My Playlist For Tomorrow

Over the past few months we have all been pushed into an opportunity to move forward or to retreat backward. Moving forward is the smart thing to do, but going backward is much easier. After all, the easiest thing to do at any time is Nothing. Don’t believe me? Just ask a writer.

What have I been doing during this forced isolation? Not much.

That’s not completely true.

I have resumed churning out this Blog, but at a reduced rate. For five years it was Monday through Saturday. Now you have to put a gun to my head to have it ready once a week. It’s still cheap at the price you’re paying.

One thing that I have started doing that is wholeheartedly a move forward is adding some new singers into my personal playlist. I knew that I needed to expand and update the music coming out of the speakers in the car and the earbuds in my…ears. It really dawned on me when I realized that my “New Artist” was Jimmy Buffett and he is my age.

So, in spite of other seemingly more important things in the world, I began to go on a digital safari looking to bag some new performers for my Personal Playlist. With the sound of faraway drums laying down a good rhythm I started out trekking through the dense undergrowth of really bad music and deadly singers armed with less than minimal talent.

I asked the few people I could speak with through my mask from six feet away, “What current popular singers do you like?” The answers I got back were all pretty much the same, “Mmmoph ang da Sluhphmmp.”

I needed a new approach.

Googling can be both productive and confusing on a good day. I was doing it without the foggiest notion of what to look for. Eventually I typed in, “Who are the best singers performing today?”

To my surprise I got a list of performers to check out. I spent two days listening to a long parade of singers. Most of them were never going to make it onto my jump drives and hard discs. I just can’t relate to a sixteen year old who sounds like a chipmunk with asthma.

But there were a few.

Now, remember these were people who struck a responsive chord with me. Your mileage may vary.

Maren Morris – a 30 year old quasi, semi, kinda Country singer. Here is a link to a live performance. The gal has soul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x50utV55RQo

The Shires – The Shires are a British “Country” duo who don’t sound Country to me. They have been around for a while but are new to me. I really like this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At8HCMxMils

Dua Lipa – “Dua Lipa (/ˈduːə ˈliːpə/; Albanian pronunciation: [ˈdua ˈlipa]; born 22 August 1995) is an English singer, songwriter, and model. After working as a model, she signed with Warner Music Group in 2015 and released her self-titled debut album in 2017” Go Figure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oygrmJFKYZY

Everything But the Girl – OK, so they aren’t new but I haven’t listened to them in a long time. Let’s call them “Recycled.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsRnVtIeLyg

This last addition to My Playlist is an Irish singer who has a voice and performance skill that makes me shiver with envy.

Mary Black – a live performance of a most incredible number https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ao7-X-xqoA

Now if you see me rolling down the road and I am smiling and singing you’ll know why.