Editor’s note: Take your time getting into the Youtube video, Victor hits the song at about the middle of his bass solo in a Flecktones’ live concert. Wooten is known as Futurman and surely the most unique electic bass player I’ve ever seen. Hopefully, this makes you thirsty for more Bela Fleck, whose entire history and band is the soul of unique approaches to music and instruments.
Editor’s Note: The entire three page book can be read in this file as it is in the public domain. Seems maybe it always was since the author gave rights to railroad executives in many countries and this little book was shared 40 million times in its first few years out. That was over 100 years ago and the writing is (appropriate to 1899) a bit heavy handed. But the point of it is highlighted in my excerpt below in one short sentence and I love the idea that all employers are in an endless search for “Rowans” – someone who can be counted on to get a message to Garcia. Note: Dedicated to my newest grandson, Rowan Zigmunt McCarthy.
Editor's Note: I've always been captivated by David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash harmonies. My favorite is the famous "Helplessly Hoping." Here's a far more obscure song, this one written by Crosby whose only big (songwriting) hit was "Wooden Ships." It's light on lyrics, very long on beautiful harmony and guitars and my favorite lyric resonated with me when I first heard this at age 24 as the band was winding down.
Editor's Note: If you've ever considered trying meditation, this is the book for you. My mindfulness practice began in the mid-1990s and has progressively changed how I look at life. Since I am anxious by nature my judging mind jumps from thought to thought, event to event, forward and back endlessly. Through meditation practice I am more able to find myself in the moment, rather than looking forward or back with desire or regret.
Editor’s Note: B.B. King died in May just short of his 90th birthday. I had the great pleasure of seeing him live when he was young, when I was a sophomore in college playing in Columbus. Since that night, I always felt a connection. The son of sharecroppers, Riley B. King grew up in the gospel choirs his grandmother attached him to. The pastor taught him his first three chords on a guitar his cousins bought him. He pioneered electric blues guitar playing with his unique sound and is recognized as one of the best ever. Rather than choosing his more famous “Thrill is Gone” or “Downhearted,” two songs I enjoy covering, I chose his tribute as “Everybody’s Had the Blues” because it’s so true and in this version he rocks out with another legendary electric blues guitarist, Joe Louis Walker (JLW).
Editor's Note: Brooks earlier book, The Social Animal, was featured here some time ago. This guy has a unique talent for de-mystifying the deeply philosophical and complex issues surrounding life’s meaning. Another rare trait is self-awareness and a willingness to admit that neither he nor the people whose lives he features in this book have or had the "answers." Very compelling stuff to add to my journey of self-discovery and adding meaning to my life, perhaps it will serve the same purpose for you.
Editor’s Note: This came on my iPhone while I was running yesterday and I was reminded how funny I think it is. If you don’t like girl bands, don’t listen but if you are open to a little light humor, enjoy.
Editor’s Note: Reading this book requires great patience, both in reading (it’s deep) and in seeing mistakes in my thinking that I’d rather deny. Nobel prize- winning psychologist and author Daniel Kahneman drags us into our own decision-making process by using lots of examples with his points. The “summary of the summary” is that we each operate from two behaviors called here System 1 and System 2. System 1 is our intuitive (fast) brain which responds quickly and often involuntarily. System 2 is our deliberative (slow) brain which requires deeper thought. Both are needed: System 1 to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting a child vs. thinking about slamming on the brakes; System 2 when shopping vs. making a list at home before going shopping. Kahneman’s overall thesis is that just by understanding more about how we make decisions, we might dramatically reduce the chronic errors we all make.
Editor's Note: It’s always refreshing to not only see a celebrity share his or her mental anguish with others, but do so on their own terms. Counting Crows’ front man Adam Duritz wrote Colorblind, a song about his grappling with a dissociative disorder, a complete disconnect with reality to the point of losing time, and in some cases, place.
Editor's Note: I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew Yang at the City Club of Cleveland and found him to be a humble and down-to-earth guy. In his book, Andrew charts a course for smart and ambitious college students to pursue a path of entrepreneurship instead of money, prestige, and security, and outlines the economic and societal benefits of doing so. His Venture for America organization places high-potential recent college graduates in companies and communities, including Cleveland, to help them flourish, and create new opportunities for themselves and others in the process. Enjoy.
