From sweet and smooth classics, to new names, to old names with new music...the focus here, is to shine a little light on some damn fine music.

I'll find it. You can listen, review, or tell me I wouldn't know good music if it kicked me in the ass. I personally don't give a shit.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Hello, It's Me; Twisted MixTape Gets Heavy Man

What music defines you?

Over at Jen's Twisted MixTape, we've gone through the decades and found songs which we feel define decades, or our lives in those decades. But what songs define you or your life? That is the question we need to answer this week. Whose idea is this anyway? Well, that would be Troy from As Long As I'm Singing, one fine writer and man of complex musical tastes. So that's how we got here. Now to look in the mirror and try to identify what, and who I am.

While it's not the first song I remember giving me the feeling of "Hell Yeah," I always recall thinking of this song when I needed a little boost of self-confidence.


"When I'm out in the street
I walk the way I wanna walk
When I'm out in the street
I talk the way I wanna talk"

That's Jersey attitude all the way and no surprise, it's the Boss.

"Out In The Street"


Pretty much for me, it's always been about the lyrics. One of the first songs I can remember actually trying to analyze what the words meant and the message the poet was trying to make was by Paul Simon. His songs would always speak to me. The man is brilliant. I think we knew that as soon as we first heard this.

"The Sounds of Silence"


When I was a young woman, things that are now taken for granted, were the changes we tried to achieve. We were making our own rules and learning about ourselves in the process. Hearing this song made me think of what was, and what could be. It was a coming of age anthem for me. Judy Collins had the hit, but I'll take the writers version for its purity. Joni Mitchell.

"Both Sides Now"


I grew up during a time of conflicts: Vietnam, Civil Rights, Women's Rights, it was a big pile of shit. Protest songs were everywhere and some damn fine ones at that. But the first song that made me think "well what the hell is really going on?" was this one by Buffalo Springfield.

"For What It's Worth"


I'm not a religious person, don't send emails. I know who I am, I believe in the greater good of people and in turn myself. That being said, I'm not a prayer. So I find it somewhat amusing that one of the songs that made a difference in my life is a psalm. Written by Pete Seeger, and taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes, the version by The Byrds was a huge hit. The song speaks of the balance of life... for everything there is a season.

"Turn, Turn, Turn"


Now I've used this song, ok, several times over the life of this blog. It all started with this song and to not include it here would be wrong. It is me. And Dobie Gray.

"And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me

Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
And rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along
Makin' me strong

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away"


So that's what brought me here. Yeah, there were a few other twists and turns, but they only rounded out the edges. Or maybe not.


Jen Kehl

24 comments:

  1. Great songs that expose and celebrate your personality. I guessed most of these but you surprised me with the Bruce cut.

    I'd love to listen to the Byrds with you. Brilliant.

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  2. The Bruce cut really came into play at a time I had to make some hard choices. When I felt I couldn't do it, I would hear that song and feel the wind at my back.

    The Byrds...my first live show. What a strange trip it's been. Thanks Lance

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  3. Perfect mix selection Kat.........Shared that trip with you for 20+ years.

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    1. Indeed, and we have a few songs that define us,now don't we?

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  4. Sound of silence and Turn, Turn, Turn were memorable song for me too!

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  5. I just wrote about Sounds of Silence - I think it was last week or the week before. A hugely powerful song.

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    1. When I first heard it, it knocked me out. Still does. Thanks Kristi

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  6. nice job! (the consensus seems to be that this week's theme was at best...intimidating, at least it was to me sitting down here last night).
    You have written the kind of cogent, engaging Post (to go along with the music, of course).
    cool

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    1. Thanks Clark. I don't know if the task was hard or that we are stripping a bit of ourselves naked to the world. That part is a little intimidating. But sometimes you've just got to say WTF.

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  7. love the selections,i can even live with marty.would have included Byrds my back pages.nice going Kath,these songs do define you

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  8. As I was reading the part about analyzing lyrics, before I even looked down I knew you were going to say the Sound of Silence, if ever there were lyrics to be analyzed it is those. This list is awesome, to those of us who love music not only for the melody but for the lyrics this is harder than most would think.

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    1. I think this was hard because it is baring your soul to the world. I also think as we keep reading each other through songs, we are starting to get a real feel for each other. And you know what, there are some pretty nice people hiding under all the writer's covers.

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  9. Many similar experiences and music loves. Funny how many of us were influenced by the music of that time. No need to discuss the songs ... they're classics and all exceptionally memorable. Truly a great job!

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    1. Thanks Rich, yes... it was a time unforgettable for both the the events and the music.

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  10. What awesome songs, some of my favorites! Great mix. :)

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  11. I didn't appreciate Bruce until recently, now I love him. Funny how age changes our perception of songs we've grown up with.

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    1. Well, as long as you've seen the light. Or come over to the dark side, however you want to look at it. Thanks for stopping by Jean.

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  12. Well that's it. This one wins. I mean, you know me...this is my world. The Bruce song? I played and sang that one so many times in Washington Square Park with my buddies. "Woah oh oh oh oh! I walk the way I wanna walk!" S&G, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds...Roger McGuinn...yeah. This is a great list.

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  13. Thanks Linda, I would have loved to have seen you in the Park singing Bruce.

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  14. a "man of complex musical tastes." You honor me much more than you should dear. Thank you.

    And "Turn, Turn, Turn." The first time I ever realized (due to a church youth choir) that my taste in music could live side-by side with my faith instead of in rebellion to it (as it wasn't until much later that I gained an appreciation for organ tunes...!)

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  15. I also said a fine writer. And it's all true.

    Some of us find faith in a church, I found it in a concert hall. Amen.

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