Nov 26 2007
Music
Music
I am happily sitting upstairs in Starbucks in Nelson, New Zealand and trying hard not to listen to the Christmas music blaring from the speakers. I am plugged into my i-pod and am connected to WiFi. What could be better? I look out over Trafalgar Street into the bright sunshine and barely remember the cold and damp winter weather I just left behind in Oregon. It is very strange hearing about Rudolph the Shiny Reindeer while it is full summer outside.
Why am I sitting in Starbucks on such a lovely day? It is one of the few places in town that has wireless internet, otherwise known as a “hotspot.” I am happily listening to Joan Baez sing “Diamonds and Rust” in stereo crystal clarity through my ear phones. I am taken back to 1966 when she sat on her stool, guitar in hand, on the stage at Ohio State University hall, and sang this same song about memories, as well as others about freedom and peace.
All of us 19 and 20 year olds looked to her as a leader of the times.
We were invincible with our youth and her music made us feel we could all change the world and make things perfect just by the pure power of our collective will.
Of course the painful reality of life has challenged that belief many times over the years. Being a woman of my time, I have never given up, through the Vietnam War and now the Iraqi War. I still believe in peace as being the only choice.
In the last 40 years we have moved from transistor radios to i-pods and from encyclopedias to wireless internet. What makes it so hard to make that jump from war to peace?
I hear the words of the Youngblood’s, “Everybody get together and try to love one another right now.”
My i-pod is filled with 60’s music. Why? It keeps me feeling the power and will force of my 19 year old, who knows beyond any doubt, that she can still accomplish whatever she wants. It is all about being a leader in my own right, helping others to be successful and enjoying life to its fullest.
That music is cool – just my type. Last Friday we heard Judy Collins sing here in Tucson. She looks might good and still has her voice. (She did miss some lyrics now and then but just made a joke of it, senior moment etc. Sang “when I’m 64 but substituted 84. Anyway her voice and music took me way back (to a better time?).
I remember seeing Joan Baez in 1975 at the Toledo zoo amphitheater. Such good music, such good messages. Messages that still apply today. Nobody I know doesn’t want peace and harmony. so why the strife?
Thanks for keeping up the blog while you’re in NZ. I’m glad I was there so I can picture you in that space.
Everybody I know wants peace and acts accordingly and finds comfort and strength in those who are like-minded. Its important to choose our politial leaders carefully!
I love the music of the 60’s with all its energy to change the world. And I love the music of the 50’s which was mostly about love, do wap do wap.
Last weekend we saw Judy Collins whose voice is still strong. She looks terrific. Sang many of the oldies. Forgot some words but laughed it off as senior moments. Changed When I’m sixty-four to eighty-four. She made references to the current war but not with the same passion as in the past.
Glad you’re enjoying NZ!
Thanks Rhoda for your comments.
Sixty-fopur seemed really, really old at one time but now the new 64 is 84. People are not retiring anymore at 64. Instead they are starting new businesses and full of life. ( not that you wouldn’t like to retire).