Soul Music

When I was a kid I thought “soul music” was exclusive to black people and only “hippies” listened to the music of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. I don’t know if my conservative catholic school upbringing in the 60’s had anything to do with my ignorance or just sheltered me from the vast world out there. I’ve since come to appreciate that just as a rose is still a rose by any other name so to is “soul music” color blind and the river that crosses cultures. “Colored music” represents the shades and hues found in musician’s names, song titles and lyrics. “Soul music” comes from the spirit and core of its creators and takes on its own distinctive meaning to the listener each listener.
The origins of “soul music” is a combination of Gospel music and rhythm and blues with roots that go deep into Africa and Europe, into the far reaches of our world and can be heard loud and clear in a broad spectrum of music.
In downtown Albuquerque one summer evening in the mid-70’s, where several blocks of Central Avenue, also known as “The Mother Road” and Route 66 were blocked off for what was called at that time “Saturday Night Downtown”. I stopped to listen to a group of mariachi’s perform when I heard someone comment on what a soulful sound mariachi’s make and how the sound of the trumpet player was the most soulful sound she had ever heard. I had to think about that. I thought about how shortsighted I had been for thinking that soul music was just something people like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations did. It was an epiphany for me when I realized soul music was really about passion, pain, joy and any number of intense feelings we live with in our lives.
Another time I was walking around the cemetery where my twin brother, Mark is buried. I thought I was alone in the cemetery except for all the dearly departed resting in peace. It was a profound feeling of isolation and melancholy but what was even more profound were the sudden sounds of a bagpipe player waling out “Amazing Grace” up on a grassy hill off in the distance. The sound suddenly burst into the stillness of the cemetery sending a chill up my spine, it was the most soulful, sorrowful and hauntingly beautiful sound I have ever heard. I stood in awe of the moment. It was like a dream as the air resonated with strong, vibrant yet piercingly, mournful music.
Switching gears we take a spin, a musical colorful cruise for the fun of it, a joy ride with musicians and music filled with color, limitless, boundless color.
Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen both rode in a “Pink Cadillac”, “Lets Stay Together” with Al Green, Lee Greenwood, James Brown and Jackson Browne, Barry White, The Average White Band and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. Many a song has been created with our country’s red, white and blue in mind. “Off we go into the Wild Blue Yonder,” one song rings, while Nat King Cole crooned about “The Orange Colored Skies.”
“A White Christmas”, a red nose reindeer… and “Silver Bells”, are all the rage in December. Fleetwood Mac sang about “Silver Springs” and Bob Seager ran with The Silver Bullet Band. Dobey Gray, The Indigo Girls, and Simply Red laid bare, their true colors along with Leon Redbone. UB40 liked “Red Red Wine” and my hometown enjoys the colorful music of; Red Wine, Los Blue Ventures and Purple Haze.
Leon Russell and George Benson each have their own take on a “Lady Blue.” Blue Oyster Cult had a rugged sound and Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes asked, “What Does It Take”? The New Riders of The Purple Sage, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath played rock hard. Pink Floyd, Pink and The Red-Hot Chili Pepper’s just tell it like it is where Snoopy’s association with “The Red Baron” is magic.
“Blue Eyed Soul” has been plentiful with the likes of Elvis “Don’t Step on My Blue Suede Shoes” Presley and “Blue Christmas”. I couldn’t believe Boz Skaggs was white the first time I heard “Lowdown”. The “Fab Four” invaded the US in their “Yellow Submarine” and a Green Apple record label followed. So many Blues singers and musicians past and present, black and white, conveying intense feelings of regret, remorse, love gained and love lost, expressing excitation, exhilaration and inspiration. The list goes on as familiar stories are told with passion and pain, joy and grief.
The Moody Blues sang about “Knights in White Satin.” Melba Moore and Melissa Manchester referred to “Midnight Blue” in two different songs. More out of the blue include; “Jackie Blue,” “Blue Moon,” “Blue Monday” and “Blue Velvet.” Willie Nelson and Elton John both sang about “Blue Eyes” while Crosby, Steels, Nash and Young sang about “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes”. No way can I not mention one of my all time fav’s; “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James and the Shondell’s.
Procol Harum did an obscure number called “Whiter Shade of Pale, and ”Carlos Santana sings about a “Black Magic Woman” in addition to Ella Fitzgerald, so smooth with “That Old Black Magic”. Alannah Myles was sassy doing “Black Velvet” and “A Black Pearl” was big during the summer of 1969. There was a “Black Bird” singing in the dead of night while a “White Bird” flew it’s way into A Beautiful Day and “Una Paloma Blanca” enjoyed a spotlight in the 70’s with Tony Orlando and Dawn who “Tied A Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree”. The Rolling Stones sashayed about with “Brown Sugar”. Barbara Streisand made beautiful music in “A Star Is Born” and “Evergreen”. The late 60s spawned “My Green Tambourine” the national anthem of flower children everywhere. “Green-eyed Lady.” And Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” were a couple of eye catchers while “Green Sleeves” carved a place for itself in the elegant world of romantic classics.
Three Dog Night declared; “The world is black, the world is white, together we grow to see the light.” Diversity celebrated in harmony as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney echoed thoughts of peace in “Ebony and Ivory”.
“Pink Polka Dots” and “Purple People Eaters”, bubble gum music at it’s best. Nothing got couples dancing closer together then Chicago’s, “Color My World,” a popular love song in l975 and Homecoming theme song for many a High School around the country including Del Norte High School, my alma mature in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have no doubt, overlooked several colorful musical mentionables... in any case I had a great time retracing memories while recalling the wonderful world of music that has accompanied me through life. The heart and soul of good music, heard loud and clear, softly, quietly in countless styles of music. Music that tugs at your heartstrings, exciting crown jewels of the music world. Lyrics coinsiding with rhythm and ryme, taking you away. Exuberant. Lush, rich, colorful and comforting. Call it soul, r & b, c& w, classical, jazz, rock, rap, rave pop, punk, gospel...if it stirs the soul, its “Soul Music”.

TURN IT UP!

Flickering Flame 11/04

Expect this and get that.
Love, the endless well we draw from,
Refreshing our hearts and weary souls.
Drink until you are full and thirst again.
The worst pain I've ever known,
The best joy I've ever felt,
It's true, It's you, the sun,
The moon, and the stars.
The flame of life, flickering,
Dancing along, unforgiving, potent, bold,
The tiny flame flickers, casting light so brilliant and real.

23

My favorite day of any month is the 23rd. I just like the number 23 all the way around. It's a good number, well rounded, doesn't want any trouble.
It's a rather soft, forgiving number, unassuming and easy to take.

Whenever I got to pick a number for my uniform in sports; Guess what number I choose? YOu guessed it...number 00. No just kidding, my first pick was always number 23. What's your favorite number? Do you have one? No pun intended. My twin brother and I were born on September 23rd, that's probably where it all started. Heehehehhehe...

I wanted to post a quick shumpin-shumpin on the 23rd of July. I did just that. Hope your week goes well. That is all. Over and out.

Froggy

The following entry is an excerpt from “Fill It to the Top” & “The Twin Chronicles,” Two story books written as gifts for my family: Christmas 1994 &1995.

FROGGY

A bowl of corn flakes, a piece of toast, maybe some chocolate milk and we were off to see Froggy. Froggy lived next door in Fofo and Florence’s backyard in the wishing well that was made of rough mortar and baseball-size rocks.

The wishing well was falling apart. It was more than half-way filled with dirt, bits of bricks and a variety of items like small broken pieces of charred wood and tiny pieces of concrete, chunks of thick, green, brown and blue colored glass.

An old wooden fence separated our backyards. We had to slide a loose slat over so we could walk through. Just a few more steps away… our friend, comrade and much to our delight; waited Froggy, Our treasure and gold mine of joy. The first time we spotted Froggy was serendipity at it's finest! After that first chance encounter with our friend there were many planned visits.

We sat comfortably on the short stack of lumber next to the well, leaning over to look inside. There was plenty of space for someone to sit on the wall of the well and it was the most perfectly wonderful place to be in the world.

The day Mark and Mary, four year old twins, setting off just after breakfast to hunt, not exactly knowing what they were hunting for. What a discovery! Froggy was all but weathered and brittle, broken bits of discolored sponge. Our find, nestled, just so, cozy, comfy, and always happy to us.

Froggy was quiet, we didn’t care, we managed to communicate and talk about everything and nothing at all. We enjoyed the company of our friend and getting lost in the magic of youthful innocence. Those lifeless pieces of dried up sponge came to life. Our special little friend was as old as time and as brand new as the first light of day.

The short visits seemed so timeless. We reveled in our little self-contained flights of fancy where our imagination took us to far away places, questions answered, observations made and wishes granted.

Froggy enhanced, entranced and enchanted the lives of two people forever. I hope you have known a friend like Froggy somewhere in your life as well.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

And a very Good and Happy Birthday wish to Mark's Hunny Bunny and my precious SOPHIE! Happy, Happy Birthday to you Sophie!!!

Here's to all the goodness you have shared with me, for all the days and nights you have sent good thoughts, blessings and prayers my way, for fun times, tender times, good laughs, for being such an exemplary member of The Hunny Bunny Brigade and for being such a good big sister to Mark & me.

All God's Blessings to you always.

Now go give 'um hell in the wild blue yonder!

xo,

me

Congratulations!

The following was a fictitious sample memo requested by a prospective employer some years ago. I dug it up and felt like posting it here. I think I'll start entering a few other published items of mine for the fun of it. I'd like to do the tighten up with this Blog site. The Dog Poet has a hell of a Blog thingy going on, quite impressive and makes me think; "That's what this little bloggy want's to be like when it grows up". Anywhooo:

MEMO TO:

Mr. Orbit Popejoy,
Director National Space and
Aeronautical Administration
Washington, DC 61723

Dear Mr. Popejoy; September 23,1962

Please accept my Congratulations on the official start of NASA and your position as Director of this extraordinary project!

We as a nation embark on a landmark endeavor only imagined before.
An assignment of this magnitude requires nothing less than the highest degree of excellence, and nothing more than the complete commitment of a brave, bold heart and mind.

The responsibilities of this program are vast and present unfathomable
possibilities. We are challenged with the distinct opportunity to blaze many trails in the advancement of human kind through space
exploration. The cost is understood and will be tremendous. And by the Grace of God, the trials will serve as a reminder to fully appreciate the tribulations.

I look forward to an exciting and productive alliance with you as the
United States of America propels itself into a new era of discovery.

Sincerely,


John F. Kennedy,
Commander In Chief
United States of America
Washington, DC 23123

Cc: R. Baron, Director of Mission Control, NASA
Cc: J. Rocket, Vice President USA
Cc: S. Hawkings, Ph.D. Physics, Astronomy, and Science-MIT

Bloggity Blog

This Blogging stuff is so 21st Century. It's like tagging, tatooing & leaving some type of mark for God knows who to come along and see whatchoo got to say. "Bruno Was Here." Hey, I'm over here. Do you give a shit?
A platform for venting, ranting, raving about whatever you please. Here's where I'm feeling particularly grateful for Freedom of speech and expression in my little corner of the world. Or at least that's what I think.

I heard an NPR http://www.npr.org/ story the other day about a group of people that were thown in jail for praying in the privacy of their home. They were Christians in mostly Islamic territory. Americans and many others are spoiled, and take for granted our freedom to do so much, say whatever to whomever, where ever. God speed to those who know such oppression and even more ugly, unimaginable darker sides of unjust humanity.

We can be provocative or prestine with our rhetoric. It's our call here @ Bloggerzville. One never knows what one will find. I myself have not dug into anything too terribly raunchy as a blogger, the need for that hasn't struck me yet. Well, unless you count that "But crack" antecdote, that one day? Now in my back yard sharing grinz-n-giggles with palz over drinks and such is another thing. Don't get me wrong I can get raunchier than raunch...but here? Nah, it could come back to bite me on the ass.

Anywhoo, Peace out until next time I want to ramble, rant or rave about God knows what.

Mother Nature Matinee & The Late Night Show

So the long and short of it goes something like this;
The weekend started with the most beautiful double rainbow.
All the colors of the spectrum so elegantly placed across the eastern sky as far as your outstretched arms can reach.

I can't find a roll of film to capture the awesome phenomenon. Phooey.
Well then we'll just marvel at the rainbows while we can.

The rains continues on and off throughout the weekend and as we wind down Sunday night,
I do a double take on the magnificant moon. Big, bright, bold and beautiful. It's the kind of moon that is eye popping and catches you unaware. With a glance...there he is, the man in the moon, as crystal clear as can be.

The drizzle, then the pounding, pouring rain. It turns torrential in a hurry, everything and everybody is drenched and soaking wet. Lighting bursts out with explosive, intimidating force, crashing into the heavens as the bolts of electricity darts and thrusts in flashes of fury.
The thunder rumbles and roars, crackling, crashing into the spectacular display of arial excitement.

It's been fun to witness all of the natural sights and sounds of these past few days.
An Extravaganza! Powerful & Humbling!!!

Daylight, Dusk & RAIN

My favorite time of day, when the sun has just set. Night pushes the daylight to the side. A Yinny/Yangy thing going on. The moment is a study of dichotomy as the sky is lit with hovering shade.

The light here is magical and the sunsets are a sight to behold. The sphere melts into the horizon with brilliant blood reds & blazing orange, yellow & bright white. The Sun bursts with a kaleidoscope of stunning streaks of sterling silver & pure gold. The colors of a bruise resonate with slivers of black & blue & purple reaching out with one more bold curtain call of color. Onlookers applaud with an ovation of inspiration, wonder and awe.

The air is sweet with the recent visiting rain. The thirsty earth begs the sky for more cool liquid refreshment, replenishment that offers rebirth to wilting life. People, pets, plants & trees seek relief in search of water. The relentless harshness of the sun creates crusty, dusty hot days of summer. The land and river beds cracks and cries, desperate for water, anything to keep from shriveling up, dropping dead and out of sight from heat exhaustion.

Then the rain, the wet sweet thrust of aqua pouring over like a blanket comforting an unsettled infant, quenching many a thirst, prompting a prayer of gratitude to the rain maker.
Ahhh the rain, how sweet it is.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ahhh the Rain, how sweet it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 2006

Well here we go, plunging right in to another month resplendent with balmy weather, fireworks, brunching with great former coworkers, radio airtime & Happy Birthday wishes to all you birthday babies of July!

To be productive or loaf on a hot, humid, sunny day?
That is the question and these kind of decisions I like.
No doubt the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment will follow after taking care of a few chores, that's a good thing no doubt.
On the other hand lounging around, taking it easy doesn't sound to awful either. I think I'll take care of biniz and then lounge about, yeah that's the ticket and actually already in place.