Remembering Ronnie James Dio - The Last in Line [Live at The Spectrum 1984]

I was lucky enough to see Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow when I was in high school. AC/DC opened for them, and Bonn Scott was amazing. Still, I was there primarily to see the man himself, Ronnie James Dio. While I already loved Rainbow, it was Dio whom I worshipped. His powerful voice made him larger than the rock chords blasting in the background. Those who know me will recall my love for Led Zeppelin. But as unique as Robert Plant’s voice is, Plant often forgot song lyrics in concert, and slurred his words both live and recorded. Dio’s voice was both strong, and measured. He left nothing on the stage and gave every performance his all. Singers and vocal coaches regale his style and technique to this day. Whether in Rainbow, Black Sabbath, or solo, Ronnie James Dio was a giant among giants. We lost Ronnie in 2010. But I will always be a fan. To The Man on the Silver Mountain, RIP. - M.J. Kannengieser

Movie Review: WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Trailer (1998) | Classic Trailer

This is one of my favorite films. “What Dreams May Come” is about love, family, loss, pain, and rebirth. The dialogue is moving and brilliant in both its poignance and brevity. The script guides us along a bittersweet romance between two souls eternally connected, and deeply in love. While the couple lives a life they had dreamed of and achieved, they weather the storm of tragic loss, and grapple with guilt and regret. In both this world and beyond, they seek each other and those they lost. The story demonstrates that each scene in our lives, no matter how trivial, can become significant, and a lesson to be learned from. The ending is a remarkable and beautiful conclusion that is also a new beginning. The story, while fantastic in its imagery, is both beautiful and terrifying. The outcome will have the viewer examining their own relationships with their spouse and children. I highly recommend watching this. - M.J. Kannengieser

Kathy McCarty Cover Version of "I Had a Dream" by Daniel Johnston

This is a remarkable, tasteful, and loving rendition of the song, “I had a dream,” by the late Daniel Johnston. Daniel spent his life battling mental illness, yet he attained success in music and art with a dedicated cult fanbase. This song is covered, along with others on the album “Dead Dog’s Eyeball” by Kathy McCarty, Daniel’s one time girlfriend. Kathy’s somewhat jazzy, yet soulful, and bittersweet version of this tune can be played in both a smoky nightclub, or on a rainy afternoon with a cup of coffee in your hand. Kathy’s voice is beautiful, and recognizes the heartache Daniel felt when composing this song. This tune, and so many others of Daniel’s, are inspired by the unrequited love he felt for Laurie Allen, a young, beautiful woman he met in college. Laurie was a friend, and she married a funeral director and moved away. All of this became grist for Daniel’s songs and artwork. Listen to this song and appreciate why it was written and enjoy the heartfelt, yet whimsical words. You’ll understand why a person can get close to someone, yet still be so far away. This is my new favorite song.

Greetings -- I Suppose

 I hate buying cards. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, glad you didn’t die —— it’s a chore. There never seems to be an appropriate message inside, or the artwork is simply silly, or meaningless. Happy Anniversary: here’s a couple sitting in a canoe on a lake. Get well soon: here’s a dog wearing a cast on one of its legs. Haha! I’d rather flee a swarm of angry wasps, or accidentally walk in on a Satanic human sacrifice than shop for a card. Like I said, I hate buying cards, and if you get one from me, either my wife bought it, or I must really, really like you.