I got wrapped up in my mind tonight and found myself to tangled to write, so I untangled myself by browsing through some of the music my nephews have shared with me. Here are some folks doing great stuff.
Brett Dennen opens “Ain’t No Reason” by singing:
There aint no reason things are this way
Its how they always been and it tends to stay
I can’t explain why we live this way, we do it everyday
and it gets better from there.
Denison Witmer’s title track, “Carry the Weight,” nods at the old Beatles song and then very simply states
Carry the weight of your neighbor
Carry the weight of a stranger
I’m not afraid to say I don’t know what to do
JJ Alberhasky is full of good things, once you learn how to pronounce his name. The chorus to “Isabel” says:
Isabel it’s not so sad
He numbered every hair upon your head
Isabel don’t be afraid
He heard every word you ever prayed
The rest of the lyric fills those words with the poignant paradox of grace in these days.
OK, these last two are old friends who found me among the tunes tonight. First is Son Volt singing “Windfall.”
May the wind take your troubles away
May the wind take your troubles away
Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel,
May the wind take your troubles away
Finally tonight, Randy Newman has a new record on which he records a song he wrote for Bonnie Raitt, “Feels Like Home to Me.” I love her version, and there’s something moving about this crusty old guy singing this love song:
Something in your eyes makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself in your arms . . .
Here’s to the melodies that carry us.
Peace,
Milton
