"Be resistant
the negativity we keep it at a distance
call for backup and I'll give you some assistance
like a lifesaver deep in the ocean
stay afloat here upon the funky motion
rock and roll upon the waves of the season
hold your breath and your underwater breathin'"
Michael Franti
Four years ago I went through one of the
most difficult times in my life. My husband and I separated and then six months
later proceeded with a divorce ending a 25 year relationship. At the same time
my daughter, with whom I am very close, left for college in a far away
state. I found myself rocked to my
core and often felt dizzy and disoriented as I tried to move through my day,
working at many different teaching jobs while continuing to make a home for my
young teenage son. Friends fell
away and new friends came. Support came in surprising ways and usually just
when I needed it most. The one
thing I could always count on was music. I had a playlist that literally kept me going during those very dark
times. I can remember what I was
listening to at specific street corners, when I stopped and sobbed, and when I
just sat and stared blankly while I was sung to by a musician who I felt had a
direct line to my heart. To
this day my iPod still counts those tracks as my most played, years later
having listened to numerous other songs. These musicians came to feel like close personal friends
and their music, balm for my soul.
I couldn’t have waded through the wreckage of my life without them. After reflecting on other
important life experiences and noting that there is often a “soundtrack” to go
along with it, I wondered if others had this experience. Does music buoy you and lift you
up during dark times? Give you
energy when you are feeling low? Do you intentionally listen to certain artists or tracks to invoke a
certain state or mood? I thought
so.
[excerpt]
“Here’s
hoping all the days ahead
Won’t
be as bitter as the ones behind you.
Be
an optimist instead,
And
somehow happiness will find you.
Forget
what happened yesterday,
I
know that better things are on the way.”
Brandi Carlile, from Seattle, a full twenty years younger than me, understands the intricacies of the human heart and helped me keep on moving with her soulful voice reminiscent of Patsy Cline.
But it was Michael Franti,
with positivity, kindness and love sung with every word that kept me going more
than any other artist. Michael
is a 47 year old from the San Francisco Bay area of California, whose music
includes elements from rap, funk, folk reggae and alternative pop. His song “Say Hey” made it to the top
20 charts in 2008. He is
passionate about peace and justice for all people the world over and this
shines through in every tune. His
music also exudes caring towards his fellow humans and he encourages us to do
the same. He has traveled the
world exploring peace and human connections from every possible angle and all
of his experiences are distilled into his music. The song that first pulled me
in many years ago was “Stay Human.”
[excerpt]
“Starvation is the creation of the devil, a
rebel
I'm bringin' food to the people like a
widow
bringin' flowers to a grave in the middle
of the city isolation is a riddle
to be surrounded by a million other people
but to feel alone like a tree in a desert
dried up like the skin of a lizard
but full of colour like the spots of a
leopard
drum and bass pull me in like a shepherd
scratch my itch like a needle on a record
full of life like a man gone to Mecca
sky high like an eagle up soaring
I speak low but I'm like a lion roaring
baritone like a Robeson recordin'
I'm givin' thanks for bein' human every
morning
…
Be resistant
the negativity we keep it at a distance
call for backup and I'll give you some
assistance
like a lifesaver deep in the ocean
stay afloat here upon the funky motion
rock and roll upon the waves of the season
hold your breath and your underwater
breathin'
…
All the freaky people make the beauty of
the world.”
And I will
confess here that I am truly one of the freaky people.
Another
favorite is “See you in the Light”
“I have been travelling down this river, so
many rocks pop up in my sight.
I've got to make some quick decisions,
should I go left or should I go right.
I pray for guidance and protection, it
keeps my boat watertight.
But, I know if I just keep on believing,
every little thing is gonna be alright.”
 |
| Michael Franti and Spearhead |
 |
| Michael pulled up our Canadian friend Erin and his "brother from another mother" to dance. |
 |
| Michael and children, singing "Say Hey, I Love You" |
He made a
special trip to the balcony and my friend Barbara and her companion got long
juicy hugs, but so did a lot of others.
It’s always interesting to me when going to one of his concerts that
his fans range in age from one to 99.
When I ask “why are you a fan” the answer always can be boiled down to
one word: positivity.
I had my magical
Michael Franti moment when my daughter Isabella and I got to meet him
earlier in the day. I had
entered a local radio station contest to win “VIP” seats at a much smaller
concert on the roof of a local establishment, whose purpose was to raise money
for breast cancer awareness. Not
only did I win the tickets but we sat on the front row not more than 6
feet from Michael and his guitarist Jay Boogie. So close! Later,
because of my brand new friend Holly’s kindness (we did not win the raffle to
meet Michael) we did get to meet him and have a brief conversation and our photos
taken. I slipped him my business
card and mentioned I would be writing about him in my blog. Are you reading Michael? Thanks for being an enormous force for
good in our world!
The thing I want to
share with my readers, is that as wonderful as Michael’s message is, it is also
incredible to me that so many people are responsive to hope, optimism,
positivity, and goodness in such large numbers and with such unbounded joy. I am beginning to see this same response
whether at a concert, on this blog, or in the street. Each one of us can make a positive difference for someone
else. It’s fabulous when one has
amazing talent and uses it in wildly wonderful ways to bolster, serve, and love
the world as my favorite musicians do. But is it not equally wonderful when we each in our own quiet ways serve
each other, without hesitation or worry that it will be enough?
One thing
all three of these musicians have in common is a strong commitment to making the
world a better place, not only through creating and sharing hope-filled and
positive music but also through their individual efforts to contribute in the
communities they travel through when presenting concerts.
Brandi Carlile
Founded by Brandi Carlile in 2008, the mission of
the Looking Out Foundation is to support, through music, humanitarian outreach
efforts in local communities and beyond. The
arts-based Foundation serves the chronically underserved through its ongoing
philanthropic efforts and involvement with social issues. Brandi Carlile and
her fans donate $1 from every concert ticket sold to The Looking Out
Foundation, channeling hundreds of thousands of dollars and resources to
organizations that support the arts, women, public health, the hungry and the
homeless. When Brandi was in
Tucson August 2012 money was donated to Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual
Assault (SACASA).
Dar Williams
Dar Williams does something unusual and essential. Every summer she appears at children’s summer camps to perform a one-set outdoor concert and spend the next day planting pollinator-friendly gardens. Bees and other pollinators are failing in many places throughout North America and this is a cause that Dar is personally taking action on.
https://www.facebook.com/DarWilliamsOfficial?ref=br_tf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF7CYa_4EXE
Youtube for "Whispering Pines"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF7CYa_4EXE
Youtube for "Whispering Pines"
Michael Franti
About eight weeks ago
Michael Franti and his partner Sara Agah, an emergency room nurse, began the Do It For The Love Foundation. Do It For Love is a wish-granting organization
gifting people who are living with advanced stages of life threatening
illnesses, children living with severe issues, and veterans coming home from
war, live concert experiences and meet-and-greets with their favorite artists. This is not just for MF concerts but
could be for: opera, country and western, metal, or any other type of
music. The foundation’s purpose is
to bring a meaningful concert and meeting of the artist experience to persons
and their families who desire it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehu3wy4WkHs Music Video of "Say Hey ( I Love You)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gF0zCZMfIE Video featuring recipient of the Do it For Love Foundation. Amelie and her family meet Michael and then she sings "Somewhere over the Rainbow" to the crowd. Recommended.
Felicia’s Top
Played Tunes (as tracked by her iPod)
Gloria –Michael
Franti and Spearhead
Stay Human-MF
Better Things-
Dar Williams
Say Hey (I love
you) MF
One Step Closer
to You – MF
See you in the
Light – MF
The Story- Brandi Carlile
Anytime you
Need Me – MF
Soulshine- MF
What do you
Love More than Love- DW
Shake It –MF
Have a Little
Faith- MF
Hello
Bonjour-MF
Is Love Enough –
MF
Have you Ever-
BC
The World’s Not
Falling Apart- DW
Tolerance-MF
Love
Invinceable-MF
With love and peace,
Namaste,
Felicia
Good Blog article, Felicia! Music does play an important part in our lives as we relate to life, get through life............I am so happy that you got to meet someone that had an important impact in yours. Yes, there is still hope for this world yet. Peace, Love, Music.
ReplyDeleteFelicia, what's splendid blog. I am forwarding it to my dear friend who is going through a unbelievably horrid time. I think it will help her. She might even know who these musicians are. (I don't.)
ReplyDeleteNice post Felicia. Music has always been critical in my life. I have never found another therapy like it. Growing up, I'd put on my headphones and escape from what ever nightmare was going on at home....I have noticed that hearing a particular song on the way to work can set the tone for my whole day...music is just powerful like that. and playing an instrument also brings a sense of joy that can't be mimicked by anything else. my favorite article so far MiL :) ~Ash
ReplyDeleteFelicia, this post was very moving. Music had long been rooted in my life as inspiration. As a young girl of 11, I watched a Barbra Streisand special (her third one) and was riveted to my father's lounger. I came away with a lifetime love, respect, and admiration for her. Next to my family, she had the biggest influence in my life. I believe that everyone needs heroes. People you aspire to emulate. 48 years later, I still admire her, but my heroes have changed. They are the real people I am fortunate to know, such as my daughter, my husband, and my Dad. Barbra had a very deep affect on my growing life, but as an adult, it's the people I can actually touch who I aspire to be like.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyable post. It made me stop and think. Thanks.
Felicia, this post was very moving. Music had long been rooted in my life as inspiration. As a young girl of 11, I watched a Barbra Streisand special (her third one) and was riveted to my father's lounger. I came away with a lifetime love, respect, and admiration for her. Next to my family, she had the biggest influence in my life. I believe that everyone needs heroes. People you aspire to emulate. 48 years later, I still admire her, but my heroes have changed. They are the real people I am fortunate to know, such as my daughter, my husband, and my Dad. Barbra had a very deep affect on my growing life, but as an adult, it's the people I can actually touch who I aspire to be like.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyable post. It made me stop and think. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your story Lauren. I've always loved Barbra for many reasons! Your daughter is also one of my heroes, I'm beginning to think all of you are...
ReplyDelete