Up Above My Head

We spent most of today at the Kentuck Festival of the Arts which is one of my absolute favorite things to do. It was the perfect fall day, and we heard some of the best music I've heard in a really long time. It got me thinking about the role that music plays in my life, particularly in my spiritual life. I remember telling a friend a few months after I got divorced that music was the only thing helping me and healing me...the only thing that made me feel better. That's been true for most experiences in my life - good and bad. They've all been set to music. And all of that emotion and all of those memories can be conjured up when I hear a familiar tune.

I feel closer to God in a song than any other place. Is that odd? So be it. I don't think He cares much how I get there. Just so I do.

Ruthie Foster performed at Kentuck this afternoon and she was unbelievable. Seriously. I realized during her last song that I was crying, and as we were leaving I told PJ that I felt like I had just been to "really good church." She has the most soulful voice I've ever heard. I had chills. "Walk On" has always been my mantra, and my soul has been renewed after her rendition today.

I saw Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt last weekend thanks to Kala, and I spent most of last week replaying those tunes in my head. Such unique and powerful voices...so many memories tied up in those tunes. And I never get tired of that sound or those lyrics...Just throw in some Dwight Yoakam and maybe a little Steve Winwood and a whole lot of Michael Jackson (oh and don't forget David Bowie) and you've got the soundtrack of my life. Really it's more than that...I could go on for hours...

When Phill died I spent a whole lot of time thinking about music and how it played such a huge role in our friendship. I have vivid memories of him playing Neil Young for me and me playing Dolly Parton (long story - don't ask) and Dixie Chicks for him. At his memorial service we all sang "Listen to the Music" together in his honor...just because music was such a huge part of Phill's life. His cousin, Emmylou Harris, sang at the service, and I will never forget it...the songs, the guitar, the outfit she wore...all of it. To this day, I can't listen to her latest CD without sobbing.  

Ruthie Foster opened the show today with "Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In the Air)." That song is on her latest CD (the phenomenal Ruthie Foster), and was originally recorded by Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the 1940s. The simple lyrics sum up what I'm trying to say here. Maybe I should have just left it at that:

"Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
I really do believe, I really do believe there's a Heaven somewhere."

And we have a winner! PJ drew the name out of his Castro hat tonight.

Congrats, b! Thanks to all of you for commenting. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion. I find it interesting that b won the copy of Churched considering she didn't grow up in church...perhaps the book will explain some things for her about the rest of us! b, I know where to find you, and I will get the book to you ASAP. You will love it. (And can you let V borrow it when you are done? Kala, you can borrow mine.) MPT, thanks for including me on the blog tour, and congrats again on such a great work.

Comments

[virginia]

Ooooh yay, I can totally borrow this from her! Congrats B! :)

I understand what you mean about music. I just erased the rest of my comment because it was basically an entire blog post, but needless to say- I can completely relate.

(And I am sad we didn't get to go to Kentuck. I am so planning on doing it one of these years when the kids are maybe a little older and more tolerable for road trips.)

[PJ]

I understand what you mean about the music, too; and you really captured what we experienced with the phenomenal Ruthie this afternoon at Kentuck. I am listening to "Home" right now...I just downloaded from iTunes. "Hole in My Pocket" and "Walk On" are next.

[lisa tanner]

You've given me some new music to look into. :) I completely understand where you're coming from with the music - helping and healing. My love for Kenny was born out of one of those healing times!!

[b]

What in the world?!?! How exciting!

Of course, V can borrow it after I am done.........I just told Scott YESTERDAY that I thought I would try to pick that up this week!

How exciting! Thanks, MJ!