Everyone deserves music. While that may be one of the more corny or trite song titles or statements to make its way across my musical palate for some time, I have to say that it is an offering that I believe in and hold dear.
While watching television this past weekend, I flipped across a live show from one of the artists I will always make time for, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and caught it just in time for their anthem, “Everyone Deserves Music”. The song is as you would expect, extolling the virtues of the power of sound and song, and making the statement that “even our worst enemies” deserve music. A fine sentiment, indeed, and left to lesser artists, one that could possibly border on childishness. Franti, though, makes it believable and sincere, and it turns into one hell of a good song. At least in my opinion. And it sounds even better live, with his new band that more than holds their own.
While I don’t subscribe to the ideology that music can solve all the world’s problems, I do believe that the healing power of music can help keep dreams alive, motivate an individual or movement, and serve as a reminder of past hopes, struggles, and guideposts to help us along the way. I remember the songs that played during important moments of my life, sometimes moreso than the moment itself, and certain songs illicit emotions that other stimuli are unable to touch or release.
I know I’m not exactly telling anyone anything new here, but lately I have been rebuilding, or rather rekindling, my interest in music again, after a short period of withdrawal and depression over the loss of playing with friends (It can be cathartic at times…) or finding anything of interest for a moment or so. It is the prospect of playing that got me energized to seek out old and new sounds, and that’s a great feeling. Especially when you find something new that makes you sit up and listen…and I’ve found a few of them lately as well.
Finding lost or forgotten nuggets of greatness may be the finest feeling, though. I’m sure you’ve all had those cd’s that stayed in your car’s player for months, only to be eschewed to the back seat once the new albums you waited for hit the proverbial streets. Well, get them back out and sit down with them for a while. Remember and re-live the moments and memories that go along with them, and rediscover the reasons they stayed in your rotation for so long the first time. I found a long list this past weekend, and narrowed it down as I trudged along, and it was much more fun than it sounds.
Well, enough about this stuff…You know, no great summit or meeting has ever occurred without food being involved. Food is basic. And no great historic moment that I remember has passed without a song to go with it (mostly in my mind…), either. That’s because music is as basic and essential as food. At least in my house. And I deserve it. Everyone does.
Take care.
Tags: Annoucements, Podcasts, This and that, Uncategorized by jared
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Production Date: Thursday, November 29th, 2007
