November! We have our autumn now in Georgia and the leaves are showing their true colors. During some of my sleepless nights lately, I have been re-reading a book, "The Nearest Faraway Place" by Timothy White. I have told you about this book before in a post several years ago. Hey! I just looked and I mentioned the book back in 2013. You may read it here. (I didn't own this book but I spoke of it with such longing that my dear son searched for it and gave to me as a gift!)
The title of the book is from a song written by Carl Wilson. And HE got the title from a magazine article written by Shana Alexander, from Time Magazine. Anybody remember Shana Alexander? She used to be in 60 Minutes in the 1970's with the Point/Counterpoint segment and it was made even more famous with Chevy Chase parodying the male viewpoint on Saturday Night Live. (And yes, I am so old, I still call it that...nowadays it is just SNL.) Anyway, Shana Alexander was a really interesting person. She was a great journalist and a very good writer. (I read her book that she wrote about Jean Harris, the woman who murdered the Scarsdale diet doctor, "Very Much A Lady". I thought it was very well written.) Shana Alexander's father was Milton Ager, a well known songwriter...he wrote the music for "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Ain't She Sweet". (He also wrote "Everything Is Peaches Down In Georgia". You know I love the sound of that one!)
Now, back to the Beach Boys and Carl Wilson. The Beach Boys originally consisted of the brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson along with their cousin, Mike Love and a friend, Al Jardine. Sadly, Dennis died in 1983 and Carl passed away in 1998. When Brian Wilson withdrew from the group in the 1960's, Carl took on the role of band leader and musical director for the group, both in their live performances and also in the studio. Some of their biggest hits were with Carl singing the lead..."Good Vibrations" and "God Only Knows". One of my favorites with Carl as the lead vocal is the song, "I Can Hear Music". (And Richard just told me that it is one of his favorites too!)
Listen to it and let me know if you like it as much as we do!
Okay, now it is time for bed!
(Clock at the Langham Hotel in Eastbourne, England)
I am sorry to hear you have been having sleepless nights. Nothing is so exhausting as having to drag oneself through a full working day after a night of little or no sleep.
ReplyDeleteThe Beach Boys did a lot for music, and all the boys had great voices.
Boy, you're not kidding. I think all my energy is for work, but nothing left over at end of the day!
DeleteThe book about them was very detailed, with lots of history about California. You would like it, I think.
I'm glad you have something you love to get you through sleepless nights. I have learned that it can help you to sleep if you keep clear of screens for a couple of hours before bedtime. Something about the frequency of the light emitted by screens
ReplyDeleteThe beach Boys were so talented.thanks for the video.
Hey Jenny Woolf!
DeleteI thought of you when we watched "What The Durrells Did Next"!
Looking forward to your book about Gerry Durrell!
My sleeping has improved. Now if I could just stop coughing!
The Beach Boys are timeless. I enjoy them as much today as I did when they were on top!
ReplyDeleteWe all don't have the same taste in music and that is OK. But without music we just aren't complete. I think it is important not only to listen to music but to sing along ... or make our own.
Some of the things that passes for music these days...melody is very important to me but that seems a thing of the past!
DeleteFall always has a song to play of it's very own. The falling leaves is one of my favorite. Interesting to hear about the book. I should check it out. Our color is just about done here, it will be missed as it's the brightness that colors our days.
ReplyDeleteWe really had our Autumn this past weekend. Really, I think it lasted two days! :-)
DeleteI have always like the Beach Boys. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pam!
DeleteI have 4 Beach Boys albums and like the Cruisin one the most.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! For someone who loves classical music like you, that says a lot!
DeleteThe Beach Boys 'I Can Hear Music' brought back lots of memories.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope they were all pleasant ones!
DeleteMost of that info was news to me but interesting. I also like to read favourite books over again after a few years have elapsed. Some books and films you remember too well to enjoy again yet others, (not always the best ones either), you can watch or read repeatedly and it takes much longer to get tired of them. Funny how that is?
ReplyDeleteMy son had heard me speak of that book so often and with such longing, he was thoughtful enough to find it for me!
DeleteAs a child, I read and re-read the book "Karen" by Marie Killilea. Marie was a devout Catholic and wrote of her daughter who had cerebral palsy. I can't describe to you how much her book influenced me, she wrote of the saints as if they were her best friends. Must have read that book 15 times or more, much of it I know by heart.
I have always been a fan of The Beach Boys. Their harmony was great and their music had such a happy energizing feeling. Your fall color looks great, Kay. I hope you are able to sleep better. I have insomnia but since I do not work I can sleep in as much as I need to.
ReplyDeleteIt was rough there for a while but I am sleeping better now. If only I could stop coughing!
DeleteI loved the Beach Boys..still do! You can't help but smile and want to get up and dance with their music. I'm sorry you'er having sleeping problems...it's the worst! It's a killer for me when I can't sleep but have to be at work by 6:30am...yuck! Enjoy your Fall colors down there. I know cold weather is heading south so take care! Our leaves are pretty much done up here and although we haven't had snow yet, it's on it's way...brrrr
ReplyDeleteYes, that is just it, isn't it? You can't sleep but you are sleeping very well by the time your dang alarm goes off! Yes, we have some cold weather now. It could be worse!
DeleteSorry to read about your sleepless nights …
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed listening to The Beach Boys.
Love the wonderful Autumn colour in your pictures.
Take care.
All the best Jan
Hey Jan! Wish I could meet up with you in Eastbourne and we could have a biscuit with a cup of tea! Doesn't that sound nice!
DeleteOh wow, how cool of your son to look for an obscure book and get it for you as a present!
ReplyDeleteI like the Beach Boys, but didn't know they also sang "God Only Knows." I love love love Neil Diamond and always thought he was the only one who sang it. But he was a prolific songwriter, so he may have written it for the Beach Boys.
No, it was written by Brian Wilson along with Tony Asher, I think, if my memory is right. I like Neil Diamond too! Fantastic singer and songwriter!
DeleteAnd my son is the BEST! So kind and thoughtful.
nice color of leaves and music
ReplyDeleteThank you! I always have a song in my head...it pushes out any passwords that I am supposed to memorize! :-)
DeleteHow did I miss this post? I am constantly telling you how much I love this song or that singer. What can I say? I really do love them.
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to the Beach Boys but I don't remember that song. Thank you for sharing it. I like it too.
ReplyDelete