As anyone who knows me would know... I'm just one big kid. Soundtrack to my childhood? Soundtrack of my life! I would have so say that music is something that is just a part of me. I wake up with songs in my head and I have no clue how they got there, but so many of my memories are linked to songs. I hear a song and am brought back to times, places and people that have slipped my mind-- lots of Goo Goo Dolls, Smashing Pumpkins, Counting Crows, Spice (*GASP) Girls, Hootie & The Blowfish, Phish, Alanis Moirsette (oh teen angst), Barenaked Ladies, The Cranberries, Sarah McLachlan, Ben Folds Five & Weezer were listened to in my time. I had a mixture of great suggestions from the older brother & father, and horrible suggestions from peers (sorry ears). So while this challenge is easy it's hard at the same time- qualifying memories and emotions is never very easy. So nevermind with all those easy questions of who are your favorite musicians, what's your favorite genre. No, Joanna cuts right to the chase and digs right in.
My dad is a brilliant musician. Growing up I would often walk into the house, home from school or a friends or basketball practice, whatever it was and hear the sound of my dad's voice and his guitar travelling through the house. Memories of falling asleep to my dad playing music outside my door are rich, and recently on my trip back to the States I had a few moments of standing outside my dad's study while he played music not knowing I was home. When my dad visited me here in Ireland I introduced him to a friend of mine here, also a musician and they sat many mornings in the kitchen playing music together. Here's a video from the real deal- a session at an Irish pub and my dad was the star this night. So proud.
Growing up with a dad that is so passionate about music introduced me to all sorts of different folk singers along the way. When I am having a tough day or a tough season... this is the song that is on repeat, some of my favorite voices and some of my favorite encouragements... "By Way Of Sorrow", Cry Cry Cry
Without knowing it at the time I met three people in 2008 that would have a lifelong impact as well as a friendship we didn't expect would take us down the road we've gone down now (but I guess that's exactly how it goes in real life). One of them, at the time, was two years old. Today he's a big brother to two as well as becoming quite the little man himself. This song played on repeat in the car, in the house, on my iPod for random dance parties and is affectionately known to all of us as "The Mean Snake Song"... The Rabbit & The Bear, Josh Garrels
My best friends' mom made the comment a couple of months ago to me, "Now as you get older, not saying that you are OLD, but just as you... you know... get older..." which does pretty much sum up so much of what I feel on a daily basis. I feel almost in an in-between sometimes. Not quite a grown-up (because let's be honest, what does that really mean or look like) but yet not still a child (or so says society). Soon enough I won't be able to say I'm in my 20's anymore... which leads me to the epic and unpublished gem of the pure class, Patty Griffin, "Pushing Thirty"-- I listen to this a lot when I am baking. I don't know why but last night it was a soundtrack to brownies. Delicious.
Thirty years old. It's weird to think that at some point in life I never could have imagined myself there, and at other times I feel like, geez I must be at least retirement age my now. The other day the BF reminded me that in 15 years I would be 42, I think he meant that in a loving way somehow in the context of that conversation. But still, 42 years old! Which makes me always think, what do I want to be like when I'm "grown up" well actually the more appropriate phrasing would be just "older" because I guess can we ever really be completely grown up? This song sort of sums it up for me sometimes... in a way. Well, in a way that I love to listen to and sing along to... "Gillian", The Waifs
If you weren't in the Christmas mood so far reading this post get ready! Every single Christmas morning for as long as I can remember this CD was played (I think actually perhaps even on repeat). I keep the tradition alive, even though few join in as I joyfully sing along with a smile from ear to ear. This is Christmas. "Early on One Christmas Morn", Bruce Cockburn
With that I will leave you with a love song... because love is nice. And so is Jackson Browne. This used to be my sort of "ultimate love song"... although that's changed but that's a secret. It's still Jackson Browne, so that counts. Nobody can do it for me like Jackson, he's brilliant in so many ways. One of the copies of this song that I have has a hilarious introduction that I wish I could share with you. At one point in it he mentions that he should sing this song for his girlfriend who has flown across the country to join him at the concert. He says (paraphrased) "I guess that after 10 years together you can't really call her your girlfriend. There are times when I call her my wife, like when we travel to Islamic countries". Jackson Browne ladies and gentlemen, a true legend. "My Stunning Mystery Companion", Jackson Browne
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