How Times Have Changed…

In 2014, the 3oth Anniversary of Live Aid will be celebrated, I’m sure.  1984 was a self-defining Christmas for me and for a lot of my generation because we were forced for the first time in our hedonistic generation’s existence to think about someone else in another part of the globe. The artists had the guts to put this in our faces and to this day I still respect them for it.

In recent years we’ve seen so much focus on the self among our own youth that somewhere along the road, they didn’t find that same sense of purpose–yet. It appears to me that we are so focused on ourselves and pissed about what our government is doing in this country that we’ve lost sight of ONE fact.  WE CAN CHANGE THINGS–ONE PERSON AT A TIME.  However we must start with ourselves. We can and must  lead the way for a younger generation.  We cannot leave this up to others because it is not their job to do our job. It is up to us to impart a sense of what is good and what is right into our children, our grandchildren and in a few more years–maybe our great-grandchildren.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the video. I hope it renews the fire in your soul that we had back when were younger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQzJAKxTrE

 

They started it all…

 

Nana is Taking a Friend’s Advice…The Book has Begun… (Back to the Nanahood)

 

“The person I once was is not the person I am, and I emerged from a moment in time stronger than about 90% of the population…I had to endure what I went through. Why? That would be the question most would ask. I would say it is simple. My enduring what I did prevented someone else who couldn’t handle it from enduring it in my stead. I had to embrace the child I once was and then let her go quietly to rest in peace for she is no more. In doing that, I could move forward with strength and determination. That being said, age is truly a number and I am living my youth now. Anyone who cannot handle it, that is because somewhere along the way you lost your vision…I didn’t lose mine–but it did change with time. For that I am grateful…”–Introduction for my first novel “From Cell to Cell”.

 

And now it has begun to have a life of its own–outside the walls…

 

Where has all the Music Gone?

 

No…Video did not kill the radio star…The DJ’s stopped playing the music that really matters.  In fact, reality TV killed all of it–as did all the electronic “fixes” for everything…Where are the real bands that have the skills to play real instruments?  All of the electronic inventions and such since the 1980’s have hurt music–not helped it.  Fewer people are learning how to play instruments and of those that do, where are they going to work if they decide they want to be a musician?  A friend of mine who has 30+ years experience asked me that question.

I’d rather hear a real band over the electronic synthesized fill in versions any day of the week.  I like jazz and blues festivals because I get to hear a lot of live music–without all the gadgets…I also listen to SOME country music–not all.  And I still love rock and metal. I just won’t drive to a lot of it…Too many tickets! LOL!  I heard this one day and said, “My god…He’s got a real band backing him!”  My faith in the music world is restored but only to a point.  We need more real bands regardless of the genre.  No amount of electronic alteration can duplicate the sound of a live band…It’s that simple…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv11VWnEv4I&feature=relmfu

And yes…This guy, Ben Cross,  does do the genre justice… 😉

Ironically, even with the advent of the 80’s scene, I like a lot of that music too–and some of it was a bit loaded with the synthesized sound…When I cover those, I don’t want that sound. It’s better to have it the way it was meant to be.  The 90’s brought SOME improvement but not much…It seems to now have reverted a bit again. At least it does to me.   That being said, this is an 80’s song that totally kicks ass and can be covered by a female if done correctly…This girl is on it now–and is going to be getting a vocal coach after all these years. Got lots of lost time to make up for–or die trying!  Have a great weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf_Lwe6p-Cg

My high school sweetheart put this on the net the other day so I’m sharing it. It was taken in 1980…My first thought was, “Holy crap! We actually wore that back then?!” Either way, it’s a year I am glad I would NEVER relive…’81 was better…In fact, I would NOT want to relive my youth. My life is better now than it has ever been and I don’t look back much–until someone sends a reminder…Then I look quickly and close that book again.

And just for the record, I don’t think the music has gone so much as I think it’s being covered up by reality TV, which is why MTV sucks and VH1 blows monkey chunks.  It’s time to quit glorifying people’s private lives and get back to airing the real music already!