Why do we embroider everything we say with special emphasis when all we really need to do is simply say what needs to be said? Of course the fact is that there is very little that needs to be said.
Charles Bukowski
Tags: Quoting
Life is tragic simply because the earth turns and the sun inexorably rises and sets, and one day, for each of us, the sun will go down for the last, last time. Perhaps the whole root of our trouble, the human trouble, is that we will sacrifice all the beauty of our lives, will imprison ourselves in totems, taboos, crosses, blood sacrifices, steeples, mosques, races, armies, flags, nations, in order to deny the fact of death, the only fact we have. It seems to me that one ought to rejoice in the fact of death–ought to decide, indeed, to earn one’s death by confronting with passion the conundrum of life. One is responsible for life: It is the small beacon in that terrifying darkness from which we come and to which we shall return.
James Baldwin
I haven’t done a playlist in long while, and one late evening while listening to music (of course), Greg and I got to go-go-going on our favorite artists and bands, and here we are. A relatively small Musical Throne of favorites from a pretty vast library. Alice in Chains to Willie Nelson. The best of the bestie best.
Click the song title to hear it! I hope you enjoy, and maybe even discover something new for yourself.
Alice in Chains: Our car stereo storage system is not so bueno and sometimes resets in the middle of a song. Until our recent purchase of Santana’s Abraxis, Alice in Chains was always the default starting point, and in particular, the song Again, which was never really a bad thing. Jerry’s guitar!
Head Creeps :: I Stay Away :: All Secrets Known
Andrew Bird: Once, in conversation with our most fabulous friend and financial advisor of twenty-four years (!!), we mentioned Andrew Bird. A bit shocked, he said, “That weirdo who whistles all the time?” The very one, Sean.
Fake Palindromes :: Plasticities :: Rising Water
The Black Angels: Back in the days when I was on Facebook, this Colorado born and Oregon living gal stumbled upon an “I Miss Texas” thread, and this band was the most compelling reason on the list.
Doves :: Young Men Dead :: Melanie’s Melody
Chris Cornell: The voice. The Voice. The Voice. Also, the spirit.
Birth Ritual :: Can’t Change Me :: Cochise
Dolly Parton: America’s Angel on Earth. Sings like one, too.
My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy :: I am Thinking Tonight of my Blue Eyes :: A Few Old Memories
The Doors: This band, if I had to wager, is imprinted on my DNA. Thank you, Daddy.
Queen of the Highway :: Take it As it Comes :: Strange Days
The Eagles: One of the most prominent bands of my childhood that I could never, ever quit.
I Can’t Tell You Why :: Peaceful Easy Feeling :: After the Thrill is Gone
Ella Fitzgerald: Simply the best. I love you, Ella.
They Can’t Take that Away From Me :: Misty :: Blue Skies
Fontaines D.C.: This band is one of the myriad I’ve discovered on independent radio. Thank goodness for it!
Televised Mind :: Jackie Down the Line :: Starburster
Frank Sinatra: With many thanks to my parents and grandparents for this one. The voice ain’t half bad, either.
One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) :: It Happened in Monterrey :: The Last Dance
Iron Maiden: Wholly on Greg’s favorite list, but late one evening on Channel 12 (fellow Gen X of the Denver metro, you know), Run to the Hills was the first video this junior high girl without MTV ever saw. I still like it.
The Prisoner :: Run to the Hills :: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Jerry Cantrell: The Riff Lord is a polymath, y’all!
I Cut You In :: Psychotic Break :: Atone
Joy Division: I have no words for how much this band meant to me as a teen.
Transmission :: Autosuggestion :: Atmosphere
Led Zeppelin: The name really does say it all.
The Song Remains the Same :: What is and What Never Should Be :: That’s the Way
Mark Lanegan:: King of the understated stage presence.
Gospel Plow :: Song for the Dead :: Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division!!!)
Metallica: Greg, Greg, Greg! The first band he saw live and in person, and at Red Rocks. Pretty sweet.
Ride the Lightning :: For Whom the Bell Tolls :: Orion
Peter Gabriel: Another of my angsty teen finds that meant ever so much.
The Feeling Begins :: Humdrum :: That Voice Again
Pink Floyd: Peerless.
Us and Them :: Echoes :: Comfortably Numb
Ronnie James Dio: Greg, again, but I have no real objections, besides his name alone.
Man on the Silver Mountain :: I :: Rainbow in the Dark
Radiohead: They have such a diversity of sound, yet it always sound like R A D I O H E A D. Also, the only road trip we’ve taken to see a show – Portland to Seattle 2012.
Bulletproof…I wish I was… :: Subterranean Homesick Alien :: Separator
The Rolling Stones: Another band of childhood that I could not imagine my life without.
She’s a Rainbow :: Gimme Shelter :: Can’t You Hear Me Knocking?
Tommy Guerrero: Perfect for a sunny afternoon, well, any afternoon really. Plus, the skating!!
Directions of Possibilty :: Water in Your Hands :: Headin’ West
Van Halen: At a party once, chatting with my pal Eric, Van Halen came on the hi-fi, and, as you do if you’re a fan, know it from the first note. I squealed, “Van Halen!” and maybe did a little fist pump, and he’s like, “How did you know?” “We’re Gen X man, how did you not?”
Dance the Night Away :: Runnin’ with the Devil :: And the Cradle Will Rock
Willie Nelson: An American treasure, full stop.
Last Thing I Needed First Thing in the Morning :: Whiskey River :: Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys (p.s. – I love the Electric Horseman!)
What is this I see? A strawberry margarita, getting extra fizzy! Made for Jett (mostly) and his girlfriend Peyton’s first visit to our house. Delicious as it is, it was quite well received.
We had a most excellent time of green chile, pinto bean, homemade tortilla, and chocolate cake eating. There was also, as you might have guessed, a fine Garden of the Gods morning, favorite dive bar hanging (O’Furrys), puzzle assembling (two!), movie watching (three!), and fine conversation. A very, very good weekend together.
I am not a clean as I go cook, so this is the detritus of baking an apple cider donut cake with caramel frosting; biscochitos; and a whipped cream cheese and feta dip, with bacon jam for our sleepover with Michael and Mary. It was worth the mess, dear friends!
Greg celebrates helping me clean up with a little port and rye cocktail. The name escapes me, but oh, the flavor!
Here we are exploring the Boettcher Mansion atop Lookout Mountain, an activity I’d long hoped to do. Not gonna lie, the company was better than the space, but we did it!
Tags: Colorado, Colorado Springs
The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy.
Abraham Maslow
Tags: Quoting
