Just some some's of the summy somes

Earned Heart and Linnet Be

John Steinbeck became one of my favorite writers mainly because of his description of the turtle in "Grapes of Wrath". At first I found his lengthy descriptions a drag but then I realized he was pounding the journey and all its metaphors into our hearts for the sake of compassion.  If you didn't get it the first time - he will remind you 'til you do. So, what does any of this have to do with music?

I derailed my own self-expression momentarily so that I could share a piece of inspiration that was not my own.  I love the mind filled with conviction and purpose.  Folk and Traditional music is like a Steinbeck book, every description renews the human spirit with colorful purpose. Irish music was part of my upbringing but so were many other forms of the arts. 

However, it occurred to me that my twisted notion of bluegrass and country was Celtic and punk. The days of Irish dancing had marked my sense of rhythm with 7's (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-change 2-3-4-5-6-7 step-and-hop--and -change-2-3-toe-heel-toe-and-change-2-3). Not to mention my brother's alternative "tapes" and my mom and dad's folk, jazz and musical theater vinyl totally screwed with me brilliantly.  My favorite was always those singer songwriter's from the 60's, 70's and 80's. But I gotta give props to Patti LuPone for teaching me how to sing.

Only a Woman's Heart

I'll Tell Me Ma

Red is the Rose

Fat Piggy

The Water is Wide

Sonny's Dream

The Butcher Boy

Dimming of the Day

Wind in the Willows

Katy Daly

Caledonia

How Can I Keep From Singing