the evening jam

Im usually so exhausted from the days work, I find myself absent of the actual events that are unfolding. Im trying to be more mindful of what I have around me.

Most nights, by the time dinner is done and cleaned up, Im literally done for the evening and ready to resume to my spot on the sofa, embroidering or reading. Or whatever it is that is sitting by the table waiting for me to complete.

The little ones work on their projects. Usually some drawing, playing with galaxy playdough or cars and convoys.

The rest of us enjoy the company of each other while reading and doing whatever it is that we feel like in the creative moment.

My favorite evenings, which thankfully are most, are when the big boys jam for us.  There are so many inviting moments when they play music together for us, as a family.

Both of the boys are self taught, with a whole lot of inspiration from other musicians that we are friends with, whom have taught them a few things along the way. Thanks Ian! They were both determined last summer to get this guitar and bass thing down that I allowed them to spend extra time on the computer watching youtube videos playing music. And the end result is nothing short of fabulous!

Here are a few tunes we listen to them play nightly.

Shannon Hoon from Blind Melon is an individual I love and admire. His soul is reflected in his music and lyrics. I have always loved and admired this band, even before I had kids. When the children were older and became more influenced with music, Andrew and I began pulling old vinyl records and CD's from our collection and began the school of rock.

Shannon was someone I brought along and introduced in the family and the children love this song. Often times, we all join in singing the lyrics when the boys are jamming. I love when that happens!

"Life is hard, you gotta change". There are so many lines in this song we all love. Its a great message and to boot, one of Shannon's first songs he ever wrote. His mother tells the stories best of her son Shannon, sitting on their front porch playing guitar. She would listen to him play while she did her cooking and cleaning. When one day poured from him, this song, that stopped her dead in her tracks to listen to the words, beauty and wisdom that came from within him. Shannon was only here for a short time, but I feel so blessed and honored to share a piece of him with my children.

There is a whole lot of Pink Floyd being played, though the link provided, will take you to a Pink Floyd cover done by Sparklehorse and Radiohead.  The cover is incredible and the video is paralyzing. It had a profound effect on me when I watched it and I found myself going through a roller coaster of emotions watching it and ending up in tears in the end. Im the kind of person that is raw and real when it comes to emotions. And the emotions I felt while watching this video changed me dramatically. The world was different and in some small way, I was more grateful for what I had. More sensitive to the suffering of others. More connected to life and finding joy amidst that suffering.

This song was one of the first songs Freddie learned. He would play the riff over and over again and I would sing the lyrics out loud for everyone. The little ones would listen to me and hear the words. And after some time, many weeks of this, Ezra and Nico would join in. And soon enough, they were good enough to plug in the mic to the amp and sing away with Fred.

A whole lot of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and even MJ.
Yes...you heard.

Remembering these moments makes me so happy. Im reminded how much music has touched everyone person in this house and brought us together.

So, heres to more dancing, more singing and more music!