MUSIC.
Is there a need to write any more beyond this one word? Since this is the soapbox I’m using to force you, cherished reader, to consider different facets of wellness, I will elaborate.
As one of my very talented musician friends put it (I may be paraphrasing a bit here): “I don’t even care if I sing off key — it just makes you feel alive.”
So go ahead. Sing in the shower. Better yet, sing OUTSIDE of the shower. Sing with your friends. Sing TO your friends.
Learn to play an instrument. If you already play one, spend more time indulging that. Or expand your skills by playing with others, learning more difficult songs and skills, or trying a new instrument. Attend concerts — little ones, people you’ve never heard before, genres you don’t know much about, or tried & true.
My point is that, at least for me, wellness means more than eating, sleeping, and exercising. My hope is that you’re making the effort to pursue whatever else comprises your own sense of well–being. You know, taking everything to Maslow’s next level. [If you’re a little rusty on that, read more here]
So, in this space, I’m going to write about and link to bands, music, books, lectures, events and other “non-physical” phenomena that I love. Please follow whatever you like, and most of all, DO what you like.
First up: Chuck Berry.
I was in St. Louis last fall to hear one of the great ones, Nick Lowe, play a solo show at The Pageant. It happened to be Berry’s birthday, so with a nod to the other great one, Nick launched into the classic “I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock & Roll.” [see 1978 video]
Here’s what you’ll want to know (and listen to). THAT song is a direct descendant of Berry’s “You Never Can Tell.” Listen to both [Chuck], then click here to see a fantastic live Bruce Springsteen cover of the original. It’s all of the same piece, and it’s an absolute blast to explore the lineage.
Stay tuned. Let me know if you find people and events you think I would like, too. Thanks.
And rock on.
I’m not sure why other verbs never caught on: “blues on, jazz on, waltz on …” So we’ll use “rock on” to mean “go ahead and enjoy life.” What do you think?