Monday, April 5, 2021

Fire . . .


 (from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/30/opinion/biden-stimulus-infrastructure.html)
". . . Michael Gerson, the former George W. Bush speechwriter and now columnist for The Washington Post . . . (wrote) “One of the United States’ venerable, powerful political parties has been overtaken by people who make resentment against outsiders the central element of their appeal. … Elected Republicans who are not bigots are generally cowards in the face of bigotry. And that is a shocking, horrible thing.” . . . The key to winning that fight is for Joe Biden to succeed well enough and long enough for this antidemocratic Trump version of the G.O.P. to flame out and be replaced by a new, principled, center-right Republican Party . . . (by ensuring). . .  the success of Biden’s two gigantic spending bills and deal a knockout blow to this pathetic dumpster fire called the Trump G.O.P. That would be a gift to both liberals and principled conservatives — and to Lady Liberty. . ."



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Sunday, April 4, 2021

One . . .

. . . thing


Everything really is negotiable,
Though your initial look may betray.
So big and frightening they may appear.
Your dedication and intellect take the day.

There's one thing you have to remember,
You mean so much to me.
That's one certainty.
When concerns become burdens
Please know I'm the one you need to see.
I will always be available,
No matter how far life removes you from me.

There's no necessity for extreme bravery.
All your good qualities I admire.
There's no embarrassment and there's no shame
If you accept someone's helping hand when you tire.

Any other time,
Any other place,
Nothing between us will be any different.
You don't have to hide
Feelings deep inside.
I'm here to help you so please let me try.

You may not understand.
You may not care.
I know you'll realize what's to bear.
I always felt that my responsibility
Is to make sure you find happiness anywhere.




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              Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak



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Saturday, April 3, 2021

Again . . .

. . . an opportunity to hear some current work from the guys in OHO, this one entitled 'The Hours'. The concept of hours, days, years; or time in general has been the topic of countless songs and other entertainment vehicles.  As we mature, we tend to appreciate the value of what used to be called 'quality time', which I employ to mean time applied to a substantial activities that result in something positive. When you accept the fact that your time is finite, you tend to want to make every bit of it count. 

". . . party's only what you make it. Make it into the BEST you can . . . "






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Friday, April 2, 2021

Credit . . .

 

. . . where credit is due

Seems there are more and more You Tube videos of bands playing cover versions of older music. They're playing it very well. The technical quality of both audio and video is impeccable. It sounds damned good. But they're playing it just like the record (like the original recording). Sometimes the arrangement, instrumentation and vocal is exactly like the record. If you close your eyes, you might think you're listening to the original. BUT IT'S NOT! 

Essentially, it's 'Full-Body Karaoke.' Right? After I've heard several of these, I get a yen for the original. Let's face it, with digital remastering the original comes very close to the young, new cover version on a technical basis. Why go to all the trouble?

I only ask the question, and this is my rant for today. But as an original musician, who (maybe, just sometimes) feels under-appreciated and under-supported, I cringe at the number of highly-recommended cover music videos presented to me. 

Make no mistake, I completely appreciate any and all musical efforts. I am a firm believer that MUSIC IS MAGIC. The talent, skill, time and financial investment in these videos is, I'm sure, substantial. Kudos. But on a purely personal level, I prefer an original composition, original approach to a genre or a blend of multiple genres, because there really is no limit to the twists and turns an original artist can employ to create something new and possibly different.  

That's what I'm talkin' about.



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Thursday, April 1, 2021

Tribalism . . .

 


Mother always told us it's not nice to hate.
She'd been practicing that golden rule for years.
If we'd only treat each other how we want to be ourselves
God will love us.

When I first met you I was quite impressed.
So much more than pretty face among the crowd.
And it didn't happen overnight but the curtain slowly fell
And the colors of your rainbow were revealed.

You are the tribis hippocriticus.
We don't like you,
Just trying to be honest.

From your position of authority on that lofty height.
You looked down, and not across, our great divide.
With a smile upon your face and hands placed firmly on controls,
The truth is evident and there for all to see.

'Cause that's the way we all should be.
We're not islands. 
We're not stones.
And just what will it take
To make you see this truth?

Let me make it so crystal clear just how strongly that I feel 
'Bout the way you take advantage for yourself.
If you took the power devoted to your cold conniving ways
And you simply turned it totally around.




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Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Iteration . . .


 . . . One more iteration related of the song "Eye", or more specifically of the song as a basis for improvisation. I always like to try to attempt a take on the acoustic piano, my Kawai baby grand. That's what I've posted here with some manipulation of volumes to enhance the previous arrangement featuring various instruments on the breaks between verses.  

I may just be finished with this one . . . for now.




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Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Realized? . . .

 

There’s a boy in a room.
It’s a cavernous room,
With the walls all festooned
With the likenesses of
Sincere and humble, pious faces.

The eyes were watching,
Intently so.
Suspiciously watching,
But they weren’t the eyes
Of some omniscient, single, potent being.
They were the eyes of my fellow man,
And oh the things they did see.

By design or by fate,
From the boy grew the man,
And believing in magic,
Drew his comfort from what 
They called his deep faith
And perseverance.

All those around him
And the vast majority believed
In it too,
So much resembling dependent infancy 
I shudder. Shudder!

As a product of his time,
And of nurture through the years,
He pushed on where his intellect
Showed him how to proceed
Without any invasive deities.




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