Good morning, Kittens and Dawgs! Things are a bit hectic today and I won’t be around Blogosphere due to DH’s eye exam appointment. Also, the doctor is doing a bit of lazer surgery on the cataract lens to remove the haze. We’re not sure what caused that but it needs to be done. We’re not sure if this eye exam will allow him to get a new glasses or if he’ll need an extra checkup after things settle a bit more. He’s getting closer to seeing this whole mess behind him and we can’t wait until we can breathe a sigh of relief to close this chapter in our lives. It certainly has been an experience we’ll not soon forget. I hope none of y’all have to go through anything like this ever! Speaking of DH, tomorrow is his birthday, so I want to take sec to say.
I might not win a Grammy covering such a classic song but it’s the though that counts…right? Okay, it’s time to get this party going. This week’s mewsic theme is ‘your choice‘. I really like freebie week because I’m able to share new jewels to cross my ears with you. This time I went in search of country folk tunes and found a short list of songs that hit my mewsical sweet spot for one reason or another, all which are new-to-me artists, too. Allow me to present my I’m Feelin’ A Little Country playlist
The playlist tracks include:
- Gravity ❦ The Infamous Stringdusters (Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Jam Band)’Best Bluegrass Album’ of 2017, Laws of Gravity. Ryan Adams says this about the band, “The Stringdusters are the Star Wars of Bluegrass and this is their Return of the Jedi. Stop fiddling with your lightsaber and get this album.“
- If We Were Vampires ❦ Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Southern Rock, Alternative Country) ‘Best American Roots Song’ 2017 from their The Nashville Sound album.
- Old Time Feeling (Like Before) ❦ Turnpike Troubadours (Americana, Country, Folk Rock, Root Rock)2017 song from the bands’ A Long Way From Your Heart album.
- All I’m Asking ❦ The Band of Heathens (Americana, Folk Rock, Country, Blues )from the groups 2017 Duende album
The links for the above artists albums may not contain all songs but at the very least you’ll can listen to most of the recorded tracks.
I thought it was only fitting to put one more record on the turn table with this next song. He told me he used it every night when he closed his radio show. I’m not sure which one he signed off with but to cover my bases I decided to share both the original and MJ’s 1972 cover.
Colette is experiencing eye problems and isn’t actively co-hosting but you might find her boogieing with us occasionally. I asked that you continue to keep her in prayer. Right now, I want you join fellow co-hosts: XmasDolly (Party Coordinator), Stacy, Alana, & this month’s guest co-host, Michelle on the dance floor (ONLY link mewsic posts). Let’s get this party started!
Keep those tunes playing and your body swaying, I’ll see ya around the cyber block!
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The party has been ongoing and I’m late to it! (my apologies). Of these four, I can’t make up my mind between the Stringdusters and A Band of Heathens, so it’s taken me an entire…no, wait, that’s not why I’m late. Nor is it because I’m been dancing to Michael Jackson’s cover of Rockin’ Robin Better late than never, I say! Happy to see the eye surgery went well (no pun intended).
Alana,
No apologies needed for the late show. I’m just happy got a chance to stop by to boogie with me. I’m glad you enjoyed the country mewsic/artists introductions. Have a funtastic evening and I’ll see you on the dance floor Monday!
I love rockin’ to both versions of that song! One of the few remakes that deserved to be equally popular with the original.
Jen,
I have to agree both songs are equally great!
Hi Cathy! Happy Tuesday. Wow, I LOVE your playlist! Thank you so much for introducing me to these new-to-me songs and artists/bands. I so enjoyed each one of them.My two favorites are the first one and the last. “Gravity” is a wonderfully modern bluegrass song and I loved seeing them play their strings (I like their name too — the Infamous Stringdusters. Good one. At first I thought it was Stringbusters, which would’ve been good too. 🙂 )
I knew I was going to like “All I Ask” by the Band of Heathens (not sure how I feel about the name of that band. I guess it’s how one defines ‘heathens’…)
Right now I have Bobby Day’s Rockin’ Robin jammin’ in my headphones and my shoulders are a-shimmying and my hips are a’dancin’ in the recliner. I definitely like his version better than Michael Jackson’s but I must say, MJ’s version always makes me think of riding in the backseat of my parents car. That song got a lot of airplay on the radio and we heard it almost every time we got in the car! I can’t remember what year that came out but it takes me back to that age of innocence…
Happy Birthday to your Rockin’ Robin!
Enjoy the rest of your week…
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele,
I know what you mean about the band name, The Band of Heathens. I’m not crazy about it, either. But, it certainly is a name one won’t forget easily and I’m sure that’s the purpose of picking such a name, to begin with, wouldn’t you think? When I first laid eyes on the band name, The Infamous Stringdusters it somehow registered as Starbusters. I have no idea why but it did. Anywho, I’m thrilled you enjoyed these mewsic introductions. MJ’s ‘Rockin’ Robin’ covered released in 1972. I was 11 years old that year. It is his cover that I remember most but I do recall hearing the original on oldie stations. Thanks for the bday wishes for DH. Have a good weekend, my friend!
You do “Happy Birthday” magnificently… Loved your country music set…
Best of luck to your fellow with his optical procedure…
Myke,
DH’s eye procedure went well. His vision is making slight improvements each day. He goes at the end of August for an eye exam. He’s anxious to get new corrective eyewear and so am I. 🙂 Thanks for the happy birthday wishes for DH. Have a funtastic weekend!
I don’t know if my comment stuck (sometimes it doesn’t) so if this is a duplicate, sorry! I was officially stopping by on the #AtoZChallenge Road Trip, but couldn’t comment on your T post, so I hopped over to your current post to comment. BTW, those turtles are so amazing – I cannot believe you drew them on an ipad. Girl, you have skills! (even if they aren’t singing skills, lol.) Happy B-day to your darling husband!
Jen,
Your comments were thrown into my Spam folder. I’m not sure why WP thinks some comments are spam but it does and I have to check frequently to make sure I’m not missing legitimate bloggers. Thank you for checking out this year’s A2Z iPad sketches. I surely appreciate your kind words. It’s folks like you who fill me with the desire to get doing what I’m doing. Maybe I need to give my singing more practice and I’ll hear improvements. 🙂 Probably not and I’d keep the whole neighborhood awake at odd hours with the dogs howling. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be by to visit you soon!
Hey, I was officially stopping by on the #AtoZChallenge Road Trip, and realized I couldn’t comment on your T post! But those turtles are so amazing – I cannot believe you drew them on an ipad. Girl, you have skills!
Jen,
Thank you for the sweet compliment on my turtle couple that I sketched on my iPad during the April A2Z challenge. If you can draw with paper and pencil, then you can use an iPad. I’m just a novice artist so I can only imagine what a real artist might do with technology. 🙂
Rockin’ Robin is a pretty rockin’ song. 🙂
I like that “Stringdusters” sound. As a Star Wars fan, I have no idea what that comment means, though. How are these guys “Star Wars” and how is this their “Return of the Jedi”? There are so many perspectives about that series of movies, and until I know what the commenter thinks, I just can’t unpack that. A lot of people think Jedi is the weakest of the original trilogy. Or is the guy not a SW fan, and still thinks of Jedi as the end of the story? Is he saying this is their swan song? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!
Red,
I sorta think Ryan Adams is saying Stringdusters is the cream of the crop when it comes to bluegrass mewsic because of their progressive sound. It’s not everyday bluegrass. I wish I could enlighten you more but you might have hit the nail on the head about Adam not being a true SW’s fan. Although I’ve seen the trilogy and I liked those movies a lot I wouldn’t call myself a diehard fan. They certainly are the best of any of the SW movies. The newer stuff just can’t cut it. Thanks for stopping by!
You sing on key and with love so this was a good sing a long for your hubby. Happy birthday to your DH. My mom had laser surgery in 1999 and 2000 for her macular degeneration but it didn’t help her as it was new at that time. Anyway, I am certain he will feel so much better and his sight will improve. I am certain he also loves your country picks
Birgit,
Medical technology has improved so much. The things DH has had to face over the past couple of years has been treated so far very well. I’m amazed and thankful that we live in a time where we can benefit from such technology. 30 years ago a detached retina would most certainly be meant blindness but so far, so good. We’re praying that this eye doesn’t have any more issues like this or that his other eye retina detaches. Hopefully, with yearly or bi-yearly checkups they will easily spot such problems. He said he can tell a difference already, so I’m really thrilled about this news. Thanks for visiting!
Happy Birthday Mr. Cat’s hope you’re eatin’ that second piece of cake you just snuck from the table… hehehe~ and hope it tastes deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelishhhhhhhhhhhhhusssss You’ll be just fine cuz I sent my guardian angel over there by you when I heard to help ya out, but make sure you send her back cuz I still need her too, but I shall share with you Cuz I luv’s your Mrs. Cat… she’s a great gal, but I know you already know that! Now… Hi Girlfriend, where’s my piece of birthday cake… ??? On second thought it’s okay it’ll go straight to my thighs anyways… great tune and such fantastic musicians your first song has… the rest are fantastically mellow! Rockin’ Robin love the old version cuz my big brother who was six yrs. older than eye use to ask me to practice jitterbug with him so he could be really good when he’d go to his dances. He threw me around like I was a doll, but we were pretty good & besides my mom & dad loved watching us! ~hehehe~ Have a great evening/day/week! BIG HUGS!!!!! AND GIVE A BIRTHDAY HUG TO THE HUBBY FOR ME… (I know you hate it… bwahahahahaha… go on.. extra hug… you know you love it & a peck on the cheek and anything you do after that you’re on your own sweetie!!! bwahahahaha HAPPY BIRTHDAY………………….
Marie,
Thanks for sharing your guardian angel with DH yesterday. I’m sending her back to ya now. Everything went well. I trust God completely!
What sweet bday wishes you passed to DH. He will totally appreciate knowing that you and everyone in Blogosphere send him the best for his 59th birthday. Oh, you have some sweet memories of your big brother! That’s pAwesome he used to dance with you. 🙂
I’ll give DH a hug and kiss for you. You cracked me up with the rest is up to me. lol Thanks for boogieing with me, my dear friend!
Was that you singing Happy Birthday? It was lovely!
I will keep your DH in prayers. I understand the feelings.
I get to go in August to do my surgery. I will update more soon.
Thanks so much.
And thanks for the music.
*HUGS*
Colette,
Yes, that’s little ole me singing. You’re so sweet. Thanks for such a kind remark.
Thanks for the prayers. Everyone can use them. 😉
Oh, that’s wonderful news to hear you’re having surgery in August. I know how the huge concern and problems your declined vision has been for you. This has bothered me since I know of DH’s struggles over the past couple of years. We’ll certainly remember you in our prayers for the complete restoration of your sight. God is able to do anything! XO
Happy Birthday to your hubby! We are one day apart 🙂
Ellen,
Thanks! Ah, so is your birthday tomorrow or was it yesterday? 🙂 Have a great week, my friend!
Happy Birthday to your husband! Hope the surgery went well. Eye surgery is always worrisome to me. So many things that can go wrong. I liked your selections today, especially The Band of Heathens. Having a busy day myself – REALLY surprised I found a spare minute to come visit 🙂
~Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Mary,
Eye surgery sounds scary, doesn’t it? The procedure he had yesterday was done in the office, so I reckon that meant minimal risk. The doctor performed laser surgery to remove the cloudiness on the membrane behind the lens. At first, DH thought it was the lens that he was removing the haze from but it wasn’t. The doctor said this was totally common. I don’t know if that means it’s common after having cataract surgery or the retina reattachment or what. Maybe, DH will ask on his next visit. Thanks for making time. We all lead such busy lives, so please never feel pushed to get over here. Come dance at your pace! 😉
Wishing your sweetheart many, many happy returns of the day!
Thank you, Mimi! I woke him up this morning singing happy birthday. Thankfully, he didn’t throw a pillow at me or worse….say howl! lol
Nice hearing your voice, and Happy birthday to your husband! I’ll be praying for him with the opthamologist appointment (I’m assuming that’s the kind of doctor) and with the cataract removal. You get to an age and everything starts having issues…
Good song choices, some fresh stuff there! And I know it’s not a BotB, but give my vote to the original “Rockin’ Robin.”
John,
Many thanks for the prayers. You may recall more than a year ago, DH had to have retina reattachment surgery and then this past May, he had dual eye procedure – cataract surgery and the removal of the oil bubble left in from last year’s retina surgery. Prior to all of this, we knew he had the onset of cataracts but the retina attachment surgery sped up the need to replace the lens. We learned that’s a very common side-effect from this kind of procedure. We aren’t sure why his retina detached since there was no injury involved but the doctor said those who are very near-sighted often fall prey to this condition. He has been quite near-sighted most of his life, too. It’s hard to not pick the original “Rockin’ Robin” over the cover. Thanks for visiting!
Happy Birthday to your Rockin Robin. Wonderful songs. Thanks for sharing them.
Happy Birthday to DH and hope all goes well with his eye. Happy Monday and have a great week, Cathy. Love your country set mewsic!
Eugenia,
Thanks for the warm wishes for DH’s birthday. Also, thank you for the good wishes on his eye surgery. I’m happy to report everything went very well yesterday. The doctor didn’t do an eye exam as first thought. He said it would be better to wait. We’re a step closer to getting the hairy ordeal behind us! It’s great seeing you today. Have a good week!
👍👍
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday Dear DH,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you.♪♪
Loved Gravity. Not heard that until today.
Awww on that adorable kitten in pink.
Have a fabulous day and week, Cathy. Hugs and love. ♥
Sandee,
Thank you for the b-day wishes for DH. He celebrates his 59th birthday today. Next year, I’m gonna have to think of something really big to do for him. I’m making barbecue pork, potato salad, baked beans, and biscuits for his special bday celebration. Oh, yes let’s not forget the double fudge chocolate cake with vanilla frosting! Have a good day and thanks for stopping by, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
Happy birthday to your rockin’ Robin! What a sweet singing voice you have, dear friend. I thought I was listening to Marilyn Monroe! 🙂
I enjoyed your country set this morning containing all new-to-me artists, beginning with the energetic, invigorating bluegrass styling of The Infamous Stringdusters and their song “Gravity.” “If We Were Vampires” is an unusual song title in the country mewsic category. Maybe that’s why the band, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, is classified as alternative country. I like their sound! “Old Time Feeling (Like Before)” by Turnpike Troubadours is another great song that reminds me how easy it is for my ears to tune in to country. The Band of Heathens tweaks the country sound in the direction of rock and blues and I enjoyed their song “All I’m Asking.”
The original version of “Rockin’ Robin” from my childhood years, the Bobby Day recording, remains one of my favorite songs of the era and the version I prefer.
I wish DH all the best today as he returns for another eye exam. I hope this long ordeal is soon behind you. Take care, dear friend Cathy. I’ve been missing you, so please come see me when you can, and have a great week!
Tom,
Ah, aren’t so kind with that compliment! Someone years ago told me I sounded a little like MM but I just laughed because I never made the connection. Many years after that I began Happy Birthday just like this to DH which always makes him smile. 😀
Yeah, I thought the same thing about “If We Were Vampires” being an odd name for a country band’s song title. The original “Rockin’ Robin” is fabulous but I’m pretty sure it was MJ’s version that I remember most from my early years. BTW, DH’s eye surgery went well. However, the doctor is waiting on the eye exam for next time. It’ll be pAwesome to get this all behind us. Thanks for dancing by to see me, my friend. I’ll be over for a visit in a sec!