Guthrie Kennard at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project (October 15, 2013) — Image by kenne
In October of 2013, we were visiting family and friends in the Houston area. The timing was great since we could attend one of Ken & Mary’s Blues Projects in Porter, Texas. The headliners for this event were Guthrie Kennard and Julie Bonk. I just learned that Dallas singer-songwriter Guthrie has cancer and is undergoing radiation. However, it hasn’t stopped him; he’s out on the road doing shows. Guthrie, may the force be with you.
‘On Connection’ delivers a message worth subscribing to
Author extolls the importance of finding meanings in the little things
Image by JACK PORCARI
“On Connection” by Sunday Times-bestselling author Kae Tempest.
For musician, poet and playwright Kae Tempest, 2020 was a year to ruminate on the small details of life and find meaning in the little things.
In their 2020 book-length essay, “On Connection,” Tempest reveals the dangers of a polarized society out of touch with the deeper elements of life. Drawing from personal experiences, excerpts of Carl Jung’s “The Red Book” and William Blake quotes, Tempest argues that creativity — in any form we define — is a pathway to self-discovery, unity and most importantly, connection.“We have lost each other under this selfless system of hyper-competition,” they write. “Music is the great invigorator. Artists don’t make their work to inspire your collusion, your submission or your consumption of their ideals. They serve a purpose that is higher. Bigger. Deeper. Which is why you feel higher, bigger, deeper as you connect with their output.”
Tempest expresses two prominent themes that call back to Jung’s “The Red Book.” These are the “spirit of the times,” or the egoist elements of oneself, and the “spirit of the depths,” or one’s inner expression of uniqueness. Tempest calls on readers to channel the depths by trying to feel the world around them a little more: they recommend taking a moment to notice the sunset, observe how the people around them are walking in tandem or listen to the sound of life around them:
“So
Put your phone down.
Listen to the birds.
Build a fire in a quiet place.
Pay attention to the details when you kiss your lover.”
Tempest says these small moments give our spirits the guidance they need: “There are many ways to access a more resonant place. It starts by acknowledging that everything is resonating.”
The first time I read “On Connection,” I felt a sudden wave of relief, as if Tempest was accompanying me during my moments of triumph and despair. The book felt less like an essay and more like a roadmap to mindful living; it teaches the reader how to navigate a world that is complex and exploitive, while still being in touch with the beauty of the present moment.
This book-length essay is perfect for anyone looking for a change of pace, something that will make readers think about life in a way they wouldn’t have otherwise. Tempest’s writing extends beyond the page, speaking to the spiritual and human truth that at our core, we are all one.
Tempest meditates on their past as they create a poignant and empowering narrative of self-acceptance. The author artfully weaves their story into the narrative, which opens doors for readers to reflect on the content on a deeper level.
Tempest delivers on their promise of making readers feel a higher, bigger and deeper connection to the truths the author spoke of.
London-based singer-songwriter has completed a new project,”A Common Turn.” In Clash Magazine, Jamie Wilde begins her review: “Michelle Obama once said that to “dare to be vulnerable” is to break down barriers and show others who you really are. With Anna B Savage, this quote can be applied explicitly throughout her tenderly captivating and embracingly vulnerable debut album ‘A Common Turn’.” An artist brave enough to show vulnerability . . .
Singer-songwriter Mac Davis Dead at 78 — Source: soundslikenashville.com
A lot of people who love music are mounding the death of Mac Davis, who died after heart surgery on September 29th. Known for writing songs for artists like Elvis Presley and Glen Campbell and also enjoyed a successful career of his own, releasing a number of crossover hits including “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me” and “Stop and Smell the Roses.” Two of my favorite are “Born In the Gaitto” and “It’s Hard To Be Humble.”
“Over the last few decades, the Sparrow has gone from being one of the world’s most common and widespread birds to being Red Listed as a species of high conservation concern,” Emily reflects. “When writing the song, my thoughts returned to the sparrows outside my window – how sad it would be to look out and not see and hear their vibrant movement and chatter. I hope that day never comes.” Read more . . .
Seemed the better way When first I heard him speak Now it’s much to late To turn the other cheek Sounded like the truth Seemed the better way Sounded like the truth But it’s not the truth today
I wonder what it was I wonder what it meant First he touched on love Then he touched on death Sounded like the truth Seemed the better way Sounded like the truth But it’s not the truth today I better hold my tongue I better take my place Lift this glass of blood Try to say the grace
Seemed the better way When first I heard him speak But now it’s much to late To turn the other cheek Sounded like the truth Seemed the better way Sounded like the truth But it’s not the truth today
I better hold my tongue I better take my place Lift this glass of blood Try to say the grace
This morning I learned of the passing of one of North America’s greatest poets, novelists, and singer/songwriters of our time. Like many others who listen to public radio, it was just a few days ago I was listening to KCRW’s Chris Douridas interview Cohen after the release of his latest album, “You Want It Darker.” At 82, he had not been in the best of health, but such news always carries an element of surprise. Click here to listen to the Chris Douridas.
There were many excellent performers at this year’s Tucson Folk Festival and one returning for the 9th year was Robyn Landis. This award-winning songwriter is a New York native who moved to Tucson from Seattle in 2010. Her songs are very poetic and easy to connect. I love the words to this song — Roots, by Robyn Landis.
Give me the soil give me the rain give me the wide open plain give me sky and the deep down below
Give me the food give me the sun make me the favorite one and I’ll show you how much we can grow
And I would put down roots with you I would plant my feet, stretch my arms so high rising up, digging down in the rich sweet ground That’s all I wanted to do is put these roots down with you
Give me the space give me the light give me the timing just right I’ll bloom colors that you’ve never seen
Sing songs of nourishing sound keep flower friends all around glossy leaves shading me with their green
Give me the very best care Grow us a family to share Build a high earthen bed for our dreams
Add all the love you can spare keep it all out in the air and allow it to bend in the breeze
And I would put down roots with you I would plant my feet, stretch my arms so high reaching up, spreading down in the soft damp ground That’s all I wanted to do is put these roots down with you
Give me the seed give me the start give me a tender with heart and I’ll blossom for spring after spring
Keep me protected and warm in the occasional storm and we’ll weather whatever they bring
And I would put down roots with you I would plant my feet, stretch my arms so high bursting up, seeking down through the endless ground That’s all I wanted to do is put these roots down with you Put these roots down with you Put these roots down with you Put these roots down with you
I will be sharing more photos and videos from the Festival on this blog in future postings — Enjoy!
I love the music of Tom Russell, he is a singer-songwriter who is in touch with those who ramble the earth. In the introduction to his 2012 book, “120 Songs” Russell writes about how songs beckon you to move a little closer, “Let me tell you a story.”
“They beguile us with their sing-song rhyme and tinkle-down melodies, yet they are imbued with trued feel for human history, poetry, emotion and cold hard facts of life, than a thousand dusty tomes from social scientists, poets, politicians, theologians and academic historians. Songs travel.”
Russell’s songs are about real people, their suffering and survival, and times when whiskey needs to be drank like wine — songs for as long as forever is.
GUADALUPE
There are ghosts out in the rain tonight, high up in those ancient trees Lord, I’ve given up without a fight, another blind fool on his knees and all the Gods that I’d abandoned, begin to speak in simple tongue and suddenly I’ve come to know, there are no roads left to run
Now it’s the hour of dogs a barking, that’s what the old ones used to say It’s first light or it’s sundown, before the children cease their play when the mountains glow like mission wine, then turn gray like a Spanish roan ten thousand eyes will stop to worship, then turn away and head on home
She is reaching out her arms tonight, lord, my poverty is real I pray roses shall rain down again, from Guadalupe on her hill and who am I to doubt these mysteries? Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke I am the least of all your children here, but I am most in need of hope
She appeared to Juan Diego, she left her image on his cape five hundred years of sorrow, cannot destroy their deepest faith so here I am, your ragged disbeliever, old doubting Thomas drowns in tears as I watch your church sink through the earth, like a heart worn down through fear
She is reaching out her arms tonight. . .
When you read the words in Russell’s songs, you can see the influence of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Federico Garcia Lorca and Charles Broskoski. The words and songs, “. . . suck us in, slap us around, kick us in the belly and heart, and then push us back out into the world with a memory we’ll never purge from our blood.”
Guy Clark is a Texas-born singer-songwriter who turned 70 at the end of last year. Another Texas singer-songwriter, Lyle Lovett recorded Clark’s first song, which was never recorded by Clark — “Step Inside This House.” I love this song, its lyrics and what they mean to me. Take a few minutes to listen to this song in the video below and enjoy the feelings you experience. Maybe the poetic words will mean something to you.
kenne
“Step Inside This House”
(Guy Clark) That picture hangin’ on the wall Was painted by a friend He gave it to me all down and out When he owed me ten Now it doesn’t look like much I guess But it’s all that’s left of him And it sure is nice from right over here When the light’s a little dim
Step inside my house Babe I’ll sing for you a song I’ll tell you ’bout where I’ve been It shouldn’t take too long I’ll show you all the things I own My treasures you might say Couldn’t be more’n ten dollars worth But they brighten up my day
Here’s a book of poems I got From a girl I used to know I guess I read it front to back Fifty times or so It’s all about the good life And stayin’ at ease with the world It’s funny how I love that book And I never loved that girl
Hold this piece of glass Up to the light comin’ through the door It’s a prism glass I found on the road Can you see that little rainbow Well it’s not really a prism I guess It just broke in a funny way I found it on my way from Texas Headed for L.A.
This guitar was given me By old man Thomas Gray It’s not too much to look at But I pick it every day It’s been across the country Four or five times I guess Between me and old man Tom It never got much rest
Well that’s about all I own And all I care to I guess Except this pair of boots And that funny yellow vest And that leather jacket and leather bag And hat hangin’ on the wall Just so it’s not too much to carry Could I see you again next Fall
Buddy Brewer, Nancy McAfee, Joni Kelton & Mr. “V” (James Vaughn) at KPFT — Image by kenne
Mr. and Mrs. “V” dedicated most of their Sunday morning “Blues On The Move” program to the late Mean Gene Kelton. Many people, the real “Die Hards,” shared their stories and their thoughts of Houston’s Blues/Rock/Americana singer-songwriter, Mean Gene Kelton. I have additional photos and video I will be sharing in the next week.
Album Cover of Emily Barker’s Latest CD.
Computer Painting by kenne
Leonard Cohen — Image source: balkanrock.com
Becoming is Superior to Being 