I don't have any profound thoughts for this day, but what I do when I'm feeling like I need to ponder something is I listen to music and sing along. This is some of what I'll be listening to today, as much for the music and the sound as for the lyrics.
The Wailin' Jennys. Do you know them? Click on the link and listen to any of the cuts, but especially Avila, Glory Bound, One Voice, and Long Time Traveler to hear some of the lovliest harmonies in the whole wide world. If they sound a bit familiar, they are favorites of Garrison Keillor and regularly appear on Prairie Home Companion. I got to see them live when I saw PHC at Wolf Trap a couple of years ago. If you're feeling emotional today as you think about 9/11, this music might help you feel the emotions, as we all should, but also somehow soothe away the rawness.
One of the things I like about this group is that each member is so strong on their own, yet they choose to blend their talents and the results are just amazing to me. For example, here is one of the Jennys (Heather Masse, who is a successful solo artist in her own right) singing a new favorite song on Prairie Home Companion that I can't find anywhere but on the show archives and one home video on You Tube. According to the notes on You Tube, this song will be on Heather's new album, due out in November. I hope that is true. Anyway, either watch the video or click on the link above and listen to Segment 1, Bird Song, at 4:45 into the broadcast.
The Wailin' Jennys have a new live album out and it is the current soundtrack of my life. The sweetness calms me and smooths out more of the rough places inside me. I know that probably sounds a bit mystical for some, but that's why I listen to music, to connect my heart to my head. Their music tends to folk and traditional, so if that's not your thing, no worries, but if you like girls with gorgeous voices singing close harmony and aren't afraid to try new music, give them a listen. Their stuff is all on iTunes and the rest of their site is here.
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Thank you, Kellie, for the reminder. I love their sound and will definitely be adding them to my little collection. (I had two minutes with the internet just now, and I invested them all in your blog and listening to these harmonies.) :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE those girls! I have never heard of them but now I must itunes them as soon as I have a blasted computer that works. Wow, seriously awesome.
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