Many Rivers To Cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGeCeK85sUg&feature=related


"love is my foundation, wisdom is my capitol, struggle is my minor,God is my redeemer, sorrow is my companion, love is my foundation".

Classic song, associated with Jimmy Cliff, though it has been performed by many artists, Lenny Kravitz, and UB40 to just name a couple. In 1985 my friend from Vail, Amy O was visiting and we wanted to see what was happening in L.A. on a Saturday night. We read in the Calendar section that Jimmy Cliff was playing at Universal that very night. So we hopped in the car and drove up there, got tickets and enjoyed a fantastic show! I've never done that before or since for a concert, but when you're 25... Great lyrics. Love Is My Foundation!

Hope for Haiti

http://www.bobgruen.com/files/asst/R.332%20CHRISSIE%20HYNDE-1980.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpQ6OESv24A

I'm watching the George Clooney crafted telethon Hope For Haiti right now. Lots of A-List celebrities working the phones taking donations, and great musical artists singing songs of hope. Stevie Wonder singing Bridge Over Troubled Water, a clean shaven (thank goodness) Sting singing the Police song Driven To Tears, Shakira singing The Pretenders song I'll Stand By You, , ETC.
All very inspirational...

Here's Chrissie Hynde (THE BEST woman in rock and roll!) singing it live.

Guilty Pleasures?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ibs3ttoMN0


Ever love a band or artist, BUT you keep it on the down low because you are too cool for school? Or are you a rebel and you love the music no matter what people say AND talk about it in public? If you're like me, then say YES I do!

I get ribbed incessantly or curious looks from friends and family because of my love for The Go-Go's! When their 1st album, Beauty and the Beat came out in 1981, I could not wait to get it! I had been introduced to this all girl, kick ass rock band by Rodney Bingenheimer (The Mayor of Sunset Strip) on KROQ. Rodney introduced LA to lots of great music that was happening here in L.A., all over the country, all over the world. I LOVED the Go-Go's! I remember being 21 and wanting to BE Belinda Carlisle! This Town was our song as we cruised around in Hollywood, partying and looking for a good time!

I tell people "you have no idea what The Go-Go's sound like if you have never seen them live." They are not the "bubble gum" cuties you've heard on the radio. They started out as a punk band and they have both an edge and a great sick sense of humor in concert!
Maybe it's an L.A. thing, but I still love these women, they f**king rock! I've seen them I think 8 times now. They always put on a great show!

Ringo and Harry

http://img.youtube.com/vi/VWS5r9t_KEM/0.jpg


OMG I love youtube! This a classic clip of Ringo Starr and Harry Nilsson from the Grammy Awards in 1973! We learned from the previous post (and the Jimmy Fallon show) that they were best of friends. What's ironic is I just heard the winning song today at work! Oh yes I did!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWS5r9t_KEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcIjxlLfcM4&feature=PlayList&p=B6E7A04C0F6D8B73&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10


Peace and Love, Leslie

Ringo on Late Night

Jimmy Fallon was soo excited to have a full hour with Ringo Starr as his guest tonight. Ringo was very quick witted as usual and just a delight. Jimmy asked him a lot of questions of what it was like to BE a member of The Beatles when it was happening... They talked about what a big deal it was when they played on Ed Sullivan for the first time. Ringo said it was a "magical time!" They started talking about Harry Nilsson, who had been Ringo's best friend, may he rest in peace. So I was inspired to find one of Harry's videos to share. Remember "Me and My Arrow?" I probably haven't heard this song for AT LEAST 30 years. BUT, I instantly knew all the words, not hard to do, there aren't many of them! This little clip comes from a movie or TV show (I'm not sure which) called The Point. It is narrated by Ringo Starr! Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43ey8s8EALU

As Ringo says, "Peace and Love", Leslie

I Want Candye

It's great to see Candye Kane back performing after her pancreatic cancer scare and surgery last year! She's got a new band and is sounding as good as evah! Weird camera angle, but you can see she's having fun with this song and with the crowd as always. Candye's live shows are the best!
She has a great voice and can belt out the blues, rockabilly, torch songs, anything!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQJ3ZNhUJUQ

She also has a new look web-site at www.candyekane.com

The 3 B's

http://portrait.kaar.at/Deutschsprachige%20Teil%203/images/ludwig_van_beethoven.jpg


Bach, Beethoven and Brahms... My favorite of the 3 B's is Ludwig Van Beethoven. That's "Dave Beethhoven" to the Bill and Ted's fans. :-) I remember playing Moonlight Sonata when I was studying piano a million years ago. I NEVER played it this well. If there is a more beautiful song, I don't know what it is. This piece affects me in multiple ways. I feel... calm, sad, and happy that there is such beauty in the world, all at the same time. Plus I'm grateful for "Luddy" because of the fact that he started losing his hearing as a young man and was deaf the last several years of his life. Yet he continued to compose and perform his beautiful music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2cFEHM9yMw

What's that I hear?

Know how I say in my "bio" that I'm always aware of music? I used the example of the music coming from a car at a stop light. Well, tonight it was the music coming from a car parked next to me at Trader Joe's! I've always just liked this funky 90's tune by White Town, "I Could Never Be Your Woman" (because the man cannot be faithful!) The artistic video is pretty cool too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOtEtO1u2g4

You'll soon find out that this blog is the "Anti Top 40!"

These Three Things

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahu_mtvDEaY

This video is so awesome! It has three elements I really like... The Heads (Tina Weymouth, Chris Franz and Jerry Harrison) the great Johnette Napolitano on vocals and a Moby mix. Ain't never seen this one before, and EYE Like it!

Pretty in Pink

Every time I wear pink, people say this to me. They are referencing the Molly Ringwald coming of age movie, while I'm humming this song to myself. I guess stinky pinky is my color! Love the P-furs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c08vQ-vUhWI

Tragic talent

Amy Winehouse is someone who should be paid attention to musically. If you can get past the antics and bad behavior. She is truly a talented singer! This whole album, Back to Black, is very old school sounding and great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1evzhSast8

It's Classic! Woo Hoo!

Ok, I guess there is a "new" label for the music that is the core of my favorite genre. It's called (according to Music Choice) "Classic Alternative." Woo Hoo... Can you feel the sarcasm?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TByqESZekxc

Favorites and Influences?

Speaking of influences... I'll ask the question. Provided anyone ever subscribes, I'll be able to read your answers. Who are the musical artists that you love, that have written the soundtrack of your life? Who has influenced you? I remember seeing my friend Karen's Elton John collection when we were in high school. This girl was a true Elton FREAK, she had everything! Even just his name 'Elton John' cut out of a magazine article. All things big and small, it was amazing!

Who do you love?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGoqMZRLB4

Were you expecting George Thorogood?

Influences

My friend PJ, (who is a fantastic guitar player, fine musician and fellow music freak) said I had to include a HUGE Bowie section if I started a blog. I can't think of any other artist who has influenced me more. I mean, David Bowie changed my life quite simply. I was going along, living a quiet "normal" suburban life in 1974, as a 14 year old, good student, Daddy's girl "surfer chick" when I discovered Mr. David Bowie. This lead me on a path to finding ALL KINDS of "alternative" music. It's been called "punk" and "new wave" "grunge" etc. I don't especially like labels, but will use them so you know what I'm talking about. I've always just called it "new" music. Bowie started it for me and I've never been the same. Thank God! He's always been ahead of his time and fantastic!!! Bowie is my Hero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYjBQKIOb-w

Fun, Fun, Fun

I'm already having fun! I love the Beach Boys! The actual Beach Boys with the Wilson brothers, not Mike Love and the poseurs that call themselves that today. My first concert EVER was The Beach Boys, America and Santana on July 3, 1976. Brian Wilson is a genius!

Wouldn't I look fantastic behind the wheel of that red convertible T-Bird?? :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpP7tWXjcnc

Wanna Be Startin' Something

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPTsmswQVwg


The lyrics of this song are not why I'm posting it. It's the incredible rhythm and the beat. Plus I've found myself "musing" about Michael quite a bit lately. Listening to the iconic song Thriller in the car last night brought me to tears.

It's a new year, I've got a lot of plans and goals, but need help getting started. I've chosen some of Michael's fantastic music as my source of motivation!

Wanna Be Startin'Something!!