My Gift to You: Ocean by John Butler

Thanks, Janna! It worked.

Beautiful - I'm going to share this with my son. He's been teaching himself guitar.

You're old enough to remember Leo Koetke, right Sandy? I used to love listening to him.

for you, Sheryl.

Good for your son! I gave my daughter a guitar for Christmas last year. She sent this Ocean clip to me this morning with a message that she wants her son to learn to play like that.

We gave our son a guitar for Christmas last year, too! He took saxophone lessons for years, but then gave it up in high school. As the old story goes, he is sorry he gave it up now, but has really gotten good on his guitar, playing with his friends for relaxation.

The appreciation of music is so important, I think, in life...and learning an instrument or two adds to it greatly.

thanks for the link...really takes me back. It's nice to know he's still out there performing.

(Sheryl, in case you don't know, that's an Engelbert song Kottke is playing. Someone else might have written it and many others might have played and/or recorded it, but since Engelbert sang it, it will always be an Engelbert song to me.)

I agree that appreciation of music is important. I taught my children to read music the same as I taught them to read words, and started with the grandchildren this summer since their parents forget that part.

I love saxophone. One of mine tried it for a short time but didn't do well or want to work hard enough to get there. Between the two, we went through quite a few instruments. I think they both prefer singing, but we all enjoy many different types of music.

Ah....the wonderful Humperdink. You have inspired me to listen to some of his recordings this weekend and re-evaluate. Perhaps I've just mixed him up with Tom Jones in my mind. : - )

My son took jazz sax lessons. I fear that because he had braces the same years as lessons it might have soured the experience for him. But, he always had music around him. His sister played violin from a very early age....and still plays in a quartet now in grad school. She calls it her "drug of choice". I was a professional musician for years....he heard the music of a large pipe organ from the time, well, he was able to in utero and for years after that attended choir practices with me every week as we could not afford a sitter.

Both of my kids enjoy a wide range of musical styles. When he was home in the Spring, I shared a number of my Brazilian jazz CD's with him, as well as a few Stan Getz recordings of Brazilian jazz. He did some research on the chords and progressions and wrote a few songs based on it after that.

Your grandchildren are very lucky, but I've said that many times before. : - )

The braces might have been a problem, Sheryl. Maybe he'll pick it up again one day.

Funny you mention "drug of choice". I told my daughter earlier that I used my accordion to express/release emotions as a child. I didn't realize it then, but think now that providing that release was one of the greatest gifts my parents gave me. I also think your in utero reference brings up a great point or question, at least. Mine were both around lots of live music before birth. I believe they danced with me, felt and probably heard the music, and it made them appreciate music.

It's great that your son is composing. I hope he keeps at this, and one day you are posting videos of his music.

WOW. I've heard these guys in a short feature on NPR, but not this song. Like any truly great instrumental, it tells a story in feelings. That's pure magic.