ELEPHANT REVIVAL - "WHAT IS TIME"

Maybe give you a smile?

WALKING TO NEW ORLEANS - FATS DOMINO

Friday night with Fats Domino.

NOT JUST AN ISSUE, ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN

There you have it. Same-sex marriage is not a particularly controversial issue for the vast majority of the members of the Anglican Communion; their minds are on other things.  Thus the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England must speak against the passage of the bill making its way through Parliament which legalizes same-sex civil marriage in Britain.  I guess there's a kind of logic there, but I can't quite make it out.  Of course, the Church of England is the established church, which complicates the matter in ways I don't fully understand, but I don't see why the opinions of all the members of the churches in the Anglican Communion should affect legislation on civil marriage in Britain.

What about LGTB persons in England?  What does the Primate of All England offer in the way of pastoral care to same-sex couples who are members of the church and would like to be joined in a civil marriage ceremony?  Little in the way of empathy or compassion thus far.  An awareness that marriage equality is not simply an issue, but that the lives of real people will be affected by the legislation seems to be missing from the archbishop's commentary.  Let's hope the path is uphill from here.

Note: The interview took place before the vote in favor of the equal marriage bill in the House of Commons.  

GOING TO THE RIVER - FATS DOMINO

Friday night with Fats Domino.

By David's request.  Check out the expression on Fats' face in the photo of him smoothing his hair.  Love it.

ELEPHANT REVIVAL - "BAREFOOT FRIEND"

From their album, "Break in the Clouds."

ELEPHANT REVIVAL - "NOSTALGIA"

Elephant Revival, was brought to my attention a couple of weeks ago, and I thought their sound was terrific, so I ordered their album, "Break in the Clouds." The song in the video, performed at the Americana Music Festival and filmed by Music Fog, is, as yet, unreleased.

I HEAR YOU KNOCKING - FATS DOMINO

Friday night with Fats Domino.

Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino Jr. (born February 26, 1928) is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Domino is French Creole and Creole was his first language. Domino was delivered at home by his midwife grandmother. Like most families in the Lower Ninth Ward, Domino's family were new arrivals from Vacherie, Louisiana.  His father was a well known violinist, and Domino was inspired to play himself. He eventually learned from his uncle, jazz guitarist Harrison Verrett.  Fats released five gold (million-copy-selling) records before 1955.  Domino also had 35 Top 40 American hits and has a music style based on traditional R&B ensembles of bass, piano, electric guitar, drums, and saxophone.

ERIC BOGLE - 'IF WISHES WERE FISHES'

I wish I was home again, at home in my heart again,
It's been a long time since my heart talked to me;
Wasting my precious days, wishing my life away,
If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets in the sea.

I wish I was young again, my songs still to be sung again,
The sweet tunes of my life have gone sour and off key;
Writing my tired old rhymes, trying to turn back time,
If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets in the sea.

Chorus:
If wishes were fishes, I know where I'd be,
Casting my net in the dark rolling sea;
And if my net's empty when it comes back to shore,
I'll throw it away and go fishing no more.

I wish I could care again, reach out and share again,
Mend what's been broken and let it run free;
The older I get it seems, more wishing takes the place of dreams,
If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets in the sea.

I like the old guys still singing, like Eric and Leonard, and still singing so well. Maybe it's because I'm old.

MY LITTLE TREE

 

little tree 

little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little 
you are more like a flower 
who found you in the green forest 
and were you very sorry to come away?
 see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark 
and hug you safe and tight 
just as your mother would, 
only don't be afraid 
look the spangles 
that sleep all the year in a dark box 
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, 
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, 
put up your little arms 
and i'll give them all to you to hold 
every finger shall have its ring 
and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy 
then when you're quite dressed 
you'll stand in the window for everyone to see 
and how they'll stare! 
oh but you'll be very proud 
and my little sister and i will take hands 
and looking up at our beautiful tree 
we'll dance and sing 
"Noel Noel"

(e.e. cummings)

Obviously, the little tree in the video is not silent.

"TEARS IN HEAVEN" - ERIC CLAPTON

Eric Clapton lost his four year old son. He knows.

AGAIN, AGAIN, AND AGAIN - COME TOGETHER AND STOP THE SHOOTINGS

The Maddow Blog

"We're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics," Obama said during a brief address from the White House, where he repeatedly wiped away tears.

"We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. Each time I learn the news, I react not as a president, but as anybody else would, as a parent. And that is especially true today," said Obama, the father of two daughters.

Tom and I have close friends who live in Newtown, and we've visited there several times.  The small town is not a place anyone would have imagined such a tragedy happening.  I talked to my friend today to express my sympathy, shock, and horror for what has happened.  Such a terrible tragedy affects the entire community. 

I pray for those who died that they will rest in peace and rise in glory, and I pray for all who love them, that they will somehow find comfort, consolation, and peace.  I join in the prayers of many that the injured will recover and for strength for their families and friends.  I pray for the people in the community of Newtown and that we, as a country, will come together, as President Obama said, beyond politics to find ways to stop this sort of tragedy from happening again, and again, and again, for we can no longer call the mass shootings isolated incidents. 

SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT

I think he still has it. Do you?

THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE - ERIC BOGLE

I hate war. I hope and pray that our two most recent wars will be our last - a foolish hope and prayer perhaps, nevertheless...  

Oh, and one thing more...President Obama, please stop the drone attacks.  Innocent people get killed.  Thank you.

KATE RUSBY - THE LARK

 

Out in the field where the lark it flies,
Over the earth where my heart it lies,
Oh how it sings when the west wind blows,
Out in the field where no-one goes.

Lovely woman with a beautiful voice.

ALL SAINTS DAY

All Saints Day came and is nearly gone.  I intended to write a post in honor of the day, but time constraints prevented me, so I offer you beloved Satchmo with his signature piece.

FARKEL FAMILY FUN

Recently, I was reminded of the Farkel family sketches on the comedy TV show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in.  I loved the Farkel family, Frank (Dan Rowan) and Fanny (Jo Anne Worley), their kids, and their neighbor Ferd Berffel (Dick Martin).  The children in this sketch from 1970 are Sparkle (Goldie Hawn), identical twins, Simon (Teresa Graves) and Gar (Pamela Rodgers), and Flicker (Ruth Buzzi). I could not make out the name of the boy in the family, nor do I know who played the part in this sketch or the part of the suspicious boy brought in by police officer, Phil McCorkle, who is played by the wonderful Jonathan Winters.  The Farkel children varied in number and  names from season to season.  Enjoy.

PLEASE MOVE THE DEER CROSSING SIGN

This audio clip from Y94 Playhouse Fargo, ND radio station was too funny to not find a way for more people to hear it so thus, this video. A lady asks for help getting deer crossing signs moved to lower traffic areas. "The government can guide deer to lower traffic areas" ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! Kudos to Y94 Playhouse and Donna for the joy that you have given many through laughter.

And from the comments at YouTube:

Don't even get me started on where the government places icy roads.

Thanks to Marthe.

UN AUTRE HENRI LE CHAT

Thanks to Charley F-B for the reminder.

DID MITT HAVE A CHEAT SHEET?

"No props, notes, charts, diagrams or other writings can be used by the candidates; however, they can take notes on the type of paper of their choosing.The candidates cannot ask each other direct questions, but can ask rhetorical questions.The candidates cannot address each other with proposed pledges.Each candidate can use his own makeup artist.No candidate is allowed to use risers or any other device to make them look taller.The Coin Toss: At least 72 hours before the first debate, there will be a coin toss on the order of questioning and closing arguments."

But we all know that rules don't apply to Mitt.  If Bush can get away with a little radio receiver on his back, what's a little cheat sheet in comparison?

Link to video from CBS Chicago.

UPDATE: The Romney campaign says the object was a handkerchief, and another video shows that may indeed be true.   Below is a screenshot from the video.

I offer my apology.

MARY BLACK - "BOTH SIDES OF TWEED"

What's the spring-breathing jasmine and rose?
What's the summer with all its gay train
Or the splendour of autumn to those
Who've bartered their freedom for gain?

Let the love of our land's sacred rights
To the love of our people succeed
Let friendship and honour unite
And flourish on both sides the Tweed.

No sweetness the senses can cheer
Which corruption and bribery bind
No brightness that gloom can e'er clear
For honour's the sum of the mind

Let virtue distinguish the brave
Place riches in lowest degree
Think them poorest who can be a slave
Them richest who dare to be free

A beautiful woman with lovely, pure voice

"For the last quarter-century, singer Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. She has shared stages, tv shows and recording studios with some of the most revered performers of her time. She has also played a frontline role in bringing Irish music, past and present, to an increasingly appreciative and ever-growing global audience."  (Jackie Hayden - Music Writer - Hot Press)