The Beatles Are Coming!

Number nine, number nine, number nine...

On 9/9/09, we'll get the new Beatles remastered CDs. They're pricey. So what? If you haven't heard, you've been hiding out like bin Laden (I'll bet that even he's buying them!), but this has been a looong time coming. The old 1987 CDs leave much to be desired, sonically, and the new discs take full advantage of the latest technology. I won't bore you with details about how it was done (that's just for us nerds), so, just go buy 'em when they come out, ok? I just read a bunch of new hype, and I'm all giddy. See the links below, and the video above.

I already ordered my mono box set online, because it'll be harder to get, I think. (If you don't know about mono, all the songs are different from the stereo, and what's more, the Beatles themselves mixed the mono versions, as they wanted them, way back in the 60s!)

Yeah, mom, I'm buying them all -- again!

Beatles Remasters Reviewed

Remastered Beatles CDs: A sneak preview

Teach Your Children Well

Two weeks ago I was invited to dinner at a cool little restaurant in town call Baba Yega. Sure, the cuisine was tasty -- but what was special about it was those who invited me. Ryan and Elizabeth graduated from my high school, where they were subjected to my brand of tutelage and torture, in 2004. (Ever notice how close the word tutor is to the word torture? I have, and have made a career of it!) They both graduated from universities not long ago, and while they had a chance, they wanted to hang out for a couple hours with, of all people, me.

That's very special in itself. They were great kids then, and they're great "kids," now. Ryan works in a music studio and also is the music director at a church, which, as it turns out, has some of Lisa's family members in its congregation. He is a very talented musician, with a band of his own. Liz will be a rookie English teacher at an area high school, and her soon-to-be students don't know how lucky they are. (Liz doesn't understand yet, what's in store for her, either, but that's a whole career and lifetime ahead of her.) Both Liz and and Ryan are very bright and talented in so many ways, but moreover, they are wonderful kind-hearted, genuine human beings.

Yeah, you got me -- I paid for dinner.

Today, I was invited out for a Mexican lunch by Stephen, the videographer I mentioned in a previous post. He gathered several more former students of mine, namely, Heather, Monica, Drew, Danny, Chris, Henry, and Josh. I know they're going to go on to be leaders of our planet, too.

I am fortunate enough to be a part of these kids' lives, and nothing is lost on me as to how incredibly lucky I am. Lucky that more often than I can count, I have reached some truly gifted young people that I know will make our world a better place. I am indeed, counting on that.

Forgive me if I sound like I'm bragging. These Kumbaya moments do occur a few times every year, thank goodness. Problem is, I rarely speak about it. Right now, I think it's time I mentioned how good it is, and remind myself that I am proud, and grateful. Counting my blessings, that's all.

Bob Dylan Wrote That?

Good songwriters can command an audience with just a guitar and a voice. Three such artists known as Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Willie Nelson made a stop in Houston on Sunday (Aug. 2). Hoping to cross some names off my must-finally-see list, I grabbed some excellent tickets for the 11th row in the Woodlands, and an excellent view of some of the greatest American songwriters.

Let me say up front, I am not a Willie Nelson fan, but I do recognize his contribution to popular music. He has a very good rapport with the audience. Pointing out fans, trading bandannas for hats, and high-fiving with the crowd, throughout the whole show. Despite his voice, he is a songwriter, whether it's my preferred style, or not. And he really can play a mean acoustic guitar. Seriously.

Mellencamp is another of those artists I've waited far too long to see. His band was very tight, and the only complaint I have is that the abbreviated set (about 1 hour) didn't comprise enough of his best songs. Still, we were treated with great performances of "Pink Houses," "Check It Out," and "Rain On The Scarecrow," in particular, rocked the house. Fans jumped up for the obligatory "Authority Song" and "Crumblin' Down." A very, very good show, and Lisa's fave artist, that night.

Now, if you don't know who Bob Dylan is, well, you've already stopped reading. Actually, more people know his music, than know him. Many of his hundreds of songs have been covered by so many varied artists. His early successful songs were actually made hits by others, including Peter, Paul and Mary's #2 single of "Blowin' in the Wind" in 1963, The Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man" (#1 in 1965), and the Turtles' rendition of"It Ain't Me Babe" (#8, 1965). Most classic rock fans know the Jimi Hendrix cover of "All Along The Watchtower" as the definitive version.
No one really goes to see Bob Dylan because he's a beautiful vocalist. He isn't. What he is, is the "Poet Laureate of Rock and Roll," by his own proclamation, and by anyone who knows anything about rock and roll. Beatle George Harrison used to quote Dylan lyrics like they were Scripture. Visit http://www.bobdylanlyrics.net/, and pore over some of them, and see if you don't agree about this poet. In the last three days, I got two books devoted solely to Bob's lyrics, and listened to a British radio documentary called "The Lyrics of Bob Dylan." I could write many a blog post on Dylan lyrics,and just scratch the surface. (Perhaps I will find the ambition in some future date, to write a comment or two more.)

But check out "All Along The Watchtower", below, because you should, and see if you don't sense the coming apocalypse.

"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,"
There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,"
There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.

By the way, the mention of women that came and went is a Bob's way of telling us he's read T.S. Eliot.

The concert? Yeah, you shoulda been there...

Interesting links:

Houston Chronicle Concert Review

50 Best Bob Dylan Songs Covered By Others

RollingStone

Dylan's Album Covers