Last Sunday I took my younger son back to college - estimated (by Google Maps) at 235 miles, and 4 hours and 15 minutes. From there, I swung by my older son's place in Bloomington, IL. Another 106 miles and 2 hours 30 minutes. Finally, I headed home - 158 miles and 3 hours. Total trip: 600 miles and 9 hours 45 minutes. I was actually on the road for 9 1/2 hours, making the afore-mentioned stops, plus one for dinner and two for gas.
I was alone for more than half that trip - though I had my cell phone and took a couple'a calls from home. Plus, I had my I-Pod! So, other than listening to a couple of different preachers on low-power AM stations I got to re-discover Carolyn Arends!
I didn't go through the whole catalog, of course, but I did make note of two Christmas songs we must play at church this year: Come and See and Angels We Have Heard On High.
I'm always on the look-out for "jazzy" versions of Christmas tunes. I consider "Angels" to be on par with the better-known version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings done by Sara McLachlan and the Barenaked Ladies. Heck, even people who don't like most Christmas songs like their version. I'm willing to bet that Carolyn's cover would be as popular as that were it to get the right amount of airplay.
And you have to consider the scene: it's dark, there are few cars traveling north on I-39 and there's a little Honda speeding by (at exactly seven miles-per over the speed limit so as not to attract un-due attention). Inside, the driver is singing out loud, and not even trying to cover up that fact - first the lead, then different harmony parts of the chorus - as the odometer counts off the miles: 1.2 each minute. But we've probably all been there, haven't we?
And besides the Christmas songs there were other favorites from Travelers and This Much I understand. And no, I didn't "Dance Like No One's Watching" in my car, though I do, sometimes, at home).
Suffice it to say that I made it back home alive and in one piece, at 12;30 AM, without once even feeling like I was falling asleep. Thanks for the great music!
P.S. And Thanks!, I-Pod for the great battery life!
2 comments:
Just imagine the "Car Miles" Carolyn would obtain if there were such a program. She's been to PEI and back for the last 7 or 8 years, to and from Ottawa at least 6 times, and countless to and from work over the last 10 years.
She's a great co-pilot especially since she doesn't mind us singing in full voice. Truly, one of the best travel companions!
Listening to more Carolyn in the car is the sublime reward for enduring Seattle's bad traffic.
You and Carolyn on the open road, with the windows, well, probably UP since it is November, and the (iPod) up and the wheels going 'round . . . reminds me of a song . . .
I've got "Feel Free" in my car's CD player right now, and I DO car dance and will proudly admit it. If I ever get a speeding ticket, it will be because of that album.
Post a Comment