Category: music

Music Monday

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With “Abby Road” off in editor’s heaven, I’ve been able to return to other writing projects. Which is exciting. And a bit dreadful. But mostly exciting. The dreadful part came when I had to decide which still unfinished, or rather terribly unpolished, WIP (work in progress) to dive into. 
I had two choices. 
Mentally, for days I struggled over which to tackle. Because, I love both, and both need lots of TLC. 
When I pulled out one manuscript to simply take a look at it, however, I instantly fell back in love. . . with the story, my MC, my dashing hero, my comic relief, and the setting of my adopted hometown of Dallas. 
Funny, when it came down to it, there really was no choice at all. I have found my happy distraction and am now up to my elbows in writing fun. 
Sharing my manuscript’s title, Shelby Lynne’s “Dreamsome” is a beautiful song; calming in it’s rhythmic repetition, and yet heart-wrenchingly lonely. Which is a very interesting fusing.
My “Dream Some” explores the themes of forgiveness, patience, loyalty and most importantly. . . second chances with the love of your live. Which I’m also finding very interesting to write about. 

And by the way. . . “Did you miss me?”
 

Music Monday

4 Comments
With “Abby Road” off in editor’s heaven, I’ve been able to return to other writing projects. Which is exciting. And a bit dreadful. But mostly exciting. The dreadful part came when I had to decide which still unfinished, or rather terribly unpolished, WIP (work in progress) to dive into. 
I had two choices. 
Mentally, for days I struggled over which to tackle. Because, I love both, and both need lots of TLC. 
When I pulled out one manuscript to simply take a look at it, however, I instantly fell back in love. . . with the story, my MC, my dashing hero, my comic relief, and the setting of my adopted hometown of Dallas. 
Funny, when it came down to it, there really was no choice at all. I have found my happy distraction and am now up to my elbows in writing fun. 
Sharing my manuscript’s title, Shelby Lynne’s “Dreamsome” is a beautiful song; calming in it’s rhythmic repetition, and yet heart-wrenchingly lonely. Which is a very interesting fusing.
My “Dream Some” explores the themes of forgiveness, patience, loyalty and most importantly. . . second chances with the love of your live. Which I’m also finding very interesting to write about. 

And by the way. . . “Did you miss me?”
 

Music Monday

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“Suitcases”
Dara MacLean
(Live @ The Cannery Row Sessions)

How can you move when they’re weighing you down
What can you do when you’re tied to the ground
You carry your burdens, heavy like gravity
Just let them go now
There’s freedom in release.

You can’t run when you’re holding suitcases
It’s a new day throw away your mistakes
And open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid
Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There’s a better way when you know you’re forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid.

Can you imagine what it’s like to be free
Well, send those bags packing, they’re not what you need
Abandon your troubles by the side of the street
Just let them go now, believe me.

You can’t run when you’re holding suitcases
It’s a new day throw away your mistakes
And open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid
Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There’s a better way when you know you’re forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid.

There’s nothing holding you back now
Just run. . . . . . . .

Music Monday

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“Suitcases”
Dara MacLean
(Live @ The Cannery Row Sessions)

How can you move when they’re weighing you down
What can you do when you’re tied to the ground
You carry your burdens, heavy like gravity
Just let them go now
There’s freedom in release.

You can’t run when you’re holding suitcases
It’s a new day throw away your mistakes
And open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid
Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There’s a better way when you know you’re forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid.

Can you imagine what it’s like to be free
Well, send those bags packing, they’re not what you need
Abandon your troubles by the side of the street
Just let them go now, believe me.

You can’t run when you’re holding suitcases
It’s a new day throw away your mistakes
And open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid
Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There’s a better way when you know you’re forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don’t have to be afraid.

There’s nothing holding you back now
Just run. . . . . . . .

Things I bought that I love

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“I Dig Chicks” by Jonah Jones.
Yes, that Jonah Jones.
I know. I’d never heard of him either. But while I was perusing the vinyls the other day, I snatched up this little honey, sight unseen–or rather, hearing un. . . .heard. ?? 
First, it was in the Easy Listening section, and second, well. . . .just look at the cover. I was intrigued and insulted and mildly grossed out all at the same time. Ergo: it simply had to be mine.
And guess what. It’s golden.
Turns out, Jonah Jones has the smooth, interesting, quintessentially 60’s jazz voice of a less-raspy Louis Armstrong. (JJ actually plays the trumpet on the record, as well.) 

And then the jazz piano started in. Which–naturally–got me to thinking about Harry Connick, Jr., which got me to thinking about how Harry might sound singing “I Dig Chicks.” And what if I was in the room? And then I got distracted and the record ended and the needle started making that annoying skipping sound. And, well, that’s about it. 
Crazy, yeah? Dig it…

Things I bought that I love

Leave a comment
“I Dig Chicks” by Jonah Jones.
Yes, that Jonah Jones.
I know. I’d never heard of him either. But while I was perusing the vinyls the other day, I snatched up this little honey, sight unseen–or rather, hearing un. . . .heard. ?? 
First, it was in the Easy Listening section, and second, well. . . .just look at the cover. I was intrigued and insulted and mildly grossed out all at the same time. Ergo: it simply had to be mine.
And guess what. It’s golden.
Turns out, Jonah Jones has the smooth, interesting, quintessentially 60’s jazz voice of a less-raspy Louis Armstrong. (JJ actually plays the trumpet on the record, as well.) 

And then the jazz piano started in. Which–naturally–got me to thinking about Harry Connick, Jr., which got me to thinking about how Harry might sound singing “I Dig Chicks.” And what if I was in the room? And then I got distracted and the record ended and the needle started making that annoying skipping sound. And, well, that’s about it. 
Crazy, yeah? Dig it…

Musical Pleasures

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Thanks to my parents and older siblings, music was always playing in our house. (Like this, this & this.) We took piano lessons and we each learned a different musical instrument. And most of us were at least semi-talented vocally. We were HUGE music lovers and appreciators, if nothing else. Plus, there were those Rodgers & Hammerstein and Hayley Mills movie musicals that played practically non-stop on at least one TV set.

Ergo, my obsession with music developed pretty early. I wore the grooves off “Sneaky Snake” and “Hound Dog” by the time I was eight. (Incidentally, not until I was much older, did I realize that this version of “Hound Dog,” was not by Elvis, but was a cover by “The Big Bop” – not to be confused with The Big Bopper.) 

I made my first “mix tape” when I was ten. It was a 60-minute Memorex with a black label, with songs recorded straight from the radio, complete with the beginnings and ends cut off, as well as the radio DJ’s talking over the intros.

Earlier today, I had a particular song on repeat. After a while, I wondered how many times it had played. Thanks to the wonders of  iTunes, the number of times an individual track is played is actually recorded and stored as part of your library. Curious, I checked out my tracks in the order of the number of plays. The list was not surprising. But it got me thinking. . . . 
If I’d had access to such a “counter” my entire life, what songs would’ve been played the most? 
Interesting idea. 
So I thought back to the major chunks of my life, remembering what songs were important to me. Meaning, what music did I play over and over and over until the tape broke? 

In chronological order, here are the songs that would probably be at the very tip-top of my iTunes “plays” counter list during my formative years:
Elementary School:
The Lonely Goatherd – The Sound of Music
Billy Jean – Michael Jackson 
Junior High:
High School:
Monkey – George Michael
Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard 
Lost in your Eyes – Debbie Gibson
College:

And just because I love lists so much (and in the spirit of full, embarrassing disclosure), here are the songs that compile my current Top Ten Most Played, according to iTunes:


I’m curious. What do you think is on the top of YOUR most-played “iTunes of all times” list? 
Do share. . . .

Musical Pleasures

Leave a comment
Thanks to my parents and older siblings, music was always playing in our house. (Like this, this & this.) We took piano lessons and we each learned a different musical instrument. And most of us were at least semi-talented vocally. We were HUGE music lovers and appreciators, if nothing else. Plus, there were those Rodgers & Hammerstein and Hayley Mills movie musicals that played practically non-stop on at least one TV set.

Ergo, my obsession with music developed pretty early. I wore the grooves off “Sneaky Snake” and “Hound Dog” by the time I was eight. (Incidentally, not until I was much older, did I realize that this version of “Hound Dog,” was not by Elvis, but was a cover by “The Big Bop” – not to be confused with The Big Bopper.) 

I made my first “mix tape” when I was ten. It was a 60-minute Memorex with a black label, with songs recorded straight from the radio, complete with the beginnings and ends cut off, as well as the radio DJ’s talking over the intros.

Earlier today, I had a particular song on repeat. After a while, I wondered how many times it had played. Thanks to the wonders of  iTunes, the number of times an individual track is played is actually recorded and stored as part of your library. Curious, I checked out my tracks in the order of the number of plays. The list was not surprising. But it got me thinking. . . . 
If I’d had access to such a “counter” my entire life, what songs would’ve been played the most? 
Interesting idea. 
So I thought back to the major chunks of my life, remembering what songs were important to me. Meaning, what music did I play over and over and over until the tape broke? 

In chronological order, here are the songs that would probably be at the very tip-top of my iTunes “plays” counter list during my formative years:
Elementary School:
The Lonely Goatherd – The Sound of Music
Billy Jean – Michael Jackson 
Junior High:
High School:
Monkey – George Michael
Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard 
Lost in your Eyes – Debbie Gibson
College:

And just because I love lists so much (and in the spirit of full, embarrassing disclosure), here are the songs that compile my current Top Ten Most Played, according to iTunes:


I’m curious. What do you think is on the top of YOUR most-played “iTunes of all times” list? 
Do share. . . .