iPod Essentials #14: "Lay Your Hands on Me"--Thompson Twins

Sorry, I'm a day late, but not a dollar short!

"Lay Your Hands on Me" is one of my faves from the 80's. I like the Carribean-based percussion--the marimba and the hand percussion--it gives the song a breezy feeling.

The subject of the song, however, is not so breezy. The persona is giving up, tired of life. Yet by the end of the tune, he feels empowered, rejuvenated, all from the mysterious, redemptive power of love. This song never fails to lift my spirits.

In Praise of You Tube

Since its boom in popularity, You Tube continues to grow by the day. Its videos often make the news (i.e. the Michael Richard racial tirade). I log onto You Tube, not because of watching people doing stupid things in their videos, but because of its helpfulness in research for my newest novel. Without giving too much away about the new novel, I have learned a lot by watching old, old videos, courtesy of MTV and VH1, when they were still good channels.

Too many of us believe that research is only done in libraries. The Internet has changed that. However, much of what is on the Internet is bogus, so writer beware.

iPod Essentials #13: "For What It's Worth"--Buffalo Springfield

A political choice for today in light of George Bush's impending (and disasterous) troop increase in Iraq. It's a shame the current Administration does not stop to listen to the pulse of the American public, which is aptly reflected in much of the music of the late 60's. This classic Buffalo Springfield song always sends a chill down my spine when I hear it.

But is anyone really listening?

A Long Winter's Rest

Last night I just finished the first draft of my newest novel. What do I do now?

Give it a month's rest. I will work on another project during this time.

When I resume the next draft in another month, I will be able to see what's working, what's not working, and what needs further development or massive changes. A month's rest gives writers time to divorce themselves from their characters, even if we dearly love them, and allows us to evaluate our writing in fresh terms.

Try it.

iPod Esstentials #12: "Money"--Pink Floyd

I will never forgive MTV for their shabby treatment of Pink Floyd during Live 8 in 2005.

This song ironically details the pitfalls and absurdities of the almighty dollar. Money is a blessing and a curse.

A great blues riff echoes throughout the song. Even more interesting is that the time signature changes midway through the song, going from typical 4/4 time to 6/8 and back to 4/4 again. Daring and it works.

What a gas.

iPod Essentials #11: "More Than This"--Roxy Music

Ahhhhh, this poetic but cynical song is perfect for a cloudy, rainy day, such as this one. This is off of AVALON, my favorite CD of all time. The CD is lyrical, synthesized, romantic yet moody--it's perfect.

This is my favorite song on the recording since it reminds me of someone from my past back in college. Every time I hear it, I still feel as though he's in the room with me. Like me, he's a hurt romantic. I haven't seen him in almost twenty years. I wonder if he's still this way.

This song also shows Bryan Ferry and the band at their vulnerable best.