Though it was a bit selfish, I took a road trip across the southwestern expanses of America instead of going home for Christmas.
And we sailed on into the mystic...
Around 3,500 miles were churned up over an eight day period. From dive bars in Redondo Beach to dirt roads leading to an illusive “Hole in the Wall” in the Mojave Desert to sledding down snow covered sand dunes in New Mexico, miles were covered and immense levels of fun were had. This portion of Wonderful Wednesday is a salute to these adventures, a salute to our December excursions in the west. It is a salute to Manifest Destiny.
Given the nature of Rastafarianism, there are a lot of songs that revolve around traveling. Sure, the “travel” is really a religious escapism, but it’s still travel, right? Chalk full of that escapism is this track by Jimmy Cliff. If you’ve ever felt alone on your road, this song is for you. It’s one of my favorites from Cliff.
There was no more peripatetic soul than Odysseus. And despite what Mr. Cliff was singing about his road, no one had a harder path to travel than the Big O. This perambulation wasn’t a voluntary, Odysseus was put on his path by others. From captivity to wrecks, it was a hellacious ten year journey. This particular re-imagining of the Odyssey by the transplanted Austinite, Brian Keane, places the title character in America. Full of intelligent whimsy and sly humor, this track is as catchy as it is smart.
This next track is an example of one of the many ways in which I’ve benefited from belonging to a mix-tape club. It’s by Butch Hancock, a Lubbock native and founding member of the seminal group, The Flatlanders. Though I have long enjoyed The Flatlanders, I never delved too deeply into the solo careers of any particular member. Never had much motivation to. This song was the clue that I might be missing out on something.
Wonderful Wednesday: The Open Road
Though it was a bit selfish, I took a road trip across the southwestern expanses of America instead of going home for Christmas.
And we sailed on into the mystic...
Around 3,500 miles were churned up over an eight day period. From dive bars in Redondo Beach to dirt roads leading to an illusive “Hole in the Wall” in the Mojave Desert to sledding down snow covered sand dunes in New Mexico, miles were covered and immense levels of fun were had. This portion of Wonderful Wednesday is a salute to these adventures, a salute to our December excursions in the west. It is a salute to Manifest Destiny.
Given the nature of Rastafarianism, there are a lot of songs that revolve around traveling. Sure, the “travel” is really a religious escapism, but it’s still travel, right? Chalk full of that escapism is this track by Jimmy Cliff. If you’ve ever felt alone on your road, this song is for you. It’s one of my favorites from Cliff.
Hard Road to Travel-Jimmy CliffThere was no more peripatetic soul than Odysseus. And despite what Mr. Cliff was singing about his road, no one had a harder path to travel than the Big O. This perambulation wasn’t a voluntary, Odysseus was put on his path by others. From captivity to wrecks, it was a hellacious ten year journey. This particular re-imagining of the Odyssey by the transplanted Austinite, Brian Keane, places the title character in America. Full of intelligent whimsy and sly humor, this track is as catchy as it is smart.
Odysseus-Brian KeaneThis next track is an example of one of the many ways in which I’ve benefited from belonging to a mix-tape club. It’s by Butch Hancock, a Lubbock native and founding member of the seminal group, The Flatlanders. Though I have long enjoyed The Flatlanders, I never delved too deeply into the solo careers of any particular member. Never had much motivation to. This song was the clue that I might be missing out on something.
You Coulda Walked Around the World-Butch HancockIt’s a simple song, but one that fills me with the hope of possibility. And hope is a very powerful thing, just ask those Rastafarians.