I was listening to a James Taylor concert from the BBC in 1970 this morning on YouTube (I've always marveled at James' easy style and manner,) but this morning it made me wonder if life had changed so much that someone like James wouldn't be popular if he were just coming on the scene today. I have no doubt that his music holds up after 40 years, but I wonder if his style is too mellow to even get a first listen by today's ears. Now I know he may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there is an honesty and sincerity in his presence that is very engaging and soothing. I see more current performers like Jack Johnson and Jason Isbell who are mellow too in their own way, and so I think that being mellow wouldn't hold back people from liking James' music today if it were just being released. His choice of topic is still relevant today, as well, in most of his songs. And this makes me think that maybe this old world is more resistant to or tolerant of change than I tell myself. Or maybe things do change, but the common threads that hold us together like love and sharing with other people will always be the same. I find this a comfort as I age and think that I may not be as relevant in the world anymore. I still have hopes of writing more music and traveling more when life allows it, and feeling like I'm a part of the greater whole is key. And so I begin a new year. If you'd like to listen to that James Taylor concert too, you can find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Q0zyRADk8&list=FLFEh0O95Z6UE-y_Kog0svXw.
So I am beginning a new year. I haven't made a bunch of plans for the year, although I do have some standing summer performances in Buena Vista and La Veta and Cañon City, and I already have one trip planned to Sedona in May. The Song of Pueblo has already committed to first Fridays throughout the summer. This won't be the year that I start to travel much more, but I'm doing little things to work towards that. I'm hoping to get back to writing more regularly too. Many of you have suggested that some of my blog posts sounded like songs. I think I may actually start to use those as a basis for specific songs that I'll seek your input on if you'd like to participate. We're one big extended family as far as I'm concerned, and the interaction is part of what brings me joy. More on that as we go along.
So what am I up to this week?
Friday night I'm at Magpies 7-10. I've been threatening to do theme nights or theme hours, and I'm going to do that this week for the middle set 8-9. Since I was talking about James Taylor in my blog post, let's do James' songs for the middle set. I have a bunch of old favorites that I think you'll love. Please come out if you can!
So off we go into a new week!
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, January 17, 7-10 pm
