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