Ray Charles over coffee…
I was sitting in starbucks this morning in Shinjuku and i managed to resist cream in my coffee and the yummy snacks they had on offer. I even got a short coffee instead of my usual grande or tall. And the best thing about my morning coffee was they were playing Ray Charles…(I love Ray Charles…but I really was just glad to hear something other than christmas carols)
I grew up with music from the likes of Ray Charles. Not to mention The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Roy Orbison, John Lennon, Simon & Garfunkle, Hermans Hermits, Aretha Franklin, Carole King and many many more…
Not only did dad have many records and cd’s and a very eclectic style in music but he also had a record player and that was the one of the best things about been home with Dad when nobody else was around because he would put on a record lay on the floor and just listen to it…
My father can also sing…The best thing about that is that i can also (luckily) hold a tune (when I want to)…so I not only inherited my height from him but also my singing voice. The other great thing about my father singing is for some unknown reason when dad sings, he sings like the artist…My father can sing like John Lennon and then turn into Aretha Franklin at the drop of a hat.
I think before I knew how to sing twinkle twinkle I could sing Imagine by John Lennon and I am a Rock by Simon & Garfunkle..and by 8 I could play them on the piano.
I think my father (and mothers) love of music rubbed off on both me and my little brother because despite growing up catholic I grew up thinking that prayer time was a sing along of 60’s music. If I ever have children then I would love to instil a love of music in them also…although for lessons on the 60’s and 70’s they would be going to their grandfathers place.
Dad always regretted not learning an instrument when he was younger…he would tell stories of how boys and girls who could play instruments were also hits at parties and got all the girls (or boys). He told me this everytime I did not want to go to my Piano lessons…”You’ll be sorry when your at a party and a nother girl can play better than you or if a boy whips out a guitar..” At the time I always thought it was so strange that people used to play instruments at parties but now I understand. My little brother has jam sessions over beer with his friends all the time. He owns three guitars, a keyboard (the piano is at Dad’s place) bongos, a harmonica and probably other assorted instruments…
When I was about 8, I had already been learning the piano for 4 years or so, Dad decided to start getting lessons. It didn’t last long but I will never forget coming home from school and my father saying excitedly…”lulu lulu…come listen to this” because he had taught himself to play I can see a rainbow…
I received my first cassette player at 5 and my first CD player at 11 or 12. My first cassette was Michael Jackson in the early 90’s and my first CD later on in the 90’s was Crowded House. My father approved of both my choices even if he thought they were not QUITE old enough for him. I now have a very eclectic taste in music and my ipod carries tunes from all over…
Popularity: 6% [?]
Similar Posts:
wow! you are so lucky to be able to hold a tune and play an instrament… Being able to sing and to be able to play the piano is something I wished i could always do… When i was in school, i was always hanging around the music rooms and wishing i could play an instrament like the other kids (i went to a private school where kids had been playing since they were like 2!). You’re really lucky to have had parents that gave you such a love of music… i know when i have kids, i’m going to make sure i give them the chance to learn to dance, sing, play music from a young age… everything i wished i could have done.
bet you kick ass at karaoke, eh?
Lulu, this is a great little post.
I hang out with musos and dancers all the time and really wish I had skills in either/both…
I love Ray Charles. I grew up listening to Elvis, Aretha, Dusty Springfield, i thought is oh so daggy when mum played it. now it’s some of my ultimate favourite music.
When i was a little older and started developing my own music taste it included Billy Joel, Wacko Jacko, NKOTB (everyone did) Madonna, George Michael.
Nowadays when i’m driving to appointments my music sways between Earth Wind & Fire, Ottis Redding, Billy Idol to Bell Biv Devoe, Jodeci and Snoop Dog
I feel so embaressed now
My upbringing resulted in me knowing all the words to all the Elvis songs.
Uh-huh-huh.
Deb- My dad started us early at home and my mum used to take my brother and I to those mummy and me music classes and kadai (I am not sure of spelling of kadai but it is a music thing). I did ballet until aged 6 but I got kicked out for violence or something…hehe. I can not dance. And while I love karaoke, the best thing about it is going and screaming with friends…I am not that great at it. BUT I DO LOVE IT! I sing to myself a lot…
It’s never too late to start…my brother taught himself to play the guitar at 15 or 16 and now he is awesome!
Adam- Yes but what did you parents force you to listen to? I think you read the blog Boudist right? I love that guy….going to all those music gigs and meeting all those people would be so much fun. I love live gigs…
Miss Natalie- I feel your embarrassment…well I used to. But now that I am older I appreciate the music my parents, in particular my dad, introduced to us at a young age. I LOVE ARETHA FRANKLIN!! And I like Billy Joel too ( my mum was a fan!!)
It took me a second to realize what NKOTB meant but I got it now…
Enny- I know a lot of Elvis songs…I love old Elvis movies too…
They’ve also passed on appreciation for Simon and Garfunkel, the divine Miss Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Warren Zevon, Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, James Taylor… if my iPod hadn’t completely shat itself, we coulda had a competition!