Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Reminiscing" (Little River Band)



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Welcome to the last Tuesday of 2016 and the last Tuesday's Musical Note of 2016!  As is our practice at the end of the year, we have gone through the vaults of this past year to discover the particular Notes that were reader's favorites, basically the Best of 2016!!!.  So get ready to ring in the New Year by reliving the best of last year's blogs as the 2016 Tuesday's Musical Notes Greatest Hits begins...right...now!!! 


2016 was a year where history was made time and again.  And it was filled with its share of losses in the entertainment world.  Most recently the death of George Michael on Christmas Day. But, we finally made it!  With 2017 on the horizon and 2016 becoming a sunset, we couldn't think of a  better way to recap the year than to spend a late Friday night walking home dreaming of the night...

It would be the highest charting song for Australian group, The Little River Band, peaking at #3 on the US charts.  Written in 1978, "Reminiscing" would be given a Five Million Air award from BMI, the most ever for a band from down under.  This constant air play would propel The Little River Band into the 80's with a string of 10 top 20 hits. 

LRB has featured 31 different artists as members and released their latest album, Cuts Like A Diamond in 2013.  Touring dates include about 80 venues a year without any of the original band members as a part of the make up of the current incarnation of the band.  

Today's feature song kicks off our countdown of the 2016 most read Tuesday's Musical Notes, by speaking about remembering the past.  Appropriate for today's countdown, "Reminiscing" bespeaks of memories that bestow the best of what our pasts may be together.  We have often stated here at the Notes, that it is incumbent on us to learn from the past, but remember with a qualifier.  Many times our nostalgia of the past may not be the reality of our past, so be careful that as you try to remember the times that are afore, that you do so with as much clarity about what transpired as possible.  

Here are a few things worth remembering and pondering as we enter 2017:


Now, on with the countdown...

This year's Best of the blog is going to be a bit different.  Tuesday's Musical Notes is a cumulative blog, in that as each Note is read, even those from the archives, the total amount of "reads" for that individual song are recorded. So each Musical Note has a cumulative number of reads that continue in perpetuity, we hope!   Today's recap will however only be of the most read blogs from 2016.  If you would like to see some of previous years countdowns, which include the most read blogs ever, just check the archives for the last Tuesday of any given year.  Thanks again for reading!!!


With several ties, this years rundown will include the top ten, which winds up being more than ten, but let's not get hung up on a technicality...Casey never did!!


At number #10 is a tie between songs by a teen heartthrob and a bluesy band from California.  One a tribute to music, the other to a garden get together.  The 10th most read blogs of 2016 are:

#9 on this year's synopsis of singing includes 2 songs as well.  One, is 2016's first entry into this year's Tuesday blogosphere.  It featured a song that had been "Noted" in the original emails that began Tuesday's trips into tuneage.  The second, is the first in our countdown to highlight an artist who died this past year.  From the January 5th 1st Tuesday Musical Note of the year, and while not the Tribute Note to Eagle Glenn Frey, certainly one of his greatest songs, here are the 9th most read blogs at Tuesday's Musical Notes:

While many of this year's best read blogs resulted in ties, we do have a few rhythmic readings that are standalones.  Such is the case with our #8 entry into this year's countdown.  The feature song goes all the way back to 1967.  Here at #8 is:

Next up on the countdown, a brief riddle which you are sure to get!  What do an Eagle, a Beatle, a Jack-O-Latern, and a boy with a six pack in his hand have in common?  That's right!!!  They are the largest group in this year's compendium of choruses and they are tied for the 7th most read Note of 2016.  Also featuring the Notes tribute to Glenn Frey, here is #7:

NUMBER 6!!!

At #6, we find the song by one of the most iconic entertainer's on this year's countdown.  He went by many names throughout his career, and challenged the recording industry with new ways of determining artist remuneration.  He was incredibly talented and looked pretty good for 57.  He died leaving an incredible musical legacy and a throng of fans.  He had several songs break into the mainstream charts, this hit from the soundtrack of his popular film Purple Rain was one of thebiggest..."Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate today, this thing called life...":


Tuesday's Musical Notes is going strong at just over 4 1/2 years.  Over the years we have featured multiple songs by individual bands and artists and we have noticed a trend with a particular band.  A year without a song by the Beatles as a feature has yet to exist at the Notes.  It seems each year there is a musical interlude by the boys from Liverpool to make its way for a treatment and twist on Tuesdays.  This year is no different as 3 songs by the Beatles or a band member made its way into the land of lyrical interpretation.  One was found in a tie at #7, this one stand's alone at #5.  The third, well...you can search the archives and see if you can find it...it's the one by the band member.  Here at the half way point of our year end look at the best blogs of 2016 is the classic:

You keep readin', we'll keep coutin' em down!!!


We're half way there!  As we reminisce about our past, many musical acts come to mind.  I have come to realize that I must be getting older because some of my favorite bands are finding their way to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame.  On the flipside of that recognition, we also see many of our musical and entertainment icons have passed.  Some of the best of this year's Notes have been dedicated to the memories of those artists.  Here, from a youtube.com video is a tribute in memorium to some of those entertainers:

And now on with the countdown...

#4 features the only song in this year's compilation that poses a question.  When that question is asked by Janet Jackson, you can be sure that it is going to get an answer.  Given just a little bit of a Tuesday's Musical Notes Patriotic/political bend, here is Michael's baby sister with the feature song from March 1.

Only 3 more spots until we reach the top!!!  Let's continue down the pathway of pentatonics as we get closer and closer to the most read blog of the year 2016!!!

Number 3!  


The last tie of this "companion to the inbetween days of the holidays" features 2 songs from our month long salute in May to 70's and 80's hit maker Billy Joel, 90's superstar Sheryl Crow and 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's super group Chicago, who last year was inducted into the aforementioned Hall of Fame.  As well they should be, but I digress.  Did we ever tell you that Chicago was our favorite band?   I thought so.  
 

Before we go to the top 2 of this year's countdown let's take Little River Band's advice and  go walking through the park, dancing through the dark and reminiscing.  Going online in May of 2012, Tuesday's Musical Notes made the digital migration from email to blog at the advice of friends.  4 1/2 years, 239 posts (240 if you count today!) and readers all over the world later, The Notes continues to exist to make music that we love have just a bit different and more meaningful interpretation.  We infer meaning that many haven't considered, and hopefully have been an encouragement along the way.  We exist first and foremost to tell the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus in ways that are compelling and occasionally different.  We are very grateful to readers who continue to encourage by reading each weekly post with seeming enthusiasm.  Shout out to our reader in Ukraine, who consistently checks in with us each week (Спасибі за читання нотаток!!!).  Keep the faith friend!!!  Tuesday's Musical Notes have also been read in places one might not expect (Iran and many readers in Russia) as well as a few lands of which we didn't learn about in high school or college geography.  (Shout out to Mauritius, which we have found to be an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Thanks for helping us discover your country!!!).  

With today's Note, we reach the 240 mark.  That is a drop in the bucket to the number of songs ever written and recorded, so we look forward to many years continuing our quest to tell THE Story that changes lives and gives hope through the venue of popular music.  One such post has become the most popular in our tenure of blogging.  It has surpassed all of the other blogs 10 times over and continues to receive at least 1 read a week.  From February 18th, of 2014 here's Pete Townsend and the # 1 post of Tuesday's Musical Notes history...

Many thanks again for reading each week or as you get the chance!  


The blogs get bigger as the number gets smaller!!!


At #2, we find another iconic artist who passed away this year, Country music legend Merle Haggard.  He had 38 #1 hits on the Country charts and with Buck Owens helped define the "Bakersfield" sound of 1960's country music.  The Musical Notes paid tribute to this "Okie From Muskogee" on April 6 of this year:

One of the things about reminiscing is the caliber and number of people that you remember as you think about your past.  I have been truly blessed by having a vast array of personalities come through my universe as I travel down life's pathway.  With each passing year, it seems that more of the generation to which I belong succumb to the end of their time.  Some of those folks regretfully, have passed into eternity without the knowledge and relationship which will secure their joy and happiness forever.  With sorrow, I sometimes wonder if I could have been more overt in my approach in telling them about the love of Jesus and what He has done in my life.  Other folks have passed in this year that I know have taken their first breath of eternity in the presence of the Savior who died for their life.  It is with sadness, accompanied by great joy that I say "farewell, for now" to these saints who have been an encouragement and example to me.  That being said, we find our way to the #1 read post from 2016.

The #1 most read Tuesday's Musical Note from 2016 was dedicated to someone who I considered a Musical Icon.  As far as I know, she didn't  ever have a top ten single, nor did she record an album that made the Billboard charts.  She doesn't have a star on the Hollywood Sidewalk, nor was she inducted into any earthly musical Hall of Fame.  She did however leave a legacy of folks who could attest to who she was, WHOSE she was and to the fact that she really did have a way about her.  Our #1 Tuesday's Musical Note was dedicated to the memory of our friend Retha Kilmer,  Teacher, Musician, Friend, whose body gave way to cancer, but her soul had already given way to Christ.  We miss you still sweet friend!!!

There you have it.  The top ten read Tuesday's Musical Notes from the year 2016.  (Actually it was more than ten, but we thought you'd want to see the ties. and well it really didn't take that much effort to repost...yup that was a tangent...sorry)  Tuesday's Musical Notes is tabulated by blogspot.com and can be easily accessed anytime at tuesdaysmusicalnotes.blogspot.com.  Check back each week as we feature songs with a twist in their interpretation!!!  We can hardly wait to see what God has in store for the Notes in 2017 and hope that you will continue to join us each week!  But for now, this is Randy letting you know that we exist to Serve HIM by serving you, as we look forward to each Tuesday with great anticipation!!!  Don't forget to search the archives for your favorite songs!!!  We hope you had a Merry Christmas and we wish you the Happiest of New Year's.  Thanks for reading!!!

'Til Tuesday 2017
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays" (The Carpenters)



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Twas the Tuesday before Christmas and all through the land, the people were wondering what was at hand.  To find out the insights, they so desperately sought, the clicked on the blog that had many a thought.  The Musical Notes as read bold and bright, were a welcome companion to day or to night.  With info on songs and singers galore, folks returned each week to see what was in store.  You see there's more than just music to this festive, fun tome.   Including today's thoughts about holidays and home...


While today's video by the Carpenter's has become the seasonal favorite by many a younger listener (yes, 50-somethings are included in that category), it was originally recorded by Perry Como in 1954.  The stereo version would be recorded by Como 4 years later and once again find success in the charts.  It has been covered by the Carpenters, Barry Manilow, Cyndi Lauper and Norah Jones as well as this "surprise" that occurred in Chicago's Woodland Mall in 2011:


The song speaks of the warmth and nostalgia of being at home during times of celebrations such as Christmas and New Years.  For many, there are fond memories of joy and happiness that permeate the time spent with family.   Today's song joins the other Christmas classic, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" in stirring the heart and causing a longing for what seemed to be simpler times in a safe place.  There have been many songs written about home.  Home.com has compiled the following top ten list (none of which are Christmas songs, but hey, we could use a break from Perry, Bing, Frosty, and Rudolph right?)


To those of you serving in the United States Military or have family members who are far away from home due to serving this Christmas season, please allow us the honor of dedicating today's Tuesday's Musical Notes to you.  Your service and selflessness, especially during this time away from your family, is appreciated and revered.  Please know that you and your family members are being lifted up by this blogger and countless other folks with which we connect in prayer.

I recently read a tweet by Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Church, Dr. David Jeremiah, that caused me to reconsider the sacrifice that Jesus made in coming to earth, the TRUE reason for this season of celebration.  He tweeted, "If you will be away from home this Christmas, remember that Jesus was away from home at Christmas too."  While the reality that Jesus was not of this world had been a fixture in the thought processes regarding Christmas, rarely have I given thought to the fact that He gave up "home" to be with us.  He gave up the comfort of being in the presence of God every minute.  He chose to substitute the Creator for the created.  And He did this so that ALL of us could join Him in what will become our home when we place our future in His hands.  

You see friend, Christmas is indeed a time for celebration.  Unfortunately, the enemy has taken advantage of mankind's nature of greed and selfishness to turn the celebration of Jesus coming and thereby making a home for us in heaven, into a commercialized fantasy filled with continued selfishness and greed.  Ever heard the song "Santa, Baby"? But we digress.

Recently, one of my children made a very astute observation.  We were watching a Christmas special by a popular singing group and we began the conversation about the religious convictions of each of the members.  Through her research she had discovered that some in the group had expressed faith based convictions.  Most everyone one of the songs that were performed during the special included a spiritual element, as do many of the songs and carols that dominate the radio during the Christmas season.  Her question became, do they really know what they are singing about?  She continued to wonder out loud, do you think their passion for those songs are for the music, money, the gig or do they have the passion for Jesus that is emoted as they sing? 

This could be said for ANY entertainer that has ever recorded a Christmas album.  But it can also be said of us.  Think about it.  What motivates us to do the things we do at Christmas time?  Why do we give to those in which we choose to give?.  Do we "have" to go to church or do we "get" to go to church to join with other folks to celebrate Christmas?  Are our passions stirred by the incredible stories of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, God, angels, and shepherds or by the favorite seasonal songs that have such a "Christmassy", nostalgic vibe to them?  Do we encounter Holy Spirit new and fresh every day as He is transforming us into the likeness of Christ or are we "networking" for contacts to explore after the New Year?

As we go through the days leading up to Christmas, let's be reminded that Jesus gave up His home, so we could have THE ultimate home.  He spent Christmas away from His home so we could spend eternity with Him in our heavenly home.  And there's no place like THAT home for eternity...

Please take a few minutes and read these accounts of why Christmas is celebrated and focus on the home Jesus gave up while He was here.  His sacrifice is THE reason for celebration this season:



Merry Christmas

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

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Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Up On The Housetop" (Pentatonix/Pomplamoose)

Welcome to Tuesday and another Christmassy edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  Every December, Tuesday's Musical Notes takes the time to salute the Songs of the Season, the Hits of the Holidays, and the Carols of the Christ Child!    Let the festivities begin as we are only 12 days away from Christmas Day!!!  "On the first day of Christmas..."  I hope this pamphlet of proclamation finds you feeling the joy that this time of the year radiates!  So let's get started with one of pop music's newest sensational acts who happen to have their first Christmas Special airing tomorrow night on NBC.  Now close your eyes, spin your snow globe let's get ready for this new interpretation of an old holiday classic...here...we...go!!!


"Jingle Bells" was written in 1875, making it the oldest secular Christmas song known.  The second oldest is today's feature song which is loosely based on the 1822 poem, "A Visit From St. Nicholas" also commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas".  It is the first Christmas Carol to be solely focused on Santa Claus.  

Written by Benjamin Hanby, whose minister father was involved in the Underground Railroad, "Up On The House Top" is the most famous of the 80 songs penned by Hanby.  It has been covered by a vast array of artists from Gene Autry to the Chipmunks to the Jackson 5, and most recently by Pentatonix on their second Christmas album.   It is a staple in advertising during the Christmas season as evidenced by one of The Notes' favorite "eclectic" groups, Pomplamoose, in 2015's Hyundai commercial. Enjoy!!!


Maybe this scenario plays out at your house about this time every year.  You drag out the Christmas lights, spend the week after Thanksgiving getting them untangled, and then you drag the "ladder to heaven" out to string them out on your roof. This culminates into such a festive display that it can be seen by most satellites as they circle the Earth.  Perhaps this is the extreme case, but many folks spend part of their holidays making displays on the rooftops of their homes.  I confess, I absolutely love all of the lights and join with many of our neighbors as we scan the streets of our town and enjoy the creativity and beautiful displays that celebrate (whether the creators of the displays realize it or not), THE Light of the world.  

There was another housetop display that occurred many years ago.


Capernaum sits on the north side of the Sea of Galilee.  While in Galilee, Jesus and the disciples used Capernaum as the center for their activities.  Take a minute and visit Capernaum here:  Capernaum: The Town Of Jesus Biblewalks.com

Mark tells us that shortly after Jesus got back home to Capernaum the word got out about the Word being back in town.  As you can see in the pictures from Biblewalks, the homes at the time would have been reasonably small by our standards.  Regardless of the size of the home, many people were gathered around to hear Jesus speak and to seek healing from His hands.  One of those seeking healing was a paralytic on a bed who was carried by four men.  There is very little known about these men, but one can surmise a few things from Mark's retelling of the story.

First of all these men had compassion.  This probably was not the first time these men carried the paralyzed man on his bed. The narrative doesn't make it sound as if this was an out-of-the-ordinary occurrence.  Even after seeing there was no way they would get past the crowd with their friend, they didn't give up.

Secondly, all of these men had faith.  When Jesus begins the healing, Mark pronounces that He (Jesus) was impressed by THEIR bold faith.  All five of these men understood who Jesus was and what He could do.  They had no doubt that they must do whatever possible to get their friend to Him and by being in the presence of Jesus, the paralytic would be healed.

Thirdly, these men were creative in solving the problem before them. To this day, many of the homes in the Middle East are built with roofs that are not completely finished out.  This is to allow for the children of the homeowners to build on top of their parents' homes when they get married.  The benefits are seen by the strong families and familial ties in this region.  Biblical times were not much different in that the roofs were constructed to be easily manipulated allowing for the renovation that would certainly come.  When the men saw that they couldn't get close to Jesus through normal routes, they had to immediately devise a plan to have success.  They climbed the stairs that would have led to the roof and began to dig through it.  They created such a large opening that they were able to lower their friend down into the mass of folks gathered around Jesus.  Impressed by their faith and compassion, Jesus healed the paralyzed man.

Finally, these men caused controversy.  Religious leaders were also gathered to hear Jesus speak.  Their motivations, however, were not compassion or faith.  They were looking for ways to trap Jesus.  They began to criticize under their breath as Jesus made the proclamation of healing, "You're sins are forgiven".  "Who does He think He is? How can He go about forgiving sin?" commented the scribes under their breath.   Obviously, they had no belief that Jesus was who He said He was or they wouldn't have been whispering in His presence.  Jesus calls them out for their unbelief and hypocrisy.  Jesus asks them what does it matter how it is said, as long as their faith is rewarded by granting the request? (Randy paraphrase).   Jesus then goes one step further and says, have it your way, "Arise, take up your bed, and walk".  To the amazement of many in the crowd, the paralyzed man did just that.  He did not go out the same way he came in (In more than one perspective!!!).  

Something you might notice about this passage.  ALL of those who saw this healing were amazed and ALL of them praised God.  This included those who were being so critical of Jesus.  

Ho! Ho! Ho! Who wouldn't go?  Today's Scripture shows us many things about the way we should be as believers today.  This is the time of the year when it is seemingly a little bit easier to do everything possible to bring our friends to Jesus.  We should do it because we know that once they are in the presence of Jesus they will not go out the same way they came in.  They will be forever changed as they encounter the healing that Jesus provides through the forgiveness of sin.  As we bring/carry/drive/transport in any way, folks to Jesus, we may have to be very creative in our approach, all the while leaving the basic goal of getting them to Him intact.  When we become aggressive in bringing friends to Jesus, there will be criticism.  However, when our friends are healed, ALL will praise and glorify the name we celebrate this season.  So friend, the question still remains...Ho! Ho! Ho! Who wouldn't go...up on the house top, click, click, click...


'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Tuesday's Musical Notes - ""It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (Perry Como)



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Welcome to a festive flashback!!!  It's a Tuesday Musical Note recollection from 2011 when The Notes were just getting started. Today's Notes were originally published via email in December 13,2011.  Welcome and enjoy as it is certainly already begun to look a lot like Christmas!!!

Ok, so what do you get when a devout Catholic and a United Church of Christ member meet?  Better yet, how about when a Barber meets a Music Man?  In either situation you are bound to get into discussions that are interesting, deep, possibly political,  maybe theological in nature, but certainly entertaining.  In Autumn of 1951, both of these suppositions actually occurred with the same 2 men.  And here is the result:



"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" by Perry Como from 1951


In 1951, Meredith Wilson wrote a seasonal song as a part of the musical "Here's Love".  While not featured in the musical prominently, the audience could hear the melody as a counterpoint to one of the songs that were featured.  You say you're not exactly sure where you've heard the name Meredith Wilson, "Well, ya got trouble my friend." 

  "You've Got Trouble" from Meredith Wilson's The Music Man performed by Robert Preston from 1962

In September of that year, Perry Como recorded Meredith Wilson's  "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" on RCA.  Throughout his career, Como stayed with RCA as his recording label.  Their partnership brought many hits to the airwaves over a span of more than 5 decades.    While the song was recorded by Bing Crosby in October of that same year, Perry Como had struck gold with the original recording and all others have paled in comparison to the success of Como's as a hit.  

A 1986 recording by Johnny Mathis (Christmas Eve with Johnny Mathis) saw a resurgence in 1992 as "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" was used in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York and included on the movie's soundtrack.  In case you were wondering, Perry Como was the Barber.  He was licensed and owned his own shop in Canonsberg, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh.  

What does Christmas look like?  What images appear in your mind when Christmas is mentioned?  I have to admit, that those images that come to my mind about Christmas have changed throughout my life.  I was raised in a Christian home, so the image of the Child in the manger has always been the foundation for any other picture that may come to mind this time of the year.  

For many, a jolly old elf and reindeer, presents and Christmas trees, even family gatherings and food seem to be the images that flood folks mind as you ask about Christmas., In short, enculturation takes place.  Now, "enculturation" is a made up word by an author I am reading right now, but it goes to the heart of where we are as a society.  It means the images that come to our mind about certain things are a product of the things that our mind "catches" about that subject.  Our culture bombards us each year with the "world's" view of the season and eventually that becomes the representation that our mind comes to when thinking about Christmas.  This is tragic, because the actual "look" of Christmas was nothing like what our minds conjure up.  

As you would imagine, the actual places mentioned in the Bible where Jesus was born are different today.  Bethlehem (Micah 5 New King James Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible parallel) is in an area of the world that is today disputed lands.  If you travel to that site, you must pass through checkpoints into Palestinian held territory.  The grotto has been covered by the 4th Century Church of the Nativity.  While the church is fascinating for its history and beautiful in its construction, it distracts from the simple cave like structure that is the supposed site of Jesus birth.  Gone are the stables and the animals.  No shepherds are a part of the scene.  The only angelic presence is in paintings in the church.  There is a sense of awe, but of sadness as well.     

But the Bible is full of rich text that stimulates the mind and causes the imagination to wonder on the beauty of the scene. The Gospel of Jesus according to Luke, chapter 2 - NKJV/The Message   The young Mary holding the child.  A curious but steadfast and obedient Joseph by her side.  Angels singing "Glory to God in the Highest!!"  Shepherds attending the New Lamb.  Wise Men seeing a star and traveling for several years to find the reason for that star.  All of this plays out through scripture as God's love for us was demonstrated through the virgin birth. The miraculous came together in one cold night as our Savior, Jesus, was born.  This image of Christmas is the one that should cause Christians to see that it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and take those images....."every where we go"

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
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