burtoncummings

PADDY AND SPROUT AND THINGS…

DRIVING AROUND L.A. IN BEAUTIFUL 71 DEGREE WEATHER IN JANUARY AND MY PLAYLIST FROM ABOUT A YEAR AGO TOOK ME AWAY TO ANOTHER GALAXY. ON CAME “WE LET THE STARS GO” BY PREFAB SPROUT, AND ONCE AGAIN I WAS CONVINCED THAT I SHOULD RE-RECORD IT…WHAT A BRILLIANT SONG, GREAT MELODY AND SUPERB LYRICS, AN INTENSE LOOK AT “LOOKING BACK”…I ALWAYS LIKED PREFAB SPROUT, ALTHOUGH I NEVER REALLY KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. I JUST HAPPENED UPON “JORDAN : THE COMEBACK” YEARS AGO AND THE SONGS GRABBED ME IMMEDIATELY. SONGWRITING HOOKS…THAT ALBUM IS FULL OF THEM…I CAN STILL HUM OR SING MANY OF THE SONGS FROM THAT ALBUM…LOOKING FOR ATLANTIS, JESSE JAMES BOLERO, DOO WOP IN HARLEM, AND OF COURSE “WE LET THE STARS GO”…
FOR A LONG TIME I ASSUMED THEY WERE FROM TEXAS, ALTHOUGH I DON’T KNOW WHY I THOUGHT THAT. HAPPENS THAT THE GROUP HAILED FROM A TINY TOWN CALLED WITTON GILBERT IN COUNTY DURHAM, ENGLAND. THE WRITER, LEAD SINGER AND BRAINS BEHIND IT ALL WAS AND IS PADDY MC ALOON…UNIQUE, BRILLIANT GUY WHOSE CAREER WAS CUT SHORT AND/OR MARRED BY TWO MAJOR, HORRENDOUS HEALTH ISSUES…HE WAS STRICKEN WITH AN EYE DISORDER WHICH RESULTED IN HOLES IN HIS RETINAS, ALLOWING THE RETINAL FLUID TO LEAK OUT. TO COMBAT THIS HE HAS HAD THREE SILICON BUCKLES INSERTED, WHICH PRESS THE EYE ON TO THE RETINA. IN HIS OWN WORDS HE STATES THAT THE ONE IN THE LEFT EYE NEVER HEALS. IT’S BLOOD RED AND IT’S CLOSE TO THE SURFACE. NOT LONG AFTER THIS NIGHTMARE, PADDY WAS STRICKEN WITH TINNITUS. IT WAS SO BAD THAT HE PUT A FAN HEATER NEXT TO HIS BED TO COVER UP THE NOISE IN HIS HEAD. JUST ONE MORE EXAMPLE WARNING US NEVER TO WISH WE WERE SOMEONE ELSE. WHO KNOWS WHERE PADDY MC ALOON WOULD BE TODAY WITHOUT ALL THIS GRIEF…? AS I DROVE AROUND FOR A WHILE LONGER, DIFFERENT SONGS AND INSTRUMENTALS CAME ON IN THE CAR…I HEARD “TRAVELIN’ GUITARS” BY THE DUALS FROM THE STICK SHIFT ALBUM, AND I WAS KINDA TRANSPORTED BACK TO THE EARLIEST DEVERON DAYS WITH DEREK AT HIS PARENTS’ HOUSE ON POWERS, NEXT TO THE LITTLE CORNER STORE…LIGHT YEARS AGO…I WAS GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AND WELL AT 63, ABLE TO DRIVE AROUND AND TURN UP THE MUSIC AND ENJOY IT…OLD AND NEW…MANY THINGS THAT GARY MA CLEAN OR KURT WINTER NEVER HEARD…THEY WERE LONG GONE BEFOREHAND.
AND SO I HAD A PRETTY GOOD DAY. 71 DEGREES, BLUE SKY, SUN, GREAT SOUNDS, AND THE OVERWHELMING FEELING OF GRATITUDE. IT WAS ALL PROMPTED BY HEARING “WE LET THE STARS GO” IN ALL ITS GRACE AND REALIZING WHAT A BATTLE ITS CREATOR HAS WAGED DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS OR SO…SOMETIMES, “IF ONLY FOR AN INSTANT”, I CAN ALMOST FEEL “RELATIVELY UNSCATHED” BY THE DECADES. I CAN SEE PRETTY WELL, MY GLASSES AREN’T REALLY THAT STRONG, I CAN HEAR PRETTY WELL, IN SPITE OF PLAYING FOR YEARS WITH BOTH RANDY BACHMAN AND DOMINIC TROIANO, I CAN STILL WALK TWO OR THREE MILES FAIRLY BRISKLY AND NOT FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN TO WAR, AND I HAVE AN UNBELIEVABLE COLLECTION OF MUSIC I CAN WADE THROUGH AT ANY GIVEN TIME. PRETTY LUCKY INDEED…
AND IMMORTALIZED TO AN EXTENT. NOT THAT THAT WAS EVER A PRECONCEIVED INTENT…BUT THE RECORDS AND FILMS DO IT…ONCE A MAJOR PORTION OF YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN SHOT ON CAMERA AND WATCHED BY AT LEAST THOUSANDS, YOU’VE BECOME IN A SENSE, IMMORTALIZED.
THERE’S JUST SO MUCH SWIRLING AROUND ALL OF US AT ANY AND EVERY GIVEN MOMENT. IF ONE IS AT ALL EXISTENTIAL IT CAN BE NUMBING…OVERWHELMING…DAUNTING…I ESCAPE IN THE MUSIC AND THE DVD’S. I MAKE NO EXCUSES FOR IT. THE WORLD MAKES ME NERVOUS TO AN EXTENT, AND IT’S SPINNING PRETTY QUICKLY FOR SOMEONE MY AGE…SO I ESCAPE. AND THE MUSIC NEVER, EVER LETS ME DOWN. ITS A CONSTANT.
IN THE LAST FEW HOURS I’VE BANKED VIVA EL AMOR BY THE PRETENDERS, THE WARMER SIDE OF COOL BY WANG CHUNG, NINETEEN SIXTY SIX BY LITTLE WILLIE JOHN, THE BENDS BY RADIOHEAD, GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS BY DUANE EDDY AND ONE ALL BY NEIL FINN…THE ZEROS AND ONES CONTINUE TO ROUTE THEMSELVES INTO MY DOMAIN…OH BROTHER…WHAT A BATCHA-TUNES…
I FEEL MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN MOST ANYBODY THESE DAYS, BECAUSE I FEEL GOOD. THE OLDER I GET THE MORE I REALIZE HOW ULTIMATE THAT STANDS AS TRUTH. HEALTH IS WEALTH. JIM MORRISON WAS A HERO TO ME WHEN I WAS RATHER YOUNG. I’VE LIVED 36 MORE YEARS THAN HE DID. I’VE LIVED 23 MORE YEARS THAN JOHN LENNON. I CAN STILL LISTEN TO THEM, BUT THEY NEVER HEARD RADIOHEAD OR SPOON OR EDDIE VEDDER. SO, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, TO SPEND TIME MINUS PAIN OR CRISIS, ANY HOUR OR DAY OR WEEK, AND TO HAVE CREATURE COMFORTS WOVEN INTO MYRIADS OF MUSIC, THAT’S MY ESCAPE, AND IT’S NOT REALLY HURTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE. FAMILY GUY AND ANNETTE FUNICELLO AND JOHN LENNON AND ZORRO AND DUANE EDDY AND EVEN THE GUESS WHO CAN TAKE ME PLACES THAT ARE AWAY FROM TODAY’S HURLY BURLY. AND WE ALL NEED THAT, NOWADAYS MORE THAN EVER IN HISTORY. THINGS ARE MOVING INCREDIBLY QUICKLY, AND LESS AND LESS IS PERMANENT…MATTER OF FACT, WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF PERMANENT ANYMORE…? MURKY GROUND…
NEW YEAR, LOTTA THINKING…SOME GOOD, SOME UNFORTUNATE…ALWAYS THAT WAY, SO IT SEEMS. I SERIOUSLY TRY TO REMAIN GRATEFUL WHEN THINGS ARE SMOOTH. MY BELIEFS ARE MY BELIEFS. I KNOW THAT LIFE IS GOLDEN AND I TRY TO GIVE IT THE RESPECT IT DESERVES. EXTRACT THE WONDER FROM EACH PASSING FRAGMENT OF TIME. IT’S ALWAYS RIGHT THERE FOR THE TAKING…RIGHT IN FRONT OF ALL OF US…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1115591703 Vickie Bade

    Great hearing from you, Burton. Health is Wealth…isn't that the truth? :)

  • Mary Bertani

    Hi Burton: Thanks for the positive outlook on life. We all need to think that each day is a great blessing. I know we shouldn't wish for time to go by, but I wish for summer, concerts and your music. Looking so forward to the summer of 2011, where ever you're playing this year I'm there.

    Cheers,

    Mary B (one of the faithful)

  • Claire C.

    You made me feel good today.
    Thanks, once again Burton.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=746510660 Terri Allen Osborne

    Music has always been an escape for me…..but did you really need to comment about the sunny beautiful weather? Cold, windy, snowy here in western new york but I've been taken away to sunny california for a brief few minutes, so for that and your music I thank you! Have a great day Burton!

  • http://twitter.com/ksuter @ksuter

    It's always good to see a friend so happy and content. Glad your winter is going well!

  • Paula

    '…SO I ESCAPE. AND THE MUSIC NEVER, EVER LETS ME DOWN. ITS A CONSTANT.' …… also a good description for your music. No matter the mood, the circumstance … grief, love, happiness, lonesomeness, fear, joy, gratefulness …. one of your songs always suits the occasion perfectly. After a my BC fix, all seems well. Thanks for all you have done and for what is to come. Looking forward to your book of poems .. the thought of a cd with your voice reading them the way they should sounds very enticing. Being close to your age, Health is Wealth … oh so right my friend!

  • lillian

    you have such a great out look on life burton. god bless you.

  • Michael in Seoul

    Nice to hear from you. It has been a while. Hurly Burly indeed. I think you mean Hurly Burly jive. Show Biz Shoes…

  • http://www.facebook.com/barbara.manter Barbara White Manter

    I KNOW THAT LIFE IS GOLDEN AND I TRY TO GIVE IT THE RESPECT IT DESERVES. EXTRACT THE WONDER FROM EACH PASSING FRAGMENT OF TIME. IT’S ALWAYS RIGHT THERE FOR THE TAKING…RIGHT IN FRONT OF ALL OF US…

    This is it, you know – this is what life is for now, finding our comfort and living it as much as possible. We've earned it, make no apologies.

    Snowy

  • http://bistodeau.wordpress.com/ Bluematter

    I hear you! Music puts you in that place. To Quote the wit and wisdom of John Prine-"At the beach in Indiana I was nine years old
    Heard Little Richard singing "Tutti Frutti"
    From the top of a telephone pole
    I wasn't hurtin' nobody
    I wasn't hurtin' no one"
    Thanks for all the times that you put me in that mood as well.

  • Awkward Instant

    "FOR A LONG TIME I ASSUMED THEY WERE FROM TEXAS"

    You aren't the only one who thought that, lol… and I have no idea why.

    "AND THE OVERWHELMING FEELING OF GRATITUDE"

    That's nice… just so nice when that happens, all by itself. And you're one of the lucky ones who gets to be immortal.

    "I ESCAPE IN THE MUSIC AND THE DVD’S. I MAKE NO EXCUSES FOR IT."

    There's no need to make excuses. Whatever gets you through the…

    "THE WORLD MAKES ME NERVOUS TO AN EXTENT…"

    Dun even get me started about that… I think this every single day.

    "HURLY BURLY"

    Indeed… perfect term.

    Nice submission… Thank you.

    ☆☆☆☆☆
    http://bit.ly/Melanie-Download

  • Marilyn M

    Why does it always seem like you've been gone forever, when in actuality it's been less than two weeks? I really enjoyed reading this blog, it was really uplifting. You are in a good place Burton, I hope you stay there.

  • http://Yourwebsite Michael Sparks

    hi, very nicely put brother! Enjoy LA. :-)

  • JACK

    GREAT TAKE ON LIFE BURT. I THINK DEEP DOWN THERE IS A LOT OF SPIRITUALITY IN THERE. KEEP THE FAITH AND LET THE INNER GOD GUIDE YOU THROUGH. NICE TO HEAR YOU'RE STILL KICKING AROUND. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT MUSIC. JACK

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000655263916 Juanita Sjoden

    HEALTH IS WEALTH.

    Yes it is. And so is life.
    I attended a memorial service for a friend's 39 year old son this week. The overwhelming theme of the evening was " are we living our lives or just letting it go by?"
    Every now and then we need to stop and take stock of our lives and be grateful for what we have. Easy to say and perhaps easy to forget. Like you said, everything is spinning by so quickly and we seem to lose sight of what's really important…….
    I'm going try and work on that.

  • Judi Harris

    You did indeed have a good day! California is lovely when it's the kind of weather you spoke about. Another thing that enters my mind, from time-to-time, on a blissful day is to take nothing for granted. My fiancee was diagnosed yesterday with prostate cancer. It's not much cancer, but a couple of spots. We've been together almost 10 years; now we're going to be getting married. I am numb at the news; how could I not be?? This afternoon we meet with his doctor to see what his treatment options are and we'll go from there. Please keep Doug Nulle in your prayers. Both he and I are going to need it. Hope you have another wonderful day, Burton – you deserve it!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1454482514 Cheri Johnson

    Grateful, that's a good space to be in. I forget to be thankful sometimes. Glad the sun and the music contributed to your good day. C.

  • tamimc

    Nice to hear you sounding so good! Have to agree on the Health is Wealth comment, everything seems relative in comparison to how you feel. I must say, I'm just a tad jealous of your 71 and sunny out there in Cali land. It's about 65 degrees colder here, though it is sunny right now, and that seems to make it a bit more tolerable. You've got some great tunes listed, was not familiar with Prefab Sprout, though when I went to YouTube, they sounded familiar. LOVE "We Let the Stars Go", I could absolutely hear you singing that. Beautiful. Sad, but beautiful. Here's a link for those who haven't heard it… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C6B-jxNxkc&fe… liked the title cut from The Warmer Side of Cool and most stuff by The Pretenders. Still love Neil Finn best in The Finn Brothers' "Edible Flowers", such beautiful harmonies, great lyrics and a haunting sound. So much great music out there. Nice to see you again, don't be such a stranger around here! :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/bbrookhs Sharon Pilkington

    FOR A LONG TIME I ASSUMED THEY WERE FROM TEXAS, ALTHOUGH I DON’T KNOW WHY I THOUGHT THAT. HAPPENS THAT THE GROUP HAILED FROM A TINY TOWN CALLED WITTON GILBERT IN COUNTY DURHAM, ENGLAND. THE WRITER, LEAD SINGER AND BRAINS BEHIND IT ALL WAS AND IS PADDY MC ALOON…

    How could you think someone named Paddy McAloon was from Texas? That name has old country written all over it. Sounds Irish and not English though.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325983249 Michael Combes

    And if only for an instant
    Amid the hurly burly and rapid jive
    I could look up at something I once thought I believed in
    And thank it for the feeling of sometimes being alive
    I could thank it for those show, I could thank it for those show, I could thank it for those show, I could thank it for those show
    THOSE SHOE BIZ SHOES

    Cincy Mike

  • Mary C

    I think time is going fast for everyone these days…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1438906471 Linda McFadden

    Paddy McAloon, the name sounds like he could fit right in with Aljenon and Fortiscue.

    Music is a great buffer for the rough edges of life.
    Enjoy.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=531397637 Thamara Gam Stephenson

    "HEALTH IS WEALTH"…….you can say that again…..as I sit here pecking with 2 fingers, because I have a fractured hand. I for one never take health for granted, having broken this hand while walking. Even though I walk 3 to 4 miles a day, accidents still happen. So yes Burton, you should thank your lucky stars. Things can change in the blink of an eye. I can tell you are comfortable in your own skin…….good for you! Not many can own that.

    Thanks for always sharing what you're listening to…..you always come up with interesting material! Now I need to go hunting….LOL

  • Clairewpg

    "SO, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, TO SPEND TIME MINUS PAIN OR CRISIS, ANY HOUR OR DAY OR WEEK, AND TO HAVE CREATURE COMFORTS WOVEN INTO MYRIADS OF MUSIC, THAT’S MY ESCAPE, AND IT’S NOT REALLY HURTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE"

    A high ten on that!

    Cheers!

  • CaptJach

    It's 3:50am and my eyes are a bit blurry…I only got up to pee & then back to bed;) But I'm glad I stopped first to check my email. Led me to this post of yours. Can't really add to it, You said it right. For me I've been practicing with another guitar player and we're getting ready to play out as an acoustic duo. Some smartass political & some funny skiffle stuff. Got me listening to faves like The Vipers, Lucille Bogan, Rusty Warren, Freddie Schnicklefritz Fisher, and more. Yes, music is a place to go and I like it there! And the promoter is someone I met doing films here in Deeeetroit. See how things tie in together? In order to be in the right place at the right time, you must first go someplace! Thanks for sharing here BC, it's inspiring.

    Peace,
    CaptJach

  • http://twitter.com/VickieBowie @VickieBowie

    "AWAY FROM TODAY’S HURLY BURLY. AND WE ALL NEED THAT, NOWADAYS MORE THAN EVER IN HISTORY. THINGS ARE MOVING INCREDIBLY QUICKLY, AND LESS AND LESS IS PERMANENT…MATTER OF FACT, WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF PERMANENT ANYMORE…?"

    Nothing is permanent, except for change. For some of us, it's hard to accept this reality and we try to resist it…..unfortunately the more we resist, the more suffering we cause for ourselves.

    "I SERIOUSLY TRY TO REMAIN GRATEFUL WHEN THINGS ARE SMOOTH."

    It's relatively easy to be grateful when things are going smoothly (if you are aware, that is) but I believe it's important to also be grateful for when things are rough, for it is during these times that we can grow the most.

    Re: The Bends…..I used to love and identify with the line "I wish it was the sixties, I wish I could be happy, I wish, I wish, I wish that something would happen" but I've come to realize that that is the problem with missing the moment we are in. We reach into the past and long for what once was or we project into the future, hoping and wishing for better things to come…..in the meantime, we are killing the living moment and that is the gift we have right now, waiting to be recognized and appreciated.

    Love, Vickie

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1284340138 Dean Wilson

    You can often be just the right sauve for my pysche. I too do not know the meaning of life, have come to accept that maybe that is it's point. Every day the trip unfolds, past, present and future reveals amazing insights if I am willing to see. Wonderful article from a guy old enough to be my big brother, (just old enough).

  • terry

    …nothing wrong with escapism… it has been given a bad rap
    it is good to attend to what matters…
    grateful, yes, for every second

    we let the stars go is a very haunting song… i like the sound very much

  • captjach

    Listening to WE LET THE STARS GO” BY PREFAB SPROUT right now. Beautiful R&B song. I especially like the phrase "Long ago – one stupid night…" Love his choice of the word "stupid."

    For me, I'd retrofit it to pretty raw guitars and basic piano….minimal production. Cross between 'This Boy' & DC5's 'Because.'

    Never heard of this song. Thanks for pointing it out.

    Peace,
    CaptJach

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=720680007 Ellie Solomon

    Judy…………….All the best for your fiance doug and yourself of course.
    It is a difficult time and I am thinking of you.
    Ellie

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=720680007 Ellie Solomon

    Hunting, what hunting? (LOL) Tammy.
    A speedy recovery on that hand situation…………..any updates with that my friend?
    Ellie

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=720680007 Ellie Solomon

    Burton:
    You never sounded more centered and grounded……………..a wonderful read
    I lost two friends already this month both under 60, Ann Lloyd Levi and Debbie Friemann both in mid January.
    Ann had cancer though she fought it twice before; this time it hit her liver and very fast.
    Debbie – one of my VERY favorite musicians in the world had slight MS but developed pneumonia while on tour in England.
    Take care of your heath sweet prince. I know you do that anyways!
    I love your positivity.
    Ellie

  • anewjules

    EXTRACT THE WONDER FROM EACH PASSING FRAGMENT OF TIME.
    And it, too, changes rapidly. Sometimes a mere blink of an eye – and something wonderful can be gone…or better yet – something wonderful can appear. It could be a rainbow, a snowflake, or a thought of someone or something that makes us smile to ourselves. Music – songs – tunes – lyrics – all have special meaning to me. TIMELESS LOVE … "Cause it feels good, even missing ya" … will always bring a tear to my eyes and a smile to my lips. And I have YOU, Burton, to thank for that.

  • Graciela

    It is true that life is short, and I find now in the last years, it's being shorter for some reason. Probably is the life style we live now and the craziness of people. We have to see the positive side of things anyway, and enjoy our lives here in this world, like you do Burton. Life is beautiful, but it is human kind who doesn't know how to appreciate that….I guess.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001243007602 Mimi Eye

    How pleasant to drop in and find you so well and content. 71 degrees? Ahhhh! It's a balmy 6 below here in Minnesota. I linger here hoping that the cold sort of … preserves me.

    Sweet wishes your way, Burton.

  • Roger

    Love your shout-out to Prefab Sprout, a HUGELY underrated band. Anything Paddy McAloon writes is worth a careful listen (his latest is Let's Change the World With Music, under the Prefab Sprout moniker).

  • tamimc

    Maybe you got the idea they were from Texas from "The Gunman and Other Stories" album (2001). There's a song on it called "The Streets of Laredo/Not long for this world". A couple others called "Cowboy Dreams" and "The Gunman". Easy to make a Texas tie-in with those titles! I really like these guys, thanks for pointing them out, though I think I've heard some of this stuff years ago. Just never knew who they were.
    Here's a clip of Cowboy Dreams… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xps2q4WKF04&pl…
    "Love's a silver bullet, that blows your world apart, I wanna be remembered as an outlaw, as the boy who stole your heart…." Great stuff!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001165449800 Daisy Duck

    some nice songs on that album

  • HommeDePlume

    Why do you post in CAPS? It makes it more difficult to read. And is just annoying anyway.

    Nice comments about Paddy though.

  • http://www.burtoncummings.net Burton Cummings

    MANY OF THE REGULAR VISITORS HERE HAVE SOME SORT OF EYE DEFICIENCY (MACULAR DEGENERATION ETC.) AND I'VE BEEN THANKED REPEATEDLY FOR POSTING IN CAPS, AS IT'S EASIER FOR THEM TO READ. ALL OUR FRIENDS HERE ARE NOT 21…
    BLC

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=699876554 Mary Ann Laing

    Okay, so I will go and polyfill this nasty chip on my shoulder now, and appreciate things for what they simply are. I just came in from my Jazzercise class, done with music. I drove home singing with my cd player, good music. I will now go and paint, to music. What would the world be without music? Not much fun, that's for sure!

    Thank you, Dr. Burton, I needed this.