Shine a Light

Last night I got to see The Rolling Stone’s Imax movie, Shine a Light. For music fans, this is a definite must see! The Imax experience leaves you feeling as if you were almost there.

It starts off setting the stage with pre-concert footage of the band and the director Martin Scorsese. They address all the concert details of staging, lighting and how the cameras will affect the audience. But the big decision addressed is what will the set list be? And seeing Mick Jagger review the possibilities from the incredible list of hit after hit is like watching a child struggle when asked to pick just one toy from his many favorites.

Most of the night I sat mesmerized watching Keith Richards play. He is absolutely incredible to watch. I didn’t realize how good of a musician he was before seeing this movie. He is quoted in the movie answering a reporter’s question of “What do you think about on stage?” with the reply “You don’t think on stage, you stop thinking and just feel.” And that is exactly what he does.

As you watch you realize Richards holds a history in his smile. You can actually see the memories he holds within his smile and feel how he connects with his guitar and the song he is playing. You could even argue he has a relationship with the guitar. He embraces one at the end of the concert with more passion then most people would hold their lover.

Richards may hold history in his smile but Mick Jagger seems to hold the world in his. Who could forget his boyishly pure smile after the first time you see it? The movie shows clips of the band from their early years and you are reminded of how young they were when they first arrived in America during the “British Invasion”. The film then flashes back to the band currently on stage and you are in slight shock realizing how old they are now...wrinkles and all. But as Jagger begins to sing the mystical lyrics of the Stones’ version of poetry set in rhythm and riff and blues, that smile comes out and they are somehow transformed into the timeless and ageless icons they have become.

Mick is a conductor of enthusiasm. He brings more stage presence in one song then most new artists seem to do in an entire night. There is a moment in the movie when he is silhouetted by the stage lights, throwing his head back, closing his eyes and smiling as he becomes one with the song. To steal some famous words from Cameron Crowe; he becomes a “golden god” and seems to radiates light for the audience.

One of my favorite parts was when Buddy Guy takes the stage and they sing Champagne and Reefer. Ronnie Wood, Richards and Guy take second stage to their guitars that seem to command the performance and begin to try and out play each other. Their notes duel like trash talk on a court of song. And at the end of the song or battle, Richards happily hands over both his and Wood’s guitars to Buddy as if it was the right and only thing to do.

Since watching the film, I have been asked several times to compare it to the recent U2 Imax movie. And my response to that is the two movies are like David and Goliath. The Stones’ movie resembles the role of David and shows the individualism and personality of the band. This is to the credit of director Martin Scorsese and his ability to capture that during a high intensity concert like the Stones always deliver.

The U2 movie resembles the giant Goliath. It showcased the power of the stage of rock 'n roll in the artistically designed masterpiece directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington. In this movie the audience and the music become characters as you are transported through the screen and swear you can even feel the wind from the speakers blow through your hair.

But the Stones version is just different and really shouldn’t be compared to the other. Among all the highlights of the film, you feel like a voyeur taking center stage being able to be close enough to see the aging hands of Keith Richards, now almost down to just flesh and bone and are left with the haunting feeling that they would still somehow play even after he is dead and gone. And when you take that last deep breath before leaving the theater, you swear you can smell the lingering scent of Mick Jagger, who even after all theses years, still seems to sweat sex and rock 'n roll.

It was an incredible movie and an amazing, fun night for me.

Until next time.

Christy

Gumption

Beyond all our best laid plans, life just happens. In the past I would go from feeling like I was flying on air one minute, to the next one feeling like the waves were crashing down. And I can fondly remember the anticipation of waiting for my real life to begin as if this all was one elaborate dress rehearsal.

Many years passed by and I woke up one morning feeling the crisp pang of age knowing that the flavor in my mouth was the taste of the real life I had already began. When did I step on that stage? How could my character already have been cast?

But it had happened and I now had a role to play. I started stretching through the numbness in my brain, reaching for a fresh thought. I began batting at the cobwebs surrounding my heart, desiring to search for more, one more time. I was tired of sitting on the sidelines of life and wanted to finally become the leading lady of my own life.

One of the hardest parts of life is to be here in the now and forget about the past. In your twenties, you have it all but you have no idea what to do with it. You haven’t had enough of life to fully understand what to do with it, how to live it, and the delicate balance of how it is in your control but so influenced and affected by others. You are the best supporting actress or actor in your own life.

I have realized, in your thirties, life begins to change. You know what you have and begin to rethink life. You are seasoned from your experiences and based on your choice of perspective you are wiser or more frustrated with what it all means. You take responsibility for your life and work hard to create one that you desire. You step into that leading role. You take center stage.

At this point in life…the being here now, this role is the deepest thing I have ever played. You have the boundless capacity to grow and aim to capture your admirer’s attention…the admirers being your pride, character and compassion. And you fondly smile watching the gumption you give each new scene.

And finding your gumption in life, well that is a great milestone to be proud of and a delight to savor in. Bravo…take a bow. You now should be a fan of your own life.

Until next time.

Christy

Reason Why

It is very few times that a song hits me so hard that I find a smile on my face as if I have already lived it. That bitter sweet reality and empathy that feels like past lives lived. This is one that even if I would have never heard it, I would have known it.


Reason Why

I think about how it might have been
We now spend our days traveling
It's not that I don't understand you
It's not that I don't want to be with you
But you only wanted me
The way you wanted me

So, I will head out alone and hope for the best
And we can hang out heads down
As we skip the goodbyes
And you can tell the world what you want them to hear
I've got nothing left to lose, my dear
So, I'm up for the little white lies
But you and I…know the reason why
I'm gone, and you're still there
I'm gone, and you're still there
I'm gone, and you're still there

I'll buy a magazine searching for your face
From coast to coast, or wherever I find my place
I'll track you on the radio, and
I'll sign your list in a different name
But as close as I get to you…
It's not the same

So, I will head out alone and hope for the best
We can pat ourselves on the back
As say that we tried
And if one of us makes it there
We can spill our regrets
And talk about how the love never dies
But you and I know the reason why
I'm gone, and you're still there
I'm gone, and you're still there
I'm gone, and you're still there

So, steal the show, and do your best
To cover the tracks that I have left
I wish you well and hope you find
Whatever you're looking for
…The way I might've changed my mind,
But you only showed my the door
So, I will head out alone and hope for the best
We can pat ourselves on the back
And say that we tried
And if one of us makes it big
We can spill our regrets
And talk about how the love never dies
But you and I…
you and I…
you and I…know the reason why

This is in remembrance of a story that I know…still inside of me that I have yet found the strength to relive or live past. And the irony of it all is that you taught me how to trust myself.

I know that someday it will be the story that is in print and left behind for others to read. But until then, all I know is that I should be beyond this but I am just still “in it” waiting for that new light to shine on the path I will now take.

Christy