End of Summer Cure

As summer comes to an end, I can't get enough of this beautiful song.

I Should Have Known It

No. Really. I should have known it; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are alive and well and still jammin'!

New Feature - REVIEWS

After several requests, I am pleased to announce the addition of a new feature to Angelia's Music blog: REVIEWS.  My first review is the music of Canadian singer/songwriter, Marcome.  Her New Age World music is something special.  Please have a look at the review and sample some of her music for yourself.  Thanks for stopping by!

A Fun, Musical Weekend

This weekend was filled with great music in the company of  cherished family and friends.  We began the weekend on Friday evening with friend and singer/songwriter Thomas Reed Smith (TRS) at Painesville's historic Rider's Inn.  Tom provided us with an evening of sing-a-long favorites from the 60s and 70s infused with his own melodical and lyrically inspiring compositions. Tom's informal, easy-going manner always guarantees an evening of  memorable entertainment, and being able to enjoy it with my hubby, son, and dearest friends was just icing on the cake!

             Thomas Reed Smith                                                    Photo: Keith Thompson

Keith and I headed to Chardon on Saturday morning, to hang out in the country with TRS and his wife, Kathy, and Scott & Heather.  Where TRS & Scott are gathered, there must be great fun and great music and this gathering was no exception.  Scott plays lead guitar for TRS in additon to wearing many other hats in the production of TRS music.  Scott is also the keyboard player for Skinny Moo and the creative genius behind Drunkdude 69. His talent is an absolute, undeniable fact.  It's a shame all these pictures look so serious in nature.  They really don't tell the story of the amount of  fun and silliness we have when we're together.  I guess it's difficult to take a good pic when you're laughing your ass off!

    TRS and Scotty                                                                            Photo: Keith Thompson

 Tom graciously wrapped himself in a hoodie and winter coat to grill burgers and dogs for our first official grill of this party season, and we had an awesome lunch before heading back home to grab a quick nap before the Skinny Moo gig.  I never did get to sleep, but there's no "getting tired" at a Moo gig. Just not possible.

Skinny Moo: Charley/Drums, Scotty/Keyboards, Jay/Vocals, Mike/Bass, Jeff/Guitar

Photo: Courtesy SkinnyMoo.com

What can I say about the "Moo Crew"?  The one thing I can say that you won't find here on the official Skinny Moo site, is that these are some of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet.  Their obvious love of music and playing together is evident in every performance.  You've NEVER heard a cover band like Moo before.  Where else can you hear "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy" seamlessly blend into "Brick House" with a couple stanzas of  "Zanadu" thrown into the mix?  Their high energy performance always leaves me feeling like more.  Once again, we all had an amazing time spending an evening with Moo at Cabana's in Mentor.  Thanks, guys.  YOU ROCK!!!!  Now, on to the next gigs.......

'Tis A Gift To Be Simple

I received an email from one of my dearest friends this morning. In his usual way, he put a smile on my face and in my heart. He's a wonderfully gifted singer/songwriter who has been a great inspiration to me, and part of his email read:

"...Back to basics. I think I will write a song with only two chords and one verse? It will be called 'Simple."

As I read these lines, a song from my distant past immediately came to mind. I don't remember quite when I learned this little gem of a song, but it seems like I was in 4th or 5th grade. I thought it was some obscure, little song that has long since been forgotten, but to my astonishment and delight, a youtube search revealed many different versions of this song, "Simple Gifts".

All those years ago when I learned the lyrics to this song, they were just words. Now, in a world that's become so technically advanced that we seem to be losing our humanity with each passing day, the lyrics of this song are a concept that I cling to. The simple gifts of sharing laughter, ideas, music, good food and drink with family and friends are what's important. The quiet evenings spent in front of the firepit under the stars sipping coffee and sharing memories with my husband or nestled under his arm as I drift off to sleep - those are gifts. The simple gifts. The gift of love.

Please enjoy this version of "Simple Gifts", by Elder Joseph Brackett, 1848, and sung by Jewel. This is exactly how I remember the melody.



Please also enjoy these versions. "Simple Gifts Shaker" has lots of interesting facts embedded in the video. "Simple Gifts Appalachian" is accompanied by the stunning black/white landscape photography of Ansel Adams.

Simple Gifts Shaker
Simple Gifts Appalachian

What A Wonderful World (Joined Into the Art)

It's easy to see the world as a dark, frightening place full of danger around every corner.  The media delivers a constant barrage of warnings from tainted food to political scams, to severe weather alerts and danger on the internet.  There's a vague undercurrent of fear and anxiety looming over us like storm clouds.

I chose to see the bright side of life.  I chose to see the beauty of the world in which I reside and I chose to participate in the goodness of people and share in the love and humanity that abound in all corners of this vast earth.

I  know that I'm not alone in this experience, for I have met a multitude of wonderful people from every aspect of life.  I can say that although some viewpoints may differ, mutual respect and admiration is plentiful, and I have found this to be especially true among my fellow artists.

I was honored to be asked to participate in a global collaboration of artists in the making of this video.  That I can meet so many wonderful people without leaving the comfort of my home is a marvel.  These are exciting times in which we live, and indeed, what a wonderful world!



My sincere thanks to 69sottosopra for creating this beautiful video and his lovely rendition of Louis Armstrong's, "What A Wonderful World".

Art and Music

I'm often asked if I listen to music when I'm painting and if so, what kind. I always listen to music when I'm painting and my selections are greatly varied. I've heard that smells are the strongest triggers of memory. If that's true, I'd have to say that music runs a close second. I can't begin to imagine my life without it.

Fortunately, most of my memories triggered by music are happy, joyful memories. When I hear Chubby Checker's, "The Twist", I am whisked back in time to our tiny apartment and playing my toy piano. The Moody Blue's, "Tuesday Afternoon", takes me back to my pre-teens and memories of crisp, cool country air and the first warm sunny days of spring. When I hear music from "The Nutcracker", I am filled with warm memories of being in the kitchen late night with Mom as she made special Christmas candies and cakes. There are songs and music that trigger memories of every friend and relationship I ever had, and every memorable experience I've ever had comes complete with it's own musical score.




So, when I paint I'm pretty particular about the music I'm listening to. Often times, I pick theme related music. I recently painted a large banner that was a tribute to some of the artists that have had a great influence on me. I listened to Latin music when I worked on Frida Kahlo and Picasso. When I was working on Monet and VanGogh, I listened to classical music. When I painted Basquiat, the choice was jazz.

No matter what I'm painting, I select my music with the same consideration I give to my paints and subject matter. Sometimes I select music to enhance my mood, at other times music may be selected to alter my mood. Music has and always will be an integral part of my life and a necessity in the creation of my art.