I don’t know why, but I feel as if I’ve lost some of my mojo in the past few weeks. For those not in the know, mojo is a slang term - most often used in the blues - to define magic or power. I’m using it to define the energy I’ve been putting into combating my disease. I’ve devoted a tremendous amount (some might say all) of my vitality to my health, and by extension, my writing projects, and perhaps I need to find yet another outlet. I’m not saying I’ve given up - far from it - but I’ve noticed that I’ve skipped a few days of sensory therapy, that I forget to run the Beacon40 lights at night, that it’s taking me longer to write and longer to find interesting things to write about. Never fear though. I’m on it. I’m aware and working to fix it. I’m fully aware of how important it is.
I’ve missed writing about music - so I’ll do a little more of that, starting with today’s listen (which has nothing to do with Mojo at all!). Today’s listen was by a techno band called System 7. System 7 is composed of the phenomenal (and unique) guitar player Steve Hillage and his partner Miquette Giraudy. Steve and Miquette have been working together since 1974 - first in the pioneering psychedelic band Gong, and then later with Steve’s own band. Gong and the Steve Hillage band, while certainly an acquired taste, have been extremely important in my musical wanderings - but this morning was the first time that I really listened to System 7. I played Live Transmissions 02, a brand new release, which is a really excellent album. It’s a psychedelic techno concert, except that Hillage plays some scathing guitar parts, making it completely different from most computer/synthesizer based techno music. With the lights, it was nothing short of great. I won’t say it will move into regular play, as Hillage’s solo work and Gong albums are, but I really enjoyed it this morning.
In a transparent attempt to jumpstart my mojo, I’ve compiled a playlist of 62 songs (out of a total of 578 in my collection) containing the word mojo in the title. Many of the 578 are versions of I’ve got my Mojo Workin’ - originally performed by Ann Cole (which I didn’t know) but made famous by Muddy Waters. There’s an interesting article on it here. I’ve tried to weed out some of those, but I left in several that are performed in unique ways. My playlist is six and a half hours long, so it will take me some time to get through it, but here’s hoping it helps to ground me back into my work - which is keeping my brain active. I’m also not sure if I’ll have enough mojo to get through the list before delving into something different.
I neglected to mention that last week I had my interview - which I think went well - with someone from the national chapter of the Alzheimer’s Organization for the Early Onset Advisory Group. This is a one year post that will attend conferences and speak out in favor of funding and research. My hope is that it would also be to be a resource towards others recently (or not) diagnosed, to offer advice or a shoulder if necessary. It’s a devastating time, those first months, and any forthright assistance the new members of the community (so to speak) can be given will be helpful. I know how important my initial connection with the local chapter here in New England was. I’d be super grateful for the opportunity to be of help to this valuable organization. To that end, I’m also meeting with someone from the regional group next week to discuss ways in which I might be able to be of service to them. The national postings will be decided in May or June.
This morning, already feeling better about getting back into it, I listened to the first ten songs on the Mojo playlist. They are:
1 Mojo (feat. Manu Dibango) Allen, Tony
2 Got My Mojo Working Andersen, Matt
4 I Want My Mojo Back Biram, Scott H.
5 Got My Mojo Working The Bond, Graham Organization
6 I Got My Mojo Workin' Brother Yusef (Not this version)
7 East Village Mojo Buchen, Bill (could not find streaming)
Despite having many versions of the same song, the interpretations are all quite different, so it wasn’t a really redundant listen. There’s only one track (and the album that it’s on) that I want to discuss here, and that is Mojo Pin by Jeff Buckley, from the album Grace. I can still remember being turned on to that record by an acquaintance from the Porcupine Tree mailing list. (This is pre-Facebook and Web Forum - you did all communication over email.) By the verbal description (which I don’t remember) and the cover art, I wasn’t sure it would be my cup of tea but I gave it a shot anyway. Rarely have I been happier that I tried something new. Grace is a phenomenal album, and Jeff Buckly had the makings of a long lasting star. With a four octave voice that wavered between plaintive and powerful, often in the same breath he conveyed loss, hope and betrayal. His cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is perhaps the greatest version (inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry (and it may stay there because, of course, Buckley is white)) of an altogether wonderful track, far transcending the original. The song Last Goodbye is one of the most powerful and moving songs about love lost that I’ve ever heard, and his version of the track Lilac Wine, made famous by Nina Simone is an absolute marvel. I can really say that no matter your musical preference, if you give this record a shot, you’ll be happy you did. Do yourself a favor, sit back and enjoy this masterwork in full, rather than listening to the tracks I’ve linked. Tragically, Buckley died in a drowning accident while working on his follow up album, which was eventually released as a posthumous work in progress called Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk. His estate has mined the depths of his catalog releasing numerous live and demo albums - but none (with the exception of some of the live material, which is an excellent snapshot of an artist trying to define himself) stand up to the majesty of Grace. It’s not a perfect album in any way - but what it does well, it excels at.
I did not continue my Mojo list this morning (or my sensory stimulation routine), because my laptop lost its own mojo. The fan died. Thankfully, I can replace it (the perks of a long time in the IT field) myself and have ordered the part. It should be back up and running sometime tomorrow. So today, I’ve been busy ripping the vinyl only new release by King Buffalo, called Live At Freak Valley II to disc. I’m going to see that band opening for favorites All Them Witches in Brooklyn in December. I rarely purchase tickets so far in advance, but in this case it was a no-brainer. There is no doubt that it will be amazing. ATW will be releasing their first new album in years sometime soon, and you can be sure that I’ll be listening to that under the lights (and reporting back) first thing!
I’ve listened to a lot of random stuff off of bandcamp in the absence of my computer, and nothing is really worth noting. But I’m back in the saddle - committed to my work on my brain health. I now need to get off my butt and start exercising- or moving about at least. The other day I chopped a bunch of firewood. It felt great to be outside and moving muscles. Unfortunately, it’s snowing again! Will this cold weather, which chills me to my core, never cease?
There’s a lot to note in the world of politics - none of it good, but others have said it all better and far more eloquently than I would. Suffice to say I’m really disturbed at the way things are being handled across all three tiers of leadership in America. This is not to say that there are not issues being addressed that do need to be resolved - but not in this manner at all. None of this - the firings, the callus and malicious tariffing, the threats to overtake neighboring countries, the profiteering by members of our government, the general disregard for the tenants of what has made this country great - is any good at all. This is a cruel, thoughtless and, dare I say, childish administration, stealing power away from the people. Any one who supports the process here, and claims to revere the constitution, needs to do a little bit of reading. I do hope we survive with our nation intact, and are able to rebuild the trust lost. I’m so disappointed in our collective humanity right now. It makes me really sad - and worried. But I’m proud of those who braved the cold (at least here) to protest last week. I fear it will only fall on deaf ears and blind eyes though.
In many ways, I’ve got my mojo back! I’ve been doing my sensory stimulation - both music/lights in the morning, and Beacon40 at night, feeling good about my writing and sense of place in the world. I made it to the gym today, and I ache, but it’s good. I also fixed my computer. I did have to ask Wendy for help with a tiny screw because my essential tremors were making it impossible to find the proper hole. (God! I just reread that sentence. Context really does matter when you’ve got the mind of a 13 year old boy!) So, since the computer is fixed, I was able to get back to my mojo playlist too! This morning it was:
11 Mojo Down The Road Chambers, Sean
12 Some Fool Done Stole My Mojo Collins, Sugarcane (could not find streaming)
14 Got My Mojo Workin’ Cotton, James
15 Mojo Mojo Dickinson, Luther
There’s a pretty vast array of sounds here, from the back country acoustics of Luther’s track, to the fuzzed out doom of the Ecstatic Vision song. There’s plenty of Chicago blues to go around as well. But honestly, the most interesting track - just because it was completely new to me, was the take on the classic by The Electric Prunes, a mid sixties psychedelic band. I knew of them, but had never really familiarized myself with their music. It was fun. A distinct white-boy take on the track, with some nice guitar work. Canadian singer, Sugarcane Collins - who unfortunately has a very limited internet presence - comes in hot with a laid-back track. I’ve no idea where I came across him since a search for that song revealed nothing.
Tomorrow morning is infusion number 17. We’ve got two concerts booked for the following week. The first is by Malian singer Vieux Farka Touré and then we will be blessed to see Ruthie Foster perform in a free show at a local college. It’s always fun to have some live music to look forward to. Oh, and also, the Endoscopy mentioned a few posts ago is scheduled to happen in just over a week. I need to start weaning myself from several medications this week. (which, as you recall, was the reason it was cancelled last month).
Thanks for reading,
Dy
Yup…the true 13 year old mind never ceases to amaze 😂😂
I listened to Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah. And wow!!! Hope your mojo stays strong!!!💗🙏💥