One song can change everything

[Tyler]

P.S. Here is a live version of a song with Bela and Edgar Meyer at Bonnaroo in 2002... I've tried to find a downloadable version but no luck... but holy hell watch the mastery of these instruments... simply awesome!!

 

[SacramentoMike]

The pic on the cover isn't bad either, Pants. Ride out and see it sometime.

I'll meet you there. We'll camp. You can cook.

 

[hppants]

Tyler - that is good stuff. I love some Blue Grass in the mountains.

Mike - Yosemite valley is most assuredly on the bucket list. One day it will happen, with camping gear and a motorcycle. I guarantee it.

 

[Cav47]

As I stated in another thread I am a Spotify fan. I listen to quite a range of music. Kid Rock, Stevie Nicks, Seether, Lyle Lovett (he was a huge Ducati Fan at one point), CCR, Little Big Town, Melissa Etheridge, Tesla, Garth Brooks, Jewel, Pink, and lots of other stuff. Anyway, on a recent trip I was close to the cemetery where my parents are buried. About 3 hours from where I live now, so if I am in the area, I try to stop in. Also in the same cemetery, my dad's parents are there too and so is my mom's mom. But only 2 of them are buried near each other. Too far to walk to each one separately, but too close to ride to each one individually. I have done it both ways and have got some weird looks as I was walking with my helmet in hand all geared up and then standing in front of a grave with no motorcycle within eye site. Always a little tough spending the hour there and then riding away. The next 3 hours home are usually a little melancholy. Most of the time my thoughts are centered around the one that is not "buried" there. Grandpa Mike had his ashes spread over Lake Texoma on the Texas Oklahoma border. I lost my parents when they were young and so was I--relatively speaking. So I was never that close with them like some others are. The guy I was attached to was Grandpa in Texas. He taught me how to build decks, pour concrete, set tile, mow lawns, and basically anything and everything a good dad does. Most of that was from the time I was 19 to 30. At 70 he could still work my ass over when it came to hard work any day. He is the guy I wish I could talk to and ask advice of all the time. Man, I miss him. So, I am leaving Oakwood Cemetery in Ottawa Illinois and not really looking forward to the next 3 hours of crappy roads and this song at "random" comes on. I don't hear much of the beginning, but as I roll along a little ways, I realize I am riding about 10 under the limit trying to listen to the lyrics. The song is talking about Lake Texoma, the Will Rogers Turnpike, Big Cabin, and some other stuff on the way to his house in Texas. As the song is over I pull over and pull up all other songs by him. I spend the next 3 hours and can't remember a single turn or town the whole way home. All the memories of him and our relationship flood back. I am glad I have a mirrored visor to conceal the laughter and tears. Not sad tears, just the emotional ones. The songs from James McMurtry were great. I have been listening to them for weeks,and am still loving them. One song can change everything for sure, but this song did not change something as much as it REVEALED something. . The song is https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCQQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAWEJPqJtZsk&ei=RVFdVaCKBce0ogST34CgBw&usg=AFQjCNGuYAycd8V-scnu69eWEvERr_JD9Q&bvm=bv.93756505,bs.1,d.aWw

Choctaw Bingo
I doubt it will mean the same to you, but I really enjoy the music this guy does and it fits in great for my riding enjoyment. Give it a listen. He has songs about South Dakota, Bayous in Louisiana, Lost Coast on the Pacific, Hurricane Parties, and a bunch of other cool places. It has to be good with those places right?? I am looking forward to a real road trip to "listen" some more. I have not been back to Texas since Grandpa passed. I know exactly what I will be playing in the helmet to make the crappy roads there and back unnoticeable.

Edit, I don't know how to put the hyperlink from You Tube in there, so if someone can assist me, I would appreciate it.

 

[hppants]

That's a cool story, Josh! One day plan to come down to my neck of the woods and you can experience that kind of music in 3 dimensions. I promise you my standard "fellow rider" unconditional 2-part guarantee:

1. We will eat like kings

2. We will find adventure

Cheers!!!

 

[Cav47]

That's a cool story, Josh! One day plan to come down to my neck of the woods and you can experience that kind of music in 3 dimensions. I promise you my standard "fellow rider" unconditional 2-part guarantee:
1. We will eat like kings

2. We will find adventure

Cheers!!!

That ride is a mere 13 hours and 852 miles. Say when!!

 

[hppants]

Bumpsie.

November 2017

I'm packed and the bike is warmed up. She's puffing little wiffs of steam out of her pipes as I throw a leg over. One quick adjustment on the glove Velcro and I'm ready. I pull the clutch in, clunk her down into first, and with a slight twist of the right wrist, we are off and running.

There's only 3 short blocks from the driveway to the highway, but I enjoy them for selfish and childish reasons. A block up, three of my neighbors have met at the Street to shoot the bull. Clearly, they are all dressed for chores or home improvement projects. They are all younger than me, each with small kids and I'm quite certain an unobtainable list of honey do's. I was there once, and I remember it vividly. I'd check items off the list in an exercise of futility. Back then, I'd dream about days like today, when I could do whatever and go wherever I wanted without a care in the world. As I round the corner with my shiny beautiful steel horse, I wave enthusiastically at them, and the look of envy on their faces speaks volumes. Hang in there guys, eventually it will get better.

Taxing toward the highway in 2nd gear, with my helmet visor open I can feel the crispness of the dry air and it excites me. My core and my hands are pretty warm and I know that once I get to speed, it's going to be just perfect. The sky is cloudless and the bright sun is wonderful. It's almost like I can feel the Vitamin D penetrating my skin.

After checking both ways twice, I turn left onto the highway and the song changes on my MP3 player. Accelerating through the gears, I hear a very familiar organ rip that I haven't heard in a while.



I absolutely love this song! One day I hope so badly to see Steely Dan in concert, but I know that I'm running out of time. Like myself, he is getting up there in years, and I fear I may not get to see him. Still, I hope.

By the time the drums and bass guitar join in, I'm at speed and have found the few curves on my highway. This is a good clean MP3 file and my shure 215's are sounding really good. I crank up the volume dial and Donald Fagen starts to sing:

We're gonna break out the hats and hooters

When Josie comes home

We're gonna rev up the motor scooters

When Josie comes home to stay

We're gonna park in the street

Sleep on the beach and make it

Throw down the jam till the girls say when

Lay down the law and break it

When Josie comes home

When Josie comes home

So good

She's the pride of the neighborhood

She's the raw flame

The live wire

She prays like a Roman

With her eyes on fire

Man, it was awesome! There was no traffic. No dogs. No gravel on the road. No idiots pulling out in front of me. No wind noise. No.... no nothing. Just me and my horse and a great song playing in the perfect setting.

Stay Thirsty, my friends.....