Goodbye Neil #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, and it's time for music. 

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers?

We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome.  

Today, our theme is: "the early Roman began the calendar year with March because it brought the first day of spring and new beginnings. The approaching changing seasons with the evidence of life’s return is visible in our area and perhaps where you live, too. Pick songs that reflect the mood of sunny spring weather."  But, my mood isn't sunny today because I have to report on another induction into Rock and Roll Heaven.  (I'm delaying my theme post until next week).

Neil Sedaka, singer, songwriter, and a favorite of my childhood, died Friday at the age of 86.  His musical career spanned several decades, from the 1950's to the present day.

He was an original member of the Tokens before leaving for a solo career in 1958 (before the Token's iconic hit The Lion Sleeps Tonight).  His first solo hit was Breaking Up is Hard to Do (see more below), but his career stalled when Beatlemania arrived on our United States shores.  But he returned to the chartsin the 1970's, encouraged by Elton John, with Laughter in the rain.

Sedaka collaborated with many greats, including Connie Francis, Tom Jones, and Frank Sinatra. One songwriting partner was Howard Greenfield (a neighbor).  Sedaka usually wrote music, but could also write lyrics.

Written or co-written by Neil Sedaka: 

Connie Francis and Stupid Cupid. 

The Captain and Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together.

The Monkees - When Love Comes Knocking (At Your Door).

And his own hits:  first, Happy Birthday Sweet 16. 

Calendar Girl.  

Laughter in the Rain. 

I'm closing with a song that created two hits for Neil.  Here are both versions of Breakin' Up is Hard to Do.  First, the original, from 1962.

Finally, this is the slow version from 1975, which I am more partial to.  I chose a live version.

May you forever rest in peace. 

And that's another sad wrap. 

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me. 

Shadowy Park #ShadowshotSunday

March has arrived where I live in the Southern Tier of New York State.  The sun reappears, along with shadows.

Let's take a walk in a local park.  I took these pictures the last two days of February, but that's close enough to March, right?

Hard to see, but there is also a reflection of the sky on ice in the middle of the snow sandwich.

The snow is melting, although we got another dusting this morning.

Joining up with Lisa at This and That: A Blog for her #ShadowshotSunday.
 

 

Skies of Almost Spring #SkywatchFriday

In three days, where I live in the Southern Tier of New York, it will be meteorological spring.  

The sky is starting to change.  True, enough times it is still the white-grey that so many of us dislike.  But then there are days like yesterday. 

You can't see it in the photo, but tree buds are swelling.  The sun is less shy.

The sunlight seems brighter.  The clouds are more varied.

Snow is melting.

The clouds and blue make a delicious sky layer cake. 

Look over to the right. There is a dot. The dot is the moon.

All the while I was walking, and taking pictures, I heard at least one Northern cardinal singing.

We still have weeks of winter yet, but I thank Nature for the sneak preview.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday. 

Snow Now Roses Later #WordlessWednesday

Back in July of 2023, my spouse and I visited Plymouth, Massachusetts, a historic city in a beautiful, scenic location.

If you went there today, it would be scenic, but for a different reason. 

Snow, and a lot of it from a recent storm that created blizzard conditions, blankets Massachusetts.  Portions of the county the city of Plymouth is in got up to 36 inches (91.4 cm) of snow.

I don't have pictures of the snow but I do have pictures from my July 2023 visit.  

 No snow here.

Do February snowstorms create July flowers?

What a difference several months will make. Hang in there, Plymouth!

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Songs of Billy Steinberg #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music! 

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers?

We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome.  

Today, our theme is:You Pick. Sadly, it's time for another induction into Rock and Roll Heaven.

William Endfield Steinberg, who wrote or co-wrote the lyrics to some of the biggest hits of the 1980s, died February 16 from cancer.  He was 75.

Here are some of those songs: 

Like a Virgin - Madonna, from 1984. 

A beautiful song from Cyndi Lauper -True Colors, from 1986.  I do love the 80's. 

One of my favorite Heart songs.  I chose a live version of Alone, a song released in 1987. 

I Drove All Night has been sung by many artists.  I chose the cover by Roy Orbison. This was actually recorded (1987) before Cyndi Lauper's original, but wasn't released (1992) until after her recording was released.

Last but not least, one could call this song off color, but, well, this was a hit for the Divinyls and it's tame compared to some hits that have come after.  Here, from 1990, is I Touch Myself. 

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me. 

Snow Step Shadow #ShadowshotSunday

Taken February 8.

 

Much of our snow has melted in the past few days, but Nature has determined we need to get a snow refill.  Hopefully, the nor'easter hitting the East Coast won't bring too much snow to my inland area.

And, here's a bonus for you for this historic Sunday. 

Years ago,  February 22 would have been a holiday celebrating our first President, George Washington. Here's a picture I took of a Gilbert Stewart painting of George Washington while my spouse and I were visiting Arkansas in 2013.  This portrait was painted in 1797. 

More on this particular painting.

Joining Lisa at This and That:  A Blog for her #ShadowshotSunday.

A Touch of Blue and Grey #SkywatchFriday

We still have lots of grey and white skies where I live in the Southern Tier of New York, but blue skies are making an appearance from time to time. 

For example, I took the first two pictures on Friday the 13th.  Lucky day for blue skies, I guess.

Later in the day, though, it increasingly became cloudy.  I know this sky looks ordinary, but it is also cherished.

By Sunday, the grey had returned.

We missed the Thursday lineup of the planets and the crescent moon.  Of course we did.  It was cloudy.  I didn't even feel like trying to take a picture of the sky we did have.  I hope someone else had better luck.

But spring is really coming.  I heard a Northern cardinal sing briefly again yesterday and the male red winged blackbirds should be here in the next three or four days.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday.