Share the Joy: Musical Memories



I find so much sustenance from music.
Joy, really.

There's nothing like being alone in the car,
with That Old Time Rock 'n' Roll blasting,
to lift your spirits.

Music weaves seamlessly into the soundtrack
of favorite movies, but more importantly,
becomes the soundtrack of your life.

There are those musical events that stand out.
Concerts you're glad you attended.

The first I remember,
one I'm so privileged to have attended,
was a night of Dave Brubeck.
He died today at 91, a day before his 92nd birthday.


He was a legend in the jazz world,
becoming the first jazz artist to sell a million albums.

His long-time musical partner, alto sac player Paul Desmond,
wrote the saxophone melody for the Dave Brubeck Quartet's
memorable piece "Take Five," a jazz classic in 5/4 time.
The piece became the title song for the album. 


I, as an adolescent, fancied myself a sophisticate
and intellectual, so of course,
I had to listen to jazz.
At least for a while.

Notably, and oddly, the Brubeck Quartet 
was paired in that concert with a trio. . .
Peter, Paul and Mary. 


They were, of course, too mundane and commercial
for my refined tastes.

But eventually, I got over myself,
and admitted that I was a rock girl at heart.

And stated going to other,
more age-appropriate concerts,
both then and now.

Eric Clapton, for one, had me weeping with his guitar playing.



I've gone to three Carole King concerts 
(congrats on your star on the Walk of Fame)


and loved them all,
though my favorite was at Red Rocks
outside of Denver,
sitting at the upper elevations of the amphitheater,
watching the lights of Denver twinkle
on a warm summer evening
and learning the meaning of a Rocky Mountain High.

Who else?

Jimmy Buffett concerts are. . . unique.

The Beach Boys were fun, both
as older-than me guys
and older-than-dirt ones.

I never got the chance to see the Beatles,
but a girls' night to see Sir Paul
was a highlight,


even if he didn't look like this any longer
and he was married to that upstart Heather Mills.
  

Elton John puts on quite a show

(we took the kids to one, but when we asked
if they wanted to see him again the next time
he came to Seattle, they reared back in disgust
and said, "That's a concert for old people."
Ouch!)


and so does Celine Dion
(and those tickets were complimentary,
always a bonus).


But perhaps the most moving concert
I ever attended was on the Sunday evening
after September 11, 2011.

James Taylor was scheduled to play Seattle's Key Arena.
No planes were flying, of course.
He and his entourage were traveling
 the broken-hearted land by bus.
They'd just played Portland.
I hadn't planned to go,
but at the last minute was offered VIP tickets
in a catered private box,
so my bff and I jumped at the chance.



It was pure, unadulterated magic.
Like a big healing band-aid applied
right to the heart.

JOY!
That's what I'm talking about.

And I give myself a big dose
whenever I put on the headphones
and start up my ipod playlists.

What gives you JoY?
Please share!





1. do a post that tells and shows what gives you joy.

2. capture the URL of the specific post and paste it into 
the Mr. Linky box along with your info.

3. Visit other players and let their joy infect you.
Leave them a comment because everyone
 enJOYS getting positive feedback.

Let's start an epidemic of JOY!


Comments

4 Lettre Words said…
We saw James Taylor a few years back and I totally agree. Magic!
Unknown said…
My most memorable concerts were Yanni. Saw the program done in Greece and the one done in India. Joy for sure.
QMM
Erica said…
thanks for letting me link up! your music selections brought back memories for me. :)
Unknown said…
Wow...I am having computer issues with everything I touch!

not sure if Mr Linky worked...3rd try at a comment...here goes!

What a great lineup you have here...AND Carole King at Red Rocks!!! did I see you there???
And OH!! A concert with CCR has you standing and dancing in the aisles. I remember with great joy and thanks for the gift of our daughter this last July when we we saw James Taylor! Absolutely wonderful!!!! It does bring me JOY!!! Wishing you well! Cathy
foxysue said…
Give me a dose of Eric Clapton every now and again and I will be a happy bunny!x
Anonymous said…
i love music, but i have never been to a concert, ever. strange, now that i think about it...
sperlygirl said…
oh, dave brubeck always reminds me of my dad - and how he introduced me to loving jazz. and carol king, tapestry is an all time fave album since i was a teen. think i had every song memorized.
Oh how I loved this post on the joy of music!!! I kept nodding my head as I read along....thanks for sharing.
Laurie
Sandy K. said…
Oh...music. Calms the savage beast as well as the frazzled soul. Thank you for this post! My husband is an insane fan of Brubeck, and he is a constant travel companion. Very sad news of his passing. I LOVE Peter, Paul and Mary - Peter Yarrow was actually our commencement speaker for high school graduation! Not a concert goer, unfortunately, but wish I could see James Taylor, or have attended the Beatles. Ah, you bring back so many memories!

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