Ever since my trip back to Crete, Greece last summer, I’ve been in full Graecophile mode. This past Sunday, in honor of Greek Orthodox Easter, we had a Greek-themed service. I showed the kids my bouzouki as the first part of the Time for All Ages. I just wanted them to know the instrument and hear its sound a bit. I acquired the instrument fairly recently and am just now starting to learn it. I do love the sound. If I get any good at it (i.e., if I work my way up to mediocre), I might play a piece during the service for an offertory.
Rev. Lara Hoke playing a little bouzouki during the Time for All Age
Good morning and greetings from the post inaugural dystopian hellscape! How are you resisting today? I’m going to learn more about rights in dealing with ICE today. We have to stand up for our immigrant and refugee siblings. Here’s one useful link, if you’d like to resist ICE: How US Citizens Can Protect The Immigrant Community from the Deportation Force. What are you up to today?
And now for something completely different…
The Beatles from the White Album photos.
In an effort to stay sane, I’m going to try to post “fun stuff” along with the resistance, because joy is indeed an act of resistance (thank you, Audre Lorde).
I’m a huge Beatles fan. I love all The Beatles albums, and everything including and after Rubber Soul is indeed a masterpiece. I have always been a bit thrown, though, by the so-called “White Album”. It’s the only double album by The Beatles, and it’s very uneven. I’ve always thought that if they’d used their usual discretion as to what was “worthy” and made it a single album, it would be among their very best.
I took the liberty of creating my own version of “The White Album” as a single album, and created a “Beatles Novelties” with the leftovers. Here is what those two albums look like:
(Lara’s cut) “White Album”
Side A:
Back in the USSR
Dear Prudence
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Happiness Is a Warm Gun
I’m So Tired
Savoy Truffle
Blackbird
Side B:
Revolution 1
Why Don’t We Do It in the Road
I Will
Birthday
Mother Nature’s Son
Sexy Sadie
Helter Skelter
Julia
Tell me that’s not an amazing album!?!? If you have Amazon/Prime Music, you can listen to this version here.
This is what the other album would look like:
(Lara’s cut) Beatles White Album Novelties
Side A:
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
Wild Honey Pie
Honey Pie
Glass Onion
Piggies
Yer Blues
Martha My Dear
Side B:
Rocky Raccoon
Don’t Pass Me By
Everybody’s Got Something to Hide
Long Long Long
Cry Baby Cry
(Bonus) You Know My Name (Look Up My Number)
Good Night
Revolution 9
If you have Amazon/Prime Music, you can listen to this version here. What would your version of these two albums look like?
I’m starting to get really excited for the upcoming FCU Folk Festival ’23! It will be on Saturday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Location/parking information is here.
The headlining artist is award-winning folk-blues-soul act The Sugarsnap Trio. They’re a super talented young group, and I can’t wait to hear them live!
There are two warm-up acts as well. Boston-based singer-songwriter Sarah Levecque will perform a brief set as will FCU’s own Patti Sardella (with friends Laura Pailler adding vocals, Kristine Tomlinson on electronic bagpipes, and Lara Hoke — that’s lil’ ol’ me– on bass).
There will be a brief intermission with refreshments.
A suggested donation is $30 per person or $35 per family, but any donation in any amount is appreciated, and no one will be turned away.
Fool of Spirit 