ANTHEM is coming: chapter 3

ANTHEM, Book 3 of the Sixties Trilogy, publishes on October 1. Each of the book's 47 chapters begins with a song from the Sixties to set the tone, mood, and scene. Every day between now and October 1, come have a listen and read a snippet from each chapter.

This is Chapter 3 (day 45):

"Windy"
Written by Ruthann Friedman
Performed by the Association
Recorded at Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA, 1967
Drummer: Ted Bluechel, Jr. (concert); Hal Blaine, (studio) 

MOLLY

"The first time I heard 'Windy' I wanted to change my name. I love the Association. They are my favorite band. I love the way they harmonize and all the feeling they put into their songs. // Barry looks like their leader, Terry Kirkman, with the same blond hair, long sideburns, and crooked mouth with the gap between his two front teeth. And that smile! Just like Barry's."




"I want to ask Mom what planet we're from, if she thinks I can get away with leaving home to find Barry, that Dad would allow it, or that Barry would even come with me, if I could find him. It will never happen. But Mom thinks it will." 

The plot begins. :> A girl who loves the Association, and her cousin who loves Iron Butterfly, and an old school bus between them -- their chariot -- awaits. 

Back to Norman -- who does not think this trip is in any way a good idea -- in chapter 4.

ANTHEM is coming: chapter 2

ANTHEM, Book 3 of the Sixties Trilogy, publishes on October 1. Each of the book's 47 chapters begins with a song from the Sixties to set the tone, mood, and scene. Every day between now and October 1, come have a listen and read a snippet from each chapter.

This is Chapter 2 (day 46):

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"
Written by Doug Ingle
Performed by Iron Butterfly
Recorded at Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, CA
 and Ultrasonic Studios, Long Island, NY, 1968
Drummer: Ron Bushy

NORMAN:

"I'm a drummer. My name is Norman. I hate that name. My mother named me after Norman Vincent Peale and The Power of Positive Thinking. She's a positive person. She kills me... So I'm going to change my name. Who has a name like Norman anymore?.... Rock and roll drummers have names like Keith and Ron and Ringo. At school I get called 'Normal,' especially by the hoodlums in P.E. I'm going to change that." 

 

This fuzzy video is a live performance of the entire song (all 17 minutes!), with Ron Bushy's 3-minute drum solo coming in at 6:10. Or you can watch just the solo here. Norman would have *loved* YouTube. He is forever tapping out the drum solo with straws, utensils, fingers, whatever is at hand... just like countless young drummers did, in the late sixties.

"When I listen to 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' I listen loud, with my head right next to the speaker, lying on the floor. The world is going down the crapper, but when I'm lost in the music -- any music -- I don't care."

Tomorrow, Chapter 3, back to Molly. Working our way to Chapter 47 and publication day!

ANTHEM is coming: chapter 1

ANTHEM, Book 3 of the Sixties Trilogy, publishes on October 1. Each of the book's 47 chapters begins with a song from the Sixties to set the tone, mood, and scene. Every day between now and October 1, come have a listen and read a snippet from each chapter.

This is Chapter 1 (day 47):

"Everything That Touches You"
 Written by Terry Kirkman
 Performed by the Association
 Recorded at Western Recorders, Hollywood, California, 1968
 Drummer: Ted Bluechel, Jr. (concert)/Hal Blaine (studio)

MOLLY

"It's been so long since I've felt something. You know how it is when your heart splits open. Blood spurts everywhere. You can slap your palms to your chest, you can clutch at your breast, but your heart won't be held. It struggles away from you, away from further damage. It won't be held, I tell you... "


You can find the complete list of ANTHEM songs at its playlist Pinterest board, as well as on Spotify, thanks to Sara Lehman Ralph's good work. 

In Scrapbook 1, which begins the book, you can also find "Come Together" by the Youngbloods, "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out" by Timothy Leary, and "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by Gil Scott Heron. See Sara's Spotify link above to hear them.

Tomorrow: Chapter 2, when we meet Norman... who likes a completely different kind of music. :>