Welcome to Tuesday and another edition of your favorite blog about music and musings, Tuesday's Musical Notes. We hope this post finds you relaxing in the break from the heat and looking forward to the "ahhs" of the approaching Fall season. While it isn't quite here yet, and we don't want to rush the calendar (it already goes by too fast), we can hardly wait for cheaper electric bills and that morning cup of coffee warming our bodies. Afternoon and evening walks will eventually have to be earlier in the day and even earlier once the insanity of Daylight Savings time ending affects all of our body clocks.
Don't get me wrong, this really is my favorite time of the year. Many years ago when in college, I absolutely loved getting the opportunity to get back to friends whom I hadn't seen all summer and regale in the delights of our college lives. One of those special moments, which seems dated now, was getting the occasional letter from someone from my hometown. They were sometimes thankfully accompanied by some extra funds, however most of the time they were filled with events from the family, well wishes, and the usually strong encouragement to study hard. 
Letter writing seems to have lost some of its luster in our digital age. It seems that a handwritten letter in the mailbox any more would mean a nostalgic trip to a simpler, and cheaper stamp moment in our lives. But one that we hold with great fondness. So, if you'd like, pretend that today's blog is penned in my C+ - B penmanship, and enjoy this Letter to You.
Before we get too far into today's Notes, we would be remiss if we did not take a moment of remembrance for a few things.
1) Yesterday, was 9/11. Tuesday's Musical Notes is grateful for those who gave the "final full measure of devotion" in a myriad of ways on this tragic day. It has been 22 years since the terrorist attack on the United States and this blog for one will never forget, and always remember, not with nationalism which trends towards the extreme on both sides of the aisle, but with patriotism which speaks to the heart of those who gave so much on this day.
2) Two Rock and Roll legends passed in the last couple of weeks. Both have been contributors to Tuesday's Musical Notes and we would like to take just a moment to reflect on the lasting impact on popular music that both of these artists have had.
a) Gary Wright (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Dream Weaver" (Gary Wright)) - One of the first pop songs I ever encountered was the #2 smash hit "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright. He released 18 albums (solo and as a contributor), 18 singles, and was a part of the band Spooky Tooth. He also played keyboards on George Harrison's 1970 triple album All Things Must Pass. His contributions to pop music are astounding, yet rarely ones in which you would hear.
b) Jimmy Buffett - Believe it or not, we have never used a Jimmy Buffett song at Tuesday's Musical Notes. There really aren't a lot of Caribbean, piraty, Marguerita-type passages found in the Bible. But his contribution to the entertainment industry via music, restaurants, and film credits is the trifecta that many careers in the industry wish they could have.
And now back to the regularly scheduled blog, um, letter already in progress...
Letter To You, the album, was met with critical acclaim and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 album charts. The album featured 4 singles. The title track, "The Power of Prayer", "Ghosts", and "I'll See You in My Dreams". None of the 4 reached the Billboard Hot 100, yet they charted in several of Billboard's variety of alternate charts.
"Letter to You", the single is an eloquent song written by Bruce Springsteen and performed by Springsteen and the E Street Band. It reflected the thoughts of the aging songwriter and his band as they dealt with the topics of getting older and death. (Original E-Streeter and saxophonist Clarence Clemmons died in 2011). It charted on 3 different Billboard rankings and peaked at #1 on the Adult Alternative Songs list.
It is a poignant song that shows that Bruce and band are fast approaching a time whereby they may not be able to ply their craft, and the song expresses thoughts that he wants to get down while still having the time. The song serves as a passing of wisdom to the next generation as it endearingly promotes reflection into our own thoughts and actions.
"Letter to You" is that nostalgic throwback to a time when writing letters was commonplace and the thoughts of the older generation were revered and respected. Perhaps it's a practice that needs to be revived...
Around the time the disciple and physician Luke penned the 14th chapter of Acts, we see letters from church leaders begin being distributed to the new churches in the region. James, Peter, John, and especially Paul began writing to these bodies of disciples of Jesus for encouragement, instruction, and many times admonition. These are letters that should be read and read often in modern-day churches as each of them has times when they need the encouragement, instruction, and yes the admonitions found in the words between "Greetings" and "May the grace of our Lord be with You"
As we have been chronologically traveling through the Bible, this is the time that some of those letters will come to the forefront. James is the first of the letters to be written and based on the activity we have seen from him recently regarding conversations about Gentile believers, it is appropriate to begin the book of the Bible that bears his name over the next few weeks. We will continue to intersperse the letters at the approximate time they occurred as we continue to explore the remainder of the New Testament. There is much to learn here and we hope that you will continue to come back each week!!!
But for now, we'll echo the words of The Boss and hope you find encouragement in this Letter to You,
In my letter to you
I took all my fears and doubts
In my letter to you
All the hard things I found out
In my letter to you
All that I've found true
And I sent it in my letter to you
I took all my fears and doubts
In my letter to you
All the hard things I found out
In my letter to you
All that I've found true
And I sent it in my letter to you
'Til Tuesday
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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