My mother had me when she was almost 40 years old. My brother was 18 when I was born. I’ve always felt that he would have rather had a car than a little sister. But such is life, right? Growing up, we had a good relationship. He was a kid at heart and loved Saturday morning cartoons. I would always watch them with him. It’s a great memory.
He moved out on his own when I was seven years old and got married the next year. I would sometimes spend the night with him and my sister-in-law, but as time went on, we lost touch. He was busy with his own family and my parents and I moved to another state. We always saw each other on holidays. But there was a distance. Eighteen years difference in age…it’s difficult to bridge such a gap.
Over the years, I’ve started to realize the impact my brother had on my musical tastes. He would always play his music while getting ready for work in the morning, all day Saturday (after cartoons, American Bandstand and Soul Train) and when he was getting ready to go out for the evening. I heard a song the other day and recalled hearing it as a young girl. I remember my brother playing that album. So the thought came to me to begin a series on here called, “my brother’s playlist” to review some of those great songs and artists he introduced me to so long ago.
My brother was a musician and he absolutely loved Electric Light Orchestra. He had all of their albums and that was his go-to in the morning. I remember hearing “Turn to Stone,” “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Strange Magic” as a kid. Those were my favorites back then As an adult, I still love those songs, but I also like, “Evil Woman” and “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” and of course, “Telephone Line”.
If I am having a slow morning…if I can’t seem to get the momentum I need to start my day, I cue up some ELO to jump-start the process. And it always reminds of those mornings as a kid…with my brother blasting their songs from his stereo.
(If this doesn’t get you going, I don’t know what will)
October 9, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Haven’t heard this song in ages. Thanks for sharing! And yes, I remember those Saturday morning cartoons with American Bandstand and Soul Train following. 🙂
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October 9, 2016 at 5:37 pm
Thanks for the comments, T. Wayne! Those were the days, weren’t they?
You know, Jeff Lynne from ELO is one of the founders of the Traveling Wilburys. I liked their sound…especially George Harrison and Roy Orbison. They sounded great together! God rest their souls…
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October 9, 2016 at 5:38 pm
You’re welcome!
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October 9, 2016 at 5:55 pm
So you know George Harrison is one of my spirit guides! LOL!!
“Turn to stone?”
WHAAAAAA?
YAAASSS!!!!!
You took me back with this one friend 🙂
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October 9, 2016 at 6:02 pm
I know that was a fun trip back, Lady G!
George was always my favorite Beatle…and “My Sweet Lord” is on my top ten of ALL TIME!
I am not surprised he’s one of your guides…
And “Turn to Stone” was the first song on the album Out of the Blue. Since it was on vinyl, this was always the opener…just sets the tone for the album and used to set the tone for a great day!
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October 9, 2016 at 6:47 pm
I have said in many posts that I am devoted to George! “The Quiet Beatle.”
Anybody who can pen:
“Something”
AND
“Here comes the sun”
is a freaking genius and yes, “My Sweet Lord” is near the top of my list of faves of all time 🙂
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October 9, 2016 at 9:53 pm
True story…when I got married (the second time) it was supposed to be an outside wedding…but as luck had it…it POURED rain ALL DAY! We had an alternate location in case of rain. The song we selected to come up the “aisle” was “Here Comes the Sun” and ironically,,,as we walked outside, the clouds parted for a brief moment and the sun shone through. I think it was George giving us a nod….
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October 9, 2016 at 10:02 pm
That’s so cool! I’ve heard that he meant for “Sun, sun, sun..here it comes” to flow like a meditative chant 🙂
How beautiful is that?
Also, I have a special feeling about George. He actually quit the Beatles during the time that I was born. I like to imagine that he took a holiday because he knew I was coming into the world! LOL!!
#Narcissist
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October 9, 2016 at 10:18 pm
Not a Narcissist…a kindred spirit…
He was a deeply spiritual soul he needed to clear his mind for your arrival! I didn’t know that about the flow…but now that I sing it out loud, it is like a chant. I totally get it. Makes me love him more…
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October 9, 2016 at 10:28 pm
The beats goes something like:
123 123 123 1-2- 3
Very enchanting!
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October 9, 2016 at 10:37 pm
By the way, I’m rusty on my counts so don’t take it for gold. LOL!!!
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