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Sometimes, inspiration strikes before I have coffee. It’s a rare event though.

Today, we deal with the topic of growing old. Growing old along with your music.

More specifically, is there any music that you’ve ‘outgrown’? It’s a weird concept for me because, aside from a few songs that came out of my teeny-bopper years, I’ve brought it all along for the ride, so to speak.

So yeah, which albums (if any) have you outgrown?

It’s interesting how little bits of your own history can show up just about anywhere. Though this isn’t dated, I’m pretty sure I scribbled down “popcorn” and “jelly stick” some time last fall. I was talking to my dad on the phone and that’s what he asked me to bring him over at the home. This must have been early fall, when he was still interested in eatin’ some bad stuff.

Hmmm, maybe it’s time to change the page on that desk blotter.

This iris, who lives on top of the granite wall in the back yard, doesn’t seem to mind one bit that today is the start of a new work week after five glorious days off. Maybe the poor thing is just a little tired of the weird dude who’s always sitting on the back porch, interrupting the Zen-like calm of the property.

Or something.

I’m in the middle of an extended, five-day weekend. Oh yes, it does feel good. It might be a little too hot for this time of year but hey, it’ll give me another reason to rationalize not doing yard work. Reading a book sound more like it.

And what better way to kick off the summer season than to go to a Southside Johnny show. I’ll tell you what could be be better, seeing a Southside Johnny show with a couple of old friends.

After a long, cold winter, they’re taking a well-deserved break.

Today we have some gorgeous wordless vocals, some great small ensemble interplay, and a tremendously funky take on a Thelonius Monk classic.

Check ‘em out:

Jennifer Lee - Quiet Joy

Damon Zick - Hector, Desmond and Titus

Joel Harrison - Straight No Chaser (variations)

The pseudo-modern placed against the very old. I hope they’re happy together.

I totally love it when I stumble onto music that’s tough to categorize. It’s almost as much fun as when the music is guaranteed to clear a room. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I hate everybody and want to pummel them with sonic abuse. It’s just that the really bizarre resonates with my ear parts.

The first of these two tracks can be fairly labeled as “modern”. There are lots of starts and stop, squeals, and other assorted fun. The second track, well, you’ve never heard anything like it, unless you’ve used a music online dating service.

Gebhard Ullmann - Kreutzberg Park East

Nicholas Ulie Large Ensemble - Bad Girl?

Wouldn’t you love to know what sign or logo used to be at this location? Or maybe I’m wrong and this was just the result of somebody going out and doing their rectangle painting practice.