Relax and Dream Away Songs ( #BOTB )

   Now that I've got another birthday out of the way, it's time to just sit back and relax and dream away.  Guess it sounds like any other day.  Life is good...

 Battle of the Bands

 

        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.

Relax and Dream Songs

     When Neil Young's Harvest album came out in 1972, the highlight for me was the 7 minute song "Words (Between the Lines of Age).  I would listen to that song and wish it would last the entire side of the record.  A few months later the Young album Journey Through the Past came out with an extended 16 minute version of the song that covered a whole album side.  My wish for a longer version was granted and I was thrilled.

       I've long been a fan of long songs and especially long meandering pieces that elevate me to another plane of thought experience.  Those musical pieces, much like many classical works, give the music a chance to expand in my mind and stimulate my thinking--or just lull me into an ultra-relaxed state of peace and calm.  When something is good enough I sometimes don't want it to end.  At least not for a while.

       Here are two of my favorite long laid back tour de force pieces from two different decades.  I still love them both.  Take a listen and see how you respond to them and let us know which you like best...

Wally   "What To Do"  (1974)

      When I first heard the group Wally on the radio with their song "The Martyr," I knew I had to have their album.  After all, the instrumentation prominently featured a violin which is a favorite instrument of mine.  As soon as I could I made a trip over to Knoxville to get a copy of the album which was as good or even better than I had expected.  The song "What To Do" became a favorite.  I would listen to it repeatedly as I drifted and dreamed away.  At the time, I was 24 years old and wondering exactly what the song said in regard to my own life.  What was I going to do with my life?  Not long after that I got a pretty good idea where my life was going.  Kind of.  Here's the song...

Flaming Lips   "Feeling Yourself Disintegrate"  (1999)

      About 20 years ago I bought a CD copy of The Flaming Lips' album The Soft Bulletin. I enjoyed it okay, but never gave it a particularly intense listen. The CD languished on my shelves until just recently when I started playing it again. Playing it obsessively.  The dreamy extended song "Feeling Yourself Disintegrate" is the stand out for me and this one got extra plays as I relaxed in the evening before going to bed.  I find something incredibly relaxing and reassuring in this song.  Is it just me?  Please take a listen to see if you like it...      

Time to Vote!

          Before you totally drift away into Dreamland, how about casting a vote?  Hey, take time to relax a bit and enjoy music.   Which of these songs do you prefer?  Battles are no fun without you the reader participating.    Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.

        Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites.


Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
 
'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Results to come on Monday February 10

   

         I'm giving you some extra time since the songs are so long.  Not really.  Monday just seems better than Friday or the weekend.  There's also another post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.  Another reason why my results post will be on the date that I've chosen.  Not that it's any big deal or anything.