Somewhere Over The Rainbow

A week ago I pleasured myself (mentally) with the mind links (that's right...the mind is the ultimate erogenous zone) that had me reconnect with an old friend, the song, Searchin' For A Rainbow, by the Marshall Tucker Band.  As happens and in my mind is part of the fun of this game and blogging about it, is I never know what new thing it will bring into my awareness.  In this instance I was made aware of a young, female guitar player by the name of Desiree' Bassett.  In this video Desiree' at the young age of 15 was already playing on stage with the current members of the Marshall Tucker Band.  And delightfully holding her own, I might add.

One of the things I love about the internet is it literally puts you within palpable reach of connecting with just about anyone on the planet, whether you've met them before or not.  I'm going to assume Google Alert has something to do with Ms. Bassett's father (also her manager, promoter, guitar teacher and most likely #1 fan) reading my blog and sending me a video of Desiree' rockin' out to a rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".  This makes our connection literally a "Rainbow Connection".  Hmmmm...great name for a song.  Wait!  I see it's been done.  In fact, Willie Nelson has covered this song originally performed by that delightful green character, Kermit the Frog.

In honor of our connection, I start today's game with the video Dan Bassett so graciously shared with me.  Let's Play!

Video #1, Desiree' Bassett - Rockin' in Rehearsal 11-2009



Video #2, Sammy Hagar & Desiree'Bassett, MGM, Foxwoods, 7-20-08



Video #3, 1985 Sammy Hagar & Eddie Van Halen "Rock and Roll" Farm Aid



Video #4, Van Halen Pretty Woman LIVE



Video #5, Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman
YOU KNEW THIS WAS COMING AND HAD TO BE DONE, EH?



Video #6, Legends of Rock and Roll - All Star Jam



Ahhhh!  Music for my soul.

Just 'cuz I can, I am going to include a version of the Rainbow Connection with Kermit the Frog and Debbie Harry.  BONUS!



Okay.  How can I have a "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" blog post without including the awesome rendition by IZ?  I know!  What about Dorothy's alter ego, Judy Garland's version from the Wizard of Oz?  Sorry Dorothy.  I have to draw the line somewhere even if you have the singing voice of an angel.  Okay, I don't have to but I am.

Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole 'IZ' 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' HQ

Searchin' For A Rainbow

So today is day 6 of the great rain-athon in what will soon enough become a part of 2010 SoCal history.  Way back in time before this rain (okay barely a week ago as I write this), I was driving on Interstate 10.  At the west end of this amazing interstate highway, it curves right as you travel through a tunnel and "poof", "voila" (pick whichever seems more magical to you) as you emerge from the tunnel...there in all of its glory...the beach in Santa Monica...and you traveling north on the PCH toward Pacific Palisades, Malibu and who knows what other majestic points north.

Now if you have ever been to Maui and driven along the coast by Lahaina and Ka'anapali (can you tell I love the beach?), well, my point is that it popped in my mind that the view I mention in the above paragraph is about as close to the view of my memory of the majesty of Maui.  While I love to feel I am a "glass full" kind of gal, my mind then went to what appeared to be the only thing missing.  Can you guess it?  A rainbow.  While I was in Maui, they seemed oh so plentiful.

Now if you are about my age, your mind may then have quickly moved from rainbow to searching for a rainbow and hey, there's a song called "Searchin' For A Rainbow" by the Marshall Tucker Band.  I loved them.  Haven't heard them in so long.  Their music was a welcome companion through much of the 70's for me.  So, I thought let me Google the song.  Sure enough, I could find it on YouTube.  And it is my pleasure to share it with you here.

Video #1, Marshall Tucker Band - Searchin' For A Rainbow



BTW:  Hearing this song again after such a long time put such a smile on my face.  It was like I couldn't help it.  Plus, I had totally forgot about the "pot o'gold" thing that is mystically tied to rainbows.  Does it count that when I was at El Porto yesterday I found a plastic container washed up on shore that was filled with a bunch of gold-foiled covered pieces of chocolates that were fashioned to look like gold JFK coins?  So I didn't find a rainbow but I sort of found a "pot o' gold".  Hmmm!

Video #2, Fire On The Mountain, Marshall Tucker



Video #3, Fire On The Mountain (Marshall Tucker Cover Band)



Video #4, Desiree Bassett, 15 year old young lady plays lead with the Marshall Tucker Band



Video #5,  Desiree' Bassett - Layla



Video #6, All Along The Watchtower