LIFE IS WHAT LIFE IS...
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Life
I have learned in recent years that life is what life is…its taking each give and take one day at a time. If you pray just hard enough, mean it to the core of your being, and give yourself up to the beauty and power that is our Lord, then miracles do happen. Just as the nature of education is, the student must be willing to meet the teacher half way. Without both working to their fill potential then not a dam thing will happen. Believe me child, you are not alone in this big world, just look around, and lend a hand. Because we all know you were there too.
Journey- 4th Time Around
Current mood: bitchy
Category: Music
Journey 4th Time Around
I have been a Journey fan since I could walk. The voice I heard coming from my mom's stereo speakers was that of Steve Perry. I grew up with "Open Arms", "Lights" "Wheels in the Sky", "Faithfully" and so many more of their hits. When I was about16 or 17, I found out that Steve wasn't the original singer it didn't make an impact on me because I only knew the band via his voice. But as I got a bit older, I found that Perry was the "hit maker" of the band…essential to their success of the 80's, yet not cortical in their longevity. What I mean is; when Steve left the band in the early 90's (prior to a major world tour in support of their critically acclaimed and Grammy nominated album "Trial by Fire) due to health reasons and what I beloved to be his bloated ego. Perry was the master of the success without a doubt, yet he was completely unwilling to see or hear any one of his band mates creative point of view. His constant egotistical conduct and selfishness, I suppose came to a boil…something had to be done. To make a long story short…Steve is gone…he was the second in what now seems like a never ending litany of wanna-be-Steve-Perry's. Oh, I haven't even mentioned this lil' tidbit, wait for it. In a VH1 interview conducted with the band for Behind the Music, Steve said this of the bands' carrying on without him with them lead singer Steve Augeri; "…don't fracture the name Journey…" WTF! Did he just say that? First of all buddy, you weren't the original lead singer, Robert Fleischman was and apparently you won't be the last. You alone did not create Journey…although you a key component of their FM success in the 80's it was a whole group effort. Did I happen to mention the brilliant work of Neil Schon? Genius and guitar force to be reckoned with. Oh, and did I fill you in on the latest lead singer??? Arnel Pineda, so what number are we up to now? Oh, 4! My god, haven't we gotten the idea yet? Journey should have been laid to rest with the departure of Perry. That or, at the least have found a new lead vocalist that didn't sound like a mini-Perry. Yes, I love Journey, always will, their music has become part of my DNA. But, I know that Journey can draw more than screaming-40-something-year-old-topless-soccoer-moms. Look, all I am going to say is take a very close listen to "Trial By Fire" album. They were so close to becoming a credited and critically recognized band. They were so tight… it was right there…I suppose it wasn't in the stars per-say. What will-be-will-be I guess. I wish the band luck, and I send them my love. Maybe someday you boys will find your way home.
The Poet-John Denver
Current mood: artistic
Category: Life
Not many know of my love for this artist…compared to those that know of my obsession with one Sr. Elton John. For those who have read my blog "Why I love Music so", I will not waste your time going into an already charted territory, rather I will go into why the beauty of this specific artist spell- bounds me. John Denver is what is…or, was what he was…how is that for an intro??? LOL
As a humanitarian he is such an amazingly positive inspiration in our world, a blessing among thieves, cowards, liars, and false prophets. He strayed far from the beaten path, unafraid to be more than a witness, rather a leader of change in bleak and uncertain times. He shared more than his voice, more than his wallet; he gave of himself inside and out. He knew of the earthly tragedies, did what he could with what God gave to him. He understood his limitations, he didn't live so purely blinded by his ideology, yet he used his optimistic intelligence to achieve so very much for those around him.
As an artist, John was and is breathtaking in his pure portrait of himself and the communities around him. He understood himself as a man, as a creation of God, as a naturalist, as a humanitarian, as a vocalists, as a songwriter, and as a musician. All bleed themselves into each other, no one characteristic was defined well enough to be able to stand by itself. This may be viewed as weak; yet, I see it as admirable and even desirable.
The music of John Denver to me has always been like a dream, swift in its comings and goings. You must soak yourself completing in his words, in his voce, in his rusted guitar. He was a blessing to us for a mere 43 years…his music will surely live on for many more years. John is like the stars that hang above, the ground that lies below and God's love; a unquestionable constant in a world so consistently cruel.
I love the peaceful angelic beauty in John's voice and in his guitar. He loved with his whole being…he also gave with his whole being. . Truly an angel in blue jeans and cowboy boots,
My dearest John, you are missed, and always loved. Thank you for your honesty and human grace.
I don’t think I have ever mentioned that I am a Ronnie Dio fan. Well, here I go…I have always loved the song "A Rainbow in the Dark", what is stands for within the world of mental al and in my personal life. First, I think that anyone that loves heavy metal as much as I do (at least the great ones) can agree that the influence of Ronnie Dio is one that can be seen and heard to this day. Whether we speak of his days in Black Sabath (say what you will, his Sabbath is the best, end of story) or his solo days, Dio is a blessed saint of Heavy Metal.
Who is "lady Samantha?"
Current mood: blank
Category: Writing and Poetry
Who is "Lady Samantha"?
I was reading a friend's blog a few days ago and it inspired me to do something in a similar vain. This blog is based off of one entitled "Who is Rambling Bob?" -By Rambling Bob. So, I am calling mine "Who is Lady Samantha?" Original, right? - LOL
*this entry is a combination of truth and fiction…really more for a entertainment purpose…
She is a weary traveler in an uncertain world…a world of hash blows and swift judgments. Battle wounds to hide, smiles to pass along. She wears a generations old strand of pearls in remembrance of fairytales untold. Tangled in love and lust…lost in fear, who is she to have such human pleasures? A lavender Iris, with the scent of spring rain and the taste of raspberry win lingers on her like last night's fantasy. A walking contradiction, you'll find her to be your love and your hatred…your piece of mind and hesitant tongue.
Ringo Starr-"Liverpool 8"
Current mood: blah
Category: Music
Last week I was watching VH1 Classic Current, at about 8 something in the morning. I happened to catch one of the best and brilliantly simple and elegant songs done by one the world's most underrated and unutilized musicians…Ringo Starr. Both the video and song took me by surprise…it was the autobiographical nature of it I suppose. Here are the lyrics and the music video. .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAi2gS9BpcQ Ringo Starr Lyrics - Liverpool 8
I was a sailor first, I sailed the sea Then I got a job, in a factory Played Butlin's Camp with my friend, Rory It was good for him, it was great for me
Livepool I left you, said goodbye to Madryn Street I always followed my heart, and I never missed a beat Destiny was calling, I just couldn't stick around Liverpool I left you, but I never let you down
Went to Hamburg, the red lights were on With George and Paul, and my friend John We rocked all night, we all looked tough We didn't have much, but we had enough
Livepool I left you, said 'goodbye' to Madryn Street I always followed my heart, and I never missed a beat Destiny was calling, I just couldn't stick around Liverpool I left you, but I never let you down
In the U.S.A, when we played Shea We were number 1, and it was fun When I look back, it sure was cool For those 4 boys from Liverpool
Livepool I left you, said goodbye to Admiral Grove I always followed my heart, so I took it on the road Destiny was calling, I just couldn't stick around Liverpool I left you, but I never let you down
Queensryche
Current mood: artistic
Category: Music
Queensryche is one of the greatest metal bands to have survived the 1980's and early part of the 90's with their dignity intact. I am going to attempt to keep this blog on the shorter end of things…I will allow the music to speak for itself. But before I let you guys off that easy I must first inform those that are new to the world of metal, or have been living under a rock for the past 2 decades, Queensryche is the greatest, and will forever be the greatest metal band to have graced our presence. On a individual level, these guys are kick-ass musicians, they need not play at a high voltage level that will make you ear drums bleed, yet rather they play with an intensity to rival that of any thrash metal band of today and past. Lead singer Geoff Tate is a pure genius of a lyricist and vocalist; his voice, operatic in its tightly woven melodic twists and turns, yet wonderfully simple, void of any impurities of fashions and fades…like none before and like none to come, Geoff's' voice is an angelic relief to a at times needlessly over bombardment of in-your-face trash vocal that litter the floor of the underground scene.
Well, I think I have said enough, let's get ROCKED! (Or get schooled on GREAT rock).
Michael Stainley
Current mood: cranky
Category: Music
Being born and raised a Clevelander I have the name Michael Stanley intertwined in my DNA…now whether or not you like him is a different element all together. As my earlier blog entry states I have been raised on classic rock. So I was turned in to WNCX 98.5 since I was a little girl so the voice of Michael Stanley (being one of the radio stations DJ's since the early/mid 90's). I was under the assumption that he was a DJ moonlighting as a musician. Who knew it was really the other way around!- LOL
The point I am trying to get to here is that I just recently saw him live. It was last week down at the Jake. It was a free show in support of the Cleveland Indians. I asked my friend "K.M" to join me (knowing she might get in trouble, she had to ditch her last class). I was eager to see him for the first time.
Well, here is how our evening played out…we first got wickedly lost while downtown. We took the wrong exit, I am sure of it. When we found the joint we had to pay $15 for parking!!!!!!!!! That is a whole other story. So by the time we got there (keep in mind we left home at 3, it was then in the 5 o'clock hour. I wanted a beer; I was willing to pay the $7. I was walking towards the stage when a rent-a-cop stopped me and said "no beer after this point". I had half a mind to thought it in his face! LOL Anywhoo, I was just a quarter way done with my beer when I hear shouting from the stage area, I graped my friend and tossed the beer…Michael never came out till 20 minutes later…when he did finally come out he only did a few tunes and simply walked off the stage in the middle of a song ! Granted it was pouring down rain, who was more affected by it? Us or him? For Christ's sake he was the one that had a roof over his spoiled ass. While we stood for hours out in the pouring rain! I know I shouldn't complain (due to the fact that it was a free show and all…) but I mean he should learn to grow up…
This is a letter of sorts to Mr. Stanley …
You have never reached the status of "rock star", "legend" or "idol" so please for the sake of Cleveland, cut it out! Yes, my friend you are a highly gifted musician, vocalist, and songwriter, but please keep in mind that sometimes good artists get looked over in this dog-eat-dog-world we call the music industry.So I can only believe the angry that you may hold towards those that passed you over…but please, love those that love you.
Well, it seems that I have said all that I can…Mike, I just want you to know that I love you; I just don't like you so much sometimes-LOL
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