Category Archives: Music

Dimming of the Day

Posted on August 26, 2020 by John Swinburn

This song has been playing and replaying in my mind for days, though I do not know why. It is among my most favorite pieces of music. Because it has been so prominent in my recent thought processes, I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Music | 3 Comments

Journeys by Chance

Posted on July 28, 2020 by John Swinburn

Wikipedia says this about Corb Lund: Corb Lund is a Canadian Western and Country singer-songwriter from Taber, Alberta, Canada. He has released nine albums, three of which are certified gold. Lund tours regularly in Canada, the United States and Australia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Demographics, Music | 5 Comments

Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow

Posted on July 9, 2020 by John Swinburn

Back to my old habits. Up before 4:00 a.m., ready to face the day. The tune and lyrics to an old song were among my first thoughts this morning: Well everybody’s heart needs a holiday, some time And everyone of … Continue reading →

Posted in Memories, Music, Philosophy | Leave a comment

Musical Provocation

Posted on April 26, 2020 by John Swinburn

I listened to a mariachi version of Laura’s Theme from Doctor Zhivago yesterday afternoon, thanks to an email message Gustavo Arellano sent to his followers. Arellano is best known for his “Ask a Mexican” syndicated column that originated with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Music | Leave a comment

I’m Not Going to Work Today

Posted on March 17, 2020 by John Swinburn

On Labor Day several years ago, my wife and I listened to the Glenn Mitchell Show as we drove around Dallas. I was enthralled by Mitchell’s talk show, especially his “Anything You Ever Wanted to Know” segment; the tag line … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Memories, Music | 2 Comments

Making Music

Posted on January 4, 2020 by John Swinburn

If I could start recording my voice at any given moment simply by pressing a single, easily accessible button, I might have recorded dozens, if not hundreds, of songs by now. Only the lyrics, of course, with no musical accompaniment … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Poetry, Writing | 2 Comments

Freedom to Interpret

Posted on May 22, 2019 by John Swinburn

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” Those words from Leonard Cohen’s Anthem, in the context of the rest of the lyrics, are subject to a thousand interpretations. In my view, the tune is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Lyrics, Music, Poetry, Writing | Leave a comment

Reason to Believe

Posted on March 5, 2019 by John Swinburn

Still I look to find a reason to believe. Tim Hardin wrote, composed, and recorded Reason to Believe in 1965. One of the most popular versions of the tune was released by Rod Stewart six years later. No fewer than … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Music, Writing | 3 Comments

Musings on a Wednesday Evening

Posted on August 8, 2018 by John Swinburn

I got word late this afternoon that my brother will be released from the hospital on Saturday. So, I’ll head down to welcome him to my niece’s home; I should arrive by late afternoon. There’s no time-frame for my visit. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Music, Philosophy, Rambling | Leave a comment

A Little Music That Moves Me

Posted on May 18, 2017 by John Swinburn

Just listen and let the music take you where you need to go. These are courtesy of Spotify. I love so many types of music; these inadequately represent my taste. They don’t even begin to touch the depth of my … Continue reading →

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Does Anyone Know Where the Love of God Goes?

Posted on March 6, 2017 by John Swinburn

A couple of nights ago, while listening to the music of Gordon Lightfoot (who, by the way, is one of my favorite singers/songwriters), one song, If You Could Read My Mind, brought back memories I thought were long-since dead of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

A Song for You

Posted on January 27, 2017 by John Swinburn

If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn, they will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem. Who, on reading or listening to those words from Leonard Cohen’s Sisters of Mercy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Empathy, Music, Poetry | Leave a comment

A Roundabout Tribute to Maggie Roche

Posted on January 24, 2017 by John Swinburn

I’m a fervent admirer of a handful of musicians. People who know me may understand the depth of my admiration for Leonard Cohen, whose deeply meaningful poetry set to music moves me beyond anyone else’s art. Yet, even in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Memories, Music, Philosophy | Leave a comment

A Community

Posted on January 17, 2017 by John Swinburn

Last night was the second HSV Open Mic Night I’ve organized. I thought the first one, on October 10 last year, was successful. But, then, I didn’t quite know how to define success; it was, after all, the first such … Continue reading →

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Taking Back What We’ve Lost

Posted on November 20, 2016 by John Swinburn

Earlier today, I attended the Thanksgiving service at the Hot Springs Unitarian Universalist Church, along with my wife. Usually, we do not attend on Sunday when the “church service” is on the schedule. Instead, we attend when “insight” programs (interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Thanksgiving | Leave a comment

Eclectica

Posted on October 30, 2016 by John Swinburn

I’m in an eclectic musical mood, brought about, perhaps, by my earlier exorcism. Music helps me think or, more precisely, helps me analyze my thoughts. The playlist so far this morning, thanks to Spotify: Stranger in a Strange Land, Leon Russell … Continue reading →

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Transforming Hardship

Posted on March 15, 2016 by John Swinburn

This Playing for Change piece is wonderful. Watch and listen; I think you’ll agree. Though all of the musicians are incredible, I especially love Aymee Noviola. Her eyes (about minute 5:14) struck me; she embodies happiness and pure joy, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Music | Leave a comment

Food and Music and Coincidental Clothes

Posted on February 11, 2016 by John Swinburn

The unfortunate reality of yesterday’s lunch was this: the food did not tip the orgasmeter as I hoped it would. The amuse bouche was all right, though its presentation and the explanation given by the server were disappointing. The butternut … Continue reading →

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Un Qualunque Mattino

Posted on May 17, 2015 by John Swinburn

Some of my favorite tunes are by Gianmaria Testa, an Italian singer-songwriter. I do not understand the words to any of his music because I do not speak Italian, but I think I understand the emotions of the music. Still, I wish I … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Music | 4 Comments

Last Night’s Living

Posted on February 12, 2015 by John Swinburn

Last night, we went to the Garland County Library for a program sponsored by the library and the Hot Springs Jazz Society. I expected it would be a good program.  It was better than good; it was spectacular.  The poets … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz, Literature, Music | Leave a comment

Some of My Favorite Things

Posted on November 26, 2014 by John Swinburn

I listen to Take Five by Dave Brubeck and feel like I belong in a different era. It’s not that I really believe I’m out of step with today, it’s that I think some people today are out of step with … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Music | 3 Comments

One Friday in Retirement

Posted on November 15, 2014 by John Swinburn

As I was perusing Tim Ernst’s website this morning, I discovered on this page a photo of what I think was the Roadtrek RV I saw sitting in the Coronado Center parking lot yesterday morning.  I remarked to my sister-in-law that, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Nature, Photography | Leave a comment

Losing Track of Time

Posted on November 12, 2014 by John Swinburn

Alone in a room filled with music, I lose track of time.  Not just minutes and hours, but years.  Decades intermingle like friends from high school, together briefly after lifetimes apart, trying desperately to tell all the important news lost … Continue reading →

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Search for Meaning

Posted on September 18, 2014 by John Swinburn

Lust and muscle and bone and blood, he was a tangled fury, when he fell with a thud. His eyes were blazing but his nerves were shot, he tried to move, but found he could not. The edge of the … Continue reading →

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Hey, Little Sister…

Posted on September 15, 2014 by John Swinburn

Courtesy of Codeine Velvet Club. Via my friend Ellie and her favorite husband, Mistah!

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