Track Listing from the Session
"Right Between the Eyes" by Mariachi El Bronx (Chris A.)
"Burn Brightly (Live from the AEG Ramble) by Adam Ezra Group (Steve B.)
"Stay Positive" by The Streets (Damon F.)
"Eternal Life" by Jeff Buckley (Chris A.)
"Wanna Be Loved" by Buju Banton (Steve B.)
"Unthought Known" by Pearl Jam (Damon F.)
"Summerland" by Everclear (Chris A.)
"What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye (Steve B.)
"When You're Ready" by Brian Fallon (Damon F.)
Participants
Chris A.
Steve B.
Damon F.
Spotify Playlist
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/july-8-2020-the-listening-club-ca-sb-df/pl.u-8aAVXDqtNbKL7y
Session Summary
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damon_ferrara
At varying points during this pandemic, it has been difficult to stay positive. These have been challenging times for me and a lot of people. During difficult times, I turn to music and lyrics the way many people turn to religious texts or self help books. British rapper Mike Skinner who goes by the artist name The Streets is one of my favorite lyricists. His classic 2002 album Original Pirate Material was a staple of my early 20s. Banging beats and fun insightful lyrics. The guy is a wordsmith. The last track on the album “Stay Positive” is directed to the listener (he uses ‘you’) as if Skinner is talking directly to us. He uses a series of typically negative situations to discuss the power of positivity and does so in a manner that makes you know that he ‘ain’t no preaching fucker’ and he ‘ain’t no goody goody either’.
‘Stop dreaming. Those who say that are blaspheming. They’re doing nine-to-five- and moaning. And they don’t want you succeeding when they’ve blown it. And your idols- who are they? They, too, dreamt about their goals.’
Pearl Jam entered my life in 1991 when I was 15. Their debut album Ten was the defining album of my teenage years. Almost 30 years and nine albums later they remain the most significant band in my life. Musically, I can acknowledge that there are other more ‘talented’ bands, but no band has had more of a positive influence on me than Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder. What I respect most about the band is that as they aged and went through different life experiences, their music and lyrics reflected those changes…in a way their albums have evolved as I’ve evolved as a person. I’d describe it as this pained optimism- they acknowledge life’s difficulties but do so in a manner that motivates me to keep moving through the darkness to the light. “Unthought Known” is off their 2009 album Backspacer. The song contains some of their most positive, spiritually influenced lyrics Eddie Vedder has ever written. It’s a beautiful tune.
‘See the path cut by the moon for you to walk on. See the waves on distant shores awaiting you arrival. Dream the dreams of other men, you will be no one’s rival.’
Brian Fallon was the lead singer of one of my favorite bands, Gaslight Anthem (style is some combination of indie rock, pop punk, alt country). Aside from both of them being from New Jersey, Brian Fallon and Bruce Springsteen share a lot in common with their music- mainly that they are both master story tellers who know how to write about the experiences of the every man in their lyrics. Brian Fallon has released 3 or 4 solo albums over the last few years. “When You’re Ready” is the lead track on his excellent 2020 album Local Honey. He wrote this song as an ode to his young daughter. If I could play guitar, write lyrics, and I could sing, this is the song I would sing to my daughter. Since I can’t do any of those things, I just play it for her. I can’t think of a song that describes a parents’ love for their children…I know you are going to grow up, I know you won’t always live in this house, I know you will find love elsewhere, but I hope whoever you find loves you half as much as I do. all three of us in this session have young daughters and all three of us had tears in our eyes by the time this song was over.
‘So for now I’ll be your audience applause. For now i’ll leave the night light on. And I know that time is flying. So much has already flown and i’m watching you just color with your brand new pajamas on.’
Loved sharing a few songs that move me, but found every song shared that night by the rest of the group to be either a revelation or like a surprise reunion with an old and beloved friend or both. The session was a shot of energy, positivity and community into my life needed so badly in these trying and sometimes very isolated times. The sonic power of music through good headphones and the therapeutic experience of spending time with like-minded people talking about fun and meaningful (in their own personal way) things is and was invaluable more than ever…and also Pearl Jam rocks.