So I am officially old, when I remember first meeting Leela and Ellie Grace, they were some where around 9-13 and they touring with their parents. Five years ago I had a wild Idea when they were scheduled to play at the Great River Folk Fest, I invited them to play at our church. Oh they are not Christian artists, but the love, peace, and traditional hymn like sound that they bring; I knew the congregation would love them. They did, and when they came back to the Festival... I threw out the invitation again. Wow... no preparation of which song they would play, they were all wonderfully PERFECT. I couldn't let them leave without a photo op.
You shouldn't let them leave without checking out the beautiful harmonies, and rich traditional sound in their many originals.
or Leela's bouncing video with her rich song of healing "This is my Family"
I had a chance to see Amy in a couple of workshops at the Great River Folk Fest; I was impressed. Great voice, great sense of humor, and an infectious smile. I'm sure I'll be posting more about her in the future.
Don't you love how YouTube and all these other programs recommend that you watch or buy something by looking at your previous favorites or purchases? You know many times they are right. This video it said a friend, "Music Fog" liked it.... they were right too... it's a funny premise. I'll have to check out the earlier ones too.
I was talking to Heather Waters about what to serve her vegan diet guitar player, Chuck Lee Bramlett when they come on Oct 4th for a house concert. She never heard of a Walnut Burger. I see there is cheese and eggs in it; likely it won't work. I do hear they are tasty, but give me meat any day. But hey, I thought there should be a commercial from a sponsor again so here you go...
From The Historic Trempealeau Hotel in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, we’re proud to bring you our famous Walnut Burger®. We’ve been serving this flavorful meatless patty in the dining room of our four-star restaurant since 1986.
Made for “veggie burger” fans, the Walnut Burger is an all natural meatless recipe, and is made with organic ingredients: walnuts, cheddar cheese, low fat mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs, onions, organic tamari, organic eggs, canola oil, herbs and spices
If it wasn’t for that hint of traffic noise, I would know that I was alone. Ok so mostly it by my own choice That I sit in the dark in my home.
Yes the world is begging that I tune in. Isn’t there something on that TV? No, there is no tape of where we’ve been. And gasp; no funny man emcee.
So life is there in the solitude of night. I raise my glass of wine weirdly content. Passively I took on love without a fight But tonight I survey the damaged dent.
Something about the way you talked Looking me straight in the eyes. I could do nothing but blatantly balk Then come swinging and spewing lies.
I was trapped in the denial either way. Ignore or suppress the new passion Or make it bigger than a passing stray? So I admit that I’ve learned my lesson.
The night will end without a thunderclap The day will start without a morning dove I’ll go and live life like I give a crap But wonder if you or I are really in love.
I'm learning more about this gentle soul who I've run into in YouTube... John Fern. You should too.
Per the YouTube Video notes: The idea for the song came when the flood of memories hit me while I walked through the house after everything was moved out.
LYRICS:
BACK IN 1971. WE LEFT CHICAGO FOR OUR NEW HOME. WASTED NO TIME FILLING UP ALL THESE EMPTY ROOMS. WITH BEDS AND TABLES AND KITCHEN CHAIRS AND ALL THE MEMORIES WE WOULD SHARE NOW IT FEELS ODD TO STOP AND STARE AT THESE EMPTY ROOMS.
CHORUS--ONCE THE FURNITURE IS GONE, AND ALL THE PICTURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN. NOTHIN LEFT BUT ECHOES AND THE COBWEBS IN THE MORNING SUN ONLY THEN, DOES THE FLOOD BEGIN OF ALL THE MEMORIES FROM WAY BACK THEN. IN A RUSH, THEY COME POURIN IN TO THESE EMPTY ROOMS.
THIS DRIVEWAY USED TO BE A PARKING LOT FILLED WITH CARS LEAVING OIL SPOTS, KILL THE ENGINE WHEN DRIVING IN BEFORE THE MORNING LIGHT SNEAKIN IN SO THE FOLKS WONT KNOW DOESNT SEEM THAT LONG AGO EVEN NOW AS I WANDER THROUGH THESE EMPTY ROOMS
(CHORUS)
WE GOT ALONG AND WE GOT IN FIGHTS BUT EVERYTHING ALWAYS TURNED OUT RIGHT BEFORE WE KNEW IT WE WERE MOVIN OUT OF OUR OLD ROOMS. BUT WE ALWAYS CAME BACK HOME FOR HOLIDAYS OR TO SAY HELLO WE MUST HAVE TOLD A MILLION JOKES IN THOSE EMPTY ROOMS. (CHORUS) WE WONT FORGET THE HAPPY TIMES. WE WONT FORGET THE TEARS WE CRIED. ONCE THE PAPERWORK IS SIGNED AND THE HOUSE IS SOLD. THEY WILL TURN THE KEY AND PEER INSIDE INTO THE HOUSE WHERE THEY START THEIR LIVES, FILLING UP EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE EMPTY ROOMS
REVISED CHORUS FOR LAST PART--- ONCE THE FURNITURE IS THERE, WITH PICTURES HANGING EVERYWHERE. AND THEY ALL SHARE A MEAL WHERE WE ALL ONCE SAT DOWN. THEYRE TAKIN PICTURES OF THEIR FAMILY WELL BE LOOKIN BACK ON WHAT USED TO BE MEMORIES OF GOLD PACKED INTO THOSE EMPTY ROOMS.
Britt's version of the tune BLACKBERRY BLOSSOMS. Brittany, fiddle, Tristan, cello, Aoife, guitar, Corey, bass, Greg, banjo, my wife Pam, laughter, the Good Lord, rain! GOOD LORD, what rain!!!
The Pines are made up of Iowa natives David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey and they are going to make a name of themselves... a recent Red House artist signing. I got a chance to see them at Simply Folk's 30th Anniversary concert at the Big Top.... I was floored with the rawness, the Dylan music style I would love to hear more, and the blend of two friends. These kids will be big, I'm trying to get them to the Bluff View House Concerts before I can't afford them.
Failure is Not an Option: Apollo 13 Creativity by Margaret J. King, Ph.D.
Dr. King is director of Cultural Studies & Analysis (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, phone 215-592-8544), identifying cultural values in products and marketing for business and institutions.
Is your work at the crisis state? If so, you may have approached the state where your creativity is also really at its maximum. You'll see what I mean when I dissect, from the recent book and movie, the Apollo 13 mission to the moon.
"Houston, we've got a problem." These famous words, spoken by astronaut Jim Lovell from space in April 1970, launched a famous public demonstration of solution-finding.
The spacecraft was made of three components: the main command module, the service module, and the lunar landing module. Fifty-five hours into the mission, a cryogenic tank exploded in the service module, thus causing loss of oxygen and power to the command module. From that moment, the mission was not about success. It was about something far more important: solving an unforeseen problem under sudden and unexpected limitations.
"Failure is not an option," Gene Kranz, lead flight director for Mission Control, announced to the ground crew in Houston as Apollo 13 approached the critical earth-to-moon decision loop. Did he mean that failure had been an option at one time, but wasn't now? Perhaps that was why things weren't working the way they should have.
Now... in this day of cut throat win at all cost; I have to temper my comments to say ... within ethical constraints Failure is not an option, and dang it... it's good to strive to win and to achieve. Yes we do lose at times, but losing is not failing in a game of sports if you lose with dignity and learn to appreciate how your opponent beat you. Apollo 13 is inspirational because nobody gave up, and with the positive attitude like that, they succeeded. Plus I told you that story because of this:
I so love this song... I believe I first heard it covered by Nanci Griffith but I did end getting Pat's version on a CD of a songwriters behind the songs. I wanted to put a video of the song on our church blog, but there wasn't a version of it in YouTube... now there is... run out and get Nanci's cover... nothing beats a pretty voice and and a pretty lady over this old fool... either way the song rings out as tops.
Oh the journey of a songwriter... you few folks that had the blessing or curse to see the first taping of this song will like the journey. I am one that writes and song and lets it breathe a few days before going back at it. This time I made many of the lines easier to sing while keeping the rhymes and the meaning of each line. I truly am grateful for the day I saw Samantha Farrell's picture of her in a field with her guitar barefoot. She put the caption... Barefoot running through the daisy's and poof inspiration.
The song speaks Dylanesque to the passing of faith, to the promise of resurrection, to the plight of the hungry, and to the hope of the youth when they are blessed with a positive outlook.
The last verse was added to tie into the fourth part of the chorus, No Fears No Regrets... it has many many embedded Samantha Farrell song referenced. AND this recording of the song makes much more sense. I do think it'll hang with me and be on my next CD.
Love is Free at Last by Dave Schipper (c) 2009 Rose Riversongs
The field was filled with bare foot girls The church doors opened wide The laughter of the children filled The spirit of these sullen eyes
Solid stone over 100 years old Means nothing to the little ones But a spirit binds a new foothold One to last to their father’s sons
Hallelujah The spirit is passed Hallelujah Love is free at last Hallelujah The table is set Hallelujah No fears, no regrets
A rich patchwork of sizes and colors A human ebb that flows in waves Precious fabric of his earth he covers With the souls he pledges to save.
‘tween the toes are daisy petals He loves me and he loves me more He plants the seed and wins the medals But he weeps at the wages of war Chorus
The field was filled with bare foot girls The store doors opened wide The hunger of the people filled The spirit of these sullen eyes
A rich harvest is bountiful Grown and watched to maturity Tastes and words purposeful Bear love of holy purity. Chorus
Driven to avoid the lamenting Though streets were really torn apart She kept her small frame moving The chaos couldn’t shake her heart
Music played in this City of Dreams She played the muse with luck Won the prize, strawberry cream She left as the melody stuck Chorus
Sometimes life, God, the spirits or whatever you believe does really grabs a hold of you and tells you to slow down. HA... mine is today as I have my first backache in about two years. So I was sitting on my doofus and bouncing around these internet sites, and yes I am a member of Facebook. I'm trying to keep it to people I know face to face, but a few internet friends have snuck in. And today I stopped by Christine.
Christine Kane. is a wonderful singer / songwriter located in Asheville, NC; but she also makes a business out of mentoring women. I laugh all the time because I must be the only guy on her blog. Don't worry I don't feel uneasy, Christine's words are really upbeat and universal. Like this one before a tele-seminar that she put on:
Christine is one of THE best marketing musician, internet saavy, and just overall gets it that I've run into. To a point when she released her most recent cd. I prepaid my $10 for a on-line download from her website when it was available because I don't remember why. She had me with something free I bet... HA. Anyway... everything worked smoothly and I even got a pdf of the cd liner note... Kudos on that I love liner notes I can blow up and read with my old eyes.
Christine does have a "Team" that works with her, but how & if they are paid I don't know. One of them reminded me that I was going to be on cd of her friend's music that she's sharing with her friends. I think this is where my bad habit of reading every other line got me into trouble. I thought I was getting a free cd and now I'm contributing to a free cd she sharing. Well I was flattered and keeping with the woman emphasis I sent her Flowers of the Forest sung by Nichola Maria O'Donnell. If they needed to fill out the cd, I also sent them Hey Mr. Tangerine Man. Who knows maybe Christine and I will meet someday... (I did miss my opportunity at the Great River Folk Fest but that's where I heard her first.)... and maybe She'll ask me to speak on how not to write a blog. HA. (off of her new cd my most favorite song is "How not to behave")
notes; Ah broadcasting silent love to a void... isn't that a lot like blogging? Got to love the Hubble pictures... we are not alone in this vast universe.
It's a great day when you run into a video of Paul Thorn and my goodness, I've been missing this one. There are already 3 different YouTube videos put to a song he shared live on the Bob and Tom Show.
I thought this one had the best pictures... enjoy and have a better day than Paul did that day.
A little over a week ago I received in the mail a gift. It was a marvelous gift, and it might end up securing the 2009 CD of the Year at the Zemmy Awards. Samantha Farrell is one of those new kind of friends. The ones my wife and son used to tease me about until they started showing up as tremendous, fantastic house concert artists. Now they understand I only network with the best... (HA... that's still not saying much about their tastes...)
Now Samantha and I have corresponded over her last cd a few times. She is one of those artists that doesn't fit my general tastes. Even a few songs in random mixes gets reactions from my wife Lori, "oh please skip this song"... But Sam's music has a way that has weaved itself into my psyche and into the Rose River's playlist with her song "Shake" So I get this cd in the mail... apprehension yes, appreciation of course, love it... I was holding off. Boy .. the more listens and it's a winner.
Now a test I think. I gave it to a friend at work to import to listen at work. I trust her computer skills to never share it because she is dumb to that .... or so she says, but I can tell, she's honest too. Oh she was so impressed she wanted me to show her how to buy it. Sadly, I showed her it's unavailable yet, but she could buy her other wonderful cd.
Now today I read someone who has more details in their review. Mine yes is lacking these, but it's early... the Zemmys don't come out until February. So until I write more... go read this great review....
Sometimes a mere picture post in this connected world makes your head spin back to a great video or a great song. That's what happened tonight when I signed into check on my MySpace account and saw that Shiloh Lindsey, a great country voice up in Canada, had a new picture. I never really haven't gotten close to her via emails etc, and maybe it's because this song and video from her scares the dickens out of me. She is good though.
Yes... next time you are traveling up to Wisconsin's beautiful Upper Pennisula, also known as Door county, make your way to one of the finest Irish Pubs I've been in for a long time. The Cork is a fine place to hang out, and while I haven't had a chance to eat there... their menu was outstanding.. and it comes highly rated by my fine niece and her husband... Lisa and Jim.
We had a chance to stay at the Coho Motel too.. and it was top notch... but you just got to love the sign on the way into the room... "ABSOLUTELY no fish or fish coolers in the room. Call the office, we have a place to store them." Yep I smelled like a drunken fish, didn't need to sleep with one... HA.
She blew away the Bluff View Concert audience away last time, and it was right after she had released Propeller. I hadn't had a chance to get it before the concert... but wow... it went on to become the Zemmy CD of the Year. This song, Diamond in your Mind was one of the finest, and it does show Heather's intelligence at finding the right song. I love to songwrite, but I know 100% of my songs aren't the best and if I had a voice like Heather's I'd be looking for material to cover. It was only today that I found it was written by the master, Tom Waits with Kathleen Brennan. I have to ask Heather where she finds her material. I know this little unkown songwriter who can't sing worth the sh.... HA.
Oh yeah, the guy in the video is the guitarist who will be touring with Heather this fall, Chuck Lee Bramlett. Next up, here is the YouTube that posted who wrote the song... boy it's fun to contrast the two versions.
I believe I posted a different version of Crooked Still covering this song ... but I love the close up of Aiofe... God that women is hot... must be cooking something mighty fine in that kitchen... the fiddler player Brittany Haas has been added since the first posted video. So the band is:
Crooked Still US tour for new album 'STILL CROOKED' New lineup of Aoife O'Donovan, Greg Liszt, B.D., Corey Di Mario, bass, Tristan Claridge,cello, and Brittany Haas, fiddle.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is served on this mighty find cover of the Robert Johnson tune.
Samantha Farrell has been a friend for a while through these wonderful world wide web connections. Why? Who knows for sure how it started and I'm sure I sheepishly ventured into a MySpace site that I didn't belong and started complimenting her on the music that I was listening too... Graciously notes went back and forth, which is why I lay claim that mostly women are better engaging people in this new mode of music marketing.
Ah... am I being harsh to say that all conversation is calculated. Well it should be to a point. We live in a transparent world that anything you write better be that...calculated but I would add honest too. If the second part is added, you can always line up in court and say, "yes ... ha ha I said that and I meant it... maybe I had two extra glasses of wine and my inhibitions were down, but yes I think Samantha Farrell is a beautiful woman"
Ok where am I heading... ?
Long story short, I fell in love with her song Shake, bought the rest of her first Cd, followed her life's journey including some ASCAP workshops and a loss of a dear friend,...then I shared Shake with the band and we started covering it... besides all that I grew to appreciate Sam's mother and her passionate blogs.
So along comes an upcoming cd by Sam... hang on more to come with that in future blogs... until then... suffice to say she inspired the following with a picture of her barefooted wanting to dance among the daiseys.
The field was filled with bare foot girls The church doors opened wide The laughter of the children filled The spirit of these sullen eyes
Solid stone over 100 years old Means nothing to the little ones But a spirit binds a new foothold One to last to their father’s sons
Hallelujah The spirit is passed Hallelujah Love is free at last Hallelujah The table is set Hallelujah No fears, no regrets
A rich patchwork of sizes and colors A human ebb and flow in waves Precious fabric his earth he covers With the souls he pledges to save.
‘tween the toes are daisy petals He loves me and he loves me more He plants the seed and wins the medals But he weeps at the wages of war
Hallelujah The spirit is passed Hallelujah Love is free at last Hallelujah The table is set Hallelujah No fears, no regrets
The field was filled with bare foot girls The store doors opened wide The hunger of the people filled The spirit of these sullen eyes
A rich harvest is bountiful Grown and nurtured to maturity Tastes and words purposeful Bear love of holy purity.
Hallelujah The spirit is passed Hallelujah Love is free at last Hallelujah The table is set Hallelujah No fears, no regrets
Driven to avoid dread and lamenting Though streets were literally torn apart She kept her small frame moving The chaos couldn’t shake her heart
Music played in this City of Dreams So she acted as muse in this game of luck Won the prize strawberry cream Then she moved on as the melody stuck
by Dave Schippper (c) 2009 Rose Riversongs Photo Credits
Of course ... venture here if you dare as I learn to sing the song I wrote... HA
New Song Lyrics: Marionette by Gabrielle Louise eight pins in a rag dolls chest you had me dancing like a marionette I played ball with your bullshit and turned on cue amen, the candle's lit I'm afraid my pride had to kill your puppet karma hasn't caught me yet but it will soon hey you, everybody's happy when the money rolls in hey you, first thing out are your good intentions hey you, how do you act when you feel cornered and what becomes of your perfect morals? nine hens in a chicken coupe kinda look like men in business suits why lie when you can use the truth in your favor it rained for ten straight days Noah's ark up and sailed away The poorest were left to pray for their savior chorus how do your heart strings hold up? when human instinct shows up? so who are we to judge? chorus
Just a pretty face in a busy place I soon would melt in your hands And you became regular in my plans.
Forever nineteen, so frozen in time Twenty years passed so fast But you are built to last. Forever nineteen, so frozen in time
The months layered on in this bright salon A rich text of news and playfulness Left me wanting more, I confess.
Now suddenly everything’s casually A spring and surprise to an old friend Sure funny to look back how it began.
Forever nineteen, frozen in time to me Twenty years passed by just today And you still sweep me away. Forever nineteen, so frozen in time
Still a Metallic Fan livin’ with the postman A soccer mom queen and forever nineteen. Forever nineteen, so frozen in time Forever nineteen, such light shine, frozen in time.
I am as loyal as a coon dog in many ways. I've worked in only really 3 places in my 32 years since high school... married for 27+ years... and I've gone to the same woman to get my haircut for 23 years. Natalie was just a beautiful teenager when I first met her and now I consider her and her husband Greg friends. When they came to see Rose River last week and I got a picture with this angel, there had to be song in it... and here it is... I do love the line "you still sweep me away"... all that hair each month.. it's just a little more grey the last few years.
I did worry a little about needing to get this more personal to make it effective as a song more people can relate to... maybe I need a co-writer to the write lines that I'm too cautious to write about a good friend. HA.
For song writers out there... I started with the premise and hook "Forever Nineteen"... my search on the phrase did show that alot of themes wrapped around this was linked to people dying and frozen in time. I hope I captured that but turned it around, Nat is alive and well but when I look in those eyes I still that teenage girl that loves Metallica.
Of course ... you can't let the muse rest when the day has presented an afternoon alone ... so here is the freshest written song to be posted to youtube... it actually doesn't match the blog... watch for the improvements.
