Open Mouth, Staring Into Space

“Hey Mom, write a blog post for me today” Sure Em, I will just pull more random thoughts out of my head on music for you because there is enough there for the whole world. And here they are…

The first time I heard the Beatles I was 12 years old, doing dishes (yes a recurring theme, I listen to music while doing dishes) with the local rock station playing the same old, same old. Probably Skeeter Davis or some Jan and Dean car song or you get the picture. “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” squeezed itself between all the pap and I was open mouth, staring into space. It was different. It was good. I wanted more. And thank you music gods you gave me more.

You know what I mean because you are reading a music blog. You are talking with someone and there is a song in the background and your companion gets all fuzzy and all you can hear is that music. You’re in a record store (remember those? they still exist. Get yourself to one as soon as possible. Some place like the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis) and they are playing a tune that is infecting your mind with goodness. What is it? You gotta find out.

I can remember these moments in my life because honestly, there have not been many. They are the musical mileposts of my life.

  • Little Stevie Wonder, Fingertips Part 2, our basement rec room watching American Bandstand.
  • The Beatles, at the sink at home.
  • Dusty Springfield, decorating a gym for a dance in Jr. High.
  • Dwayne Allman, in a field in Montana. The very fact I remember anything from that day is a testament to how good he was.
  • Prince, Purple Rain, movie theater in Montana.
  • Mark Knopfler, 5 minute live rendition of Sultans of Swing, driving across Wisconsin…seriously, I had to pull over.
  • Tinarawen, a record store in Vermont.
  • Eminem, my kid’s bedroom.

The thing is it isn’t just the artist. It’s the beat, the voice, the vibe of the thing that you follow letting it lead you wherever it takes you.

Stevie Wonder, for example, went to all things Motown, which brought me to the “colored” radio station so I could hear more and then I heard Otis Redding singing Tramp with Carla Thomas and there was no stopping me.

You know what I mean, sure you do. The thing is I haven’t had one of those moments for a while. And I want a fix. So it’s up to you. Take me there. Send me your moment so I can explore. I will listen to anything once. My kids tend to filter and I need new. Bring it on. I will let Emma handle it. She asked me to write a post and I did.

You’re welcome Em.

- Sue (whose new website lit-fix.com is now up and running)

So, you heard the woman, leave your suggestions in the comment section. I’d love to hear what you’ve got too.

What Others Are Saying

  1. Scott Schneweis Dec 3, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    It may not be life changing, but it’s the most fun five minutes you’ll see all day.

  2. Scott Schneweis Dec 3, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    It may not be life changing, but it’s the most fun five minutes you’ll see all day.
    http://youtu.be/eW7f54tVRmQ

  3. Lil Dec 3, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Scott, agreed! That is great…thanks for some new music :)

    Mom should know this one by now, but maybe others don’t? Introduced by our lovely VT connection.
    http://youtu.be/PP4RZVFSU8I

    And the post makes me think of this DBT as well…
    http://youtu.be/NJUuHU6hZwM

    And these days I am really digging
    http://youtu.be/Xjdkc14-zwQ

    – LZ

  4. Chas K Dec 4, 2011 at 12:37 am

    if you aren’t familiar with Meshell Ndegeocello, she has a long, twisting, surprising discography: R&B, Hip Hop, Experimental Jazz, a few pop songs, a Leonard Cohen cover. Recently she did a few concerts where she played nothing but Prince covers. Here’s a song off her album Devil’s Halo from 2009 — I really just picked an album/song at random, though. They’re all good in their own way.

    Slaughter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eODdo_v5kA

  5. Sue Zumberge Dec 6, 2011 at 9:06 am

    Scott, you nailed it! But it is hard to be open mouthed, staring into space when you are dancing around the Kitchen. I honestly wish I had a video of myself because it was so much fun. I listened first then watched which is really the very best way because you are not distracted from the music by, let’s say, weird black lines emanating from the main singer’s eye and you are having your very own five minutes of fun. Definitely will explore the rest of their album and those weird links to other videos on YouTube.

  6. Sue Zumberge Dec 10, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Chaz,
    A non-screaming, non-baby voiced woman’s voice. I’m putting on the ear-phones now.

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