Columbus Day, Redirected

I spent some time during my lunch this afternoon trying to come up with something to post for Columbus Day, which is without a doubt my least favorite holiday on the US calendar (I even like xmas better). But I didn't have much luck. Everyone who cares already knows that Columbus was no hero and that he doesn't deserve to be honored with a holiday (he instead deserved to be locked up for his crimes).

I realized that my commentary where Columbus Day is concerned probably peaked last year, when Columbus Day and Coming Out Day both fell on the same date, and I encouraged my friends on facebook to "Be gay, not genocidal!" (my favorite followup was from a neighbor: "I thought that I was the only one constantly reminding myself to be gay and not genocidal. One is fabulous and the other is not.").

But back to today's post. As I navigated the labyrinthine warren that is the internet while nibbling on last night's leftovers, I was distracted from my quest by this awesome video of Widespread Panic opening their 25th Anniversary Party earlier this year with Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," just as they had at their first show in 1986.

And then as I listened, I realized that this is a perfect song to put up here today. For, even now, thousands of people are out in the streets, all over the world, protesting the ongoing oppression that continues to this day, which is still (and ever) motivated by greed and enabled by corruption.

So, instead of honoring a cruel, genocidal terrorist, I'd like to redirect our attention to the great, brave people who are standing up to the powerful, worldwide. One of the many places where this is happening is in New York, where the Occupy Wall Street protests have morphed into a movement that is spreading across the country (including Chattanooga). It's a relief to see that the sleeping giant has finally (re)awakened here in the US. Our leaders and the media would be wise to pay attention. I don't think these people are going to go home quietly.

photo of Occupy Wall Street on the Brooklyn Bridge by Mat McDermott

Coconuts & Music

Continuing on with a fruit theme for the day, I've been thinking a lot about what music I should post about next (after some Ian Hunter and then some more Ian Hunter/Mott). Lots of possibilities have been swirling around in my head, but two completely different songs of the same name have been consistently niggling away at me. So, I finally settled on a serving up a double shot of coconuts. Enjoy!

The first is from Harry Nilsson, preeminent musician, friend to John Lennon, movie-maker with Ringo Starr (a movie with a soundtrack that is absolutely legendary in my family, btw), and owner of a creepy apartment. His version of "Coconut," a cool calypso kind of thing, first appeared on an album in 1971.

And then there is the "Coconut" that came from the great jamband, Widespread Panic, on their 1988 debut album. The rhythm in this song, especially at the beginning, has a bit of an island-like feel to it as well, but it eventually works its way into more of a jam, with all sorts of delightful riffy goodness (and the lyrics are dead on about the smell of coconuts being associated with sunbathing -- it's a fragrance that always reminds me of being at the beach).