Cannon and Toby Keith;  performed by Toby Keith) is the patriotic lyrics I alluded to earlier.  I’ve heard this song many times and it’s always struck me, but I listened to it intently on the trip with Rebecca and it made me tear up.  It’s hard to communicate to someone who’s so young, that the message in this song is EXACTLY why we should NEVER be fighting for oil – in any part of the world…  Because our bravest WILL go if asked.  They will go and they will try and some may die – but not for freedom – for OIL!!  Having been a volunteer soldier in a time of peace, I cherish the lives of those who serve – particularly those who serve in times of real battle.  God Bless You!!  All who serve – God Bless You and keep you safe to come back to us soon.
As usual, read the lyrics then go listen to the music…
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On This Day In:
2021	I’ll Keep Trying To Anyway
	She Knows
2020	Respond
	Still Trying To Adjust
2019	The Limits Of My Knowledge
2018	Even Tiny Progress
2017	Real Conservatism
2016	The Business Of Life
2015	Alone Again, Naturally
2014	Agreed
2013	Smile From Your Heart!
2012	Like You
2011	Got Days?
2010	K9 Humor – Has Anyone Seen My Setter?  (Must read!!)
	A Longer Blog Than You Want To Read (Probably)
2009	Back and Forth and Round Again…

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An Evening at the Pavilion…

Yesterday afternoon Sean, Junior (his son) and I went to the Concord “Sleeptrain” Pavilion to see the KBLX Mount Diablo Jazz Festival.   The performances were by:
Lucy Woodward
Brian Culbertson
Natalie Cole
George Benson
Tower Of Power
Lucy Woodward was completely new to me.  It was the opening act and while her voice was good, the song choices seemed more appropriate to a nightclub venue and definitely after-dark feel.  Lucy’s site is interesting in that it has relatively high production value for someone with so little recorded experience.
Brian Culbertson was also completely new to me.  I admit I’m not a big jazz follower anymore – and, not that I ever really was.  I kind of floated in and out of jazz and found it mostly when listing to pop sounds (like George Benson) and / or big bands.  Anyway, Brian was very high-energy!  The production level was appropriate for a large venue and the hour was a good introduction to Brian.  His web site is very high-production value and interesting.  His latest album is called “XII” – mostly because it is his twelfth album.  Not terribly original…
Natalie Cole was next up.  She was fantastic!!  The only things I could object to were I was too far away and she wasn’t on for a full show (only one hour).  I was completely taken by her voice, band and song choice.  A couple of them almost made me tear up.  Natalie’s web site needs some major work!!  Basically, it’s a single page with just her tour dates.
George Benson was the “head-liner” of the show.  In all honesty, he was a distant third-place.  The music was excellent, but he simply had a bad night or he doesn’t have the pipes anymore to perform live.  He wasn’t particularly entertaining as a scat singer or when using traditional vocals.  Good thing playing is his strong suit.  They did most of the really big hits, but it just didn’t get me.
Tower of Power closed out the night.  TOP has always been one of my favorite groups and last night the music was tight!  They were the most enjoyable when they were playing their hits, but not stringing a seven minute song out to twelve minutes.  One, “There’s Only So Much Oil In the Ground” was timely given the BP oil disaster, but it was unnecessarily “extended”.  As a long time fan of the group, it’s sad to see them age physically.  There was a point where the whole horn section drops to one knee and then gets up.  They managed to hit the pose, but more than one had physical problems getting back to his feet.  [Sigh.] The practical effects of being on stage when you’re over sixty years old.  It’s a shame music can make you feel young, but it doesn’t actually make you young.
Anyway, Tower of Power still rock and they brought back a flood of memories!
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