Showing posts with label Robert Earl Keen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Earl Keen. Show all posts

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Good Advice for Troubled Times from Dr. Jeffy and Dr. Jeffy

We live in troubled times, gentle readers. I worry about all of you out there.

The crisis in the world economy by itself, without all the other troubles out there, are enough to get you sick.

That's why Dr. Jeffy M.D. and Dr. Jeffy Psy.D. are here to help.

In a world and time when so many people are unemployed or under-employed, when families are at risk or have already lost their homes and when our largest and wealthiest generation has lost much of said wealth, just as they reach the threshold of retirement, there's lots to worry about.

That's not to mention the worldwide strife we hear or are exposed to personally every day. Darfur, Alqaida and other world terrorism, earthquakes, famine and flood. We all have to cope with dealing with this every day.

The technological world we live in of cell phone, Internet, 24 hour news networks, twitter...we are subjected to more information on a minute to minute basis than the human mind was ever meant to withstand.

It's important we stay informed. It's important we remain involved and caring and empathetic.

For the challenges of keeping your livelihood and your home we have to remain diligent.

But I don't want you getting sick over it. At a certain point your stewing in your own worry-juices is not being productive.

For your own sakes, once you've done what you can, walk away from it all. Reserve your energy for the next battle.

You'll need it.

For your own sakes...not all the time mind you...but every once in a while when it gets too tough...sing this song. I learned it from Robert Earl Keen, Jr. and it's my new time of trouble mantra.



Hang in there. We're going to need you when this is all over.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Robert Earl Keen Jr.: Frat Boy Sing-Along Cowboy!

Born this day in 1956, Robert Earl Keen Jr. turns 54 today!


Robert Earl is another one of those songwriter/storyteller heroes of mine who hails from Texas. I don't know if it's the air, the water, the soil, or what-all...but there's something there that nurtures the imagination...and we listeners are all the better for it.

Robert Earl is one of those modern wonders who's work appeals to traditional Country fans, alt.country, folkies and the frat boy crowd. He attributes this last segment of is fan base to the fact that, you can remember the words to his songs and sing along when you're drunk! Not a bad thing.

For the uninitiated, here's some Robert Earl Keen songs.

"Shades of Grey":



"Corpus Cristi Bay":

This is one of those artists I wanted to spotlight that YouTube let me down on...at least at first.

One of my favorite Keen songs is "The Bluegrass Widow" and the story he told on his live album about it. No such luck on YouTube...but I did find a couple of gems that are being added to my favorites list. Take a listen...you'll be glad you did.

"Phuck It!":

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"Is There Wireless in Heaven?":




And a special treat I found. Robert Earl, Bruce Robison and Todd Snider doing REK's signature tune, "The Road Goes On Forever":



Thanks Robert! For all the stories in your songs!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Christmas Carols you SHOULD know.

Fo' Shizzle my Nizzles, "DJ MC Jeffy Biggie X-mas" is in da Hizzle! This post is all about holiday music and I'm not even singing.

I can feel your disappointment right through the screen, gentle readers. Don't worry though, I'll come back and sing a Christmas song in a week or so, but for right now I want to share a few of my favorite Christmas songs that you may or may not know.

A couple of all-time favorites, but first up is one by my new favorite band, The Dan Band. They've got a great Christmas album out and available on iTunes, and from what I've heard, it's solid Christmas gold.

Here's their song, "Christmas Flip Flop"...it's sure to be a classic.



Next up is a perennial...Robert Earl Keen and his classic "Merry Christmas From the Family".

I dedicate this to everyone I know, have ever known and will ever know. Christmas as it really is.



This next video is a bit fuzzy, it's probably taken from an old video tape. Loudon Wainwright III and his seasonal lament, "Suddenly It's Christmas".


I've been humming this since late September when retail outlets begin stocking the shelves with Christmas doodads.



Oh hell. It's Christmas. Here's one more from The Dan Band and their album "Ho: It's Christmas", this one titled "Please, Don't Bomb Nobody This Holdiay". Enjoy.



Don't forget to include these fine songs in your family's Christmas song book. I got 'em stuffed into mine.

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