Island Relics, part 2: residential structures

There's a two-story Victorian there - can you see it?
Overwhelmed. That's the best word to describe how someone (such as myself) infatuated with turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture feels when down on Galveston. It's easy to become overwhelmed to the point of brain shutdown due to overstimulation. It is remarkable how many of the homes in the Silk Stocking District, and elsewhere, survived the 1900 Storm. After growing up on the Island, and seeing pictures such as these, I'm stunned and pleased to find so many of the old structures still around, and in many cases, renovated and restored. But as is more often the reality, these treasures end up like the Darragh House (its ghost is pictured above). So, let's celebrate those that which have, thus far, survived.

"The Beautiful Ones"

"The Beautiful Ones" is the third track on Prince and The Revolution's soundtrack album Purple Rain. Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince, the song was recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles by Peggy Mac and David Leonard in early September 1983.

Island Relics, part 1: non-residential structures

So, the man said you can't go home again....What harm is there in trying?

Ladonia! Ladonia!...

...What makes your big head so hard?

"Jitterbug Waltz"

These guys are amazing. Here they are doing a brain synapse stimulating, "Gypsy Swing" version of the old "Fats" Waller tune (eat your heart out, Django Reinhardt!):

Honey Grove

Honey Grove, Texas

"What's Going On/What's Happening Brother"

 You're getting wet, Marvin. That's what's going on.

I wonder what Brother Marvin would have to say about the times in which we find ourselves:

This live performance comes from the 1973 film, Save The Children (don't bother checking at Netflix - it ain't there) with James Jamerson on bass.

"When You Are Old"

Actor Matthew Macfadyen reads the poem "When You Are Old" by W.B Yeats:

WHEN you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead,
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

 W.B. Yeats

 

"Quando, Quando, Quando"

Now I know I'm getting old. Tain't no doubt 'bout it no mo'. And I'm slipping into stereotypical black dialect occasionally too, but that is an unrelated issue. While I may have liked this song somewhat ironically ten years ago or so, I now actually like like it...WTF? Engelbert Humperdinck?? The man who denied The Beatles' and their brilliant, groundbreaking "Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane" single the top spot on the charts??? Dogs and cats, living together???? But I do like this beautiful damn song. I like it a lot. Good lord - just shoot me now before I start doing Tom Jones posts....

Blowin' through Bonham

Bonham, Texas