Tunage!

Here's the deal, friends, here's the deal:

God is AWESOME.

Next Saturday night a friend is taking me to see BILLY JOEL and Elton John in concert. Most musical buffs will nod in acquiescence to the epic-ness of such an event--but here's the nitty-gritty: When music is important to me, it is VERY important to me. It becomes a sountrack to my memories--happiest moments glisten to choruses, mundane tasks are brought up by backbeats, times of sadness are punctuated by poignant lyrical compositions. The artists and their passions live as vibrant characters in my mental vernacular--John Lennon and Jim Croce are close friends, available at all hours of the day to soothe, comfort, empathize and energize.

But Billy Joel? Billy Joel is #2 on my all time MUST SEE concert list--he is surpassed only by Sir Paul McCartney--due the the fact that if I had to give up a finger or a toe to grab a seat at his concert--I'd at least THINK about it. Paul is top of the tops on my must see.

So back to Billy--knowing that certain songs will forever evoke mental flashes of chinese-food runs, sobbing whole heartedly over lost pseudo-love, trips to Texas for the summer--windows down, Billy up--it'll be like going home. Seeing a friend. Reveling in sounds which transcend time, gender, careers, castes, age--sounds with which I identify--I find small pieces of myself reflected in words and melodies--songs which form an anthem to a life: I am thrilled.

Not to mention Elton John, with Your Song and Tiny Dancer--both songs have meant a great deal to me spiritually--I'm STOKED, friends. Stoked and blessed and grateful.

WAHOO!

P.s. And for fun, see the following. Tag yourself if you wish!

"Once you have been tagged, write the top 12 songs you cannot live without. Yes, we know this list will change every day. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged, including the person who tagged you. To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 12 songs, tag 25 people, then click publish."

**Note: Angela McPherson says: This is nearly impossible without blood, sweat, and copious tears. I will not take the hours and hours it would require to measure each of my beloved songs against one another in matters of musical/lyrical composition, personal/ memory value, or historical/pop cultural significance. It would be a frustrating and heart-wrenching endeavor. If you know me you know I ain't lyin'. ;)

Therefore! Here is a list of 12 songs I cannot live without...TODAY. This is not all encompassing, nor does it account for "all time favorites." Disclaimer stated.

1) “Jesus Jesus,” Noah Gundersen
2) “Furr,” Blitzen Trapper
3) “Holland,” Sufjan Stevens
4) “Dig a pony” The Beatles
5) “There’s always someone cooler than you,” Ben Folds
6) “Society,” Eddie Vedder
7) “Full Moon,” The Black Ghosts
8) “The Trapeze Swinger,” Iron & Wine
9) “Tune Out,” The Format
10) “Hoppipolla,” Sigur Ros
11) “You are the best thing,” Ray Lamontagne
12) “Me and Julio Down by the School Yard,” Paul Simon

Honorable mention) "Beautiful Child," Rufus Wainwright.

The end!