Musical Memorial

When I find myself in times of trouble, I look to music to take me to a place of better times.  It gives me perspective, even if it’s only for three or four minutes.  Whether music is a distraction or dogma—it is the soundtrack of our lives.  With the recent passing of Davy Jones and Whitney Houston, I cannot help but wonder which of my musical mentors will be following.  I grew up listening to the Monkees, and consider them a staple in my listening lexicon.  With Whitney Houston, I’ve found that she is a good education of what it means to be a consummate artist and soulful songstress.  I turn to music continually and believe it is the universal language that we all speak.  Even though I may not know the words of a song (or in some cases, the language), I can sense the conviction in the music and it makes me feel like I’m a part of something greater—especially when I share it with someone.  These two artists gave themselves to us, and in return, we gave them a part of our lives.  It makes me think back of all of the artists that have been lost to the ages, but the good news is that they have left us their music.  I can’t think of a greater gift than their work and what it has done for my life.  More than anything, I keep alive the spirit of the muse and it helps me in the day-to-day aspects of life.  It is the responsibility of new artists to provide new hopes and dreams in the musical landscape.  It reminds me of the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn”

The Byrds-"Turn, Turn, Turn"

Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes. 

Music-Pete Seeger

Recorded by: The Byrds.

To everything - turn, turn, turn

There is a season - turn, turn, turn

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn

There is a season - turn, turn, turn

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down

A time to dance, a time to mourn

A time to cast away stones

A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn

There is a season - turn, turn, turn

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace

A time of love, a time of hate

A time you may embrace

A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn

There is a season - turn, turn, turn

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose

A time to rend, a time to sew

A time to love, a time to hate

A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

The Monkees-“Daydream Believer”

Whitney Houston-“The Greatest Love Of All”