olympus epl-1

ain't sad because /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com

One of the closing snippet stories Brian Williams shared with me during the evening news last night was that Dan Peek from the group America had passed away the day before. It saddened me to hear this, though the blow seemed lessened with so many of my musical heroes having left the stage early over the past few years. This year alone, there have been too many to count. They all left far sooner than I'd like, but fortunately each of them left a wealth of their art behind.

As I do each evening, I spent  last night in my office with my turntable listening to a few albums in their entirety before marking off another day from my calendar. Among a few others, America's debut from 1971 just happened to make my playlist. The album shined beautifully like it always has, continuing to be a timeless collection of musical depth, sentiment, and human spirit. Hearing track two on side two was perfectly brilliant and my personal way of offering a nod to Dan. Enjoying it once wasn't enough, so I picked the needle up as the song faded out and laid it down carefully for a second listen. Thank you Dan for chasing those clouds away.


Rainy Day 
written and sung by Dan Peek, 1971.

Whenever it's a rainy day
I pack my troubles up in my room
I chase all the clouds away
I get myself back to the womb

But I know that you're gonna cry
Tears are runnin' from your eyes
The piece of my life you take
Is one that so often breaks

Whenever you are miles away
I think of you the way you are
Your shining lips, your auburn hair
And then it don't seem quite so far

Well I know that you're gonna cry
Tears are runnin' from your eyes
The piece of my life you take
Is one that so often breaks

Well I know that you're gonna cry
Tears are runnin' from your eyes
The piece of my life you take
Is one that so often breaks 

taking a spin with george harrison /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com

Music centers me. From the time I was a little boy, it always has. I get lost in it and it simply finds my soul. I've had my share of music devices over the years from numerous record players, a lime green portable AM radio with a thin plastic wrist strap, chrome retractable antenna, and a single mono ear plug, several 8-track and cassette tape decks - both portable and stereophonic stand alones, a Sony Walkman, cd players, an iPod and other digital media players. The one that got me started around 1964 was a box unit Beanie and Cecil record player. I then started collecting 45's from the time I was about five or six years old. By the time I was nine, I was serious about my music and began buying albums, partly because of the art as well as the music. A few of my firsts were Led Zeppelin III, Credence Clearwater Revival - Cosmos Factory, The Guess Who - Canned Wheat, and The Osmonds self titled. Yes, the Osmonds.

My appreciation of vinyl albums continues and I try to make it a point to listen to a few each night. I love the artwork and packaging. I love reading the liner notes. And I love hearing the depth and richness of the analog sound as the reflection from the grooves dance on the turntable. It's been nearly 50 years since Santa brought me that Beany and Cecil box and the love it opened up for me continues. Record albums define who I am. They've been my best friends for a long, long time.

Last night I enjoyed time with Cat Stevens - Teaser and the Firecat, Santana - Abraxas, and George Harrison - Thirty Three & 1/3. Seems fitting.