Monday Musings

It is Monday morning and the mental fog is in full effect but with every sip of my coffee I can feel the fog lifting away and that my friends is a good thing. I watched the Grammys last night. Or to be clear I watched part of the Grammys and then I looked for clips online of the performances because, lets be honest, CBS really does suck and they do not know how to put on a decent live show to save their lives. The Grammys are a perfect example of that. They took a music show and rather then just show it live and let people enjoy all of the crazy and the power and emotion that live music can bring they put it on a two hour recorded tape delay on the west coast. Pretty lame CBS, pretty lame. That and boy does LL Cool J suck now. He has become the harmless friendly black man that CBS and old people just love. It makes me weep and long for the days of Chuck D and the anger of Public Enemy. It was a pretty pathetic effort from all concerned except for the bands that were actually performing and  CBS did all they could to mess that up as well.

We Float - PJ Harvey

I love what PJ Harvey does with music. I do not listen to her all of the time but when I do I always am happy that I did.

It isn't that I am surprised that CBS screwed the pooch on this one. They always seem to do it. But I am surprised that they even bother. Maybe they were afraid of competing with Downton Abby or something.

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

This is a beautiful song. Just lovely.

I know that I have been staying away from the typical these things suck all of the time posts but I felt like I had to at least mention the Grammys. I would have been doing a disservice to music in general if I tried to act like what happened last night was okay. Because it was not. It was just bad. But I am over it. What else is going on?

Summer Boy - Lady Gaga

Why was this song not a bigger hit? Odd. It seems to fit right in her style window. Though I could argue that this was written for Gwen Stefani. It sure sounds like it.

I went to the Wizard World Comic Con with my brother in Portland this weekend and it was fun. But it was interesting and far more about popular nerd and geek culture and being an obsessed fan then it was about comic books. I love television and movies but I am not going to pay upwards of $25 to say hello to a celebrity who is not going to remember who I am among the 500 other fans that they met that day. There were lots of people who seemed to love doing it and that is great for them but I just can't get excited about doing that. It is nice to see what those people look like in person as opposed to on the television or the movie screen. But other than that I do not care if they are there. I would much rather just get a book signed by the author or artist who drew it. I think my position is in the minority though.

My Weakness - Moby

Awesome song.

I did enjoy seeing the various cosplayers though. It is always fun to see the different costumes that people wear at such an event. Some people put some real effort into their costumes and others put in less. But that is the nature of things and sometimes ones passion overrides ones ability to actually create the item that they are trying to replicate. That being said. It was still very cool to see and made me wish that I was that passionate about some things in my life. I do not know what that would be though but I suppose how I feel about the Portland Timbers comes pretty close. I do dress up for the matches after all.

I Saw A Man - Johnny Cash

Believer or not, this is a good song..

That is it for today. Time to apply for some more jobs. Maybe I will be able to catch at least an interview, at this point getting an interview at least feels like success. Have a good Monday folks. Give your friends and family a hug and keep on dancing.

Friday Music Madness

Little bit of music for you folks today. This way people at the Coffeehouse think that I am working. Suckers.

I Am Africa - Book of Mormon (Musical from the South Park guys)

This is a pretty good song as far as songs from musicals go. I understand the the musical itself is very good.

Down There By The Train - Johnny Cash

I love Johnny Cash and anyone who has paid attention to this blog knows that. I think that this is one of his great songs. So good and so real in terms of his voice and the depth of his feeling. This song is from one of his American Recordings albums. I hope to meet Johnny down there by the train myself one day. Him and a few other people. I also believe that Tom Waits either covered it or perhaps even did it first. I am sure that his version is stellar as well.

Today is one of those grey sky and gloomy days in the valley. I think this is the kind of day that people who hate Oregon weather complain about. It isn't raining it is just kind of gloomy in the air. Most of the time I am totally okay with this kind of weather but I understand why some people just are unable to handle it. That is for sure.

Nice Day For A Sulk - Belle and Sebastian

This is another lovely song. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone at this point. It seems that all their songs are good ones and easy ones to listen too.

The Power - Manowar

Yes, Yes, Yes. Time to rise up in your cubicle and start your moshing.

Aces High - Iron Maiden

This is one of my favorite Maiden songs. Just a classic and it has all the markings of classic Maiden. The song basically tells the story of being a fighter pilot. All of the classic Maiden songs tell a story of some sort. That is what makes them classic. They do not put out concept albums they put out concept songs and I love them.

Sixteen - No Doubt

This is one of the few songs that wasn't a huge hit off of this album. But I like it. It is a little more rock then Ska but I still find it listenable. I miss No Doubt. They were a fun band.

Hey! You guys have a great weekend and I hopefully will talk to you on Monday.

Nighttime Thoughts

Sometimes at night, the darkness falls and there doesn't seem to be much that I can do about it.

Solitary Man - Johnny Cash W/ Neil Diamond

It isn't like I want to be depressed or sad and actually today was a good day. I had some coffee and saw some good friends at the coffeehouse and had some good conversation. I was able to purchase some Christmas presents for my family. I have a roof over my head I was able to put food in my over stuffed belly. I have clean clothes and people who love me. Yet that doesn't feel like enough right now.

Dressed in Black - Depeche Mode

In some ways I actually hate that I am self aware enough to be aware of how irrational this is. It would be a lot easier on my end, at least I think it would be, if I just could embrace the darkness instead of constantly existing in this overly self aware realm. It really gets tiring to second guess everything and every emotion that you feel.

The Beast In Me - Johnny Cash

It has been a while since I have felt this way. I think maybe I just worry about other people to much. I do a pretty good job with my meditation and my deep breathing. I have been starting the day with some yoga and Hindu Squats and that has been good. It gets me in a good frame of mind. So I really do not know where this cloud of gloom came from.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Johnny Cash

It is easy to keep myself centered and in the present when I am only concerned with myself. I feel like the flaw in the strange half -assed Buddhism that I am perusing is that while I am fine and often feel very good when I am meditating and concentrating on centering myself and living in the moment. It feels like the instant I began to care to for other people and to empathize with them and respect and understand their humanity that I get yanked right out of my calmness.

Bridge Over Troubled Water - Johnny Cash

I don't want to lose that. My compassion and how I relate to people is I believe on of my greatest strengths. I know I like myself better when I am able to be there and be a calm post in peoples lives. I think people like me better as well. I also know for a fact that I feel better about myself because I at least feel like I am giving something back to the world while I am not working on a regular basis. I suppose it is true that long term unemployment can mess with your head.

Personal Jesus - Johnny Cash

I always feel better when I listen to Johnny and write things down. I guess for me it is an exercise in just being able to process what is going on in my head. Maybe that is what this is. It has been a while I have had a mental check in with myself to see how I am doing and since I do not go to a counselor or therapist this is the next best thing.

Thanks folks. I look forward to playing some more music for you guys tomorrow. 

Friday Friday Friday

Not much of depth or profundity to say today. I am just trying to get the old fingers moving on the keyboard so that I don't get out of the habit as it were. I always feel like I should  be writing more but I do not always have something to say. So that makes it hard. I am honestly not sure what the correct balance is. I like writing and I feel like it helps me when I am dealing with emotional things but I do not always feel emotional and since emotion is what I use to fuel the writing that leaves my tank a little empty at times when I am trying to come up with topics.

Dio - Rainbow in the Dark

I suppose I should understand that there doesn't always have to be a theme when I write and to just get it out and let my voice be heard regardless of the subject that I am writing about. As I say that I realize that I right now positioning myself to have a theme for this. That is just so sad.

Paddy on the Turnpike

Boy that guy can really play the mandolin. As I look out the window at the coffeehouse I am reminded of how dark it can get in Oregon during this time of year. It is only 4:30 it feels so much later. I am not complaining mind you I am just realizing that on a gray day like today it can seem so much later then it actually is.

Johnny Cash - I Hung My Head

I have my music play Google Music on random and I am always a little surprised at how the music choices tend to match my mood at whatever given time I am listening to it. I am sure that it is just coincidence but it certainly feels like it can read my mind. I suppose it is only a matter of time until such a thing exists.

Supertramp - A Soapbox Opera

That was a really good song. I really enjoyed it. I have a lot of Supertramp but I should listen to it more often. There is a certain depth to the songs that I think gets overlooked. Though I will be the first to admit that I have a certain softness for that era of band. I just like that kind of music.

PJ Harvey - This Is Love

That being said I also like harder stuff like PJ Harvey. She is very talented and is an artist that not everybody enjoys but I really like her. She has always done her own thing and that is pretty cool as far as I am concerned.

Grateful Dead - Truckin

Well that is as good of a song to stop it on as any. I think I am going to go grab myself some fish taco's. I get them in Salem at a little place on Broadway called Marco's and they are amazing. So if you are ever in town do yourself a favor and grab one there.

Catch you later folks.

Cash on Sunday

I do not go to church. I used to go to church on a regular basis but that all changed several years ago. Now I have a group of people that I meet with and we discuss lts and lots of things ranging from the philosophical to the religious to the political to the scientific and all points in between. And as far as I am concerned that is good enough for me right now. I really only even miss one thing from the actual process of church and that is the worship music aspect of it. I realize that it is because of that I often find myself on what has always been considered a church day, like Sunday, I find myself listening to Johnny Cash. He is really the only performer who does some gospel now and then that I can really stand. So since it is a Sunday, lets listen to a little Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash - Lead Me Gently Home Father

One of the many things that I like about Johnny was his transparency in terms of both his faith and his failing in life. I like that he was unafraid to sing both gospel songs as well as just plain secular songs in general.

Johnny Cash - The Ballad of Ira Hayes

He sang Americana classics as well as took modern rock songs and redefined their sound and their power. His final 5 albums the American Recordings series are just plain amazing and I have been able to listen to them again and again.

Johnny Cash - (Ghost) Riders in the Sky

It wasn't just his lyrics it was also the tone of his baritone and bass voice as well as that memorable chugging sound of the guitar. There is something about the whole package that appeals so much to me and often, for me, listening to him can make a bad day better.

Johnny Cash - I Will Rock and Roll With You

His music inspired so many modern day performers that I just do not have time to mention them all and without his legacy I really do think that modern day music would not be what it is today.

Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus

This version of the Depeche Mode song is amazing and one of my personal favorites. It also speak to me on a personal level. I know that when one talks about matters of faith it is easy to get caught up in the vocabulary of the faith and religion but for me this song is far bigger then that.

Johnny Cash - All Over Again

He also sang some great love songs. There was for sure a sappy side to his work but that is because I think he really was a romantic.

Johnny Cash - Dark As A Dungeon

Even his songs that are cautionary tales are still excellent to listen too.

I hope that I was able to give you some music of Johnny's that  you hadn't heard before. I leave you with this. I am working toward a "Satisfied Mind" and I hope I find it one day.

Johnny Cash - Satisfied Mind

Also remember this -

Johnny Cash liked cake. But, can you blame him? Cake is good. 

Saturday Night Music

I do a few things everyday. The two things that I do everyday and often more then once a day is drink coffee and listen to music. These two things are very important to me and I think in a lot of way vital to my mental health. Oh I suppose I could cut coffee out of my life but I can't imagine stopping listening to music. I do not know how anyone does that. I know that for me music is really something that I enjoy so much.

Led Zeppelin - Going To California

It really doesn't matter what the era of music is or even the genre and I do sometimes pick and choose what I am going to listen to. But that is usually just in my car. When I am listening to music as I am writing on my computer I often just put my music on total random and listen to whatever pops up. This can be good or bad because I don't like everything that I own. I might like one or two songs from an artist but no artist is perfect. Also at this point my collection is big enough that I have forgotten all of the music that I have on my hard drive and up in the cloud.

Pink - God Is A DJ


Take the song above, I believe that I have most of her discography but I am not sure if I would consider myself a fan. I have friends who really like her and I think I wanted to see why they like her so much. I do think that some of her songs are very catchy but I would not choose to listen to her regularly or go see her in concert. But she isn't horrible. Her style of music is not my cup of tea.

Even This Shall Pass Away - Robert Plant's Band of Joy

Your Southern Can Is Mine - The White Stripes

I really, really do love the White Stripes and I can honestly say that I do not believe there is a song of theirs that I do not like. I love it all.

Satisfied Mind - Johnny Cash

I also love everything that Johnny Cash has ever done. There is just something about him and his voice and the authenticity in which he lived his life that I find admirable.  

Random Music Thursday

Much like Dewey Finn I serve the world by Rockin. So lets get it started.

Celebration Day - Led Zeppelin - Nothing more can be said, but this band rocks. I may not always be in the mood for Led but I am always willing to at least try to get the Led out. 

What Do I Care - Johnny Cash - Mr Cash is always welcome here and I love the sentiment behind this song. "You love me, and I love you. So what do I care." You tell it like it is John.

Time After Time - Ozzy Osbourne - I still have a soft spot after all these years for the love songs of Ozzy. I don't know what it is about them. But I really like his ballads. 

Offering - The Avett Brothers - This is a just plain good band. They are also a band that can have a really emotional effect on me. I like their music so much that at times it is a painful experience for me that speaks of lost love and love never found. 

Jolene - The White Stripes - This is a cover of a Dolly Parton song and they do it so well. The White Stripes are one of my favorite bands and really I can enjoy pretty much everything Jack White has ever done. This live version of Jolene is amazing. 

Random Music Tuesday

Ok rambler's...lets get ramblin,

Supertzar - Black Sabbath - The father of the heavyiest of metal. I love earl, early Sabbath. Nothing else needs to be said. There are some great new metal bands, but honestly nothing comes close to the heavy grungy make your balls vibrate pounding of the early Black Sabbath records. NOTHING!!

Broadsword - Jethro Tull - Oh I like the way the music is flowing today. The winners of the first Grammy for Heavy Metal, Jethro Tull. This was a travesty but they do have some great songs and this is one of them. It thumps and rumbles and thunders along.

Eldorado Overture - ELO - Prog Rock at its finest and the music streak of excellence keeps thundering along. I love the strings in this song.

On My Radio - The Selecter - I love, love, love SKA! This song is great and a great example of the so called 2nd wave of Ska in the mid to late 80's. So good.

In My Life - Johnny Cash - An excellent finisher and a lovely song by a real legend. Thank you for finishing the list gracefully Mr Cash.

Musical Legacy

The other day, the AV Club did an article on 21 artists among multiple fields who did some amazing work toward the end of their lives. One of the artists was a man whose music I really enjoy and respect and that was Johnny Cash. They mainly talked about his last two albums both basically recorded during the same set of sessions but the second one "American VI: Ain't No Grave" was released posthumously . Both of these albums are amazing and fair amount of his late in life resurgence is owed to Rick Rubin and you can hear that on the first album he produced American Recordings "CASH" but in these last two albums Rubin stepped out of the way and really it was John and his guitar and the experience is amazing. I believe that these are albums that you should totally sit down and listen to in their entirety. That is the best way to achieve the total experience of these albums and the fact that these songs are coming at the end of his life there is a poignancy to this music that you are not going to get from any other artist.

I think, I should I know that one of the reasons that I like Johnny is because he was a man of transparency. He was who he was and he at least later in life and I think in some way soon after he married June Carter he became a man who was unafraid to expose himself warts and all to the world. He was a man of faith and I think regardless of your position on the existence of God or a higher power you have to respect a man who has faith and who endeavors to live by that code even though his own personal demons make it an extremely hard thing to do. It seemed that most often his songs told those stories and showed his struggles in a clear and transparent manner.

Another thing that I like about his music is that, at least for me, there is a real level of truth to it. So do yourself a favor and check out Spotify. I think anything that you might listen too by Johnny Cash you will enjoy.  I am not an advertiser for the service but as far as being able to track down music for free and give it a listen they have been the best that I have used.

In the end Johnny Cash's music and memory will live forever long after the Biebers and the Chris Browns are a sad footnote in the history of music.

More Music (Johnny Cash)

I could write pages and pages about this man. I love his music and I also respected him as being an honest individual about his problems in life and his faith. As he got older I feel that he ended life well and was a real example of how to die honorably and with dignity. I hope you enjoy his music as I will be posting songs from all across the spectrum of his career.

"It Was Jesus"



"If You Could Read My Mind"



"Sunday Morning Coming Down"



"Personal Jesus"



"God's Gonna Cut You Down"



Thanks for the music, Mr Cash.

Music Monday

Sorry about Friday folks. When Blogger hiccuped in the morning I didn't get to writing and then I just never got back on so I failed in my quest to keep the streak alive. So today begins a new quest.

Since it is Monday lets get it started with the top 5 songs in no particular order of effectiveness that make Lance cry at least 60% of the time or more whenever he listens to them.

No 5.



Not much to say about this song. Those who know, they already know why this song is a little kick in the guts for me. It is worse because it really is a lovely song and I am not a fan of the new modern country.

No 4.



I first heard this song on the "Shrek" soundtrack and really enjoyed it then. I have heard many versions but this one just works so well for me. I am not sure if it is her voice or the other singers but it is just a great version.

No 3.



As usual a great song from Ben Folds but I am pretty sure that he isn't singing this about me. He is probably singing it about you guys.

No 4.



This band!! I just. It feels like every song is just so good. I know that some people feel like it is hipster music but I think it is far better and deeper then that.

No 5.



Not much to say about this one. He took away from Tent Reznor and made it his own. I love this version so much.

2-26-2010 (Friday) The Birthday of Johnny Cash

1932-2003

I was going to write today about Johnny Cash and what his music means to me. But as I sit here listening to his music on Johnny Cash Radio
I am feeling myself slightly overwhelmed. I am really unable to put into words what it means what he mean. I realize he was a musician and just a man. He was a man, much like I am a man. But he was a man who fought his demons his whole life. He never presented himself as anything more then that. He also warts and all was a believer and he never shied away from that. One last album is getting released this week American VI: Ain't No Grave please check it out.

In closing I am going to leave you with his version of 'Hurt'




I MISS YOU