I talked to one of my very good friends yesterday for the first time in a few years. Circumstances and life had managed to squeeze between us. I had been thinking about her so much the past few months. Wondering how she and her hubs were doing and knowing that I should pick up the phone to reconnect.
She beat me to it.
I was scheduled to go in late for work yesterday. I had an hour or so before I had to leave when the phone rang. I looked at the caller i.d. and could not believe who it was. My heart jumped a little and I smiled. I answered and we talked until the moment I had to walk out for work. It was as if not a day had gone by since the last time we talked. We picked up right where we left off. True friendships never die.
Her hubby is a total music guru. Music pumps through his veins. He was born of parents who had it in their soul and were “in the biz”…so to say. He is artistic and soulful. I connect with him on this level. Passion for music is a common bond that he and I share.
I grew up in your typical 60’s/70’s colonial style home. It was decorated n Harvest Gold and Avocado green hues! It had a dining room which was connected to the kitchen – which in turn, led to a living room.
Back then living rooms were large. The largest room in the home. And they were used. Not just for holidays, but year round. When company came over. To sit in after supper. For privacy when boyfriends came over. A place to be when listening to or playing music.
My love for music started at a young age. It was always the backdrop in my home. My parents had an old, wooden consul stereo that stood in the corner of our dining room. It looked like a piece of furniture. Like a dresser, sort of. The top lifted up and you’d place the album onto a turntable. The speakers were built into the front of it.
Back then you’d spin vinyl records. 33’s. They were large. And thin. And came in cool looking album covers with a cool picture on the front. Usually a picture of the artist who had recorded the songs. Or a band. Or some creative image relating to the album title.
My parents had loads of these. I loved those albums. My sisters and I would flip through them and look at the covers. Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore, Tommy Dorsey, Peggy Lee, Doris Day. And of course, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
My mom owned one from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. It had a picture of a girl in a wedding dress made out of whipped cream on the cover. His music was loud and brassy and jazzy. I Loved it.
Often, after supper, my dad would disappear into the living room to listen to his music. He especially loved the 40’s pre and post war genre’s. The haunting melodies telling a tale of someone shipping off to some war and someone being left behind to wait.
He had lots of records. He saved them all. In the evenings, you could find him stooping over the vinyls – choosing which to play. He’d put it on the stereo and his face would light up. He knew all the words by heart. And, he’d sing them. Enthusiastically. Usually with his hand over his heart. Putting on a big show for us girls.
During my teens, my weekends would be filled with trips to the record store. They were once a semi-hangout for teenagers, a place to escape parents, burn allowances and absorb the latest trends in fashion as well as music.
You’d walk in – loud music playing over the store system. The end caps smartly displayed the new album releases. The employees always had the allure of being cool and hip ~ veritable music authority’s on all genre’s of music.
I loved those stores – the scent of plastic wrap & laminated cardboard, the posters hanging from the rafters, the sounds and the people. I never got tired of the endless browsing.
These days? If you re lucky enough to find a record store, know that it is fast becoming a temple of nostalgia for shoppers old enough to remember “Frampton Comes Alive!’’
I love how music can take you back in time instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in you or the world, that one song stays the same, just like that moment.
I have come to believe that there are two kinds of people in this world. Those who are moved by music ~ and those who are not. I’m lucky enough to have inherited a great passion for music – probably from my Dad. Or, maybe I was born with it in my soul. I tend to bond more closely with friends who also have a passion for music. There is a truth behind your actions and emotions when surrounded by the music you love.
My dad was moved by music. I am moved by music. It is a wonderful and most treasured gift that I will never take for granted.
I relate to this piece on so many levels. A love of all music genres became a priceless part of my heritage, bequeathed by my dad as well. Oh, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass–what’s not to love?! Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane and engaging another reason for gratitude in–and for–all things. Blessings!
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Absolutely! Be grateful everyday for every blessing.
Thank you for reading my blog. 🙂
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We bought records too when I was a teen, about 60 years ago. We’d go into a glassed and sound proof 5X5 cubicle. We would play records to see if we liked it well enough to buy!
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I remember those cubicles. I thought that was so neat that we could listen to the record and not buy it if we didn’t want to. Those were the good old days.
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How fun! A smart marketing ploy.
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We all have such great memories and were so fortunate to see the “record” age first hand!! I STILL have all my records!
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Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I love yours, especially the way you have done the photo journal.
As for music, I was a tape girl and still have lots of tapes! I am afraid that all the music bought and stored on computers will not be around like records and tapes are. Clare x
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Thank you, Clare. I love photography almost as much as writing. But not as much as music. 🙂
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PS That ‘Lemons’ quote cracks me up!
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RIght?! I love that quote!! Thanks!
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I love my Herb Alpert Whipped Cream album, even bought the cd for my listening pleasure in the car 🙂
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I KNEW you would!!! 🙂 Another thing we have in common, Lucy!! 🙂 xo
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This is great! It’s like having a slice of my own life and enjoying it with a friend. I loved Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass! Thanks for the nostalgic visit to days gone by.
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You are very welcome! Thank you for reading!! : )
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I never forget that time..lovely and at this time I had a full room of vinyl record.Pure nostalgie
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Thank You for stopping and reading! : )
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That wooden stereo consul looks very familiar and one with a dark wood was owned by Moms best friend. She had the whip cream album and a lot of rock from the 50’s. My Daddy was from OK and we also had country. My Grandparents had all the good country and every time I hear one of those songs I am back at their home in NE Wisconsin. Patsy Clines, Crazy is one of my favorites as my Papa would dance with any woman that was close and at some point it was me. Now when I hear it I have to dance with anyone close, man or woman or just myself. Jim Reeves, Porter Wagoner, Patsy, Early Elvis,Slim Whitman, Skeeter Davis, Eddie Arnold, Tex Ritter and let’s not forget Marty Robbins singing Devil Woman. Thanks for the memories! Now I will be visiting ITunes and putting some of those on my phone.
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You’re welcome! There is just something special about vinyls ~ the scratchy, heady sounds. The skips every so often.
Thank you for reading!
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Not only do I love music with a passion (despite being quite unable to play a note myself, and only daring to sing from the safety of the shower!), I also love old instruments – check out my post “Where Words Fail, Music Speaks” from October 2013…
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Thank You!
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Ah whipped cream and other delights….loooover Herb. Love your writing and following 🙂 have a music filled Monday my friend.
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