The musings & rants of 3 retired military (2 USAF, 1 USN), 1 former WSO, and 1 AF brat. Old AF Sarge, Juvat, Tuna, LUSH, and Beans.
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Sunday, June 30, 2013
Things Remembered
James Taylor
I saw "Sweet Baby James" in concert in the way back. 'Twas the basketball arena at the University of Vermont (or UVM as it's known round these parts), about 40 years ago. We had pretty good seats looking down onto the stage they had set up on the court. Acoustics were good, at least where we were sitting. As I recollect, it was an awesome concert. I have always enjoyed his music. Though it's been awhile since I've heard any. Since the post yesterday on Charleston, I've been indulging myself.
The man's voice, the way he plays the guitar, the songs he writes, they mean something to me which cannot be expressed in words. Best way I can put it, James Taylor makes me "happy sad". Things missed, old times not forgotten, people not seen anymore but remembered with fondness. Sad that those times are gone, but happy to have experienced them.
So there's days I get nostalgic for what was. I know that I'm on the "back nine" and I'm alright with that. But there are days...
Days I wish I was young again. Man, does this song take me back.
From Sturbridge to Boston is thirty-five leagues. Something like that anyway. I'm tied between James and Jm Croce, but both are great. Carolina on my mind is wicked good
Pssst, Lou! Don't tell anyone (especially that guy in Portales) but I liked John Denver too. Maybe it was a Colorado thing, I went to college out there.
Watched the Boston Marathon benefit concert on Saturday (Channel 5, Boston) and James Taylor performed with both Carole King and Jimmy Buffett. He was damn good.
Being as how we're down here in the sticks (near Providence), I'm not sure if that concert was on down here. If it was and I missed it, bummer. If it wasn't, I missed it anyway, bummer.
Traditionally the local CBS affiliate doesn't even show all of the Pats preseason games. Not that that is a huge loss, but still, it's the principal of the thing. What's going on in Boston is way more interesting than Providence. At least to me, I grew up watching the Boston stations.
(When I visit my Mom, I still get to watch the Boston stations. When I did the travel thing, ditto. On my last travel stint in May/June I was disappointed to learn that Melissa Mack had left Channel 4, apparently to return to Cleveland. I always got my weather from Melissa. Stopped watching Channel 4, couldn't handle Barry in the AM when I was used to Melissa. And yes, it was the quality of the meterological prognostications I missed. Not that Melissa was a babe. Harumph, wasn't even a factor. Heh. Cleveland, seriously? Who returns to Cleveland?)
It's hard for me to listen to the tune you posted coz there's TOO much emotion and memory attached. But yeah, Taylor is great. I have a LOT of his stuff on vinyl.
Didja ever see that PBS special (I think it was a segment of "American Masters") that Taylor and Carole King did? It was just freakin' AWESOME, with lots o' cameos from their musical contemporaries and partners in crime. I've watched it twice and NEVER fail to get misty at points. The soundtrack o' my youth, and all that...
(I also read all the comments above. But I shall hold my tongue, coz I AM a gentleman. Sometimes.)
When I stumbled across that tune from my youth, let me just say it took a few minutes after hearing it before I was able to continue. There is a lot of emotion and memory attached for me as well. It's the whole "happy sad" thing I was trying to convey. I was pretty sure that you would "get it".
I vaguely remember that PBS special. Vaguely, because of the emotions it stirred. But yeah, it was excellent.
(And I figured you wouldn't miss the John Denver thing. Heh. But I did have to fess up, ya know I didn't want to leave Lou hanging out there by herself. So to speak.)
Sweet Baby James is on of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThe guy has had some great music over the years.
DeleteFrom Sturbridge to Boston is thirty-five leagues. Something like that anyway. I'm tied between James and Jm Croce, but both are great. Carolina on my mind is wicked good
ReplyDeleteCroce was another I listened to back in the day.
Delete"Wicked good", "bigsoxfan", hard to tell but I'm guessing you're a fellow New Englander.
I like both Croce and Taylor, but then I like John Denver, so what do I know?
ReplyDeletePssst, Lou! Don't tell anyone (especially that guy in Portales) but I liked John Denver too. Maybe it was a Colorado thing, I went to college out there.
DeleteThanks. Brought back lots of memories.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of service DM! (Hopefully they were good memories. Many of mine are somewhat bittersweet, especially going back to the early 70s.)
DeleteWatched the Boston Marathon benefit concert on Saturday (Channel 5, Boston) and James Taylor performed with both Carole King and Jimmy Buffett. He was damn good.
ReplyDeleteBeing as how we're down here in the sticks (near Providence), I'm not sure if that concert was on down here. If it was and I missed it, bummer. If it wasn't, I missed it anyway, bummer.
DeleteTraditionally the local CBS affiliate doesn't even show all of the Pats preseason games. Not that that is a huge loss, but still, it's the principal of the thing. What's going on in Boston is way more interesting than Providence. At least to me, I grew up watching the Boston stations.
(When I visit my Mom, I still get to watch the Boston stations. When I did the travel thing, ditto. On my last travel stint in May/June I was disappointed to learn that Melissa Mack had left Channel 4, apparently to return to Cleveland. I always got my weather from Melissa. Stopped watching Channel 4, couldn't handle Barry in the AM when I was used to Melissa. And yes, it was the quality of the meterological prognostications I missed. Not that Melissa was a babe. Harumph, wasn't even a factor. Heh. Cleveland, seriously? Who returns to Cleveland?)
It's hard for me to listen to the tune you posted coz there's TOO much emotion and memory attached. But yeah, Taylor is great. I have a LOT of his stuff on vinyl.
ReplyDeleteDidja ever see that PBS special (I think it was a segment of "American Masters") that Taylor and Carole King did? It was just freakin' AWESOME, with lots o' cameos from their musical contemporaries and partners in crime. I've watched it twice and NEVER fail to get misty at points. The soundtrack o' my youth, and all that...
(I also read all the comments above. But I shall hold my tongue, coz I AM a gentleman. Sometimes.)
When I stumbled across that tune from my youth, let me just say it took a few minutes after hearing it before I was able to continue. There is a lot of emotion and memory attached for me as well. It's the whole "happy sad" thing I was trying to convey. I was pretty sure that you would "get it".
DeleteI vaguely remember that PBS special. Vaguely, because of the emotions it stirred. But yeah, it was excellent.
(And I figured you wouldn't miss the John Denver thing. Heh. But I did have to fess up, ya know I didn't want to leave Lou hanging out there by herself. So to speak.)