DangerousDan
of West of Felix (unsigned)
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A very good friend was recently diagnosed with skin cancer. He has such a difficult time facing his own mortality that he can not say (or write) the word "Cancer". He calls it "recnac" (Cancer backwards).
That got me to thinking about the role music and poetry have always played in helping us humans deal with our mortality. Whenever my thoughts turn to this subject I can not help but hear Robert Plant signing "but all that lives is born to die". This is one of the few universal truths of life. If you live, you die. No exceptions. Our awareness of our mortality (not to mention the mortality of all living things) is exactly what makes us human. It sets us apart from all other living creatures on this planet.
My fiend is fine. The doctors got all of the cancer and there are no signs of malignancy. He will have many more years to come to terms with his mortality.
I like to think that I have healthy outlook on my mortality. I am not afraid to die but I would be really bummed out! There's a whole lot more I want to do and experience before I shuffle off this mortal coil. Of course, I have not yet been forced to come face-to-face with my mortality. I have never been diagnosed with a life threatening disease or been involved in a serious life threatening accident. Who knows how I will react when that happens? And it will happen. I will, some day, be forced to face my mortality directly. I can only hope that my current philosophy will sustain me. I have no doubt that music will always comfort me.
Enjoy this fine rare version of Led Zeppelin's "That's the Way" from the live acoustic album "Lighter Than Air". And, please share with me your favorite songs about human mortality.
Inspired by Sugarbaby's post on the Pump Up the Volume soundtrack, allow me to present to you the soundtrack from one of my favorite "coming of age" movies: Fandango.
If you've never seen it, Fandango is the story of a group of friends graduating from Texas A&M University during the heat of the Vietnam War. From draft dodging to marriage to the future of their friendship, "The Groovers" deal with the issues of becoming adults during a war that is dividing the country and their friendship. It is a poignant and amusing study of growth and maturity that stands the test of time. The movie stars a young Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson and has an excellent soundtrack that was never released.
This soundtrack holds a special place in my heart because it is the soundtrack that introduced me to Pat Metheny. I enjoy movie soundtracks that incorporate lines & dialogue from the film between songs. In that spirit, therefore, I recorded some of my favorite lines, collected the necessary tracks and created my own soundtrack. Here is the track list:
Cream - Badge
Dialogue - "World Mourns"
Dialogue - "NJ Butts"
Dialogue - "You Didn't Even Graduate"
Dialogue - "Farewell Fandango"
Elton John - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
Dialogue - "Breakfast"
Dialogue - "Donkey Lady"
Carole King - It's Too Late
Dialogue - "Pilgrimage"
Dialogue - "Alignment Hygiene"
Dialogue - "3 Chili Dogs & A Malt"
Classics IV - Spooky
Dialogue - "Jailbait"
Dialogue - "Lefty Loosey..."
Dialogue - "Weenie"
Dialogue - "Instructions"
Dialogue - "Bounce"
Dialogue - "Space Cadet"
Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild
Pat Metheny - Farmer's Trust
Dialogue - "How 'Bout A Fandango"
Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays - It's For You
Blind Faith - Can't Find My Way Home
You can watch the Fandango trailer here. For more insight into this fine film check out howaboutafandango.com. If you would like copies of the dialogue tracks to create your own soundtrack, please contact me thorough MOG Mail.
Enjoy this fine Pat Metheny tune that introduced me to an incredible jazz guitarist...
Comments
what?! a movie with a soundtrack that was never released? i've never heard of such a thing! why would they skip this? thanks for the info and the links...
Naaah! I'm not embarassed by any of the music in my library. Every song has it's time/mood/place.
For your listening pleasure, my "Moldy Oldies" playlist:
Rupert Holmes - Escape (Pina Colada Song) Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night) Looking Glass Lurie - Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) Maria Muldaur - Midnight At The Oasis The Association - Windy Merrilee Rush - Angel Of The Morning Tommy James & The Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion Classics IV - SpookyFor your listening pleasure: The Brand New Heavies do a kick-ass cover of Midnight at the Oasis on "Excursions, Remixes & Rare Grooves".. Check it out. You won't regret it.
Comments
Great list! I there's not a song I don't know on there and The Association's Windy is close to my heart, that's my niece's name, spelled the exact same way!
MOG Meter
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Learn like you're going to live forever and live like you're going to die tomorrow. You never know.
OR Live fast. Die Young. And leave a good looking corpse. Two competing philosophies. Who am I to say whose right?