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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on March 23, 2012 2:46 PM. The previous post in this blog was Spring break. The next post in this blog is Latest "urban renewal" come-on: It's for the homeless. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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« Spring break | Main | Latest "urban renewal" come-on: It's for the homeless »

Friday, March 23, 2012

Have a great weekend

Posted at 2:46 PM | Permalink

Comments (8)

My dad went to school at Columbia and got to see a lot of jazz greats in person. When he died he had something like 19 Ella Fitzgerald albums. Anyway, he wasn't deep into the country western - if anything he was more drawn to the campy kind of country song with something funny in the lyrics. I specifically remember him loving the line, "Billy broke my heart at Walgreen's and I cried all the way to Sears." That sort of thing.

I told him one time that he should check out the more soulful, real genuine country western that was out there. Even Ray Charles was produced so much with all the background singers. I was talking about the kind of country that you'd hear around a campfire, or in a Texas roadhouse. This outlaw country.

I bought him an album and I said, "This is the best country record I ever heard." It was "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson. From the first words you're in the story and it just doesn't let up:

"It was the time of the preacher
When the story began
With the choice of a lady
and the love of a man

How he loved her so dearly
he went out of his mind
When she left him for someone
she'd left behind

He cried like a baby
He screamed like a panther in the middle of the night
And he saddled his pony
and went for a ride

It was the time of the preacher
in the year of 01
Now the preachin' is over
and the lesson's begun"

Willie Nelson is right there with Mark Twain or any of these uniquely American characters. He's a national treasure but I'm sure you already knew that.

Posted by Bill McDonald | March 23, 2012 3:53 PM

Thanks Bill, I do know that but it's good to be reminded from time to time. I bought "Red Headed Stranger" after reading a review in (I believe) Newsweek. It just blew me away. It's a shame that Willie is now better known for things besides his music.

"Now the lesson is over
and the killin's begun"

Posted by Not that "Steve" | March 23, 2012 4:22 PM

And the story is, he wrote "Crazy," "Funny," and "Night Life" in the same month.

OK, there may have been amphetamines involved, but still--have a month, Willy!

I first heard "Night Life" on the B.B. King "Blues is King" album, and only learned later that Nelson wrote it. Still my favorite version.

What I've always admired about him is how natural and honest his singing and writing seem to be. No pretensions, but geez, what great lyrics and music.

Posted by TomR | March 23, 2012 9:11 PM

Oh, "not that Steve," Willie is still best known for his music. That other stuff is irrelevant.

Posted by Juanita | March 24, 2012 5:35 AM

Good grief, He was a handsome guy. I've never seen him like that. He sure has changed his appearance. Thanks for sharing that video.

Posted by Mike Landfair | March 24, 2012 11:56 AM

Can hardly believe that is Willie.

Now, I have to say before I go further that I believe Marijuana should be legal.

But how in the world does Willie, who resides in Hawaii, get an Oregon Medical Marijuana card.

Just gives fuel to the opposition.

Posted by nancy | March 24, 2012 4:49 PM

Admired his mettle in that olympian conflict with the IRS, too.

Who'll Buy My Memories
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_d5KQ7WJHA

Posted by Mojo | March 27, 2012 10:06 AM

Interesting to note how Willie's singing improved over the years. Most of these songs sound like he is talking rather than singing. Get a load of his early 60's get up. Thanks for posting this historic video...

Posted by dean | March 27, 2012 12:39 PM

In Vino Veritas

Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007

The Occasional Book

Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269