Music For Mom

My mom passed away one month ago today, and it just felt right to put together a short playlist of significant songs.

The Rose by Bette Midler:

This is the first song that I ever remember listening to you with you…and we both really loved it.

Bright Eyes by Art Garfunkel

The lyrics are very apt at the moment. And you introduced me to Watership Down, along with so many other books. Thanks for that, mom!

The Soft Goodbye by Celtic Women

Because this list would be very incomplete without a nod to your Irish heritage, and I know you enjoyed this album from Celtic Women the most.

Spirit of the Great Heart by Johnny Clegg

For so many reasons…the dogs, the memories of trips to the bush, the fact that you were a huge fan of Johnny Clegg. This video even has a lilac breasted roller! (And a chameleon.)

The Soundtrack

I don’t do feelings very well. I don’t know if that is just the way I was originally wired or if it is a coping mechanism.

My sister-in-law made the comment that I didn’t really cry over my mom’s death which is not entirely true…but is not entirely false either. The truth is I battle to feel on the facts. Perhaps, it’s because of my professional training…perhaps, it’s a quirky personality trait.

But given the correct soundtrack I will go from emotionless robot, the strong person, to a blubbering puddle in the floor on no time flat. In fact the thing that made me the most nervous about delivering my mom’s eulogy was whether or not it would be to soon after one of the hymns in the funeral.

So it seems fitting that I admit the soundtrack to my grief at the moment. There are two songs that I have always used in difficult times…when I was dealing with the aftermath of being raped and ever since.

Firstly, Jane Siberry’s “Calling All Angels” and Secondly, Jimmy Eat World “Hear You Me”.

I was surprised in the funeral with the one prayer that the priest said…The constant refrain was “May angels lead you…” I like to think that this is a bit of a sign.

Impossible Interlude

The world needs music. Personally, I cannot imagine without music. Music helps us feel and connect…it literally provides the soundtrack to our lives.

Once upon a time, big record labels decided what music we would be able to hear and experience. And while the musicians’ who have been signed to big labels mostly deserve it…there music tends to be rather formulaic and repetitive…and safe. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with safe: macaroni and cheese is safe. But safe can be rather boring.

Every once in a while, someone comes along and decides to try something different, and perhaps attempt something that may perhaps be called impossible.  One such person is Kim Boekbinder, a.k.a “The Impossible Girl”. She is amazingly awesome and bubbly and I will see her one of her shows live one day…(for now, I have had to be satisfied with the webcast versions).

Her music ranges from melchanolic to incredibly cheerful and I really can’t recommend her highly enough (you can listen and buy her music at http://www.kimboekbinder.com/music/) .

Kim’s music is much more like a gourmet meal accompanied with some really good wine than plain old mac and cheese. And Kim Boekbinder is re-defining the rock tour. To promote her pre-sold tour (which is an incredibly awesome idea) she agreed to answer three questions for me (and many other bloggers). So without any further ado, here’s Kim:

1) Which of your songs do you feel the strongest personal connection to and why?
“Anyone at All” followed by “Rainbows and Unicorns.” Playing them live is amazing, especially “Anyone at All” it just gives me so much energy.

2) What is your favourite moment or memory from one of your tours?
Ruffy Hall, Australia. Ruffy is a 2 house “town.” Farmers drove in from the surrounding area to see the show. I played two sets, they served homemade cakes in the intermission. The hall itself is very Twin Peaks. It was wonderful.

3) How autobiographical is your album, “The Impossible Girl”?
Very. Everything comes from a very real place inside of me, even when I’m making it up.

Thanks Kim and good luck with selling the Impossible Tour. You can buy tickets through Kickstarter at: http://kck.st/pIcXeH. Seriously her shows are awesome and I hope you will join me in backing one or more of them.

P.S. This post was sponsored by Kim Boekbinder…Here is where you can read all the details of Kim’s offer to me and all other bloggers.