Sunday, February 04, 2007

It's a 70's Sunday!! All Weekend Long! OH.... and the Superbowl is Today... woo...hoo... !

Rain - Hi 58 Lo 45 for Baghdad, Iraq
Scattered Flurries - Hi 15 Lo 5 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Solsbury Hill,
Peter Gabriel

This is one of my all time favorite songs. I remember the first time I heard it... The album this song is on was the second album I ever bought with my own money. I never tire of this song. Some have suggested this is a song about Christ... Actually, it's about Peter Gabriel and his feelings and decision to leave Genesis as well as the birth of his child... I know his politics and I don't wish to discuss it- makes me sad. I wish I still had that album along with the Genesis album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway... I think Monkey Man took them.....

Ramble:

First things first. As I work on this post (Saturday night- Michael's working), I am downloading the long awaited 70's Music Explosion onto my computer so I can add it to my iPod. I am listening this very second to the third track on the first disc... Midnight at the Oasis.... Something is wrong... Is music like food? Does your taste evolve? Can I equate the stylings of Maria Muldaur to Limburger cheese?
I mean I don't like Limburger cheese today... but I've heard it's an acquired taste- one that comes with age and sophistication... I just caught myself tapping my foot and singing along... OMG!! (queue screechy Psycho music). I will mark this as an old people moment... I don't want to like Limburger Cheese and I don't want to like this song... but here I am... singing along and tapping my foot and groovin' to the music....

Overall, the collection is a terrific selection of pop music from the 70's I remember hearing on the radio as a kid. (now playing: Disc 1 track 5 Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts). This sounds ridiculous, but with the exception of Disco Duck, I NOW like many of the disco songs on this compilation-- back when they were popular... no freaking way!! When the package finally arrived, Michael and I went through all the CD's looking at the titles and we couldn't help ourselves but we went through and sang a bit from each and every song... of course, some we rolled our eyes and made faces, but we still knew the bloody words and melodies... The one thing it lacks is a decent selection of New Wave music... I would have been happy with Talking Heads... Take Me to the River or Psycho Killer, both from the late 70's, instead I have My Sharona by The Knack, which I suppose makes sense since The Knack was pop and not New Wave.... shut up Cath....

Earlier today, I was working on getting myself motivated to make a run to Target... it is brutal outside... the wind absolutely cuts through you. Sunday will be no different... I was working on my To Do list... I'm a chronic list maker. Nothing makes me happier than to cross something off that never ending list. My mind started to wander and I ended up wishing it were warm. Granted we have had one mild winter so far, the past few days have been painfully cold... hate it... As I let my mind wander Georgia O'Keeffe popped up in my mind. I instantly thought of warmth and sunshine. She also loved the American West and because of her I have always longed to make a trek out there.. one of these days... In any event I love her work-- The vibrant color palette when she painted flowers... the curvaceousness and feminine lines she chose. (now playing: Disc 3 Track 5 She's a Lady by Tom Jones) Now how does Georgia O'Keeffe fit into my 70's motif? Simple. I "discovered" Georgia O'Keeffe in the 7th grade--1977-or 1978- same year I bought Peter Gabriel's album?? I had a great art teacher-- Ms. Flower-- (can you believe it?). Mrs. Flower was cool... she was young... I'm guessing that she was in her mid twenties looking at the year book. She had long brown hippy hair, parted in the middle and she wore cool clothes --- gauchos... remember? She always had music playing in her class- she was great about telling us to listen to all kinds of music- one day she would play classical, next day jazz, another time it would be bluegrass or opera. I remember one time she brought in the soundtrack to Guys and Dolls--- sit down your rockin' the boat! I don't remember her playing pop music in the classroom though. Now that I think about it, I guess she is one of the reasons why I have such a broad range in musical taste. In fact, she was the first person to encourage my creativity and untapped "artistic talent". At lunch I would make my way down to her class because she had all these great art books with beautiful reproductions of works of art. If I appeared to show any interest in a piece of art, she would share her knowledge of the artist and the particular style. She alone ignited that fire and is the reason why I have an appreciation for art to this day. I wonder what she is doing now. I have no doubt she was a lefty... Nonetheless, I hope you had a Ms. Flower in your life that inspired you (Now playing: Disc 4 track 1 Gypsies Tramps and Thieves by Cher).


Stay Warm! Go Bears!

Solsbury Hill
by Peter Gabriel

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light

Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe
Came in close I heard a voice

Standing stretching every nerve
I had to listen had no choice

I did not believe the information
Just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom-boom-boom
Son, he said, grab your things I've come to take you home
Eh, don't quit

To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut

Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut

So I went from day to day
Oh, my life was in a rut

'Til I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut

I was feeling part of the scenery
I'd walk right out of the machinery
My heart going boom-boom-boom
Hey, he said, grab your things I've come to take you home
Eh, back home

When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be

And liberty, she'd pirouette
When I think that I am free

Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see

No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me

Today I don't need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom-boom-boom
Hey, I said, you can keep my things They've come to take me home

Have a great week everyone!

Purple Leaves by Georgia O'Keeffe courtesy of the Dayton Art Institute

5 comments:

seejanemom said...

LOVE this song. LOVE it.

J.M. Rob said...

Great song. Jo and I both love it.

Guilty pleasure confession: I also like Midnight at the Oasis. .

Any Gordon Lightfoot in that collection?

J.M. Rob said...

How about "Afternoon Delight"?

J.M. Rob said...

How about "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)"?

It used to be a guilty pleasure favorite of mine until I really listened to the words. Geez. It stinks.

I have cabin fever. Can you tell?

Cathy said...

I like you more and more, Jane.

No Gordon Lightfoot, however I do have Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison LIGHThouse - Disc 10 Track 11

Afternoon Delight -Disc 9 Track 4

Escape - Disc 3 Track 7

Prince is on tonight- that should make you happy!!