I'll just be prayin' at the bus stop if you need me

Everybody’s looking for the ladder.  Thank you God.  That is exactly what I needed. 

Rather strange of me to ignore the tin machine for so long.  Always a pleasure to discover you ignored for long.  Its way past time I utilize tyromancy as a means of running my life.  Good golly (ms molly) but this will likely sound great as I drive around town like an idiot with a big goofy toothy grin on my ugly face!  I’m in love (just like Chuck E.!).  It’s rather swingin’ so far, isn’t it?  I’m not sure why I waited so long.  Perhaps because it seemed so apocryphal but that’s often a major selling point for me.  Regardless, it’s a vital and necessary thing now.  Perhaps it was always meant to be this way.  Reeves Gabrels guitar work is always welcome.  He’s on a couple of my favorite albums; music I cherish so much, that feels so close to my heart.  I am discovering something so familiar and loved as something new again.  What a gift.  Interesting that Pearl Jam was listening to Under the God during the making of Ten.  Interesting the views of this style predating the eventual grunge movement.  I so adore critical re-analysis. 

It hit me at some point very recently that waking up is the worst part of my day.  My thoughts were once poetic but they quickly faded away into that mysterious ether.  I fight against the morning every time but it is of course a fight I can never win.  Prior to this I am always someone else and often wonderful things are happening.  Sometimes terrible things are happening too but you know what?  That’s okay because even the terrible moments take place so very near the costume ball.  And then I inevitably lose the fight and I am me again and that revelation never loses its awful sting. 

I have been reacquainting myself with the Doors recently, forever one of my favorite bands.  Its difficult for me to choose a favorite amongst their core canonical six albums.  Their debut has a certain walk away perfection to it which is undeniable.  Yet, I somewhat prefer the more insular and grim musings on the follow-up Strange Days (I also much prefer that second album’s denouement – When the Music’s Over – to The End off the first album).  Also, love Horse Latitudes.  Waiting For the Sun is easily my least favorite of the six.  There are great moments for sure – especially Not to Touch the Earth which I’m sure will be playing at some point during my self-made apocalypse but in general the album sounds uninspired and it seems arrogantly clear to me that they’d run out of gas for a bit after two consecutive stellar albums.  The Soft Parade is certainly the least popular in terms of critical assessment yet it’s always held a special place in my heart precisely for those experimental touches of strings and brass for which it’s so often derided.  The experimentations are definitely not 100% successful but I’m always pleased to see artists stretching and pushing in different directions.  There are some turgid numbers for sure but a couple stone cold classics like Touch Me and the title track.  Of course, Wishful Sinful is a strong contender for my favorite Doors song ever.  Morrison Hotel and L.A. Woman feel of the same piece to me in much the same way as their first two albums though with the important distinction of more blues (or blooze) and less of the dark carnival psychedelia.  Still, the music and songwriting is often stunning on these last canonical works – right out the gate with the tavern screams of Roadhouse Blues through the beauty of Blue Sunday and hidden gems like Hyacinth House and culminating with the mystery laden jazz inspired epilogue Riders on the Storm.  Love this band.  I listen to their live albums often as well.  It’s been a pleasure reconnecting with them. 

There truly is nothing relevant in anything I say or do.  I am extremely unimportant.  I am simply a worthless individual.  Danza.  That thematic playlist will soon be created.  Best to be kept short.  Then a very special room will be created inside his mind.  And endless dances.  Perhaps a meeting at the art gallery.  And a cup of tea.  It may shatter and it may come together again. 

Of course, earlier on I was making reference to The Ladder by Prince and the Revolution from his divisive Purple Rain follow-up Around the World in a Day.  I’ve lived with these albums for so long.  They are an indelible part of my spirit and I constantly find renewal within.  Paisley Park is in my heart.  Very often when I’m all alone I play my tambourine.  But The Ladder…I was just feeling that recently.  It is such lovely gospel and feels so necessary.  And so perfect that it should come right after Pop Life.  I must listen to that album now.  And then Parade (while still trying to learn the half of the album on the bass) and then the Black album, and Lovesexy and Batman and Diamonds and Pearls and Love Symbol (swoon, this and Outside and Tilt and anything by Thalia and summer is here) and then Come and Gold Experience and Emancipation!  And I’ll probably slip Mayte’s album in there too!  And Martika!  And the New Power Generation!  This is a land of sin-aplenty.  I would love to believe we are looking for the ladder.  There has been some dissension recently on a related subject, controversy on how things will all turn out.  But there must be value in the search, yes?  That’s what this speaks to me, the difficult but necessary and ultimately soul rejuvenating journey.  It is a recurrent theme through this most lovely work. 

You know, I really like the Wu Tang Clan an awful lot.  The core albums and the many many solo releases!  Love the sprawling mythology of it all. 

I have fish recipe I absolutely adore.  Mayhaps I’ll make fish tomorrow.  I always prepare it with the head on of course.  I love the meat in the head.  I love eating the eyeballs.  Fish and wine.  And perhaps a black and white movie.  Reading before.  Music while cooking underway.  Probably something in jazz.  Whiskey or wine while cooking.  Maybe Nigella too in the background for multilayered inspiration.  Or maybe something Lynch. 

Gusi, a gaggle of geese.