A Life time Juxtaposition

The last few weeks I have been feeling very nostalgic. Everything seems to remind me of home, or a moment in time. Whether it is someone wearing my mother’s perfume, or the dairy cows I can smell in the morning, even the moisture in the air can take me back several years to a camping trip or something. It all takes me back and gives me a funny feeling in my tummy. I don’t know that it makes me miss home, but it makes me want to create that same important feeling, the feeling that I will remember later in my life.


Last night, CatMT posted about a Bonnie Raitt cover, sang by Bon Iver. I was trying in vain to play it on my Android. As I put my head on my pillow, I was hoping it was I Can’t Make You Love Me. When I arrived at work I remembered that I REALLY wanted to hear the cover, so again, I went to CatMT’s blog and pulled it up. Sho’ enough, it was I Can’t Make You Love Me! Although Bon Iver certainly doesn’t belt it out the way Bonnie does, it took my heart back to my first year in high school when my darling sister sang that song in voice lessons. Man she could have given Bonnie a run for her money! And like everything she does, it was amazing. I still try to get her to sing it every once in a while…

Bon Iver’s version reminded me of (although possibly quite cheesy) Maxwell’s This Woman’s Work. The sentiment in his voice, connecting to the memories I have with the song made me feel overly emotional and nearly on the verge of tears.


It also took me back to those weekend mornings when we would be rallied out of bed, breakfast was scarfed and then it was on to chores. Bonnie Raitt would be be blasting though the speakers of our old stereo and I can still remember the warm sun spots on the carpet where I would lay down just listening to her sing… procrastinating.



Now that I am older, wiser, and quite possibly hipper, this Bon Iver cover fits perfectly into my life. The “Skinny Love” singer melts my soul with his breathy vocals, and this song in particular has created a new memory in my heart and created a new stamp in my life to reflect back to. Perhaps I will remember the wedding planning, or the chill in the air this morning… who is to know until I hear it again a few years down the road.

Music Monday! Joshua Radin

Quite some time ago, when I used to watch Grey's Anatomy religiously with my darling sister, I discovered one of my favorite artists of all time: Joshua Radin.

Source

Mr. Radin initially wanted to be a different kind of artist, a painter. He studied at Northwestern University. But he later he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play. His folk music has been part of many television soundtracks, my life's soundtrack and many weddings too: Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi's wedding, my BFF's and, in the near future, mine as well! 

His music is smooth and easy to listen to, along the same lines as the early Ray LaMontagne, but clean shaven, and a little poppier than Damien Rice, but I would never hold it against him. There is something in his voice that makes my heart palpitate, and his looks too. It is the kind of music that links songs to your memories, and when you hear it again, it takes you back.

I picked up his first album, We Were Here, in 2006 at The Record Exchange and listened to it until it wouldn't play anymore. Well, that isn't entirely true, if it were a cassette tape that may have been the case. I absolutely love that album. Simple Times (2008) was equally delish.

Just this weekend I just picked up his new album The Rock and The Tide (2010) and, although some of the songs are very similar to his first two his albums, there are a few songs that are so far off from the Joshua Radin I have grown to know and love. It is an entirely new sound and personality. The first word that comes to mind is... "Electric," and the second is "Mature." Although, I am not sure if I am explaining it correctly. His voice sounds more mature (deeper maybe)... and I say electric because the songs are more up-beat than ever before. The first track on the album, "Road to Ride On" definitely sets the tone for the change that Joshua Radin fans need to prepare for. It almost seems like he is announcing the change through his lyrics.

"I'm always the last one
never ready for the fast ones,
well it's time to change
so we make our plans,
set our sites on a new land
one that's kind of strange."

I am sure the album will grow on me, as albums often do.

You can check out some of his music on his website, but I suggest picking some up and listening to it while you are preparing for a barbecue with friends this summer. You won't regret it.

In the mean time enjoy my favorite song by him...