I have been accused, correctly, of being obsessed with music. I have sung my entire life, mostly in church. The first solo I ever sang was K-K-K Katie in the fourth grade at Kate Sullivan Elementary Tallahassee, Florida. Always accompanied by my lifelong soul mate, I have also seen upwards of 150 artists from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin to The Statesman Quartet in every genre of music - gospel, country, rock, jazz, classical, progressive and pop!
Music can enlighten us. Music can make us see things in a new light. Music can make us cry. Music can make us laugh. Music can make us love.
Here's a simple list of some of the music I have listened to and loved!
The greatest make-out song - In My Room by The Beach Boys. My Vagabond mate and I saw this amazing group of talented singers at Tully Gym at Florida State University in the late sixties - early seventies when we were dating.
Greatest Rock Song in history - Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Formed in London in 1968, this group with one of the most talented, yet extreme vocalists of all genres of music is still performing today. We saw this amazing band at The 1969 Atlanta International Pop Festival six weeks before Woodstock.
A quote from Lead Singer Robert Plant on the writing of this intensely emotional tune.
"I was holding a pencil and paper, and for some reason I was in a very bad mood. Then all of a sudden, my hand was writing out the words, 'There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold/And she's buying a stairway to heaven.' I just sat there and looked at the words and then I almost leapt out of my seat.
Second greatest Rock Song ever recorded. Dream On by Aerosmith. We saw Aerosmith at the Amalie Arena several years ago in Tampa. Three hours of completely insane rock and roll! The recording here is Aerosmith's Steven Tyler & Guitarist Joe Perry performing The Boston Marathon Bombing Tribute with The California Children's Chorus.
Best Progressive Rock, Blues Rock, Folk, Jazz Fusion, English Folk Music, Hard Rock & Classical Music Rock Band with the absolute best flute player in Rock, Ian Anderson. Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull. This amazing band was formed in 1967; the year I graduated high school!
Blending Funk, Rock, R&B, New Wave, Soul, Synth-Pop, Pop, Jazz, Blues and Hip Hop for music fans - PRINCE, IMHO - the best of the best. I had the pleasure of seeing this amazing artist in Tampa several years ago with his band New Power Generation. An innovative, glamorous and intensely gifted writer, singer and guitarist wrote, recorded, and performed his greatest tune the No. 1 Worldwide hit - KISS!
And, just for all of those wayfaring nomads that love great music, enjoy an amazing performance in 2004 at the induction of George Harrison into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Written by Harrison while he was with The Beatles, While My Guitar Gently Weeps is performed by members of the Traveling Wilburys Band including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood and Prince. Prince, donning a red hat, contributes one of the most amazing guitar solos you will ever hear.
“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.” – Robert Fripp
Next week - more music for the road, on a plane, on a train or on a ship.
goditi la musica
DLStafford
thenomadARCHITECT