Dead man, Dead man don't Cry

So I've owned this album for quite some time and I've always liked it, but for me sometimes an album's greatness doesn't unveil itself to me immediately. 'Transfiguration of Vincent' by M. Ward was one of these albums.

The one thing that was obvious from the beginning is that this guy is talented. Sweet guitar picking, harmonica, piano and a voice sweet and soft enough to put a newborn to sleep. I think I finally realized how much I loved this album in Greensboro traffic. People in the south love to take up all three lanes while driving the exact same speed, and it PISSES ME OFF TO NO END. While at a stoplight I decided to give this album another shot, and suddenly my road rage disappeared like small children around Pedobear (google it.)

It's easy for great albums like this to disappear amongst the huge wave of indie and alternative country records flooding the airways these days. This one however, you can't put in a pile with all the other garbage. It's such a perfect time to give this record a shot since it's officially summer, and it has a very 'summery' feel to it. Some listeners may be lost to the overall sleepiness of the record, while others will hop in the hammock and drift into summer bliss.

Two of my favorite tracks: 'Vincent O'Brien' and 'Dead Man'. You can stream a few at http://www.mwardmusic.com/.

J.B.

Happy Mother's Day!

In rememberance of the late, great Bernice Kalbaugh I'd like to make a special Mother's Day post. (Don't worry it still stays on topic)

Mom Kalbaugh (as we called her) suffered with alzheimer's disease late in her life. It's really hard to watch a loved one suffer the disease, and even harder to watch more loved ones deal with it. One thing I find interesting is the calming effect music had on my grandmother and others with the disease. Which leads me to my next recommendation. It's not an album this time, it's the new documentary on HBO called 'The Alzheimer's Project'.

It can be depressing at times, but it sheds light on the terrible disease and shows how different people cope with it. The reason I wanted to recommend the documentary was a part from it that I found really uplifting.

A man at the ripe age of 81 has been living with Alzheimer's for 14 years. He wanders from place to place in a facility, constantly whistling and asking everyone what he's doing. (I know this guy sounds a lot like me) This man used to be in a singing group, and every once in awhile his wife and daughter pick him up to go sing with them. Now keep in mind on the way there he asks what they're doing about 15 times. They get him there, tie his tie, introduce him and beckon him on stage. Even at the point where he's stepping on stage he's asking "What am I doing?" The other gentleman start singing, and 2 seconds later he's singing along and even takes solos! An absolutely beautiful moment amidst a sad story. As if I needed more proof that music is THE GREATEST FUCKING THING EVER!

The documentary is a 4-part series and the first part aired tonight. HBO replays everything a million times though, and I think you can watch them on the website.

Learn more at http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/

Happy Mother's Day and R.I.P. Mom Kalbaugh!