Rhonda B Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 This song deserves at least one listen. It is so calming. The reason I'm posting today is because my mom who is in long-term care and and has dementia, is fidgety and alarmed by any new sounds or noises. Elvis Presley, who was her favourite, annoys her now and she gets extremely agitated listening to even her favourite of his songs. However, when I play this beautiful song from 1971, Bolinas, by John Stewart (and his future wife Buffy Ford), my mom completely calms herself. I've tried it three times in a row now and it's the same reaction each time. When it gets to the part "When the world was spinning a song" she wants to touch the phone every time. The first time it got to that part a single tear rolled down her cheek. This song is pure beauty in my opinion. Another song I played for her when she needs to be calmed down is China Sky by John Stewart.. awesome Mastery on the guitar. Thankyou LC for your subtle approach in promoting John Stewart's music. The power of music is truly great ..we owe it to ourselves to experience as much as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 "Airdream Believer" (recuts from 1995) (complete CD) Still like the originals though!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted May 30, 2022 Author Share Posted May 30, 2022 Matthew, one thing about John Stewart, there's no shortage of the number of versions he has for his songs. It's quite amazing actually. Each version brings out something unique whether it be a different arrangement or a different vocal approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Rhonda, you might try spinning Linda Ronstadt's Dedicated To The One I Love with your mom- a lot of soft, lullaby arrangements. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted June 1, 2022 Author Share Posted June 1, 2022 On 5/30/2022 at 12:08 AM, Kirk said: Rhonda, you might try spinning Linda Ronstadt's Dedicated To The One I Love with your mom- a lot of soft, lullaby arrangements. Kirk, thank you for alerting me to this album. It's exquisite! Angelic vocals on all songs. I personally love the cover In My Room. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Rhonda, good call on this John Stewart gem. Considering I've been such a huge JS fan for decades, you know how much i appreciative that you've taken the time to listen to this great singer/songwriter's music. As you've discovered, there's way more in his catalog than "Daydream Believer," "Gold," "Lost Her in the Sun," and "Runaway Train." (Not that there's anything wrong with those great songs!) After Rhonda queried me about John Stewart (it was roughly three months ago—I guess I've mentioned him on this board a couple of times), I started floating her my favorites among John's 600-plus songs. My "JS Master Class" is up to 35 or 40 recommendations and analyses... and she now has her own JS playlist going. But make no mistake: I get as much out of Rhonda's reactions and analyses as I think she may get out of my recommendations. She has impeccable taste, and is really feeling the spirit in John's music. It's! helped me realize I'm not crazy! (Well, maybe I am, but... I mean my passion for John's music isn't crazy.) One of these days, I'll do a John Stewart Ranked thread here.... For now, "Bolinas" was one of the first I sent to Rhonda. It dates to 1968, a song John recorded with his future wife Buffy Ford. It's written about day-to-day life and the steady, unrelenting passage of time in the little town of Bolinas, Calif. I find it to be an arresting song, one that grows on you. It starts off quietly, with Buffy singing a verse, then John taking a verse. The chorus sort of pivots to the sweet melody Rhonda mentions—the part that has grabbed her mom's ear. John and Buffy do some beautiful but subtle harmonizing there; to me, it sounds like John is being careful not to step on Buffy's toes—like he doesn't want his bigger voice to overtake her sweet tone. Every time I listen, I feel like the song ends too soon. So... I will hijack this thread back to its beginning. 🙂 youtube.com/watch?v=xTQlzdgGoFc&list=RDxTQlzdgGoFc&start_radio=1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted June 5, 2022 Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 LC... Thank you! I am definitely feeling the "spirit" in John Stewart's music as you know. And I'm already working on some more playlists. No worries... you are not crazy... At least not yet... I'm pretty sure.🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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