New Timelessness
In which we are blown away by new art and perfect soul
“The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say.”
- Mark Twain
Welcome! Since I started publishing “Things to Realize” every Tuesday morning since November, the number of subscribers has nearly doubled and readership has increased. Thank you! I am glad this endeavor is finding an audience - i.e. you, dear reader.
I am arrogant enough to think that what I find interesting, you will find interesting. I welcome your comments; I’d love to hear what you think, what you like, what you dislike. So please comment, and please share if you did find the newsletter interesting.
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I have a question for you: Substack has a Podcast capability. Would you like an audio Podcast reading of each newsletter? It won’t be too hard for me to do. After all, my process includes reading the post out loud multiple times before I publish, so I’ll just record it! The podcast will come into your inbox just like the newsletter, and apparently, it becomes available from your favorite podcast app, which I admit freaks me out a bit. Please let me know!
This week, I am bringing you two amazing things, one from almost 50 years ago, and one phenomenal mind-blowing performance that was released just a month ago, after I started my weekly cadence. Enjoy.
I. Music: Ann Peebles, “I Can’t Stand the Rain”
When you listen to this song, really listen to it. This song was in my head for days, pleasantly, I might add. Why? What makes a song stick like that, and especially stick in a way that won’t drive you crazy? Greatness? Excellence? Soul?
I have a concept I call the “perfect song.” This is a song that hits every single side perfectly. It is a great song - well written, great melody, beat, lyrics. It is well sung. The singer owns the song, sings it true and pure. It is perfectly recorded. The way the song was put onto tape and mixed and carved onto vinyl - all the things that make it sound good. The band is on. Each musician playing perfectly. The recording is timeless. It can’t only be a great song because it reminds you of high school or your first crush. The recording stands on its own at any time, in any era. Finally, if the song comes on the radio (or on your playlists), you always listen to it, no matter how many times you heard it before.
This recording is a perfect song. First, Ann Peebles sings it out of the park. She’s got more soul than the Doc Martens factory. Then listen to the band: that is the Hi Rhythm Section from Hi Records. This is the band that backed Al Green as well as Ann Peebles. Listen to the drums. That’s Howard Grimes. My God, that is a perfectly recorded trap set with a drummer who knows how to play. Listen to the hi hat. Listen for the tom fills. Lord have mercy. Listen to the organ: that’s George Hodges. And the piano played by Teenie Hodges. I mean, the band was on. In every way this track is a joy to listen to. There are other versions of this song, but this is the rendition. It is perfect.
The best way to listen is to sit back, and let it just, just kinda, kinda just… wash over you. This is meditation with soul.
II. Art: Ren, '“Hi Ren”
Believe me, you are going to want to see this. You need to see this. Ren is a phenomenon, and “Hi Ren” is a masterpiece.
A friend of mine turned me on to this incredible piece of art Sunday. I cannot describe it. It is unique. It is wildly original. I cannot watch it without breaking down. It hits me directly in my soul. I have watched this performance at least ten times since Sunday. And I thought, well, maybe it’s just me, maybe it hits me because of my own experiences with what Ren has been struggling with. But no, this is universal. I watched four or five “reaction” videos where YouTubers “react” to first hearings of music or video. The reviewers are a rainbow of ages and cultures, and each one was stopped dead in their tracks by this piece. This performance is phenomenal.
Ren released this one month ago, on December 15th. It is work like this that gives me hope. Work like this is the reason I write, to find and elevate to whatever degree I can the greatness of the human spirit. And boy, did Ren capture it. Take the ten minutes and watch it.