Hello, my friends!
It’s the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter. For some it’s another weekend, for others it’s a time of celebration.
In the spirit of Easter weekend, in the spirit of celebration, I’m sharing seven “music” inspired things I’m paying attention to this week:
1. Today marks the twenty-ninth anniversary of the death of rock legend Kurt Cobain. The lead singer of Nirvana had his demons for sure, but his music was a gift to the world. He gave voice to a generation of younger people trying to fit into a cruel world. A beautiful rendering of Nirvana’s hit song Smells Like Teen Spirit from Patti Smith.
2. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are one of my favorite bands. And when they launch a documentary on the band, I’m game. Isbell is one of the best songwriters living today. A little taste of his brilliance with Cover Me Up and Dreamsicle. You’re welcome.
3. In the spirit of Easter, you can’t forget some of the better church music for celebrating the empty tomb. In Christ Alone (Celtic version) tells the Jesus-Story like no other song, How Deep the Father’s Love captures the emotion of the realities of the cross and resurrection, Death in His Grave is a ripper.
4. Michael Kiwanuka is a new favorite from Jamaica. Enjoy this Tiny Desk concert.
5. My favorite stories are about artists who, despite not having huge commercial success, keep making art. They keep doing the thing they love. They find their true 1000 fans. Bill Mallonee from Vigilantes of Love is such an artist. Welcome to Struggleville still resonates with this fellow-struggler.
6. You can’t celebrate music without celebrating Live Music. Nothing is better than seeing a favorite band in flesh and blood. Here are four bands I’ve seen live, and was worth every penny U2, Jason Isbell, and Needtobreathe, The Doobie Brothers (my first ever concert in the 90s).
7. Let me leave you with a quote about music:
“Without music, life would be a mistake.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols
Chat soon,
Ryan