Category Archives: Songs

H. B., Taj Mahal

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

Today is the 71st birthday of the incomparable American musician Taj Mahal. Henry St. Claire Fredericks was born in Harlem and raised in Springfield Massachusetts, but his world turned out to be much larger than that. The wide-ranging career he … Continue reading →

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Posted in Songs | 19 Comments

All Shall Be Well

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

This is the anniversary of the day in 1373 when an English mystic, Julian of Norwich, was said to have been healed of a serious medical condition after experiencing a series of religious visions. In response she started writing, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | Tagged | 67 Comments

Billy Joel’s Birthday

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Yes, I get a kick out of Billy Joel’s music, even though it was mostly beyond the boundaries (there were boundaries?) of what we played on the Morning Show during my MPR days. I even like Joel’s lyrics, though some … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | 84 Comments

R.I.P. Richie Havens

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

My favorite quote from the late Richie Havens appeared in his New York Times obituary – “I’m not in show business,” he said. “I’m in the communications business.” Havens was a spectacular communicator, famous for improvising his way through a … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | 73 Comments

Disney Girls

Posted on April 9, 2013 by

People of a certain age understand the widespread sense of loss and sadness brought about by the death yesterday of forever Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Annette became a teenage TV idol in the ’50′s, at a time when the idea of … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | Tagged , | 67 Comments

Look On The Bright Side

Posted on March 29, 2013 by

Celebrated Python Eric Idle turns 70 today. I liked the group’s TV shows and sketches, though I have an extra helping of fondness for Eric Idle’s work as a funny lyricist. His “Galaxy Song” is a long-time favorite. And as … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | Tagged | 70 Comments

H.B., James Taylor

Posted on March 12, 2013 by

Today is the birthday of the most extravagantly talented and popular mellow-sounding person ever to record a song, James Taylor. There is some kind of narcotic effect that takes hold when I hear him sing that I find comforting and … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | Tagged | 46 Comments

Dukes of Dexterity

Posted on March 8, 2013 by

Today might be Mississippi John Hurt‘s Birthday. Or not. Many sources list the day as July 3, 1893, but there’s a tombstone in Avalon, Mississippi that claims it’s March 8th, 1892. Not that the date matters all that much. I’d … Continue reading →

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H.B. Fats Domino

Posted on February 26, 2013 by

Today is New Orleans musician Fats Domino‘s birthday – he’s 85 today, despite rumors to the contrary that he died during Hurricane Katrina. I’m especially happy to have him around in 2013 when everything is so dark and serious because … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

Near Miss

Posted on February 15, 2013 by

Hot on the heels of the Holiday of Closeness, an apartment building-sized asteroid called 2012 DA 14 will make a pass at us and it has already got our attention. The experts assure us there will be no impact, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs | 83 Comments