Almost...Famous

Ian,

Music was a key touchstone for you and I. We shared it with movies, like Almost Famous, as a family with musicals, like Moulin Rouge, Across the Universe and also our iPods/iPhones. Interestingly, you and I shared music through our love for the physical object - the CD or to a lesser extent, the vinyl. The CD provided something tangible - not just album art, but lyric sheets, linear notes, the whole deal communicating to us what the artist was saying. 

Almost Famous - you were the only one of the kids that I really could sit down and watch this more than once. Danny and Caylea humored me, but you and I saw ourselves following a band, listening and letting music just carry you away. 

I still remember the first time we heard "Magic Bus" from Live at Leeds opening Jerry McGuire - when you first watched it. See you respond to the build, the fit and energy reminded me how powerful music could be to animate a movie. You and I agreed - that was the best intro of any movie we saw.

As Morrissey said, "stop me if I think you heard this one before..." but hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane.

Decemberists - the Crane Wife

This was the first concert we say in Austin as a family. Danny came to town and we joined at Stubbs to watch this sophisticated folk/rock music. It was one of the first CD's we bought and burned on the old iMac in the kitchen. You used to put this on before breakfast most mornings in Jr. High.

Tyron Wells - Close: Live at McClain's

We first heard Tyron as part of a band in California for our Jr. High Camp. I don't remember much about this, but we heard him at Riverbend Church and were blown away. This album was played often in Mom's Mini Cooper - especially "Tyron Yodels" - as we laughed about the scene painted and his odd song. We later saw him live again and we collected many of his CD's - his alt-acoustic sound really appealed to our family.

Goo Goo Dolls Greatest Hits

Okay, over all of high school and even during college, if you saw this CD in my car - it was "pop it in." Love to listen to the Goo's.

Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

Stevie played your favorite concert ever - at ACL. You could never stop talking about it. He became your favorite artist - a common thread for you - favorites followed your last big experience. I own "Songs" and it reminds me of you every time I see or hear it. "Isn't She Lovely" is the way I felt about all of my kids as they were born, grew up and are today.

Across the Universe - Soundtrack

You LOVED this movie with its ability to weave a broader story through the Beatles' greatest hits. Even the weird parts with Bono were okay with you. For a time, this soundtrack outplayed the Beatles in our house - yikes! Don't worry, we went back to the well!

Todd Agnew - A Day of Glory Austin Stone Church

We were in the St. John's Campus that Christmas Eve service when Todd came out with no shoes, sat down at the piano and played Hallelujah, What a Savior. It was caught on tape and ended up on the Austin Stone Christmas CD. Todd was always your Mom's favorite artist. I still think I hear your voice in the chorus as everyone rose together in praise to God during this song.

Wicked - Soundtrack

This was the play we saw together at UT - it was Broadway in Austin and we sat on the far right balcony hanging over the first floor. You loved the story, the songs and the action - as did we all. What a special night and play to experience as a family. Later, Mom, Caylea and I read the book - not as good as the play by a long shot!

The Black Keys - Attack and Release

Our intro to the Keys - we loved listening to these songs working out, hanging in your room and playing guitar and bass together. The fuzz tone was rootsy and you loved it. I still remember sitting on your bed playing "I've Got Mine" as you played bass. Some of the best times of my life.

The Who- the Kids are Alright

Almost Famous - Soundtrack

Jerry McGuire - Soundtrack

The start to Jerry McGuire is too good with Magic Bus from Live at Leeds building. No better rock and roll intro. Almost Famous reminded us to "Listen to ‘Tommy' with a candle burning and you'll see your entire future.’ The Kids are Alright - yep, just too many good songs here, but this CD and movie introduced you to Thunder fingers - John Entwistle. The track on the DVD with only the bass part was your favorite - how Won't Get Fooled Again just rocked!!! Inspired me in Jr. High. Inspired you in Jr. High - just more connections.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

What do I say about the RHCP's? They were your fav. We listened from Greatest Hits backwards to Mother's Milk, forward to Stadium. These CD's spanned California, Texas, home, school, family, friends. I imagine everyone has a RHCP memory with Ian! The biggest one was seeing you play shirt off at the old Mohawk (I think) playing the bass like Flea in a metal band. Yep, those were good times.

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

Hearing you sing "My Sex is on Fire!" for probably 3 months. No more comment required.

Shinedown - Sound of Madness

This was an awesome gift you gave me. I still enjoy this CD and we shared these songs together all the time. I still love Devour, the Crow and Butterfly, and the title track. Zach Myers' guitar work is fantastic.

Michael Jackson - This is It

The man, the myth the legend. Another gift. Oh how I wish we sat and listened to this together and tell stories from my high school days when Michael J would release new music and we would request the songs to "air guitar" in Men's Choir!

Movie Soundtracks: Juno, 500 Days of Summer, Siiver Linings Playbook

You loved these movies. You loved the artsy songs on each. Andrew, you and I watched Silver Linings Playbook together - it was the last movie we say together. Still precious memories. 

Switchfoot - Learning to Breathe

This was your first, and probably most enduring "favorite" album. We helped Switchfoot play at our Jr. High Conference - right before the album launched, before Walk to Remember - and we came to love their music. It started at Spirit West Coast seeing them play "A New Way to be Human" and has not ended. But Learning to Breathe was a touchstone. The signed album flyer was one of your most prized possessions. It is one of our ours now.

Gifts I wish that I shared with you: 

    Fleet Foxes - Helpless Blues

    Junip - Fields

You gave me these CD's the Christmas of 2012. I did not "jump" to listen to them when you were here - nor did I share with you. I am sad when I see these. I regret not listening to them with you. I struggle to listen to them without you.

Last Listens:

    Death Cab for Cutie - Plans

    The Head and the Heart

    Cage the Elephant - Thank you, Happy Birthday

    Vampire Weekend, Vampires for the City

I think these CDs were in your possession or certainly on you iPhone when you went Home. I miss sharing this great music with you. The covers just remind me of the music we shared.

(Thanks Melissa and Bruce for the great pic on the history of alternative rock)

Musical stories I wish we could share:

The link of Free music, specifically "Be My Friend" live at Isle of Wright, to "Love Comes and Goes" and "Fever Dog" in the Almost Famous. So much to share and play together here.

The overdubbing and build up of Cure songs - I want to record these songs with you, "Just Like Heaven", "All I Want", "Hot, Hot, Hot" and others.

The great guitar work of Mick Ronson, melodic baselines of Trevor Bolder, the beat of Woody Woodmansey and the creativity and voice of David Bowie on the "Hunky Dory", "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" and "Aladdin Sane." We would love the Ziggy world together. 

I would share more of the Jam, with their terrific three piece attack and unmatched bass lines. I would work with you to play, "In the City", "Modern World", "That's Entertainment", and others.

Finally, we would talk about the origins of BritPop - Oasis, the Blur, Verve and others - the Beatles, the Kinks, or who?? (the Who??) Yes, we would play "End of the Day" and "Waterloo Sunset" together.

Yes, CD's bring back memories and your were a great listener and player of music. You were "Almost Famous" with Little Emily Warfield - just close to a contract, possible album, tour, other. It was not to be - but I enjoyed watching my son do what I could not do - play new, original music in front of people. I enjoy telling "Ian Stories" and enjoy playing with you still, looking to my left as at the Stone, and hearing your rumbling bass lines.

So proud of you. I miss you so much "e."

Love, 

Dad