I Just Read About That…

SOUNDTRACK: THE BEATLES-Revolver (1966).

My first exposure to this album came when I received this vinyl LP as a free gift with a purchase from a mail order record store.  I assume the store is long out of business (or maybe not).  But I had ordered something (funny i don’t remember what) and they sent Revolver as a free gift.

Pretty nice free gift!  Of course such was my Beatles ignorance that I didn’t even know it was  proper release at the time.  [This LP (and a few other classic rock albums) were subsequently stolen from me at a party–boo hiss!].

Turns out it is probably my favorite disc of theirs.  In the past I have said Sgt Pepper, but I think I like this one better.  To say there’s not a bad song is kind of obvious, but yeah, every song is fantastic.  The crazy rhythms of “Taxman,” the gorgeousness of “Eleanor Rigby.” What has recently become my favorite Beatles song: “And Your Bird Can Sing” (that guitar riff is wonderful).

And of course, there’s the big time huh? (circa 1966) of tabla, sitar and tambura on George Harrison’s, “Love You To.”

Even the utter nonsense of “Yellow Submarine” is a treat.  (But really, Huh?).

But let’s talk experimentation.  Backwards guitars!  Whatever the craziness is of “Tomorrow Never Knows” (seagulls?  drones?).  The band were just playing around with every effect they could think of.  (Of course, it helped that they had a ton of money for studio time).  But what really blows my mind about this disc is that even though it is their seventh record, it came out just three years…THREE YEARS after their first record.  That’s an amazing progression from clean cut rock n roll to this incredible mind bending release.  Amazing.

[READ: June 2010] Ladybug Girl (series)

I intended to include the books that I read to my kids on this blog, but somehow, my own books always take precedence. But we have enjoyed this new (to us) series so much that we had to buy the books ourselves.

I don’t know a thing about the author or illustrator, but I really enjoy these stories (and the pictures).  I mean, look at how charming (and how beautiful) this is with so few lines!

So the premise of the series is that Lulu is Ladybug Girl, a young girl who suffers simple trials of daily life (and the slings and arrows of an older brother).  She finds herself daunted by these things, but then she remembers that she is Ladybug Girl, and she is able to overcome these crises.

In the first story, Ladybug Girl is dismissed by her brother (she’s too little to play ball) and her mom and dad have some adult things to take care of, so she has to find fun on her own.   Which she does (in very clever ways).

The second story in the series, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy (2009) shows Lulu at the playground (a playground which my son wishes was near our house).  She sees her friend Sam there, but they are completely at odds when it comes to playing together (he wants to play with the sand trucks, but she doesn’t want sand in her boots).   Lulu thinks about just playing by herself, but then she remembers that she is Ladybug Girl!  And Sam (dressed in yellow and black stripes) makes a perfect Bumblebee Boy.  They play together fighting all the evil creatures on the playground.  (I liked that she makes a point of saying that even though they were fighting, they worked together to fight invisible enemies, rather than fighting other kids).

The final book (released just last month) sees Ladybug Girl (and her family) at the beach.  My family went to the beach recently, so we could relate very well to the fairly simple story line: Lulu is thrilled to be at the beach, but the ocean is a big, big, big piece of water!  So, Lulu finds all kinds of ways to entertain herself that do not include going in the water. But it is so hot!  Will Ladybug Girl ever brave the waves?

Aside from the drawings, which I love, the stories themselves are really great: simple but empowering, with a happy message for all.  And best of all, both of my kids love the series.  My two year old daughter and my five year old son (he likes them even more than her!).  As with all series that we love, I’m bummed that we have all of the books in the series and will have to wait a year or so for the next one.  However, the kids can listen to them again and again, so we won’t be running out soon.