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My Heart
My heart goes out to the good people of Oklahoma. My heart goes out to refugees. My heart goes out to all children who aren’t having a terrific childhood. My heart goes out to everyone in Boston who was injured in the bombings. My heart goes out to the homeless, to the hungry, to the abused. My heart goes out to the victims of bullying and to rape victims. My heart goes out to those who can’t make the next mortgage payment or cover next month’s rent.My heart keeps breaking and my feelings are often in tatters. I shutter and wince when a ferry goes down in waters off Bangladesh. I moan for every entombed miner, I grieve when trains collide, and I curl up in a ball when headlines of violent crimes keep streaming across the internet, day after day; month after month.
So my heart requires daily transfusions of trees and flowers and the breeze on my face. My heart gets energy from babies and dogs, from Sam & Dave, Paul Simon, and the Southern Rock of Little Feat and The Allman Brothers Band.
I draw upon shows like “Call The Midwife,” and actors like Denzel Washington and John Goodman. That is why I need the Red Sox, the Patriots, and the Crimson Tide. Certainly, love from my own children fills my heart with happiness and pride. But like all parents, I worry for them. I worry about them. I try not to, but… I am their father and that is simply part of the job description.
My heart is bolstered by every kindness and appreciation in all forms.
My heart usually tells me that I am safe and things are all right. I know where my kids are. In my heart I know that fathers and mothers in Moore, Oklahoma felt just fine two days ago. It can all change in a heartbeat.
So I am thankful. Meanwhile, tragedies keep happening. The News is one bad thing after another. Congress is crippled by partisan meanspiritedness. The floods, the earthquakes, the gas leaks, the rejections; the wishes that go ungranted, the prayers that go unanswered. I swallow it all in. I look for grace and for miracles.
I live in a world that turns and burns. It is cruel and wondrous, bitter and sweet, impossible and entirely possible. It is probably the same for you as well. We write our own stories, to the extent that we can. But 2013 belongs to us all, and we catch the starfish with the seaweed. The bitter herb and the harosis. Poverty kills. Joblessness kills. Stupidity kills. We all want security and opportunity. We want a fair shake in life. My heart is full of hope and despair – Harry Lipson III, 5-21-13_________________________________________________
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ELEPHANT
It’s probably time for me to move on. The Boston Marathon is over. But as a Bostonian, I know that, at least for the moment, part of me is not going anywhere.Boston has picked itself up, dusted itself off.
We are more than grateful for amazing outpouring of concern and support.
To us, this is personal. And thank you for feeling exactly the same. We are all Bostonians.
We are all Marathon runners.
In the face of terrorism, it feels vulgar for me to devote my weekly scribble to the fine weather we’re enjoying. There is an elephant in the living room. There is a fucking elephant in here, and the weather is only the weather. – Harry Lipson – harryShots.com
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My Heart
My heart goes out to the good people of Oklahoma. My heart goes out to refugees. My heart goes out to all children who aren’t having a terrific childhood. My heart goes out to everyone in Boston who was injured in the bombings. My heart goes out to the homeless, to the hungry, to the abused. My heart goes out to the victims of bullying and to rape victims. My heart goes out to those who can’t make the next mortgage payment or cover next month’s rent.
My heart keeps breaking and my feelings are often in tatters. I shutter and wince when a ferry goes down in waters off Bangladesh. I moan for every entombed miner, I grieve when trains collide, and I curl up in a ball when headlines of violent crimes keep streaming across the internet, day after day; month after month.
So my heart requires daily transfusions of trees and flowers and the breeze on my face. My heart gets energy from babies and dogs, from Sam & Dave, Paul Simon, and the Southern Rock of Little Feat and The Allman Brothers Band.
I draw upon shows like “Call The Midwife,” and actors like Denzel Washington and John Goodman. That is why I need the Red Sox, the Patriots, and the Crimson Tide. Certainly, love from my own children fills my heart with happiness and pride. But like all parents, I worry for them. I worry about them. I try not to, but… I am their father and that is simply part of the job description.
My heart is bolstered by every kindness and appreciation in all forms.
My heart usually tells me that I am safe and things are all right. I know where my kids are. In my heart I know that fathers and mothers in Moore, Oklahoma felt just fine two days ago. It can all change in a heartbeat.
So I am thankful. Meanwhile, tragedies keep happening. The News is one bad thing after another. Congress is crippled by partisan meanspiritedness. The floods, the earthquakes, the gas leaks, the rejections; the wishes that go ungranted, the prayers that go unanswered. I swallow it all in. I look for grace and for miracles.
I live in a world that turns and burns. It is cruel and wondrous, bitter and sweet, impossible and entirely possible. It is probably the same for you as well. We write our own stories, to the extent that we can. But 2013 belongs to us all, and we catch the starfish with the seaweed. The bitter herb and the harosis. Poverty kills. Joblessness kills. Stupidity kills. We all want security and opportunity. We want a fair shake in life. My heart is full of hope and despair – Harry Lipson III, 5-21-13_________________________________________________
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“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up” – Mark Twain from the harryShots.com Good Quotations_________________________________________________
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“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” – Dr. Seuss…from the harryShots.com “GoodQuotations”_________________________________________________
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“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself” - Benjamin Franklinfrom the harryShots.com Good Quotations_________________________________________________
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“An economist’s guess is liable to be as good as anybody else’s” – Will Rogersfrom the harryShots.com “Quotes of What”_________________________________________________
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“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails“…from the harryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Don’t cry because its over. Smile because it happened.”
- Dr. Seuss
the harryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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recent bumper sticker:
“You should agree with me
It will save SO much time“
…the harryShots.com “Quotes O’ Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind” - Mahatma Gandhi…from the harryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time” – Richard Cech…from the harryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“I knew when my career was over. In 1965 my baseball card came out with no picture” – Bob Uecker…from the harryshots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“I laugh so hard ’til the tears run down my leg“ - a rare Delta Blues joke, from the seminal blues tune, “Silverado in My Pathway“…from the harryshots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“Everywhere is within walking distance… if you have the time”from the HarryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most“from the harryshots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday“from the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle” …from the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I can only please one person per day. Today isn’t your day…and tomorrow don’t look good either” – anonymous
the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Peace begins with a smile“ - Mother TeresaThe HarryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“If you don’t know the blues… there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing
rock and roll or any other form of popular music” —-
Keith Richards…from The HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever
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“Every day is Earth Day“the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I’ve chosen to treat my life more like a party than something to stress about” - Martin ShortThe HarryShots.com Quote of the Day_________________________________________________
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“Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck” -
George CarlinThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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James Hood Was Here
It is reported that James Hood died today. from THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS 1-17-2013:-{ “James Hood, who faced down George Wallace’s stand in the schoolhouse door to help integrate the University of Alabama 50 years ago, died Thursday afternoon at the age of 70, in his hometown of Gadsden. James did a great thing for the University of Alabama,” said E. Culpepper Clark, former dean of UA’s College of Communication & Information Sciences, and author of “The Schoolhouse Door: Segregation’s Last Stand at the University of Alabama.”
“With Vivian Malone, he liberated the university to serve all the people of Alabama and thereby join the ranks of the nation’s flagship universities.”
Hood and Vivian Malone Jones, who died in 2005, attempted to register and pay fees June 11, 1963, at UA’s Foster Auditorium, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach. Gov. George Wallace, surrounded by a phalanx of state troopers, barred them, attempting to keep his infamous inaugural promise of “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” Later that day, Wallace backed down after President John F. Kennedy federalized the National Guard. }
JAMES HOOD WAS HERE. Thank you Sir. Lord, may he rest in peace. – HL_________________________________________________
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“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren KierkegaardThe HarryShots.com Quotes o’ Whatevah_________________________________________________
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“How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct.” – Benjamin Disraeli_________________________________________________
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“Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens” – Andy RooneyThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I’m happy now!” - Nick Saban, 3-time National Champion Football Coach of The University of Alabama_________________________________________________
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“No coach has ever won a game by what he knows; it’s what his players know that counts” – Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant_________________________________________________
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May 2013 bring good health and happiness to all my friends; I wish you the very best.
Let us renew our faith in ourselves, and in each other, and let safety and well-being be a given for everyone, everywhere. Happy New Year. – Harry_________________________________________________ -
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness“. – Dalai Lamathe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha
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“My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water.” – Mark Twain…from The HarryShots.com “Quotes”_________________________________________________
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“No one has ever drowned themselves in sweat” – Coach Lou HoltzThe HarryShots.com Quotes_________________________________________________
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“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people” – Eleanor RooseveltThe HarryShots.com Quotes_________________________________________________
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“Most American children suffer too much mother and too little father” – Gloria SteinemThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha (whatever)_________________________________________________
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“Electricity is really just organized lightning” - George Carlinfrom the HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha_________________________________________________
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“Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage” – President Teddy RooseveltThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha (Whatever)_________________________________________________
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“Think off-center” – George CarlinThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha_________________________________________________
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“Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss“ - Black ElkThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Well done is better than well said” – Benjamin FranklinThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude” – Dale CarnegieThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever
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“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” – The Dalai LamaThe HarryShots Quotes of WhAtEvEr_________________________________________________
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“Imagination rules the world” – Napoleon BonaparteThe HarryShots QuOtEs oF wHaTeVeR_________________________________________________
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“Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated” - Coach Lou HoltzThe HarryShots qUoTeS oF WhAtEvEr_________________________________________________
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“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us” – Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephonethe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I am easily satisfied with the very best” – Sir Winston Churchillthe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere“. – Carl Sagan, astronomerThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter“ - Martin Luther King, Jr.The HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong” – Mohandas Gandhithe HarryShots.com quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me” - Coach Jim ValvanoThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” – Michael PritchardThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“PAGE ONE:
INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES”
a documentary (premiered at Sundance – 2011)
A very interesting movie about a very interesting subject. The question posed was (paraphrased): “Do we need the Grey Lady in an age of internet news, instant information, tweeting, the blogisphere, round the clock cable news channels, among the myriad ways we find out about the news?” There are those who see the New York Times, always “the newspaper of record” as either anachronistic now or soon to be so. In this digital age where everybody is a reporter and we all have cellphones, cameras, and are “tapped in” to what is happening, how important and useful, relevant is the NYT and its worldwide bureaus, staff writers far flung around the globe, and the thousands more in New York City who shape and deliver a newspaper on a daily basis?
Michael Kingsley of the New York Times panned the movie saying it was “all over the place” and “it does little to illuminate that struggle, preferring instead a constant parade of people telling the camera how dreadful it would be if The Times did not survive.”
David Carr, the Times media and culture columnist, is the man who gets the lion’s share of the face time. Frankly, I don’t think the Times could find a better advocate, one who can relate to the question of “relevance.” David is a very interesting man, casually impressive in an offhand but on-point way. I found the movie engrossing and highly interesting.
So, I’ll disagree, rather strongly, with Michael Kingsley and say that this is well worth a couple of hours, if only to see behind the veil and watch decisions being made and the paper put together. I give it “five highfives” “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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Ratatouille
Ratatouille (rat-a-too-ee) is just plain fun to watch. For adults and kids alike. From Disney/Pixar studios and the creative people behind Cars and The Incredibles. Paris never looked so beautiful at night. Voicing by Patton Oswalt, Brian Dennehy, Janeane Garofolo, Peter O’Toole, Brad Garrett, among a host of others. Light, friendly, and charming, although set in a Paris restaurant’s kitchen that is anything but. As improbable as a story can get, but it’s animation, so relax take off your critic’s hat, and let yourself be entertained.I give Ratatouille five highfives, and “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
stars George Clooney, John Goodman, John Tunturro, Tim Blake, Holly Hunter, Chris Thomas King and Charles DurningFrom the creative minds of Joel and Ethan Coen. Which means its both funny and good.
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We start out with a chain gang prison break at Mississippi’s Parchman Farm Penitentiary in Sunflower County in the Mississippi Delta. The year is 1937. The film is said to be loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey, but you sure don’t need to be a Greek scholar to enjoy the hell out of this great movie. The soundtrack won the Grammy award and is good to the very last “Amen.”
We’ve got buried treasure, wanted prisoners trying to stay wanted, a scene at the Mississippi “crossroads of musical fame”, the Ku Klux Klan, Mississippi state elections, and a great deal more to feast your tired eyes upon. John Goodman is extraordinary as always in his cream colored Southern business suit and suspenders. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? is a great movie and I give it five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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OUT OF AFRICAstarring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep (1985)
About once every year when I am restless and looking for something good, really good, to watch, I reach for one of the all time great movies, Out of Africa with maybe the finest work ever done by both Meryl and Bob.
This is an epic movie. It won the big awards as it should have: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Set Decoration, Best Musical Score, Best Sound, and Best Screenwriting.
Further, Out of Africa was nominated for: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Costume, and Best Film Editing
Suffice it to say that Out of Africa is a triumph of the human spirit. It is grand, it is large; a tour de force and very well worth your seeing, or seeing again. I love the scene where Meryl’s character, Baroness Von Blixen surprises a lion in the Kenyan brush. She implores Robert Redford to shoot the beast and the dialogue and tension are memorable. And that is just one of a great many rather extraordinary scenes we are part of, in this riveting and well told story. I give it five HighFives, “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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MASKED AND ANONYMOUS
Want to see the coolest movie you never heard of? Want to see a movie with a cast that includes Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Mickey Rourke, Luke Wilson, Penelope Cruz, Bruce Dern, Christian Slater, Fred Ward, Angela Bassett, Cheech Marin, and stars Bob Dylan?
Then you want to seek out an amazing piece of cinema called “Masked and Anonymous” (2003). The soundtrack is sensational. John Goodman channels The Big Lebowski to a certain extent.
The dialogue is incredible. Val Kilmer is at his peak in his brief but unforgettable cameo.The poster at left is a Spanish language promotional poster.
I give this film five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
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The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story (2009)
Two brothers who hated one another and wrote the most wonderful songs. Songs you sing, songs you hum, songs your kids (grandkids) sing or will be singing a hundred years from now. The two brothers, Robert (Bob) and Richard (Dick) Sherman collaborated uneasily, but wrote songs such as:It’s A Small World * A Spoonful of Sugar * Chim Chim Cher-ee * Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious * Winnie The Pooh * Chitty Chitty Bang Bang * Tall Paul (a pop hit on the Billboard charts) * You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine) (another Billboard chart topper). Their list of songs is as long as your arm. Walt Disney recognized their talents early on and they were integral parts of the Walt Disney empire. They won Academy Awards, Grammies, Presidential Medals of Freedom, and more.
The movie is a documentary about their careers and lives, as told by their adult children. This is a story of two families, fame, creative genius, rivalry, dysfunction on one level and acclaim on another. It is truly amazing, award-winning documentary and definitely worth seeing. The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story is a HarryShots.com Ramble recommendation, I give it five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
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Barney’s Version
I am a fan of Paul Giamatti so it was a treat to stumble on Barney’s Version (2010) not long ago. If there was press and media hyping this movie, I totally missed it. You probably did as well, ’cause I think it was minimal at best. So if you are looking for a something not too taxing or heavy handed, may I recommend Barney’s Version, with a nice role for Dustin Hoffman as icing on the cake.
Rosamund Pike is magnificent to watch. Bruce Greenwood, Minnie Driver are both in the cast. “Barney” time travels back and forth over a handful of decades, weaving a remarkable and quirky story but a cool one. I give it five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
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SOUTHERN BELLESStars Anna Faris and Laura Breckenridge. Looking for a good movie to rent? I’m recommending Southern Belles (2005). Might be hard to find, but good stuff often is. It is a little Georgia small town slice of life picture. Numerous memorable scenes and dialogue. It’s a lot of fun. Rated H for happy. I rate it Five HighFives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
“It’s Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long” by The Notorious Cherry Bombs [Vince Gill on lead vocals]
Click here to download this demented and true paean to marital dysfunction, at Amazon.com
REDNECK WEEK is in full swang at HarryShots.com
If ever a song deserved to make it toward the top of the list of redneck songs, this song is one. It is pitiful and honest. For those reasons and more, “It’s Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long” by the Notorious Cherry Bombs*, is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day.
*Can you guess who the lead singer is? Sure you can. It’s none other than Vince Gill. Vince, Rodney Crowell, Tony Brown, Emery Gordy, Jr and the boys in Nashville got together and cranked out this lovely tune HL
SOUTHERN BELLES
Stars Anna Faris and Laura Breckenridge. Looking for a good movie to rent? I’m recommending Southern Belles (2005). Might be hard to find, but good stuff often is. It is a little Georgia small town slice of life picture. Numerous memorable scenes and dialogue. It’s a lot of fun. Rated H for happy. I rate it Five HighFives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
“I’ll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle” by Pure Prairie League
REDNECK WEEK continues here at HarryShots.com *
None of us want Merle Haggard to have to get his fingers all covered in”earl” changing a tire out in the middle of nowhere. I think it is more likely that Merle would get grease on his pinkies, rather than oil, but perhaps I over-analyze. Merle probably flew most of the time anyway. Nonetheless, enjoy Pure Prairie League doing their Merle Haggard tribute, “I’ll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle” which is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
* This is all tongue in cheek, of course. If I didn’t love these songs, I would not recommend them and feature them. So please take no offense. The only reason my neck isn’t red is SPF 50.
“Beer Season” by Thom Shepherd
Click here to download this Panama City Party Song, at Amazon.com
REDNECK WEEK is in full swing “rye cheer” at HarryShots.com*
One of the best drinking songs I’ve heard. It makes so much sense, probably more so when you have a cooler of long necks on ice. Get a load of “Beer Season” yall. She’s the HarryShots.com Song of This Here Day. HL
* This is all tongue in cheek, of course. If I didn’t love these songs, I would not recommend them and feature them. So please take no offense. The only reason my neck isn’t red is SPF 50.
“Beer, Bait, and Ammo” by Kevin Fowler
Click rye cheer to download this here number at Amazon.com
REDNECK WEEK continues here at HarryShots.com
Here is part two of Redneck Week at HarryShots.com. This is all tongue in cheek, of course. If I didn’t love these songs, I would not recommend them and feature them. So please take no offense. The only reason my neck isn’t red is SPF 50. We keep it going with Kevin Fowler’s great song “Beer, Bait, and Ammo.” It is a treat to have Kevin Fowler’s songwritin’ and song singin’ showcased at HarryShots.com. He has been long deserving. ‘Course HarryShots has only been around for six months, so it hasn’t been that long, but Kevin in clearly deserving and a welcome addition to REDNECK WEEK 2012.
This was the Kevin Fowler song that first caught my ear, when I heard it about four years ago, on the late lamented Cross Country (XCountry) XM Radio station, Channel 12. Come on Mel Karmazin, bring back the “Austin to Nashville-Americana-Sons and daughters of John Prine and Townes Van Zandt singer/songwriters” we came to love and listen to so loyally.
Hope you find a little wisdom and inspiration in Kevin Fowler’s “Beer, Bait, and Ammo,” Live at BillyBobs, your the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
““The Wedding Song” by Charlie Robison and Natalie Maines
Click here to download this ol’ song on Amazon.com
We start off “Redneck Week“ at HarryShots.com
This is my absolute favorite shitkicker country ass song. Charlie Robison, brilliant songwriter who is married to Emily Erwin of the Dixie Chicks pairs up on a great duet with Dixie Chicks lead singer, Natalie Maines, (she sings this, acts this so well) for today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day.
There are so many quotable lines in “The Wedding Song:” “You went a semester to West Texas State, but the freshman fifteen you gained, killed all your dates,” or what may be the greatest line in all of country and western music:
“ … I slammed all the doors to a future where I could see Paris in spring, And I wasn’t prepared for the weight of this ring.”
My take: Charlie Robison is the Lone Star’s Charles Dickens.
I guess that if this song wasn’t so funny, it would be sadder-n-hell; or if it wasn’t so damn sad, it would be funnier than hell.
This is a song you could memorize. Better to get a partner for the duet and both learn the words. Sing it in the shower, drivin’ down the road, or between commercials on “American Idol.” HL
“Pony Boy” by The Allman Brothers
Click here to download the mp3 at Amazon.com
Dickey Betts handles the lead vocals and plays the dobro on this Delta blues style tune, from the Allman Brothers album, Brothers and Sisters released in the early 1970s. Great song, great album, great fucking band. You got Southern roots cookin’ with “Pony Boy” as the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Count it. HL
“I’ll Never Find Another You” by The Seekers
Click here to download the mp3 at Amazon.com
Here’s a great song from the 1960s. The Seekers were a folk-rock band from Australia and they were part of the musical fabric that was entirely extraordinary in its unbelievably great music. Some of those songs sound pretty dated or frankly, a little lame. Not so with today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day, “I’ll Never Find Another You” from The Seekers. Enjoy. HL
“Long Time Gone” by The Dixie Chicks
Click here to download this mp3 at Amazon.com
One of my favorite groups, the Chicks got a royal screw job from the record industry when it bowed, needlessly and embarrassingly, to the right wing, politically correct, bozos who control national radio airplay. Before Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the Chicks, made comments about George W. Bush and his Middle East aggression, the Dixie Chicks were near the top of the charts. A crossover group, they had success in mainstream Country Music and beyond.
Once they were effectively blackballed the airplay dried up as did ticket sales for their touring dates. They never recovered and the Chicks are, sadly, no longer making records. Dwelling on the positive, the Dixie Chicks were all strong musicians with both excellent taste in the songs they chose to record and equally outstanding production in the albums they released.
My favorite Dixie Chicks song is “Long Time Gone,” written by Darrell Scott, and it is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“My Old Man” by Rosanna Goodman
Click here to download the mp3 at Amazon.com
When I remember Steve Goodman, I think of the finest solo acoustic stage performer that I ever saw. He was so in touch with himself and his audience. Steve was naturally funny, even with a poignant story or song to sing. And he was among the finest guitarists that I ever saw in person. Tragically, Steve died in 1984 after a long battle with leukemia (He would occasionally refer to himself as “Cool Hand Leuk”). The night Steve died, I was on the phone with Monteray Peninsula Artists, Steve’s booking agency, talking to Paul Goldman with some dates that I was hoping that Steve might play for FolkTree, my concert company. I will never forget Paul Goldman saying that Steve had died about twenty minutes earlier in a Seattle hospital.
I have a sweet spot in my heart for Steve Goodman. He wrote great songs, co-wrote many great songs, was such a crackerjack performer, and his albums were stellar. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Steve’s ashes were scattered (as was his wish in one of his songs) at Wrigley Field. When the Cubbies someday win the World Series, I will be thinking, first and foremost, about Steve Goodman. And I won’t be alone.
The first time I saw Steve Goodman perform, he was the opening act for Emmylou Harris back in 1975 in Birmingham, Alabama. The house lights went down and a little sprite of a guy wearing a white collarless shirt and blue bib overalls bops out on stage, sits down and begins to play amazing guitar and sing. He doesn’t introduce himself, just starts into his first song. He was not introduced to the audience, his name was not in the show advertising nor on the tickets, so none of us in the crowd had any idea who we were listening to. That included me, until he mentioned his father, Joseph, and I realized who he was. Suffice it to say that Emmylou (I always refer to her as EmmisLou) was great as always, and I love her, but what I remember over three decades later is Stevie Goodman and the one man show he was.
So today, it is Steve’s daughter, Rosanna, who sings the song about her grandfather; a song that her father wrote about his father. “My Old Man” is a beautiful song and Rosanna puts her heart into it. Bravo, Rosanna. HL
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“Hey” by Karen Peck and New River
Click here to download the mp3 at Amazon.com
How about a little energy to get you rolling along. How about Karen Peck and New River with “Hey.” About as upbeat as any song can be, it’s a toe tapper as well. The message is religious, as are some of the finest songs of all time. In this case, the Lord doth provide, so have faith in me to bring the good stuff right here to HarryShots.com with nothing but great songs 24/7/365. Check out Karen Peck and New River singing today’s great HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
“Catfish John” (studio outtake) by The Grateful Dead
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The song itself was written by Johnny Russell and it happens to be one of my favorite tunes. There are four versions of this song that I like and have in my music files (versions by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Alison Krauss, the original by Mr. Russell, a reggae version by Toots and the Maytals, and this version by Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead).
Take a listen to The Grateful Dead, with their studio outtake of “Catfish John” from their album, Terrapin Station, and the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
“Legend of the U.S.S. Titanic” by Jaime Brockett
Jaime Brockett’s anthem “The Legend of the U.S.S. Titanic” is one of the coolest songs ever recorded. You probably have never heard it, or heard of it. Admittedly it is a little hard to decipher all the words as Jaime is singing, because of the flow of the whole song. All that being said, I first heard it back in the days of Underground FM radio during the mid 1970s on Courtney Haden’s late night radio show out of Birmingham, Alabama and I never forgot it. You wanna know why the Titanic sank? This song will tell you the real reason that history somehow overlooked. Also for historical reference, Jack Johnson was the heavyweight Champion of the World about this time. He was a black man. Racism gets covered in this song too. There are also a number of nautical terms used, such as landlubbers (land lovers).
I finally ran across a copy for sale of this incredible musical treat about five years ago and was able to scratch it off my all-time music wish list. It put Jaime on the musical map back in those halcyon days. This song is longwinded and is like no other. Pull up a chair for about 13 minutes and don’t forget to breathe. Check it out, thank me later. HL
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“Late In The Evening” by Paul Simon
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Of all of the musical artists I have ever listened to (and that is a LOT), Paul Simon is pretty close to the top of the heap in my book. ”Late In The Evening” is one of Paul’s finest, and it is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. It is a full production with horns, back up vocalists, but pay special attention to the percussion which is incredible.
Some songs finished high school. Some went to college. ”Late In The Evening” got itself a Ph.D, if you follow along. I lift off when I hear Paul sing “I just blew that room away.” Enjoy. HL
“It’s Late” by Ricky Nelson
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Before The Beatles and the British Invasion, before Motown, there was an American star, Ricky Nelson, who we first became acquainted with as the younger son in the hit TV show of the 1950s, Ozzie and Harriet. Ozzie, Harriet, and their two sons were a family in both real life and on television. But Ricky had a second career as one of America’s best young recording artists. Ricky’s talents were more as a singer, if memory serves.
Ricky Nelson had the distinction of having the first #1 song on the Billboard Top 100. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ricky died at age 45 in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve in 1985. I remember the tragic news of that day. One of Ricky’s hits was “It’s Late” which is today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Check it out. HL
“Sheraton Gibson” by Pete Townshend
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
How about a little acoustic ditty from lead guitarist of The Who to settle your mind into a nice little relaxing place. How about Pete Townshend and “Sheraton Gibson,” which is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. One very quirky thing, however, Townshend sings about the Sheraton Gibson Hotel being in Cleveland, Ohio. Best I can tell from a bit of my own research is that the Sheraton Gibson is not in Cleveland, but in Cincinnati, another Ohio city. Big mistake, but sweet little tune. Check it out. HL
““Bella Notte” from Lady and The Tramp (Disney)
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
This being Valentines Day, and this being my favorite Disney song, and this being the final night of the Westminster Dog Show, and this being a wonderful love song, we have “Bella Notte” from the Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp, which is today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Spaghetti and Meatballs in the moonlight. “Aw Miss Laaady” HL
“Black Water” by The Doobie Brothers
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
The Doobie Brothers are one of the all time great bands, and this is my favorite DB song. I also have “Black Water” included in Harry’s Top 1000 Songs Ever. The intro is sterling and “Black Water” is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day
“Passing By” by Cary Hudson
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
From a really good album, called “Bittersweet Blues” comes Cary Hudson singing his original song “Passing By.” I became aware of Cary as the lead singer and guitarist of Blue Mountain, which I think is now defunct. Bittersweet Blues is mostly Hudson showing his acoustic side, and the whole album is worth having. I understand that Cary Hudson lives near Hattiesburg, Mississippi so we have the Magnolia State in common.
“Passing By” by Cary Hudson is today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
“Tennessee Waltz” by Hem
Click here to download this good song, at Amazon.com
“Tennessee Waltz” was first released in the mid late 1940s, written by Redd Stewart with music by Pee Wee King. It is “finestkind” as far as songs go, to my way of thinking. TW is the kind of song, you sing in the shower or when you’re driving around. A truly gorgeous and important song.
Hem is really interesting as well. Comprised of eight band members (a lot) with Sally Ellyson singing the lead vocals in this live recording, which is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“American Hearts” by A.A. Bondy
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, through Amazon.com
Part of a new generation of musicians whose songs I appreciate, A.A. (Auguste Arthur) Bondy recorded his first solo album in 2007 and it is the title song, “American Hearts” that is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
“Hey Conductor” by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer
Click here to download this good song, at Amazon.com
A high energy train song by the late Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, “Hey Conductor” is a musical bookend with Steve Earle’s “Texas Eagle.” There are train songs and there are great train songs, and today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day is the latter. Check out this upbeat and catchy song. HL
“Tuscaloosa Suntan” by Lipbone Redding
Click here to download this good song, at Amazon.com
Any song about my hometown is one I want to hear. “Tuscaloosa Suntan“, as it turns out, is a crackerjack song that another artist by the same name would have loved. “T.S.”makes a great bookend with Otis’ “Shout Bamalama.” I invite you to turn up the volume and listen to Lipbone, who has the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
Seven Thoughts on The Patriots Loss in Super Bowl 46 – A Pats Fan’s Lament
THE SUPER BOWL
SEVEN THOUGHTS
POINT 1: IT IS NOT WELKERS FAULT
Take the goat horns off Wes Welker. Team loss. No goats in this game.
Welker said he should have caught it but he is protecting Tom Brady. So Welker throws himself under the bus, except he is not to blame.
Tom’s pass was thrown behind Welker, who was wide open, to Welker’s credit, and the ball simply wasn’t delivered to him effectively. You can be contorted with your body going one way, looking back over your shoulder, get the fingertips of both hands briefly on the ball, but that doesn’t mean you should, or could, catch it. Welker’s momentum was leading him in the opposite direction and the pass was thrown over his other shoulder. Gravity and physics take over at that point. The ball was also thrown just a bit too high. We are used to watching Wes make circus catches and snag balls that he probably ought not catch. After all, Wes Welker led the NFL both in 2011 and 2010 in catches. He is an extraordinary athlete with no give up in him. Could he have somehow caught Brady’s errant pass? Should he have? It would have been an amazing grab, but Wes Welker is not to blame for that play or for the loss of the Super Bowl. Hold your head high, Wes.
POINT 2: THE PATS OFFENSE SCORED ONLY 17 POINTS
The great Patriots offense scored all of 17 points. And the Pats last points were put up only four minutes into the third quarter. So for most of the 3rd quarter and all of the 4th quarter, the Patriots scored zipke. Exceptionally poor field position also played a huge part in the overall equation.
POINT 3: THE PATS ONLY HAD THREE RECEIVERS, IN REALITY
Gronk was a complete non factor, in spite of his one 20 yard catch. Ochocinco caught a nice one but was also a non factor. Gronk can say he was 100 percent, but I think he was about 40%. The Giants did not double team him, and focused their attention on the rest of the Patriot receiving corp.
Other than the backs coming out of the backfield, the Pats really only had three receivers: Hernandez, Welker, and Branch. That made life a lot easier for New York.
POINT 4: THE DEFENSE ONLY GAVE UP 21 POINTS IN THE GAME
The defense was only fair, but in the final analysis, they only gave up 21 points, two of which were not their fault (Brady’s safety). Most Pats fans would have gladly given New York 21 points and taken our chances.
POINT 5: BRADY WAS “OFF” FOR MOST OF THE 3RD QUARTER AND ALL OF THE 4TH QUARTER.
At one point in the game, Brady was 20 for 22, having set a Super Bowl record of 16 straight completions. Then, after the Pats scored on the opening drive of the 2nd half, Brady seemed to lose focus or accuracy. He may have been hurt on the sack he took in the 3rd quarter. But no excuses, Brady wasn’t Brady those last 26 minutes of a 60 minute football game.
POINT 6: NEW YORK HAD ZERO TURN OVERS AND FIVE PENALTIES
Hard to beat a team that won’t beat itself.
POINT 7: BRADY NEVER LOOKED DEEP THE WHOLE GAME.
Pats did a lot of underneath routes and, maybe it was for lack of time in the pocket, but the deep threat was no threat at all.
“Show Me The Road” by Harvey Reid
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
Some of our best artists never make the big time. They are still some of our best artists. Harvey Reid is a New Hampshire singer songwriter who plays guitar about as well as anyone walking around the planet. His song “Show Me The Road” is today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“Wide River to Cross” by Buddy Miller
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
Buddy Miller is one of the main players (playuhs) in Nashville and the Americana music world. He is a great songwriter and interpreter of other folks stuff. I first found Buddy and his music when he was helping out the late, great Solomon Burke. Miller provided the backing band, studio production, and was helpful in getting Solomon’s music to as wide an audience as possible. And that may be understating his role.
Buddy, who is in a musical duo with wife Julie, has also surrounded himself with, or attracted such extraordinary folks as Emmylou and Patty Griffin. I think I’m only scratching the surface with regard to Buddy’s connections and his varied talents.
Today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day is “Wide River to Cross” written with Julie, from the album, Universal United House of Prayer. This’n is among my favorite songs, so take my word, it’s bingo time. HL
