Sunday, June 10, 2012
My Recommends: The Whale Rider
I know I have written about this before but as we will see a new launch of films featuring strong female characters, I resurrected a favorite movie and book. It is such a compelling tale of the history of an indigenous people and the loss of identity through the generations. When the next Chief cannot live up to his birthright, his daughter becomes the unlikely hero. It doesn't matter whether it is male or female, what matters is the heart and faith that can lead a new generation. I love this book, told in the words of her uncle, who as the second, was also not good enough. But the slow moving beauty orchestrated in the film, from the jewel toned lands of New Zealand to the haunting chants of the Maori people truly inspire all to give of themselves. The book and the film are not loud, not assertive and not flashy. They are sweet, triumphant and graceful, a timeless story worthy of our time and a lesson for us all.
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Today's Recommends: Music & Memories
Today I'm remembering music...and family & friends.
At NPR Music is Remembering Mom & Dad's Record Collection. Very cool. http://www.npr.org/2012/06/05/154152434/remembering-mom-and-dads-record-collection?ps=cprs
What other music has real memories for me?
I have been to so many concerts because I really love live music. My first concert (alone) was Huey Lewis and the News. I had to take my brother and it was at Lamar Park. I was in the 8th grade and he was...not. Embarrassing, well for me. Years later we were partners at so many other concerts. I'm a lucky girl. I was able to really take it up a notch from 1982. I've seen a lot of bands more than once I'm lucky to say. A few that I really have enjoyed include the Dave Matthews Band, U2, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffett, Mighty Blue Kings, Erasure, Depeche Mode, New Order, Chicago, Sarah McLachlan, Yes, John Mellancamp and Bruce Springsteen.
What do I like to listen to now...well if I am stressed, always the Brandenburg Concertos. Alison Krauss, Dido and anything Irish. I have some cheesy dance music for working out, "Eye of the Tiger" when I need to press through the day, something new and fun from Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeroes called "Home" (thanks Ellen & Kate), Ingrid Michaelson, Feist, Cake, Adele and the Talking Heads.
The most notorious concert? The LAST Grateful Dead show. I stood in line to get a bracelet so I could wear it for like 4 days to work and I couldn't get Saturday tickets at Soldier Field so I got Sunday tickets. Kevin, Jim, Ellen and I went. I really wanted to just feed everyone's dogs. Instead we had a few cocktails and enjoyed the show. Here's the set: http://www.dead.net/show/july-9-1995. And as we learned later, the last concert they would perform with JG at the helm.
Missy and I stood in line for tickets to Eric Clapton, the first time in Saratoga Springs, NY. Years later we saw his Blues Tour in LA. We totally graduated--lawn to seats. Woo hoo.
I also got to do a small private showing for charity in Chicago with the Barenaked Ladies. Tony Amonte was also there. It was double awesome. Only about 50 of us and it was a real treat.
I saw Sting with some friends outside of Boston and again with the Police during a reunion tour in Boston with my friend David. I love them. Would see them again and again. I love Sting's version of "Gabriel's Message" and the Spanish language album he did which included "Fragilidad."
I have a whole list of songs on Spotify that I call "over and over" which are a few that I love to listen to, literally, over and over.
Well, long before it was usurped by political parties, the Lyons Clan's fav song is "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. Only the strong survive in a bar in Hell's Kitchen late into the night trying to bribe the DJ to play it while we sing to the monkey.
Ok mom's side. We'll start with Grandma Krzeminski. Who other than the Polish Prince? Bobby Vinton: http://youtu.be/5E6sS21Xirs singing Moja Droga. Always a favorite at weddings and Pulaski Days (first weekend in October, Grand Rapids, MI.)
Mom always reminds me of Doris Day...all the music, movies and plain upbeat attitude. Que Sera! This isn't from the actual movie but a nice montage nonetheless. http://youtu.be/xZbKHDPPrrc.
Dad? Besides the fact that he LOVES the Pointer Sisters, and yes, the whole family went to the concert. Twice. He told me once that when he wants to drive fast, he listens to Genesis. Oh Phil lovers here's a live one for you: http://youtu.be/cK3N2DC3Fds
And two for the price of one, dedicated to the man who taught us all about Motown, http://youtu.be/xHstlUiEaos. A true musical education-- Four Tops, Temptations and so many more.
OK--dedicated to my brother. Easy Lover by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. What else? http://youtu.be/E1WYimAC7wo. Give Kev a few beers and watch him dance. Of course we're right there with him.
Kendra? The millions of songs and what would I choose? Canadians of course! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zYpqQW8CwI. Watch BNL live!
Her sweet husband? Oh Brent introduced us to a whole other genre. After a half time show, this became Denny's fav too. Ha ha! Just one of his many dudes, Pitbull. http://youtu.be/EPo5wWmKEaI
I've already covered Kevin so let's move on to Jess. I love this song and happy to dance to it at all major events even though technically it's a Kirchen family song: http://youtu.be/BWP-AsG5DRk
Young Carson? What else? Little Einsteins. http://youtu.be/-utKYYXVT7I Start the countdown! Joey became legendary at Kendra & Brent's wedding for his "Moosh Moosh" it or as we know it as "Move It" from Madagascar. Abby seems to have a lot of favorites. I'm really looking forward to us finding a girl dance song at Aunt Allie's wedding.
Jack, the soon to be newest member of the family, is on his way to Bonnaroo. It may not be his favorite place because he likes a lot of music but I have recently learned it has a channel of its own. http://www.youtube.com/bonnaroo365
Allie and I have gone to so many concerts together. Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, BNL, OSP's Block Party events and so many more. However we share a strong LOVE of 80s music. I taught her well. Here is a little Depeche Mode flashback: http://youtu.be/_6FBfAQ-NDE
For my friends...
Ellen introduced me to Jackopierce and I have loved them ever since. Find their cover of "Please Come To Boston" on itunes.
Heidi and I went to Europe in 1987 in the thick of the British Imports. I'd have to say "Midnight" by Yaz or anything by U2 off the "Between These Crowded Streets" CD (then album!)
Julie? She introduced me to Alison Krauss and she has been a true favorite ever since. Such talent from her and her band. "When You Say Nothing At All" is awesome but also is her version of "Oh Atlanta."
The original Florida girl, Jo, is a long time Jimmy Buffett fan. My Dad loves "Cheeseburger in Paradise" but I thought we might always dance to "Little Miss Magic." A couple other favorites include "Love & Luck" and "Come Monday."
Heather and I only agreed on two musical groups back in college and one of them is James Taylor. We saw him outside Boston at a venue I'm sure has been renamed several times since the early 90s. He is still a joy every time I see him. Too many songs to know what might be my favorite. But if you see him live, hope he sings "Fire and Rain" and also any of his blues songs. He is a talented musician.
Crazy Sue? Who else but Big Head Todd. I was really happy when he played the Block Party. I hope she kept the autograph I got her. I love "Resignation Superman" live.
The Old St. Pat's Block Party years. So many great bands over the years. The year after the hoopla with the Counting Crows, we brought the Tragically Hip. Although my favorite song is still "Let's Stay Engaged" many people know "Ahead by a Century" best: http://youtu.be/QE2joQsWXJg.
Finally, what is the BEST song in the world? What do you think? One Word: Bo. http://youtu.be/PlS3twJWYSc
At NPR Music is Remembering Mom & Dad's Record Collection. Very cool. http://www.npr.org/2012/06/05/154152434/remembering-mom-and-dads-record-collection?ps=cprs
What other music has real memories for me?
I have been to so many concerts because I really love live music. My first concert (alone) was Huey Lewis and the News. I had to take my brother and it was at Lamar Park. I was in the 8th grade and he was...not. Embarrassing, well for me. Years later we were partners at so many other concerts. I'm a lucky girl. I was able to really take it up a notch from 1982. I've seen a lot of bands more than once I'm lucky to say. A few that I really have enjoyed include the Dave Matthews Band, U2, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffett, Mighty Blue Kings, Erasure, Depeche Mode, New Order, Chicago, Sarah McLachlan, Yes, John Mellancamp and Bruce Springsteen.
What do I like to listen to now...well if I am stressed, always the Brandenburg Concertos. Alison Krauss, Dido and anything Irish. I have some cheesy dance music for working out, "Eye of the Tiger" when I need to press through the day, something new and fun from Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeroes called "Home" (thanks Ellen & Kate), Ingrid Michaelson, Feist, Cake, Adele and the Talking Heads.
The most notorious concert? The LAST Grateful Dead show. I stood in line to get a bracelet so I could wear it for like 4 days to work and I couldn't get Saturday tickets at Soldier Field so I got Sunday tickets. Kevin, Jim, Ellen and I went. I really wanted to just feed everyone's dogs. Instead we had a few cocktails and enjoyed the show. Here's the set: http://www.dead.net/show/july-9-1995. And as we learned later, the last concert they would perform with JG at the helm.
Missy and I stood in line for tickets to Eric Clapton, the first time in Saratoga Springs, NY. Years later we saw his Blues Tour in LA. We totally graduated--lawn to seats. Woo hoo.
I also got to do a small private showing for charity in Chicago with the Barenaked Ladies. Tony Amonte was also there. It was double awesome. Only about 50 of us and it was a real treat.
I saw Sting with some friends outside of Boston and again with the Police during a reunion tour in Boston with my friend David. I love them. Would see them again and again. I love Sting's version of "Gabriel's Message" and the Spanish language album he did which included "Fragilidad."
I have a whole list of songs on Spotify that I call "over and over" which are a few that I love to listen to, literally, over and over.
Well, long before it was usurped by political parties, the Lyons Clan's fav song is "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. Only the strong survive in a bar in Hell's Kitchen late into the night trying to bribe the DJ to play it while we sing to the monkey.
Ok mom's side. We'll start with Grandma Krzeminski. Who other than the Polish Prince? Bobby Vinton: http://youtu.be/5E6sS21Xirs singing Moja Droga. Always a favorite at weddings and Pulaski Days (first weekend in October, Grand Rapids, MI.)
Mom always reminds me of Doris Day...all the music, movies and plain upbeat attitude. Que Sera! This isn't from the actual movie but a nice montage nonetheless. http://youtu.be/xZbKHDPPrrc.
Dad? Besides the fact that he LOVES the Pointer Sisters, and yes, the whole family went to the concert. Twice. He told me once that when he wants to drive fast, he listens to Genesis. Oh Phil lovers here's a live one for you: http://youtu.be/cK3N2DC3Fds
And two for the price of one, dedicated to the man who taught us all about Motown, http://youtu.be/xHstlUiEaos. A true musical education-- Four Tops, Temptations and so many more.
OK--dedicated to my brother. Easy Lover by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. What else? http://youtu.be/E1WYimAC7wo. Give Kev a few beers and watch him dance. Of course we're right there with him.
Kendra? The millions of songs and what would I choose? Canadians of course! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zYpqQW8CwI. Watch BNL live!
Her sweet husband? Oh Brent introduced us to a whole other genre. After a half time show, this became Denny's fav too. Ha ha! Just one of his many dudes, Pitbull. http://youtu.be/EPo5wWmKEaI
I've already covered Kevin so let's move on to Jess. I love this song and happy to dance to it at all major events even though technically it's a Kirchen family song: http://youtu.be/BWP-AsG5DRk
Young Carson? What else? Little Einsteins. http://youtu.be/-utKYYXVT7I Start the countdown! Joey became legendary at Kendra & Brent's wedding for his "Moosh Moosh" it or as we know it as "Move It" from Madagascar. Abby seems to have a lot of favorites. I'm really looking forward to us finding a girl dance song at Aunt Allie's wedding.
Jack, the soon to be newest member of the family, is on his way to Bonnaroo. It may not be his favorite place because he likes a lot of music but I have recently learned it has a channel of its own. http://www.youtube.com/bonnaroo365
Allie and I have gone to so many concerts together. Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, BNL, OSP's Block Party events and so many more. However we share a strong LOVE of 80s music. I taught her well. Here is a little Depeche Mode flashback: http://youtu.be/_6FBfAQ-NDE
For my friends...
Ellen introduced me to Jackopierce and I have loved them ever since. Find their cover of "Please Come To Boston" on itunes.
Heidi and I went to Europe in 1987 in the thick of the British Imports. I'd have to say "Midnight" by Yaz or anything by U2 off the "Between These Crowded Streets" CD (then album!)
Julie? She introduced me to Alison Krauss and she has been a true favorite ever since. Such talent from her and her band. "When You Say Nothing At All" is awesome but also is her version of "Oh Atlanta."
The original Florida girl, Jo, is a long time Jimmy Buffett fan. My Dad loves "Cheeseburger in Paradise" but I thought we might always dance to "Little Miss Magic." A couple other favorites include "Love & Luck" and "Come Monday."
Heather and I only agreed on two musical groups back in college and one of them is James Taylor. We saw him outside Boston at a venue I'm sure has been renamed several times since the early 90s. He is still a joy every time I see him. Too many songs to know what might be my favorite. But if you see him live, hope he sings "Fire and Rain" and also any of his blues songs. He is a talented musician.
Crazy Sue? Who else but Big Head Todd. I was really happy when he played the Block Party. I hope she kept the autograph I got her. I love "Resignation Superman" live.
The Old St. Pat's Block Party years. So many great bands over the years. The year after the hoopla with the Counting Crows, we brought the Tragically Hip. Although my favorite song is still "Let's Stay Engaged" many people know "Ahead by a Century" best: http://youtu.be/QE2joQsWXJg.
Finally, what is the BEST song in the world? What do you think? One Word: Bo. http://youtu.be/PlS3twJWYSc
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