We spent a long weekend in a cabin in Sequoia National Park in the month of May. Then, in June, another long weekend in another cabin; this time in Yosemite.
On both occasions, the joy, chaos, and scrambling that come with our toddlers gave in to stillness and silence in the cold air of the night. Everyone asleep but me.
And in both occasions, the same thought came up: it would be nice to have a guitar.
We are going back to Sequoia on Thursday, and this time I will bring my Epiphone Hummingbird or (perhaps inevitably) buy a travel guitar.
But play what?
songbook 1 (acoustic)
Here is where I think a short list of songs can be helpful. Songs to be practiced and played from beginning to end, no scattered fragments or riffs.
In the best case, an important cultural transmission takes place as my kids absorb and develop their taste. In the average case, I just have fun.
This is what I'm thinking. The songs have to be simple to play and easy on the vocals (and no drama).
- Ayer Nomás (Moris): from the first generation of Argentinian Rock, predates Charly García. The lyrics can only be sung by an Argentinian or a Peruvian.
- Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam (Nirvana version)
- Pale Blue Eyes (The Velvet Underground)
- Mother (Pink Floyd)
- Estación (Charly García / Sui Generis)
- Mi Enfermedad (Andrés Calamaro / Los Rodríguez - if only Celeste could sing with us)
- Wish You Were Here (do I need to name the band?)
- Redemption Song (Bob Marley)
- Salud, Dinero, y Amor (this version with Maradona)
- Patience (Chris Cornell version)
On song number 7, coincidentally, this afternoon my four-year old was talking and semi-singing about "Heaven and Hell". For a moment I thought "what the hell are you talking about...", but then I knew that my secret project is working.