Music surely does (sadly) have the ability to make you sad in many different ways. One of my saddest moments actually happened quite recently. I was in the gym, and the radio was on some Sirius channel. Tayor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" song came on the radio. Had never heard it, and didn't recognize her voice.

"He's so tall and handsome as hell
He's so bad but he does it so well....

Standing in a nice dress,
Staring at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks"

I couldn't imagine that this had actually been recorded, and was now playing over the air. I thought it sounded like a self-obsessed 15 year old girl who had been binge reading Wuthering Heights or Gone With The Wind. The truly sad part was when I later realized it was Taylor Swift, Grammy winner, and hottest thing around to the mindless generation of the music deprived.

Its enough to make you want to cry.

Thanks to the excellent "Heavens Above" website, I was just able to spot Uranus in Pisces with field glasses, for the second time in my life. The field glasses aren't strong enough to spot Neptune though. I tried that once, he's not bright enough.

I love that site, too. Do you watch satellites?

For those unfamiliar, Heavens Above will give you a list of all the satellites, their path over your location, with precise times. You have to obtain your GPS from Google Earth or similar, and enter it into your profile.

We live out in the sticks, and can see satellites cruising by all the time. Very thankful to be away from the city lights. (and everything else to do with cities.)

Feeding cows, fixing fence.

Art In America?


I really liked their first and only 1983 album, produced by Eddie Offord, and given good push by the studio. Still, from what I've read, the label pulled plans for the follow up.

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Flynn (real name Chris Ruetenik) is still actively trying to keep the dream going. He's on Youtube and has posted lots of material.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9d6ek3KDRI

I can never remember that youtube link stuff.

May be beating a dead thread, but I'm also curious who the girl sing on "Good News" "Sloop John B", "Hully Gully" is. If the Amy mentioned is from NY, I doubt it is her, as this girl has somewhat of a Southern accent.

I also wondered if it was Maureen Love, due to the  time frame of the recordings. She sounds completely at ease and familiar with everyone....

 It is with some trepidation that I make this admission, but I currently have no turntable. In 2009 we moved, and I gave my turntable, receiver, speakers and all my LPs to my daughter and her husband, as they are good kids that like LPs and good music. Due to the move, extremely laziness, etc, I still have no turntable. I've been content with my setup via the computer. Sounds good, easy, no clutter.
 The Smile Sessions LPs have been sitting in their sleeves since the release. My daughter lives in another state, and I've never (lazy) got around to trying to coordinate any re-recording.

Other than a few stereo mixes, just how much have I been missing out on? Is it just the stereo mixes, etc on LP 2, side 2?