Singin' In The Rain

The Lad loves puddles, and rainy days mean fresh, full puddles that must be splashed in. Today was no exception: even though he is still a ways from getting over a ragged-sounding chest cold I bundled him up and headed out. We were about fifty feet from the building when gave a little skip-hop and started singing at the top of his puerile voice:

"I'm SINGing in the rain
just SINGing in the RAIN
what a GLORious feeling
I'm HAppy again"

Then came the amazing part. He brought his battered blue umbrella down and held it out at arm's length as he began a slow twirl, rotating the umbrella rather gracefully as he trailed the edge through the puddles all around his circumference.

Perhaps he will soon take up dancing as well...

impossible dream

When I was four my mother took me to a college production of Man of La Mancha. Never imagining I would fully understand the upsetting bits she ended up carrying me from the auditorium bawling. So began (or solidified) my theatrical bent and empathetic support of the underdog. "The Impossible Dream" has been part of my psyche and unconscious mantra ever since. No wonder I cry every time I hear it or get misty when someone mentions Glenn Gould.

I was a little nervous when they announced on the Morning Show (MPR) they would be playing a different take on the song by Ken Boothe. First I heard the Reggae beat, my trepidation increased, I heard the first lines, predictably began tearing, still leery, then thank my stars I wasn't the one driving as I would have had to pull over. As moved as I normally am by the song it was nothing to my pregnant reaction, emotions rallied as never before, to hearing this new version. All who wish me ill now know my kryptonite.

Jon Nicholson, "A Lil Sump'm Sump'm"

Please regard this album cover.


There are definite impressions made, are there not? You expect a particular sound on this album, based on what you are presented with on this cover. At least I did. I expected, to be quite specific, redneck rap, another Bubba Sparxxx perhaps, white Southern hip-hop from the hills, that sort of thing.

I did not expect, nor was I emotionally prepared for, pop standards. If you are familiar with Michael MacDonald, former Doobie Brother and AT&T shill, you will have a very good idea of the overall sound of this album: jazzy, free-wheeling, with a saxophone on every single track.

That being said, however, the album is pretty enjoyable. Nicholson's lyrics range from quaint to downright cheesy, and it is not my typical first second or fifth choice of musical styles. But the final track, "Grandma" -- with backing vocals by Big & Rich -- is a special treat.