I See Myself

 

“When I look at my work, I see myself” 

- Sam Abell

Quote from a video...

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This is my photo, of course.  I'm no Sam Abell.  

1975 in Music

 So, I quit doing monthly music posts a while ago.  But as we hit the 1/2 way mark of 2025, I revisited my playlists of 1975 (50 years ago).  There a Top 40 playlist and a Not-Top 40 playlist (covering #41-100).

I created a new playlist, merging those, and implemented it in spotify.  113 songs, 7.5 hrs.  Check it out, let me know what you think:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Y7E27RRDkUaeueU2lVeYC?si=de4a5963fa82491d

1975 - Favorites

Havin' A Cow...

 

This cow hangs out over the sidewalk, next to the Wildey Theater in Edwardsville, IL.  This was Edwardsville Frozen Foods going back to 1947, then the Goshen Butcher Shop in 2017.  Sadly. it appears to be closed. But the cow remains, at least.  

Spotify Fails - JJ Cale #8

I've used Spotify for a while, but just upgraded to a subscription 3-4 months ago.  Overall cool, but occasionally frustrating.  They have lots and lots (and lots) of music, intersoersed with some head scratching omissions.  I figure to start a series vent my frustrations.

First up:  J.J. Cale's album #8.

This is one of my favorite J.J. Cale albums, and J.J. Cale is one of my favorite artists.  I have almost all of his "original" releases...  including all of his 70's and 80's releases.  Spotify has 14 of his 15 studio releases, 20 albums when you include compilations and live releases.  But not #8.  Why?

It's not a record label thing, they have other albums of his released on Mercury.  It can't be popularity, they have other albums from him that didn't chart as well.  So why?  They do have some of the songs available through compilations, but only 1/2.  Missing songs like Reality and Living Here Too.

At least I still have it on Vinyl, and on CD, and ripped to my iPod.  But if I'm going to transition to streaming, they need to be more complete.

Throwback Thursday, Watershed Nature Center

 I've taken a lot of photos at Watershed Nature Center, This one is from way back in April of 2003.  That's my son at 3 yrs old, he's 25 now!  Lots of memories at this place!

This was taken with my long-gone Kodak LS-443 compact digital, my second digital camera!

Being Ignored is a great privilege...

 "Being Ignored is a great privilege...

That is how I think I learned to see what others do not see."

 - Saul Leitner

This is the closest I have to his style in my recent photos, but not very close at all...  I'll need to study and try.

RIP Brian Wilson

 It has been a bad string for the music of my past.  Rick Derringer passed away 5/26, Sly Stone on 6/9 and now Brian Wilson on 6/11.  That's 3 big names in 16 days.  Much melancholy.

So, to complete the trio, RIP Brian Wilson, who passed away 6/11 at the age of 82.

Brian Wilson was, of course, the genius behind The Beach Boys, writing most of their hits, and more or less single-handedly creating the masterpiece "Pet Sounds" (with lyrics by Tony Asher).  There's a reason that Pet Sounds is universally acclaimed; There's only a few albums from the rock era I'd call "important", and Pet Sounds is one of them.  [hmmm, there may be a separate post needed on that topic]

I spent the mid/late 60's listening to Top 40 radio, so The Beach Boys were a significant part of that.  With 29 Top 40 hits between 1962 and 1969, they were pretty significant.  I didn't get my first Beach Boys album until 1974's compilation "Endless Summer", and the subsequent compilation "Spirit Of America".  I've long lost those albums, but picked up a CD version of the first somewhere along the line, plus a few digital copies of the later hits.   It was several years later before I discovered "Pet Sounds", at least beyond the hits.  I'm not sure I could've properly appreciated it at 6 yrs old!  

Brian Wilson's passing is a huge loss, one of the really influential artists of the era...

Rest In Peace, Brian Wilson.

Watershed Birds

Recent bird photos from recent visits to Watershed Nature Center...

Female Red-Winged Blackbird

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Male Red-Winged Blackbird

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Tree Swallow

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Wild Turkey

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Tree Swallow

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RIP Sly Stone

The RIPs are coming fast and furious, I'm behind.

Rest In Peace, Sly Stone, who passed away June 9, 2025.

Sly was, of course, leader of the band Sly And The Family Stone.  They had a bunch of great songs in the 1967-1974, over a dozen hits between the US Hot 100 and US B&B charts.  I remember watching them on Midnight Special, and the Woodstock move, and being duly impressed.  

I never actually owned any Sly Stone albums, but I have over 1/2 of their Hot 100 hits, and always respected them.  Funky, funky, funky.

Throwback Thursday - Spokane River

Spokane River, just a bit downstream of the city of Spokane. Taken back in October 2003 with my Kodak LS443 compact digital camera. It carried an impressive (for the time) 4MP!

I used to get to Spokane with some regularity, there was (and still is) a big conference there for my industry.  I was on the conference Planning Committe for a few years, until I changed jobs, and the new company already had two others on the committee...  It's a shame, I always enjoyed it.  I enjoyed wandering around Spokane though, in the occasional down times.  This spot was maybe 10-15 minutes outside town, IIRC.

Wolly Hedgenettle

Wolly Hedgenettle.   At least that's what my phone Ap says... more properly Stachys byzantina.  

 

Edwardsville Symphony - Sight

Sunday night (6/1), we attended the first show of the Edwardsville Symphony's 2025 Season.  The theme for the season is the senses, with each concert's selections tied to a different sense (sight, scent, sound, touch and the "sixth sense").  This evening's program was "Concert Of Sight".  

We really enjoyed the show, they had a good crowd.  We saw several friends and acquaintances, good times all around.  We're looking forward to the rest of the series.  Next show is June 29th, the theme will be "Scent"

 

The program was:

• National Anthem arr. Kent Baker: Vocal soloist: Honor Baker
• Overture Morning, Noon, Night by Von Suppé
• Romeo & Juliet Overture Fantasy by Tchaikovsky 
• Concerto for two cellos in g minor RV 531, Mov. 1 by Antonio Vivaldi 
• Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken
• America Forever by John Meurer composer/conductor 
• Where the Blackhawk Soars by Robert W. Smith

Cooper's Hawk

This juvenile Cooper's Hawk was hanging around today,  It is welcome to take a couple of the rabbits and squirrels, but I hope it leaves the bluebirds alone!

California Dreams at the Wildey

 Last night, the wife and I went to see "California Dreams" at The Wildey Theater.  The show is described as:  

CALIFORNIA DREAMS - Sounds of L.A. circa 1965-75

International touring musicians Dan Clews and Phoebe Katis take you immersive trip through California in the late 60’s, early 70’s. This is the time when a collective of musical legends help changed the world though song. This show features hits by The Mamas and The Papas, Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Brown, The Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and many more.

Really fun show, highly recommended.  This was their 3rd show in 2 nights (w/ a matinee), all sold out.  The other shows were their James Taylor/Carole King tribute.  We'll have to catch that one next time they're passing through.  

I did log the playlist, so here you go.  If anybody was there and knows the name of Dan Clews' solo song, I'd love to know!  I'll probably make a Spotify Playlist...

1. Mr. Tambourine Man – Byrds

2. God Only Knows – Beach Boys

3. Light My Fire – Jose Feliciano 

4. Cactus Tree – Joni Mitchell 

5. Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell 

6. Our House – Crosby Stills Nash & Young 

7. Marrakesh Express - Crosby Stills & Nash 

8. Teach Your Children - Crosby Stills Nash & Young 

9. Heart Of Gold – Neil Young 

10. It’s Too Late – Carole King 

11. You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor / Carole King 

12. You’re So Vain – Carly Simon 

13. Willin’ – Linda Ronstadt 

14. Doctor My Eyes – Jackson Browne 

15. Take It Easy – Eagles 

16. Desperado – Linda Ronstadt / Eagles 

17. Dedicated To The One I Love – The Mamas & The Papas 

18. Alpha Crucis  – Dan Clews 

19. All It Takes – Phoebe Katis 

 

20. California Dreaming - The Mamas & The Papas 

UPDATE:  I've created a playlist of this setlist on Spotify, check it out HERE!