Coasting Alaska

Last week, I went on my first Alaskan cruise!  Instead of providing you with a tedious captain's log, I'm going to allow my photos to showcase each satisfying, contemplative and invigorating moment through the lyrics of Leonard Cohen.  Enjoy!


 

Why do you stand by the window 

Abandoned to beauty and pride

"The Window"

I'm traveling light

It's au revoir

"Traveling Light"

Hineni, Hineni
I'm ready, my lord

"You Want It Darker"

I'm all ears
I'm all ears
Oh the morning glory!

"Morning Glory"

I came so far for beauty

I left so much behind

"I Came So Far For Beauty"

Oh solitude of longing

Where love has been confined

Come healing of the body

Come healing of the mind

                                                        "Come Healing"

This waltz, this waltz, this waltz, this waltz

With its very own breath of brandy and Death

Dragging its tail in the sea

"Take This Waltz"

All busy in the sunlight
The flecks did float and dance

And I tumbled with them
In formless circumstance

                                                           "Love Itself"

You got me singing
Ever since the river died
You got me thinking
Of the places we could hide

                                                        "You Got Me Singing"

See also:  In God's Country - A Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

Top Albums and Singles of 2016

It has been difficult to remain optimistic in 2016.  Having lost more than a handful of prominent artists like David Bowie, Prince, Phife Dawg, Leonard Cohen, and Sharon Jones, one may wonder if the next crop of performers are capable of making an indelible footprint.  Along with the demise of some of America's most respected musicians, many critics are pondering the future of several influential genres including rock 'n' roll.

Speaking of 'the future'.....

It would be nearly impossible to talk about this year in music without talking politics.  I think it's safe to say that none of us have witnessed an election as vile and unsettling during our lifetimes.  Naturally, through this unpredicable upheaval, our nation's music has reflected our anxiety through a number of inspired protest songs.   We may not know what our future holds with Trump in office, but I am certain that today's artists will continue to churn out some artistically perceptive anthems.

Top 5 Albums

1.  Blackstar - David Bowie

2.  case/lang/veirs - case/lang/veirs 

3.  You Want It Darker - Leonard Cohen

4. Paging Mr. Proust - The Jayhawks

5.  We Got It From Here.... - A Tribe Called Quest

Top 40 Singles

1.  Changes - Charles Bradley

2.  Celebrate - Anderson .Paak

3.  We The People - A Tribe Called Quest

4.  The Valley - Mayer Hawthorne

5.  Shut Up, Kiss Me, Hold Me Tight - Angel Olsen

6.  Safe And Sound - Justice

7.  I Can't Give It All Away - David Bowie

8.  Dark Child - Marlon Williams

9.  In Bloom  - Sturgill Simpson

10.  Wow - Beck

11.  Little Baby - M. Ward

12.  Tearing Me Up - Bob Moses

13.  Face Down In The Gutter of Your Love - Dent May

14.  You Want It Darker - Leonard Cohen

15.  Real Love - Father John Misty

16.  Capsized - Andrew Bird

17.  Certainty - Temples

18.  If I Ever Was A Child - Wilco

19.  Frank Sinatra - The Avalanches

20.  Run Sister Run - Cass McCombs

21.  Quite Like You - Andy Shauf

22.  Atomic Number - Case/Lang/Veirs

23.  City of Angels - The Head and the Heart

24.  Theme for a Taiwanese Woman in Lime Green - Devendra Banhart

25.  Burn The Witch - Radiohead

26.  These Words - The Lemon Twigs

27.   Lovers In The Sun - Jayhawks

28.  Same Old Lie - Jim James

29.  When A Woman Is Around - Unloved

30.  Wanted To Want It Too - C Duncan

31.  Noisy Days Are Over - Field Music

32.  Break Into Your Heart - Iggy Pop

33.  Tesselation - Mild High Club

34.  Sea of Noise - St. Paul & The Broken Bones

35.  Four Degrees - Anohni

36.  Cranes In The Sky - Solange

37.  Can't You Tell - Aimee Mann

38.  Whatever, Wherever - Band of Horses

39.  Glowed Up - Kaytranada ft. Anderson .Paak

40.  A 1000 Times - Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam

What have I missed this year?  Include your top albums in the 'comments' section.

See also: Top Albums and Singles for 2015
Top Albums and Singles of 2014

Music Discovery Mondays - Lady Tunesmith Chapter

It's nearly spring, and love is (almost) in the air.  Fall in love with love itself against the backdrop of birds chipping, flowers blooming and these talented and lovely lady tunesmiths.


1.  Daydream By Design - Gaby Moreno

International sensation Gaby Moreno knows how to croon whether she is conquering jazz, blues, soul or rock.  It is perfectly acceptable to keep your head in the clouds with this delightful ditty on repeat.




2.  Suddenly - ALA.NI

After singing backup for Damon Alburn (Blur, Gorillaz) and Mary J. Blige, ALA.NI is ready to debut her own fervant material this year.  Be one of the first to discover her stunning voice and timeless jazzy arrangements.





3.  Sing To Me- Anna Calvi

Anna Calvi has been compared to respectable artists of the likes of David Bowie, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Leonard Cohen.  Although those comparisons are spot on, Calvi has proved that she is now in a class of her own while strengthening her fleshly vocalization and indomitable guitar skills.