By Laurie Snider
Notes From The Nest
If I’m out driving in my SUV, approaching the lights near our home and a good tune comes on the radio, often times, I’ll deliberately miss my turn and take the long way. l crank up the volume, singing along at the top of my lungs. Eventually my impromptu jam session ends and I pull back in my driveway, feeling a little brighter after some extemporaneous, melodic therapy.
My musical tastes are quite varied, and include a wide variety of musical genres. Different music suits different moments, depending on time of day, what I am involved in, and definitely how I’m feeling. For me, music serves multiple purposes, it gives me energy, provides entertainment, comfort, serenity and enjoyment. Sometimes I listen to music to match my mood and other times I use it to lift it. It’s like a friend that’s always there, instinctively knowing the right thing to say.
Growing up we listened to Elvis, the Beatles and whatever was currently playing on ‘top 40’ AM radio. I was lovestruck over the likes of Donny Osmond and Andy Gibb. I imagine it’s similar to today’s ‘Bieber Fever.’ It was agonizing staying glued to my portable radio, praying for good reception, lest I miss my favourite song! As a teenager gathering with friends and heading off to Exhibition Stadium for a concert or festival was always the event of the summer. Oh the heady days of youth!
It wasn’t all about rock and roll though. Mom was a huge Neil Diamond fan. His live album, Hot August Night, was the essential album. For a period of time I considered myself ‘too cool,’ to admit to being a fan but she played it so much it seeped into my bones by osmosis. I couldn’t help myself. I love Neil Diamond!
It’s quite possible the expression, ‘Dance like nobody’s watching,’ was invented by my mom. Neil was her favourite accompaniment while housecleaning. She taught me everything I ever needed to know about using a broom, vacuum or feather duster, as an improvisational microphone! To this day belting out ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Song Sung Blue’ or ‘Holly Holy’ makes doing housework more palatable.
Until a few years ago, I didn’t think I was much of a country fan. Our oldest, Curtis, started listening and before I knew it, I was tapping my toes and stomping my boots (slippers) right along with him. After I thought about it, I realized I’d grown up listening to Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, Willie Nelson and John Denver. Turns out, I liked country after all. Today’s country is lively, upbeat and gives me energy. It’s fun to sing along and I’m not averse to pulling out my, ‘ole straw broom’ for a little air guitar plucking, if the moments right!
If I’m baking pies my selection of choice is the soundtrack for Anne of Green Gables. It gives me that homey, nostalgic feeling that I roll right into my pastry. Sunday mornings are for classics. Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel and Beethoven fill me with a calm and peace, clearing my head, uplifting my spirit and filling my soul. There is nothing quite like Beethoven’s 9th symphony to lift my spirits.
On the completely opposite side of the musical spectrum, I’m also fond of newer music and alternative rock. One of my favourite bands in this genus is Linkin Park. They are a mix of rap and alternative. Their music is edgy, catchy and quite popular on hip radio stations. For Randy and I this is a cross-over band, appreciated by both us and our kids. We were in our thirties when they came on the scene and our kids were preteens and teens. Admittedly this band isn’t for everyone as the lead singer Chester Bennington is a bit of a screamer, but we all knew a funky sound when we heard it.
About two weeks ago I learned that Chester took his own life. He suffered from depression and had issues with drugs and alcohol, after suffering abuse as a child. He was a gifted musical talent. His lyrics conveyed wisdom, intelligence and empathy, tapping into fans emotions and giving them a voice. I feel a deep sadness that someone who was able to enrich my life to such a great degree with his music, wasn’t able to be helped himself.
Recent studies published in the World Journal of Psychiatry concluded, music is a valid therapy for depression, anxiety, as well as to improve mood, self-esteem and quality of life. I believe most of us know that intuitively, studies aside. Depression and anxiety are formidable foes and require serious attention and treatment but music is definitely another tool in the chest. Perhaps it’s time for a little ‘Ode to Joy.’
Goodness knows, it couldn’t hurt.