Anyone who has known me for a long time, I mean a really long time, understands that there is one musical artist that is threaded into my life.
James Taylor, is to me, my musical centre point.
Always has been, always will be.
After years of wanting to see him perform live, I finally got the chance to see him at the beautiful Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state. My husband and I, along with our young son aged 8, made it a road trip weekend, driving the 8 hours there and staying overnight in a small motel in nearby Leavenworth. It really was pretty darn magical. There we were, sitting under the stars, stretched out on a picnic blanket listening and revelling in the music... our first concert together as a family. That was more than 15 years ago. It left a lasting impression on not only me, but 'my two favourite people' in the world as well. I have seen James live twice since then. The last time was rather surreal, as it was in our hometown, something I would have never thought possible. And, again I saw it with my son and husband by my side. Bucket list for sure. The fact my son, (who recently graduated from McGill with his degree in music/jazz piano) and my country music lovin' husband both really appreciate his music and have his songs prominently on their itune playlists makes my whole James Taylor obsession that much sweeter!
After writing my post today, reflecting on Paris, and our time there; I saw the James Taylor newsletter email pop up in my inbox tonight. It was just what I needed. Gotta love that musical karma!
I am repining it here because it reminds me of how small the world really is. How connected we all are. How important and possible it is to move forward and to create good from bad.
I have also attached a youtube link to a performance of one of his songs that I think might fit well in a day like today... The lyrics are also listed below.
Shed a little light
James Taylor, is to me, my musical centre point.
Always has been, always will be.
After years of wanting to see him perform live, I finally got the chance to see him at the beautiful Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state. My husband and I, along with our young son aged 8, made it a road trip weekend, driving the 8 hours there and staying overnight in a small motel in nearby Leavenworth. It really was pretty darn magical. There we were, sitting under the stars, stretched out on a picnic blanket listening and revelling in the music... our first concert together as a family. That was more than 15 years ago. It left a lasting impression on not only me, but 'my two favourite people' in the world as well. I have seen James live twice since then. The last time was rather surreal, as it was in our hometown, something I would have never thought possible. And, again I saw it with my son and husband by my side. Bucket list for sure. The fact my son, (who recently graduated from McGill with his degree in music/jazz piano) and my country music lovin' husband both really appreciate his music and have his songs prominently on their itune playlists makes my whole James Taylor obsession that much sweeter!
After writing my post today, reflecting on Paris, and our time there; I saw the James Taylor newsletter email pop up in my inbox tonight. It was just what I needed. Gotta love that musical karma!
I am repining it here because it reminds me of how small the world really is. How connected we all are. How important and possible it is to move forward and to create good from bad.
I have also attached a youtube link to a performance of one of his songs that I think might fit well in a day like today... The lyrics are also listed below.
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Shed a little light
Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us,
All men and women living on the Earth.
Ties of hope and love,
Sister and brotherhood,
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world
Become a place in which our children
Can grow free and strong.
We are bound together by the task
That stands before us
And the road that lies ahead.
We are bound and we are bound.
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist
There is a hunger in the center of the chest
There is a passage through the darkness
And the mist
And though the body sleeps
The heart will never rest
Shed a little light, oh Lord,
So that we can see,
Just a little light, oh Lord.
Want to stand it on up,
Stand it on up, oh Lord,
Want to walk it on down,
Shed a little light, oh Lord.
Can't get no light from the dollar bill,
Don't give me no light from a TV screen.
When I open my eyes I want to drink my fill
From the well on the hill,
Do you know what I mean?
Shed a little light, oh Lord,
So that we can see,
Just a little light, oh Lord.
Want to stand it on up,
Stand it on up, oh Lord,
Want to walk it on down,
Shed a little light, oh Lord.
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist,
There is a hunger in the center of the chest.
There is a passage through the darkness
And the mist
And though the body sleeps
The heart will never rest.
Oh, Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us.
All men and women living on the Earth,
Ties of hope and love,
Sister and brotherhood.
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us,
All men and women living on the Earth.
Ties of hope and love,
Sister and brotherhood,
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world
Become a place in which our children
Can grow free and strong.
We are bound together by the task
That stands before us
And the road that lies ahead.
We are bound and we are bound.
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist
There is a hunger in the center of the chest
There is a passage through the darkness
And the mist
And though the body sleeps
The heart will never rest
Shed a little light, oh Lord,
So that we can see,
Just a little light, oh Lord.
Want to stand it on up,
Stand it on up, oh Lord,
Want to walk it on down,
Shed a little light, oh Lord.
Can't get no light from the dollar bill,
Don't give me no light from a TV screen.
When I open my eyes I want to drink my fill
From the well on the hill,
Do you know what I mean?
Shed a little light, oh Lord,
So that we can see,
Just a little light, oh Lord.
Want to stand it on up,
Stand it on up, oh Lord,
Want to walk it on down,
Shed a little light, oh Lord.
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist,
There is a hunger in the center of the chest.
There is a passage through the darkness
And the mist
And though the body sleeps
The heart will never rest.
Oh, Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us.
All men and women living on the Earth,
Ties of hope and love,
Sister and brotherhood.
