Music & what was & what shall be

In commemoration of divorce

I was not going to post today, but suddenly it struck me like a lightning bolt: This is my anniversary. It was two years ago today my divorce was finalized. We had not been together since 2004, so my "adjustment period" has been a bit longer. Like five years? Lightning just struck again. Oh, well. In recognition of this momentous event, here are two (maybe I will come up with a third) songs from different ends of the music (and life) spectrum.

Andrea Bocelli should need no introduction unless, as the proverbial cliché goes, you have been living on Mars for the past decade or so. I have no doubt he is the finest tenor on stage today; if you have doubts, that is your problem. This is an old song: "Can't Help Falling in Love." Some of you might recall versions of this piece by Elvis Presley, Keely Smith (I love her voice), Celine Dion and even Bob Dylan. All versions are good, I guess (hard to wreck a beautiful song), but nothing in comparison to this rendition. I had a step-father who I fought with famously as a teenager and who introduced me to the sound of classical and Broadway music, as well as to opera. At least the old man knew what he was talking about in regard to music.

Following next is our favorite southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, performing "Simple Man." This is not the Lynyrd Skynyrd I offered a few days back singing "Free Bird." Many of those band members are dead, but some of the originals are still here and the singer is Johnny Van Zant, brother of the original vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant. Many think the two sound remarkably alike. If you have never attended a "good ol' boy" performance, you have no idea what fun a concert can be when compared to straight rock or, probably, to any other concert venue. I am talking fun; which is not the same as enjoyment. Get your boots, your cowboy hat, a Confederate battle flag, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and remember, you were born to be wild -- but only with the one you can't help falling in love with ....

So, in respect to me, myself and I:

Song No. 1
Andrea Bocelli, "Can't Help Falling in Love,"
is goodbye to the past and with dreams toward the future.

Song No. 2
Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Simple Man,"
is with thoughts to the present, uncomplicated, simple life.