Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are encouraged to write something creative in 100 words or less using the photo below as inspiration. This is my 100-word story.
Uncle Bobby had this irrational fear of spiders. Well, it was irrational to his family; for him it was very real.
So when the new amusement park ride Spiders From Mars opened, Uncle Bobby wouldn’t go near it.
Everyone tried convincing him the ride wasn’t jinxed or dangerous but he wasn’t buying it. All their urging and encouragement fell on deaf ears. Uncle Bobby watched from the shadows as his nieces and nephews went for a spin.
That night the ride malfunctioned; several family members were killed, unceremoniously hurled out of the park.
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays! Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on this day. There won’t be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures – just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.
Happy Birthday to Lenny Davidson Born May 30, 1944 in Enfield, UK
Written for Six Sentence Story where we are given a word, in this case ‘lift’, and asked to incorporate it into a story of no more than six sentences. This is my true story of family.
“Mangia il cibo sul tuo piatto, Concetta, o lo mangerai dal pavimento” – (“Eat the food on your plate, Concetta, or you will eat it off the floor.”)
Without changing her expression or taking her huge brown eyes off her father Domenico’s face, three year old Concetta picked up a meatball, extended her arm over the side of her highchair and very calmly let it drop to the floor.
Silence.
Everyone sat in suspended animation as Domenico deliberately put down his knife and fork and removed the napkin which was tucked into the neck of his shirt; slowly he stood up, walked behind Concetta’s chair, grabbed the back of her dress and lifted her up.
Holding her feet with his other hand, Domenico lowered Concetta’s face to the floor until her mouth touched the meatball; she tried to turn away, but Domenico pushed her face into the food, forcing her to take the meatball into her mouth, then, satisfied, he sat her back in her highchair, returned to his seat and resumed eating while Concetta languidly chewed what was in her mouth.
Hesitantly, self-consciously, everyone resumed eating and talking except Concetta’s mother Rosa who sat watching her daughter closely; at the end of the meal as the women cleared the table, Rosa placed a napkin over her defiant daughter’s mouth so she could spit out the uneaten meatball and whispered in her ear “Mai più, Concetta; obbedisci a tuo padre!” – (“Never again, Concetta; obey your father!”)
Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag week #22 where we are asked to write about a song by a group or solo singer beginning with the letter I or J.
There is only one band in the history of American music that had a proven influence on both The Beatles and the rapper Ice Cube and had a hit in six straight decades, from the ‘50s to the ‘00s. That band is the mighty Isley Brothers, one the most influential bands in American musical history.
Formed in the mid-’50s as a teenage gospel quartet by the four eldest Isley Brothers (O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald and Vernon), the original group quit performing when Vernon was tragically killed at age 13 while riding his bike. In 1957, at the urging of their parents, the remaining three brothers moved to New York City to make it as a R&R band. The first song they wrote together was something called “Shout!”— a massive smash that had multiple lives thanks to its inclusion on the Animal House soundtrack – and is probably playing at an event near you, right now.
From that first single and album in 1959, the Isley Brothers repeatedly redefined what their music was and what it was called; they dominated the black music charts like no band before or since. The Isley Brothers can count both Jimi Hendrix (who toured with them in the early ‘60s) and Elton John (whose band backed the Isleys up in the UK) as backing musicians. They have arguably the most legendary run of albums in R&B history. After early R&R success (and an incredible detour with Motown), the band released all of their albums independently on their own T-Neck Records, reinventing R&B over and over again in the process.
In 1973, the younger brothers Ernie and Marvin joined the band alongside their brother in law, Chris Jasper. Ernie Isley is one of the most well-known and respected guitarists and song writers in the history of the business and together the brothers wrote and produced many of the hits that we know and love today.
The Isley Brothers were inducted into theRock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, in a class with their old backing guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. The band received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2014 and have sold millions of records the world over; 16 of their albums hit the Top 40 and all of them are powerhouses on the R&B charts. They have bridged cultural differences by blending Soul and R&B with Funk, bringing a new style of music to the mainstream and having a lasting impact on countless artists to follow. Their music has transcended through generations and their reach has extended to the modern day where their music is frequently sampled all throughout hip hop and modern pop. They are, in many respects, the most important and influential band in the history of American music, the only band who could be sampled by Notorious B.I.G. and covered by The Yardbirds! What a career!
Released in 1959, “Shout!” is an electrifying anthem that broke the mold of R&R and R&B, becoming an enduring symbol of musical joy and freedom. The song’s inception, inspired by a live improvisation on Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops,” captured a spontaneous burst of energy and emotion. The studio recording, characterized by its gospel-infused harmonies and a simple yet profound chorus urged listeners to release their inhibitions and “shout a little bit louder now”.
Though “Shout” didn’t immediately climb the charts, its influence and popularity grew over time, becoming a live performance staple for the Isley Brothers. Covered by numerous artists across a variety of genres, “Shout” has demonstrated its versatile appeal and enduring legacy. It’s more than just a song …. it’s an anthem of liberation and celebration.
Here now are the Isley Brothers with their iconic recording of “Shout!”
Come in, little one. You’ve nothing to fear from me. Don’t be shy now. Come away from the door where you are peeking and step inside. This is my enchanted place, my special magic space.
That’s it, child, one step at a time. Look around to your heart’s content. There’s nothing bad here. But I must caution you not to touch anything. The time will come for that and you must be patient.
Ah, I see you’ve noticed my book. It’s lovely, isn’t it? I don’t suppose you’ve ever seen one quite like it, have you? You have many questions, little one. They’re in you eyes, in the slight tilt of your head and the almost imperceptible upturn of your lips. It’s pleasing, is it not, this little book of mine?
It’s magic, you know. But then again, in the right hands, all books are magic. Yes it’s true. You hold the key, child. Not in your pocket or inside your shoe but in your mind and in your heart.
Come closer, child. Read from the book, listen to what it tells you. Enchanting, isn’t it? No need to touch, my dear. The pages will turn themselves.
I know what you’re thinking. Where can you get such a wondrous book? Am I right? I knew it! They’re all around you, child! Everywhere! But I have something special to share with you. Come close to hear my secret. Let me whisper in your ear.
My dear, not only can you read these beguiling pages. You can write them! Imagine the places you will visit, child.
There’s nothing to fear, little one. Simply step inside the blue bubble and all will become clear to you. That’s it, child. Step inside the magic land of books and dreams and amazing ideas. It’s a captivating place. Enchanting, isn’t it?
Dedicated to my 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Romana Paschal, who encouraged me to write and whispered in my ear to reach for the all the dreams, little and big.
Taking a music blogging break for the summer but I won’t be MIA! I’ll be popping in and out randomly as the mood strikes and also checking out your posts as usual.
I’m changing things up here on Mondays at The Trunk, focusing on a new topic which I’m very excited about …. something near and dear to me from my hometown of New York City!
Join me here in September with my all new theme! I’m looking forward to welcoming you back!
Here it is …. the so-called unofficial start of summer …. and we’re celebrating Memorial Day once again in my neck of the woods – Southern Westchester County in New York. In case you’re not familiar with the area, Manhattan is about a 45-minute drive south – far enough away for us to be in the suburbs but close enough to get into NYC for a show or dinner if we want to. We’re approximately an hour from Jones Beach heading east out to Long Island and 2 hours from the Catskill Mountains up north.
We’re in a nice spot and we’ve loved living here for 45+ years but we often bring up the topic of making a move. And why would we do that if it’s so nice here? Two big reasons: stupid-high property taxes and ever-increasing congestion.
Our little village was exactly that when we moved here; now the population has exploded and every family member old enough to drive has a car. We live on a very quiet cul de sac and never think about the congestion in town until we actually have to go to town. What used to be a 5 minute drive to the supermarket or post office is now triple that (or more) because of the number of cars, trucks and school buses on the move .… and let’s not even start talking about road work! There’s construction everywhere we look and some of it takes years to accomplish. By then, it’s time to start repairs again! Move it!
So, if we did decide to leave New York, the big question is …. where would we move to? I have no idea! It seems like everyone complains about the same problems of high taxes and too much congestion no matter where they live. Besides, the physical act of clearing out the house, packing up, moving and relocating at this stage of our lives is daunting; I can barely manage packing for vacation!
Things to think about, for sure. For now, I think I’ll move out onto the deck, sit in my lounge chair, drink my iced tea and listen to the birds. Bill will light the grill around 2PM; now that you know where I live, c’mon over!
It’s time to roll out some Nat King Cole and “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer”!
Written for Jim’s Song Lyric Sunday where the theme this week is all about songs that incorporate whistling
“I didn’t mean to hurt you; I’m just a jealous guy.”
For all his jokes, frenetic antics and mugging for the camera, John Lennon was a quiet and insecure man, an ardent peace-lover whose young life was filled with much sadness, great depth and many demons. He was brilliant, an extraordinary talent and, all too often, he demonstrated a sharp-tongued mean spirit and jealous streak.
According to George Harrison, his friend John could be a “saint or a total bastard”.
With a sea-faring, mostly AWOL father and a free-spirited mother whose accidental death traumatized him for years, John was raised by his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George. His mother’s memory would later serve as a major creative inspiration.
John Lennon met Cynthia Powell in 1957, when they were students at the Liverpool College of Art. Although Powell was intimidated by Lennon’s attitude and appearance, she heard that he was obsessed with the French actress Brigitte Bardot, so she dyed her hair blonde. Lennon asked her out, but when she said that she was engaged, he shouted, “I didn’t ask you to fuckin’ marry me, did I?” She often accompanied him to Quarrymen gigs and travelled to Hamburg with Paul McCartney’s girlfriend to visit him. Recalling his reaction when he learned that Cynthia was pregnant, Lennon said, “There’s only one thing for it Cyn. We’ll have to get married.” And they did; their son Julian was born a few months later.
Cynthia attributed the start of the marriage breakdown to John’s use of LSD and she felt that he slowly lost interest in her. When the group travelled by train to Wales in 1967, a policeman did not recognize Cynthia and stopped her from boarding. I guess no one .… including John …. bothered to ID her! She later recalled how the incident seemed to symbolize the end of their marriage. After spending a holiday in Greece, Cynthia arrived home to find John sitting on the floor with Yoko Ono in bathrobes; she left the house to stay with friends, feeling shocked and humiliated. A few weeks later, she received notice that Lennon was seeking a divorce on the grounds of adultery while she was away in Greece and he wanted custody of Julian. After negotiations, Lennon capitulated and agreed to let Cynthia divorce him.
John and Yoko were married and they became even more inseparable; to the surprise and consternation of everyone within the Beatles’ organization, Yoko accompanied John to the recording studio …. an undeniable first. She was a quiet but constant presence and John only had eyes for her.
After a couple of years, May Pang entered their lives as their personal assistant. About three years later, Ono confided in Pang that her marriage to Lennon had become strained and she suggested Pang reach out to John as a “sexual distraction” for him. Pang agreed; she and John soon left for Los Angeles, beginning an 18-month period John later called his “lost weekend”. ” Pang encouraged Lennon to develop regular contact with Julian, whom he had not seen for two years, as well as his former bandmates and friends.
Much to Yoko Ono’s chagrin, the “diversion” turned into a relationship. John and May Pang considered buying a house together and he refused to accept Yoko’s telephone calls. He finally agreed to meet Yoko, who claimed she had found a cure for smoking. After the meeting with Yoko, John failed to return home or call Pang. When Pang telephoned the next day, Ono told her that Lennon was unavailable because he was exhausted after a hypnotherapy session. Two days later, Lennon told Pang that his separation from Ono was now over, causing Pang to speculate that Lennon had been brainwashed (!) as a result of his hypnotherapy.
What a convoluted mess among such allegedly forward-thinking people! John and Yoko remained married until his death in 1980; they are the parents of musician Sean Lennon. Yoko Ono never remarried.
“I didn’t want to hurt you, I’m just a jealous guy.”
Those haunting lyrics from John Lennon’s timeless song, “Jealous Guy”, uncover the darker side of his iconic relationship with Yoko Ono. They are words that have rung true to anybody with insecurities and obsessions …. likely why it’s one of Lennon’s most enduring tracks. It’s also my favorite Lennon solo piece.
John Lennon began writing the song in 1968 as “Child of Nature” while with the Beatles during their spiritual retreat in India. The demo of “Child of Nature” featured Lennon’s double-tracked vocal and an acoustic guitar. Early the following year, he revisited the song as “On the Road to Rishikesh” during the Get Backsessions. Eventually, the lyrics were scrapped and replaced by the now well-known “Jealous Guy” lyrics for Imagine.
In “Jealous Guy”, John sings of his envious streak that would often result in tumult between him and Yoko; he admitted that jealousy would regularly dictate how irrational he’d behave either around her or without her. The song was never released as a single during John’s lifetime. It became an international hit in a version by Roxy Music in early 1981, the year after John’s death.
“Jealous Guy” is one of the most commonly recorded Lennon songs, with at least 92 cover versions. In November 1988, the single peaked in the United States at #22 on the Hot Adult Christian chart and reached #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 in conjunction with the release of the documentary film “Imagine: John Lennon”.
This is “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon
Lyrics
… I was dreaming of the past And my heart was beating fast I began to lose control I began to lose control
… I didn’t mean to hurt you I’m sorry that I made you cry Oh no, I didn’t want to hurt you I’m just a jealous guy
… I was feeling insecure
… You might not love me anymore
… I was shivering inside I was shivering inside
… I didn’t mean to hurt you I’m sorry that I made you cry Oh no, I didn’t want to hurt you I’m just a jealous guy
… I didn’t mean to hurt you I’m sorry that I made you cry Oh no, I didn’t want to hurt you I’m just a jealous guy
… I was trying to catch your eyes Thought that you was trying to hide
… I was swallowing my pain I was swallowing my pain
… I didn’t mean to hurt you I’m sorry that I made you cry Oh no, I didn’t want to hurt you I’m just a jealous guy I’m just a jealous guy I’m just a jealous guy
Bonus track. This is “Child of Nature” (Esher Demo) by The Beatles. (Esher is the town in England where George Harrison’s home Kinfauns was located and where the demos were recorded.)
Released November 22, 1968 Composer/Lyricist: John Lennon Producer(s): George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr Studio Personnel: Giles Martin, Mixer
Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are encouraged to be creative in 250 words or less using the photo prompt below. Originally written in 2022 as a 750-word story, this is my revamped submission.
I stood at the bedroom window staring at the devastation caused by the previous night’s storm. My wife Dianna is going to be crushed when she sees what happened during the night – Mother Nature at her fiercest. I heard Dianna stirring in bed.
“Mike, it’s so early. What’s wrong?” she asked sleepily.
“We had a pretty bad storm last night. It’s not good, hon. We lost some trees” I replied.
She threw off the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, feet skimming the floor searching for discarded slippers. “Not Red. Please don’t say we lost Red!”
Dianna gasped loudly at the sight before her, then the tears came. She cried for a long time. I held her and let her cry; this was not something carelessly brushed aside or easily forgotten.
Finally her sobs lessened and with a broken heart and a weakened voice she sighed, “Poor Red! How I loved that beautiful old tree. Look at him now, a fallen soldier.”
We sat on the bed side by side; I spoke tenderly. “There’s no shame in mourning the loss of a tree. It’s not silly. It is, after all, a living thing. Does it feel pain when a leaf is plucked or a branch broken? Does it thirstily lap the rain after a dry spell? Does it feel your heartbeat as you rest a weary back against its old, sturdy trunk? How can we presume such things are not possible? No, it’s not silly at all.“
“Rodeo – Hoe-Down” Written by: Aaron Copland Composed: 1942 Release Date: October 16, 1942
Available on: America, The Dream Goes On (1985) Conductor: John Williams Producer: John McClure Arranger: John Williams
Personnel: Boston Pops Orchestra
Composed by Aaron Copland in 1942 for the ballet Rodeo, the “Hoe-Down” features two American square dance tunes and fuses evocative music and dance. Rodeo takes us to the exciting, dramatic world of cowboys, cowgirls and the American West. A hoedown is a dance competition that is often described as noisy and riotous. The music is full of vigor and energy as the cowgirls and boys pair off.
The commission for Rodeo came, surprisingly enough, from the classically oriented Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, with the music by Copland and the choreography and scenario by Agnes de Mille. The ballet was precedent-setting; the audience demanded 22 curtain calls at its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House on October 16, 1942. The success of this ballet ensured that dance would thrive as an integral part of American musical theater.
Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was possibly the most famous American composer of the 20th century. He was one of the first serious American composers to carve out his own path amongst the much more famous songwriters and jazz musicians of the 1920s. His music is said to ‘sound like America’ and often features a large, open sound (like the vast American prairies), and complex rhythms (like cowboys on horseback). Copland was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, the youngest of 5 children all living above their father’s grocery shop. Copland learned piano and started writing down ideas at the age of 8. By the age of 15 he had decided to be a composer and his love of European music led him to Paris to study with the famous music teacher Nadia Boulanger. When he returned home, he began writing music in many different styles including three symphonies, four ballets and several film scores. He also became a great teacher and supporter of young composers. Upon his death, most of his fortune was left to the Aaron Copland Fund for Composers which supports young composers and performing groups. The fund is so large, it will continue to support young musicians for decades.
The music of “Hoe-Down” is about real people …. their folk tunes and customs; it’s full of open plains, a sense of adventure and the American pioneering spirit.
This is Aaron Copland’s “Hoe-Down” from Rodeo, performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the baton of John Williams.
May your Saturday be smooth and easy. Thanks for stopping by.
Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are encouraged to get creative in 250 words or less using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story
Dear God in heaven! How the hell I’m supposed to get through this book is beyond me!
I’ve been at it now for hours and I’m bored stiff. I don’t know who this guy thinks he is but I’ll tell you what he’s not …. a good writer! I’ve read menus more interesting than this rot!
Jeez Louise! I’ve come across some real clunkers in my day but this one is totally b-o-r-i-n-g. Haul out the woodchipper!
The owner of the small publishing business behind me, Miss Willow Everwood, is my boss; I work there as a proofreader and I really like my job but reading this book is torture. Miss Everwood spotted me dozing off on the chair and demanded I sit on the hard pavement to keep from getting too comfortable and falling asleep. She even said she didn’t want me rooting around inside until I was done with my job.
Well, now my limbs are as stiff as an old hickory stick, my noggin feels like it’s full of sawdust and my butt’s as hard as a slab of redwood. I swear if I have to keep reading this, I’m going to nod off right here in the middle of the sidewalk and start sawing wood.
If I had a rope I’d hang myself from the nearest tree! But I’m not about to get all sappy.
Well, good luck to this Tolkien guy if he thinks he’s going to make it with these creepy Ent people!
It’s true that Miley Cyrus has become a huge musical star, but did you know she has quite the talented family? We’re all familiar with her famous father, Billy Ray Cyrus, her legendary godmother, Dolly Parton – but what of her four talented siblings?
The youngest child in the Cyrus clan is 24-year-old Noah who has carved out quite an impressive career of her own. In terms of fame, Noah is probably second only to Miley. Her breakout hit, “Make Me (Cry)” earned her a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 right out of the gate at the age of 16. Since that time, her career has only grown. Her unique brand of thoughtful pop has made her one of the most enticing young acts in the game today.
In an interview with American fashion magazine V, Noah Cyrus said this about “Make Me (Cry)” and her video co-performer, Labrinth: “It was really conversational. Labrinthhad a chorus, and we started just going back and forth writing lyrics together. It turned into being about a toxic love.” Teen Vogue described the song as “a gut-wrenching power-ballad that will resonate with anyone who has suffered a broken heart, reinforcing the idea that it’s possible to be lonely even when in a relationship and that being with someone can create more pain than being alone.”
The video depicts the two singers waking up in their respective beds with their partners who are seemingly disinterested in their affection. In alternating shots, we see Noah’s sadness, and then Labrinth’s, and back again as they sing about their significant others. As the song reaches its climax, we can see the duo at the same time in split screen; their raging words give off major “wrecking ball” vibes …. deep thoughts from the mind (and pen) of such a young artist.
This is “Make Me (Cry)” by Noah Cyrus featuring Labrinth
Thanks for stopping by and playing a tune with me.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where we’re given a photo and asked to let it inspire us to create something magical in 100 words or less. This is my 100-word inspired creation.
“Ungrateful … bastard … son-of-a-bitch … always telling me what to do … when to do it … waiting on him like a motherless child … picking up after him … cooking three meals a day … seven days a week … cleaning … cleaning … cleaning … and what’s my reward … an unwelcome fuck at 3 AM … pig … I … have … had … enough!”
Carla’s thoughts raced through her head like a locomotive engulfed in flames.
“You gonna cook that pizza or beat it to death?’ he snarled.
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays! Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on this day. There won’t be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures – just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.
Happy Birthday to Rosemary Clooney Born May 23, 1928 in Maysville, Kentucky
Written for Six Sentence Story where we are asked to be creative in no more than six sentences using the word “light”. This is my story.
Colette, typically looking away the second I snap a photo! Eyeroll!
We got a late start with spring cleaning in our yard, especially along the side of the house where our attached garage is located; even though the gardeners had cleared a lot of old shrubbery away for some new plants and bushes, it was just not meant to be after we were derailed by the sudden death of my husband’s twin brother on April 2 and me being sidelined since the first week of May by a major sinus infection (the heavy-duty antibiotics have left me “out of commission” and able to eat only extremely light meals or, at times, nothing at all).
In mid-May, we put in a couple of small white azaleas, relocated a baby rhododendron which wasn’t doing well in the far back corner of the yard and planted a bit of Blue Bugle and Lilies of the Valley for lightground cover (along the side of the house, not visible in this pic), but that’s as far as our broken spirits and depleted bodies would allow us go.
When Colette is here with us (Tuesdays, Thursdays and the occasional Saturday or Sunday) and the weather is good, she wants to be outside; hell, even if the weather isn’t good, she wants to be outside – a phenomenon about most children that escapes me as they (well, she definitely) seem to be impervious to heat or cold or rain or snow or wind – all the elements, times when Bill and I would prefer being inside nestled in our recliners with a lightweight blanket.
Speaking of nestled, we discovered that sparrows had made their nest in an old watering can in the corner of Colette’s playhouse; the mama and papa birds are very resourceful, building the new home in a location almost invisible to us, one which I discovered quite by accident when I heard a faint chirping noise coming from the playhouse and …. with my trusty flashlight in hand …. I went to take a peek but was immediately dive-bombed by a wildly protective kamikaze sparrow which, when it sped just inches by my head, had me believing it was a small bat …. terrifying!
Tuesday the temps soared to a scorching 86ºF – a leap from the mild low-70s of just the day before – so it was, according to Colette, the “perfect day for planting!” …. a concept I did not agree with thinking it was too hot and we would be in direct blazing sunlightfor the entire time …. but I did not object (mainly because the child could not be dissuaded and it was far less taxing than yet another round of the Disney edition of Monopoly); armed with our faithful spades, Bill with his macho shovel and pitchfork, we planted another azalea along the side of the house, then Colette and I pulled all the weeds and detritus from the two ancient cement planters on either side of the bench you see in the above photo, replacing all of what was growing in them as haphazardly as Albert Einstein’s hair with two bright pink kalanchoe plants, then stood back to proudly bask in the glory of our gardening prowess.
Of course, manual labor such as that demands a reward and certainly not a monetary one which would be looked upon with disdain and confusion by a 4-year-old whose idea of recompense consists solely of instant gratification in the form of ice cream – the I-don’t-give-a-hoot-how-messy-I-get kind – and after getting Colette situated in her pink fairy chair, pinning up her waist-length hair and snapping on the 15-year-old bib we originally used for our first grandchild, Mckenna, I disappeared into the kitchen and returned with fudge-covered vanilla ice cream pops for Colette and Bill and a lemon ice for me; judging by the look on her face and the twinkling, totally satisfied lightin her eyes (photo below), Colette was over the moon with her sweet, sloppy treat and …. you know …. she was right after all about it being the “perfect day for planting!”
Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag week #21 where we are asked to write about a song by a group or solo singer beginning with the letter I or J.
There was a lot was happening in music in May of 1968 with people making headline news. Gary Puckett and the Union Gap came out with “Young Girl”. Janis Joplin went solo. The Throggs released “Love Is All Around” in the US. Jane Asher reported on a live TV interview that she was breaking up with her boyfriend, Paul McCartney. Hugh Masekela was at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Grazing In The Grass” and Cream started a four-week run at #1 on the album chart with Wheels On Fire.
A little further down the listings, the second album from a heavy-and-hard-rocking band out of San Diego, California entered the album chart for the first time – with a bullet at #117! Ok, not the highest of chart debuts, I admit, but some would say this now-legendary set of tunes became the first heavy metal album to hit the charts and opened the floodgates for many a longhaired, guitar-wielding group to blast us with some serious riffs and overlong guitar solos.
The band was Iron Butterfly and the album was called “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”, baby.
The track was recorded on May 27, 1968 at Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead, Long Island, New York. The story goes that the recording which is heard on the album was meant to be a soundcheck for the engineer. However, the engineer had rolled the tape and when the rehearsal was completed, it was agreed that the performance was of sufficient quality that another take was not needed.
According to legend, the group members were so stoned when they recorded the track that they could neither pronounce the title “In the Garden of Eden” nor end the track, so it ended up filling the whole side of the album, coming in at a full 17 minutes of psychedelic rock.
However, another side of the recording story says that the drummer was listening to the track through headphones and could not clearly distinguish what the vocalist was singing. He wrote down the name according to what he heard and in the end they went with “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”.
I don’t know about you but I think the first explanation is much more interesting .… and plausible! Well, either way, it didn’t matter. The album that contained the 17-minute title track went on to sell over four million copies in the US alone, with another one million shipped abroad. Not bad for a stoned jam in the afternoon.
The 2-minute, 52 second 45-rpm version of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was Iron Butterfly’s only song to hit the top 40, reaching #30. The original “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” album has the distinction of being the first album to go Platinum in the US, when the Platinum Award was instituted in 1976. In 2009 the song was named the 24th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.
Originally released by The Everly Brothers, “Love Hurts“, written in 1960 by Boudleaux Bryant, is a song that delves into the pain and anguish experienced when love goes wrong. The emotional depth conveyed through the lyrics and the haunting melody have made it a beloved and enduring piece of music.
The song’s popularity can be attributed to its universal theme of heartbreak. Love is usually portrayed as a beautiful and uplifting experience, but “Love Hurts” acknowledges the dark side of love, where heartache and emotional turmoil take center stage. This raw honesty has struck a chord with listeners of all generations. “Love Hurts” was never released by the Everly’s as a single and can be found on their album A Date With The Everly Brothers.
The song has been recorded as a duet by Greg Parsons and Emmylou Harris, by Roy Obison in 1961 as the B side to “Running Scared”, by English singer-songwriter Jim Capaldi whose version reached #4 in the UK charts and by the Scottish hard rock band, Nazareth.
Performed as a ballad by Nazareth, “Love Hurts” became the most popular version of the song and the only rendition to become a big hit single, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1976.
I’d love to play all the versions of this great song but it is Twofer Tuesday and we can’t have pandemonium erupting on WordPress. After all this time together on The Elephant’s Trunk, I think you can guess which cover I chose to feature today.
This is the wondrous original version of “Love Hurts” by the Everly Brothers.
And this is what it sounded like when Nazareth recorded it:
She’s four now and it seems like yesterday she was barely walking, crawling sideways like a huge pink crab with her undeveloped knees brushing the floor in lightning speed. Her golden blonde hair is loose, flowing almost to the tops of her thighs like the fragrant flowers trailing from a Maypole. We laugh when we worried that these glorious tresses would never grow out and she would forever be the source of jokes by the mean girls in school. But that was not to be as this indescribably beautiful child standing before us with all the presence and attitude of Xena the Warrior Princess will stake her claim and win against any goddess wannabees. No more baby bubble pipes for this one; she has moved into the power bubble zone. She is a force of nature.
intergalactic shifts bound from planet to planet hail the bubble queen
Another popular Motown sound from the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland is Marvin Gaye’s “You’re A Wonderful One”, recorded and released in 1964 on the Tamla label.
In the song, the narrator praises his “wonderful one” for loving him and for “always (being) around”. Gaye is helped along on this song by The Supremes on background. The great group of session musicians known as The Funk Brothers provided the backing on this number; they incorporated elements of Chuck Berry’s “Memphis” into the intro of this song. “Wonderful One” charted at #15 on the pop charts and #3 on the R&B singles chart.
From February 1964, this is Marvin Gaye with “You’re A Wonderful One”.
And this is what was on the B side – “When I’m Alone I Cry” (a very different sound for Marvin Gaye).
Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.
Growing up, it was just me and my sister – two girls doing girl things. And while we weren’t always best of friends, it was just the two of us. It wasn’t my fault that my mother went into labor smack in the middle of my sister’s 4th birthday party; after making a hasty departure for the hospital, my mother arrived just in time for me to be born …. on my sister’s birthday …. and she’s never really forgiven me. I mean, she says she has but deep down there’s resentment. But I digress.
Bitterness for being born on her birthday aside, we managed to get along ok. And we both had a bunch of little girlfriends who’d come over the house to play and swim in our pool. There’s a definite advantage to having the only pool on the block – even if it was inflatable and barely three feet deep. We always had lots of friends over but there were never any boys around and, if an interloper did show up, he was quickly shown the way out before he had a chance to dip his you-know-what in our pool!
For the first six years of my life, I had very little contact with boys .… except for my cousins and they didn’t count. In elementary school boys were just tolerated; they were looked upon as excess baggage. Of course, that all changed when I hit my teen years and realized boys had potential. I had a couple of crushes early on but nothing earth-shattering. Then, at the ripe old age of 17, I went on a blind date with a guy named Bill and together we learned all about boys and girls, how they were so wondrously different and incredibly well-made for each other. I was stunned by how much I didn’t know about boys.
So, wouldn’t you just know it! God, in his infinite humorous nature, decided to bless me with only boy babies. All those years of playing with my baby girl dolls, changing their diapers fashioned from paper napkins, powdering their petite girlie bottoms, all that didn’t come close to what these boys were packing! It didn’t matter how well I knew Bill’s anatomy; he didn’t wear a diaper and I had never changed one …. at least not a boy’s. Talk about a rude awakening!
Let me just explain something very quickly here. When infant girls are getting their diapers changed, sometimes they pee but it’s a dainty little trickle that gently disappears into the absorbent pad under them. When infant boys are getting their diapers changed, parents put on a hazmat suit because that nozzle has a mind of its own and it is gonna spray wherever it wants.
Oh sure, parents can buy little wee-wee teepees to hold over the wee-wee while their baby boy giggles at them, but most times that thing is flying around like an errant garden hose and the pee goes everywhere. And, of course, that’s where men first learn to pee with no hands – yawning and stretching and placing their hands behind their heads in a very satisfied “look-what-I-can-do” sort of way. Usually in those situations, there will be spillage. I have found, for the most part, the male species is not very discriminating and is quite happy to just “hitsomething“.
Which brings me to the heart of this story.
I love my boys and, in all humility, Bill and I did a good job raising them. BUT, nature will take its course no matter what we do. And let me tell you, there is nothing …. and I mean NOTHING …. like the overwhelming musky, barn-like odor that punches you in the face when you open the door to a boy’s bedroom. For the love of all things holy, what is going on in there? How is it possible for boys …. little or big …. to ravage so many briefs, boxers or tighty-whities in one day, not to mention the now-fossilized face cloths (and sometimes my good hand towels)?
We’re all adults here and you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Well, I finally reached the end of my rope. It became unbearable for me to do my teen sons’ laundry, let alone keep up with it, so I threw down the gauntlet. I led the boys to the laundry room where I proceeded to write on my washing machine with a Sharpie. In all the corresponding receptacles were the words “DETERGENT GOES HERE.” “BLEACH GOES HERE.” “SOFTENER GOES HERE.” I’m sure they didn’t believe me when I said I was done doing their wash. After two weeks of their laundry piling up and them running out of clean clothes and their sheets desperate enough to literally walk off the bed and leap into the washing machine, they finally got the message!
As the old saying goes, boys will be boys, and I never had a problem with what was going on in my sons’ bedrooms …. within reason; if I thought something dangerous was happening, I’d be in there in a flash. I’d just had enough of cleaning up their messes. Now they’re grown men, good men, married with children, and they get to deal with their own kids’ smells, sprays, spills and secretions.
And when I see them lugging a basketful of laundry to their washing machines, I chuckle and know I did them a huge favor.
You may recall back on May 1 I shared a couple of photos with you of my houseplant, a philodendron called Prince of Orange. At that time I promised to share its growth progress with you; today I have a couple more pix.
Houseplants don’t usually shoot-up overnight like Jack and the Beanstalk so the progress is slow; I think I’ll notice considerably more growth than you will see in these pix but maybe not. It’s impossible for me to know how things look through your eyes so please tell me what you see.
I also have another houseplant which my sister-in-law gave me a few months ago. That one goes by several different names including Swiss Cheese Plant and MexicanBreadfruit but its most common name is Split-leaf philodendron. Its leaves grow similarly to the Prince of Orange philodendron – tightly coiled, slowly unfurling – but the Split-leaf has one strange feature the Prince of Orange does not …. hairy branches! Talk about an interesting houseplant, this one’s it!
This coming week I will repot the Split-leaf into a little bigger pot. When repotting a houseplant, you don’t want to move it into a new pot that’s too much larger than its existing one. That’s a difficult temptation to resist and a common mistake people make when repotting. We want fast results but a too-big pot will not achieve that. If there’s too much room for the roots in the pot, the plant could go into ‘shock’ and become dormant; sometimes a re-potted plant will die. When repotting houseplants, size definitely matters.
In truth, most houseplants are pretty hardy and can tolerate whatever comes their way. One of the things to remember is to never overwater your houseplants, even the ones that prefer a moist soil. Cacti and succulents react poorly to overwatering. A houseplant that is dried out – even shriveled up – will quickly perk up with a little water but an overwatered plant is very prone to root rot, which is difficult if not impossible to treat. My husband calls me the “plant rescuer” because I find nearly dead houseplants in supermarkets or CVS or even nurseries, take them home and give them some TLC. They bounce back fairly quickly and that really makes me happy.
OK, I’ve talked enough about these two plants; let’s do an unveiling, shall we? If you’d like to read the entire post from May 1 about my Prince of Orange (which also has a slew of funnies from the Bluebird of Bitterness, here’s the link:
But if you’d rather not, here are the two photos from May 1 of my Prince of Orange, followed by photos I took today:
Brand new at home
Photo from May 1
Now today’s shots:
Photo from today, May 18, 2024
Photo from today, May 18, 2024
Can you see the folds starting to open, unfurling the leaves? That waxy cluster of red/orange “shoots” in the center of the plant will open into a new green leaf. It’s pretty cool to watch but we can’t hurry nature.
Now here are a couple of pix of my Split-leaf philodendron …. the one with the hairy branches. When I took this photo, I put the plant on my roll top desk in the corner of my sunroom for better light but I forgot to remove the table runner on top of the desk; that may be a distraction but I think you’ll be able to spot the hairy legs!
Split-leaf philodendron, May 15, 2024
Looking down into Split-leaf, May 15, 2024 Check out those hairy legs!
It’s fascinating to me how these two philodendrons unfurl and almost “shed” their casing to allow for new leaf growth. As far as I know neither of these plants will bear flowers but anything can happen with some sun, water and TLC.
Thanks for visiting my sunroom and checking out my phabulousphilodendrons! I will post again when something cool develops!
“Come, I want to show you my playroom” He stands, holding out his hand. I let him lead me back out to the corridor. On the right of the double doors, where we came in, another door leads to a staircase. We go up to the second floor and turn right. Producing a key from his pocket, he unlocks yet another door and takes a deep breath. “You can leave anytime. It’s fine, whatever you decide.” I tell him to just open the damn door. He opens the door and stands back to let me in. I gaze at him once more. I so want to know what’s in there. Taking a deep breath, I walk in. The first thing I notice is the smell of leather. Suspended from the ceiling is an iron grid, eight foot square at least, and from it hang all manner of ropes, chains, shackles. There’s a startling assortment of paddles, whips, riding crops and funny-looking feathery implements. And it feels like I’ve time-traveled back to the sixteenth century and the Spanish Inquisition.” ~ Excerpts from Chapters 6 & 7, Fifty Shades of Grey, Book 1
The book gets even more interesting …. so I’m told.
There are toys and then there are toys.
There’s a classic soul ballad that speaks to the powerlessness of love. The lyrics describe a person who is willing to do whatever their partner wants them to and be completely under their control. It’s a sensual, titillating, smooth song about the all-encompassing nature of love. But is it “love” or something else, something more? The singer expresses that he would do anything to make his partner happy and would go to any lengths to remain in the relationship. He is a toy, a puppet in her hands.
I wonder if there’s a “safe word” mentioned in the lyrics of this song. “Red” is a common safe word, while “pickle” and “radish” are also popular …. so I’m told. In this song the safe word would probably be “string”, but I’m just speculating.
My featured song for today is “I’m Your Puppet“, a song written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. The best known version is the one recorded by James & Bobby Purify which reached #5 on the US R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1967. The song was featured on their 1967 album, James & Bobby Purify.
The duo released a re-recorded version as a single in 1976 which reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart. The single ranked #46 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1976.
It’s been a long time since I heard this song but when the theme of “toys” was suggested, it was the first song I thought of – not “Red Rubber Ball” or “Pinball Wizard” or even “Puff The Magic Dragon”. And after listening …. really listening and reading the lyrics …. my eyebrows raised a few times. What’s going on here? Is it the sweet and charming song I thought it was almost 60 years ago? You be the judge.
From the album James & Bobby Purify, this is “I’m Your Puppet”.
Lyrics
Pull the string and I’ll wink at you, I’m your puppet I’ll do funny things if you want me to, I’m your puppet
I’m yours to have and to hold Darling you’ve got full control of your puppet
Pull another string and I’ll kiss your lips, I’m your puppet Snap your finger and I’ll turn you some flips, I’m your puppet
Listen, your every wish is my command All you gotta do is wiggle your little hand I’m your puppet, I’m your puppet
I’m just a toy, just a funny boy That makes you laugh when you’re blue I’ll be wonderful, do just what I’m told I’ll do anything for you I’m your puppet, I’m your puppet
Pull them little strings and I’ll sing you a song, I’m your puppet Make me do right or make me do wrong, I’m your puppet
Treat me good and I’ll do anything I’m just a puppet and you hold my string, I’m your puppet
Darling, darling, pull the strings, let me sing you a song any day I’m your puppet baby, you can sing for me all night long
“It Was A Very Good Year” Written by: Ervin Drake Recorded: 1965 Producer: Sonny Burke Conductor: Gordon Jenkins Arranger: Gordon Jenkins Released: December 1965
Available on: September Of My Years (1965) Sinatra At The Sands (1966)
Personnel: Frank Sinatra – vocals Featuring Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Ervin Drake’s “It Was A Very Good Year” was written in 1961 and originally recorded by Bob Shane of The Kingston Trio that same year but it was Frank Sinatra’s rendition in 1965 that made the song legendary with his Grammy Award-winning version.
The nostalgicand melancholic song recounts the type of girls with whom the singer had relationships at various years in his life: when he was 17, “small-town girls … on the village green“; at 21, “city girls who lived up the stair“; at 35, “blue-blooded girls of independent means“. Each of these years he calls “very good“. In the song’s final verse, the singer reflects that he is older and in the autumn of his years, and he thinks back on his entire life “as vintage wine”. All of these romances were sweet to him, like a wine from a very good year.
Sinatra’s version of the song, which won Best Vocal Performance, Male, also took home the Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist by Gordon Jenkins. The song became Sinatra’s first #1 single on The Adult Contemporary chart and reached #28 on Billboard Hot 100.
Ervin Drake commented on Sinatra’s rendition saying, “Someone played it to me down a telephone. It wasn’t a great phone line but I knew I’d heard a masterpiece and I fell in love with it. I’ve never stopped loving it.”
This is Frank Sinatra with “It Was A Very Good Year”
May your Saturday be smooth sailing. Thanks for stopping by.
Written for The Unicorn Challenge (with a timely lead-in from yesterday’s Friday Fictioneers). Here we are challenged to be creative in 250 words or less using the photo below. This is my story.
He walked on the beach with his dog just as he always did. He saw the sign but ignored it, happy to see someone had vandalized it. Damn rules!
He threw the ball but when the dog returned, he had a purse hanging from his mouth. He dropped the purse and ran back to where he found it.
Looking in the purse, the man saw a cell phone. Hers. Last call was to him. Chasing the dog, he saw a body sprawled on the rocks near the water.
And before he got any closer, he knew it was his wife.
A flood of questions hit him like a tsunami. What happened? Why didn’t he get her call? What was she doing here …. not just here on the beach .… here in Cannes?
She was supposed to be in Lyon finalizing the sale of her late mother’s apartment. Her mother died five years ago and for reasons only she could explain but never did, she refused to get rid of the place.
He quickened his pace to the body. The dog kept nudging her head and running around wildly on the deserted beach. The man looked at her phone again; there were numerous calls to someone named Roman. An unfamiliar name.
He heard a voice. “Monsieur! You are not supposed to be here with that dog! There are rules.” The local gendarmerie. Then louder, more urgently – “What have you done, monsieur? Do not move! Ici! Dépêchez-vous!”
My friend Clive at Take it Easy reminds us about Mental Health Awareness Week. We’re in the midst of it here in The States and it’s coming up next week in the UK. But really … there’s no timeline for mental health awareness and it doesn’t take a huge time commitment or expensive exercise equipment. A doctor friend of mine likes to say “When you wake up, get up. And when you get up, do something.” Simple enough, even for this old bird! Stay healthy, my friends!
Today for the first time I am featuring the “friends” aspect of Friends & Family Friday.
The story starts on May 4, 1968, on the British television talent show “Opportunity Knocks,” where a talented 17-year-old Mary Hopkin began performing, going on to win six episodes in a row. Mary had no way of knowing that the iconic British model Twiggy was watching one of those performances on her television at home. That weekend Twiggy was talking to a friend about Mary’s performance on the program, a friend who was soon to establish a record label with his band. That friend was Paul McCartney. Just two days later, Mary received a telegram asking her to call Apple Corps. Hesitant at first, she was persuaded by her mother to call the number on the telegram.
“So I rang up and was put through to this guy with a Liverpool accent” Mary later recalled. It was, of course, Paul McCartney and the next day Mary was on her way to London to sign a contract. The young Welsh singer was one of the first to sign with the Beatles’ Apple label. Mary’s stint with Apple resulted in two albums – Post Card and Earth Song/Ocean Song, a slew of well-crafted singles and an EP released in Indonesia. Mary later admitted her association with Apple ended mainly because of Paul McCartney’s micro-management of her career.
One of Mary Hopkin’s songs on the Apple label is the exquisite “Martha” written by Harvey Andrews – a song about a lonely woman who sits by her phone waiting for someone to call. Martha listens in on her neighbors’ conversations, feeding on their despair. She appears to be a nosy, manipulative and unhappy person who is consumed with the lives of others while neglecting her own. Her behavior is likely the result of a broken heart and a shattered life. The song paints a sad and eerie picture of a woman who has lost her way and is happy only in the misery of others.
This is Mary Hopkin with the hauntingly stunning “Martha”.
Thanks for stopping by and catching some tunes with me.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked to write something creative in 100 words or less using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.
He walks on the beach with his dog, just as he always does. They have a routine. He tosses the ball, the dog brings it back. It’s all very natural and civilized.
Except for this night.
When the dog returns, he has a purse hanging from his mouth. He drops the purse and runs back to where he found it.
Looking in the purse, he sees a cell phone. Hers. The last call dialed was to him. He chases the dog; there’s a body sprawled on the rocks near the water.
The Elephant's Trunk 