ISIL Unites the World With Attack on Paris

The recent terrorist attacks in Paris, France occurred on Friday the 13^th, the same day that my dog, Lady, passed away.  I do not want to compare the two events, but I will always remember the dates together.  I remember 9-11 as the day that I spent escorting a friend who was intellectually challenged to the Knox County Fair.

I have noticed that this act has been denounced by leaders of both Christian and Muslim nations, and leaders of nations that are usually enemies of each other.  The fact that the same group responsible for this also downed a Russian civilian passenger jet just a few days before adds to the over-all atmosphere, and we now hear the term World War Three being used.  The Allies from WWII seem to be reviving, with the Axis joining in.  And the hacker group Anonymous is joining in, to the delight of just about everyone, even the previous victims of the group.

I have spent the last few days on Facebook commenting on the many posts that others have made, filled with hate and prejudice.  The monsters of ISIL want the refugees sent back to Syria so that they can rape the women and children, kill the men who they can’t use as soldiers, and generally use and abuse them.  When people in America say we must refuse to help the refugees, they hand a victory to the monsters of ISIL.  When we condemn all Muslims, we hand them a victory. 

The people from ISIL consider their-selves to be fundamentalist, but like the so-called Christians who use the same term, they are anything but. 

 

As a Christian, I say we should show the Muslims what a Christian is.  Greet them with love, tell them Jesus loves them and that GOD IS NOT A LIAR!  Americans who are not Christian should show the Muslim refugees that Lady Liberty still stands! 

 

And, remember who sent us Lady Liberty!

Death of a Beloved Companion

  Today (just a few moments ago) my canine companion of almost 11 years passed away.  I am very saddened by her passing, but I am so very grateful that I had the time with her that I did.  She was with me at a very difficult period of my life.  She helped me care for my  mother in her last years, and provided much joy for Mother.  She was with me when I lost my younger son.

   Dogs have a very special relationship with people.  I believe that God has a special place for them, and I expect to be with her ( and some other dear dogs) in heaven.

pendrake's passions: I have been away for awhile due to computer proble...

pendrake's passions: I have been away for awhile due to computer proble...: I have been away for awhile due to computer problems. I have a new laptop and will be catching  up in the next few days, There is so much t...

I have been away for awhile due to computer problems. I have a new laptop and will be catching  up in the next few days, There is so much to write about I am not sure where to start.  I promised a few musicians some coverage, and there is much in the science and political spheres. Maybe I'll just find a few of my old poems!   

Here is a beautiful portrait of Anielle.  Photo by Juliana Tan

A while back I saw Anielle Reid on tv and was impressed. Recently she ended up on my Facebook account and I had the opportunity to listen to a few of her tracks, as well as read a bit more about her as a person as well as an artist. I have been more impressed as I have learned more. I have had the opportunity to chat online with her and wish that I had the opportunity to get to know her personally

When I first listened to her music on the internet, I was struck by the power and sweetness of her voice, the banjo playing reminiscent of Molly O'Day (first impression), and just why Roy Acuff hated drums. She uses drums (probably an artificial drum track) on her album "Ain't Like 'Em". The drums clash very much with the otherwise beautiful music, but her playing and singing save the day.

Her album is all original work. I would like her to show her connection with the folk tradition by selecting a few traditional gems and sharing with us her interpretation (she did a beautiful rendition of the Icelandic folk song Lilja for a special project ) .  Even Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams covered traditional songs and the Carter family made traditional songs so much their own that many people credit them with writing everything they performed. Lead Belly performed both originals and traditionals.

I have had the opportunity to hear a preliminary mix of another song from her next album. The song is "Great Again" .  It is excellent, with a bit more of a "grassy" sound.  The music is slightly uptempo and there are no drums (none that I can hear). Her vocals on this song are powerful and would be well suited to bluegrass (my favorite form of music). I hope that any drums on the new album will actually fit. As I said, the drums for "Lilja" work quite well. 

Anielle may not be a banjo picker as great as Earl Scruggs, but he was one of the greatest musicians of all time, frequently compared to Paganini..  She hasn't made it to Bella Fleck's standard yet, either.  He has been nominated for grammies in more categories than any other musician, and she has years to catch up. Keep it up and she will probably earn at least a nomination or two. She can definitely sing better than either.  In fact, her vocals are about as good as any out there.  She is a promising young musician in the early stages of a career. I hope there will be many more, and that they will be as great as what I expect.

Anielle Reid is a bright and promising rising star in the Americana/folk/bluegrass music firmament. She is becoming an important contributor to the American (and world) music scene. I hope that she will continue to hone her skills and not become discouraged.  She has the potential to be one of the greats. I want to hear more!!!!!

Why I Can Write About Music

   I'm going to take a moment and explain my background in music (since my blog hasn't dwelt much on the subject yet). Before WWII my father was a young musician with a weekly show on WRUF, which was then a 50,000 watt clear channel AM radio station. That meant that they covered the entire Southeastern US with their broadcast.  One of the members of their band was Chubby Wise, before he became an original member of the Bluegrass Boys. Dad and his older brother were also members of the Toby Dowdy band at the same time.  My maternal grandfather was a friend of Roy Acuff.

   At the age of three I met Gentleman Jim Reaves when he was a guest in our home. Dad no longer was an active musician, but I got to meet many of his friends who had gone on to Nashville. However, I was a science prodigy and did not learn to play music until I was older.

   When I was 25 and on active duty in the Army, I bought my first banjo.  I struggled, not realizing that the banjo is not a good beginner's instrument (unless you are Earl Scruggs). When I was approaching 40 (1986) my older son started fiddle lessons with the legendary George Custer. Within a year he was playing on stage with George and Red and Murphy Henry. Before he was 16, he was asked to go on tour with Red and Murphy. A few years later Henry was invited to join a old-timey country band and the lead vocalist thought that I looked like I could play the wash-tub base. I finally found an instrument that I could not only play, but became a virtuoso. Then I actually was able to learn to play the banjo, eventually becoming good enough to play on stage for pay in East Tennessee, even playing some on local tv. I also played and sang at a number of churches, including one that had been the TV station where the Flatt and Scruggs show was broadcast.  I played on the stage that was used for that show, and also played at Ciderville.

   When I went to Knoxville in 1993 I had the opportunity to get to know legendary folklorist Tillman Cadle, the folk-music archivist who introduced the song "Which Side are You On"  to Pete Seeger.  During this time I also got to know Anthony Fels (Hopeless Sam), who had been a TV folk musician in NYC for about 7 years after the Vietnam War, until PTSD led him to go another route with his life. We became friends and eventually began to play out and record both our originals and traditional songs. I had to return to Florida to care for my elderly mother and grown children. A few years ago I had a stroke and can no longer pick the banjo.  But I still can listen.