Atlanta Rhythm Section - Do it or Die (live)

Another great band of the 70s/80s... I usually play this song whenever I'm down. It always keep my spirit high and raring to go again.

James Taylor - If I Keep My Heart Out Of Sight

The first time I heard this song,instantly it became one of my favorite songs of JT...

James Taylor - Long Ago and Far Away (First Performance)

This is JT's first time he sang "Long Ago and Far Away". He doesn't even have a title yet when he played this song.

Dave Gruisin - Friends and Strangers

I was looking for the video of Friends and Strangers with Sadao Watanabe, it's a concert of Dave Gruisin in Japan. This is the closest I can get...

Romeo's Tune - Steve Forbert 1979

To my friend Romy, whom I know since 1969 when we are in Kindergarten and today is his birthday...

Joe Jackson - You can't get what you want

I like a comment made by one in youtube, it goes "although hes soooo awkward on stage hes an amazing singer". lol

But really, he's good and I love the horn blowing of this song. Enjoy

John Williams - Cavatina (Live)

WIKIPEDIA

"Cavatina" is a classical guitar piece by Stanley Myers and is most famous as the theme from The Deer Hunter.

The piece had been recorded by classical guitarist John Williams, long before the film that made it famous. It had originally been written for piano but at Williams' invitation, Myers re-wrote it for guitar and expanded it. After this transformation, it was first used for the film, The Walking Stick (1970). In 1973, Cleo Laine wrote lyrics and recorded the song as "He Was Beautiful" accompanied by John Williams.

Following the release of The Deer Hunter in 1978, Williams' instrumental version of "Cavatina" became a UK Top 20 hit. Two other versions also made the Top 20 the same year - another instrumental recording by The Shadows, with an electric guitar played by Hank Marvin (#9 in the UK singles charts); and a vocal version (using Cleo Laine's lyrics) by Iris Williams.

The song was also recorded by Paul Potts on his debut album, One Chance. There is a gospel version set to Cavatina called "Beautiful" the author is Billy Evmur and it appears in the "Dove On A Distant Oak Tree" collection. Another vocal version with different lyrics was recorded by Vince Hill (released on the compilation The Ember Records Story Vol. 2 - 1960-1979).

The Paradox of Our Time in History - Rev. Bob Moorehead (Words Aptly Spoken)

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
we spend more, but have less;
we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families;
more conveniences, but less time;
we have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgment;
more experts, but less solutions;
more medicine, but less health.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;
we've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet our neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space;
we've done larger things, but not better things;
we've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morale;
we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall me, and short character;
steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic violence;
more leisure, but less fun;
more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce;
of fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is so much in the showroom window
and nothing in the stockroom.

Pat Metheny - Have you Heard (live in Japan 1995)

The song is from the album "Letter From Home" - Picking up where Still Life (Talking) leaves off (instead of throwing listeners a curve ball like Song X), the equally triumphant Letter from Home stresses Brazilian elements with superb results. While a number of these treasures -- including "Beat 70," "Have You Heard," and "Every Summer Night" -- are light and accessible enough to have enjoyed exposure on some smooth jazz stations, Letter contains the type of depth and honesty that's sorely lacking in most smooth jazz. Metheny has always known the difference between light and lightweight, and even at his most delicate, he avoids entering "Muzak" territory. True to form, the improviser doesn't shy away from making extensive use of technology, but is insightful enough to do so in a very warm and soulful fashion. Like Still Life, Letter from Home is a fine example of a CD that is both a commercial and an artistic success. ~ Alex Henderson (CDUNIVERSE)

Jackson Browne - The Load Out Stay (Live 1978)

WIKIPEDIA

"The Load-Out" is a song by Jackson Browne from his 1977 album Running on Empty. It is a tribute to his roadies and fans. The song was recorded live atMerriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

"The Load-Out" describes the daily practices of a band and its road crew on a concert tour, and the emotions evoked throughout such an endeavor. The first three verses of the song consists of Browne singing and playing piano with David Lindley playing steel guitar. They are later joined by a synthesizer, followed by the rest of the band. Eventually "The Load-Out" segues into a fitting interpretation of Maurice Williams' 1960 hit "Stay," sung by Browne,Rosemary Butler and Lindley.

Many radio stations played "The Load-Out" and "Stay" together as a medley and although it wasn't released as a single, "The Load-Out" charted as a tag-along to "Stay" on the singles charts based on airplay.

Steely Dan - Hey Nineteen, 1996 live at Manassas

Hey Nineteen is from the Album "Gaucho" released in 1980

I've Learned (source unknown)

I've learned—

that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned—

that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.

I've learned—

that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned—

that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned—

that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.

I've learned—

that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do.

I've learned—

that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it, but do the best you can do.

I've learned—

that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned—

that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.

I've learned—

that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I've learned—

that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.

I've learned—

that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned—

that you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I've learned—

that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned—

that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned—

that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I've learned—

that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned—

that learning to forgive takes practice.

I've learned—

that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.

I've learned—

that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned—

that my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I've learned—

that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned—

that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned—

that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I've learned—

that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned—

that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned—

that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.

I've learned—

that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological.

I've learned—

that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned—

that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned—

that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned—

that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned—

that sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I don't want to.

I've learned—

that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned—

that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.

I've learned—

that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned—

that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I've learned—

that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned—

that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned—

that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.

I've learned—

that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.

I've learned—

that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar you will feel lonely and lost at the times you need them most.

I've learned—

that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I've learned—

that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned—

that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.

I've learned—

that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.

I've learned—

that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I've learned—

that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.

I've learned—

that although the word "love" can have many different meanings, it loses value when overly used.

I've learned—

that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

A Prayer for Those Growing Old (Unknown Source)

Lord, You know that I am growing older.
Keep me from becoming talkative and possessed
with the idea that I must express myself
on every subject.
Release me from the craving to straighten out
everyone's affairs.
Keep me from the recital of endless detail.
Give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of my
aches and pains. They are increasing with
the years and my love to speak of them
grows sweeter as time goes by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally
I may be wrong.
Make me thoughtful but not nosey;
helpful but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom and experience it
does seem a pity not to use it all. But You know,
Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

And a song to go with the prayer, a song that I first heard in 1987 from a dear Friend Tom Nic down south

Father and Son - Edgar A. Guest

Be more than his dad,
Be a chum to the lad;
Be a part of his life
Every hour of the day;
Find time to talk with him,
Take time to walk with him,
Share in his studies
And share in his play;
Take him to places,
To ball games and races,
Teach him the things
That you want him to know;
Don’t live apart from him,
Don’t keep your heart from him,
Be his best comrade,
He’s needing you so!


Never neglect him,
Though young, still respect him,
Hear his opinions
With patience and pride;
Show him his error,
But be not a terror,
Grim-visaged and fearful,
When he’s at your side.
Know what his thoughts are,
Know what his sports are,
Know all his playmates,
It’s easy to learn to;
Be such a father
That when troubles gather
You’ll be the first one
For counsel, he’ll turn to.


You can inspire him
With courage, and fire him
Hot with ambition
For deeds that are good;
He’ll not betray you
Nor illy repay you,
If you have taught him
The things that you should.
Father and son
Must in all things be one –
Partners in trouble
And comrades in joy.
More than a dad
Was the best pal you had;
Be such a chum
As you knew, to your boy.

August Rush

WIKIPEDIA


Plot

A boy named Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore) lives in an orphanage, all the while believing that his parents are alive. He believes the music that he hears all around him is his parents communicating with him. He meets a counselor, Richard Jeffries (Terrence Howard), of the New York Child Services Department. Evan tells him he does not want to be adopted, because he believes his parents are still alive and will come to collect him eventually.
Through a series of flashbacks, his parents are revealed to be named Lyla Novacek, (Keri Russell), a famous concert cellist, and Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), an Irish guitarist and lead singer of a rock band, who spent one romantic night together and don't see each other for a long period of time. Lyla became pregnant, which her father did not approve of, instead wanting Lyla to have a successful career without the obstacle of a child. After an argument with her father, Lyla ran out of a restaurant and was hit by a car. While in hospital, she gave birth to a son. Afterwards, she was told by her father that her child "was gone", unaware that he had actually been delivered successfully and then been sent to an orphanage by her father.
Evan has a strong faith that as long as he follows the music he hears and reacts to it, he will have a chance to be found by his parents. He makes his way to New York City, where he is taken in by a man known as "Wizard" (Robin Williams), who houses various orphans and runaways, employing them to play music on the streets and taking a large cut of their tips. Evan immediately proves to be a musical child prodigy. Wizard enlists him and gives him the name "August Rush", convincing him he will be sent back to the orphanage if his real name is ever discovered.
Lyla only discovers that her son is alive when her father, knowing that he is dying, confesses what actually happened. Lyla immediately sets out to New York to look for her 11-year-old son.
After a raid by the police, Evan takes refuge in a church, where he again impresses with his natural musical talent and is enrolled at the Juilliard School as "August Rush." A work he composes is chosen to be performed by the New York Philharmonic in Central Park, but Wizard barges into a rehearsal, and Evan reluctantly follows him back to his life of performing music on the streets.
Meanwhile, Lyla has discovered Evan's identity and has decided to stay in New York while searching for her son. While there, she decides to resume her cello career. She is then chosen to play in the same concert, which features Evan's piece. Louis, wrongly assuming that Lyla has since married, also returns to New York to resume playing with his former band. He has a chance meeting with Evan in Washington Square Park and they play music together, although neither knows who the other is.
The night of the concert, Evan finally chooses to run from Wizard in favor of performing at his concert. In the meantime, Louis races to the park when he sees Evan's pseudonym along with Lyla's name on a sign billing the concert. Evan conducts his piece, and at its conclusion, he turns around to see Lyla and Louis standing hand in hand, and he finally makes the connection that they are his parents. - Wikipedia

This clip is the guitar duel between Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Freddie Highmore.

The Blues Brothers Movie (1980)

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 musical comedy film directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from a musical sketch on the NBC variety series Saturday Night Live. It features musical numbers by R&B and soul singers James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and John Lee Hooker. The film is set in and around Chicago, Illinois, and also features non-musical supporting performances by John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Charles Napier, and Henry Gibson.
The story is a tale of redemption for paroled convict Jake (Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Aykroyd), who take on "a mission from God" to save from foreclosure the Catholic orphanage in which they grew up. To do so they must reunite their rhythm and blues band, The Blues Brothers, and organize a performance to earn $5,000 to pay the tax assessor. Along the way they are targeted by a destructive "mystery woman", Nazis, and a country and western band—all while being relentlessly pursued by the police.
Released in the United States on June 20, 1980, it received generally good reviews. It earned just under $5 million in its opening weekend and went on to gross $115.2 million in theaters worldwide before its release on home video.

The Legends of 1900

Plot Summary for
The Legend of 1900 (1998)
La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano (original title)


Shortly after the Second World War, Max, a transplanted American, visits an English pawn shop to sell his trumpet. The shopkeeper recognizes the tune Max plays as one on a wax master of an unreleased recording, discovered and restored from shards found in a piano salvaged from a cruise ship turned hospital ship, now slated for demolition. This chance discovery prompts a story from Max, which he relates both to the shopkeeper and later to the official responsible for the doomed vessel, for Max is a born storyteller. Though now down on his luck and disillusioned by his wartime experiences, the New Orleans-born Max was once an enthusiastic and gifted young jazz musician, whose longest gig was several years with the house band aboard the Virginian, a posh cruise ship. While gaining his sea legs, he was befriended by another young man, the pianist in the same band, whose long unlikely name was Danny Boodman T.D. Lemons 1900, though everyone just called him 1900, the year of his birth. Abandoned in first class by his immigrant parents, 1900 was found and adopted by Danny, a stoker, and raised in the engine rooms, learning to read by reading horseracing reports to his adoptive dad. After Danny's death in an accident, 1900 remained on the ship. Increasingly lured by the sound of the piano in the first-class ballroom, he eventually became a gifted pianist, a great jazz improvisationist, a composer of rich modern music inspired by his intense observation of the life around him, the stories passengers on all levels of the ship trusted him enough to tell. He also grew up to be a charming, iconoclastic young man, at once shrewd and oddly innocent. His talent earned him such accolades that he was challenged by, and bested Jelly Roll Morton in an intense piano duel that had poor Max chewing paper on the sofa in agonies of suspense. And yet for all the richness and variety of his musical expression, he never left the ship, except almost, once, in the aftermath of his infatuation with a beautiful young woman immigrant who inspired the music committed to the master Max discovers in the pawnshop. Max realizes that 1900 must still be on the ship, and determines to find him, and to find out once and for all why he has so consistently refused to leave. Written by GMBaxter - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120731/plotsummary


The following clips are the duel between T.D. Lemon 1900 and supposedly Jelly Roll Morton.

Crossroads (1986) - Guitar Duel

This particular clip is the duel between Steve Vai and Ralph Macchio.

Ralph Macchio is Lightning Boy. A kid who can make a slide guitar sing. Blind Dog is an old pro who knows it. Together, they're headed to a place where deals are made. And legends are born - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090888/

Amadeus (The Movie) - Trailer

This goes well with my list of my favorite movies, Amadeus.

The incredible story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told in flashback mode by Antonio Salieri - now confined to an insane asylum - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086879/

Almost Famous -Tiny Dancer

A video clip from the Movie "Almost Famous" where the band (Still Waters) sang Tiny Dancer while on the bus after rescuing Russel Hammond (Billy Crudup)from a wild party.

Elton John - Tiny Dancer

This song of Elton John was actually not that popular compared to his other hits. It took the movie "Almost Famous" to make the song popular after it was written about twenty years ago...

Eric Clapton, Somewhere Over the Rainbow

A truly gifted guitarist, Eric Clapton this time his own version of "somewhere over the rainbow", a jazzy, standard approach. With him is Billy Preston, Steve Gadd, Nathan East among others in "One More Car, One More Rider" Concert.

Here, There and Everywhere

The video has nothing to do with the song. The Youtube uploader made an MTV of the Kenny Loggins's version of Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere".

This is a soulful rendition of Kenny on acoustic guitar. Brilliant!!!

Pat Metheny - Phase Dance (live '91)

The second to my post pertaining to the "Stranded in an Island" blog I made earlier.

From the self titled Album of the Pat Metheny Group, Phase Dance. But the video clip is a concert in Portugal

Steely Dan - Deacon Blues (live)

As a follow up post (Stranded in an Island), I'm going to post video clips of the song that can be found in the album and movie.

As starter, this is a live version of Deacon blues found in Aja Album of Steely Dan.

Stranded in an Island

I was once asked, if you are stranded in an Island, What 5 music albums you wish you brought along. Well, this is my wishlist:

1. Aja - Steely Dan
2. 1978 Pat Metheny Group - Pat Metheny Group
3. CSN - Crosby, Stills and Nash
4. Kenny Loggins Alive - Kenny Loggins
5. One More Car, One More Rider - Eric Clapton

And, I would also bring the following DVD movies:

1. Almost Famous
2. Amadeus
3. Crossroads
4. Legend of 1900
5. August Rush
6. The Blues Brothers

The first time I heard Pat Metheny was in 1987, a Friend brought a couple of cassette tapes of Pat Metheny Group, from then on, I got hooked to the music of PM.

From the Beginning by ELP

Listen to that guitar and fantastic keyboard (synthesizer) adlib. Great!!!

Doobie Brothers - Black Water LIVE

A famous line from this song "I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland, pretty mama come and take me by the hand". This song typifies the kind of rock in that era.... there is no single sound format!!! . . . . unlike today where everybody sounds alike.

Bachman Turner Overdrive - LOOKIN' OUT FOR NO.1

From The Guess Who, the Bachmans formed another group and called it Bachman, Turner, Overdrive or simply, BTO. This song has a touch of bossa nova and jazz to it.

The Guess Who - Undun

From the Canadian band, The Guess who "She's Come Undone"

ERIC CLAPTON LIVE BELL BOTTOM BLUES

In his concert One more car, one more rider concert in 2002, EC made a beautiful rendetion of this song. With him in that concert was Steve Gadd, Nathan East and Billy Preston among others. Unfortunately, the embed code won't allow reposting of the video. Just the same, this is also a great performance (1973) from the slow hand Eric Clapton.

Classic Rock

We used to call it contemporary rock, or mainstream rock.. now it's called classic rock or adult oriented rock (AOR). Aaarghh. But I'm proud of the music when I was growing up,particularly the music of the 70s and 80s. We have wide range of music to choose from and excellent songs for that matter.

I'm starting today posting music from that era, mostly rock, well, classic rock. Name it, blues, heavy metal, soft rock, ballad rock, hard rock, folk rock, whatever name it is, they sound good. Not only the songs then are melodious but some are lyrical or poetic. And the artist are really good musician, some of them has classical or formal training. So much of the blah, blah, hope you will enjoy my posts... Rock and Roll!!!

Music Sharing, anecdotes, love notes and anything in between

Hi!... I am starting this blog to share personal and some of my friends experiences on a wide range of topic but I would be focusing much on the music. Happy blogging