Thanks and Praises

A year ago while I was taking my doctoral exams I put together a little Thanksgiving playlist. Most of you know how fond I am of such creations. I'm old enough to know something about the mixtape, having received and made my share. I am young enough, however, to have reached my prime in the age of mp3s and cds. Although they are mixcds now, I make them in the spirit of the mixtape, which, as John Cusack describes in High Fidelity, is an art form:


"The making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many Dos and Don’ts. First of all you’re using someone else’s poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing."

So here's a little playlist I like to call "Thanks and Praises"

1. "Kind & Generous" (Natalie Merchant)
2. "Thank You" (Burning Spear)
3. "Thank You Lord" (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
4. "Thank You" (Dido)
5. "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" (Sly and the Family Stone)
6. "Thank You" (Led Zeppelin)
7. "Gratitude" (Beastie Boys)
8. "Thank U" (Alanis Morissette)
9. "Give Thanks And Praise" (Bob Marley)
10. "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" (George Winston [Comp. Vince Guaraldi])
11. "Children All Over the World" (Children's Songbook)
12. "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
13. "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" (Michael Dowdle)
14. "Prayer of Thanksgiving" (David Tolk)

The above list is limited to the songs we own. I would like to have included "Because I have been given much," (among others), but couldn't find a good recording. If you have other thanks-related songs to recommend, please let me know. It's a work in progress . . .

I am grateful for music and the incredible influence it has had, has, and will have in my life. Few things penetrate my heart as deeply as music. I honor all those who write it, perform it, or, like me, greatly appreciate and admire it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Introducing Mel Wade

Many of you who visit this blog (not that there are a lot of you in the first place) know my sister Melanie. She is an amazing person, full of light and love. Mel and I have always had a sweet relationship. We got over the sibling in-fighting at an early age and it has been love and friendship ever since. I have had the privilege of watching Mel develop over the last several years through her music. I remember the first few times she came down to Provo when I was at BYU and those early early music moments with Debbie. I can still see her singing along to this and that, strumming the guitar here and there, and eventually picking up drumming. She joined a folksy (and foxy) all-girl's band––Shye Violet––and forged ahead, increasingly finding her own voice as a singer.

Well, it's now 2008 and things have really taken off more Mel during the past year. She was going to move out here to Nashville to live with Em and me and take a shot at music, but fate dictated otherwise, as she met a producer up in Boise who has been in the studio with her and promoting her stuff ever since. Matt Morrise––a brilliant musician himself and great friend––wrote a little review of Mel's album-in-progress on his blog. To check out her music visit her myspace page. There you'll also notice on the calendar that she's playing a couple of shows in Salt Lake City this week, so if you're in the area, don't miss out.

I must say it has been beautiful to watch and hear Mel grow over the years through her music. As I read her the words from Matt's blog last night she "got the chills." When I hear Mel perform I feel the same way. I can't wait to see what unfolds over the coming years . . .

Tom and Jerry

So a few weeks back Liz posted a picture of Ethan and his buddies intently watching Tom and Jerry, one of my childhood (and adulthood) favorites. I made a comment on her blog about all the great music I remember from that show, which led me to youtube, where I discovered every episode I'd probably ever seen, and then some.

Two music favorites: Down Beat Bear and Solid Serenade
Two international favorites: Mucho Mouse and Neapolitan Mouse

Of the four, it's hard to pick a favorite. We'll let you (especially you, Ethan) decide which one you like the best. Enjoy!

Halloween and such

Of all the kids I've wanted to snatch
this one is on the top of my list. His name
is Jack and for Halloween he was a Space
Cowboy. The complete outfit had cowboy
boots and a hat. Yeehaw!!

Jon was a Flamenco guitarist and I was a gypsy.

These are the Hylbert kiddos: Annie and Henry.
Henry was in my 1st grade class, and now Annie
is in my pre-K class. This picture was taken right before church.
These two have not had much church experience and when
we walked into the chapel, Annie saw the sacrament table
and asked, "Who died?" It reminded me of when
Liz played Imogen Herdman. An insightful
thought from a little renegade!

Weekend Babysitting

We've had some good friends ask us to watch their kids over the weekend. It's been so much fun. This is Henry who was in my 1st grade class last year. Jon taught him how to showcase his handsomeness!!