February 19, 2017 [LINK / comment]

Just a (music) blog before I go...

As I prepare to head for the Southern Hemisphere (see the February 15 section below), I thought it would be appropriate to invoke a nice Crosby, Stills, and Nash song that I have not yet learned: "Just a Song Before I Go." Here's a quick summary of the songs I have played at Open Mic Night (held at Queen City Brewing and formerly hosted by the now-disbanded Staunton Music Guild) since the beginning of this year:

January 4:

• "The Sound of Silence" -- Simon & Garfunkle
• "Desperado" -- Eagles
• "Colorado Song **" -- Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• "Pink Houses" -- John Cougar Mellencamp

January 11:

• "Time In a Bottle" -- Jim Croce
• "Only Want To Be With You" -- Hootie & the Blowfish
• "We Can Work It Out" -- Beatles
• "Country Girl **" -- Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• "Sister Golden Hair" -- America

January 18:

On the eve of the presidential inauguration, my set list was inspired in part by the troubling times our nation is currently in. The audience was small but we still had a rockin' good time.

• "The Boxer" -- Simon & Garfunkle
• "Love Is Blue" -- Paul Mauriot Orchestra
• "The Last Time" -- Rolling Stones
• "We'll Meet Again" -- Vera Miles
• "Day Tripper" -- Beatles
• "Already Gone" -- Eagles

February 1:

Once again, my selection of songs was motivated by contemporary world events.

• "Refugee" -- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
• "Come Together" -- The Beatles
• "Never Goin' Back Again" -- Fleetwood Mac
• "It Couldn't Be Better" -- Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• "Standing On the Rock" -- Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• "California Dreamin'" -- Mamas & the Papas

Yours truly, playing "Come Together" at Queen City Brewing. (Screen grab from the video taken by Jacqueline.)

February 8:

• "Rocky Mountain High" -- John Denver
• "Carry On" -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
• "The Chain" -- Fleetwood Mac
• "The Ballad of Adlai" -- Andrew Clem
• "Paperback Writer" -- Beatles
• "Sandman" -- America
• "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" * -- Linda Ronstadt
• "New Kid In Town" -- Eagles
• "Peaceful Easy Feeling" * -- Eagles

February 15:

The themes were Valentine's Day and my impending visit to South America, which is the subject of the wacky song "Southern Cross." For some reason, I kind of messed up on "Eight Miles High," but otherwise the songs went pretty well. You never know.

• "Love Will Keep Us Alive" -- Eagles
• "Camelot" -- Lerner & Lowe / R. Burton
• "Guinnevere" -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
• "Southern Cross" -- Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• "Eight Miles High" -- The Byrds
• "Turn the Page" -- Bob Seger

The Music page has been updated accordingly. Whew!