A Bittersweet Day

I want to take a moment to reflect on the passing of Levon Helm.  I remembered him in my post yesterday, but it bears mentioning that he has moved on.  It was actually quite a powerful moment... my husband simply sent a text saying, "RIP Levon Helm" and I felt a chill rush through my body the moment I read it; as if a thousand other people just found out the same thing, at the same time, and we were all connected by one shared, sad moment.

Am I over-estimating people's awareness of a drummer in some band from the 60's?  Maybe.  But there are a lot of baby boomers out there.  And believe it or not, there are people like me who grew up with the stuff because it was our parents' music.  (And we just like good music.)  So I remembered him on my show today.  I even got a few calls from people who just wanted to find out if they heard me correctly.  I felt like today was a touching one with the listeners all the way around.

Track	Artist	Album
Ybor City	JJ Grey	Orange Blossoms
Wrong I Do	Moreland & Arbuckle	1861
Up On Cripple Creek	The Band	The Band: Greatest Hits
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down	The Allman Brothers Band	Endless Highway: The music of The Band
Proving You Wrong	Keb' Mo'	Keep It Simple
Busted Bicycle	Leo Kottke	Best Of Leo Kottke
Hey Joe	Jimi Hendrix	Jimi Hendrix Smash Hits
Black Cat Bone	Johnny Winter	Progressive Blues Experiment
Love Insurance	Candye Kane	Sister Vagabond
Forty-Four Blues: How Many More Years	Little Feat	Little Feat
Angel of Darkness	Hot Tuna	Steady As She Goes
I Won't Cry	Janiva Magness	Stronger For It
Can't Stand the Rain	Humble Pie	Thunderbox
32/20 Blues	Gov't Mule	The Deepest End (2)
Pistol, Knife & Razor Too!	Sweet Miss Coffy	Mississippi Burnin' Blues
Bright Lights	Gary Clark Jr.	The Bright Lights EP
Hattiesburg Hustle	Warren Haynes	Man in Motion
The Sweet Sound Of Rhythm & Blues	Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows	Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows
You're So Fine	John Hammond	The Best of Mountain Stage - Vol. 4
Something's Got A Hold On Me	Etta James	The Best Of Etta James
Stormy Blues	Billie Holiday	Blues Masters Sampler
I'm Tellin You	Lauren Jordan	Dreams
Smokin Train	Lauren Jordan	Dreams
She Didn't Cut Me Loose	Curtis Salgado	Soul Shot
Perpetual Blues Machine	Keb' Mo'	Just Like You
Devil's Trail	Little Sammy Davis	This Is The Blues Harmonica Vol. 2
You Can't Hurt Me Anymore	Candye Kane	Sister Vagabond
Biloxi	Blue Mother Tupelo	Heaven And Earth
Spillway	Derek Trucks Band	Out Of The Madness
Chi Sau	Anni Piper	Chasin' Tail
Hampmotized	Susan Tedeschi	Wait For Me
Okie Dokie Stomp	Various Artists	Blues Masters Vol. 3: Texas Blues

In Honor of Levon Helm

Well, Levon Helm, original drummer and singer with The Band, is in the final stages of cancer.  His contributions to music should not be forgotten, and our thoughts are with him and his family.  (I've been through this, and it sucks.)

But on a happier note (at least for me), I and my whole family got to see him at his 70th birthday bash at Mt. Jam in 2010.  Billed as "Levon Helm and Friends," the headlining show Sunday night featured Warren Haynes, Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, Jackie Greene, and Ray LaMontagne.  It Was Amazing.  It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing.  And my (then) 15, 13, and 3-year-olds got to see it!   (That personal memory is so strong for me, I just had to share it.)

I wasn't sure where this was going to go when I started it, but I think now that it's to tell everyone not to be afraid to take your kids to live music.  Music festivals are a great way to see *a lot* of bands, in a friendly environment, and you can sit where it's not too loud.  The same is true for many outdoor venues across the country.  What better way to share your passion with the ones you love most?! People are so great at those things too.  We've had people give us all kinds of stuff because they liked our family... they liked that we were there...  And no matter where you go, you Won't be the only family there.  (You know what I mean... excluding shows like Guar, Buckethead, etc...)

Some of my favorite stories (which I will eventually share here) are from on the road to and from some musical event.  Those experiences brought us closer together as family, and now my kids can also say they've seen a half a dozen artists who were at the original Woodstock!  This year will be interesting with the baby, but we don't intend to slow down.  Look for us wherever live music is happening!  I guarantee, we're at least there in spirit.

Hey.  Do it for Levon.

My Heart Like a Bad Pun...

I have been told (by a reliable source) that most people don't listen to the lyrics of a song.  That may be true... I already knew I was a weirdo... 

For me, lyrics are just as important as the music.  Now, I can forgive bad lyrics if the song is catchy enough (and vice versa), but if a song carries the full package, Wow!  Of course we all have different tastes and levels of understanding (with regard to song structure, etc.), but what really makes a song great?  What effect does the key have?  And the chosen melody?  What makes some lyrics sound trite and others profound? 

I will acknowledge right now that there are a million answers to these questions based on a person's background, musical/poetic knowledge, favorite genre of music, etc.  But as an "English person" I can at least wax poetic about the lyrical aspect of music. 

It simply goes back to what your (good) English teacher/prof. told you over and over: Show.  Don't Tell.  The best lyricists evoke images, tell a story through the pictures they create, make you think, and blend words and rhymes so smoothly they melt like butter in your brain.  uuUuuugh...  Warren Haynes does this for me.  Many (if not most) of his songs are not obvious, but with a little work, it's not hard to figure out what he's singing about.  And I find it So much more rewarding when I figure out a song, rather than having it spoon fed to me. 

Another example... I know people have mixed feelings about John Mayer - and I'll agree!  He gives Lousy public interviews.  But the guy writes great lyrics!  And they've matured as he has.  One of my favorite lines - from any song - is from his "Another Kind of Green."  "You're not the perfect hand but/ I don't hit on 19..."  So, she's not perfect, but she's close enough.  Would you hit on 19?  Pretty close to 21...

Good music also goes beyond the obvious.  The obvious chord choices, keys, and rhythmic structures get old after a while.  Just listen to pop music.  Noooo... I'm not saying there's anything wrong with pop music, but if you listen to it for a while, it all starts to sound the same.  It's been true since the 50's.  I love a lot of it, but none of it is my Favorite. 

Unfortunately, this is more difficult for me to explain, and I don't have time in this blog, but I'll address it in the future.  For now, just go listen to some old Gov't Mule. 

Hello My Name Is...

Laura.  Though, you probably figured that out from the title of the blog... To say I am a music fan would be a severe understatement.  "Freak" is probably a better word...

I grew up as an only child on a farm.  I've logged hundreds of hours behind the windshield of a pick-up truck and learned how to entertain myself.  But "What does this have to do with music?" you're wondering.  Well, without the hours spent next to my dad listening to the best classic rock the radio had to offer - not to mention his extensive CD collection at a time when CDs were just coming onto the market - I am certain I would not be the person I am today.

Both of my parents encouraged me musically by listening and singing along to music, signing me up for band in 5th grade, and taking me to see live performances of people I had been listening to my whole life.  Let me tell you, one of the happiest moments of my life was getting to sing along with Arlo to the chorus of "Alice's Restaurant" when it came around on the guitar...

Music is such a powerful force.  I know this topic is overdone, but it is true.  And being who I am, it bears repeating.  Music can not only change your mood, but it can give you flashbacks, a physical response, and even the will to go on.  It has changed my life in ways I never would have imagined, and I hope that through sharing my experiences, we might connect on a "meta" level with the music.  (And, perhaps, even each other!)

My current, personal involvement with music ranges from enthusiast and active attendee of concerts and music festivals to songwriting and covering music on Every Kind of Blue. There is A Lot of fodder for the fire, so I hope that this space will not only allow me an outlet for self-expression, but also offer entertainment, insight, and introspection to those who read it.  (And I hope Someone will read it... ;-)  Thanks for reading!