This post wasn't due to be released for another month. Woke up this morning feeling it was right to do this now. It's been one of those weeks: Felt some friends needed cheering up and, of course, the world has darkened a bit with what is happening in Japan, Libya and elsewhere.
Music. I could go on with quotes about its healing powers and all, but, I'd rather let it speak for itself....
This is How We Walk On the Moon - Arthur Russell
Radio - One of the pleasures living abroad. Yes, that old-fashioned thing. I stick to those fringe stations that are adventerous in their programming (to be discussed in a future post). KEXP in New York is one of those and this is where I found this...
No Cars Go - Arcade Fire
They play, what I think, is very spiritual music.
Whole Of The Moon - The Waterboys
For me, this one's about those people who "blaze trails" and do things their way with no fear. I suppose a tribute to iconoclasts. May the world have more of you. May we all see the "whole of the moon."
I pictured a rainbow, you held it in your hands / I had flashes but you saw the plan / I wandered out in the world for years while you just stayed in your room / I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon / You stretched for the stars and you know how it feels.
I was grounded while you filled the skies / I was dumbfounded by truth, you cut through lies / I spoke about wings you just flew / I wondered I guessed and I tried, you just knew / With a torch in your pocket and the wind at your heels / You climbed on the ladder and you know how it feels / You came like a comet, blazing your trail.
Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest
Should bring a smile to your face and sunshine to your soul.
Hollywood Bass Player - Josh Rouse
Let's stay with the 70's with this one. Okay, this one's actually from 2006 but it's by an American who loves that era. First heard it in Spain - where he actually lives. I'll always have sweet memories of our three years there.
It Never Rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond
I'm having a hard time getting out of the 70's. This one's, I'd like to think, a ballad for Filipinos living abroad. People back home think it's all about happiness, wealth and the good life. It's not always like that. "When it pours / man it pours."
Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis
What happens when you cross The Eagles with Prince? Here it is, California Rock with Psychadelic Pop. Yes, it's still from the 70's.
Rock Baby Rock - VST and Company
My critique on Filipino music: We're so influenced by our colonial past that we have a difficult time coming up with one that's distinctly ours. When we do, it's not appreciated by us. But, hey, we do a great job of copying, eh? For those of you keeping track: This is disco, yes, but it's technically from the 80's, ok?
I Wear Your Ring - Cocteau Twins
Ethereal - One of my favorite English words. Also the best one-word description for this group featuring Elizabeth Fraser. May recognize her from her work with Massive Attack. Off the excellent 1990 album "Heaven Or Las Vegas." The whole album? Ethereal.
Loving The Alien - David Bowie
Great artist. Had a hard time choosing which of his songs to play. I suppose this one works for the moment. He openly mocks religion (But if you pray all your sins are hooked upon the sky /
prayers they hide the saddest view / believing the strangest things / loving the alien), but, sings it with a great melody. You know my stand: Sprituality and faith is great. It's when it's used for purposes that actually contradict sprituality and faith that I'm against.
More Than This - Peter Gabriel
Since we're now getting into cerebral territory why don't we bring this one out. It's a humbling experience knowing how long the world we know has been around, how vast and still unexplored it is, how we have not really understood the "why" of our existence...there just must be more than this (there is something out there / more than this / way beyond imagination / there is something else there / when all that you had has all gone).
This Must Be The Place - Talking Heads
Possibly the only way to close this piece: Home is where I want to be....
