YouTube – John Denver and The Muppets sing Poems Prayers and Promises

I’ve been lately thinking
About my life’s time
All the things I’ve done
And how it’s been
And I cant help believing
In my own mind
I know I’m gonna hate to see it end

I’ve seen a lot of sunshine
Slept out in the rain
Spent a night or two all on my own
I’ve known my lady’s pleasures
Had myself some friends
And spent a time or two in my own home

And I have to say it now
It’s been a good life all in all
It’s really fine
To have a chance to hang around
And lie there by the fire
And watch the evening tire
While all my friends and my old lady
Sit and pass the pipe around (“watch the sun go down” for the Muppets)

And talk of poems and prayers and promises
And things that we believe in
How sweet it is to love someone
How right it is to care
How long its been since yesterday
And what about tomorrow
And what about our dreams
And all the memories we share

The days they pass so quickly now
Nights are seldom long
And time around me whispers when its cold
The changes somehow frighten me
Still I have to smile
It turns me on to think of growing old
For though my lifes been good to me
Theres still so much to do
So many things my mind has never known
Id like to raise a family
Id like to sail away
And dance across the mountains on the moon

I have to say it now
It’s been a good life all in all
It’s really fine
To have the chance to hang around
And lie there by the fire
And watch the evening tire
While all my friends and my old lady
Sit and pass the pipe around (“watch the world go ’round” for the Muppets)

And talk of poems and prayers and promises
And things that we believe in
How sweet it is to love someone
How right it is to care
How long its been since yesterday
What about tomorrow
What about our dreams
And all the memories we share

Barry from Carbon Leaf

I’m sorry Barenaked Ladies, but Carbon Leaf is my favorite band now. Oh no, it didn’t happen with the recent resignation of BNL’s longtime voice Steve Page.

No, the realization moment was when I thought I was about to miss the first 30 minutes of a BNL show during Ships & Dip III last year because  I was at the last 30 minutes of a Carbon Leaf show. I wouldn’t leave. I’ve rarely felt as much joy as I did on the Lido deck listening to Carbon Leaf, who I’ve been a fan of now for about six years.

It turned out I was wrong about the timing. The concerts were scheduled properly and I saw the whole of both shows. But I knew then who I couldn’t bear to miss. I knew Carbon Leaf was my favorite band now.

The BNL "When I Fall" encore

I went on to the BNL show. The end of that show – a true demanded encore of “When I Fall” complete with full audience participation (pictured right) – was arguably one of the most incredible musical moments in the history of the band. And it would turn out to be the last time I would ever see BNL with the core group I’ve come to know.

Carter from Carbon Leaf

Carbon Leaf is performing tonight and tomorrow in Annapolis. We’ll be at the show tomorrow afternoon. The band has shed two of its members since I first found them, but three of the core members are going strong plus new musicians. They are a fun group of guys, and very talented.  I hope you check out Carbon Leaf. And I hope they realize how much their music means to people.

The first song in today’s playlist featuring a cowbell is “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones.

Sure there’s a part of me that’s pissed. But really Steve, Ed, Tyler, Jim and Kevin don’t owe me anything. Who am I to judge his life and relationships? I’m a fan – a good fan. But I know that the music comes from life. Life has to be lived or the music cannot exist.

So while I’m sad and pissed, I do wish him the best. Life goes on.

By mutual agreement, Steven Page will be parting company with the remaining members of Barenaked Ladies. Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart will continue recording and touring together as Barenaked Ladies. Steven Page will pursue solo projects including theatrical opportunities while the band enters the studio in April 2009, and hits the road in the fall.

via BNL :: Barenaked Ladies Official Website.

Ed sings, “Thanks, That was fun. Don’t forget. No regrets.”

Yeah, ok I’m crying now.

Billy Powell, the former roadie who became a rock star for his keyboard work with the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died early Wednesday morning apparently of heart problems at his home in Orange Park, Fla., police said. He was 56.

via Billy Powell dies at 56; Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player – Los Angeles Times.

Look, we’re the gays, your biggest fans, we’re with you no matter what you do. But you’re the woman who redefined what it means to be a woman. You’ve broken every taboo, flouted every societal norm and made millions doing it. With the Baby Boomers greying and fading into retirement, you could reshape the whole idea of what it means to get old. You could make old sexy and fun and erotic, but instead, you’re running around with Britney Spears in what’s starting to look like a desperate attempt to seem young and relevant.

An Open Letter to an Aging Madge / Queerty

Last night’s commercial with David Cook in reverse was pretty awesome.

Danny Gokey auditions on American Idol

And though Danny Gokey’s grief over his recently deceased wife was a bit overdone by the teasing and editing and producing (I can just hear the producer’s thinking “C’mon Danny cry for us!”), his singing was pretty good, and in my eye, he’s friggin hot. A muppet on American idol! Glasses? Check. Crazy reddish hair? Check (but probably dyed). Scruff or goatee? Check. A little stocky? Maybe check, but he’s not skinny. Way cute face? Check! Self depreciating humor and fun attitude? Check. Visit Ricky.org for video. He’s my other fave for now.

Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell’s behavior on Tuesday night’s Idol was disgusting. Bikini Girl, a.k.a. Katrina Darrell, wasn’t a very good signer and she didn’t deserve to go to Hollywood.

The new judge Kara DioGuardi was right about the contestant, but DioGuardi should limit her judging to critique and not one-upmanship, no matter how much an auditioner says, “Oh yeah, well you couldn’t do any better.” It makes her look petty. She’s the music pro. We expect her to be able to sing better, so doing it proves nothing.

It only took “American Idol’s” judging newbie, Kara DioGuardi, one episode to leave a memorable mark on season eight of the televised talent search.

In an attempt to dash the dreams of a bikini-clad hopeful, the panelist sang over the wannabe and gave the contender a pointed piece of her mind. Her tactic didn’t work, as Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson have a preference for talent-packed bikinis, but DioGuardi told Ryan Seacrest she has no regrets.

Tidbits: ‘Idol’ judge defends attack on Bikini Girl – Tabloid Tidbits- msnbc.com

YouTube – My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson

Sophie Tucker was born 125 years ago today.

Bette Midler, who introduced most of us to “Soph.” Sophie Tucker joke history and jokes at about 3:15.

Also includes a performance of “In the Mood.”

Motown Records – Wikipedia

So at the moment – and though I find Eleanor Rigby very difficult to listen to – I think it’s one of The Beatles’ best ever songs, and probably (Paul) McCartney’s greatest achievement. If you need convincing, watch the treatment in Yellow Submarine, in which Liverpool is portrayed as a bleached-out morgue, and whirling blue and red soccer stars play on, oblivious to it all.

I am from Poland. That’s where my adorable accent comes from…

1    It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Andy Williams
2     Christmas in Jamaica Brent Dowe
3     Run Rudolph Run Chuck Berry
4     Zat You, Santa Claus? Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band
5     On Santa’s Way Home Marc Broussard
6     Jingle Bells James Taylor
7     Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow Michael Bublé
8     Step Into Christmas Elton John
9     Christmas Wrapping The Waitresses
10     Christmas Blues Traveler
11     Same Old Lang Syne (Album Version) Dan Fogelberg
12     Christmas Song Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds

(silence – 30 seconds)

13     (There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays Perry Como
14     Better Days Goo Goo Dolls
15     Santa Baby Madonna
16     Merry Christmas Baby Chuck Berry
17     Baby, It’s Cold Outside Margaret Whiting And Johnny Mercer
18     Winter Wonderland Johnny Mercer
19     Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Gene Autry
20     Do You Hear What I Hear? Andy Williams
21     Ding Dong! Merrily on High Chanticleer
22     Christmas Eve In Washington US Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants
23     O Holy Night Kurt Herbert Adler, Luciano Pavarotti & National Philharmonic Orchestra of London
24     Silent Night Sarah McLachlan