Keep Howlin'

Why am I still thinking about werewolves? Jonny Lang left a big impression, but it may be because of my reading list. It includes this:

The Werewolf's Guide to Life: A Manual for the Newly Bitten

 by Ritch Duncan & Bob Powers

If the title alone doesn't make you laugh, it's probably not a book for you. I cracked up.

So, I've been thinking about covers that Jonny Lang should do, given the comparison that I made. Here's the short list of songs I would like to hear Lang sing:

The obvious...this is Warren Zevon singing Werewolves of London. "Here him howlin' round your kitchen door...better not let him in! Aaaahooo!"

CCR's Bad Moon Rising, of course...

Duran Duran...Hungry Like the Wolf. This 80s staple would be a perfect match.

I Was a Teenage Werewolf by The Cramps. Not sure which is more creepy...the song or Little Joe turning into a werewolf...

Ozzy Osbourne...Bark at the Moon. This used to be a regular on my playlist. The guitar still shreds...listen. I actually spotted a live version of this, but Ozzy pacing onstage was very disturbing, add to that some seriously huge 80s hair & I decided on the original video.

You might not automatically think of Little Richard singing By the Light of the Silvery Moon as a possible Lang hit, but I can totally see it. I am also a Little Richard fan, so that helps. I saw Doris Day doing a version of this hit, but I couldn't relate that to Jonny.

This is not a werewolf song per se, but it is sung by the original Big Bad Wolf...Howlin' Wolf. My top pick for a Jonny Lang cover would be Smokestack Lightnin'! It didn't hurt that this clip has Adrien Brody in it.

Since this video was from the movie "Cadillac Records" & not the actual Howlin' Wolf, let me present the legend:

Keep howlin'!

Howl at the Moon

 A few weekends ago, Colt & I visited New York. After asking directions, we were told we would need to walk through Rome, continue through Paris, and eventually stop in Beijing. Quite a trip just to see Jonny Lang, but we were dedicated.

We made last minute plans to see Jonny Lang and Robert Cray at the WinStar World Casino, which boasts casinos from "around the world". I must say I'm surprised to find the world is filled with electronic gambling machines...and a bit smoky. Thankfully, the event center where we watched the concert was smoke-free.

First up was Robert Cray. Colt told me that I would enjoy his music, but I had actually never heard of him. Colt was correct. I was thoroughly impressed. His band had an unbelievable blues pianist. I mean...WOW! Mr. Cray's performance was incredible. He has one of those voices that seems so effortless, but packs a punch....smooth, but powerful. His onstage quips were intelligent and amusing, not bawdy like some blues guys I've seen. Overall, a very enjoyable show. See him if you get the chance.

Next up was Jonny Lang. I've been a fan since his first album, Lie to Me, was released in 1997. Jonny recorded this album when he was only 15-years old! It does not sound like a young person's voice...gritty and very bluesy. 

Colt was made even more aware of his appreciation of Jonny Lang through Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, which features artists from blues to bluegrass, classic rockers to contemporary showboats. Eric Clapton hand picks (that's funny) the guitarists that perform and are supposed to be the very best of the best...the ones who have earned his respect.

Being a Lang fan, I knew I would enjoy the show, but I couldn't have imagined just how entertaining this night would be. If you've never seen Jonny Lang perform, let me say that it's quite a sight. In describing it, I would have to say that Jonny looks likes he is in the midst of lycanthropic transformation. In other words, I believe there is a full moon out and dude is fixing to sprout fur and fangs and run amuck. I looked around to see if anyone else was concerned. Since they weren't, I decided to relax & enjoy the show. Even though his guitars licks seemed to evoke acute pain as evidenced in his menacing grimaces, they were incredibly soulful. He sang with such intensity and seemed to be expressing such raw emotion, it felt like he was in physical distress. BUT! blues guys are supposed to be in pain, right? Hence the need to sing the "blues", yes? Kidding, the moon must have faded behind the clouds because Jonny never fully transformed into a werewolf. It would've been my money's worth it he had, but even given that disappointment, I was totally taken with Jonny Lang. He was humble and sincere when he addressed his audience with many thank you's throughout the show. I'm even a bigger Jonny Lang fan now. He's incredibly talented, humble and puts on an AWESOME show!

Aaaahoooo!

Beware the moon...

Seriously!

My favorite song that he performed was this one:

Underwear...a word study.

I have a few words for you to consider...

junior – adjective 1. younger (usually designating the younger of two men bearing the same full name, as a son named after his father; often written as Jr. or jr. following the name) 2. of more recent appointment or admission, as to an office or status; of lower rank or standing: a junior partner. 3. (in American universities, colleges, and schools) noting or pertaining to the class or year next below that of the senior.

drawer – noun 1. a sliding, lidless, horizontal compartment, as in a piece of furniture, that may be drawn out in order to gain access to it. 2. drawers, ( used with a plural verb ) an undergarment, with legs, that covers the lower part of the body. 3. a person or thing that draws.

Please, follow my train of thought to the end. I promise we will reach our destination, but there may be a few minor stops along the way. I believe this enhances any trip.

So, what in the world do junior or drawer have to do with anything? Let's find out.

As a matter of fact, we are talking about underwear. I apologize for starting out on such a personal subject. I promise to be modest in my descriptions. Please, do continue with me.

Everyone has their own particular, "underthings" vernacular which they deem acceptable. Propriety doesn't always factor in. Sometimes, it's merely a matter of routine, words probably expressed by your parents and, quite simply, passed down.

I've heard a great variety of expressions used to signify underwear (which, by the way, is the simplest way I've heard to articulate it...underwear.) Let me share a few. Ladies would most likely choose from this list: undies, panties, undergarments, bikinis, unmentionables, delicates, intimates, or lingerie. Here are some with a masculine approach:  briefs, skivvies, shorts, jockey shorts, boxers, whitey tighties.

It is sometimes considered impertinent to use a word from one list to describe the underthings of a person from the opposite list. Example:  My boys would be mortified if I asked them in front of their buddies if they remembered to pack their panties. While we're here, let's go ahead and mention that it is also very unacceptable to purchase underthings if you have someone from the opposite sex with you. If I want to see my boys take flight, flee the scene, make themselves invisible, or scatter like rats, I need only stop at the ladies' undergarment section of any store. You have never seen a more panic-induced retreat in your entire life.

Hang on, we're almost there...

Now, I think drawers is a universally acknowledged word for underwear. Okay, maybe not universally, but definitely southern approved. Another southern approved venture...Nascar. How does Nascar fit, you ask. Here we are at the meat of the matter...

My cousin had the fortunate opportunity to visit the Texas Motor Speedway.  As he was preparing to go, his young daughter was giving him a list of things she wanted him to bring back. Of course, everything she requested absolutely must bear the cherished name of Junior. She wanted a Junior hat, Junior t-shirt, Junior pants, even, you guessed it...Junior drawers. Now, his daughter being a beautiful, southern belle, these words were perfectly distorted and pronounced "joon-yer draws." Further assault the words, because she was only 3 or 4 at the time and they became "joon-yah dwaws."

We finally made it. So, now you know what underthings are still called at my house, feminine or masculine...joon-yah dwaws. It's a family legacy. Thanks, Junior.

I'm back...

Well, it's been a few years, but it is most definitely time to start writing again. The final straw...a friend asked me to write a letter of reference and I was secretly thrilled. Okay, I don't guess my excitement was really concealed when I asked my friend how many pages it needed to be.

It already feels good to be putting thoughts onto paper...or computer screen, as it were. I'm coming to terms with my love of words, including all language, grammar, storytelling, dictionaries, thesauruses, writing, and reading books. My passion has not waned, nor has the glitter of words faded in my mind's eye.

I will always be that person who actually likes to write. In my mind, I will never stop correcting grammar, written or spoken. Hearing "theirselves" or "hisself" will ever make me wince, even coming from the mouths of my own, beloved children. My own misspoken words cause me to groan. There shall continually be a dictionary tab open on my computer.

My world perpetually spins on words...yours and mine.