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"I love timeless songs," says Charley Crockett. "I've always believed that the more timeless songs you learn how to play, the more timeless songs you can write."
Crockett's unique approach to American roots music — a mix of Texas blues, classic country and Cajun soul — has earned him an audience on both sides of the Atlantic. Long before he toured the country in a bus once owned by Willie Nelson, though, he cut his teeth as a street performer, busking on the corners of New Orleans and the subway cars of New York City. It was a hands-on musical education. Surrounded by the chaotic noise of city life, Crockett learned how to project. He learned how to hold a crowd's attention. Most importantly, he learned a long list of classic songs from the jug bands, brass players and fellow songwriters with whom he shared the street. Filled with vivid storytelling, raw honesty and rich southern heritage, those classic tunes would eventually inspire his own original music.
He pays tribute to those busking days with Lil G.L.'s Blue Bonanza, an album stocked with Crockett's own interpretations of old-school country songs and half-forgotten blues gems. Featuring 15 songs originally performed by George Jones, Ernest Tubb, T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Reed, Charles Brown, Lavelle White, Ray Charles, and others, Blue Bonanza shines a light on a modern musician with traditional roots. It's also the second release in his ongoing Lil G.L. series, following 2017's Lil G.L.'s Honky Tonk Jubilee.
"The roots of the street are deep in this album," says Crockett, who co-produced Blue Bonanza during two days of inspired, live-in-the-studio recording. He tracked the songs with his road band, capturing the chemistry generated by a year of heavy touring. Together, Crockett and company decorated these songs with upright bass, electric guitar, mandolin, pedal steel and Wurlitzer, combining acoustic and amplified instruments into the same retro-minded mix. "There's a lot of accordion and trumpet here, too," the frontman adds, "and that comes from me playing with brass bands in New Orleans. You've got all that brass and soul in the New Orleans sound, but you've also got that street sound. I heard a lot of jug bands doing old-school music down there, and I'm just trying to keep that old sound together."
It was blues music that ultimately brought Crockett back home to Texas. Raised in rural San Benito by a single mother, he left the Rio Grande at a young age and embarked upon a life worthy of his ancestor, American folk hero (and fellow wanderer) Davy Crockett. Charley worked on farms in California. He lived on the streets of Paris. He wandered his way through North Africa. Returning to Texas after a decade of street gigs and subway performances, he found a state bursting with new musical opportunities. He also found a kindred spirit in Jay Moeller, a legendary Texas musician steeped in similarly bluesy influences. It was Moeller who began calling Crockett "Lil GL," a nickname modeled after GL Crockett — an obscure 20th century musician who, like the young Charley, built his reputation upon a mix of classic country twang and raw, bluesy bang.
"I think that the best artists, whether they're working in country music or hip-hop, are always bringing the tradition back to the front," he says. "I believe America's greatest era of songwriters already happened, and the people who are pushing it forward are drawing heavily from the older stuff."
After announcing appearances at Denmark's Tønder Festival we're excited to share a few additional tourdates in August:
16/08: Kristianstad (SWE) @ Kulturkvarteret
17/08: Oslo (NO) @ John Dee
18/08: Stockholm (SWE) @ Bar Brooklyn
19/08: Göteborg (SWE) @ Pustervik/Matsalen
22/08: Tønder (DK) @ Tønder Festival
26/08: Hamburg (DE) @ Nochtwache
27/08: Krefeld (DE) @ Kulturrampe
28/08: Eindhoven (NL) @ De Rozenknop
29/08: Amsterdam (NL) @ Paradiso Noord, Tuinzaal
30/08: Bottelare (BE) @ Het Ketske
Related artist: Charley Crockett back


text:
layout: post
title: My Struggle - Book 1 by Karl Ove Knausgaard
date: Apr 22, 2015, 9:23 PM
summary: Today I finished reading My Struggle - Book 1 by Karl Ove Knausgaard
categories: books
---

Today I finished reading Book 1 of My Struggle by [Karl Ove Knausgaard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Ove_Knausg%C3%A5rd).

![](http://austinmoody.org/i/melange_mystrugglebook1_2015-04-25-123738.png)

I've been curious about this serious of books for quite some time, but admit to have avoided them because of the hype that had built up around them.  Recently I, for some reason, watched an interview with Karl Ove on YouTube and broke down and bought the first book.

I think the hype is deserved.  I'd say the first 30 pages or so are some of the most memorable text I've read in recent memory.  I've gone back and read the start of this book a few times now.

There is so much that he recalled from his childhood that really touched me, and made me really start to dig up memories of my own that I had not thought of in quite some time.

I think I'm going to take a break and dig into some other things for a bit, but for certain I plan on finishing everything in this series.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Wooden floors magnified the sound. It seemed like the very walls were pulsing with every beat.
It was 2014. Greg had been dead for some months, and none of that actually happened.
And then four years later, on Dec 27th 2018, it did.
Well, almost. It just wasn't Greg entering the crowded hall, it was me.
The audience was already singing and stomping and clapping as I walked on stage (led by Freddy Mercury), feeling, for the first and only moment in my life, like some kind of undeserving, imposter rock star.
As I took the microphone, the music stopped, the crowd calmed down and I burst out laughing. It was a strange upside-down start to giving a speech, but it certainly took the nerves away!
Giving a speech to a clapping, stomping audience of hundreds of people was one of the last things I did in 2018. It simultaneously scared the hebejeebees out of me and changed me for good.
The title of my talk was From Larrikin to Leader: Lessons Learned from the Life of Greg Parker. I was invited to give this talk at the annual Baha'i Summer Camp, the theme of which was A Life of Generous Giving. Greg's life was featured as a much-loved member of the community, missed for his music, his intellect, his loving-kindness, his sense of humour, his antics. "A life of generous giving" sort of summed his up.
As I traced Greg's life from childhood to his untimely death at the age of 59, I I think I surprised a few people with anecdotes from his less than salubrious youth. I certainly surprised myself when the audience laughed and cried in all the right places!
Later on someone told me that they'd had a dream that Greg was right there in the audience, laughing along with us, very pleased that this was happening.
Giving that talk altered something inside me. I'm still coming to terms with exactly what and how, but I'm not the same person I was before I wrote it. For a start, in preparing the talk, I gave myself time to really reflect on everything I knew of Greg and on how simultaneously hard and wonderful it was. Three decades together. I stepped back and I asked myself what I learned from all of it.
At first, inviting the memories back in opened a floodgate of emotions. I had to read the stories he had written. I could hear his voice again. I could see him laugh (mostly at his own jokes). I could feel his cancer-pain. I wept.
Write a talk about Greg's life? Who was I trying to kid?
I took myself back to the Southern Ocean, to Albany, to the beautiful place that never-was-our-forever-home, and I wrote. And then I drove back to Perth, walked up to that microphone, and spoke.
And so, in the last days of 2018, I was gifted with so much love and a bunch of stomping and clapping, just like in my dream.
Too attached? No one would have accused us of that when he was alive!
The thing is, when Greg died, it was as if I lost ALL the Gregs that existed. The young, vital, passionate, exciting, strong, angry, unstoppable man I married … as well as the wise, patient, kind, gentle, luminous, loving man he was becoming. Grief was magnified by losing not one person, but losing all the versions of him that I'd ever known. And all the buried memories that had stayed locked away to keep me focussed on his care surfaced at the very same time. Right after he died.
So, did I become more attached to him? Maybe. Or perhaps the shock of what surfaced was so overwhelming and unsettling that I did what I could to stop myself from drowning.
Perhaps one of the things giving that talk has shown me is that I've finally learned to swim!
In 2019, I'll be entering my sixth year of LWG (Life Without Greg).
There are times it still feels like he died yesterday and the pain is fresh and the tears flow. At other times, all I can feel is gratitude for the good, the bad, the difficult … the impossibly exquisite life we shared for 28 years.
My naturally sceptical, once science-driven mind has accepted that he's physically dead and yet still ever present, in many ways even more present than he was when he was alive… now my cheerleader, my protector, my helpmate, my finder-of-homes. Still a father to his amazing girls. Still a trekkie, but now he actually gets to visit the stars.
It seems weird to say but LWG is a beautiful life. Even when my focus slips back to what I've lost, even when grief pops right back into the front seat … even on all of those days, LWG is still a beautiful life.
Because there's always the gentle eyes of my dog. The smell of coffee. Roses. Gorgeous friends. The play of light through the leaves. Breakthroughs by brave students. Being moved to tears by a song. Babies being born.
All the surprising ways that prayers are answered. All the infinite ways to serve.
The response that I received to that talk was a little astounding, including several invitations to deliver the talk again. I decided to this say 'yes' to all of them in ONE go, and offer this in memory of my lovely Gregory soon, before I chicken out!
So, on Saturday Feb 16 I'm doing this again. And you're all invited!
Greg was a brilliant creative, and I share how his creativity helped him navigate the worst of times. In a sense, Greg was "everyman", yet he was a mass of contradictions. He had deep faith, but was initially an arrogant opponent of it!
Would this be your cup of tea? I don't know. My talk is light-hearted but has an undertone of universal truths that I hope everyone can relate to – a collection of stories and spiritual lessons that I've distilled from observation of his transformation from the larrikin he was, to the luminary he became. I offer it in the hope that these stories might be of service to others. If that calls to your heart, I'd love to see you there. Admission is free, so you can just rock up. Details below.
I'm only running this popular workshop on three dates: Feb 24, Mar 17 and April 14, before the rainy season starts, when drying layers of paint and texture in one day becomes problematic! So if you've been wanting to do this for some time, (and about 1500 people have done it before you!) don't delay. You won't get another chance until September! This workshop is for grown-ups only, so take the day off from your kids (and bring your partner) for a unique experience. CLICK HERE for the full details, watch the video or to enrol now.
START WITH ART: Make this year better than before.
"The weekend was pure joy & so much more than simply an art workshop but rather a personal life development mini retreat for me… I went home feeling energised, enthusiastic, courageous & ready to step forward boldly into 2019." – A.F.
In this workshop I guide you through a unique combination of writing, reflecting and painting, to help you get clear on the shape and flavour of that all important upcoming period: The Rest of Your Life!
Change ONLY happens when we start thinking and feeling differently. If we want our lives to flow with greater ease, why not start by combining our heart's desires with the magical powers of creativity?
Over two beautiful days by the Swan River in Perth, we move forward gently, but with clarity and purpose, creating a beautiful tapestry of words and paint and texture, from which to build the rest of your life. Starting with Art.
"I came ALIVE and felt a sense of Peace … an almost 'Coming Home" feeling… thank you for who you are and how you make people feel. You are blessed with a rare gift…A Magical two days." -N. S.
Malini my sister– how do you do it? Just when I think you've said all that can be said about Greg, you bring out something impossibly beautiful and moving and take us all one step closer to understanding you and the man you married, and in doing so help us understand the world a wee bit better. I was at the talk first time, and wouldn't miss your repeat for the world!
Gosh, thank you so much for those words. They were rather poetic and touching. This was a hard post to write… too many emotions! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. And thank you for taking the time to read my work. ONYA!!
Oops, I repeat myself. Thank you.
Like Shanthi, i can't find the words to express the depths of wonder & gratitude for this blog & others you've given us.
Yvonne, that's so very kind of you. Thank you, dear friend.
I love that idea. We are indeed walking each other home.
So glad that you've found making art to be helpful in your life. A kindred spirit!
Even though I was not able to attend to the talk (because like you wrote, a baby was being born), I felt I was really there at the *stomp stomp clap* moment. So looking forward for the redo of the talk and so happy that you didn't chicken out of it!! Loved the post!!! Onya!!!!
Thank you for borning your beautiful baby! And for EVERYTHING else you and your amazing wife bring to this world!
Malini, I knew Greg long before you met him and yet I learnt so much about him and about life.
You shared his stories in an entertaining, educational, and inspiring way.
I'll be there and have invited lots of friends. Looking forward to hearing your talk again.
Dearest Malini, I hope one of your talks about Greg can be posted on You-tube, for us out of towners to view!
working on it Bryn, stay tuned!
Malini–I've been following you for many of the years since Greg died. I'm so happy to see you return to life and joy. After our teen son died 10 years ago, I learned what a gift it is when his name is spoken by others and his life is remembered. Wow! You have been given an entire trove of treasure as so many celebrate Greg's life with you! May this time of reforming how you carry him with you in the world be sweet….
Beautiful words, Malini. Thank you for being such an inspiration.


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Home BHAGAVAT PURANA FOURTH CHAPTER Why did Prajapati Daksha hate Lord Shiva – MISBEHAVIOUR OF DAKSHA PRAJAPATI WITH LORD SHIVA
Why did Prajapati Daksha hate Lord Shiva – MISBEHAVIOUR OF DAKSHA PRAJAPATI WITH LORD SHIVA
Vidura asked Maitreya: 'Lord Shiva is an idol of peace. He has no enmity with anyone. He is self indulgent Why did then Daksha Prajapati misbehave with Him?
Maitreya said, " Once a meeting of Brahma Vadis (expounders of vedas) was organized. Along with all the gods Lord Shiva and Brahma were also present in the meeting. Because of being a Prajapati, Daksha was allowed a late entry in the meeting. Moreover, when Daksha did arrive, all the gods, except Brahma and Lord Shiva, stood up to pay him regards. Honor by thousands of gods did not please Daksha as much as he felt insulted the by behaviour of Lord Shiva.
Brahma was the father of Daksha, so he didn't mind his behaviour. But seeing Lord Shiva sitting there and not paying due respect to him, Daksha got angry. He said, "He is like my disciple. I've married my daughter to him but he is uncourteous and irreligious. I committed a blunder by
marrying my daughter to him. He smears ashes of pyre and roams at the cremation sites. Only the ghosts are his companions." Thus, Daksha cursed Lord Shiva. "May this Lord Shiva not get his due share along with the Gods in oblations."
Nandi, the prominent among Lord Shiva's servers, cursed Daksha in retaliation: "May the unwise Daksha lose his mind and be like an animal always bound to a woman." Thereafter indignant Lord Shiva at once left the meeting along with his followers. But still Daksha didn't put the matter at rest. To humble Lord Shiva, he organised a grand yagya named Brihaspati. All the Brahma Rishis, devarishis, pitars, gods etc. attended the yagya alongwith their wives.
From her abode on Kailash, Sati saw all the gods going through air to the grand occasion. She also learned about the grand yagya organised by her father Daksha. Out of curiosity, she insisted her husband Lord Lord Shiva, "O Vamdev, your father-in-law, Daksha Prajapati has organised a grand feast. If you wish, should we also go there to attend the feast. I desire to see my beloved mother, sisters, and other relatives." Lord Shiva replied! "O beautiful, though one may go without invitation to his parents' home, may visit teachers and siblings. But your father resents me. So it is not good if we go there uninvited. I will not tolerate if he humiliates you. So, you should not go there, because a humiliation by a near one may cause immediate death.'
In fact, Sati had a logical mind, while Lord Shiva gave more weightage to faith than logic.
Sati even had a doubt regarding God's incarnation as Lord Rama, that how could Parbrahma Parmatma, who is the father of all, be a son of any human being. Moreover, how could the Supreme Being be in so much sorrow because of his wife's separation. Lord Shiva and Sati, therefore, had a sight of Lord Rama in exile. Lord Shiva silently saluted Lord Rama's appearance, while Sati decided to give Rama a test. So taking a guise of Sita, Sati appeared before Rama. Lord Rama knew everything so he regarded her as Sati. He also showed her some of His glories.
Now Sati had firm belief in Lord Rama. She returned to Lord Shiva and gave her verdict that Lord Rama was indeed an incarnation of the Supreme Being. But Lord Shiva was much disturbed by Sati because of her taking the guise of Sita.
Lord Shiva had, therefore, acquired an indifferent stance towards Sati. Thus she was feeling anguished by Lord Shiva's behaviour. Hence she prayed silently: 'O Lord, may my body be destroyed soon, as this body is not able to serve Lord Shiva'
Hence, when she heard about the grand feast organised by her father, in abject violation of her husband's dictate, Sati got ready to attend the feast. Lord Shiva too sent her with a lot of gifts and servants. There at Daksha's palace Sati found that all were ignoring her because of her father's fear. Even her sisters laughed at her for coming alone. In all, Sati found nothing favourable in her father's home. Only her mother welcomed her that too in isolation. Indignant, Sati went straight to the Yagya Mandap (canopy for performing oblation) and found that no seat had been allotted there for Lord Shiva.
With anger she said; 'Even the mere name of Lord Shiva is enough to destroy all the sins of the humans. No one can violate His dictate. And you, O father, feel jealous of such an auspicious figure, holy, Lord Lord Shiva, who is soul of every living being. I am ashamed of having this body produced from an opponent of Lord Shiva, like you.' Saying these words, Sati threw herself in the flames of Yagyagni (the fire of the Yagya) Thereafter, Lord Shiva's ganas (servers) destroyed the Yagya. They beheaded Daksha and dropped his head in the altar. Other gods and the sages were also punished for showing disrespect for Lord Shiva. Ultimately, Lord Brahma, accompanied by the gods, went to Kailash and pacified Lord Shiva. Ashutosh Lord Shiva granted them a boon to carry the Yagya to completion.
In her next birth, Sati was born in the home of Himalayas. She was named as Parvati. Sober, cool, and an idol of faith, Mata Parvati dedicated herself fully to Lord Shiva. Narada gave her a talisman to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Lord Narayan himself requested Lord Shiva to accept Parvati as his wife. Lord Shiva accepted to get married with Parvati. Thus, through hard penance, Mata Parvati got Lord Shiva as her husband. In due course the auspicious marriage of Mata Parvati with Lord Shiva took place.
KUMBHAKARNA – An asura (demon)
Story of Dhruva in english – son of King Uttanpad

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Carl Ziller, "History of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, Illustrated," (Chicago: S.J. Clarke, 1912), v. II, pp. 196-197.
Edwin Centennius Penrose Biography - Click on Next Line.
Deseret News by-line reporter for most his life. Mentor to Mark E. Petersen. Commissioner of Roads for Utah.
Jabez is clearly the most colorful non-fictional member of the Hornblower Family.
Jonathan and Ann continued to lead the amazing Hornblower family.
Joseph Hornblower worked closely with Thomas Newcomen and installed his steam engines in the coal mines. He was instrumental in moving this technology, the Baptist religion and his family to Cornwall.
A young Charles Penrose convinced this feisty woman to become a Mormon, marry him, move to Utah, raise his family, and welcome wives two and three.