Friends are like bras; a good one never lets you down
This first song is my favorite Flatlanders song ever. It’s just…perfection.
The second song reminds me of my time in the mid-late 80s when I was dancing every weekend and spending a lot of time getting to know some very interesting and amazing people.
I missed this week’s Twofer Tuesday. And Threefer Thursday. It’s been a WEEK.
So here are some songs for absolutely no other reason than I just happen to really like them, have time to share, and the ability to share them.
Another find from here in Texas: Charlie Stout.
I originally started following him on the Tweety because of his photography (oh my God! It’s gorgeous
, y’all. Gorgeous.) and was surprised to run into him at the first night of the singer-songwriter competition here. It took a second for me to make the connection, but there it was. So, yeah, he’s a talented photographer AND a talented musician.
Please check out Charlie’s bandcamp page for more great music. I heartily recommend “The Windmill Song” from Five Years Ago Tonight, “West Texas in My Eye” from Oklahoma (live bootleg), and “The Hanging” and “Set Your Eyes on Things Below” from Dust and Wind.
Once again, I urge you to buy his albums because they’re worth every penny. And if you’re looking for some stunning art, head on over to Charlie’s website.
I feel like a total heel for not sharing any of this music at some point during the past 7-8 months. I’m very sorry.
Next up in the local musicians category is Jerry Serrano. Jerry’s incredibly nice, plays multiple instruments, and is just one of those people who draws you in.
He runs the open mic night at the Blue Light on Mondays and also hosted the singer-songwriter competition last fall. The best part about his hosting duties (aside from getting to hear a lot of performers) is when Jerry gets up to play.
The first song here is one I felt like I’d heard before and by the end up it
, I could swear it was one I was super familiar with. Good songs are like that. They’re old friends you’ve only just met. (That would be a great title for a song and an album: Old Friend I Just Met™®. Anyone interested
, email me at dagoddess@gmail.com. We can work out a deal.)
Okay, confession time: I’ve been holding out on you. Bob Simpson is probably my favorite local performer and I find his songs, songwriting, and voice to be just what the doctor ordered nine times out of ten.
I’m sorry I haven’t shared his music sooner. I hope you’ll forgive me.
I was tempted to post all of his songs because I dig each and every one of them. Instead
, I really hope you’ll go to Bob’s Bandcamp page, have a listen, and then buy the album. I promise, it’s absolutely worth the purchase.
You know how much I love music, so when I say it’s worth plunkin’ down some money, you know I believe it’s worthy of your permanent collection.
It’s been ages since I’ve done a Two-fer Tuesday post, so let’s get to it, shall we?
First up is a song I really dig by American Aquarium. They have a bunch of great music (including a very good album of covers), but this is probably my favorite…at least it is at the moment.
Next up is Sarah Shook. I was so looking forward to seeing her last month. However, as you know, I’ve been too poorly to travel and I missed out on the opportunity to catch her live and in person. Oh well
, another time, yes? Anyway, here’s the song I picked for today.
Hope you liked the songs I’ve shared and are curious enough to check out more from both artists. H has turned me on to some fantastic performers and I look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks.
The night was cold and the sky was clear. The stars were out and the moon was just coming up from behind the big hill near the edge of town. Icicles twinkled on eaves all across the hamlet as people all around began sitting down to a warm meal.
Except for the poorest of their neighbors. For them
, supper was little more than an icicle melted in a pot with a lingering carrot or turnip and maybe some cabbage thrown in.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, a song from John Berry. That voice. This song. Every year. Every. Year.
It’s simply THE SONG I have to hear on Christmas day.
Merry Christmas, friends! May you always remember the best moments of life and love today.
Oh, on the eleventh day of Christmas, Tim Minchin sings to thee…
This song does me in every time. I listen to it on repeat because there are smiles
, a laugh or two, and there are tears. Tears for what once was, what is, what might be, and what is. It’s an EVERYTHING song to me.
Bless you, Tim. Bless you and your humanist heart. You really know how to get to me.
Last year, I encouraged you to get his album Apart Together. If you didn’t, do yourself a favor and get it now. It’s a work of art and has been in heavy rotation throughout this past year for me. I truly believe Tim Minchin is one of the greatest composers of our lifetimes. Not only has he written beautiful music for the stage (Broadway, the West End, etc.), he’s funny and deeply rooted in crafting songs that speak to the soul of us all. He gets it. And he shares it with us, even when so many of us feel we’re not into “that kind” of music. Friends, he writes about us, for us, and it’s most definitely the kind of music we need in our lives.
On the tenth day of Christmas, Justin Hines brings a smile to my face.
I know, I know. It’s the same every year. But it’s the same every year for a reason! I’ll always include him and his songs. I. Just. Will.
On the ninth day of Christmas, a song from Brenda Lee!
She was 13 years old, y’all. 13. THIRTEEN! I don’t know about you
, but I don’t think most 13 year olds could pull this off. But she did.
On the eighth day of Christmas, I think we could all use a little something different, don’t you?
Well, here’s something different!
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love — me — gave to…me…I gave this to me:
A punk pop song to get my blood pumpin’ and get me out of bed.
On the sixth day of Christmas, I awoke to see:
Two Christmas songs from Louis Prima just waiting to be played for me!
On the 5th Day of Christmas, what do you want to see?
How about something a little cultural?
I think my favorite is the spiderwebs. Which do you like?