Rest In Peace, Dolly

Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a phenomenal life. In addition to her prolific career in country music singing and songwriting, there have been memorable appearances as an actor and her incredible life filled with philanthropy and advocacy. 

I can't share any of her music here, however here are a few of her quotes which will give you an idea of her character:

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

"You have to work at being happy. Some people work at being miserable. If I wake up in the morning and don’t feel great or things are not great, I try to think about what I can do to make things work better, rather than just falling into that deep hole, because then you just go deeper and deeper."

"I always love working with children. I never had children of my own. God has his purposes. God didn’t let me have children so everybody’s children could be mine. That’s kind of how I’m looking at it."

"Storms make trees take deeper roots."

"Love is something sent from heaven above to worry the hell out of you."

"I think everyone should be with who they love. I don’t want to be controversial or stir up a bunch of trouble, but people are going to love who they are going to love. I think gay couples should be allowed to marry. They should suffer just like us heterosexuals."

"I just depend on a lot of prayer and meditation. I believe that without God I am nobody, but that with God, I can do anything."

"When I'm done, I can rest in peace knowing I've done my best. I hope that when my time comes, I'll leave something behind that others can use to lift themselves up."

B is for Bazooka

The Bazooka is a portable recoil-less anti-tank rocket launcher, often seen on the movies being carried by action heroes. I'm not so fond of the device in question, however I'm fascinated to know where the term originated. 

The name "bazooka" comes from an extension of the word "bazoo", which is slang for "mouth" or in certain circumstances "boastful talk".  

Radio comedian Bob Burns is credited with inventing a musical instrument which he called a "bazooka" in the 1910s, and popularised it in the 1930s. It was a brass musical instrument several feet in length which incorporated tubing like a trombone (see picture). During World War II, the weapon was nicknamed "bazooka" as it vaguely resembled the instrument. 

Nowadays we have all but forgotten the musical instrument. :( 

However, it's interesting to note the word is still in use to advertise Bazooka bubble gum which was first marketed shortly after World War II in the U.S. by the Topps Company of Brooklyn, New York. 

P is for Performance

The Together 2022 event featured a whole host of different performances from a variety of bands and singing groups.

However, one main difference between a traditional music group and that of a Salvation Army group is the reason behind the performance. And I think that makes all the difference.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17, New International Version

 

Seven Nation Army

A while ago, I set myself the challenge to come up with a list of modern songs that had their roots in things that are spiritual. Perhaps I succeeded, perhaps I didn't. I did, however, discover a large number of tracks that were inspired by my own particular church denomination, namely The Salvation Army. And I'm still finding more ...

Take, for example, the song Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. A rock classic...

The song was written and produced by Jack White, who wrote the track as a little experiment; a compelling song that did not include a chorus. The seven-note riff that is central to the song is most distinctive.

The song's title originated from the writer's mispronunciation of the name of The Salvation Army as a child. White was the seventh son of devout Catholics, and at one time was considering entering the priesthood; he actually got accepted, however didn't go as he worked out that he couldn’t take his guitar to the Wisconsin seminary... "I had just gotten a new amplifier in my bedroom, and I didn't think I was allowed to take it with me," he said in an interview.

The song title was used by White as a placeholder for the track before its lyrics were written; the name ultimately stuck. It became the band's signature song, soon reaching number one in the charts when released as a single. The song has gone on to become a sports and protest anthem.

A-Z: Popular Songs That Are Spiritually Inspired

It's time once again for this blog's Summer break. I wasn't sure if I was going to do this again (I've been blogging quite erratically lately), but a great idea finally struck me as I sat in the corner at the Rock And Roll Cafe at our Corps - why not come up with a list of modern songs that have their roots in things that are spiritual? There are more than you think - the challenge is, can I come up with a list of 26; one for each letter of the alphabet? I guess we'll find out together.

Have a good summer.

G is for Guitar

The evolution of the modern guitar can be traced right back to the stringed instruments played across Central Asia and India at least 5,000 years ago. The oldest picture of an instrument is a 3,300-year-old carving of a Hittite bard playing an instrument.

The name ‘guitar’ dates back to the Latin word cithara. By the year 1200 we get the Guitarra Moresca (Moorish Guitar, with a rounded back, multiple sound holes and wide fingerboard) and Guitarra Latina (Latin Guitar, with a more narrow neck, a flat back and one sound hole). Both were four-string guitars.

The earliest six-string guitar dates back to 1779, and is believed to have been made by Gaetano Vinaccia, a member of the family of Italian luthiers (stringed instrument builders). The dimensions of the modern classical guitar were first introduced in the 19th century by Antonio de Torres Jurado, a Spanish luthier.

The electric guitar was first made by George Beauchamp in 1936.

Sing

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A-Z: My iPod

It's time once again for my usual summer break from regular blogging. So what should I pick for my A-Z for this year?

After considering a number of possibilities, I thought I'd go back and pick some random tracks from my iPod. Music that inspires me. And I'm endeavouring to feature songs and melodies that I haven't mentioned before in this blog. Who knows, there may be something here that might be new to you! There's quite a strange and wonderful selection, all sorts of musical styles here!

Have a great summer, whatever you're doing.

Thank You For The Music...

It's time once again for our regularly scheduled summer break, and I'm concentrating this year on music.

The musicians that we listen to as part of our recreational time are often lifted up as role models to our generation, who follow their pop idols to incredible ends, often showing the sort of devotion that is akin to discipleship. And yet this is often at odds with a culture in an age where we prefer to remove our heroes from their pedestals. We remember the Stranglers' song: "Whatever happened to the heroes? No more heroes any more!"

And yet this world still needs good heroes, or at least good role models. So over the next month I'll be sharing with you a few examples of some musical role models that I have encountered across the years ... with some of my own comments for good measure.