Monday, April 20, 2020

A Long, Frustrating Trip...

"Are we there yet?"

We may be at the end of the beginning. Probably not at the beginning of the end. This looks to be a long, frustrating trip. Avoiding the virus, keeping safe, staying home, sheltering in place.

Be calm.
Take care.
Breathe.
Meditate.
Go for socially-distant walks.
Eat well.
Sleep well.
Do home-projects.
Find lots of little diversions.
Netflix.
Listen to the news, but in small doses.
Listen to music. Always.
Pick up your guitar and strum.
Dream of better days.

The a.m. soundtrack - J.J. Cale's  "Anyway the Wind Blows, Anthology" (1997). Chill. Relaxed.  Sonic Valium. All of these tracks sound like they were recorded at night, in someone's living room, trying not to wake the kids. J.J.'s voice is the calm in the midst of the storm. Rugged, smooth, he is the ultimate smooth operator. Same with his guitar playing, restrained, a thing of beauty, no wasted notes. No frills. Beautifully played. Solid, well-constructed songs, with heart and soul. All rounded tones. No jagged edges. Eric Clapton borrowed some of these songs and made them big hits, but Eric was the rank imitator, J.J. is the genuine article. A career retrospective.  Solid.