Posts tagged ‘music’
Jason Isbell is no angel kind of man. He and his band the 400 Unit put on a hell of a show. I was lucky to go out with some friends and see him perform at Kansas City’s “Cowboy Bar” called Knuckleheads. I feel lucky just to leave the house on a Friday night past 9 o clock. So this was a special kind of treat. Seeing this guy in person who I’ve spent a lot of time with over the last couple years; walking, listening to music, singing, crying, it’s practically a marriage.
But I should stop referring to Jason as my other husband because people who don’t really know me get the wrong idea. I’m in love with the music. His newest record is Here We Rest and it’s kind of a quiet little thing but has plenty of beautiful soul-shattering songs. When I got to the show a friend asked what song I really like from the new album and of course I said “Codiene” and she clutched her heart and sank in her seat a little saying “I know!” and I suddenly realized that it isn’t just me – my marriage is an open one – and I’m thrilled to share my love, “our” songs, with my friends, and a hundred or so other strangers in the bar.
And that’s the beauty of live music. You spend some time with music alone. You laugh and cry and get all personally connected and think the person who made the song has some kind of secret window to your brain. Then you get out there in the world and realize there’s a lot of people who’ve connected with the songs too. And you’re like one big family. Complete with those one or two family members who annoy the heck out of you (I’m thinking of you, man with fringed suede jacket tied to your waist who kept shouting to the stage).
The show was Friday night – the perfect end to a long work week. I almost didn’t go. But my real husband reminded me that going out can be just what the doctor ordered to soothe the over-worked soul. And I’m glad he did because my other husband proved him right.
Hey Loretta Make up & Nail Polish Folk Art by Amburtcb on Etsy
Can I take a moment to recognize the brilliance of Loretta Lynn? A couple months ago a friend passed along a mix of her music and re-introduced her into my own personal hall of fame. She’s blowing my mind and that is a lot for me to say because I am the worst at girl-criticizing. I like a lot of ladies in the music world but I rarely will go over the top with my hyperbolic love for them. But that’s another story.
This story is about how much I loooooove Loretta. I watched Coal Miner’s Daughter a couple times when I was a teenager. I was familiar with the gist of her thing; small town girl, big voice, married, mothering, struggling to be heard. But at 15 I could hardly feel what I feel now at 30 for this timeless songstress.
I feel like she’s the super bad tough cookie I wish I could be (personally and professionally). Case in point:
If you watched that video then you are really cool. And you’ll know what I mean when I say that I think the way she says, “I’ll grab you by the hair of your head and lift you off of the ground…” is both beautiful and frightening.
So much of her music is that way. So pretty but intense. Serious but funny. Sad but hopeful. If you don’t have any Loretta Lynn in your library it’s time to change that. And then come back here and tell me about it. Do you have a favorite? Let me know.
MUSIC It's a Passion 8x10 Size Print by Parada Creations on Etsy
I should have called this blog “Eat. Paint. Listen.” because along with eating and painting I spend a lot of my time listening to music. It’s more than a necessary part of my day. But then, if I named it “Eat. Paint. Listen.” it would hardly satisfy my self obsessive side. So what am I listening to now? Recently, I discovered this century’s greatest technological advancement: I downloaded music to my phone. Now when I go on my walks or wash dishes I enjoy a few friends in my earphones. Read more
Anyone else have the crazy-est week ever? I know it’s not just me. For all my challenges and concerns I know it is nothing compared to people with real problems – people who have lost their jobs or have become ill, or have had their whole life washed up in these awful Mississippi floods. Every morning I like to wake up super early and watch the news while getting in some form of exercise. And yes, I do enjoy watching Rob Marciano provide weather news segments to CNN and Headline News. He’s adorable. I mean informative.
TV swoons aside; my heart goes out to the people suffering losses from the floods. This is a beautiful song by my nearly home town heros; the Bottle Rockets. Kind of sums it up.
It doesn’t come out for a week or so but I’m excited to hear more from this compilation release from an organization working to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children in developing countries; Every Mother Counts. One of my faves, Patti Scialffa is involved and you can hear her contribution here.
