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Confessions of a Practical Blonde: Audible Sensation
By Sharon Leary - August 13, 2008 iBerkshires Columnist
Sharon Leary
Certain senses trigger memories and sensations. The taste of freshly picked butter-and-sugar corn transports you to a fun summer day, the sight of a beautiful sunset may take you back to a passionate moment or the feel of clean cotton sheets may remind you of a lazy summer afternoon nap.
Of course, our senses can also trigger bad memories; the taste of spinach always brings me back to being a preteen and sitting at the table till my plate was clean.
The sense of hearing has had a profound effect on my life, specifically when it relates to music. I have a contingent of friends who are quite fond of music from the '80s. I have noticed that this particular group was all born around the mid- to late '70s. I think their fondness for that music genre is because they associate it to a place in their lives that was, for the most part, uncomplicated.
I have that same affection for music of the '70s. My mom always had the radio on an AM station. Artists like Air Supply, Dan Fogelberg, John Denver, Jim Croce, Three Dog Night, Heart, Jefferson Airplane, Roberta Flack and Mac Davis transport me to a time when I wore plaid pants, canvas sneakers and tried in vain to straighten my hair.
Two musical experiences I recently had have triggered some harmonious memories.
Mamma Mia!
My best friend Billie Jo and I saw "Mamma Mia!" at the North Adams Cinemas recently. I have a confession to make: I can't recall ever really being a fan of Abba's in their heyday. I know my family did not own any of their records. I remember the popular songs and even the K-Tel records commercial promoting the "Best of Abba."
So it surprised me, as we sat in the movie theater that the words to most of the songs came back to me. "The Winner Takes It all," "Chiquitita," "Waterloo," "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me" and "Knowing me, Knowing You." I tapped my foot to all of them. No actual dancing in the aisles took place that night, but I think we might have participated if others had.
Billie Jo has been an Abba fan since the 1995 movie "Muriel's Wedding."
She is such a fan that she had planned to walk down the aisle to the song "Dancing Queen" instead of the traditional "here comes the bride" march. She didn't, which we lamented over while having after movie margaritas at Desperados. However, we did come up with a plan for an Abba-inspired birthday party for the two of us next year. (Our birthdays are one day apart, so it's only natural that we would celebrate together.)
Whether or not the Abba birthday party happens depends on if we can find Donna and the Dynamo's to perform. If not we may have to karaoke! Stay tuned.
Two Thumbs Up!
Don't let the critics scare you away from the movie. It's probably one of the best you will see all summer long. Meryl Streep is destined to be nominated for another Oscar. Didn't think she could sing? Listen to her rendition of "The Winner Takes It All" and you will believe. Those rumors about Pierce Brosnan may be true, but do not let it deter you from seeing this movie. Supporting actors Julie Walters, Christine Baransky, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgaard, as well as newcomer Amanda Seyfried make the movie really enjoyable.
Beautiful Noise
On Thursday, Aug. 7, I escorted my mother and aunt to see Neil Diamond perform at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. The Forgette sisters, Marie and Alice, have not been on an adventure like this in quite some time. So it was my duty as daughter and niece to make sure that 2008 would not go by without a little fun and excitement and maybe some mischief.
We started out the evening with a bang; I got lost trying to get out of Chicopee. Not living in lower Western Mass for more than 15 years has dulled my sense of direction in that corner of my past. We managed to escape Chicopee via I-91 and headed toward Hartford. We stopped to get some dinner at the Olive Garden. I always hear these rave reviews about the place, so I thought I should check it out. The Forgette sisters were in agreement.
Side note, if you had never met all three of us before and not known that we were related, you would have figured it out quite rapidly. Separately, the Forgette sisters wore the same white shirt and both wore their favorite Irish necklace. I wore an Irish necklace as well. Our hair color runs in different shades of blonde/brown. But take one look at our eyes and you see the resemblance instantly.
Even on a Thursday night, the Olive Garden was packed to the gills. We lucked out and were able to eat in the bar area. But first, it was my mission to loosen these two girls up. So I bought them a drink. Mom sticks to her wine, but my aunt shocked me when she ordered a Long Island Iced Tea. The food was OK, but the conversation was above par!
I'd like to say long-lost Forgette family secrets were revealed, but they weren't. The topic of conversation was inevitably boys, or, um, should I say, men. There was the usual list of complaints when you're married for a long time, but ultimately we turned it around and talked about some funny family stories. Those stories always end up revolving around my Nana and Pop. We laughed at their expense, but I know both would be happy to see their girls out having fun.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun and, ah, Use the Facilities
Back on the road again, I managed to get us to the XL Center just in time. We parked the car for only $5! I have never paid parking that cheap for a concert, even in the '80s. It was a good sign. Inside the arena, we checked out the concert T-shirts and the programs. They were a little pricey at $20 and up. So we skipped the souvenirs and headed to the line for the ladies' room. It never ceases to amaze me; no matter what venue I have gone to there is always a line for the ladies' room, never for the men's room. Why? (Editor's Note: Different plumbing.)
The only time I have ever used a men's room was at a concert with my good friend Gary Fuls. I think we went to see Matchbox 20. Gary escorted his girlfriend Eileen and me into the men's room at SPAC. At first I was mortified, but when I immediately got into a stall, I got over it. Thanks Gary!
While waiting in line for the ladies' room you can take one of two tactics. Ignore everyone around you and focus on getting to the stall or you can chat it up with other like-minded, or should I say crazy, women. I, of course, take the latter route. While waiting in line I met and chatted with several ladies who were die-hard Neil fans. We actually got on the topic of Neil and Barbara Streisand and they filled me in on how Neil and Barbara sang together in the same choir many years ago.
We also joked quite a bit about the number of stalls and how it was a man's world, etc. It was light and comical. A good omen as to how the fans would react to our impending foolishness.
We made it to our seats just in time to see the Neil Diamond Orchestra take the stage and begin to play. The orchestra was not like, say the Boston Symphony Orchestra; this orchestra included a horn section, percussionist, guitarist, piano player and backup singers. Each group was situated on a movable piece of the stage. Throughout the night, the pieces of the stage would reconfigure for each song.
In the middle of it all stood one man dressed in black and holding a guitar - Neil Diamond. Once he was recognized, and they spotlighted him on the big screen, whoops and yelps were heard throughout the arena.
Cherry, Cherry = Sherry, Sherry
I sent good thoughts to my friend Joanne who was unable to see Neil Diamond this tour. Then I snuck a peak at my mom and aunt. They both had grins from ear to ear. Success!
For me, I really had come to hear Neil sing one song. It's not the one you think it is. The song I came to hear Neil sing was "Cherry, Cherry," or in my world, "Sherry, Sherry."
Since I was a little girl, I believed that song was written for me. It had my name in it, so it had to be for me. Of course reality set in when I was about 15, but I still like to think that that song was written for me. So when he launched into his version of "Cherry, Cherry" only after two other songs, I was in heaven!
After the song had concluded, I was a little worried that my endorphin rush would diminish before the 2 1/2-hour set was done. I shouldn't have been concerned. Just like with Abba, I had forgotten how many songs Neil Diamond had recorded. He also sang three new songs from his new album "Home Before Dark." They were fantastic and as my mother says, he is a master storyteller.
Red Sox Nation Are You Ready?
Throughout the concert, groups of people would get up and dance to different songs. I wanted the entire arena to get up and dance. It finally happened midway through the concert. And no it wasn't that song you're thinking of.
"Forever in Blue Jeans" had people all over the arena dancing and singing. My mom, aunt and I put our arms on each other's shoulders, danced and sang together. It was a moment that I will never forget and always recall when I hear the song.
We thought we would end up back in our seats when the song concluded, but then it started. The familiar chords to the song that Red Sox Nation has embraced and sings at every Red Sox home game: "Sweet Caroline." This is one of those moments that you can check off your bucket list. I got to sing and hear "Sweet Caroline" at a Neil Diamond concert!
Neil tried to end the song after six choruses, but the crowd wanted more. He relented and sang three more choruses. Even then the standing ovation was unbelievable. I haven't experienced a moment like that at a concert in years.
The next song, I will admit, I HATED when it was first released. "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" was a duet with Barbara Streisand. One of Neil's backup singers sang Barbara's part. It was great. I actually listened to the words. It made sense and I now understood why it was a hit. (Editor's Note: Umm, still hate it.)
Neil went on to sing hit after hit. He ended the night with one of mom's favorite songs: "Cracklin' Rosie." She was ecstatic that she got to hear her favorite Neil song. Unfortunately, my aunt didn't get to hear the one song she wanted to hear: "Red Red Wine." But I think overall she was pleased.
Desert Island Music
Walking in the rain back to my car I thought about that old conundrum, "If you were stuck on a desert island and could have 10 artists whose music would always be playing, who would you pick?" I revamped my top 10 on the spot: George Strait, Neil Diamond, Allison Krause, Patsy Cline, Better than Ezra, U2, Otis Redding, the Steve Miller Band, Son Volt and Vince Gill.
Half of my favorites were playing music in the '70s. Coincidence? I think not.
When we got to the car, I asked my mom and aunt who we should see next year. There was a slight pause and then in unison we said: Bruce!
Saw BTE playing to thousands in LA and MS a few days ago. Simply Better than Ever...
from: Dave
on: 08-17-2008
Highly recommended: Better Than Ezra's,"A Lifetime"-simply one of the five best singles of the last five years. Incidentally, I was also weened on Springfield AM radio in the 70's. Plenty of Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Seals and Crofts, etc. Everytime I hear`this stuff, I'm back in the "wayback" seat of Mom's Caprice Classic!
from: South Hadley transplant
on: 08-14-2008
Wow, someone else in the world who has Better Than Ezra as a "desert island" band. I am not alone!
from: MBFlyerfan
on: 08-14-2008
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