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My most recent single release - "My True North" - is now available on Bandcamp. Open my profile and click on "audio clip".

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Summoning Alexa

Until recently, I didn't fully appreciate the role music has played in my relationship with the sister who is closest in age to me. Our communion of listening over the last several months has taken me beyond the unwavering and affirming support she has always given me for my own musical efforts. Our bond has deepened singing along with tunes we grew up listening to, laughing at misheard lyrics, reminiscing about our shared history, much of it linked to the music playing as we sit side-by-side. 

I am grateful for how music has tied me to people I love deeply. Starting with my Mom - who had a nice singing voice and good ear for harmony - and my Dad - who accompanied Mom on the ukulele - through to my brother, an intuitive musician who recently delighted my sister and I singing a Randy Newman gem called Marie - our mother's name. Music was the magnet that drew my wife and I together forty three years ago. And accompanying my daughter's remarkable singing voice fills me with indescribable joy.  

My sister is neither musician nor singer. But she is something every musician needs - an unabashed music lover. Each time we summon Alexa we grow closer. 

7 comments:

  1. Good morning, Pat. Music had always had an impact on my life. Sometimes positive and sometimes not. But I would think that is the case for any number of things in life. My musical tastes vary. I owe my appreciation for the music of the 30’s and 40’s. Big Band, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, etc, to my parents. And I am fortunate to have a number of their albums in my collection. My sister is the biggest Beatles fan I know and it’s because of her that I started enjoying their music. And I’ve shared that love with my children. In fact, would put headphones on her mothers belly while my daughter was still in the womb and play Beatles music. It’s no surprise that she is a Beatles fan. Of course the downside to that was her mother not being so much a Beatles fan – LOL. When moving into a new apartment or house the stereo was always the first thing to be set up. It just had to be that way. Music had to be playing. And “ Summoning Alexa“ is a perfect title to this blog post. Music being more accessible via improvements in technology continue to prove how important it is. Thanks, Pat. Hope you’re all doing well and staying safe.

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    1. RRGRMG; It would be difficult for me to over-state how much I appreciate regular comments on my blog from people like you. This is particularly true right now because of what is going on in my life. And, in your case, I doubly appreciate the effort you make to tell me (and anyone else who reads the comments) little stories from your own life and how those stories link to the subject of the specific posts. It helps me get to know you a little better each time. From the outset of my blog in March 2011, my over-riding goal has been to connect with others in the way I feel you and I do. So, thank you for your support and continuing to comment.

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    2. Wow ! Thank you, Pat. Although there are current difficulties here as well, my retirement has been great. I cherish the things I've been able to do - being with my wife and spending time with my grandsons. I have to add that my decision to take classes at Brookdale again has been very rewarding. The school has meant so much to me since I first attended in 1975 and registering for your class has easily become one of the main highlights of that decision - for its content (obviously we both love music), for the way in which your passion clearly comes through when you teach, and also for your friendship. And while I may not be able to provide comments for each of your Blog Posts, know that I am reading each one. It has allowed me to get to know you a little better, as well. I'm sure we all look forward to when things are back to normal. Be well ... And Thank You, again.

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  2. As always, Pat, you're life observations never fail to conjure up experiences we can all relate to in some way, shape or form. My wife and I used to, back in the day before high tech distractions and intrusions completely turned our music listening experience upside down, play a private game late at night after our kids went to bed. We called our game, "record roulette". It wasn't really a game where there was competition or a winner and loser. We simply took turns selecting a LP from the our collection and the rule was you could only play one cut at a time. So we got really good at dropping the needle precisely in the groove. The more seamless the intro, with no skips or misses, the better "player" you were. And of course we kept our song choice private until it began playing. The whole object was really just to prove how cool your taste was in your song selection. I see/hear your Linda Ronstadt "You're No Good" and I'll raise you a Stevie Ray Vaughn "Flooding Down in Texas"! : - )

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    1. Steve; Allow me to re-iterate to you a similar sentiment as I said to RRGRMG directly above. If not for regular readers/commenters like you two and others, it's likely I would have been discouraged long ago about continuing my blog. So thank you for your ongoing support and kind feedback. And, I love "record roulette"! What a great way to keep music in a relationship.

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  3. What a sweet post! Absolutely loved reading this one

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    1. Anonymous: Glad this post spoke to you. Straight from the heart, I assure you.

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