A Pocketful of Stones

Today is the birthday of David Gilmour, vocalist and guitarist of the legendary British band Pink Floyd. Call it a stroke of genius or 'a momentary lapse of reason' (pun intended) but David is giving his fans a gift on his birthday by allowing them a free download for 48 hours of "A Pocketful of Stones", a single from his 2006 album, 'On an Island.'

The single, with lyrics by Polly Samson, was written by David Gilmour, who aside from doing the vocals, also played guitars, percussion, Hammond organ and bass on the track. The song also features Polish classical/jazz musician Leszek Mozdzer on piano and Alasdair Malloy on glass harmonica.

You can download "A Pocketful of Stones" in MP3 or WAV form HERE, and will be available until 11:59pm UK time on Wednesday, the 7th of March.

Simply Beautiful

The song 'Simply' by Sara Hickman holds a special place in my heart. Whenever I hear this song, I cannot help but stop whatever I am doing and just let myself be carried away by its haunting melody.

It reminds me of Beth, my best friend in college who passed away a month and a half after our graduation in 1991, an event that I had to skip due to some important matters that I had to attend in Manila.

This was not the first time I've shared and written about this song and its significance in my life. I wrote 'Simply Beth-iful' in 2009 when I first came across a video of Sara Hickman playing the song for some close friends in YouTube. Just like before as it is now, the power of the song, the lyrics' message, and the effect of its melody remain the same to me.

Anyway, I found this video on YouTube today and I suddenly remembered that Beth's birthday was five days ago. Also, this time around Ms. Hickman performs 'Simply' in a duet with her teenage daughter, giving it a different take but still retaining the beauty of the song.

And we all shine on...

"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?"

- John Lennon

There's something about Mary

"All my lovers asked me why they couldn't replace Mary, but it's simply impossible. The only friend I've got is Mary and I don't want anybody else. To me, she was my common-law wife. To me, it was a marriage. We believe in each other, that's enough for me."

-Freddie Mercury on the love of his life, Mary Austin.

Foo Fighters: Tickets for the documentary film premiere now on sale

For Michiganders, tickets can be purchased at the MJR Theaters in Southgate, Brighton and Marketplace.

Dear John...

Today is the 70th birthday of John Lennon, my favorite Beatle.

John Lennon: poet, singer, songwriter and rebel.

So, how does he celebrate his big day on the other side?

By rockin' and rollin' of course.

Mark David Chapman's denied parole again

This month, nearly 30 years after killing John Lennon, Mark David Chapman's sixth parole application was denied by a three- member Parole Board and thus will remain at the Attica Correctional Facility in New York. He is eligible again for parole in 2012.

The saga of the Walrus and the Chapman continues...

Meanwhile here's a clip of John Lennon, George Harrison, Yoko Ono et al while having a creative session on the song, Oh My Love; a painting of how these geniuses were at work and how their creativity was able to churn out those beautiful lyrics and melodies that we became so familiar with.