Monday Music Mix

Late Sunday night or early Monday morning post, either way it is 3:30 in the morning and I am wide awake.

Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

A classic song. Give it a listen.

Well today was the day. Because Congress decided not to fund it and decided to go on their nearly month long Christmas vacation my EUC ended. Or Emergency Unemployment Compensation ended. I had nearly $2000.00 left in my account. Now I am not sure what Congress's definition of Emergency is. But mine is being out of work for over a year and having to live with my parents. It isn't that I have not been looking. I really wish I had just been lazing around and soaking up the fat cream from the Gov't teat. But that has not been the case.

So Low - Dallas Green

A very nice song. Nice and mellow and emo.

I knew that the money would not last forever and I have been applying for jobs. This will not change that. I will continue to apply for jobs but I do not foresee anything changing in the getting hired department anytime soon. It feels like every job that I apply for has several hundred applicants in front of me. Such is life I suppose. and I must continue to put one foot in front of the other and move forward one way or the other.

Old Enough - The Raconteurs

Love this song so much. Jack White is amazing and this band is really solid.

I am well aware that things could be worse for me. I am living with my parents and their is a roof over my head and I am dry and warm. There is food in the cupboard and people love me. So it is not all horrible doom and gloom. But I think, honestly, who really wants to be unemployed? I like to work. I like to be busy. I would like to be able to pay some of my school loans off and some of my other debt. To be able to do that would be a great thing.

Say You Love Me - Fleetwood Mac

Another classic song. I really do like Fleetwood Mac

As long as I can I will continue to write and post when the mood strikes me. I do not intend for this situation to stop that at all. But this is the reality that I am facing today. As nice as it is when I meditate and keep myself centered there is also certain realities and practicalities that need to be faced as well as far as my daily existence goes. The trains need to run and the bills need to be payed.

You Made Me Forget My Dreams - Belle and Sebastian

This is a haunting and lovely song. Wow. So good.

So....despite the unemployment issue. Things are actually pretty good on an emotional level. I feel good. I am feeling happy and I am putting love and empathy out into the world. I care for others and I love them and I want to be able to help others even if it is on an emotional and mental level. Since I am unable to do it on a financial level right now. I want to be there and be able to listen and too care for others. I like being that listening ear and that shoulder to cry on. That is all I really ask. That is me,

 Lance Cummins, unlicensed counselor and therapist and professional hugger and snuggler. Please email me if you would like to make an appointment. 

Courage - Manowar

Hang in there folks and above all keep on dancing.

Tuesday NYE Music Mix

I hope the day finds you well and that the evening this evening treats you well.

Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac

This a classic song and on that I enjoy greatly. I enjoy both versions of this band both the Peter Green era and the Stevie Nicks era but their sounds are totally different. That being said I think that I am a big enough man to be able to enjoy both versions.

So, today is New Years Eve, and anyone who has been following this blog knows that 2013 has been a pretty rough year for me. I am not going to rehash all that now. But trust me when I tell you that it has been pretty shitty at times. That being said. I am still standing and I am still by and large functioning and I have a pretty tight knit group of friends and family around me that allowed for that to happen and for that I am profoundly grateful. My existence in the world is very much all about the community that I have around myself and I feel that the close society that I am involved with is a good one.

Well All Right - Blind Faith

There is a line in this song, 'Well we'll live and love with all our might' and I like to think that this is true of me. At least I aspire for it to be. I want to live and love, fiercely and with strong feelings. I want those that I care about and for, I want them to know how much I do love them. I do not want anyone to feel like they are alone in this world. I am not always sure what form this takes or how I am supposed to implement these feelings but they do exist for me. I want 2014 to be a year of that for me and for my friends. I want it to be a year of big hugs and meaningful eye contact and intense conversation. I want to know my friends and I want them to know me.

Sunrise - The Who

This is a great song. One of my favorites.

The Power of Thy Sword - Manowar

This is a pretty typical Manowar song. It is about swords and fighting and being a barbarian and is 8 minutes long. Embrace it in it's majesty.

I do not make New Years resolutions but if I were I suppose that one of the things that I would resolve to do would be to continue to meditate and to do Yoga and hopefully do more of both. I have had no ill effects from doing either and in fact when I remember to start my day with those things I do just feel better on both a physical and mental level. I do think that is a bad thing at all.

Doghouse Blues - Bill Monroe

A little 1941 blue grass for you by the master Bill Monroe.

I show love by touching and those of you who are reading this I just want you to be prepared because depending on my mood, if you are around me you are going to get a hug or an arm around you. It will happen. It will be a big hug or heavy hand with a squeeze but it will happen and you will know that I am touching you. Because I love you and you are special to me and because human touch is important to living a healthy life.

Winter Winds - Mumford and Sons

 I love this song so much. The whole album is one that I enjoy on a regular basis.

Alone - Trampled by Turtles

A bonus track for you guys because Mumford and Trampled By Turtles go great together.

Have a great day folks. I love you. Be good to each other. Love each other. Tell someone that you care for them today. Dance with a friend.

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.

Magical Feeling

There are times when someone responds to one of your blog posts and you feel like you won the lottery. So to speak. I felt like that yesterday when my friend Shane responded to my post. I have always respected his taste in music so I always feel good when we can engage on musical things.

International Beat - Magical Feeling

I tend to forget how happy 2 tone Ska makes me. But it never fails when a Ska song pops up in the old random player I just feel good. There is something about this kind of music that makes me so happy.

ACDC - Carry Me Home

Here is a taste of a little rare ACDC. This never appeared on a regular release. You never mistake the sound of Bon Scotts voice. I always enjoy a little ACDC myself and in highschool I listened to this band so much.

Grateful Dead - Minglewood Blues

I have been getting more and more into the Dead and that is because I never really understood what their music was like before. I honestly did not realize how good of musicians they were. Also, once I started getting more into bluegrass it became a natural progression to start listening to the Dead.

Manowar - Guyana (Cult of the Damned)

A little bit of epic metal from the mighty Manowar and their song about the Rev Jim Jones and his death cult in Guyana. It is truly not a shining moment in American history. But it is a fascinating tale and the song rocks if you like this kind of epic metal and I do.

Reel Big Fish - I'm Cool

There was a time when I loved this band. That being said. I still do enjoy this song. It is a classic from them.

Dark Moor - In The Heart of Stone

EPIC METAL TO MAKE YOUR EARDRUMS BLEED. I love this stuff so much and it is a perfect spot to end today's musical ramblings. Thanks for listening folks.  Now I need to join Don Draper and do a little relaxing.

Musical Adventures

So this has been an interesting week for me musically. I have been kind of all over the place and I am not sure if that was because of all the amazing jam band music that Steve gifted me with, or if a movie or television show triggered it or what. My musical choices this week have ranged from the all time masters of Reggae, Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley to some of the masters of epic metal, Helloween and Manowar. So I guess you guys are going to get a little treat courtesy of me. I hope you feel lucky. Because you totally should.

"The Harder They Come" - Jimmy Cliff

The movie that comes from was made in 1972 and it has the same name. I highly recommend it if you like reggae music and things about Jamica and crime films. If you like Michael Bay or M. Night Shillyshally films then this is not the film for you.

Eagle Fly Free - Helloween

It is hard for me to actually put into words how much I enjoy the hard rocking of this metal band. They are German and they rock so hard. So hard. So just sit back and let the music surround you and fill you with its power and majesty. Feel the drums lift you and drive you onward. There are times where good epic metal is the best thing in the world to listen to and you are doing yourself a disservice if you do not give it a fair listen. It is far more then just music for disaffected long haired stoners.

Perfect Gentleman - Helloween

I had to add another. I just had to.

It is hard to pick just one Bob Marley song, even the ones that were not hits are still amazing and some of the hits are just really, really so good.

African Herbsman - Bob Marley

This song pretty much says it all for me.

The Gods Made Heavy Metal - Manowar

This song explains how the Gods created Heavy Metal and if you losers don't like you can just get over it. Because the God's made Heavy Metal and it's never gonna die.

Thor (The Powerhead) - Manowar

Thor always brings the power and so does Manowar. So you best strap in because you are about to get you socks blown off amongst other things.

More Music (Manowar)

Well you folks are in for a real treat today. Some modern American metal the likes of which we are really only getting out of Europe these days. This band is called Manowar and they were formed in 1980 and came out of New York. It is hilariously epic and loves to sing about mythological subjects. I also love their album covers. Those are just plain amazing to look at. They are not big in America but like a lot of bands they are huge in Europe. I am going to do my best to choose carefully but some of these songs may have so swears. So do not say I didn't warn you.

"Return of the Warlord"



"The Fight For Freedom"




"Sons of Odin"




"The Gods Made Heavy Metal"