The Perfect Backdrop

I'm guessing that many of you have given up on me. I know it has been forever. Writer's block, lack of time, the Valley heat. Many factors made me lapse on my blogging. But as Fall sets in, I am finding my way back.

Two weeks ago, as the fires were burning and all of Los Angeles was on edge, I went to visit my friend Curtis on "the other side of the hill" (Hollywood). Since I was heading back home during peak traffic, Curtis suggested I take Mulholland. The ever alluring Mulholland Drive. My favorite view of Los Angeles. Downtown on one side, the Valley on the other. And on this particular day, the veil of smoke from the fires turned the sun bright red. I have never seen anything like it. The lookouts were packed with people taking photos.

I was listening to Gustavo Santaolalla which seemed like the perfect backdrop for this drive. Gustavo did the music for the films "Babel", "21 Grams", "Amores Perros", "Brokeback Mountain", to name a few. He is one of my favorites. His music can absolutely transport you. Listen to him on a Sunday afternoon and you feel like you are on vacation.

About two years ago, Sean and I were driving by Griffith Park. It was late at night, not long after the fires (these fires are becoming marks of time in Southern California) and a family of coyotes crossed in front of our car. "De Ushuaia la Quiaca" by Gustavo was playing. We just stopped and let them cross. It was like a moment from a Michael Mann film. The whole street was still, the only sound was the music. And it just fit.

For those of you who have a CD from me, chances are Gustavo is on there at least once. If you have not heard his music, Ronroco is a great place to begin. The tracks, "Gaucho", "Iguazu" and "De Ushuaia la Quiaca" are standouts. But this entire album is incredible. Sample on itunes, my friends. You'll be glad you did.

Never Can Say Goodbye...

I have sat down to write this entry so many times. I still don't know how to start, or what to say. All I know is that I am much more heartbroken by Michael Jackson's death than I ever thought I would be. And almost 2 weeks later I am still stunned. We have lost a legend, a musical icon, the likes of which we will never see again. And it is so, so sad.

My mind has been flooded with memories of Michael. First & foremost his music! And the videos! The videos that we anticipated for weeks before they aired. In Primetime! I know that many of you, like me, had your VCR’s set to record so you could rewind & watch it 20x. We just HAD to know the exact choreography (don’t worry if you never mastered “the lean” in Smooth Criminal, neither did I). And the next day those videos were the first thing we talked about. He was the brightest star MTV had ever seen & they did not now what hit them. Michael revolutionized the way we “saw” music.

Michael Jackson's music shaped my musical taste at such a young age. To my ears there was no one better. I played his albums out! I have my favorites, with "Human Nature" at the top of my list. When I hear the first moments of this song, I get chills. This will simply never change. It has been happening for years.

“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” is a masterpiece. The build, the soaring vocals, the syncopation, the snaps, the bridge (no one does a bridge anymore). I can listen to it over & over and never tire.

“Smooth Criminal”. Enough said!

“Will You Be There” is like a religious celebration. Without hesitation my hands raise up & I sing along. My Tae Bo studio did a MJ dedication class the Saturday after he died. The line to get in was around the block. At the end of class, our teacher played this song & there was not a dry eye in the house.

I also have some unlikely favorites. "Stranger In Moscow" & "Earth Song" are both haunting & represent a different time in Michael's life. If you don’t have these songs, you absolutely must download, you’ll be very glad you did. And though riddled with controversy, I love “They Don’t Really Care About Us”. I also remember loving “Liberian Girl”. I was always trying to figure out what he was saying at the beginning. I sang “Onomatopoeia”, since that’s what it sounded like to me. It was however…

(Naku Penda Piya-Naku Taka

Piya-Mpenziwe)

(I Love You Too-I Want You

Too-My Love)

And I cannot leave out “The Jackson 5”. As long as I live I will always be amazed that this child, this tiny boy, sang and moved with the soul of a man. “Got To Be There”, “Never Can Say Goodbye” and my very favorite, “Don’t Know Why I Love You”!

A couple of months ago Sean & I were out to dinner with our friends, Keith & Sharon. I went to use the restroom & “Don’t Know Why I Love You” was playing. I had not heard it in years & I kid you not, I stayed standing in the restroom until the song was over. I downloaded it that night & oddly enough have been on a Jackson 5 kick since then. Now this!

Megan (my friend for nearly 30 years) told me that she was watching the news the night MJ died and sat there crying while her 1 year old daughter was eating dinner in her high chair. Megan said, "I looked over at her and thought, she'll never really know how amazing he was." Megs, she will. We'll tell Seneca how we danced around your house blasting the Thriller album. And how we studied the centerfold photo on the inside of the record, thinking that this guy was the coolest of the cool. And how we hijacked my Dads car stereo, having him play certain songs over & over as he drove us to dance practice.

My dear friend Beth, who called Michael Jackson, “MJ”, well before I heard it anywhere else, told me that “Off The Wall” was the first album she played on her brand new record player. I can hear those first moments of “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” in my head. How incredible that must have sounded to a young girl who just got her new record player! And how incredible it still sounds today.

We all have our memories. We remember when we first heard his songs. We remember the first time we saw “Thriller”. We remember standing in line to buy the records and then later the CD’s. We remember seeing “The Moonwalk” for the first time. And we will always remember where we were when we heard he had died. And we will remember the gutted feeling, like we lost someone we personally knew.

The world has lost a true musical genius, one of the best (if not THE best) performers of all time, a visionary, a genuine philanthropist. This reality will make my heart ache for some time.

My Michael Jackson Essentials:

Human Nature

Don’t Know Why I Love You

Smooth Criminal

Earth Song

Got To Be There

Stranger In Moscow

I Just Can’t Stop Loving You

Never Can Say Goodbye

They Don’t Care About Us

Scream

Ok kids, that’s it. Thank you for understanding why this one was lengthy. I promise some sunshine next week.

Sweet George

It's hard to name my favorite Beatle, but somehow I always come back to George. Afterall, he wrote some of the most beautiful songs the Beatles ever released. In a way he was the heart of the band. And on his own, his soul opened up & poured out even more brilliance. 

George was one of the first musicians to put together a charity concert. He raised millions of dollars for famine throughout his life. He also produced films, including Sean's favorite film, "Withnail & I". 

In order to fight the June gloom that hung over LA for the past week, I turned to happy music. George tops that list. I discovered some new songs & played my favorites over & over. 

Everyone's a Beatles fan, but if you do not have any of George's tunes, I really hope you add some to your itunes library soon. A few of my favorites are:

What Is Life

Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let it roll)

Give Me Love

The list could go on and on. So, if you are sitting at work right now, sample a little George. It will bring some sunshine into your day. You would expect nothing less from the man who gave us, "Here Comes The Sun".

*(After my friend Steve read this blog he said, "George Harrison would be my favorite band member of ANY band...but he just happend to be in a band with John Lennon"...I love that!)

Shame On California!

Today is a sad day for many Californian's. The Supreme Court has decided to uphold Prop 8, banning same sex marriage in the state of California. Here we are again! 

To say that this angers and upsets me is an understatement. This is an embarrassment to our state. Our cool, hip, "in the know", liberal state! The state that, in my opinion, pioneered the gay movement (or whatever you wish to call it) with San Francisco. 

The fear of our conservative inhabitants astounds me. People that say we need to uphold the teachings of traditional marriage in our schools are using the "kid card". What schools are these people sending their kids to??!!! I don't remember learning about marriage, of any kind, in school. 

Furthermore, I have news for these parents...your kid is still going to be gay! A teacher can illustrate a man & a woman in class, but your child is destined to be his or her true, beautiful self. Sexuality is not a wild card. The wild card is how a parent decides to handle it. And banning same sex marriage does not help us get any closer to a unified humanity.

In a time where we are trying to regain hope and unity, this teaches intolerance! What world are we living in when people think having more happy, loving couples is a bad thing? What world are we living in when we deny someone their rights?

There is so much to say about this issue & I am preaching to the choir. And oh how I love you, my liberal, open minded, tolerant friends! Some of you fought the fight. I thank you. 

Many songs come to mind today. All the freedom fighters of the 60's said it well. And the music that bloomed from those times touches me deeply. But for whatever reason, I keep going back to the song, "One" by U2. I want to recommend the version by U2 and Mary J. Blige, for something a little different. "One" is a song we all know & love. This version cuts to the heart of the matter. And Mary J's vocals are exquisite. 

And these lines in particular:

"Love is a temple

Love a higher law"

"One love

One blood

One life

You've got to do what you should"

Love IS a higher law! The one thing the Supreme Court cannot take away is the amazing love these couples share. I have seen it in my friends. Some of whom have been together for over 20 years! Tell me we cannot learn something from them! Tell me they would not provide a stable, loving home for a child! I dare you!

Keep fighting.

RIP Dolla

If you live in Los Angeles, you most likely heard that young rapper, Dolla, was shot yesterday outside The Beverly Center. He was 23.

Stories are swarming as to why he was the victim of this brutal murder. I read that he was involved in a fight at a club in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. Rivalry, money, fame? It made me think about Tupac and Biggie Smalls and all the controversy surrounding their murders. 

Many of you may be surprised to know that I am a huge fan of hip/hop. I am, truly! From "pimpin", to "frontin" to "swagga", I have been there. And yes, I wonder about myself as I sing along to songs I won't be able to play once I am a mother. But I love the deep, driving beat. I love the sound. And I am mystified and intrigued by a lot of what these artists are singing about. 

When Sean and I were watching the news about Dolla I said, "It's really so sad." Then he said "It's everything they sing about." Which is true! Life cut short, deadly rivalry, trying to escape their former lives.

So this week I am recommending "My Life" by The Game. It's raw, honest and tough...all with a plea:

"Take me away from the hood like a state penitentiary.

Take me away from the hood in a casket or a Bentley."

"Dear Lord, you've took so many of my people. 

I'm just wondering why you haven't taken my life.

Like what the hell am I doing right?"

I know this isn't for everyone, but after yesterday's news, this seemed fitting. Whatever your music taste, sample the 30 seconds on itunes, if only to hear The Game's soul filled voice...he knows of what he sings! 

 

Finding A Focus

It has been a week since I started this blog. I keep telling people, "I started a blog!". Their response, nine times out of ten..."what's it about?" I have realized I don't have a focus. I cannot rely on the simple fact that I love Los Angeles. That really does not set me apart in any way. 

Not to bring my friend Carl into this again, but ages ago, when he told me to start a blog, he insisted that I fill it with my music recommendations. He wanted to know what I was listening to, new finds, the soundtrack to my daily life. Because those of you who know me, know how crazy I am about music. You are the proud owners of CD's by Mer. You have stayed at our parties until 3am, just for the music. You tolerate my radio channel surfing. And you won't laugh when I tell you that I just downloaded the theme from "Hill Street Blues"; because A) that is one fantastic 70's groove. And B) one day when I get my turn tables I am going to mix that track with some Kanye & none of you will know what hit you!

So, a week into my little blog I have found my focus. 

Stay tuned for a look into the soundtrack of my life...

My First Attempt

I will be the first to admit, I am not the most "qualified" person to blog. My dear friend, Carl, put the idea in my head months ago and so now..here I am. I have steered clear of Facebook, MySpace and cannot quite grasp the concept of "Tweeting". This seemed like the best way to stay in sync with the ever expanding web culture. 

I am hoping to find some interesting things to share. Sometimes an observation, other times a recommendation. I do not promise wit or anything Earth shattering, just a little glimpse of a girl who loves her life in LA.