Beating The Summertime Blues

Summer has officially arrived!  Today is the summer solstice which also means, yes, this IS the longest day of the year.  Normally, I am like Daisy Buchanan and miss this day.  Mostly because every year it feels like summer has arrived long before the official start date.  Winter has a habit of doing the same thing.

So as we enjoy this first official day of summer and wait for the summer heat to come calling, here are a couple things to help you though to the fall:

MUSIC
I am currently constantly listening to two new CDs.  They sound like the perfect soundtracks for summer, 2013.  

Amazon

She & Him VOLUME 3 - Yep, I am a huge fan of Zoey Deschanel and M. Ward.  Have both of their previous volumes.  This one is not quite as good as VOLUME 2 but I l love the bubbly 1960s sound they have going here.  It’s the perfect “drive around town with the top down” record.  I like all of the songs really but if I had to pick…

Favorite tracks: “I’ve Got Your Number, Son”, “I Could’ve Been Your Girl”, “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”, “London”.  Oh heck, play the whole thing!!!!

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The Melody Room

Iron & Wine GHOST ON GHOST – Another fun drive around in the car record.  I thought they never surpass WOMAN KING (2005) but they have done so here.  Their lyrics take you to so many different places in just one song.

Favorite tracks: “Caught In the Briars”, “Joy”, “Low Light Buddy of Mine”.  Oh heck, I like them all!

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Wikipedia

If you’re looking for something more classic to listen to: Brian Wilson’s SMILE (2004) is perfect.  His finally completed rock and roll symphony is guaranteed to make you do just that.  Love the original version of “Good Vibrations”.

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CLASSIC SUMMER MOVIES

You can’t do better than STAND BY ME (1986).  Rob Reiner’s perfect coming of age tale makes you feel young (and old) all over again.  

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SUMMER OF `42 (1971) doesn’t get much due these days but take a look.  Set on a New England island during World War II, Herman Raucher’s Oscar-winning, autobiographical script sets just the right tone as Hermie (Gary Grimes) discovers love for the first time.  Jennifer O’Neill as the out of reach object of his infatuation is just right.  Michel Legrand’s Oscar-winning score is a classic.  Directed by the always brilliant, ever underrated Robert Mulligan (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD).

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GUILTY PLEASURE

SUMMER MAGIC (1963). - Yes, I know it is Walt Disney at his most sentimental.  Yes, I know the story is old-fashioned and from the lady who gave us MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944).  I love it anyway.  Hayley Mills is gorgeous, Deborah Walley is fetching.  The humor is spot on.  And the Sherman Brothers songs elevate the whole thing.  Burl Ives singing “On The Front Porch” is one of my favorite movie moments.


Watch them all with the windows open and the air conditioner off!

So what is getting YOU through the summer???????

SUMMER MAGIC (1963) – what summer is all about.

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