5 on Friday -- Set 316

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

Although I started this year's April A to Z Blog Challenge with a strong opening week, I'm also continuing to retrain at my day job following a year-long medical leave. In the new era of pacing for strength and endurance, my old mind-over-matter thing is now history. Once again, I'll get back to the entries for the remainder of the challenge over time. I've missed three 5 on Fridays, so I've adjusted the set list number to reflect a total that includes the three missing sets -- they'll be posted as soon as I can get to them.

Now, onward to my once-a-month project for 2016.

This year I'll be focusing on Songwriters. Check back on the first Friday of each month as I take a look at the work of artists whose creative voices are most often brought to us through the performances of others.

May belongs to Cole Porter. 

My attraction to his work definitely began with the Sergio Mendes Brasil 66 version of Night and Day, which has been a favorite of mine since childhood. I've been lucky enough to sing some of his pieces in choir, which gave me a deeper insight into just how brilliant he was.

There's a reason that some artists' work rise above their contemporaries to become standards and classics, performed over changing decades and in all kinds of styles. The reason is simple: the authenticity of the work resonates deeply, speaking to all of us about what it feels like to live, to love and to survive.

The hardest part of getting this set list together was not the exquisite pleasure in assembling a long 'short list' of songs. The hard part was leaving off so many glorious gems.

1 - Let's Misbehave - Irving Aaronson and his Commanders featuring vocals by Phil Saxe 

2 - So In Love - k d lang 

3 - Night and Day - Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 

4 - You're the Top - Ella Fitzgerald 

5 - I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra 

If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

Dona Nobis Pacem -- 9 -- Blog4Peace

Today is a very special day on so many levels.

If you're Canadian, you already know why the bells have rung with joy throughout the land.

If you've come to A Piece of My Mind from Blog4Peace, there's a reason that Canadians are celebrating with tears of relief and wide-beaming smiles of hope.

Today we witnessed the swearing-in of Canada's newest prime minister, Justin Trudeau.

It's impossible to go into details about this without turning an apolitical peace movement into something its founder, Mimi Lenox, would prefer to keep aside for this special day.

So far I've typed several things that I've quickly erased, because I deeply respect Mimi's reason for keeping things non-partisan.

I will simply say that for a country made up of two genders and of people descended from many ethnic groups, as well as sending representatives from six distinct regions, the cabinet ministers sworn in alongside Trudeau today at last reflects Canada's citizens in a way that's never happened before.

As well, Canadians were invited to witness the swearing-in ceremony in a spirit of openness that has been completely absent in Ottawa for the past nine years. In fact, this ceremony has never before been witnessed by the public. There was limited space inside Rideau Hall for the event, so large-screen tvs were set up outside to broadcast the speaking of the oaths, to cheers of delight that filtered inside at several key moments.

For this year's Blog4Peace, I'm posting a song that captures the spirit of today's swearing-in of a new government in my nation's capitol, a spirit that so many of my fellow Canadians share with me.

Many changes in government begin with promises and end in cynicism. My husband and my mom watched the ceremonies with me, and it really touched me that my mom became more and more excited as each new cabinet member came forward to swear the oath. She has seen more parliaments than me, and she said today that she's never seen a group of people that exuded such a sense of dynamic change. The simple yet profound difference of having an equal number of male and female cabinet ministers was something I don't think my mom had ever thought she'd witness.

The reason I've wrapped this year's post around a political celebration has its roots in the mean-spirited tone of the campaign run by the outgoing government, in contrast to the optimistic tone of the incoming government. There's a relieved sense in Canada that we've somehow managed to pull off a revolution without having to fire a shot.

My deep and grateful thanks go out to my fellow Canadians for showing up in record numbers on voting day. With Remembrance Day / Veteran's Day coming up, Canadians have shown that standing up for your country doesn't only mean serving in the armed forces. Peacefully showing up to vote can mean all the difference. 

A to Z Blog Challenge -- O is for Songs That Start With 'On' / 5 on Friday -- Set 268

Here we are at Day 15, where O is for On.

Just a note for anyone dropping in for the A to Z Challenge:

I'm behind by four posts this week, as I was actively working online on behalf of the film and television industry here in my province of Nova Scotia. To check out what's going on, you can read up here:

How penny-pinching Nova Scotia's film tax credit hurts us in the long run  

For today's blog challenge, let me introduce you to my regular Friday feature: 

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

This week's set is made up of songs that start with the word 'on'. They call us to take our places, to dig deep within ourselves, and to make the move from dreams to action. 

1 - On Broadway - George Benson 

2 - On the Good Ship Lollipop - Shirley Temple 

3 - On the Street Where You Live - Harry Connick Jr. 

   

4 - On My Own - Samantha Barks 

5 - On a Clear Day - Frank Sinatra  

  

A to Z Blog Challenge -- I is for Songs That Start With 'In' / 5 on Friday -- Set 267

Here we are at Day 9 already, where I is for In.

For today's blog challenge, let me introduce you to my regular Friday feature: 

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

This week's set is made up of songs that start with the word 'in'. They call us to enter, to surround ourselves and to experience. 

1 - In the Still of the Night - Ella Fitzgerald 

2 - In My Life - The Beatles 

3 - In Dreams - Roy Orbison 

   

4 - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning - Frank Sinatra 

5 - In the Mood - Glenn Miller Orchestra  

  

5 on Friday -- Set 259

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day! 

1 - Wooden Heart - Elvis Presley 

2 - Somewhere in Your Heart - Frank Sinatra 

3 - Shape of My Heart - Sting 

4 - Don't Push Your Foot on the Heartbrake - Kate Bush 

5 - Two Hearts - Bruce Springsteen 

5 on Friday -- Set 251

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

I'm in such a Christmas mood! I'm rescheduling the final Hit Makers of 2014 to Boxing Day, because A Piece of My Mind is in the middle of the yuletide season.

This week I've got a romantic Christmas songs set for all you lovers out there. 

1 - Merry Christmas Darling -- The Carpenters 

2 - The Christmas Waltz  --  Frank Sinatra

   

3 - All I Want For Christmas is You  --  Mariah Carey    

4 - Santa Claus is Back in Town  -- Elvis Presley

5 - Merry Christmas Baby  --  Bruce Springsteen

5 on Friday -- Set 250

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

Had a very busy week at my day job, getting trained myself on a new imaging system, as well as training other people on document recognition.

The final Hit Makers of 2014 will be posted next week -- until then, I'm in a massive Christmas mood, with my writers' group party coming up tomorrow.

Let's make merry, shall we? 

1 - Jingle Bells -- Frank Sinatra 

2 - Let it Snow  --  Diana Krall

   

3 - Marshmallow World  --  Darlene Love    

4 - Wonderful Christmastime  -- Paul McCartney and Wings

5 - Sleigh Ride  --  The Ronettes

5 on Friday -- Set 235

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

As I was enjoying last Sunday night's episode from the final season of True Blood, it was great to hear Roy Orbison's In Dreams as Arlene danced with vampire Keith at Bellefleur's (the former Merlotte's.)

I found the song staying with me as the week progressed -- so it's launching this week's set. 

1 - In Dreams -- Roy Orbison 

2 - In the Midnight Hour -- Wilson Pickett 

3 - In the End -- Linkin Park 

4 - In a Big Country -- Big Country 

5 - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning -- Frank Sinatra 

5 on Friday -- Set 231

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

It's anniversary time again -- our 22nd anniversary, to be exact.

This week's set is dedicated to all you lovers out there.

1 - Some Enchanted Evening -- Placido Domingo

2 - The Man I Love -- Billie Holiday

3 - So Nice -- Sergio Mendes and Brasil 65 featuring Wanda Sa

It's also Wanda's birthday today! 

4 - Night and Day -- Frank Sinatra

5 - When You Wish Upon a Star -- Rod Stewart

5 on Friday -- Set 226

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

It's June, and time for my monthly feature for 5 on Friday -- The Hit Makers.

Once a month I'm going to feature the songs that launched careers. I'll be looking at different musical styles and the groups or singers from those styles who I love the best.

This month, let's look ahead to Father's Day. Here are five of my favorite male vocalists who are also dads.

1 - All or Nothing at All -- Frank Sinatra -- 1943 (was released in 43, although originally recorded in 39)

Father to daughters Nancy and Tina, and son Frank Jr.

2 - Heartbreak Hotel -- Elvis Presley -- 1956

Father to daughter Lisa Marie 

3 - Whole Lotta Love -- Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin -- 1969

Father to sons Karac, Logan and Jesse Lee (Karac passed away at age five)

4 - You've Made Me So Very Happy -- David Clayton Thomas of Blood Sweat and Tears -- 1969

Father to daughter Ashleigh

5 - Time is Running Out -- Matthew Bellamy -- 2003

Father to son Bingham

5 on Friday -- Set 210

Five on Friday

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

Hope you're having a lovely Valentine's Day!

This week's set will take a look at love... 

  

1 - The Look of Love -- Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66

2 - Night and Day -- Frank Sinatra

3 - You're the First, The Last, My Everything -- Barry White

4 - Until (from the Kate and Leopold soundtrack) -- Sting

5 - You Made Me So Very Happy -- Blood, Sweat and Tears