Ringo Starr/Dave Stewart's 'Off The Record' is Right On

Click on the pic to see a preview of the program

Click on the 'play' button to hear cuts from Liverpool 8

One of the lines from the Beatles' 'A Day In The Life' goes, "I just had to look,having read the book'; it seems that those of us who grew up in the wake of Beatle mass-hysteria spent much of our time playing catch-up- like for tomorrow's test- in late-night cram sessions.

So last night I stayed up to watch the HBO special 'Off The Record'. I'm glad I did.

It's fun to see these veteran rockers chat about good times. Ringo is endearing, has probably grown the most musically since the Beatles, plus he is (and seemingly always has been) down-to-earth.

Dave Stewart is, well, Dave Stewart. In the context of his work in Eurythmics he is a legend. To see him in this role as a rock 'n' roll interviewer/documentarian is very cool, indeed. Watch it yourself; tell me what you think. All I know is, I won't be tired of cramming for this kind of test for a long time.

Remembering You Today, Mom

This is my mom, back in the day. We lost her a number of years ago, but this is a celebration of her life, not a recollection of my loss. Mom, I miss you today.

Mom loved her birthday and she loved Mother's Day. In fact, it was often the same day, and in her life it had been the date of her first communion and Easter, too.

Mom loved flowers; around this time of year lilacs and forsythia are in bloom. It seems the sun shines so brightly here in early May against a crisp, clear blue sky. The delicate petals of flowering bushes seem to glow in the light. Until we moved into a house, though, mom cultivated wax begonias, african violets and geraniums, and these were often her gifts; she actually joined a geranium club by mail!

One year when I was just about twelve my mom's birthday came up on us and I didn't have the money to get her anything. I had asked a friend to allow me to charge an item on the account my mom established at a store. Truthfully he didn't have the authority to do that, although it would have been alright, both with the store owner and my mom. But his integrity left a lasting impression on me. He also gave me a sum of money out of his own pocket. Because of George I was able to get a few planting supplies to give her. But as I look back, what a wonderful thing, to remember how great my mom was and how special this great friend had been in granting me this legacy of integrity and compassion.

I have two songs today; the first is an Ella Fitzgerald standard, 'Too Marvelous For Words'- that's for you, mom, and for every mom out there.

The second is from Peggy Lee, 'Is That All There Is'- it's a little, well, we've all felt this way before; disillusioned. In fact, I understand it's based on a story called 'Dissilusionment'. Listen to it, but don't take it into your spirit. It made an impression on me as a kid because my mom was attracted to it, but philosophically I think there's more to be had. I like to describe it as the serendipity of life and if you wouldn't mind a little part-time psychology, I think it's healthier in the long run to anticipate that good is just around the corner.

I have no idea who might read this, but I want to wish you well today.