Phoenix, Arizona, USA, where I live, has just recorded the hottest July it ever had. And this evening the air conditioner in my apartment decided not to work.
I tried and failed to get a good night’s sleep going, so to distract myself I’ve been spending half the night working on this page. It did a good job of putting the discomfort of the heat at arm’s length, and now my creative August is off to a good start. Stay cool, Friends!
This was a good idea, a tribute to four deserving women with lovely singing voices who also happened to inspire, and thus be Muses. The execution isn’t so hot, but that’s what I get for using the Unforgiving Pen for this one.
Mama Cass Elliot was compared by Graham Nash to Gertrude Stein, that patron of the arts of yesteryear. Joni Mitchell inspired Nash to write “Our House,” one of the loveliest songs ever written in the service of describing the bliss of ordinary life. Linda Ronstadt inspired Jerry Brown, called by some “Governor Moonbeam.” She also showed up in one of Paul Simon’s songs in his classic “Graceland.” And Carole King inspired an entire generation in general, and James Taylor in particular.
Brava, sweet-sounding Ladies. I hope some day to do you better justice.
Sing O Muse
Saintly Mama Cass had donned a muu-muu with some room
Innocence in Joni Mitchell fed her aperçu
Next came Linda Ronstadt with a songbird’s light caress
Go-to gals like Carole King rule airways with finesse
One with Clay, Image and Text 