The Warmest Aloha

If you know me, you know my obsession with the movie Almost Famous and that i love anything and everything to do with Cameron Crowe.  His most recent movie, Aloha, stands strong next to the rest like Say Anything, Jerry Maguire, Singles etc.  Each one filled with a jam packed infectious soundtrack.  I wonder if his impeccable music taste has anything to do with his time as being an editor for Rolling Stone.... hmmmm :)

Please, PLEASE give this movie a chance if you haven't already!  The star studded cast is wonderful and fun!  I was reminded just this morning of one of my favorite scenes, you'll just have to watch it to know which one I'm referring to!! The song out of this scene is none other than my 80's loves... Hall and Oates!  I've blogged a song or two of theirs before because c'mon... who doesn't love some classic Hall and Oates every once in a while?!  This song was always on my list but never a top favorite, lately i must say it's a song i enjoy dancing around to in my apartment and signing loudly....very loudly!

Enjoy and warmest aloha ;)
~Penny Lane

Those Blues.... Those Bell Bottom Blues

If I've learned anything from my parents about music it's that Eric Clapton is King.  Not to say that he is either of their favorite artists (well maybe my fathers favorite), but a good portion of my childhood was filled with songs from Cream, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith, Derek and The Domino's and Eric Clapton himself.  Most of what i learned about Rock 'n Roll was from these bands, whether they were played in the house, on a family road trip or at one of my parents parties.  AND here's the kicker.... He was in ALL of these groups at some point in his career!!!  Mind      blown   -  i know!

No one can doubt his amazing guitar skills or staying power.  The man's won 18 Grammy's and is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame 3 separate times.

This song came on my pandora mix at work this morning and made me smile.  I love hearing a song  on either the radio, ipod, pandora, whatever your musical preference and find yourself saying, "Oh Man!  I forgot about this song!"  Sometimes when you have too many favorites like me, you forget great songs that you loved listening to.

As one of my favorite Clapton songs, i hope you listen to this and it makes you smile.  Or, dig up your forgotten song and listen... and maybe it'll just make your day. :)

~Enjoy! PL

This One's For Camelot - Let It Be

This One's For Camelot

Today, November 22, 2013 marks 50 years since the assassination of JFK.  I know i wasn't alive when he was president but i still consider him one of my favorites.... well right after my man Abe of course!

All over the news today.... stories and videos, friends and family talk and remember the horrific day when our country mourned for a president.  A president with potential to change the world.  Today, tragedy like that doesn't hit as hard.  With all the shootings and killings, it seems nothing shocks us anymore.  We've almost become used to it!  The sixties were a time filled with rebellion and war but when our president was shot, the US had never experienced a pain like that.

I heard this Beatles song today on my way to work.... creepily fitting i think for today's mood.  The song and lyrics are beautiful.  A song filled with such meaning. 

Our youngest, most handsome president ;), too young to die and yet i can't believe today marks 50 years since it happened. 

Remember today and ask yourself what YOU can do for your country!

~Penny Lane

Hey Sandy Girl!!

 Hey Sandy Girl!

I can honestly say that I can't believe a year has passed since a hurricane rocked our world....literally.
Today, October 29, 2013 marks the 1 year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy hitting the Jersey Shore and our home. 

Since i woke up this morning, all i can seem to think of is how i felt just a mere year ago today.... thinking it would be just like any other storm that's hit us before, not expecting what was really about to happen.  We spent days not really believing or understanding what was probably the worst experience of our lives, just trying to get by. Thinking back to the weeks spent wondering around in a sort of shell shock daze seems like it was just yesterday, oh how far we've come. 

I thought today's song was quite appropriate, since now it will forever remind me of the storm that pretty much changed my life.  Wonder if Bruce ever thought this song would come to mean what it does today to so many people.

                              "Oh Sandy the aurora is risin' behind us
                                The pier lights our carnival life forever
                                Love me tonight for I may never see you again
                                Hey Sandy girl"

Stay Strong
~Penny Lane

On The Cover Of The Rolling Stone

On The Cover Of The Rolling Stone

I was just browsing through my latest copy of Rolling Stone Magazine when i came across a Cameron Crowe article.  Yes, the one and only Cameron Crowe, my writing idol!! The famous journalist who got his start with Rolling Stone Magazine, back in the height of real Rock n' Roll.  Crowe has moved on to bigger/better things, like writing screen plays for some pretty awesome movies...(including my favorite - Almost Famous) but occasionally he comes back to right an article or two.

The article is called "Elton John: My Life in 20 Songs."  I screamed!  Could this be??!! I had recently tried to run through what the soundtrack of my life would be in previous blog posts.  It's exactly the kind of article i could only dream about writing with any legend of Rock.  Elton John goes through and elaborates on his top 20 songs that really meant something to him while emerging as an artist through the span of his career.

To browse through each song and here little snip its of his thoughts while writing them or performing them....just to get a feel on his personal library of musical landmarks.  It was fantastic.  A different take for music journalism.  The song that caught my eye, number 5.  The title track off the album "Madman Across The Water".  Such a beautiful song and one that i listen to and can say, "Yup, that's sooo Elton John."  He goes on to talk about how he considered this album the "end of an era" and how even though the album was not commercial, he felt a special connection to the title track.   

One day, maybe one day I'll write for Rolling Stone!  Maybe not like Dr. Hook says about getting on the cover of the Rolling Stone.... but a little piece in it would be nice right?!?

Keep Your Dreams!
~Penny Lane

One Hell Of A Happy Place Over Here!!!

It's My Happy Time Again!

Attention, Attention!!  It's that time again...my happy time that is.  I know I've mentioned it before, time and time again, but when one of your favorite bands comes out with a new album... It's like Christmas!!!! (Well it's definitely my kinda Christmas!)

Some of the excitement you could say is now somewhat lost.  No more trips to the record store,  no more waiting to get that shiny new album in the palm of your hands.  We all just rush onto itunes to download it as quickly as possible.  I miss the days of getting to rip off that impossible plastic covering, check out the album booklet.... covered front to back with private band photos and all of the lyrics to your new favorite songs.

Yes I'm now subject to the rest of the worlds trend of getting everything yesterday.  I bought the new album on my iTunes the second it came out, put it right on my iPod and have not stopped listening to it since!

Magpie and The Dandelion, the 8th installment from the one and only.... Avett Brothers!  This album is packed full with all those romanticized lyrics I've grown to love from them over the years.  Starting off with "Open Ended Life," full of their classic Bluegrass Rockin' sound is simply amazing.  The song featured above, "Morning Song" is slow and true to that vintage sound of theirs.  The weepy "Apart From Me".... ugh, adorable lyrics - in love with it!  Another realization to the fact that anyone who can play a guitar and sing a song like that to me... yup, I'd probably marry you right on the spot!! Add an Avett Brothers beard and Bam!  This girls dream come true over here!  Banjo playing is also encouraged! HeHe

So many good jams - i still can't choose a favorite.  More investigating needs to be conducted!  So please run to the nearest record store or iTunes store and make yourself happy today!

~Penny Lane

What Does A Rainy Day Call For??

What Does A Rainy Day Call For??

A rainy day in my book calls for The Beatles!!! All day long, on my Pandora, as loud as my office can stand, yup!  I love The Beatles and choosing a song to post for today was quite the challenge,  then I totally remembered my favorite tune on the white album and knew that Rocky Raccoon was it!!!

I mean really... what is better than having The Beatles playing in the background all day while you're slaving away at work?!?! Well yes just like the rest of you I'd rather be in my bed watching movies all day but ya gotta make the best outta the day right? HahaHa.

Such a weird and wonderful song!  I think the awesome rhyming of the lyrics are so damn catchy!
I hope you enjoy this rainy day Beatles jam..... and remember Friday is only a day away!!

~Penny Lane