Mirrors on the Ceiling

July 4, 1977
Laguna Beach, California

        It was dark by the time we made it to the coast, a darkness like that before a planetarium show begins. A guy waved a flashlight guiding the faithful Gran Torino into a cliffside opening next to a decoratively adorned bus, likely having Woodstock on its odometer. Harvey crawled from his comfortable spot in the backseat, cradling a small bucket of strawberries he had picked earlier that morning from a field along some empty highway west of Barstow.  I was transfixed outside the car door as he gently nudged me out of the way while eating his sweet ripened fruit.  We stood there looking up in amazement as the sky above exploded in a kaleidoscope of magic. The colorful embers of light cascading into the white-capped Pacific surf, as a holiday crowd surrounded us and partied on the beach below.  The sounds of the Eagles blasting from the car stereo amplified the intoxicating atmosphere in a welcoming style.

        The next chapter of our great summer adventure had begun.

Sometime later, I turned from my reclined perch on the car hood to see him sharing his berries with a couple of beautiful new friends.  I leaned back against the windshield taking another toke from a friend, how strangely eerie, just the night before wishing to beat the 115-degree daytime heat we had rolled out of Vegas…         

        On a dark desert highway, cool                    wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitis, rising up                     through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a                shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight              grew dim
I had to stop for the night.

There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
‘This could be heaven or this could             be Hell’
Then she lit up a candle and she                    showed me the way
There were voices down the                            corridor,
I thought I heard them say

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely                  place)
Such a lovely face.
        Plenty of room at the Hotel                             California
        Any time of year (any time of year)             you can find it here

        Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got              the Mercedes bends
        She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys,                that she calls friends
        How they dance in the courtyard,                  sweet summer sweat
        Some dance to remember, some                    dance to forget

        So I called up the Captain,
        ‘Please bring me my wine’
        He said, ‘we haven’t had that spirit                here
        since nineteen sixty-nine
        And still those voices are calling                    from far away,
        Wake you up in the middle of the                  night
        Just to hear them say”

        Welcome to the Hotel California
        Such a lovely place (such a lovely                  place)
        Such a lovely face.
        They livin’ it up at the Hotel                          California
        What a nice surprise (what a nice                    surprise),
        bring your alibis

        Mirrors on the ceiling,
        The pink champagne on ice
        And she said, ‘we are all just                           prisoners here,
        Of our own device’
        And in the master’s chambers,
        They gathered for the feast
        They stab it with their steely                           knives,
        But they just can’t kill the beast

        Last thing I remember, I was
        Running for the door
        I had to find the passage back to the               place I was before
        ‘Relax’ said the night man,
        ‘We are programmed to receive.
        You can check out any time you                    like,
        But you can never leave!’

        Songwriters: Don Felder / Don                     Henley / Glen Frey
        Hotel California lyrics copyright                   Universal Music Publishing                      Group


The Eagles ~ Hotel California

In Memory 

Harvey Smith Vaughan

27 November 1961 - 14 July 1994

Sunday Morning Serenade

One month ago on June 10th I had lifesaving open-heart surgery.  This last month music has given me life.   Many nights it has brought comfort while waiting for pain medications to kick in after awaking in pain.  When my heart has raced uncontrollably it has soothed, and brought a calmness to the irregular beat.  Always though it has been that fateful friend, always there, with just the right words of understanding and encouragement.  This morning I feel so blessed by the life music has brought to my soul.    I am so happy to be alive, and sharing this Sunday Serenade. 

KD Mathews


SAM LEVINE ~ The Prayer

John Bartee: The ORIGINAL Man from Mars

One of my favorites performances by Earl Bostic,  Special Delivery Stomp originally titled Man from Mars has John Lewis Bartee written all over it.  Bostic nailed it just as John intended if he had been performing it himself.  The clarinet version by Shaw you will hear some of John's VOICE which he later shared with Raymond Scott. Some of the phrasing in Special Delivery Stomp you will hear in Hold your Hat / Hold your HATS.

The ORIGINAL Man from Mars

Now while watching & listening to the two performers think about Raymond Scott and the type of arrangements he needed.






Now take some of what John was doing with Shaw 37- 39 put him with Mario Bauza and Calloway and you get tunes like Rhapsody in Rhumba.  Owned by Mills & Calloway.

Stairway to Heaven...

Led Zepellin Tribute

“Stairway to Heaven,” released in 1971,  often referred to as one of the greatest rock songs of all time.

Led Zeppelin honored December 2012 at Kennedy Center.

Ann & Nancy Wilson and a great performance of the Greatest.

I was there...    Hampton Coliseum  /   Hampton, Virginia

STATES

Years ago I started this blog basically as a online filing cabinet for the information I collected on John Lewis Bartee and his involvement with the music industry.  For every published post I created there were many more drafts about Music, Musicians, Music industry stories which in my research I had come across and for one reason or another grabbed my attention.  Thinking I might start posting again...  it was looking back at these older drafts that these guys have been playing over and over in my head this week.

The Band  ~  STATES

Jimmy McDonnell- lead vocals
Dominic Butch Germano- bass
Morgan Hampton- drums/percussion
Barry Scott- lead guitar/vocals
Robert Schindler- keyboards
Steve Chandler- special effect guitars/vocals

States was started in 1977. The Band regularly packed clubs like Peabody's in Virginia Beach and the now-defunct King's Head Inn, the group released an album on a major label, Chrysalis, in 1979. And it joined Hall and Oates on a national tour. After that high-water mark, the group played steadily on the East Coast circuit, from New Jersey to Atlanta.

There is much that others have written about this Band on the internet these days and they have a facebook page STATES.  In future post I will get more into the links to The "Norfolk" Aliens and Mason.  But what really caught my attention a few years back were the videos that Wynn Evers    posted on Youtube,    K-94  ROCKS along with Cox Cable created pre-MTV a show called Radiovision.  Attached are three video performances which I personally feel hold up after thirty some years, and may have you listening to them over and over as the beautiful weekend starts.

The band's 1981 album "Picture Me With You," released on Boardwalk Records, sold nearly 100,000 copies. That's a feat since unmatched by a local rock band.


Picture Me With You  ~  States






Can't Stand It No More  ~  States

Love On The Line  ~  States 

Sunday Morning Serenade

 Steve Miller Band ~ Serenade

Carole King

You make Me Feel



I Feel The Earth Move 1971 performance

Up on The Roof

Smackwater Jack


So Far Away

Sunday Morning Serenade

John Williams - Cavatina   (Live 1979)

The Guitar

He plays a song of intricate sound
laced with rifts and scars
tunes of love so lost and found
spun webs of silver stars.


Composed of wood and fragile string
that echo in still air
he plays its song, the notes that cling
to what he can't declare.


Amongst the shadow of silver frets
he plays a song so true
that of a hearts soft, sad regrets
and joys for what he knew


Notes sweeter than a word confessed
let loose like water seeping
breaking the glass of desire repressed
that mends with its own weeping.


He plays for secrets not yet known
song let loose in torrent flood
his tune the marrow of sweet bone
the wisdom of his blood.

- Brigid  ©2010 



Cavatina is a classical guitar piece by Stanley Myers.  It is most famous as the theme from the Academy Award winning The Deer Hunter,  whose writer/director Michael Cimino was a nearby neighbor the year I lived on the North Fork of the Flathead River near Polebridge, Montana in 1985. 

The piece had been recorded by classical guitarist John Williams, long before the film that made it famous. It had originally been written for piano but at Williams' invitation, Myers re-wrote it for guitar and expanded it. After this transformation, it was first used for the film, The Walking Stick (1970). In 1973, Cleo Laine wrote lyrics and recorded the song as "He Was Beautiful" accompanied by John Williams.

My thanks to Brigid for allowing me to share her words.  She has a blog, Home on the Range which is filled with good food, humor, and memories of family & friends. The World she paints offers a perspective of  a very unique individual whose journeys and experiences will leave you intrigued.

Celebrate Life

I haven't posted on this blog for sometime now.  In the years of research on John Lewis Bartee and the MUSIC World I truly came to understand his special gift.  MUSIC transcends ALL.   As humans it allows us a sanctuary of peace, happiness and remembrance of LIFE.  So i dedicate this post to a Friend, Father & Brother of so many that Celebrate his Life.

MacArthur "Billy" Adams, 57, passed away peacefully February 24, 2015. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?n=billy-adams&pid=174274603&#sthash.31ocb2oH.eIw3W6zB.dpuf

 MacArthur "Billy" Adams,  57

passed away peacefully February 24th, 2015.

MacArthur "Billy" Adams, 57, passed away peacefully February 24, 2015. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?n=billy-adams&pid=174274603&#sthash.31ocb2oH.eIw3W6zB.dpuf

Billy Adams

Chesapeake - MacArthur "Billy" Adams, 57, passed away peacefully February 24, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?n=billy-adams&pid=174274603&#sthash.31ocb2oH.eIw3W6zB.dpuf

JOY TO THE WORLD  ~  Three Dog Night

Serenading the Demons - A Biography of the Music

I think if you were looking to understand who John Bartee was... you would have to start down South near Fitzgerald, Georgia.  John's father moved often in his job as a telegraph operator for the railroad so it was rare for the children in the family to have time to form lasting friendships with the local kids.  But the Summer of  1921 was different, John met Fitz Finney, and whether together or apart they would have a friendship that lasted though many changes in each of their lives.

Fitz was named after his granddad Zion Fitzgerald a former slave of the Fitzgerald Family who had  apparently ruled these parts of Georgia at one time,  at least until  General Sherman cut a path of total destruction from Atlanta to Savannah in 1864 driving the Confederates out on Dec 24,  and handing the City by the Sea over to President Lincoln as a Christmas present.

Zion Fitzgerald had seen much pain in his life but at age 72 he had come to find a little taste of freedom & joy even if he was still surrounded by intolerance in a segregated South.   He definitely found a freedom when he played on the piano down at Doc Mathew's Place, where John & Fitz would sit out front in the shade of the porch sharing an ice cold Coca-Cola in the afternoon heat.  Taking in all the rhythm and melodies from the music the old man would finesse out of the keys of that piano.  It was also the summer the boys ended up behind the shed of  the Bartee's neighbor Mrs. Ella Chambliss, the elderly widowed daughter of Confederate General William Hardee the guy that Sherman just happened to run out of Savannah years before. Fitz had gotten hold of one his Uncle's hand rolled cigarettes which was pretty much the way the smokes came in those days unless you had some real money.

You get the picture, two little boys curious to see what  smoking  tobacco was all about. The way my Grandmother told the story it turned out it wasn't that fine Virginia tobacco in this little cigarette as they had thought...  You guessed it...  It was some of that fine Tanga weed we still enjoy today... just more of a wild southern blend.

John's mother Nell, a gentle woman with a love for music had started her two oldest daughters Julia & Mary Kate off learning the piano at a young age. But, John had just seemed to find his place at the keys naturally.  One can image these two boys getting a taste of a special weed on that summer day when Nell called out for John to come on in and play her a song while she fixed dinner.  Hearing his Momma call he hurriedly jumped up and parted company with Fitz, who was wearing the widest grin as he sat leaned up against the back of Mrs.Chambliss's shed. "Yeah, go play us some music John-Boy, music would be real sweet right now."  Fitz mumbled.

John raced to the back of the house to be greeted by Nell who grabbed her young son as he bolted through the door giving him a hug,  "Where you running to John?", she asked.  " I got a new song to play you Momma,  you really going to like this one."  he replied as he slipped from her arms and headed into the parlor. "What you and Fitz been up to today?" Nell asked from the kitchen...  "Ah you know Momma, What God invented Little Boys for... Trouble."  he replied.  "John Lewis Bartee!!"  Nell exclaimed as she entered the parlor "You are a little devil." she said to him with a grin.  And he started to play a sweet little melody that took on a rhythm and tempo that seemed to grow in volume as he played .  Nell just stood there focused  with amazement on her oldest boy,  Mary Kate came running in wondering what was going on.... and before long seemed like all the neighbor kids were on the porch leaning in through the open windows listening as John's song went on.  Even old widow Chambliss had been stirred from her afternoon nap to walk over and see what all the fuss was about.  Suddenly the song came to an end and John looked over at his mother.  "So what did you think Momma?" he asked.  Nell looking flushed but always one to encourage her children's music talent, she answered. "John that was just something special,  so very different.  What do you call it?"  John paused a moment, looking down at the keys in thought ,  then turned to his mother and said,  "I think I'll call it...Tanga".  

"Well John, I think that fits that tune just fine... It sounds like a fun name,.  Yes... Tanga... sounds like a party." Nell said as she turned back to the kitchen to  finish preparing dinner.

More to Come...

 (A play on words... Ganja = Tanga & Tanga = Ganja,  the song title, Tanga being the hidden message.)


NBC/Universal pulled the original Music Video with Cab  Calloway showing more dance moves long before Michael Jackson was born. Here's a taste of the Music.







 

Finding Forrest...

12 years ago this week I did my yearly search of the Social Security Death Index for my Great-Uncle, John Lewis Bartee. There on my computer screen I read his name and date of death along with a location of Gallup, New Mexico where his last benefits had been sent. Within hours after calls to the Gallup police department and other persons in New Mexico I was speaking with Sister Gonvague at Little Sisters of the Poor.

Now my search to find John Lewis Bartee was redirected and a new task was put in front of me. In the first moments of that phone conversation with Sister Gonvague I was informed that John had told them he had a son, John Forrest Bartee whom he had not seen since the boy was a small child.

John Forrest Bartee    abt.1945
Photo used by permission / All Rights Reserved - John Forrest Bartee

For the last eight years my family and friends have had to endure my endless stories of John Lewis Bartee and what I had found in my research of his life. Though in all my stories... those involving the underlying search for that missing young son I make no apology for boring others with. Many times in my research of John Lewis I had become discouraged myself with discovering the events of his Life, and the wide scope of deceit & lies (past & present) in the music industry. I think I was always drawn back to what I felt was a journey or task that was put before me when Sister Gonvague mentioned the boy. Was he alive?  Is he OK?   Does he have a family, and do they have information regarding John's life unknown to the other long estranged Southern Kin?

Was Sister Gonvague... John's messenger to find the son he hadn't seen in over fifty years, yet had never forgotten? I think it was this question that propelled my search for John Forrest Bartee.

When I did finally get a break in my search for Forrest, new discoveries regarding him came in short time. Back in the Spring 2010 that break came on Ancestry.com when I got a new hit on John Lewis, a marriage license in Vermont had become available. To date the family had known John had married but as to details like a name of the Bride or place of the event were unknown. In the previous years I had thought many times... even if I knew her name it was likely that when they had split up she probably went on to remarry and would have a new name. At the same time the young boy would have probably been adopted by a new father, or at least have another name.

I was right about all of those details but, the marriage license gave me something special... the names of the Bride's parents and residence. With that information I knew through my knowledge of Genealogy research; a hobby my grandmother Olga Kathleen Haynes had started me on in my teens, I might have a chance to find the woman John married, and had a child with.

I began a genealogy search that in itself was a novel of vivid images of some very interesting individuals and events in History. Pictures of  childhood Italian immigrants to the United States in the 1870's marrying and having children in NYC later becoming early residents of South Florida area of Cocoa.   Then another family side of native Scot / Floridians who date back and worked with Governor Andrew Jackson on the transition of the Spanish government to the United States Territory, and handled one of the first Real Estate transactions regarding 5 islands of the Middle Keys. One relative even being one of the first US Mayors of St. Augustine, Florida.  A place where as a child I had stuck my head in the old cannons at the Spanish Fort.

Once one does find a little out about their ancestors they will know the odds get better that with each generation back there is another person somewhere out there that has also done research on the same common ancestors. And, just as I had hoped there was a very helpful fellow researcher in the Mid-West whose husband was a relative of John's ex-wife. I sent her a note telling of my strange search and within twenty-four hours I had a phone number for a Sister of John's ex-wife.

I made the call, and again was rewarded not only with information about the ex-wife, but yes... John Forrest Bartee did exist. Also... as it has been many times in my research I met a very interesting individual herself, John Forrest's Aunt.  She let me know that John Forrest's mother had just died the previous year. That day we began a process which on Thursday, December 30 led to me finally shaking the hand of John Forrest Bartee.  John Forrest shared the New Year Holiday with his first cousin my mother, and some of our family here in Virginia.   As I have mention in previous posts John Forrest knew nothing of his father since he was 8 years old.  This past Summer I sent him a book with photos of his natural father, John Lewis Bartee along with other family photos and genealogies for both his mother & father to start introducing him to John Lewis. Of the memories John Forrest does have of his father, one is his last visit with John Lewis at age 8,  they went fishing at Port Washington, NY with cane poles.  If I was to have lost a parent in childhood I would hope my last memory with them was a good one.

John Forrest left this morning (Jan. 2, 2010)... we saw not only John Lewis Bartee's image in him but, traces of a couple of his Uncles.  As he nears age 71... I pray that John is safe, and joy finds him in life.

Finally today I can call out to John Lewis Bartee, and say, “I found John Forrest”.

Why is it with the peace of finding his Son, I feel as if the journey has many more miles and lessons ahead.

Now some time and energy can go to The Music of John Bartee  & The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Inductions 2012.


I've added the Video below of Enya's Music and Beautiful Images... Two things that bring Joy to John Forrest Bartee's Life.

Lovers of Music or just a big Lie?

This was an original post from Sept 16, 2010  /  It was originally intended as humor pointed at the Egyptian Press & the spin that the World's Leaders put on their adventures...

But this past month the powers that be didn't find humor in the fact that this page was viewed by many in Egypt, Jordan & the Mideast during the people's uprisings.  It has been shut out of google search engines, while this site's online storage has been deleted.

Go figure....    Well it is an election year in the United States,  but don't the powers know we don't support either side.

 Was once again re-posted on May 20, 2012  once again attacked...  Internet Terrorist... Secret Squirrel Agencies...  Mickey Mouse Lover's Association... Mickey Mouse Haters... ??? I don't know.  They took out the whole site months later so I assume they were slow readers.  The site is back up for 2014.  I am re-connecting this post just so those that can't read are able to at least look at the colorful pictures.

UPDATE: March 21, 2014
Thank You for your comments & suggestions on vacation locations.  But I am sure the weather will warm up here in Virginia and I won't need to accessorize my wardrobe with a pitchfork.

If you are a supporter of President Obama... know that I would have had no problem creating the same POST had a Republican been President when the original photo was taken.
Believe me The King of Jordan's people didn't care for the way he was portrayed in the image any better.  As to Mubarak... well what can he say now... his people posted the Mickey Mouse on Arab Spring Billboards.

I guess I could have posted...

    Humorist images of Harry Reed licking Mitch McConnell     
    cheek, along with John Boehner sucking on Nancy Pelosi's 
    toes...  I really don't want to focus on those images as I gag 
    when I see or hear all of them in any setting.


SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LATEST NEWS REGARDING THESE PHOTOS & OUR LEADERS - Yes... this has a MUSIC Topic at the end.

Update to the original BBC and Yahoo News Blog Stories

Thu Sep 16, 10:57 am ET

Egyptian paper doctors photo of Mubarak and Obama

By Michael Calderon

Al-Ahram, the state-run newspaper in Egypt, recently ran the above photo of  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak leading President Obama and other world leaders during Middle East peace talks at the White House.

But that's not quite how the walk to the East Room played out. The BBC reports that Al-Ahram apparently had some fun with Photoshop, and placed the country's leader up front.

You can see the original Getty photo below.

Egyptian media has long faced government censorship, so it's not surprising the state-run newspaper would opt to place Mubarak ahead of the pack. News of the re-cut photo drew a swift rebuke from one of Egypt's leading opposition groups, the 6 April Youth Movement. "This is what the corrupt regime's media has been reduced to,"  a statement on the group's website said. The state-owned press had "crossed the line from being balanced and honest," the statement continued. But the specific reason for doctoring this photo is unclear, since Al-Ahram did not respond to the BBC's request for comment.

(Photo of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Barack Obama, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House on September 1: Getty/ Alex Wong)


UPDATE:   (from additional Internet sources)
This really could have turned out worst for all sides concerned if the majority of the Enslaved Population saw the true original photo.

If the citizens of the World knew that their leaders have always secretly belonged to the same CLUB.
It seems as if there has always been peace among the leaders of the World,  they get together in secret whenever possible to dance & sing club songs.  The image of discord & wars between them is to mislead the Sheeple of the World, so they could enslave them for the SECRET Club's benefit.

A copy of the secret photo was secured by undercover operatives of the Looney Tunes Gang, said spokesperson Porky Pig in a breaking press release.

"Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it."


~Henry David Thoreau



UPDATE: January 31, 2011  If you thought this was all a big joke... It might be.  But, consider the current events in Egypt and Jordan, along with the photos below.  Then a Senator a few weeks before the 2008 election, Now... President Obama he does appear pleased to be a new member of the CLUB.

                                                                                                                                                                                                      " Now listen closely... The key to control Barry is not giving the servants too much of your CHEESE.  Just allow them a taste, and promise them more if they do your deeds."

Tony Martin 1913 - 2012

Born Alvin Morris, Tony Martin received a soprano saxophone on his tenth birthday... 

Herb Alpert ~ RISE

Caught an "OLD" live performance on SOUL TRAIN last night. Just had to share a SWEET sound.

This is the original 1979 video of  RISE.



Herbert "Herb" Alpert (born March 31, 1935) is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records (a recording label he and business partner Jerry Moss founded and eventually sold to Polygram). The multi-talented Alpert has also created abstract expressionist paintings and sculpture over two decades, which are on occasion publicly exhibited; and he and his wife are substantial U.S. philanthropists through the operation of the Herb Alpert Foundation.
Alpert's musical accomplishments include five number one hits, twenty-eight albums on the Billboard charts, eight Grammy Awards, fourteen Platinum albums and fifteen Gold albums.^[1] As of 1996, Alpert had sold 72 million albums worldwide. Alpert is the only recording artist to hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop chart as both an instrumentalist ("Rise", 1979) and vocalist (" This Guy's in Love With You", 1968).
He is married to recording artist Lani Hall (1974–present) and was previously married to Sharon Mae Lubin (1956–1971) (divorced). He has one daughter with Hall, actress Aria Alpert, plus two children, daughter Eden and son Dore, from his first marriage.

^{MORE:   Herb Alpert}

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



 Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - Spanish Flea (1967)

Jacinto Campillo / Pupi Campo ~ May 1, 1920 - December 12, 2011

PUPI CAMPO Pupi Campo, 91, of Las Vegas, passed away Dec. 12, 2011. He was born May 1, 1920, in Havana, Cuba, and was a 41-year resident of Nevada. Pupi was a pioneering Cuban bandleader, becoming the first Latino in American TV history featured as a regular artist when he debuted on Jack Paar's "The Morning Show" on CBS in 1954. Campo's band featured a number of legendary musicians, including Tito Puente and Cachao Lopez. In addition to his stint with Paar, Campo appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and "Name of the Game." Campo played most of New York City's great night clubs, including the Paramount Theater, the Capitol Theater and the Chateau Madrid. In 1970, he opened Cleopatra's Barge at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where he performed for nearly a decade. Campo had four children with his late wife, Betty Clooney, sister of singer Rosemary Clooney. Campo, called the "Ray Bolger of Cuba," was an important figure in the history of Latin jazz in the U.S. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Clooney; sister, Georgina Millan; and brothers, Mandy and Alejandro Campo. He is survived by his wife, Joette; daughters, Cari and Cathi; son, Carlos; daughters, Cristi; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, 5825 W. Eldora, Las Vegas, NV 89146. Donations can be made to The Dream Center, Los Angeles.

 Link to Obituary Guest Book:

Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal from December 13 to December 14, 2011

 Link to a Previous Post regarding Pupi Campo / August 29, 2010

Songbird ~ Eva Cassidy

My previous post with Eric Clapton performing Autumn Leaves made note & linked to Eva Cassidy.  On Eva's previous page there is a link behind SONGBIRD to more information on her Music & Life.  I hadn't noticed before but it list Eric Clapton as one that admired her gift.  At 33 she was just getting started, but she left us with a powerful voice full of emotions & life.

Don't miss watching the ABC New Story about Eva Cassidy below. 

More About Eva

http://evacassidy.org/eva/


http://www.evacassidy.com/


A must watch.

ABC News Story ~   http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/rainbow--10170062  .



BBC News Story ~ Part 1 of 3 Parts on Youtube  /   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sfRvXIictA

Autumn Leaves ~ Eric Clapton

Originally got in touch with this great tune by way of the Eva Cassidy version. 

 But always a fan of Clapton... I have to say he takes this tune off in his own special way.  Enjoy.

Fine Dining...

Had a chat with a friend from my past this morning.  Years ago... she introduced me to the healing power that the music of  Cat Stevens, a good meal, & conversation with friends can have on one's outlook for the future.
    ...Thanks D.



Morning has Broken  ~  Cat Stevens

A unique live performance of Morning has Broken (link can't be embedded here)

Note: I know there will be those who write me to complain about Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens. I offer this next song... but its the Music which personally brings me a sense of Peace, not the politics of deaf men around the globe.

Music Pill

"There's no damn business like show business...

      you have to smile to keep from throwing up"

                                                                                                                        Billie Holiday

If it wasn't for healing power of The MUSIC I would have never tried to find John Bartee... the business of Music, and the actions & deeds of those collecting the dead presidents will turn your soul.

ASCAP has made it very hard to do what is right regarding John's son.  I have jumped over and over to get them to acknowledge the truth.  I need some MUSIC to get me ready for the next round.  Been listening to something a little different than Big Band, Jazz & Latin...   

Influenced to pick up a guitar by Charlie Christian,  here is someone who can start us on a enjoyable journey.



photo credit: Mary Keating Bruton

Stephen Bruton  1948 - 2009  
                                                                                    

Artist of Many Mediums

The ability of a TRUE Artist is never limited to one medium, and this has been proven over the years through the life of Jeff Bridges. Be it through his photography, music,  or the impressive list of films he has acted in. His creations seem to be a by product of just living his life and recognizing those around him in his journey.

In 1986... I stood by the on a bluff  over looking the North Fork of the Flathead River at Coal Creek with Tom Ladenburg and Jesse Wade. Two very unique individuals in this wilderness near Polebridge, Montana. We discussed plans for a period trappers fort as a financial resource to pull Tom out from under the load of massive debt on the largest private holdings left on the North Fork. The plan evolved into a story/screenplay "Fort Rendezvous", written with the Bridges Family... Lloyd, Beau & Jeff in mind as the three lead characters. Jeff could now play the role originally written for his father in his own and believable way.