TENDER MUSICAL MERCIES

Still sort of in a stupor I headed out for my daily walk. I’m trying to walk at least three miles a day. I think I end up doing more like two. Anyway, as I pressed the iPod shuffle button I said a little prayer that it not come to Goldfrapp’s “Ride A White Horse” —- I know what you’re thinking, but my head was just not up for the thud of glam disco today.

However, my iPod Shuffle Karma was good and the first song that started my day in the Northern California sunshine was “Keep Love As Your Golden Rule” by HAL.

Which seemed a perfect song for me to hear as I walked to the West Oakland BART station:

“Put your hang ups in the closet
Put the fears you have in a box
Come on baby pull up your socks
And sunbeams will shine
They will give you light in the dark
…And there ain’t nobody to blame
So keep trying, baby
Be brave
Don’t listen to what they say
Keep going you’ve come all this way
…Do as you do cause your just so beautiful
Keep love as your golden rule
Keep loving the way you do
Cause that’s what those stars are saying
And count your many blessings
And sunbeams will shine
They’ll give you light in the dark
Lets get ourselves a head start…”

…The next song that came up on shuffle was one of my all time favorites, “Sweet Blindness” by Laura Nyro. Interesting because I’ve been listening to this song a lot as of late. Actually, I’ve been listening to the whole “Eli and the Thirteenth Confession” quite a bit.

B surprised me with such a cool birthday present: a turntable which we hooked up to our home theatre system and which will turn vinyl into MP3 tracks for iPod! Anyway, I’ve discovered that I can take up as much as 3 hours in a vinyl shop and spend less than $15!
Plus, my tastes do not seem to be that of most record collectors — while they scramble about looking for mint quality Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, The Beatles or The Who — I’m looking for ok quality Barbra, Andy Gibb, Carole King, Laura Nyro, Yoko Ono, Marianne Faithfull, the Captain & Tennille and the odd soundtrack.
For instance, I found Nyro’s “Eli” in near mint quality for only $2! Barbra’s “Lazy Afternoon” and Funny Lady” were 47 cents each and one had never been open!!!?!?! And, Ms. Faithfull’s revolutionary “Broken English” was all of $3 — and it has on minor scratch!

It’s exciting and hearing this music with all the snaps and is almost as comforting/grounding as holding/playing with Bagel. All the best moments of my childhood are preserved and I can close my eyes and feel a bit better for a little while. …I had forgotten how much I loved Ms. Nyro’s performance of her own song, “Stoney End” — I don’t like it as much as the hit Streisand created, but I do enjoy it very much. …As well as all of the other songs! How often can one say he/she likes every song on an album? How often can one say “album” anymore?!?!

Of course, I’m having trouble finding everything — but this is half the fun!
My Grandmother and I used to listen to Melissa Manchester’s “Don’t Cry Out Loud” LP over and over again on a weekly basis for a good year. Need to find that one! I’m also on the prowl for a great condition copy of “Barbra Butterfly” and the original soundtrack of “Ken Russell’s TOMMY” — I know these LP’s are out there waiting for me. Of course it would be fun to purchase an original Billie Holiday or Bessie Smith — that would sound so fucking awesome on vinyl, but this other music is more healing for me.

However, I have to say that Laura Nyro on vinyl has meant the most to me. I had forgotten how her words, her vocals, the musical arrangements and artistry used to touch me. …This LP in particularly moves me. And I was lucky enough to find the LP that features this gorgeous photo by David Gahr. I had a cassette of this same LP which featured a beautiful string of pictures showcasing windows which did capture a feeling, but this cover is so much more effective.

And, all these years later — and I guess I must have gotten this record when I was 7 or 8 (and it was an old record then) I have always found the quote she placed on the back of the LP so memorable and touching:

“Where is the night luster? Past my trials”

Laura Nyro – RIP

…and God bless the sound of vinyl and the magic of the memories that are good. …and, God damn the ones that make us hold tight till the pain and sadness eases so that we might move.

The trails of life are difficult. One can only hope that they are worth it. I think they are. I certainly hope so…

“…Never mind the forecast
cause the sky has lost control
cause the fury and the broken thunder’s come
to match my raging soul.

…let me start again…”

Laura Nyro, 1969