Happy New Year: I'm Beginning To see the Light

Well hello there. You decided to read my blog. Did you wait all year? It doesn't matter if you did, the year is almost over. It has been quite a long year, too, I might add. For everyone struggling with regrets, mistakes, worries and what nots, realize that it happens to us all. Forgive yourself enough to start off your new year with a chance for hope and possibilities. You won't see them right away, of course, but you can begin to create them. Anyone can. So why not try yourself. I have seen some of the most ridiculous types of people build there dreams from their own mistakes. Some of them even wind up happy. But it's a chance we take every year. Then one day you will be singing this song to that special someone.
If you already are, then Happy New Year. If not, then Happy New Year...



(fake) Duke Ellington (mp3s)

Christmas Candy from Mississippi John Hurt

Mississippi John Hurt has the most mellow attitude for a blues guitarist. I think it would be best to follow his lead into the holidays. We all know people who are experiencing difficult times, hardships, break ups and monetary upheavals. So why not unwind with some good old fashion blues?


Mississippi John Hurt – “Frankie” mp3
(found at Public Domain 2ten)




Speaking of holidays...how about some candy from the candy man? A perfect stocking stuffer for you Christmas fans.

Classic Louis Armstrong: Mack The Knife

In desperate times people struggle to stay above the poverty line. When folks get stressed out, they need relief.
Here is an example of people finding relief in the music and voice of Louis Armstrong.




Enjoy!




(Fake) Duke Ellington

Midnight Special: Bill Cox And CCR

Hello.
I have recently come across two versions of the same song. Both versions are about hope and freedom. With a message involving the imagery of a train as the beacon. Personally, this particular song topic has done me well. So I am one to pay attention to compositions written about trains. And here on line, I am honored to share them all with the likes of you.

Enjoy!



Bill Cox - Midnight Special


Creedence Clearwater Revival



(Fake) Duke Ellington

Obama: Strong to The Finish?

You have to be a strong leader to be the president of the United States of America. So I want you to listen to an inspirational song that speaks of strength, loyalty and devotion....







Al Dollar & His Ten Cent Band with Billy Murray – “Popeye the Sailor Man”


Found at Public Domain 2ten


FDE

Billie Holiday on youtube!

Hello there.
Hmmmm...
What to do, what to do...
Well, rather than get all frustrated with politics today...I think I'd like to listen to someone elses opinion. In the old days...which was not that long ago...we used to call it the blues. The frustration of everything. Whether it be your work status, your automobile status...or political grievances...and of course, your relationship status, any one of those is frustrating. But all together? That's the blues. Plain and simple.
So that is how I shall keep things today. Plain and simple.
Here is a wonderful clip, featuring Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong:



More Billie Holiday, here at Public Domain 2ten.( 2ten? That's 2010...the year music rebirths)

FDE

Obama Has The World's Approval Now

Now that the world has confirmed Obama a bringer of peace, he can continue with his health care reform plan. It's as if the rest of the world tapped Obama on the shoulder and said,
" We like you...and we believe in what you are doing...and let this Noble Peace Prize be significant to your doings...don't pay too much attention to those right wing nut bags...all they care about is money...oh, by the way...here's some..."

And that put a smile across my face. The fact that the world leaders recognized Obama's democratic oath as something sincere, yet enriched with novelty, is a testament to the last eight years of White House politics. Which, to me, is worth any amount of money...which, ironically, will go to charity.

I think he should use it to fund health care reform bill. But that would be another cacophony of Republican and Democratic debates...

Oh those Republicans...

Even THEY need some kind of music to listen to....

Here's one. It features a washboard.
Which may be used by some people to clean up their act with...AND their clothes.

Tiny Parham And His Musicians – “Washboard Wiggles” mp3

FDE

Arnold Schwarzenegger Signs Ammo Bill

"People buying ammunition in California will soon have to be thumb-printed and dealers will have to keep records of sales, under legislation that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law..."

(Read more)

Well...that SOUNDS like a step in the right direction. That is, until, gun owners start to make complaints about being inconvenienced by paper work. Then we will probably hear something about the right to bear arms and bullets should be free.

I agree with Chris Rock on bullets.
Please note that he is no stranger to the use of profanity:

Here is a good link to a song about bullets:
Mississippi John Hurt – “Stack O Lee Blues” mp3

FDE

Get The L On Down The Road

Hello. How are you today?
I was going to mention more about the topic concerning the middle east. That is...until I pressed play on this little number. My goodness, leave it to a jug band from the good old days to put a smile on your face. Well, at least it worked for me.
Next time I will try to discuss something a little more sophisticated. As for now...
L ol...

And thank you Bill Johnson...I needed a chuckle this week.

Bill Johnson’s Louisiana Jug Band – “Get The L On Down The Road” mp3

William Manuel "Bill" Johnson (August 10, 1872 – December 3, 1972), was an American jazz musician, considered the father of the "slap" style of string bass playing.


FDE

I Ran Over To Say I Aint Misbehavin'

" Iran said that it would soon offer a timetable for inspectors to visit a hitherto secret facility, but was not prepared to debate its “rights” to operate the plant..." » Full Story on New York Times

Iran wants a nuclear program...like everybody else. It's like everybody sitting in a tub of gasoline and THEY want a match stick, too...
Oh brother.
Maybe Japan ought to have a word with them instead of the U.S. Japan knows about nuclear programs. If Iran convinces them that they are not misbehaving...then maybe they won't...

Louis Armstrong – “Ain’t Misbehavin’” mp3



FDE

99 Year Old Plays Like Magic

"My dad played the cornet and he had a good voice. My mom played classical piano, but her heart was in ragtime," Brown remembers. "I spent my babyhood under the piano, going to sleep watching my mother's pretty little feet going up and down on the pedals." That was around 1910. And (continue reading)

Well...it's no surprise to me, really, that at the age of 99 she is still hammering away on those ivory keys. Jazz, to some, is like old magic. Velzoe, like many great Jazz musicians, have the ability to bring to life, something which was not there, into the world for all to hear. But only for that moment. And when you do that within the elements of a Jazz arrangement...people usually applaud. As if it was magic. It keeps you young at heart, too. And that is why Velzoe Brown does not surprise me at all. She is probably very very accomplished at what she does. And should keep doing it until she cannot. Good for her.

And now...a composition of mine that may regard the lovely

Velzoe Brown

Duke Ellington – “Sweet Mama” mp3

FDE

Right Wing Freak Show

Hello. How are you?
Me? I was ok until I found this ridiculous article about Fox News. And no, I am not going to give you a link to them. You'll have to find it your self. But what I'm going to give you is brief statement about tact. It use to be something we all knew about it. It use to be how we spoke to one another. A measurement of class.
Now a days, tact is as ancient as an artifact you would find in any British museum. That photo, for instance...the woman in the green with her back turned happens to work for Fox news. She is rallying up the crowd during a Fox news coverage. (sigh) It's a little biased when you have an employee from the news station egging on the crowd. What a bird.
And answer me this...why is she flapping her left wing at a right winged convention?

Who are these people? Luis Russell and His Orchestra might have the right question here...
Luis Russell & His Orchestra – “The (New) Call of the Freaks” mp3

FDE

New Age Concerts

That's Nick Becker playing the gourd with a sword...
I'm just gonna take the photographers word that it sounded interesting. Now you may think of me as old fashion, or maybe out of touch with today's world, but any composer that I've ever known would never put their fingers in such danger. But because I'm a fan of NPR, I found myself reading their concert page at their website. And boy was I in for something unusual. Though I musn't forget that we live in a world of 12 notes repeating themselves. One must figure out a way to avoid monotonous boredom in music. My, my...does he know the sharp end is pointing up?

Now here is a band that we use to consider noise in our day. Very unique blend of instrumentation, they have. A Banjo, Guitar, violin, saxophone, trombone, piano, clarinet and one jug. And I'm just going to guess that this would be easier on my ears, without listening to that sword on a gourd.

Dixieland Jug Blowers – “Boodle-Am Shake” mp3

Health Care Reform Calling Doctor Medicine

Forty percent of employers surveyed said they are likely to increase the amount their workers pay out of pocket for doctor visits. Almost as many said they are likely to raise annual deductibles and the amount workers pay for prescription drugs. Nine percent said they plan to...(continue reading washington post article)

I can only sigh and say the solution for health care in America is very simple. Unless politicians just want to keep playing games with other peoples lives. Simply get the people health care first and then let the journalists continue writing brilliant articles about our economic strife. At least will people will be healthy enough to make changes. There is going to be debt either way.



It should be rather simple. Like, for instance, the composition called Doctor Medicine. It's not very complicated, yet it states something very plain about what people need.

South Memphis Jug Band – “Doctor Medicine” mp3

FDE

Strange Conversation Over Health Care

Hello. It's been quite a while since I have written anything here. Honestly, I have been sucked into the world of politics. Following a few topics, such as the Gay Marriage bill, The economic struggle of America and the latest one which would be the health care issue. Now, I am not sure what the first two topics will inspire in me. But what I will say is that the latest conversation about health care is quite ridiculous. It seems that the only ones who are raising a fuss about it are the ones who already have it.

Maybe those who really need it are too sick, weak and malnourished to speak up.

To me it seems like a conversation between people on a ship and those stuck in the water. It would be nice to at least toss them a life preserver. But they would rather argue from the ship and watch folks tread water.
What an absurd conversation. Here is another one I have found. But at least it's being said over a well arranged song.


Kansas City Kitty and Georgia Tom – “How Can You Have The Blues?” mp3

FYI- I found this wonderful track at Public Domain 2ten (2010)...the year that people start to hear the music again.

FDE