Head-dibs

When I was a child, I discovered "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes (1906) in a collection of poems. Imagine my joy when I discovered a musical arrangement!

Bruce Springsteen ("I'm On Fire") surprised me with this little tune drawn from John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" (not to be confused with the first autobiography written by a drunk, "The Wrath of Grapes"). 

Iron Maiden turns out to be a fairly well-read bunch of dudes! This won't be the last we hear from them in this series. 

"El Dorado" by Edgar Allan Poe was one of the first poems I memorized and I still enjoy reciting it from time to time. Enjoy Iron Maiden's arrangement!

Miguel de Cervantes published Don Quixote in two parts, first in 1605 then in 1615. Talk about focus! Then 1972 came along. One of my favorite songs!

 Edgar Allan Poe gave us the story.  The Alan Parsons Project ("Eye In The Sky") gave us the song.

Here is a well known story by a well known artist singing a not-very well known song. Here is Jimmy Buffet, inspired by Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" 

I'm not an Elton John fan, but this is a wonderful arrangement of the 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque. 

Rush (the greatest band of all time ever) gets us started with a month of "Literature to Music" posts. Here is 2112, based on Ayn Rand's short book, "Anthem" (published 1937).  Turn it up!

“ Why country music makes you cry, and rock and roll doesn’t: A musical interpretation of divided America. Revisionist History goes to Nashville to talk with Bobby Braddock, who has written more sad songs than almost anyone else. What is it about music that makes us cry? And what sets country music apart?” If you’re not crying by the end of this podcast. . . there's something wrong with you. Believe me when I say it's worth the listen. And it explains all this: 

So during my long commutes to and from work (1 hour each way), I listen to mucho musica. About the same time I returned to listening to one very complex band ( Dream Theater ), I recalled another band I had only read about and thought to give them a listen ( Spock's Beard ). It was not difficult to fall for this magical ensemble founded in 1992 by two brothers. They are to me like Rock music's greatest secret.  But you know how every now and then you wish for the best of the best? Well, I discovered that Mike Portnoy (formerly of Dream Theater) also played in a band with the co-founder of Spock's Beard--in a couple of bands, actually. Then I found out that the guitarist of Deep Purple also played in one of those bands also. I gave 'em a listen and was hooked. This is true music, folks. Prog at it's best, in my opinion.  One feature that stands out (besides true musicality) is the writing. Very deep, personal and meaningful. Sensitive.  So without further ado, here a...

 

The emotional roller coaster of this year has been dark, swift, full of steep drops and sweeping turns like a hellish version of Space Mountain at Disney World. Since March of this year (the Disney trip aside), it's as if the floor opened up and I've dropped down Alice's Rabbit Hole, only this one has no bottom. Every time I think I can see the bottom and the drop is over, the Hole shows me its surprises--there is more to come. I'd like off this ride, thank you very much. Regardless, life as we knew it no longer exists. Oh well. "Every Storm Runs Out of Rain," as the song goes. Just a matter of time until that happens I suppose. I am grateful for every family member and friend who has not given up. Some have been quick to sever ties through the changes, others have been gradual. It sucks either way. I am grateful for every encouragement and affirmation from those who stick around. I've been off Social Media for some time due to my account being cloned, whi...

I was challenged by a friend to, over the next 10 days, post the cover of an album that shaped and/or influenced my musical taste. No explanation or commentary.