on-the-upbeat.com

Meg Whitman --- NO WAY!

2010-07-18T17:18:16Z

Last week while hunting for something on the internet, suddenly this gigantic black box appeared in the right corner of the page -- and I do believe it opened without my clicking on it.

What I saw looked like a dozen newspaper gaudy front pages shouting at me that Jerry Brown was a failure, is a failure. Well, I quickly checked who sponsored this despicable stupidity and sent off the following missive:

To Meg Whitman:

I thought Dubya took the cake for stupidity and insensitivity but YOU ---- I have never experienced anything so despicable, stupid and rotten to the core as your advertising and your speech.

You were dishonest about your competition in the primary -- you are a flat-out blatant liar now.

Just say NO -- you must have learned that somewhere. No to government, no to jobs, no to competition, no to progress, no to PEOPLE. You have my word that we will fight your wanton disregard of truth and WE WILL WIN!!!!!

And your name will go down in infamy as we elect Jerry Brown Governor!

Of course I copied Jerry, for whom I worked on a San Diego fundraiser, and Lynn Schenk, who served in Gov. Jerry Brown's Administrations and who I feel privileged to have gotten to know as a key volunteer on the tough Hillary campaign.

So please join me and Lynn and so many others in stopping this crazy e-Bayite before she gets power and auctions off our whole state! As Johnny Clegg & Savuka say with their music, together we're "Tough Enough!"

Positively,
Carolan

The most thrilling musical evening

2010-07-11T18:27:04Z

I KNEW I had to go when I heard of this event -- Latin jazz drummer Pete Escovedo's 75th Birthday Celebration! At Anthology, San Diego's claim to the best sound and back-of-stage screen system anywhere!

Well, the gig way more than lived up to the hype. I mean, there was Pops -- still a commanding presence with his luxuriant white hair, classic suit and forceful attack on the timbales. For this event he was joined by talented sons Juan and Peter Michael plus amazing daughter Sheila E. And all playing DRUMS!

For a total drum freak like me (and I suspect a lot of the rest of the appreciative uadience) the mix was magnificent with all that wondrous hot percussion -- congas, bongos, timbales, trap drums, shekere, cowbell, claves and Zildgian cymbals everywhere -- visually and audibly upfront. With superb backing and soloes by keyboard, bass, 2 trombones, trumpet, and sax/flute.

For over an hour this aggregation blistered their way through a litany of Latin masterpieces, the E family trading off on instruments and supplying excitement galore. Perhaps the most impressive was Pops and Sheila in total synchrony with intense matching stick chops on timbale and snares. Whooee, like nothing I've ever seen or heard!

As if all this weren't enough, they dialed down to a few softer, slinkier numbers. And then the rest of the family came onstage in what was really a cutting contest -- won by Juanita, Pete's wife of 53 years, who sang a sweet "My Funny Valentine" to him. Sheila looked in awe and Peter Michael later explained, "She's never sung this on stage before."

As I said in my brief facebook post, AH-MAZING!
And here is the maestro to enjoy on Burrito Bandido ...

Positively,
Carolan

Lindsay Lohan -- Really?!

2010-07-10T02:44:00Z

After Lohan's tearful response to being sentenced to 90 days in jail plus in-patient drug rehab, there was a discussion of her prescription meds. Then, asked when they were prescribed, she stated as a matter of fact,“I’ve taken all of them for as long as I can remember.”

And so it's possible that she will be allowed to continue all of them because she has scripts. But in the same conversation the question was also raised about her obvious use of alcohol, to which she seemed to reply she didn't know about that.

Well, Lindsay, here are your medications and the malady they are supposed to be prescribed for:
Nexium –        gastrointestinal reflux disease
Zoloft –           antidepressant
Trazadone –   another antidepressant
Adderall –       amphetamine combo for ADHD & narcolepsy
Dilaudid --      synthetic opiate
Oh you say that's only for dental pain -- suuuuure!

But now, Lindsay, if this combination of drugs were not enough to screw you up, read the the truth about alcohol use when taking them.

Nexium
Alcohol can worsen reflux disease.

Alcohol and Zoloft

The manufacturers of Zoloft do not recommend drinking alcohol while on the medication. Zoloft and alcohol act upon similar chemicals in the brain, which means that Zoloft could intensify the effects of the alcohol. If a person chooses to drink alcohol while taking this medication, he or she should only consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol. If you do drink alcohol, do not drink alcoholic beverages at the same time you take your dose of Zoloft.

Alcohol and Trazodone

People are typically advised to avoid mixing alcohol and trazodone. However, healthcare providers generally agree that moderate drinking is acceptable. If you choose to drink while taking the antidepressant, you should drink moderate amounts and only after you know how the medication affects you. In addition, you should not take alcohol and trazodone at the same time.

Adderall and Alcohol do Not Mix

The bottom line: It is recommended that you do not drink alcohol while you are taking Adderall.

Dilaudid and Alcohol

Dilaudid is a central nervous system depressant and therefore intensifies the effects of alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.

So, Lindsay, wake up and pay attention before it is TOO LATE!
Carolan

Jimmy Buffett -- Right On!

2010-07-09T20:28:00Z

"It was Dracula running the blood bank." In this 'biting' sentence, Jimmy Buffett indicts George W. Bush for the lack of common sense, judgment and (most of all) oversight that led to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. As Buffett adds, "To me it was more about eight years of bad policy before (Obama) got there that let this happen."

Yes, the Bush Administration was often criticized for their coziness with the petroleum industry. But have they taken any responsibility for what has happened and what continues to happen to our precious country? In a pig's you-know-what!

As for Buffett, who was born on the Gulf Coast and has lived all over it, he muses, "People were going, 'What are you going to do about things?' I mean,hell, I can't stick my finger in that hole. Everybody wishes they could."

But on Sunday he's throwing a concert, bringing together his Coral Reef Band and many other musicians and likely thousands of Gulf Coast residents who need his uplifting spirit. Where? Right on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama -- a place that's been sporadically hit by oil for weeks.

Ok, in the meantime, how about some wonderful Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes?

Positively,
Carolan

My life -- from electronics to the ancients

2010-07-04T21:19:00Z

I truly love life but absolutely marvel at the speed it seems to move these days and just manage to keep up with the juggling that's called for ..

After years of wanting to play a hand drum and owning a small one, I recently bought a playable size djembe (say it jim-bay) drum carved from a tree with a head fashioned of real hide. (In a seaside market in Ghana I actually watched these drums being created by hand.)

And then I'm planning the most amazing trip of my life and it entails finding a better digital camera -- up to now I've been traveling with both my trusty old Olympus 35mm with 100mm zoom plus a cheapie digital. So I'm having to learn about megapixels, wide angle, panorama, zoom and so much more.

Also looking into buying a netbook computer or (tada!) an ipad, so an amazing amount of data to sift through. Hmh, an ipad operating off wi-fi would replace my ipod for music and also serve to surf the net, access e-mail, facebook, etc. Even let me watch dvd's, read e-books and play/compose on an e-piano! All that sounds incredible but I've found beaucoups lists online why a netbook is better -- not the least of which is that the ipad lacks MS Word -- a necessity for me as a writer. So we shall see ...

Enjoy the sound of the djembe's and stay tuned for more on the trip soon.

Positively,
Carolan

After Words ...

2010-06-26T17:09:00Z

The national organization from which my salary is derived has come, has seen, heard and most of all questioned and now is back in DC with our fate in their hands.

Yes, for 3 days last week the National Science Foundation folks were in residence for a monumental Site Visit to the Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center. This singular event, along with our grant renewal proposal, strategic plan and annual report, will determine whether we continue for another five years.

And so important was it that preparations required more than fulltime for myself and many others over several weeks, what with elaborate agenda packets and other printed materials, posters, demo's, location logistics, seating arrangements, maps, sound systems, computer connections, catering, name tags, tent cards, etc.

Present for all of part of the time were nearly half of all our members representing most of the 16 universities that comprise our UC San Diego-based Science of Learning Center. We totaled 100, NSF totaled 16.

The good news: Raves for the food, the smoothly-run program and our people.
The bad news: Very tough questions that included the admonition to give them numbers, not just words!

Still, following my 14-hour day (partly trying to generate numbers), I decided to employ BELIEF. Yes, we will indeed be renewed -- after all, we have some 60 active collaborative research projects, many uncovering salient data and much targeted toward eventual classroom use. So I quick told my programmer to get next year's database up and running and I'm about to write science-based articles for our TDLC newsletter.

Yes, it's Positive Thinking!

Positively,
Carolan

The most militant ...

2010-05-15T17:44:00Z

I recently came across the obituary of the most militant Black man I ever met. And -- surprise, surprise! -- came to know and care about.

Yes, George Page (born and raised in Oakland, but in Portland for years) was an enigma. Originally met him when he played hand drums in a music aggregatiion for which I did promotion. And for years I listened to him every Saturday on his KBOO Radio "Jazz Rap," in which he played only music of Black artists, and from which I learned to appreciate music I hadn't known existed -- including such eclectic singers as Blossom Dearie, Minnie Riperton, Marlena Shaw.

The militancy manifested itself in an unshakeable stern facial expression plus never sitting with his back to the door in any public place. Now this seems like a quirk but then he was dead serious about what could happen if he didn't watch the door.

Along the way, George asked me to meet him, where he presented the idea of turning my print publication Out-n-About with Carolan Gladden into a cable tv show. This was early in cable's history, and Portland was in the forefront with free training and studio space for all comers.

Of course George had already shot a lot of video, most of it music groups in live performance. But this would be a more-or-less scripted program. When I said I didn't know how to do this kind of thing, he got me laughing with the comment, "Whadya mean, you interview everyone you meet -- now you'll just have a camera on you!"

Soooo on that remark, George and I launched the program with a quick interview with the owner and a video panorama of Key Largo -- then an exotic roomy live music venue with terrific foiod and Bogie & Hepburn posters from the film dotting the walls. I was indeed nervous as hell but it turned out ok, thanks to George behind the camera smiling and nodding all the way.

The catch, unfortunately, was that we needed a sponsor. And we couldn't get one. So just one more show aired before my venture into cable ended. Oh I still listened to George and ran into him but then I moved away.

It wasn't until I read his obituary that I knew he had a Master's degree in broadcasting, was a Vietnam veteran and that when he died, "Everyone from judges to junkies called."

George Page was just 47 when he passed in 1990.
I'm sure many more than I still miss him.

And here's Blossom ...

Positively,
Carolan

Introspection ...

2010-05-02T16:18:00Z

Just now CBS Sunday Morning featured an in-depth profile and interview with designer Donna Karan. Now I could never afford her high fashion line but have indeed acquired a few DKNY pieces I've found on sale. And I've known some of her story and admired her. Especially how she has survived the death in 2001 of her adored husband and business partner.

I perked up at one surprising statement she made: "A lot of women are more masculine than a lot of men." And she went on to say she could never have done what she has without many of what are generally considered masculine traits: drive, ambition, determination, knowing what you want and going after it.

And yet there is no doubt whatsoever that Donna Karan is feminine to the core in look, dress, sensuality, personal relationships. And do I ever relate!

Since I have experienced the difficulty of not only getting across this male-female combination I seem to possess -- being independent and one of the guys and also touchy-feely and emotional -- but in finding Black male partners able to be admiring -- or better, adoring! -- of one with this duality.

Ah, but my life is quite happy and fulfilled, even as I "hold on."

Positively,
Carolan

Amazing what we say and save ...

2010-05-01T15:29:00Z

I recently took a big decision. I must part with a big grey 4-drawer lateral filing cabinet. And although it contained many years' worth of stuff, including a raft of saved articles -- both by me and of interest to me -- it had turned into a bedroom eyesore. Ah but I could not dispose of it without conscientiously examining every single document in its bowels.

Of course much got pitched into the trash. But after that, the proverbial treasure trove of forgotten material! For openers, "The Writing Life," a piece I wrote in 1990 for Willamette Writers newsletter -- a venerable Portland writers' organization I previously had had the privilege of presiding over.

I was surprised, as I often am ...

I started writing when I was 11. I wrote everything and everywhere I could. I loved it and they said I was good. I wrote book reports, letters, even my first ad. And I wrote my first requested piece - an 8th grade class history. Then on to school papers and yearbooks.

Much later, as a divorcee in search of my "self," it dawned on me that maybe -- just maybe -- I could earn money writing!

I have to admit it took more than the click of the proverbial lightbulb. Along the way I perfected the secretarial art, counseled in an employment agency, did promotion in an airline office, traveled, got out of 2 marriages, promoted and marketed real estate, paid my dues in a small advertising agency, developed a raft of interests and abilities.

An interest in jazz led me to freelancing, promotion and agenting in that way-out world. And voila! "The First Book of Oregon Jazz, Rock & All Sorts of Music: was published in 1982.

I also lost the copyright on my book (due to lack of knowledge) so I joined Willamette Writers. And ta-da! At last I discovered that the one unbroken thread through my life was marketing and promotion. Not only could I write, but I seemed to innately understand how to peddle someone's skills, how to promote a band, a musician, a book, a writer.

Well, "The Writing Life" goes on and obviously so have I. Not only to this blog and other creative writing, but also to a day job happily writing and promoting the newly-emerging science of learning. Even so, I believe my final lines hold true:

Remember to take time to live life, enjoy, learn about everything. Write to live -- but also LIVE to write as you never know when a half-forgotten experience or piece of information will be exactly what you need.

Positively,
Carolan

Easy? No!

2010-05-01T15:15:00Z

IT IS NEVER EASY ...

To apologize.
To begin over.
To admit error.
To be unselfish.
To take advice.
To be charitable.
To be considerate.
To endure success.
To keep on trying.
To avoid mistakes.
To quit bad habits.
To forgive and forget.
To avoid ruts.
To make the most of little.
To maintain standards.
To recognize the silver lining.
To shoulder a deserved blame.

BUT IT ALWAYS PAYS!

Positively,
Carolan

In Praise of the Rainstick

2010-04-18T16:59:46Z

Long ago I discovered the rainstick, I don't remember how I was introduced to this wonderful, ethereal maker of music and mood. But over the years I have found, bought, been given several of these hollow tubes filled with small pebbles or beans or other tiny objects that fall from one end to the other when the rainstick is upended. Originally constructed from dried cactus, the rainstick is believed to have been invented in Chile in the belief that it could bring about needed rains.

Depending on the size of the rainstick, the sound that it makes can be anywhre from that of a gentle misting rain to a torrential storm. And with each rainstick, the sound can be varied by whether it is turned slowly or quickly.

Rainsticks are used in musical groups but to me are most endearing in my living room. My extra-large rainstick (on the far right) was a gift from a friend who owned and loved it for years. The large one (next to the left) I bought in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, the medium (next left) in Costa Rica and the smallest (above it) was the only one I could afford years ago in Portland. Ah but I do still love it!

Relax to the sight and sounds ...

Positively,
Carolan

Writers do it ...

2010-04-11T04:08:00Z

Writers do it alone.

Writers do it in detail.

Writers do it parenthetically.

Writers do it pointedly.

Writers do it artfully.

Writers do it craftily.

Writers do it over & over.

Writers do it in private.

Writers do it everywhere.

Writers do it in every medium.

Writers do it in all media.

Writers do it with a plot.

Writers do it as an art.

Writers do it and do it again.

And, yes, she's a writer!

Positively,
Carolan

December 14, 1998 was the date

2010-04-10T19:19:00Z

To: Republicans of the House Judiciary Committee

Dear Sirs:

With rare exceptions your rhetoric, as observed on C-SPAN during this farce of an impeachment hearing, has been some of the most stupid I have encountered in my relatively long years on the planet! To a man -- I use the term loosely -- you act as though you are perfect, the world is perfect and William Jefferson Clinton is the worst villain in the world. If it weren't pathetic, your attitudes would be howlingly funny!

I can only hope that each of you is paid back tenfold for each and every shading of the truth, each and every personal indiscretion, each and every questionable thought that enters what pases for brains.

It is apparent that your party has absolutely no concern for human beings unless they are white, conservative and in big business. Woe to Bill and woe to the country ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So where are all those White Republican Impeachment Managers now?

Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, Chicago: Being publicly branded "the hypocrite who broke up my family" as he had his own extramarital affair, didn't faze this anti-choice champion of "family values."

James Sensenbrenner, Wisconsin: The holier-than-thou who later introduced the Patriot Act, walked out when Dems questioned human rights aspects of Guantanamo and the Iraq War. Unfortunately still practicing what he espouses.

Bill McCollum, Florida: Now Florida Attorney General and running for Governor, according to reports "eager to take credit for leading the effort to get health-care reformstruck down by the courts as unconstituional." Still doesn't get it, does he?

George Gekas, Pennsylvania: Turned out of office 4 years after the so-called impeachment by next-generation Blue-dog Democrat Tim Holden.

Howard Coble, North Carolina: At 79, still at it -- the longest serving North Carolina Republican who's fond of homilies like "This dog won't hunt."

Lamar Smith, Texas: Christian Scientist. as ever against immigration, equality for women and help for those in need.

Elton Gallegly, California: Still in the House and now with a raft of quotations gathered online http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/eltongalle374654.html -- many in praise of Reagan, most venting his immigration complaints.

And on they go ...
But, think about it, who has accomplished more, these misguided souls or President Bill Clinton?!

Positively,
Carolan

True Confession

2010-04-10T18:51:00Z

I really really hate to admit this ... for some 20 years I was a registered Republican. Today this fact makes me gasp in horror. But of course then I was married to an “R” and I kept thinking we were canceling out each other’s votes. Besides, in those gone-by days, it did not seem to matter much.

Then in 1984, when Reagan was hyping his wild “Star Wars” nonsense as he ran for a second term, I wrote him an impassioned letter that included, "It is probable that you will be our leader for another four years -- if we last that long! Your head is in the sand, you’re playing a role, you’re believing in pie-in-the-sky. Our greatest danger is in your underrating of the utter futility of waging and winning any sort of nuclear war! Please shape up before you destroy my civilization without my say-so. You MUST put a stop to proliferation -- unilaterally if necessary!"

In the meantime I had left the “R” (for reasons best untold) but still I stayed a Republican – I don’t know why – until during the Bush Senior era I had finally had it. And I decided I must resign in writing, so I sent a formal letter to the Republican National Committee, protesting that they didn't give a good G-D about the welfare of us ordinary mortals, not to mention that they were trying their best to control our minds and our bodies. And that for all their prattle about helping small business, they had erected every possible road block in the way of attempting to start a business.

And sooo, ever since, I have loudly and proudly proclaimed YES to: science, history, truth, honesty, health, championing the individual and the small business, personal choice, freedom of speech and of (or from) religion, assistance for the needy and civil rights for all.

I have also been vocal about NO to: bigotry, racism, unmitigated greed, political blockades and chicanery, guns for all, indeterminate sentences and, most of all, the utterly barbaric notion of executing human beings.

Yes, I believe as the founders did – in a government of the people, by the people and for the people. And the people who bring our America's best are US -- Liberal, Progressive, DEMOCRATS!

Here from Breakfast in America is Supertramp's "Take the Long Way Home" -- let's hope the "R's" find their way!

Positively,
Carolan

On a more pleasant note ...

2010-03-28T19:59:00Z

On this beautiful sunny Sunday, I'm inspired to remind myself of the wonders of living life to the fullest ...

Life is:
a gift, open it
a joy, share it
a pleasure, have some
a game, play it
a ball, batch it
a joke, laugh
an experience, liveit
an offer, accept it
a dream, make it come true
And so a smiley face and "Smoothie" for listening.

Positively,
Carolan

How many nitwits are out there?

2010-03-20T19:22:00Z

What is wrong with the Americans that are taking to the streets to wildly proclaim such hate and rage as "Kill the Bill" and "Freedom" ?

About, what?

About health care!

Health care for whom?

For themselves and their fellow citizens!

The only answer is that mass hysteria has gripped the populace. They've absorbed the cultlike sermons. And they're willingly drinking the Kool-Aid!

Heaven help us all if the Republicans succeed in killing the biggest and best help for ordinary individual Americans since Medicare!!!!

Amen,
Carolan

Addressing a Pet Peeve

2010-02-27T18:37:00Z

I have always griped about some of the schooling I was subjected to back in the day and that seemed not to have changed one iota for my children. And I venture to say in recent times has changed for the worse -- thank you, GWB!

Now, surprisingly, I find a headline: "How Schools Stifle Creativity," and I dive into the article that tells me about the talk that Sir Ken Robinson, PhD, gave in '06 at the big Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference. His areas of expertise -- creativity, innovation and human resources.

At this time he is exploring why the messages in his 18-minute talk have resonated with audiences -- to the tune of 3 million 500 thousand downloads in 200 countries!

The simple premise: We are all born with immense natural talents! And then what happens? Schools tend to stifle them.

Robinson's indictment is thorough. "The narrow emphasis on certain sorts of academic work ... arid approaches to teaching math and sciences ... the exile of arts, humanities and physical education programs ... an obsessive culture of standardized testing and tight financial pressures to teach to the tests."

He emphasizes, "The result is a disastrous waste of talent among students and their teachers." And he believes this situation has arisen because our education system is "rooted in the values and demands of industrialism ... linear, mechanistic and focused on conformity and standardization ... nowadays buttressed by major commercial interests ..."

As Robinson explains, "The tragedy is that meeting the many social, economic, spiritual and environmental challenges we now face depends absolutely on the very capacities of insight, creativity and innovation that these systems are systematically suppressing ... Education is about developing human beings, and human development is not mechanical or linear. It is organic and dynamic."

Ah, but there is hope, as in Robinson's book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything (Viking). And the bottom line:

"All of us ... must nurture creativity systematically and not kill it unwittingly."

Positively,
Carolan

Yes, I know ...

2010-02-27T17:33:00Z

Yes, I know San Diego needs all the rain it can get. But I can't help the fact that every time there is rain my brain goes back to Portland and the fierce dirge, "Omg it's gonna rain forever and ever and ever ..."

Today at my Toshiba laptop, I'm trying to peer through a combination of long jagged streaks and big puffy drops that are clogging the window screen and leaching through to my inside window. Beyond the spattered window I have the watery impression of tree branches swaying rhythmically in the prevailing wind. And hardly anyone is out and about in my sprawling apartment complex, although a few cars streak by on the street beyond.

My intention was to walk to the gym immediately upon arising -- but then I saw the weather, not to mention hearing about the disastrous Chile earthquake and potential tsunami throughout the Pacific region. So of course I'm not getting to the gym and I must admit -- for the bazillionth time -- how fortunate I am to be here in San Diego, safe and warm, sipping tea and listening to this lovely jazz for a rainy day.

Enjoy!

Positively,
Carolan

A Passion for Roger Ebert

2010-02-21T18:10:00Z

I have always loved Roger Ebert -- his movie reviews on Siskel and Ebert and the Movies always reflected expansive and positive views of the world and our humanity. Siskel not so much ... And even after Siskel died from a brain tumor, Ebert outdid every replacement in matching my own film sensibilities.

In recent years, since Ebert has been off the tube (due to extreme complications that began with thyroid cancer) I've not only read his movie reviews on his website http://rogerebert.suntimes.com but have also been enthralled by his experiences and thoughts presented in frequent journal entries.

Now Chris Jones has masterfully cchronicled Roger Ebert: The Essential Man in the current Esquire magazine. A long, factual article that captures the complex story and amazing essence of both the non-religious Ebert and Chaz, his fantastic African-American wife.

Most important is the fact that he did not see it before publication -- says he never does that to any writer -- and, although he found parts of it painful, he praises the author and says it is all indeed true. He says he doesn't mind the mug shot exposing his changed face but would rather the article hadn't said he's dying in increments. His retort: We are ALL dying in increments!

And then these profound thoughts: I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.

Read the entire article: http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310

Positively,
Carolan

All-time Favorite

2010-01-24T23:57:00Z

I have wanted to do this forever but it took the right electronics and a bit of hutspah to accomplish sharing my all-time favorite -- the In-a-Gadda-da Vida drum solo.

I remember all those years ago how this solo took over my system as I would lie in the dark on the living room floor and play it with as much bass as possible. I also remember so fondly the local Portland drummer who always played it when I came into the Beachcomber.

And, as I prepared for this unveling, I did some homework, uncovering interesting details.

The band: Iron Butterfly, out of San Diego.
The piece: Released in 1968.
Written by Doug Ingle, the band's vocalist and keyboard player.
His father was a church organist.

The drummer: Ron Bushy, highly respected for this lengthy drum solo.
His surreal primal drum patterns set the standard for generations ofrock drummers.
Bushy was also a talented graphic artist.
He created most of Iron Butterfly's logos and merchandise artwork.

The title: Was supposed to be "In The Garden Of Eden."
Stories of the change to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" are many.
Most rest on the effect of substances on minds.

Woodstock: Not played at Woodstock as scheduled.
Reasons seem to revolve around transportation and concert promoter difficulties.

And now, Ron Bushy on In-a-Gadda-da-Vida!

Positively,
Carolan