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Blame Them All
Since Congress, with exceptions, seems mired in stalemate, there is only one thing to do. Do not re-elect anyone. Bring in new people. Elect them instead. If they fail to act responsibly, don’t re-elect them either. No incumbencies. No incumbents. Congress appears unwilling to change, and so it must be us that does the changing. After two election cycles (four years), with incumbents being beaten throughout the country, I think we can presume that survival instincts might bring about bipartisan action from Congress.
A few statesmen and women will be sacrificed. We can only create change if we have patience and are willing to do this when it is required. Now is that time.
Bipartisanship is required for the good of the nation. Blame the Dems, Blame the Republicans. I have my opinion, you have yours. Let’s start this year. – Harry_________________________________________________
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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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Blame Them All
Since Congress, with exceptions, seems mired in stalemate, there is only one thing to do. Do not re-elect anyone. Bring in new people. Elect them instead. If they fail to act responsibly, don’t re-elect them either. No incumbencies. No incumbents.
Congress appears unwilling to change, and so it must be us that does the changing. After two election cycles (four years), with incumbents being beaten throughout the country, I think we can presume that survival instincts might bring about bipartisan action from Congress.
A few statesmen and women will be sacrificed. We can only create change if we have patience and are willing to do this when it is required. Now is that time.
Bipartisanship is required for the good of the nation. Blame the Dems, Blame the Republicans. I have my opinion, you have yours. Let’s start this year. – Harry_________________________________________________
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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_________________________________________________
“Going Down The Road Feeling Bad” by Delaney and Bonnie and Friends
I cannot speak more highly of musicians than I do now (and as I have previously) with regard to Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett and the “friends” they hung out with.
In this record, Motel Shot, that musical talent included this amazing list: Delaney Bramlett – guitar, vocals, arranger, Bonnie Bramlett – vocals, Duane Allman – guitar, Stephen Stills- vocals and perhaps guitar, Ben Benay – guitar, Joe Cocker – vocals, John Hartford – banjo and fiddle, Eddie James – guitar, Jim Keltner – drums, Bobby Keys – saxophone, Eric Clapton – guitar, Dave Mason – guitar, Gram Parsons – guitar and vocals, Carl Radle – bass guitar,Leon Russell – piano and keyboards, Clarence White – guitar and vocals, Bobby Whitlock – vocals, and Jay York – backing vocals. This is a was a We Are The World kind of assemblage. Was there ever more talent in any studio? FYI, Beatle, George Harrison was part of the entourage, and was often in the recording sessions with Delaney and Bonnie, but he somehow missed out on this album.
On top of all this, you take a Woody Guthrie song (happy 100th Woody!) and what you get back is this amazing track. Enjoy “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad“ which is our song of the day. HL
“This Land Is Your Land” by Little Feat
Click here to download the Little Feat mp3
On this Memorial Day, 2012, the HarryShots Song of the Day is Woody Guthrie’s American anthem “This Land Is Your Land.” The music is by Little Feat, from their semi-recent album, Join The Band.
While I’d like to take this moment to wish everyone a happy holiday, I also want each of us to remember the sacrifices made, not only by soldiers, but by average citizens: teachers, union workers, inventors, librarians, government employees, cooks, salespeople, artists, visionaries, etc, etc. We give our thanks to the productivity, personal and collective responsibility, and the grand creativity found throughout our 236 year history, dating to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. HL
“The Car Song” by Woody Guthrie
Click here to buy and download the mp3
With the Indy 500, Formula 1 at Monaco, and Nascar at Charlotte, all this weekend, HarryShots is featuring car songs for the weekend, and howzabout the original car song, “The Car Song” by Woody Guthrie.
I just got back from the A.R.T (American Repertory Theatre) in Cambridge, the show was “Woody Sez,” – a four musician dust bowl tour of Woody’s life, travels, and troubles wrapped inside a goodly chunk of Woody’s songs. Woody Guthrie was part Norman Rockwell, Babe Ruth, John Steinbeck, Garrison Keillor, and Richard Petty. He could tell stories, write songs, entertain, inspire others with his common touch and his humor, but he was more than all that. Woody had a point to make. And even though his life was hard, filled with great personal sorrow, he got to make those points, influence lives, and be one voice for many who had no voice at all.
The “Car Song” is just a silly thing, it seems shallow for a Woody Guthrie song. Thank God for happy, silly songs. And here’s to you, Woody Guthrie. HL
“Goin Down The Road” by The Allman Brothers
The incomparable Allman Brothers were recorded in Los Angeles on June 11, 1992. They recorded eight songs that night.
Come On In My Kitchen, Seven Turns, Midnight Rider, South Bound, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Melissa, Midnight Blues, and the song for today, Goin Down the Road.
They were essentially in an acoustic mode, unplugged, as they say. The record is very hard to find and I am unable to offer a resource for downloading the concert.
Here is one of those songs, “Goin Down The Road” which was written by Woody Guthrie and Lee Hays .” Enjoy. HL
