Tag: Music

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THURSDAY HARRISONG

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
From the set of “Help”

You may have picked up on a theme here in my ‘all things George’ week. I started with the first song by George to appear on a Beatles album and am working my way up chronologically …. managing somehow to have overlooked two! 🤦🏼‍♀️ One of those songs appears today; the other will appear tomorrow. By Saturday I’ll be back on track with the correct chronology. True Giorgiophiles didn’t call me out on that booboo but those two songs are very good ones and deserve airtime here. Mea culpa!

Let’s backtrack a bit to the third George song included on a Beatles album. It was his second composition for the “Help!” album, recorded in 1965 for the film of the same name but it never made it to the soundtrack.

George double-tracked his vocals, with Paul joining in at certain times. Double-tracking vocals is the act of recording a vocal part two or more times, attempting to match each performance as closely as possible to the original, both in phrasing and in pitch, to add depth, dimension, character and harmony. (If you’re familiar with the songs of Connie Francis, you’ll know that she is famous for double-tracking and she certainly did it well.)

Presumably written about his relationship with Pattie Boyd (another ode to the divine Ms. B!) this is “You Like Me Too Much” from “Help!” or “Beatles IV”, depending on which side of the pond you’re located.

Lyrics

Though you’ve gone away this morning
You’ll be back again tonight
Telling me there’ll be no next time
If I just don’t treat you right
You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you

You’ve tried before to leave me
But you haven’t got the nerve
To walk out and make me lonely
Which is all that I deserve
You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
I really do

And it’s nice when you believe me
If you leave me
I will follow you and bring
You back where you belong
‘Cause I couldn’t really stand it
I’d admit that I was wrong
I wouldn’t let you leave me ’cause it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you

‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
I really do

And it’s nice when you believe me
If you leave me
I will follow you and bring
You back where you belong
‘Cause I couldn’t really stand it
I’d admit that I was wrong
I wouldn’t let you leave me ’cause it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Harrison
You Like Me Too Much lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

“You Like Me Too Much”
Song by the Beatles
from the album Help!
Released14 June 1965 (US: Beatles IV) 6 August 1965 (UK: Help!)
Recorded17 February 1965
StudioEMI, London
GenrePop rock
Length2:35
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)George Harrison
Producer(s)George Martin

There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!

NAR © 2023

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just wall-to-wall music!
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WEDNESDAY HARRISONG

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
Far Out Magazine – Rubber Soul Publicity Shot

Today we mark the 22nd anniversary of George Harrison’s death; as I said the other day in my post on Song Lyric Sunday, the passing of George broke my heart. The youngest of the Beatles, he was only eight years my senior, almost to the day, but when I was 13 or 14 years old, that eight years seemed like a huge age gap.

I was in my car driving up to Rhinebeck NY to see my mother and sister when the news came on the car radio. I cried for the rest of the trip and, upon my arrival, shared the sad news with them. The irony was not lost on me how 36 years earlier the three of us bonded at a happier occasion …. the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium. The Lads always had a way of bringing people together.

And they still do for here we are once again brought together by their great music!

After “With The Beatles” and “Help!”, George was ready to take his long over-due revenge with “Rubber Soul”. “If I Needed Someone” marked the start of his (acknowledged) emergence as a songwriter beside the likes of Lennon and McCartney.

This is yet another song which George wrote for his future wife, Pattie Boyd. She must have been something else, that Pattie, to have two men (George and Eric Clapton) fall madly in love with her, marry her and have three songs (that I know of) written for her!

In “If I Needed Someone”, George invites is love interest to “Carve your number on my wall” yet offers only the possibility that he will call her back. I always loved the way he cleverly used the word “carve” when a songwriter of lesser chops would have gone with the word “write”.

From 1965’s “Rubber Soul” here is “If I Needed Someone”. There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!

LYRICS

If I needed someone to love
You’re the one that I’d be thinking of
If I needed someone

If I had some more time to spend
Then I guess I’d be with you, my friend
If I needed someone

Had you come some other day
Then it might not have been like this
But you see now I’m too much in love

Carve your number on my wall
And maybe you will get a call from me
If I needed someone
Ah, ah, ah, ah

If I had some more time to spend
Then I guess I’d be with you, my friend
If I needed someone

Had you come some other day
Then it might not have been like this
But you see now I’m too much in love

Carve your number on my wall
And maybe you will get a call from me
If I needed someone
Ah, ah

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Harrison
If I Needed Someone lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

“If I Needed Someone”
Song by the Beatles
from the album Rubber Soul
Released3 December 1965
Recorded16 and 18 October 1965
StudioEMI, London
GenreFolk rock, pop rock, power pop
Length2:23
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)George Harrison
Producer(s)George Martin

NAR © 2023

Here’s a link to a story I first wrote in 2021 then reposted earlier this year. Most of you have read it but some have not. I’m rather proud of this piece; a ton of research went into it and it took me about 2 weeks to paraphrase everything George said because the last thing I wanted was a cut and paste type of job. It’s about as close to the truth as I could get without actually sitting down and talking with George himself. Thank you! 🩶

SOMETHING: A Fictional Interview with George Harrison, November 2001
Music Blog

TUESDAY HARRISONG

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
On Salisbury Plain

Continuing with my “All Things George Week”, today I have for you the 2nd of George’s Beatles’ songs. If you remember from yesterday, his first song was written in 1963; it took another 2 years for George to get the much-coveted nod from Lennon and McCartney.

Recorded in 1965, this song appears in the Beatles’ film “Help!”  in a scene filmed on Salisbury Plain (a chalk plateau in southern England covering 300 square miles) where the group was under military protection from a murderous cult. Ooh, very exciting!

The song is “I Need You”, originally written by George for Pattie Boyd, the English model/actress he married in January 1966, breaking millions of girl’s hearts around the world.

From the Beatles’ album, “Help!”, this is George Harrison’s “I Need You”. There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!

Lyrics

You don’t realize how much I need you
Love you all the time, never leave you
Please come on back to me
I’m lonely as can be
I need you

Said you had a thing or two to tell me
How was I to know you would upset me?
I didn’t realize as I looked in your eyes
You told me, oh, yes, you told me
You don’t want my lovin’ anymore

That’s when it hurt me
And feeling like this
I just can’t go on anymore

Please remember how I feel about you
I could never really live without you
So, come on back and see
Just what you mean to me
I need you

But when you told me
You don’t want my lovin’ anymore
That’s when it hurt me
And feeling like this
I just can’t go on anymore

Please remember how I feel about you
I could never really live without you
So, come on back and see
Just what you mean to me

I need you
I need you
I need you

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: George Harrison
I Need You lyrics © Bill-lee Music, Harrisongs Ltd

“I Need You”
Song by the Beatles
from the album Help!
Released6 August 1965
Recorded15–16 February 1965
StudioEMI, London
GenrePop Rock, Folk Rock
Length2:28
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)George Harrison
Producer(s)George Margin

NAR © 2023

I hope you’ll join me today
as I wrap up my edition of
I’m With The Banned.
It’s a post you won’t want to miss.
https://rhythmsection.blog/

Music Blog

MONDAY HARRISONG

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
In the recording studio

This week I’m doing something I never do: I’m not going to write any stories (unless a word or photo prompt seduces me, which is always a possibility). I needed a little break and thought I’d concentrate on my other great love: music.

November 29 is the 22nd anniversary of the death of George Harrison so this week is all about George and the songs he wrote while with the Beatles.

Let’s get the ball rolling with this little gem. Here’s some background info:

Between August 19 and 24, 1963, the Beatles were playing some concerts in Bournemouth, on the southern coast of England, along with Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas and Tommy Quickly. Feeling sick and with orders from his doctor to rest, George had nothing to do in his room at the Palace Court Hotel. Bored, he began writing a song, recording himself on a portable tape recorder. The result was “Don’t Bother Me”, George’s first song to appear on a Beatles’ album.

From the band’s second album, “With The Beatles”, this is “Don’t Bother Me”. There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!

Lyrics

Since she’s been gone I want no one to talk to me
It’s not the same, but I’m to blame, it’s plain to see
So go away and leave me alone
Don’t bother me

I can’t believe that she would leave me on my own
It’s just not right when every night I’m all alone
I’ve got no time for you right now
Don’t bother me

I know I’ll never be the same
If I don’t get her back again
Because I know she’ll always be
The only girl for me

But ’til she’s here, please, don’t come near, just stay away
I’ll let you know when she’s come home until that day
Don’t come around, leave me alone
Don’t bother me

I’ve got no time for you right now
Don’t bother me

I know I’ll never be the same
If I don’t get her back again
Because I know she’ll always be
The only girl for me

But ’til she’s here, please, don’t come near, just stay away
I’ll let you know when she’s come home until that day
Don’t come around, leave me alone
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: George Harrison
Don’t Bother Me lyrics © Jaep Music Ltd. – Dick James Music Ltd.

“Don’t Bother Me”
Song by the Beatles
from the album With The Beatles
Released22 November 1963
Recorded12 September 1963
StudioEMI, London
GenreRock and Roll beat
Length2:29
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)George Harrison
Producer(s)George Martin

NAR © 2023

Short Story

DOTTIE PESSIN

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Fandango gave us a Story Starter prompt and
Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge challenged us to write a
Six Sentence Story, being as creative with punctuation as we dare.
This is my answer to Fan’s prompt and Girlie’s challenge. Enjoy!
🎶🎶🎶

One day when I was about nine years old, I was home with my mother when there was a knock on our door and when I answered it, I was very surprised to see Dottie Pessin – our pudgy-handed neighbor from around the corner who rarely made an appearance – standing there in her perpetually stained housecoat, carrying a thin, flat brown paper bag, hair in curlers, and declaring “Oh, Nancy, I’m so glad you’re home from school because I have something for you and I’d like to come in to show you.”

Well, it wasn’t every day that someone came to our door unannounced bearing gifts for me for no reason under the sun, so I was not about to turn Dottie away (I was no fool, even back then), but my mother had now joined us and was somewhat suspicious about this strange, unexpected visit and asked Dottie to explain herself, to which Dottie replied “I was out shopping when I came across this album of kid’s songs and I immediately thought of Nancy, so I bought it hoping she would like it” and clapping her pudgy hands added “I’m very anxious for her reaction so let’s give it a listen.”

Now, I don’t mind telling you this surprised the hell out of me and pleased me no end because I was already madly in love with everything about music and could barely contain my excitement as I reached for my little record player with the image of Brenda Lee on the lid; Dottie apparently shared my enthusiasm and as the music played she kept asking me “Do you like it? Do you like it?” to which I had to admit I did indeed like it very much (seeing as how I was a kid listening to an album of kid’s songs – what’s not to like?).

We listened to one side of the album and, as I was flipping it over to listen to the other side, Dottie exclaimed “Oh, I’m so pleased you like the album but I just noticed the time and the “Edge Of Night” is coming on in 15 minutes so I’m going to take the record back now and be on my way”; my mother, ever in She-Wolf mode, saw the confused and let-down look on my face and was damn well taken aback herself by that strange and sudden announcement by Dottie …. after all, the album was supposed to be a gift …. and my mother questioned Dottie in no uncertain terms “Just what the hell do you mean you’ll take Nancy’s gift back, Dottie?”

Without an apparent thought for others nor the slightest bit of remorse or worry …. not about my mother’s sizzling Sicilian volcano temper nor the sadness building in my eyes …. Dottie replied “Oh, this isn’t a gift for Nancy; I bought this for my friend’s daughter who’s the same age as Nancy, but since I don’t know anything about little girls (never having had any myself) and the things they like, I wanted to run it by Nancy first to get her opinion, just to make sure it was a good gift and my friend’s daughter wouldn’t be disappointed”, and with that, Dottie Pessin …. our pudgy-handed neighbor from around the corner who rarely made an appearance …. patted the curlers in her hair, took her thin, flat brown paper bag with the album of kid’s songs inside, held it tightly against her perpetually stained housecoat and bounced out our house like the giant green Grinch helium balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade without so much as a pudgy-handed wave or a glance over her shoulder to spy a regret-filled teardrop fall onto my purple Daisy Duck sweater (because all the other girls wore Minnie Mouse sweaters and I was never like all the other girls).

Now, you may be asking yourself “Could something this bizarre really be true and how could that woman screw with a little girl’s feelings like that?” and I will tell you that it most certainly is true – every pitiful word; I have no idea how someone could be so unaware and insensitive (unless they have their head so far up their ass they can smell Brylcreem) but, after 60-plus years, I still remember that surreal afternoon with Dottie Pessin like it was yesterday and, being a smart cookie for a 9 year old, I had the same thought about Dottie back then as I have this very moment: “What a stupid bitch!” 🌋

NAR © 2023

Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt!
Fandango’s Story Starter #121

This is the Rolling Stones performing “Bitch” …. as if anything else would do!

It’s time to celebrate
Birthday Thursdays
over at The Rhythm Section.
No fuss, no muss –
just wall-to-wall music.
Stop by for some cake and sympathy!
🎂
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Music Blog

SIGN OF THE GYPSY QUEEN

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Today Jim at Song Lyric Sunday is asking us to think about a musical group with a type of food in its name and write about one of their songs. I have chosen the Canadian hard rock group April Wine and their song Sign of the Gypsy Queen.

♛

“Sign of the Gypsy Queen” was written and originally recorded by Lorence Hud. The song became a hit in Canada when released as a single in 1973. Hud’s version appeared on his eponymous debut album. The song reached the top 5 on the West Coast, #3 on CJRW-FM in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and peaked at #16 nationally on the RPM 100 chart.

April Wine had more success with its 1981 hard rock version of the song. It was the second single from their album, The Nature of the Beast. The song reached #40 on the Canadian Hot 100, and #57 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, and #19 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.

This version has become popular on album-oriented rock radio stations, getting frequent airplay in the United States and Canada; a music video aired on MTV’s first day of broadcast. It remains one of the group’s signature songs and a live concert staple.

“Sign of the Gypsy Queen” gained a brief resurgence in popularity when it was featured in an episode of the American television series Breaking Bad in 2013. The episode, “Granite State”, received critical acclaim, and is one of the most popular episodes in the series history.

Sign of the Gypsy Queen – by April Wine

Lyrics

Lightning smokes on the hillrise
Brought the man with the warning light
Shouting loud you had better fly
While the darkness can help you hide
Trouble’s comin’ without control
No one’s stayin’ that’s got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Get my saddle and tie it on
Western wind who is fast and strong
Jump on back, he’s good and long
We’ll resist till we reach the dawn
Running seems like the best offense
Staying just don’t make any sense
No one could ever stop it now
Show the cards of the gypsy town

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Shadows movin’ without a sound
From the hold of the sleepless town
Evil seems to be everywhere
Heed the spirit that brought despair
Trouble’s comin’ without control
No one’s stayin’ that’s got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Lorence Hud

Sign of the Gypsy Queen lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

“Sign of the Gypsy Queen”
Single by April Wine
from the album The Nature of the Beast
B-side“Crash and Burn”
Released1981
StudioLe Manoir
GenreHard rock progressive rock
Length4:18
LabelAquarius Capitol
Songwriter(s)Lorence Hud
Producer(s)Myles Goodwyn Mike “Clay” Stone
April Wine singles chronology
“Just Between You and Me“
(1980) “Sign of the Gypsy Queen“
(1981) “Enough Is Enough”
(1981)
Audio
“Sign of the Gypsy Queen” on YouTube
Sustenance

NAR © 2023

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IN TRANSIT

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Bob was having a bad day.

“Great! Just great! First I drop my phone in the toilet; now I can’t find my Magellan! Where is that dang GPS? I coulda sworn I put it in the glove box a couple of years ago. This aughta be fun, trying to figure out how to get to my sales meeting without directions. Lemme take another look.

Nope, it’s not in here but there’s my jumper cables. Thought I lost them the time my engine died on me the night of the office Christmas party. Hot damn, that was a wild shindig! Who woulda guessed Uptight Tina from R&D could be such a temptress?

Let’s see what we got here … napkins, ketchup packets, pencils, pencils, more pencils, a menu from Panda Pavilion, a roach clip. No GPS. Now hold on just a second. What’s this? Oh man, do my eyes deceive me? A cassette tape! Right on!! Ah, that explains all the pencils! Oh man, from the days when music was good.

Hmm, looks like one of my old homemade jobs. I wonder what’s on it … writing’s all smudged so could be anything. Well, I’m good and lost but at least I’ll have some company on the road. I’m just gonna slip this baby in and see what develops.

🎶🎶 🎸 🎶🎶

Far out!! ‘Free Bird’!!”

NAR © 2023

What do you see # 201- August 28, 2023
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ALL IN GOOD TIME

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

My son David is a librarian by vocation. Then there are the times he moonlights as lead tenor with the Taconic Opera Company and as a church singer for special holy days. He has a God-given talent and is quite brilliant. I like to think he inherited some of my musical skills as well. His brother Bill was there that night some 20+ years ago when David blew the roof off a karaoke bar singing an Iron Maiden song; at that point in time no one in the family knew David could sing. He also plays the bass trombone. Did I mention he has perfect pitch?

David’s wife Jessica is a doctor specializing in making chemo for cancer patients – an intense and demanding job. Somehow she also manages to be a super mom – part Wonder Woman, part Energizer Bunny. She is a beautiful woman, a stunning mezzo soprano with a wondrous soul and a remarkable mind. She has performed alongside David and is also a church singer often called on for weddings and funerals. Jessica plays the piano and cello and was chosen for All County Choir and All County Orchestra while in school. I’m not sure if she has perfect pitch; if not, then damn close.

(I’d like to take a second to mention a bit of serendipity: When Jessica was with the All County Orchestra, David was, too, though they did not know each other at that time. They did not officially meet until 15 years later. Funny how that works. Now, back to the story.)

David and Jessica have a 3 ½ year old daughter named Colette – my granddaughter whom I mention frequently when writing personal posts. She’s a joy, an absolutely glorious child. Colette loves music and is taking ballet lessons. She can also dig her heels in like nobody’s business. Colette is a spitfire who obviously inherited equal amounts of her parent’s Sicilian-Irish-Italian genes. Add a splash of a Mt Etna temper when pushed beyond the breaking point, courtesy of yours truly, and you have the total package. A real “testa dura” or as we say in slang “gabadost”.

As you can see, this little family of mine is extremely musical. David and Jessica sing around the house and now Colette has begun singing along … and she’s not shy about it. Recently, while singing “Puff the Magic Dragon”, David and Jessica exchanged looks, bit their lips and tried not to laugh. With eyes rolling heavenward, they wondered “Is there any chance on God’s green earth that we created a child who can’t sing in tune?”

Only time will tell.

NAR © 2023

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Aug. 26, 2023
Jessica & David
Colettte, la principessa ballerina
Colette’s favorite version.

Please stop by
The Rhythm Section
for a special Guest Post.
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WHERE THERE’S SMOKE…

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Deep Purple has been my go-to rock band for as long as I can remember. I saw them perform live twice and am a devoted follower of both Deep Purple and their “spin-off” group, “Rainbow”. What better song for Jim’s prompt today than “Smoke On The Water”?!

The lyrics tell a true story: on December 4, 1971, Deep Purple was in Montreux, Switzerland to record the album “Machine Head”.

On the eve of the recording session, a concert with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention was held in the casino’s theatre. This was the theatre’s final concert before the complex closed down for its annual winter renovations, which would allow Deep Purple to record there.

At the beginning of the Mothers’ keyboardist Don Preston’s synthesizer solo on “King Kong”, the place suddenly caught fire when somebody in the audience fired a flare gun towards the rattan-covered ceiling. Although there were no major injuries, the resulting fire destroyed the entire casino complex, along with all the Mothers’ equipment.

The “smoke on the water” line that became the title of the song referred to the smoke from the fire spreading over Lake Geneva from the burning casino as the members of Deep Purple watched from their hotel. Deep Purple’s Bassist Roger Glover said “It was probably the biggest fire I’d ever seen up to that point and probably ever seen in my life. It was a huge building. I remember there was very little panic getting out because it didn’t seem like much of a fire at first. But when it caught, it went up like a fireworks display.”

What a phenomenal classic rock song this is! All the lyrics from the song explain the event vividly. Listen closely and follow along with the written lyrics as the musical story unfolds:

Lyrics

We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile, yeah
We didn’t have much time now

Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground

Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky
(Smoke) on the water, you guys are great

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
He was pulling kids out the ground now

When it all was over
Find another place
Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race

Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

Burn it down

We ended up at the Grand Hotel
It was empty, cold and bare
The Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Huh, making our music there now

With a few red lights and a few old beds
We made a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know, I know we’ll never forget

Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
(I can’t hear anything)

one more time
(Smoke on the water) hey!

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Ian Gillan / Jon Lord / Ritchie Blackmore / Roger Glover / Ian Paice

Smoke on the Water lyrics © Glenwood Music Corp.

NAR © 2023

Thursday Inspiration #221 The One I Love
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THE FINAL PLAYLIST

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Jim at Song Lyric Sunday has asked us today to name a song we’d like to have played at our funeral. Well, I don’t want a funeral – a small gathering after my cremation will suffice – but I’ve always had music in my life so why not in death?

Truth be told, I already have a playlist prepared when I “shuffle off this mortal coil”. It wasn’t easy to choose the songs – not because I was getting verklempt but because there are just too many songs I love. However, there’s one special song that has always meant a great deal to me and it only seems appropriate.

I’m talking about “In My Life” by The Beatles.

The song is said to be based on John Lennon’s life; he wrote most of the lyrics after writing his book “In His Own Write”. The lyrics about friends refer to Stu Sutcliffe, an early Beatle and great friend of John’s who died in 1962, and a school mate named Pete Shotton. John also thought of his Aunt Mimi (who raised him), his wife Cynthia and his mother Julia who in 1958 was knocked down and killed by a car driven by an off-duty policeman.

When The Beatles recorded the song, they left an opening in the middle for the instrumental break. Producer George Martin filled it in by playing a piano solo and speeding up the tape to make it sound like a harpsichord, giving the song a baroque feel and inspiring pop music producers to use harpsichords and other similar instruments in their future arrangements.

“In My Life” is found on The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” album; it was voted the best song of all time by a panel of songwriters in a 2000 Mojo magazine poll. Rolling Stone magazine ranked “In My Life” number 23 on its 2004 list of “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” as well as fifth on its list of The Beatles’ “100 Greatest Songs”. The song placed second on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “50 Tracks“. According to Acclaimed Music, as of 2020 it was the 194th most celebrated song in popular music history. Judy Collins, Ozzy Osbourne, James Taylor, Johnny Cash, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Diana Krall and Boyz II Men are among the many artists who have recorded covers.

“A little piece of artwork” was the way John referred to “In My Life”. I feel the same way; I have a framed copy of the lyrics in my bedroom – see my graphic above. There isn’t one word in that song that does not resonate profoundly with me. The musical accompaniment, in my opinion, could not be a better match. “In My Life” is just one more example of why The Beatles are and always will be the greatest musical group to ever grace this planet.

There’s a good chance you know all the words to this song; I certainly do – they are carved into my heart. I hope whoever is at my celebration of life will sing along with this touching and beautiful song.

NAR © 2023

Life After Death

 

IN MY LIFE

There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I’ll love you more

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I’ll love you more.

In my life, I’ll love you more.

Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: October 18-22, 1965
Producer: George Margin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: December 3, 1965 (UK) December 6, 1965 (US)
Available on: Rubber Soul

PERSONNEL –
John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
George Martin: piano, tambourine

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THE RHYTHM METHOD

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Excuse me for asking a very personal question but are you practicing the Rhythm Method?

No? Well, what are you waiting for?!

Boogie on over to The Rhythm Section and join me, The Sicilian Storyteller in New York, Mr. Bump in the U.K., DA Whittam in Australia and Spira in Hellas where we present seven different music categories and offer up great videos. Every day brings something new, enjoyable, interesting and informative for everyone. There are even a couple of music trivia questions thrown in for a bit of a fun challenge!

If you’re already following us, that’s great! If not, we’d love to have you join us. It’s easy; just click on the link below and you’ll be instantly transported to a new musical dimension.

We hope to see you there! A splendid time is guaranteed for all! 🎶

NAR © 2023

https://rhythmsection.blog/

Your hosts, clockwise from top left:
The Sicilian Storyteller, Mr. Bump,
Spira and DA Whittam

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JUST THE TIP

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

On behalf of Mr. Bump and DA Whitam, I’d like to thank all our WordPress friends and followers who jumped on board The Rhythm Section bandwagon. It is extremely gratifying to see so many of you enjoying our new site.

What you’ve seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg; there are still three new categories we have yet reveal so you’re in store for lots more music, videos, interesting tidbits and a whole lot of fun!

We have posts scheduled for Saturdays through Thursdays with something in the works for Fridays. Just like any new project, it’s been a lot of work getting everything ready for you but we enjoyed every minute. This is a labor of love for all of us to enjoy together.

Mr. Bump has a cool new segment coming up tomorrow; I’ll be back on Tuesday with a new category and every Wednesday DA Whittam will take us on a musical journey. There’s plenty to read, see and hear; you won’t want to miss any of it.

We’ll continue to reblog The Rhythm Section posts for a while so you can have easy access to them. You can always check out the site at https://rhythmsection.blog/ or just search for rhythmsection.blog and it’ll take you right there.

Have any ideas, comments or suggestions? Let us know. Hitting any snags viewing the site? Let us know that, too. Whenever we can we will try to accommodate you.

Once again, thank you! We’re so happy to have you with us. See you next time at The Rhythm Section! 🎶

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

NAR © 2023

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IT’S A WRAP!

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

How’s everyone doing? I’ve got big news!

I’m delighted to announce tomorrow’s launch of an awesome music site called “The Rhythm Section”.

We’ve been hard at work for a couple of months and the big day is finally here. I’m happy to say that now DA Whittam (the artist formerly known as Nope, Not Pam) has jumped on board the soul train with me and Mr. Bump (mrbump.uk).

This project has been a labor of love and these last two months have gone by very quickly as we did research and compiled all we needed for a cool-looking, informative and fun site. We’re thrilled with it!

I will reblog the first couple of posts from The Rhythm Section right here so you’ll be able to see them and easily click on to the site.

I hope you’ll stop by “The Rhythm Section” tomorrow; I think we’re going to make beautiful music together.

See you on the flip side, friends! 🎶

NAR © 2023

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WHAT A HAM!

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

P.S. 78.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the abbreviation, P.S. stands for ‘Public School’, a tax-supported US school providing free education. That’s where I attended kindergarten. I was there for only one year but some things about that year I will never forget. 

My mother would walk me to the red brick building every morning and greet me every afternoon when school was over. Mom was the no nonsense type and it took us less than 15 minutes to walk to school. It wasn’t much fun during the cold or nasty days but then Mom got her new Ford Fairlane 500 and going to school got a whole lot better.

Sometimes we’d stop at the Post Arrow – a mini amusement park/restaurant right on the corner that catered to regular folk by offering simple items such as hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches and ice cream. I’d get ice cream and go on a couple of rides; it was a magical place. My family always ate our meals at home but once in a while Dad would get a craving for a hot pastrami sandwich on rye bread and we’d zip up to the Post Arrow.

Being just a small kid, a place like P.S. 78 could be intimidating with so many other older and bigger kids but after a while, just like everything else, I got used to it. My classroom was on the first floor and I can still picture it. Low bookcases just tall enough for a bunch of munchkins hugged the walls all around the room. Short round tables which seated 4-6 kids were strewn about and there was a giant chalk board on the right side of the brightly painted room. Old metal casement windows took up one full wall while the other walls were covered with drawings, the alphabet and numbers. But the pièce de resistance was a vintage upright piano diagonally opposite the classroom doorway positioned catty-corner as opposed to being flush up against a wall. Today we would say the room had a very feng shui feel about it and the angled look of the piano was extremely appealing. Back then we just thought it was a happy room to be in.

We kids loved that classroom and felt comfortable from the very first day. Our teacher’s name was Mrs. Merchant; to this day I have no idea what her first name was. Mrs. Merchant was tiny in both height and weight; she always wore dresses with sweaters, had short wavy salt and pepper hair and wore glasses. It was impossible to tell her age; in the eyes of a small child she could have been anywhere between 35 and 65. She was a very sweet, patient woman who clearly enjoyed teaching kindergarten. She would play the piano during song time and she’d often read a book and play the piano simultaneously, making the stories pop to life. We’d all sit on the floor near the piano, our eyes glued to Mrs. Merchant as she dramatically read to us while she played.

There were so many wonderful times in kindergarten. Mrs. Merchant focused a lot on music and singing; I’m sure that was where my love of music first began. We would have musical parades around the classroom every day, each child playing a different instrument, and once each week one of the kids would perform for the class.

I remember every detail about one of my performances – my song, my little dance and most of all my costume. I was a little pig. 🐷

My mother, ever the creative seamstress, bought a child’s pair of pink one-piece Dr. Denton footed pajamas with a rear flap for “easy potty time” (if you don’t remember Dr. Denton pjs, you’re really missing out on something!). Mom brought home some pink felt from the shop where she worked and used it to make little pig ears and a curlicue tail. She covered one of my plastic headbands with felt and attached the ears to it. My piggie nose was made from stiffly starched fabric covered with felt; Mom cut two little holes on each side for the string which she tied around the back of my head keeping my piggie nose in place like a mask. For the tail she curled a length of a wire clothes hanger, covered it with felt and sewed it to the little rear end flap on my pjs. I was told I looked absolutely adorable but sadly, no photos were taken of that momentous occasion – at least none that I’m aware of.

I was always a “ham” when it came to performing and never shied away from the opportunity to entertain. Even as an adult at our fabulous choir Mardi Gras parties I would be front and center serenading everyone with one standard after the other. Gimme a mike and I’ll sing you a song! 

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to record and upload a few of my stories for a prominent UK broadcasting corporation. I even had the chance to sing during one segment but I’m pretty sure that didn’t make the headlines. Let’s check the News. Nope, nothing there.

My dream was to be a professional singer; I think I’d look pretty good sprawled on a piano a la Michelle Pfeiffer! Instead, here I am happily entertaining you with my stories. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll surprise you with a song.

Once a ham, always a ham! Stay tuned. 🎤

NAR © 2022

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SOMEWHERE THERE’S MAGIC

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

For this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday, we were asked to “find a word that starts with the letter ‘u’ and use it however you’d like.” Someone wrote a piece about the ‘ukulele’ which got me thinking. Here’s my stream of consciousness:

How many people do you know who play the ukulele? Unless you’re from the glorious state of Hawaii, I bet your answer is the same as mine: None. 

Oh, I’ve heard people playing the ukulele. If you’re old enough you’ll remember Arthur Godfrey’s ukulele playing and his signature greeting of “How Ah Ya? How Ah Ya? How Ah Ya?”. And let’s not forget Don Ho’s “Tiny Bubbles”. Hell, even George Harrison mastered the ukulele; he played the instrument for at least 20 Beatles songs; bet you didn’t know that. I have no idea how many ukes George owned but you can be sure it was a lot; he didn’t just like the instrument – he was obsessed with it.

Still, I never gave the ukulele much thought. I had nothing against it; I just never thought about it until one day I heard something so wondrous, so ineffably sweet and touching, I sat mesmerized by the magic coming from the radio. It was only after the song was over that I realized I was crying.

Give a listen, won’t you? Don’t worry if you cry; it’ll be our secret.

NAR © 2022

NB – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole suffered from obesity throughout his life, at one point weight 757 pounds while standing 6’2” tall. He endured several hospitalizations because of his weight. With chronic medical problems including respiratory and cardiac issues, he died at the age of 38 in the Queen’s Medical Center on June 26, 1997, from respiratory failure.

PS – I read recently that some readers outside the US, especially in the UK, cannot view the videos I post. That’s a shame because they are relative to the story and make for some damn good viewing. If you are unable to watch these videos, please drop me a line in the comments section. I think there’s a way around it; how easy it is I have no idea but I want you all to get the full benefit of my stories. Thank you!

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THE MAESTRO

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Here is another Six “Sentence” Story challenge/invitation from my friends at GirlieOnTheEdge, the prompt word being BOOKMARK. In the (alleged) words of William Faulkner: “Punctuation be damned!” 😎

My cousin Nina and I went to Italy during the late 80s, stopping in various cities along the way including the ever-glorious Florence, famous for her art museums, precious gold markets and some of the best leather products in the world – the perfect place for two 30-something savvy American women to leisurely stroll – and it was where I fell in love with a beautifully aged and well-preserved leather bookmark engraved with the image of La Scala Opera House in Milan with the name in script below the image – soft as butter to the touch and a lovely fawn color, it immediately became my favorite accessory which I slipped into my purse after bargaining with the vendor for a ridiculously low price leaving him muttering something about “irresistible American women” and he smiled devilishly at me remarking that he could never resist a woman with eyes as green as the Mediterranean.

Nestled between the many gold and leather stores was a tiny book shop which beckoned to me and I found myself in a cramped yet delightfully appointed treasure trove overflowing with tomes of every sort, including a volume which drew me in like the proverbial moth to a flame: Grandissimo Pavarotti ­– A Celebration of the Career of the World’s Greatest Tenor on the Silver Anniversary of his Debut; as a musician and huge fan of The Maestro, I knew I had to own this jewel of a picture book and I held it in my trembling hands, opening the front cover only to discover to my amazement that it was a signed copy, one of a limited number of editions, forcing me to quickly snap the cover closed but not before sneaking another peek to make sure I hadn’t imagined seeing what was clearly there in black and white – the honest-to-goodness signature of the greatest tenor ever – which then made me glance at the price while holding my breath; there was obviously a mistake as the cost of this gem was insanely low for a first edition signed copy of anything let alone a gorgeous photo album of the magnificent Pavarotti.

Acting as nonchalant as possible for someone about to pee her panties, I gracefully waltzed up to the register, handing my selection to the young male clerk who gazed into my sea-green eyes and scanned the label without so much as a second thought; I said a silent prayer to The Creator for gracing me with such apparently mesmerizing eyes, purred a “Mille grazie” to the love-struck cashier and left the store while cradling the book in my arms like a newborn baby, not even daring to show Nina my impressive find until we were safely back in our hotel room which I insisted we return to immediately, acting more like a secret agent than even I realized, praying no one in the area noticed while being extra-careful not to look directly at anyone with my dangerously alluring occhi il colore dell’acqua del Mediterraneo.

Upon our return to the hotel, I lovingly wrapped my precious new purchases in layers of tissue paper and placed them between newly-bought scarves made of silk from Como (gifts for my mother and sister); Nina laughed at the care I took in packing, exclaiming they were just paper and leather, not the Hope Diamond, to which I explained that to me they were as fine as any jewel and she wouldn’t understand because she did not possess the heart of a musician which didn’t seem to faze her at all; however, I was very content knowing my goods were safely locked away in my suitcase and would remain there until we were back home in The States.

We were met at JFK airport by our family members who smothered us with Italian hugs and kisses, loudly thanking God for our safe flight and equally loudly admiring our tans and new Florentine gold necklaces; I’m sure the women were wondering if we had jewelry in our luggage for them – which we did – but I knew I had something even more valuable, at least to me, and I couldn’t wait to display my new book on my coffee table at home (of course, the bookmark would travel with me always in whichever book I was reading but The Maestro would remain at home, center stage, for friends to gaze upon in awe).

Now settled into my usual routine, I returned to my job in Manhattan via the Metro North train from my apartment in New Rochelle; it was a pleasant ride and I had a book with me and, of course, my beloved bookmark which was standing guard in this week’s book of choice – Agatha Christie’s “Appointment with Death”– mysteries being one of my favorite genres; however, it was an unhappy and puzzling realization when I returned home from work one day to discover my book and treasured La Scala bookmark were nowhere to be found and I had no idea what happened to them or where I last saw them (having gotten distracted by a lengthy conversation with a friend preventing me from enjoying my daily read the entire train ride); I repeatedly emptied my purse praying they would turn up but they did not so I sat at the piano to calm myself when suddenly the phone rang and an unfamiliar female voice asked for me, saying she found my book and bookmark on the Metro North (thank heavens for taping that label on the inside cover of the book with my name and phone number); fortunately the woman who found my priceless belongings lived nearby and delivered them to me that very night, and by the sparkle in her eyes I believed she knew in her soul that my beloved bookmark held a place not only in my book but in my heart as well.

NAR © 2022

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TOP ALTO

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Just like all people, I have my talents and weaknesses. There are some things I can do very well with pride and great ease. At the same time, there are tasks in life for which I have no talent whatsoever and have zero chance of accomplishing even with someone holding a gun to my head.

It’s been a known fact since elementary school that I’m absolutely terrible at mathematics; I just didn’t have a head for numbers. Having to tackle word problems would make me sick to my stomach and anything beyond basic math would cause me to break out in a cold sweat. It was quite distressing and I’m sure I failed every math test I ever took. There’s no grey area in mathematics, no wiggle room, and I found it to be stifling and utterly confusing. Clearly my left brain was dominated by my right. Eventually the time came for me to study algebra and geometry. The situation was so traumatizing for everyone that the school principal and teachers took pity on me (and themselves). They had a discussion with my parents where it was decided I would be dismissed from further math classes and allowed to concentrate of different subjects. I was granted a pardon from the warden and permitted to double-up on courses such as English, foreign language, music, history or religion.

Two other things I’m really bad at are playing sports and drawing. Can you imagine the humiliation of never being chosen to play on any sports team? I was always the last person standing on the sidelines, staring down at my shoes waiting for my name to be called. Likewise, in art class I couldn’t sketch a decent stick figure or draw a crooked line let alone a straight one and most of my work was unidentifiable, leaving people scratching their heads in bewilderment.

My stronger points lean toward the creative and dramatic, including the ability to learn foreign languages, music, singing, playing the piano and organ, acting, cooking and gardening. If there’s a trivia game, I’m the girl you want on your side. I was always good at fashion and makeup which opened the door for some modeling. I’m also a damn good driver, unafraid of bad weather, 18-wheelers or New York City taxi drivers. And let’s not forget my great love – writing – a true passion realized later in life. I’m good with words and turning a phrase, my imagination is unstoppable and I’ve got fantasizing down to an art form!

While I’ve only been writing in earnest for five years, music has always been a huge part of my life, hence my nickname “Top Alto”.

In school I auditioned for and landed the lead role in every musical. I can sight read any piece of music I’m asked to sing. In fact, when practicing my alto lines at home, I would often play the soprano, tenor and/or bass line on the piano while singing the alto line. It’s not that easy to do but an excellent way to learn your part.

Now, please don’t misunderstand; this is not bragging – it’s simply stating the facts. And if you want a list of other things I can’t do very well I’ll be happy to provide one. Believe me – it’s a long list! But that’s not the purpose of this story. Today I want to tell you about a time I failed at something I normally do very well. I didn’t just fail; I tanked. Royally.

You see, our choir was practicing for a special Mass, one we had been anticipating for weeks. Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York, along with a retinue of religious bigwigs and officials, was going to visit our parish and I was chosen to be Leader of Song for the Responsorial Psalm. The melodies of some Responsorial Psalms are complex while others are rather easy. This particular psalm was bordering on ridiculously easy, a tune I could sing in my sleep. It consisted of ten words all chanted on the same note. Let me repeat that: ten words, one note, ridiculously easy. This was not Celine Dion belting out “My Heart Will Go On” while precariously balanced on a replica of The Titanic in Las Vegas.

I practiced a lot; the Mass was a big deal. The Cardinal, previously mentioned bigwigs and a church packed with the faithful as well as TV crews from Catholic Faith Network and Fox News were in attendance. Did I say it was a big deal? Now, I’ve sung at countless Masses in front of packed churches for years; this was a no-brainer!

The choir looked resplendent in robes of red and gold and I was hell bent for leather. Fifteen minutes into the Mass and it’s time for the Responsorial Psalm. Ten words, one note, Top Alto.

The organist played the intro, nodded at me to begin and I opened my mouth to sing. Now, let me just say if I choked and nothing came out of my mouth it would have been preferable to what did come out of my mouth. I, a mature, confident, talented woman, had suddenly been transformed into Alfalfa from The Little Rascals!

This was supposed to be a piece of cake and I was so damn sure of myself. I was ready; I didn’t clear my throat or wet my whistle before singing. Nope, I just plunged into the deep end of the pool.

Ten words, ten frog-like notes, Alfalfa.

Everyone averted their eyes and I couldn’t blame them. To say I was stunned and humiliated is an understatement; I just sort of slunk down into my chair and hid behind my music binder. Why is there never a rock to crawl under when you need one? I couldn’t help wondering if Cardinal Egan was asking himself “WTF was that?”

It’s all water under the bridge since that debacle and it’s something I can laugh about now but at the time I just wanted to croak. Come to think of it, I did!

RIBBIT!

NAR © 2022