Post 206 | Levon Helm

Well, yesterday one the greatest drummers I have ever heard passed away, Levon Helm, a member of the legendary group The Band.

Senior year of High School I had the pleasure of being introduced to The Band by one of my teachers at the time. Since then I have grown to appreciate the legacy they left behind and what absolutely wonderful musicians all of the members were and two of them still are.

It is really a shame that Levon Helm died. His powerful drumming and wonderful, natural, rough voice was a key part of The Band, and as I sit here watching The Last Waltz, I cannot help by marvel at it.

He also had quite the drumming style with his left hand in the classic snare drum position that you see in marching bands and such. I am not sure what it is called but you can see the power in his hits. He keeps it simple but so amazing.

I would have to say The Band was a major turning point in my appreciation for music. It is amazing that this one band opened the door for so many others, since hearing them I have listened to a lot of blues and classic rock and a even more, before them it was a lot of The Beatles, and that was just about it.

Sure my girlfriend hates the music, but I absolutely love it and cannot wait to pass down this music to whoever wants to be introduced to it.

If you are interested in the music just watch the video I have embedded below. This is one of many songs they performed at their farewell concert bac in 1976 with famous musicians such as Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, and more.



RIP Levon Helm, you were an amazing drummer and singer, and from what I gather an awesome person. Hope you are rocking it out up there with the other great musicians that have left this life.

Post 192 | This GIF

So, I have this wonderful thing called a tumblr, and while on it the other day I came across this wonderful gif posted by my sister. If you do not know what a gif is, what are you doing on the internet? No, just kidding don't leave, it's just an animated picture. There is a specific reason I especially like this one.

Take a look at what is going on in this picture. Look at all of those people. Perhaps thousands of them, all at the same time swinging those light things. Look how awesome that is. All of those people coming together for a singular thing. Maybe it is just a concert, maybe this was at the Olympics or something, but look at that. Now apply that idea to anything in the world.

People coming together for a purpose. Sure waving some lights around is not some grand feat, but maybe it was a really awesome show that really touched some people. Anyways, apply the idea to more. Apply it to Occupy, or the Red Cross, or any volunteer type thing that just helps the world. Maybe it is just Extreme Makeover: Home Edition where a few hundred people build a house for someone.

Our world is friggin' fantastic. Human beings are what make this world amazing. Sure there are some who can really screw it up once and a while, but those who just want to help, and live, and just be, are what make this world what it is.

People want something to believe it, well I say first and foremost you should believe in yourself. Believe you can do anything, don't just fold into the the society that has been laid out for you. Get what you want out of life. Try things. Climb a mountain, go on a walk by yourself, eat cake, rock out to music you love, just be a person.

I know life can be rough and things can happen, but look at this gif. People just having an awesome time. That could be you. I am hoping to go to a Coldplay concert and this is how I hope I feel, music that I love and people that love it and things just rock. Sure I have been to other concerts before, I was at one in December and I am going to one in April, but those are just concerts of music other people love. I just like going to Chicago, but for something like Coldplay, that's where I'm going to rock it out.

So, whether it be at a concert, or maybe you are rocking out while building a house for something, or maybe you are in your room in your underwear dancing around like a maniac, I hope you know the world is awesome, and people are pretty awesome, and life is worth living for moments like that. Thanks for reading, tell your friends to come here.

Post 191 | Helplessness Blues

So a while back I heard this song on WXRT 93.1 the classic rock radio station in Chicago and I thought it sounded alright. Later that weekend I heard it again so, being the person I am, Shazamed it. Helplessness Blues, alright I'll check that out at some point. I hear it again, Shazam it again, oh wait I already Shazamed that song, I guess I like it!

So hear I am, having bought the song and listening to it I cannot get enough of this wonderful song. It is 12:26am and I am rocking out in my chair while my roommate sleeps. I love the song but I also love the lyrics. I am about to dive into them a little bit so here is a link to the lyrics and one to the song on YouTube.

The song starts out with the set up of being raised up a child with your parents telling you how unique you are and how special you are and how you are going to make a difference in the world. "A snowflake distinct among snowflakes..."

Then it moves into this somewhat depressing part where our narrator says he wants to be part of the machine. He goes through this change in thought where he wants to do nothing but serve. "Tell me what I should do."

However, throughout the song we get the chorus saying he does not know what he will do or who to believe. This sense of being lost, and the thing is I am in touch with that so much. I know what it is like to be lost and be confused and in some ways just want to do what people tell you to do to survive day by day.

However, in the end he talks about a peaceful life, working in an orchard. "If I had an orchard I'd work till I'm soar..." The funny thing I was just thinking about simply moving to California and try and make it as a wine maker or perhaps Florida and grow oranges. Sounds like something I could do. It'd be really hard work, yeah, but in the end living that kind of life might be very peaceful.

I really like the song and am going to do some digging into the Fleet Foxes some more, I want to know what else they have in that music library of theirs. Thanks for reading. Tell your friends to come.