Today is the 6th anniversary of a very special show I attended. It was my first time at the Orpheum, which is now my favorite concert venue. It was also my first time seeing Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. What makes that night particularly special is the fact that a number of people who were in that audience are now my friends. We all found each other through Facebook and the memory of that night connected us. Meeting those people led me to meet their friends, who, over time, became my friends. I now have a very special group of people I bond with through music and concerts. Sadly, I don't get to see them very often, but when I do, I make sure to cherish every moment.
The night of April 25, 2010, is now somewhat of a bittersweet memory to me, because it marked my first, and sadly, only time, seeing the late Keith Emerson. He blew everyone away and arguably stole the show. He put so much passion into every note he played. ELP were the first band to show me that you could have a successful band with piano as the dominant instrument. I had never heard of anything like that before, and I was stunned by it. It led me to develop a whole new appreciation for keyboard players.
I remember that Keith had so much to say that night, particularly during the Q&A session about halfway through the show. He told great stories about playing with The Nice and joining ELP. I enjoyed hearing the memories he shared. He really was a joy to watch and listen to. I will always remember that.
Thanks for an unforgettable night, Keith. We all miss you <3
Monday, April 25, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
4/23/16
I had the day to myself and decided to spend it in Hollywood. I had never gone down there all by myself before, so I was excited to try it out. I drove to North Hollywood Station and took the subway to Hollywood and Vine. After a lunch of buttermilk pancakes at The Waffle, I walked to Amoeba Music. This was my first trip to Amoeba of 2016. I spent most of the time looking for Stevie Wonder music. I found some good things. Firstly, I found a better used vinyl copy of Music of My Mind. In addition, I also got a copy of In Square Circle, which was available for just a few dollars. On CD, I got Songs in the Key of Life as well as Signed, Sealed, and Delivered. I haven't heard the latter yet, but I'm pretty confident that I will like it. I have a lot of confidence in Stevie's music.
On a sad note, I found out that a good music friend of mine died this morning. He and I never got to meet in person, but he often commented on my postings and had such nice things to say. For my birthday one year, he even sent me a very special gift: a drumstick he had caught from Graeme Edge at a Moody Blues concert he went to back in about 1987. I have that stick kept safely in the box in which it was shipped. It's very sad to see these friends of mine go. It's sad, but I know that everything that lives faces death someday. I wish that weren't the case, though…
Death has been a subject on the minds of many people lately, with so many musicians and celebrities dying, the latest being Prince. It's sad to see all these people going, not just because their lives are ending, but also because it reminds us of our own mortality. Everyone will die at some point, but hardly anyone wants to be reminded of that fact. Since I have had my share of loss in the past, I have learned to enjoy every moment I have with people I care about, because you just don't know when they won't be here anymore.
On a sad note, I found out that a good music friend of mine died this morning. He and I never got to meet in person, but he often commented on my postings and had such nice things to say. For my birthday one year, he even sent me a very special gift: a drumstick he had caught from Graeme Edge at a Moody Blues concert he went to back in about 1987. I have that stick kept safely in the box in which it was shipped. It's very sad to see these friends of mine go. It's sad, but I know that everything that lives faces death someday. I wish that weren't the case, though…
Death has been a subject on the minds of many people lately, with so many musicians and celebrities dying, the latest being Prince. It's sad to see all these people going, not just because their lives are ending, but also because it reminds us of our own mortality. Everyone will die at some point, but hardly anyone wants to be reminded of that fact. Since I have had my share of loss in the past, I have learned to enjoy every moment I have with people I care about, because you just don't know when they won't be here anymore.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
4/12/16
I wrote my first poem for poetry class. It had to be at least 20 lines long so it was a good start. I thought I would share it. I will keep the inspiration for it a secret and let you all interpret it in your own way.
At home, one day,
when the sun was out,
and the dogs began their daily ritual of watching the house,
I wondered if maybe something could have been done
so that he may still be here today.
Suddenly, I heard a strange and distinct sound-
Knock-knock-knock - on my front door,
though the dogs were not disturbed,
(as they normally would be)
and nothing was out of place.
I went and opened the door,
but there was no one there.
No one, not a person in sight,
though one dog followed an invisible sight across the yard with his eyes.
The wind was steady as a rock.
We tried to imagine what his last hour was like.
His last our on this earth, in our lives.
Ideally, he was at home, behind the keys,
playing a piece called “The Parting.”
When the song ended, so did he.
At home, one day,
when the sun was out,
and the dogs began their daily ritual of watching the house,
I wondered if maybe something could have been done
so that he may still be here today.
Suddenly, I heard a strange and distinct sound-
Knock-knock-knock - on my front door,
though the dogs were not disturbed,
(as they normally would be)
and nothing was out of place.
I went and opened the door,
but there was no one there.
No one, not a person in sight,
though one dog followed an invisible sight across the yard with his eyes.
The wind was steady as a rock.
We tried to imagine what his last hour was like.
His last our on this earth, in our lives.
Ideally, he was at home, behind the keys,
playing a piece called “The Parting.”
When the song ended, so did he.
Friday, April 8, 2016
4/8/16
Week 2 of the third quarter is done. Spring quarter is already going by fast.
Anyway, I've made a number of Stevie Wonder additions to my music collection. I ordered a CD of Fulfillingness' First Finale off of Amazon, which arrived yesterday. I played it on my portable CD player (yes, I have one of those). It sounds great, but I enjoy my vinyl copy of it as well. On vinyl, I also ordered copies of Stevie Wonder's Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants and Music of My Mind off of eBay last week. The Secret Life of Plants arrived yesterday but I'm still waiting on Music of My Mind. I gave The Secret Life of Plants a complete listen last night since I had time. Dylan suggested that I not listen to that one until I had heard Fulfillingness' First Finale, since it's very different from Stevie's other albums. From what I've read, it was the album that marked the end of his "classic" era, which supposedly lasted from Music of My Mind to Songs in the Key of Life. I liked it, but I will admit it definitely was not like the other Stevie albums I have heard. It's a soundtrack to a documentary, so maybe that's why. Apparently a lot of people were confused by it when it was first released. I'm going home next weekend so I think I will grab my other vinyl Stevie albums to take back with me.
I think of the two David Gilmour shows I went to every day. It really was an incredible experience both times, though the first show was the most special since it was the first time. I had never been moved to tears at a concert before, not even when I saw Roger Waters perform The Wall in 2010, but that was because it was not David who was playing the solo during "Comfortably Numb" at that show. As much as I loved hearing The Wall performed live, I longed to hear David play it with my own ears.
Anyway, I've made a number of Stevie Wonder additions to my music collection. I ordered a CD of Fulfillingness' First Finale off of Amazon, which arrived yesterday. I played it on my portable CD player (yes, I have one of those). It sounds great, but I enjoy my vinyl copy of it as well. On vinyl, I also ordered copies of Stevie Wonder's Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants and Music of My Mind off of eBay last week. The Secret Life of Plants arrived yesterday but I'm still waiting on Music of My Mind. I gave The Secret Life of Plants a complete listen last night since I had time. Dylan suggested that I not listen to that one until I had heard Fulfillingness' First Finale, since it's very different from Stevie's other albums. From what I've read, it was the album that marked the end of his "classic" era, which supposedly lasted from Music of My Mind to Songs in the Key of Life. I liked it, but I will admit it definitely was not like the other Stevie albums I have heard. It's a soundtrack to a documentary, so maybe that's why. Apparently a lot of people were confused by it when it was first released. I'm going home next weekend so I think I will grab my other vinyl Stevie albums to take back with me.
I think of the two David Gilmour shows I went to every day. It really was an incredible experience both times, though the first show was the most special since it was the first time. I had never been moved to tears at a concert before, not even when I saw Roger Waters perform The Wall in 2010, but that was because it was not David who was playing the solo during "Comfortably Numb" at that show. As much as I loved hearing The Wall performed live, I longed to hear David play it with my own ears.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
4/3/16
I don't have very long because I have to finish a close reading assignment for poetry class.
I came home this weekend. I left early Thursday afternoon since class got out early. I came home because on Friday night, dad and I went to see Steve Hackett at our favorite concert venue, the Orpheum. I know my way around that place as though it were my second home. We had front row mezzanine seats, but in reality, there's no such thing as a bad seat at the Orpheum. No matter where you're seated, you always have a good view of the stage and the sound is always perfect. We've seen more shows at this venue than anywhere else, so we've experienced shows from many different vantage points.
This Steve Hackett show was different from the Genesis Revisited show we saw back in December 2014. We loved that show so much that we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Steve again. This show consisted of two sets: one of solo material, and one of Genesis material. I was surprised that only two Genesis songs that were played during the 2014 tour were included in this set. Everything else was different. That's good, though. It's nice to mix things up and play some tunes that you haven't played in a while. I actually liked the solo material a lot. I think I will have to start getting Steve's solo albums since we don't have any at the moment.
I saw a number of people at the show with David Gilmour shirts from the Rattle That Lock tour. It's great that so many people were able to see him at least once. I'm still reeling from that week. It's only been a week since the second show but it feels like it's been much longer. Part of me wishes I could go back and do it all over again, but that usually happens when I go to a great concert, especially a concert I had been looking forward to for a long time.
Dylan is very excited for my trip to Portland and our drive to the Gorge for the two Phish concerts. I am too. I need to get more familiar with Phish's music, though. So far, I've only heard Rift and Billy Breathes. The biggest record store near campus often has a large selection of Phish CDs and vinyl available, so I will look there once I get back to campus.
I came home this weekend. I left early Thursday afternoon since class got out early. I came home because on Friday night, dad and I went to see Steve Hackett at our favorite concert venue, the Orpheum. I know my way around that place as though it were my second home. We had front row mezzanine seats, but in reality, there's no such thing as a bad seat at the Orpheum. No matter where you're seated, you always have a good view of the stage and the sound is always perfect. We've seen more shows at this venue than anywhere else, so we've experienced shows from many different vantage points.
This Steve Hackett show was different from the Genesis Revisited show we saw back in December 2014. We loved that show so much that we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Steve again. This show consisted of two sets: one of solo material, and one of Genesis material. I was surprised that only two Genesis songs that were played during the 2014 tour were included in this set. Everything else was different. That's good, though. It's nice to mix things up and play some tunes that you haven't played in a while. I actually liked the solo material a lot. I think I will have to start getting Steve's solo albums since we don't have any at the moment.
I saw a number of people at the show with David Gilmour shirts from the Rattle That Lock tour. It's great that so many people were able to see him at least once. I'm still reeling from that week. It's only been a week since the second show but it feels like it's been much longer. Part of me wishes I could go back and do it all over again, but that usually happens when I go to a great concert, especially a concert I had been looking forward to for a long time.
Dylan is very excited for my trip to Portland and our drive to the Gorge for the two Phish concerts. I am too. I need to get more familiar with Phish's music, though. So far, I've only heard Rift and Billy Breathes. The biggest record store near campus often has a large selection of Phish CDs and vinyl available, so I will look there once I get back to campus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)