So I took a trip back musically this afternoon and listened to some Jerry Jeff Walker. I listened to his 2012 album Live from Dixie‘s Bar & Bus Stop. The live set is composed of most my favorite JJW songs. Among those songs is Guy Clark’s “Desperados Waiting for a Train“. first heard this song way back in 1973, when it appeared on JJW’S 1973 album Viva Terlingua! When it played today I shook my head and said oh my!
Can my fellow boomers tell why?
The verse…..
I’d play the Red River Valley And he’d sit in the kitchen and cry And run his fingers through seventy years of livin’ And wonder, “Lord, has ever’ well I’ve drilled gone dry?” We was friends, me and this old man.
So I was going to post a video of The Highway playing the song but you can only view it here at YouTube! Anyway below is “Desperados Waiting for a Train” from Spotify.
When I viewed The Highwaymen performance, which was recorded in 1990, I got sad because once again I was reminded about how Father Time ruins everything!
Waylon and Johnny Cash and Guy Clark have left us, while Kris is 85 and Willie’s 88!
And yes the reason I shook my head is that I realized I can run MY fingers “through 70 years of livin‘!
At least I don’t have a beer gut or play dominoes. All though,I will admit playing Crazy Eights and Go Fish but that’s with my grandchildren!
Yesterday The Weather Channel’s morning Running Condition Rating was a 7 out of 10. While that rating is indicative of good running conditions, it’s on the dividing line between good conditions and difficult conditions. For me, today’s conditions were tough. They were tough not because of temperature or humidity but for that damn bright sun! I decided that the soundtrack for the run would be Malcolm Wells and the Two-Timers Hollerin’ Out Loud.
I have started judging the running conditions based on where I first break a sweat and today it was quite early in the run. When I completed the first mile in 10:20 ( a time that would have thrilled me a couple of months ago) I knew today was destined to be a normal run.
At the 2nd mile mark my overall pace had gotten even slower and I was struggling just a little. So I mentally decided to slow down and live to run another day. By the middle of the third mile my pace had slipped to around 10:30 per mile. And all I wanted to do was finish with a pace faster than 10:30.
I had to really force myself to give it all I had over the last 0.1 miles. And with that last sprint which was run at a pace of 8:28 minutes per mile, I was able to finish with an overall pace of 10:21 minutes per mile. That finish is the one good thing I‘ll take away from today‘s run! Here are the Nerdy Details…..
The Nerdy Details
TotalDist: 3.12 Time 32:35 Pace: 10:26 min/mile
Mile Splits
Mile-1 10:20 Mile-2: 10:24 Mile-3 10:47
Mile-4 (0.12)8:28
Avg HR 140 Max HR 158 Cals Burned: 384 Cals
The Soundtrack -Hollerin’ Out Loud
The soundtrack for the run was Hollerin‘ Out Loud the debut release from Malcolm Wells and the Two-Timers. As soon as I heard the Blues harp that kicks off „call My Name“ the first track on Hollerin‘ Out Loud I knew I was going to love this album. Then came the great guitar and truly sealed the deal!
Malcolm Wells is a terrific blues harpist who lists the these musicians ascontemporary influences:James Harman, Rick Estrin, Gary Primich, RJ Mischo and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. A few of my favorites!
Malcolm is also a fine composer, arranger and vocalist! Malcolm composed and arranged all eleven tracks on the album.
Malcolm‘s biography on his website is very short
Malcolm was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the summer of 1966. He is very good at surrounding himself with talent.
Malcolm Wells Surrounds Himself with Talent
Those that he has surrounded himself with collectively known as the Two-Timers include: acclaimed guitarist Matt Woods, bassist Patrick Recob and drummer Dwight Dario.
Each member has been successful prior to becoming a Two-Timer.
Matt Woods‘ releases have been nominated for a Blues Music Award, two Blues Blast Awards and have twice made the finals in the Blues Foundation’s “Best Self Produced CD” competition;
Patrick Recob, was also a Blues Blast Award nominee, who has played with just about everyone of Malcolm’s influences previously mentioned.
While Dwight Dario‘s has been performing for five decades! He was a seventeen year member of The Big George Jackson Band. Dwight has toured Europe a dozen times and has received several of his own various music organization awards.
Thoughts about Hollerin’ Out Loud
Hollerin‘ Out Loud is a terrific album from track one to track eleven. The songs are varied and interesting and the musicianship on each track is top notch, as are the vocals.
What makes Hollerin‘ Out Loud special for me is Malcolm‘s blues harp and Matt Woods guitar work. My favorite tracks include: “Call My Name”, “Muffin Top” and “Gentleman’s Bet”
So Check It Out!
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Malcolm Wells
So this week started as a good running week. On Sunday I ran my first 6.2 mile (10K) training run. While I ran comfortably at a 10:30 pace through the first three miles, the next three were a struggle and I needed to slow down to make the 6.2 miles. However, I did make it and was pleased with my overall time and pace and the soundtrack consisting of one site’s Top 20 Psychedelic Rock Songs. Here are those pesky “Nerdy Details” about the run!
The Nerdy Details
TotalDist: 6.21 Time1:07:58 Pace: 10:57 min/mile
Splits
Mile: 1 10:35 Mile 2: 10:27 Mile: 3 10:39
Mile: 4 11:01 Mile 5 11:22 Mile: 6 11:37
Mile 7 (0.21) 10:51
Avg HR 143 Max HR 164 Cals Burned: 864. Cals
Now after all of the above, I may need to remind you that I started off this post writing, my running week started off well. Well, last night as I was going down the stairs to feed our cats before bed. I slipped on the top step and skied down the stairs on my butt. Needless to say both my bottom and my left shoulder (I twisted around) were sore this morning.
As a result, I chose not to run. Instead I did some light rhythmic movement and then my favorite self-created yoga routine. Actually, it was probably a needed easy day, as my steps per day average was 16,194 for Su day and Monday. Although, I would rather have done it WITHOUT falling down the stairs. Anyway here is the soundtrack for the run.
The Ultimate Classic rock list contains songs from a lot of my favorite bands> It includes songs from: Cream, Traffic, Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and The Who. It also contains songs from groups I don’t know like Tintern Abbey, Tomorrow and July. As wells, bands I’ve hard of but never really listened to likeThe Pretty Things and The 13th Floor Elevator.
All and allI thought it was a good list and even though I was struggling over the second half of the run, hearing some of my favorite songs kept me going! So Check out the complete list!!
The following was posted earlier this week on Renaissance Granddad I thought I’d catch you up a bit before I post about today’s run!
The Run
Oh, what a difference a cloudy sky and a temperature that is a few degrees lower make on a morning run! I have been making it a habit to check the running conditions each night before a run. Last night the rating for this morning was an 8 out of 10 until after 10am. And the rating was correct! The beat thing was there was no bright sun beating down on me!
I ran the first mile in just a shade under 11 minutes. (10:59). The second mile was slower because much of the mile was uphill. My mile time was 11:20 and the average pace dropped to 11:09. I ran the third mile and fourth mile in around 10:56 with a little sprint at the end.As a result, I was able to finish with an overall pace of 11:00 min/mile and I was a happy runner! Here are those pesky nerdy details
The Nerdy Details
Total Dist: 4.14 Time 45:33 Pace: 11: 00 min/mile
Splits
Mile 1 10:59 Mile 2: 11:20 Mile 3 10:56 Mile 4 10:58? (I screwed up the Fitbit results by trying to edit my time and lost the exact last 1.14 miles)
Avg HR 138 MaxHR 152 Cals Burned: 563 Cals
The Soundtrack: Resurrection
The soundtrack for the run was Resurrection the latest release from Blues Guitarist Mike Zito. I’ve been a fan since I first heard his debut album Pearl back in 2010.
Zito says this about Resurrection ….
….Resurrection is an album of feelings, emotions, and is very personal. The title track is how I once almost lost my love, but it came back stronger than ever. I have had this song in me for years, but it only makes sense now to share it with the world. After the year we have had on planet Earth, I believe we all need a rebirth. This rebirth has given me an opportunity to be who I want to be musically and artistically.” More
About Resurrection
Resurrection was produced by Grammy-winner David Z. He is best known for his long-standing work with Prince. In addition, Z has contributed to albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, BoDeans, Buddy Guy and John Mayall, among many others.
Zito has help from a lot of old friends on Resurrection. While Zito provides blistering guitar work and lead vocals, those old friends helping out include: Matthew Johnson – drums; Doug Byrkit – bass guitar; Lewis Stephens – piano, organ; Zach Zito – acoustic guitar; Lisa Andersen – backing vocals; Eric Demmer – Saxophone; and Fernando Castillo – Trumpet.
About The Tracks on Resurrection
The eleven tracks on Resurrection include eight original songs that showcase Zito‘s talent as a composer. The remaining four tracks showcase his talent as an interpreter of other compositions, as he tackles the work of JJ Cale (“I’ll Make Love To You”), Eric Clapton (“Presence of the Lord”) and Willie Dixon (“Evil”).
“I wrote and recorded the music I felt strongest about and I wanted to share it with the world,” Zito says.” I played my guitar the way I want to play my guitar, not the way anyone says I am supposed to play my guitar. I sang the way I wanted to sing – in my voice with my emotions. I had David Z produce for me again after a few years apart. We have now worked on seven albums together and I believe he understands my music and helped me to shape this album to be strong in the year 2021. This is an album that requires deep listening from beginning to end. More
Final Thoughts
I was really glad that unlike many runs today‘s run was fairly easy. That’s important because I was able to “come back to the music” several times during the run.
What I heard each time was Mike Zito at the top of his game! His vocals were “vintage” Mike Zito and they reminded me at several points along the way of the vocals I first heard on Pearl.
I know this album is going to be in my music rotation for a while! So Check It Out!
Speaking of Mike Zito being at the top of his game. At this years Blues Music Awards at The Blues Foundation’s 42nd Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN, Zito won two awards
The first award was in the category of Blues Rock Artist. While the second wasBlues Rock Album of the Year for Mike Zito and Friends – Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry. Check it Out, too!!
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Mike Zito
Here’s a short playlist of the songs on Resurrection. At the 3.25 mile mark of today’s run I “came back to the music” and chuckled when I heard “Running Man”…..
So based upon my most recent posts, it’s obvious that books and music are a big part of my life. They are truly what keep me going. But to keep my reading and listening going, I need to keep my mind and body in the best shape possible.
Renaissance Granddad Takes On His ADHD
Last year (2020) we all had a lot of time on our hands with no particular place to go (so we parked way out in the Kokomo stop that brain!). Anyway with some of that time I set out to find out more about ADHD. I always joked that I had ADD but never did anything about it. Anyway, during the long days of the Pandemic I found Jessica McCabe and her YouTube How to ADDH.
While the following episode my not be the first video I watched, it was one that helped me decided that “yes” I have many, many of the symptoms of ADHD!
After watch this video the one thing that really has stuck with me is the part about “Now” , and “Not Now” which does correctly mean either never or at least a long time from now. Which is why for the last with to ten months my main mantra has been “Do It NOW”!!
In addition to constantly repeating that mantra many times per day, I have been using many other strategies to help keep me on track . Things like setting timers, using a bullet journal, and setting schedules have become part of my daily routines.
So while tackling my ADHD has been an important part of keeping my mind in at least semi-good working order, daily exercise has helped me keep my body in equally good condition.
Renaissance Granddad’s Workouts Make Returning to Running Easier
Through most of last year, I was running on a consistent basis. But as is typical, I stopped running during the winter months.
However, I did continue to work out regularly. I exercised almost every day for 30- 60 minutes of dance -cardio , which is actually just an old white man trying to move with the beat of the music. But it gets my heart rate up and burns calories!!
During the workout I also use a variety of weights and bands like these . Again the movements are done to and with the beat of the music.
Typically my workout burns anywhere from 300-500 calories. The end result was when I started to run again this month, rather then starting out 5-10 pounds above my optimal running weight I am starting out at or slightly below that weight!!
Typically, when I start running again, I start by walking first are maybe running at a really, really slow pace. Luckily though I was able to get back to a reasonable fast running pace quickly this time.
If you are interested in starting to run, I included a link to a program from Runner’s World Magazine at the bottom of this post.
Yoga Keeps Me Going Strong, Too
In addition to running and cardio workouts, I also try to do yoga two or three days a week. I usually do the yoga on the days after I run. I have one particular Hatha yoga routine I created that is about 25 long I really enjoy it and it seems to keep me limber. Occasionally, I throw in my favorite Kundalini kriya!
Check out the link below for Yoga Journal. They have lots of good articles on their site. It’s been while since I’ve visited the site and I think I’ll check it out later!
So in keeping with my plan to write shorter posts and get them finished I think I’ll wrap this post up and publish it.
So the other day, well, May 29th to be exact a friending Facebook shared a post from Baby Boomer’s Jukebox. The post was about the release of Crosby, Stills and Nash’s debut album on that day in 1969.
My friend’s only comment was Stephen Stills, which I assume means Stills was his favorite. I guess he has been my favorite,also. While I found his solo albums ok, I loved the first Manassas album.
More recently I enjoyed the music of The Rides”, Still’s collaboration with Kenny Wayne Shepard and Barry Goldberg. I’m listening to the album Pierced Arrow now. If you’ve never heard the album check it out!
So while through the years I’ve enjoyed the music of Stephen Stills, the songs of David Crosby were some if my favorites back then. And while he has had a successful solo career, I just wonder what he could have done if not for the drugs.
Here’s a short six pack of some of my favorite David Crosby songs…..
The first two are my favorites. The second of course being sung by Grace Slick. The third song “Morrison” is from the album by CPR the album he recorded with his son James Raymond.
“Deja Vu” is of course the title track from the CSN&Y a álbum. Wooden Ships” was co-written with Paul Kantner and was recorded by both CSN and Jefferson Airplane. I loved both versions.
The last song is “Laughing”. This version was recorded on The Byrds 1973 reunion album
My favorite track on that album is the opening track “Full Circle” I would include that here but Gene Clark wrote that song…. now there is one of my favorites, but his songs are for another post!
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of David Crosby
When I started my first blog I titled it Me, Myself, Music and Mysteries. The idea was that there would by posts about Me, the music I listened to and the books I read most often which were mysteries.
The “Me” part would include; posts about my family both my present family and also my ancestors. As well as posts about my attempts to turn back the hands of my biological clock. I attempt to turn those clocks back by eating right, and exercising regular. My exercising includes yoga, running and indoor cardio workouts.
So why am I writing all of this? Well quite simply I don’t think I can limit myself to only writing about books and music. My ADHD brain just won’t allow it.
The bottom line is I want to open this blog up again to encompass ALL of my life. And maybe just maybe I can post a little more often.
For now and until such time as I can think of another name for this blog, I’m just adding “and More” to the title!
2026 Update: It took a few years, but I finally found the name I was looking for. The ideas I was wrestling with here eventually became A Sixties & Seventies Man. Instead of trying to fit everything into one blog, I realized my writing was really about the music, books, family stories, genealogy, running, and everyday moments that have shaped my life from the 1960s and 1970s onward. Looking back, this post was the first sign that I was already heading in that direction
The Run
Now with all of the above out of the way I can write about runningI have been putting off running for most of 2021. I ran one time back in the beginning of March, but since the weather has been getting nicer the running itch has gotten stronger, so the other day I gave in and ran or at least traversed 2.8miles as fast as my 69 year old legs can carry me. And while it may not be as fast as I’d like it to be, I’m just glad I can still do it! Here are the nerdy details.
The Nerdy Details
Total Dist: 2.81 Time 33:18 Pace: 11;52 min/mile
Splits
Mile 1 11:50 Mile 2: 11: 56 Mile 0.82 11:47
Avg HR 145 Max HR 167 Cals Burned: 446. Cals
The Almost Soundtrack – Heart of Fire – Ally Venable
The soundtrack for the run was going to be Heart of Fire the new album from Aly Venable. I say was supposed to because when I started the run I received a message that my phone’s battery was low. So after about a quarter mile I turned my headphones off to conserve the battery. It worked because I still had a battery life after finishing the run. Of course I have know way of knowing if it would have done that if I kept listening to the music.
I guess what I’ll need to do is check the charge in my phone before and after my next run!
Anyway if I had checked the charge on the phone before my last run, this post would have a music tie-in via Heart of Fire fromAly Venable. As it is I will give the album a few more listens before I write about Ally and the album
Here’s a post I wrote when I first listen to Ally Venable. Her able Puppet Show had just entered my music rotation. It is a winner!
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Ally Venable
Currently,Heart of Fire is number 18 on the Roots Music Reports Top 59 Albums Chart and climbing! Here’s the Official Music video for the title track from Heart of Fire
As part of my on-going effort to listen to music from MY music library, last week, I randomly selected five albums and loaded them into my CD player. Then at some point in the week I listened to them. I confess that I did listen to one of them twice? Any guesses on which one? Anyway here are the five albums…..
This is one of my favorite acoustic guitar albums. The album was released in 2000. It was his second release coming on the heels of Brook’s Hundred Year Shadow.
My wife and I saw him at The Main Point in Bryan Mawr around the time of the release Hundred Year Shadow album, which had been getting a lot of air time on Philly’s WXPN. When I spoke with him during the break in the show, I told him I was in awe of his guitar work. He said that was his first love. He also said he was working on an acoustic guitar album!
New Riders of the Purple Sage – New Riders of the Purple Sage (NPRS)
New Riders of the Purple Sage – New Ridersof the Purple Sage
While this is the CD version NRPS’s debut album, I do own the album on vinyl. NPRS along with Poco laid the groundwork for my life long love of country rock.
If you guessed, at the beginning of this post, this was the album I listened to twice, you were correct!
My wife and I always say “we were hippies without the drugs” and I lived vicariously through the music of bands like NPRS and Jefferson Airplane. “Henry” is one of my an all-time favorite songs.
Charlie Robison, his brother Bruce, pat Green and Jack Ingram and other Texas Music artists were are staples in my music rotation in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
During those years Charlie’s wife was a member of the Dixie Chicks. “ The Wedding Song” which features Emily’s band mate Natalie Maines is probably the best known track on the album. (Natalie’s father Lloyd Maines was, at the time, a bandmate of one of my musical heroes Jerry Jeff Walker and a fantastic one of musics best steel guitar players)
As I listened to this album for the first time in a long time, I realized that Charlie was a damn good songwriter and storyteller. And his prowess is on display in songs on this album in songs like “John O’Reily”, “Desperate Times” and even “one in a Million” which he wrote with his brother Bruce”
Charlie released his last album High Life. 2013. He has now officially retired! I wish him well and after listening to Step Right Up I think I need to go back and visit some of Charlie’/ other albums in my CD shelves.
David Olney was one of the myriad of artists who left us in 2020. He died in January of 2020 prior to the start of the pandemic. He was giving his third performance of the day at a folk festival in Florida when he became still dropped his head. It took several minutes before anyone realized he had passed.
David was a world class storyteller and songwriter. Note I say storyteller first because that to me was where he stood head and shoulders above most songwriters.
The late Townes Van Zandt famously said of Olney: “Any time anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are… I say Mozart, Lightnin Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Dave Olney. Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard — and that’s true. I mean that from my heart.”…
For more on David Olney and his storytelling magic, check out my full post here.
Voices from Heaven – Vol.2– Runaround Malonen and Trom Syverson
Now I will confess I didn’t listen to all of the fifth album Voices from Heaven. However you can read a post I wrote about the album back in 2017 here
On the sidebar is a playlist from Spotify containing songs from three of the above albums. Omar’s Blues is not on Spotify. So here is an official video from David Olney’s This Side or the Other
Doc Watson is one of the foundations of my folk music library.
The other night, I revisited one of my favorite Doc Watson albums: Elementary Doctor Watson.
Doc Watson was an essential part of the 1960s Folk Music Revival.
From Wikipedia:
Biographical Information
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist,
songwriter, and singer of country and gospel music.
Watson won seven Grammy Awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
His fingerstyle and flatpicking skills, as well as his knowledge of traditional
American music, were highly regarded.
Blind from a young age, he performed with his son, guitarist Merle Watson,
for over 15 years until Merle’s death in 1985 in an accident on the family farm.
Elementary Doctor Watson (1972
I can’t remember which I bought first—The Essential Doc Watson (1973)
or Elementary Doctor Watson (1972)—but after 50 years,
it doesn’t really matter. Both albums became cornerstones of my collection. Essential pulled from his Vanguard recordings,
while Elementary was his first on the Poppy label.
This album has always been a “go-to” whenever I need a lift.
The opening track, “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad”,
instantly puts a smile on my face. Then comes a heartfelt cover of Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing on My Mind”, and by the time I hit “Freight Train Boogie”, I’m all in.
The bottom line: Elementary Doctor Watson is a
terrific album. I never lose my awe watching Doc play—he makes it all look effortless,
and he did it blind. Simply amazing!
Other Favorite Doc Watson Albums
Lonesome Road (1977) – with Merle Watson
Doc and Merle Watson’s Guitar Album (1983)
Note to self: give these a spin soon!
All told, Doc recorded 38 studio albums and 16 live albums,
along with 23 compilation releases. His music is timeless—check him out!
Links for Further Exploration
Doc’s Guitar – site dedicated to Doc’s guitar and music
I often divide my folk music collection into Roots, Branches and Leaves. The roots are artists who I listened to in the 60s and 70s. The branches are folks I discovered in the 80s through 2010. Finally, the leaves are musicians I have discovered since 2010, when I started to write about music. Today I listened to the music from one of those branches musicians – John Gorka.
Discovering John Gorka
I first encounter the music of John Gorka on Legacy: A Collection of New Folk Music a compilations disc Windham Hill released in 1990. The album was designed to introduce listeners to a new crop of young singer-songwriters….Some of the artists included on the compilation went on to major label record deals. Others remained fairly obscure. Windham Hill began long term relationships with some of the artists. John Gorka said the following about the album….
.…: “Windham Hill decided to include one of my songs on the first Legacy songwriters compilation. Before it was even released, Will Ackerman called to say that they would like me to record for them. Land of the BottomLine came out shortly thereafter….
Likewise, it wasn’t too long after I found that I bought my first John Gorka album which was the aforementioned Land of the Bottom Line. As a sidenote, Bill Morrissey also appeared on the album and it was long after that I bought Inside which was the first Bill Morrissey album I bought.
Land of the Bottom Line
Anyway , let’s get back to Land of the Bottom Line. . Like many of my folk albums, I haven’t listened to this album for a long time. As a result, I have forgotten what a terrific album it is! From Wikipedia:
Land of the Bottom Line is the second album by contemporary folk singer-songwriter John Gorka. The album was also Gorka’s major label debut for High Street Records/Windham Hill Records. The album was highly acclaimed by critics at the time, and continues to be cited by some as Gorka’s finest work. The album’s fifteen tracks and near hour-long length also provided an unusually large amount of music for a recording of that era. As Sing Out! editor Mark Moss noted in a review, the topics covered run “the gamut of John’s favorite subjects: love, hard luck, local characters, and more.”[3]
John Gorka has the ability to say a lot with a few words. And that ability is fully on display with the opening line from “Land of the Bottom Line.”….
I couldn’t bribe a wino on what I used to make My Fortune was as sure as the wind But I was free to wonder and time was on my hands It was mine to burn and to bend
The Playlist
There are a ton of great songs on the 15 song album. The playlist below includes my top six songs from the album. They are “Land of the Bottom Line”, “Stranger in My Driver Seat”, “Dream Street”. “The Sentinel”, “I Saw a Stranger with Your Hair” and “Armed with a Broken Heart”.
Links for the Further Explorations of the Music of John Gorka
