Friday Jams

This classic disco takes me back to my earliest days on the dance floor of The Park, which was the gay disco drag bar in my hometown. Oh the memories.

Bonnie Pointer – Heaven Must Have Sent You – 1979

Summer Breeze

Makes me feel fine,

Blowin’ through the jasmine in my mind…

Seals & Crofts – Summer Breeze – (original release) 1972 – Live Video dated 1975

One of those tunes from my childhood that not only brings back good memories but brings me comfort.

May this summer be a wonderful one for you and yours.
Peace ☮️

Good Morning Starshine

I’ve posted this Sesame Street scene from 1969 before and have decided to post it again. As a young boy I was often left out and felt very isolated, fearful and different from my peers. Sesame Street offered me a place where I could fit in. I started watching Sesame Street in 1969 which was the year it premiered, and the same year Oliver released this song. I remember this song playing on the radio as I also vividly remember the first time seeing this performance by the Sesame Street cast.

This song is warm and loving. I adored it. Every time I heard it I felt safe and ok. Seeing it on screen in this clip I felt included, part of and loved. To this day I cannot hear it without feeling those same feelings. I can often be heard singing it to myself when I need a lift. Needless to say with all that has gone on with me these past two weeks, I need this song more than ever.

Thus I will start my week with Good Morning Starshine, both the Sesame Street version as well as the original by Oliver.

Good Morning Starshine – Sesame Street Cast – 1969

Oliver – Good Morning Starshine – 1969

May your coming week be filled with light, love, peace and joy.

More More More

Being a teenager in the 1970s I was a fan of the original. It played often on my little AM transistor radio on 1240 WROV. I also remember it playing from Mouse’s little transistor radio during the scene on the beach in “Tales of the City”.

More, More, More – Andrea True Connection – 1976

Then when I was a late 20s  gay man hitting the clubs one of my absolute favorite groups of the time did a fabulous remake. Tear that dance floor up we did.

Bananarama – More, More, More – 1993

I love either one and am going to let both of them give me motivation to get my house cleaned this afternoon. Enjoy!

 

Beard of the day

Star Trek Fan Beard

Fearsome with Nichelle Nichols, aka Uhura, at San Diego Comic Con July 2018. One of the most meaningful moments in my life.

Who’s Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?

…and who’s heart did you steal I wonder?

I vividly remember the hot young cowboy bartender who stole my heart that evening many years ago as he sang along to this tune while pouring me a drink and serving me with that twinkle in his eye. …Daumn he was hot.

Shania Twain – Who’s Bed Have Your Boots Been Under – 1995

Dancing with my sister Doug

Doug was someone I met when we were both just hitting the gay scene in our hometown. We were 18 at the time. He had recently moved to the small city I lived in from a smaller town a couple hours away. We bonded instantly and are still best friends today even though I’m on one coast and he’s on the other. He’s my sister and I adore him.

We spent many nights out at the local gay bar. It was called The Park and was a private club. Membership was only $5 but that helped to keep the door secure. This was a small city in Appalachia in the very early 1980s after all and we needed, well at least a sense of, good security. I remember this tune as being one of our favorites. Doug always was and still is a blast to hang out with. My heart fills with joy thinking of the times we cut a rug to this classic.

Culture Club – Karma Chameleon – 1983

Happy Pride Y’all!

Magic Man

I fondly remember my first Magic Man.

Reed and I met through a mutual friend during our Jr. Year in high school. He was on the football team of a nearby high school, I was in the band at my high school. Two 16 year olds, going on 17, who had yet to find another boy with the same attraction we shared, made for a magical time. It was intense, hot, fast and furious.

Although Heart had released Magic Man about 5 years before our meeting, it was still a song we shared as we both loved the band. Eventually we each moved on in separate directions, but the magic we shared for the time we were together remains an intense memory that I cherish.

Yesterday I discovered that another favorite artist from that time period, Dolly Parton, who is a strong LGBT ally, has just released her cover of Magic Man. She has recorded it as a collaboration with Ann Wilson of Heart. It’s truly magical. We hope you enjoy it, as it left tears streaming from my eyes into Fearsome. He’s good at helping me with my tears when I need him.

Dolly Parton (feat. Ann Wilson) – Magic Man – 2023

Close to you

I am at loss for words when it comes to the  memories this song brings to me. I was young and hadn’t yet gotten to the age of falling in love. Yet this song gave me a comfort, and a glimpse of what romance must be just from the beauty of the music. I knew every single word of this song and could sing it from start to finish. Of corse I could because I had listened to it daily on my handheld transistor radio. A radio I still have to this day.

Still in its carrying case.

The station you ask? Oh that would have been AM 1240 WROV. The radio? Yes it still works. It was at my side for years and even survived a few bicycle crashes. My brother found it in a drawer when cleaning out our mother’s house after I moved her out here to live with me. He saved it from the sale for me as he knew how much I treasured it as a young boy.

I post the tune today as I can’t think of a better song to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day. I send you love and hope that you in turn spread love to everyone you see and touch today.

Carpenters – (They Long To Be) Close To You – 1970

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue

That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue

That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

Wa, close to you
Wa, close to you
Ha, close to you
La, close to you

(….oh and yes Karen was not only the vocalist, but also the drummer. )

1988 Copa Key West

I danced my ass off to this one right there on one of the best dance floors in the entire world at The Copa Key West. Damn this one was fun.

https://youtu.be/zQZI0dOy9bA

Kon Kan – I Beg Your Pardon – 1988

This song is the question to Lynn Anderson’s answer from her hit Rose Garden.

Namesake

This classic popped into my YouTube feed moments ago. I have no reason to know why as I haven’t ever searched Nicolette Larson. However there is a reason I stopped everything to push play.

Nicolette Larson – Lotta Love – 1978

My first dog that I ever brought to my own home after leaving my parents house was a blonde cocker spaniel named Nicholas. Unfortunately in the first week of his stay at my home he got loose and ran into a busy street about 3 blocks away. We found his body lying in the bushes of the median the next day.

I returned to the SPCA where I had adopted him and a new litter of puppies had arrived. They were mixed Shepard puppies, 8 of them. As I sat on the floor with them and they played and played it was so hard to decide as to which one would be mine. All of the sudden it was obvious. One of them, a little girl, had gotten comfortable in my crossed legged lap and fallen asleep. It was a match.

After bringing her home the first thing was to name her. Nicholas had a name from his previous owner, she was just an 8 week old ball of fur. Naming her after him seemed fitting. Nicolette came to mind which was immediately followed by this song popping into my head from one of my favorite late 1970s artist, remember this was the early 1980s so late ‘70s artist were relatively fresh. That would be it, her name would be Nicolette Larson.

From that day forward she was my baby and her name sake a favorite artist. Now to find a photo from the days long before digital photography.
…I’ll post a photo as soon as I find a good one.

Cheers to both Nicolette Larson the singer and Nicolette Larson my dearest first dog as both of you are long on the other side of the rainbow bridge. One day I’ll see you both again.

Godspeed.

She hated ABBA

The world is a bit quieter this morning due to the loss of our loving prolific commenter and friend Anne Marie. She was often referred to as our Warrior Queen because she never failed to stand up for what she believed in. She believed in equality and justice for all and was never afraid of speaking out against oppression, injustice, greed and stupidity. She seemed to take pride in the title Warrior Queen, as she should’ve.

Anne Marie loved to enjoy life, have fun and loved music. Her Saturday night dance parties kept us tapping our toes for years. Due to the unfortunate turn of events in November of 2016, her Saturday night dance parties turned into Saturday night Protest parties. However she knew how to have fun with her protests and still kept our toes a tapping.

One regret I have is that I never got the chance to do a twirl across the dance floor with Anne Marie. I am sure she could cut a rug when the opportunity arose. She had that spark that made life magic. A spark that I could tell loved to dance.

However there was one dance music group that I don’t believe you would find Anne Marie enjoying on the dance floor. As we all know she was quite outspoken about many things and one of them was her rather dislike of a group called ABBA. Rather dislike? Nope. Hated? Yup, that’s more Anne Marie.

I’ve always rather enjoyed ABBA and I love an ABBA tune while taking a twirl across a dance floor. However for obvious reasons I’m a bit melancholy this morning and don’t feel like dancing. I feel like listening to a beautiful voice singing a beautiful melodious tune.

Anne Marie,                                                                                                                                                                      I hope you don’t mind that I take a moment remember you in the same post that I also post the tune Dancing Queen. If you do please forgive me. I just want you to know as you cross into the next chapter of your journey that you aren’t only my Warrior Queen, but also my Dancing Queen…just not the ABBA one.

From the vaults

Just another recording from the soundtrack that is my life.

The Guess Who – These Eyes – 1969

Fast Car

Thirty three years ago today Tracy Chapman released this simple yet complex tune. In 4 minutes it tells the story of a lifetime and reveals the life changes of choices combined with actions.

It truly is a work of art that came during a seemingly simple yet very complex part of my life where some decisions combined with actions not only changed my life toward the better, but most likely saved it.

Thank you Tracy for sharing this with us. It is an important tune in my life’s soundtrack.  My heart fills with joy and my being with serenity every time I hear it.

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car- April 6, 1988

If you find this blog post and find that you are currently in an abusive or violent relationship and feel you are trapped there is no safe way out, I am here to tell you that from my own experience there is, even when it doesn’t seem like it. There is a safe way out and it may save your life. Tell someone, ask for help, make choices and act. Action is your lifeline but do it discreetly. Be careful and aware of your safety. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800.799.SAFE (7233) or online at https://www.thehotline.org/

 

The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle

Pure childhood nostalgia describes what this holiday tune is for me. Dad loved both Burt Bacharach and Herb Albert so this was a holiday staple at our house. Hearing it still invokes the excitement of the approaching visit of Santa. 

Herb Albert – The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle – 1968 – written by Burt Bacharach 

A Christmas bell was cryin’ and Santa heard it say
I just can’t seem to jingle and I can’t go on the sleigh
Then Santa soon discovered the reason that it cried
The bell that couldn’t jingle, it had nothin’ there inside

Then Santa said
“Jack Frost will bring my Christmas gift to you
And on Christmas Eve, you’ll jingle
Just like you were brand new”

Then Jack Frost froze a teardrop
So each time that it swayed
The bell that couldn’t jingle, it went jingling all the way
The bell that couldn’t jingle, it went jingling all the way

Then Santa said
“Jack Frost will bring my Christmas gift to you
And on Christmas Eve, you’ll jingle
Just like you were brand new”

Then Jack Frost froze a teardrop
So each time that it swayed
The bell that couldn’t jingle, it went jingling all the way
The bell that couldn’t jingle, it went jingling all the way
It went jingling all the way, it went jingling all the way

 

From my youth

Due to the turbulence of the times I have been rather nostalgic of late. I guess you could call it yearning for a simpler, less stressful time.
Given what was going on in 1973 I’m not sure of it was actually a less stressful time. However being that I was a kid, I wasn’t carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Today, for some unknown reason, King Harvest’s Dancing in the Moonlight came to mind as my song of comfort. The tune is simple, melodic and fun.
May it bring you the moment of peace it has brought me.

King Harvest – Dancing in the Moonlight – 1973

Elvin Bishop

Being that I was a kid growing up in the 1970s, I look back on life with an awesome soundtrack. One of the jewels of that soundtrack is Elvin Bishop’s Fooled Around and Fell in Love.
Last evening as I was about to retire to the luxury of my extra firm California King bed, this popped up in my you tube feed. Being a nostalgic guy I couldn’t help but to click play.
Wow, there is a reason that this tune is a jewel in the Fearsome soundtrack of life. Mickey Thomas, one of Elvin’s back up singers at the time, is one truly talented singer. He is the one actually singing lead on this track.  This video is of his Midnight Special performance in 1977. The Midnight Special performances can be hit or miss. This is a hit.  A hit out of the park in fact.
It also is followed by the studio recording from which it became famous, a double feature of sorts. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/bmxEBi9Bv0I

Elvin Bishop – Fooled Around and Fell in Love – Midnight Special 1977

One should also note that I was pubescent at the time this song was released. Many a man crush I had at the time was consoled by the lyrics of this song. Oh… and the drummer is way hot.

Heaven

London gay life in the 1980s.

While I wasn’t in London at the time, I did start going to gay clubs while still in high school in 1981. This isn’t exactly my history but it’s not unlike my history.

Mockingbird

While taking my 88 year old mom for her daily walk around the block today we ran into a Mocking bird that must have been nesting. We know this because of the fit of fury we witnessed as we passed by the tree where it was hanging out. Territorial little buggers they are with that ever so distinctive song. Hearing the mockingbirds’ chatter I was reminded of a favorite tune that just happens to be the…

Best

Duet

Ever.

Originally released in 1974, this Carly Simon duet with her then husband James Taylor is woven into the fabric that is me. It is one of those songs that is the soundtrack that is my life.

Carly Simon & James Taylor – Mocking Bird – performed for the MUSE No Nukes concert 1979

Amazing performance. Notice Carly’s lack of shoes!

Lola

If my early 1980’s boom box cassette player had turned up to 11, like it should have, it would have been on 11 instead of it’s meager 10 as I blasted this tune during my move into my Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity house. I was a freshman and had just made it through rush and initiations.

My high school buddy Robert was moving in at the same time and we luckily got rooms right across the hall from each other. I remember Robert and I singing this 10 year old tune in the hallway as it vibrated the walls of my room as it’s beat spilled into the hallway where we stood. I handed him an ice cold bottle of Old Milwaukee beer as we congratulated each other for making the cut. We were no longer high school buds but actual fraternity brothers. Our bottles clanked together to mark the occasion.

Funny that we didn’t fully grasp it’s story, but we loved it anyhow.

https://youtu.be/NGdqCtX4VCM

Lola – The Kinks – Beat Club 1972