Music

I grew up on Rock and Roll.  I like all kinds of music, but many of the classic rock songs of the 60’s thru the 90’s stand out to me as a time when musicians were blessed with and touched by the Master Psalmist.  I do not hardly know where to start with a list of my favorites, but it would certainly include Pink Floyd, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Marshall Tucker, REO Speedwagon, The Eagles, Styx, Lynyrd Skynrd, Tom Petty, The Allman Brothers, Molly Hatchett, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steely Dan, James Taylor, The Outlaws, Supertramp, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Moody Blues, Phil Collins, CSNY, Rush, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Bob Seger, the Doobies, Steve Winwood, America, Steve Miller, CCR and so many more I know I’m forgetting some. 

My taste in music also ventures into country, R&B, jazz, blues and classical, but my roots are in southern rock.  When I want music to soothe me or inspire me I choose to listen to songs with a message; with lyrics that speak to me and encourage me.  So my tastes also include such classic masters as Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Charlie Daniels, Carol King, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and Sting.  Wow I just thought of Yes, Santana, and oh my Stevie Nicks.  So many great artists but what songs bring a tear to your cheek and a yearning in your soul?  

Steve Miller has a great song that is rarely if ever played on the radio called “In the Wind” and there is a current one out there that is played occasionally called “Give Me Something To Believe In” by Poison.  The lyrics of these songs as well as Supertramps “School” and “Crime of the Century” helped form my thoughts and have added to my belief that I am not the only one who has dreams of something bigger and better out there waiting for us, while we wait for it.

Throughout my life I have also enjoyed nature.  From hiking to fishing and dreams of flight the sounds of nature also speak to me.  When I was but five years old I would walk alone in the vineyards and woods of my grand-parents farm in southwest Michigan.  It was there that my soul was first touched by the magic nature holds for all of us….if we only let that magic thrive and enhance our spirits.  I would hear the birds talk to each other, and would try to mimic those sounds by whistling.  I would sit alone for hours at times and just listen and watch for the sounds of our environment and the movements of God’s creatures.  This is the root and foundation of music, the sounds of nature.  For if you think about it and take yourself back to the beginnings of our established planet what did we as humans have but our own mouths to express ourselves.     

Whistling and humming need no lyrics…but just like a master flutist they can inspire and soothe a weary soul.  As time progressed I am sure the next thing man- kind did was pick up some sticks and beat on some old hollow tree, and the first drum set was established.  And it goes on from there to where we are today with music that is brought forth from the depths of our souls to display our spirits in this vessel of human skin and bones.  Our bodies are but a temporary package of the everlasting soul inside all of us.  It is up to us to use this vessel, our mind and heart, to gain understanding and knowledge as we become wiser in the ways of the Master. 

Listen to the lyrics of the songs of old and of some of the new talent out there and you will likely see a common thread.  It is not an in your face evangelical message, but it is an in your ears spirit filled message.  Bands like Kansas, Yes, U2 and Rush have subtle messages in their lyrics.  But they are not hidden to those who understand.  Those that listen and have deaf ears will only hear the beat, the noise of the song.  They will not hear the lyrical message or the harmony of spirit master musicians pour out in their songs.  And sadly some of the best tracks have never been played on the radio.  They are only found by buying a CD and exploring the tracks some executive did not choose for radio play.  That’s OK, they are there and music transcends the ages and once played drifts thru the universe on the wings of angelical soundwaves.  Trust me, if you’ve played it….it was heard by someone or something somewhere.

There are four songs you’ve probably heard that speak to me, encourage and bring emotions to my being, along with so many others, but here’s an example of some of my favorites that I encourage you to listen too….really listen too…and listen to the lyrics.  They are Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”, Kansas “Song for America”, REO Speedwagon “Golden Country” and America’s “For the Lonely”.  You cannot listen to these songs without reflecting on our own time and place in history, and without a tear coming to your eye as you realize you are not alone in your journey. 

Two of my favorite songs…one very popular that one day I would like to weave into a short story of sorts and that is “Hey You” by Pink Floyd.  Really listen to that song and those magical lyrics as you try to separate your good fortunes from those not as well off.  It inspires me to share my own musical abilities and writing in an effort to make the world around us a better place.  After all that was my New Year’s resolution, and with a little help from all of you I trust it will come to be.

The other song I want to mention is an example of a hidden gem that is not on the radio.  How it isn’t with all that is going on in our world is beyond my abilities to know, but I have a feeling Stevie had something to do with keeping it on the down low.  Being heard only by those in search of angels, where only demons tread.  I have played this song 100’s of times.  When I lived in Jacksonville, Florida I would go to the Duval County Veterans Wall and play it while I played harmonica to it.  Tears would flow down my cheeks and my breath would be interrupted by the heaving of my soul.  But my spirit would prevail and I would wipe the tears, light a cigarette, and pay my respects to those fallen at the hands of man kinds injustices and greed.  That song is track 14 on Stevie Nicks Time Space CD.  It is the last song and follows “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You”.  The song is entitled “Desert Angel” and if I had to pick five songs to take to my grave it would be one of them.  Find it, listen to it, and share it.  It will hopefully speak to your heart and the hearts of those that put our young men and women in danger, but a danger that is unfortunately necessary in today’s world.

I play the harmonica, and I love to get into a good song.  I have fantasies like we all do.  My Rock and Roll fantasy includes playing harmonica with all the musicians I’ve mentioned in this post as well as 100’s more.  I have had dreams of being called out from the crowd to play as the bands harmonica player came down with the flu.  I have lived that fantasy on a couple of occasions with some local bands, but as dreams go, bigger is better.  I continue to practice, to listen and to harmonize with the greats every day at home and in my truck.  Jackson Browne’s the “Pretender” is on the radio now….another great song with a message many hear but few truly understand.

My dreams are part of my soul and if you have read this post to conclusion than I feel safe in saying we have some commonality in our dreams, in our hopes and prayers for a better world.  A world enriched by music and a world that is still in touch with nature and the subtle sound of the wind blowing through the trees and the chirping of the birds.  When life has you down, return to that foundation; step out of your everyday life and find a piece of nature, then listen to a good song, you just might hear a similar chord as you develop the sound track of your own life.  Reflections:  Psalm 98, Psalm 150, Revelations 22