News and Grooves

News and Grooves June 29 Harmonica Blues: Finding Light in Dark Places

• Jim Murray

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Harmonica notes rise from the rain-soaked sidewalk, carrying blues that speak of empty wallets and hungry stomachs – yet beneath the lament lies an unbreakable spirit. The News and Grooves Podcast delivers a powerful musical journey through struggle, resilience, and ultimately hope.

The harmonica becomes our guide through hardship, its plaintive tones carrying dreams that persist despite circumstances. When we hear "playing these blues on a harmonica tune, hope it'll lift me up like a silver moon," we're reminded that music itself becomes shelter when material comforts vanish. As the episode progresses through soulful calls for brotherhood and community, each composition builds upon this foundation – we survive our darkest moments not alone, but together.

From the raw emotion of "Love Your Brother" to the Memphis blues that "roll like thunder," the podcast weaves together diverse musical traditions that share common threads of human experience. The call-and-response of "Don't Be Sad" transforms a simple phrase into a powerful mantra, while "Feel the Love in Music" celebrates how rhythm and melody bind us across all divisions. When the lyrics proclaim "Together, we rise, no distance too vast," we understand music's unique power to create community from isolation.

The golden years segment honors elders who have "danced to moonlight under the sun," acknowledging the wisdom passed between generations through song. Perhaps most powerfully, the episode closes with the gentle reminder that "even the broken can learn to mend with the soft touch of a willing hand." In our fractured world, these musical offerings remind us that hope remains, pulling us forward "like a distant star" – and that through connection, we find our way home.

Ready to experience the full emotional journey? Listen now and let these soulful melodies remind you of music's power to heal, connect, and inspire – even in our most challenging moments.

Speaker 1:

You're listening to the News and Grooves Podcast. I'm out Sitting on the sidewalk in the pouring rain Dreaming about a life where bills ain't my chain. A medical in my hand trying to ease the pain. Wallet's empty and my stomach's bare. Staring at the sky with a far-off stare. People walking past, they don't even care. Got a few old dreams and a song to share.

Speaker 1:

Playing these blues on a harmonica tune hope it'll lift me up like a silver moon. Can't find my luck. It's been missing since june. Still I play these notes till the world's in tune. I see the lights of cars as they rush on by Wonder, if they know what it's like to cry, living in a world where the rich just fly While I'm stuck on the ground just asking why Blowing on the reeds brings a bit of cheer. Echoes of my soul that no one can hear, drowning out the noise of a life that's severe. Hope these blues will chase away the fear. Playing these blues On a harmonica tune Hope it'll lift me up Like a silver moon. Can't find my luck. It's been missing since June. Still I play these notes Till the world's in tune. Guitar solo. Playing these blues on a monica tune hope it'll lift me up like a silver moon, can't find my luck. It's been missing since june. Still I play these notes till the world's in tune. When the night feels cold Like a heavy stone and you're standing there feeling all alone, take my hand, brother. Let me share your load. We'll walk together down this rocky road. Love your brother like you. Would your soul. Lift him higher. Make his spirit whole In His laughter. Find a guiding flame In His joy. You'll feel the same. When the shadows creep and the sun turns gray and you feel the world's weight won't go away, let me be your strength, let me be your shield. Together, in love, every wound will be healed. Love your brother like you. Would your soul. Lift him higher. Make his spirit whole In his laughter. Find a guiding flame in his joy. You'll feel the same. We're a chorus bound by heaven's grace. Every heart reflects the Savior's face, for in kindness we, we are truly free. Together we make harmony. Love your brother like you. Would your soul? Lift him higher. Make His spirit whole In His laughter. Find a guiding flame In His joy. You'll feel the same.

Speaker 1:

I'm gonna tell you a story, and it goes something like this when you're feeling all alone and you're getting really pissed oh, don't be sad. Oh, don't be sad. I know it gets real bad, oh, but don't be sad. Don't be sad. No, don't be sad. If you're feeling real bad, oh, don't be sad. Don't be sad, no, don't be sad. Oh, don't be sad. Fucking really bad, don't be sad. Don't be sad. No, don't be sad. Oh, don't be sad. No, don't be sad. Oh, don't be sad. Now we're getting really bad. Don't be sad, no, don't be sad. I know it gets real bad, oh, but don't be sad. Don't be sad. No, don't be sad. Don't be sad. No, don't be sad. Oh, don't be sad. I know it gets real bad, I'm out. We are one.

Speaker 1:

As the rhythm takes us higher, hearts ignite like a holy fire.

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Brothers and sisters, can you feel the sound In the music's arms?

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We are forever bound.

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Feel the love in music.

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Let it set you free.

Speaker 1:

Feel the love in music.

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Join the harmony, lift your voice, let it soar To the skies above.

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Feel the love in music, feel the power of love.

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The melody flows like a gentle stream, carrying us closer than we've ever dreamed.

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Together, we rise no distance too vast.

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Bonded in the music, we found home at last.

Speaker 1:

Feel the love in music.

Speaker 1:

Let it set you free.

Speaker 1:

Feel the love in music.

Speaker 1:

Join the harmony.

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Lift your voice, let it soar to the skies above.

Speaker 1:

Feel the love in music.

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Feel the power of love, the power of love. There ain't no threat in the endless weave Binding us tighter than we can believe. Rhythm in our hearts, a divine refrain. Forever, brothers and sisters, to the skies above. Feel the love music. Feel the power of love. Feel the power of love. I'm going to make a little bit of a Wrinkles. Carve maps on hands, so true.

Speaker 1:

Echoes of laughter still shining through Eyes that have seen both joy and tears. Treasures held tight in the golden years. They've lived the stories we haven't begun. Danced to the moonlight under the sun. Time may have weathered, but love's still here, holding the wisdom of golden years, counted each sunrise, standing tall, watch seasons trade their cloak and call Dreams like whispers they still hold near, guided by faith, through the golden years, they've lived the stories we haven't begun. Danced to the moonlight under the sun. Life under the sun. Time may battles they faced, but never hide. Their voices may tremble, their hearts stay strong. Their journey is the melody to life's song. They've lived the stories we haven't begun. Danced to the moonlight under the sun Under the sun. Time may have weathered, but love's still here, holding the wisdom of golden years, freddie Mercury.

Speaker 2:

Freddie Mercury as the charismatic frontman of a legendary British rock band. This singer-songwriter and pianist is celebrated for his incredible vocal range and powerful stage presence that captivated audiences worldwide. His unique blend of rock, opera and pop showcased his versatility as an artist while pushing the boundaries of musical expression. Despite his untimely passing in 1991, he remains an enduring symbol of artistic brilliance and a powerful influence on countless musicians who followed in his footsteps.

Speaker 1:

Thank you. Down on bill street the stories flow with every shadow. The river knows A thumb on the bass like a heartbeat. Hum, the Memphis blues. They always come. Memphis blues, deep and wild, they roll like thunder. They never mile From the organ's soul to the singer's pain. Memphis blues fall like the delta. Rain Cobblestone whispers under my step Echoes of sorrow. The night has kept. Neon signs dance in a moonlit haze. The blues won't leave. They light their way. Memphis blues, deep and wild, they roll like thunder. They never mild. We'll be right back. Smoke rings lift from a corner's edge. Dreams undone on the river's ledge. A slow sway wraps the heart in chains. The Memphis blues sing through our veins, guitar solo. Smoke rings lift from a corner's edge. Dreams undone on the river's ledge. A slow sway wraps the hardened chains. The Memphis blues sing through our veins, guitar solo.

Speaker 1:

All the poor girls come from small towns, big city dreams trying to make it out. Poor girl, poor girl Chasing diamonds and pearls. Poor girl, poor girl, poor girl. Caviar and pearls. Poor girl, poor girl Out in Soho. She got all the friends In a year or two. I'll never see her again. Poor girl, poor girl Chasing diamonds and pearls. Poor girl Chasing diamonds and pearls. Poor girl, poor girl, poor girl. Caviar and pearls. Poor girl, poor girl, poor girl, poor girl, poor girl, poor girl. Oh, poor girl, poor girl, poor girl, poor girl Chasing diamonds and pearls. Poor girl, poor girl, poor girl. Caviar and pearls. Poor girl, poor girl, poor girl. So you're standing at the window, saw you shiver from the cold. I remember how you told me you were better off alone. I was burning from the fever. I was drowning in my tears.

Speaker 1:

There was never a believer In the land of the living. Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Saw you sitting at the table, staring into the abyss, feeling heavy as an anchor that we tried to lift. Felt, the poison and the sickness. Felt the hunger and the fear. There was never a believer In the land of the living who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that Bye Felt the poison in the sickness, felt the hunger and the fear. There was never a believer In the land of the living. Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Who knew you were right about that love? Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, hello, hello. The sky was gray, but I dreamed of blue. It whispered softly. I'd find something new.

Speaker 1:

With shadows fading, my heart took flight, a fragile spark in the endless night. Hope is calling like a distant star, a gentle glow pulling me from afar. Loves, the voice that heals the past, a light so steady it's meant to last. I built my bridge from the tears I cried. Each step I took made the pain subside your hand. In mine, it all feels so clear. A hope now dances when there was fear. Hope is calling like a distant star, a gentle glow pulling me from afar. Love's the voice that heals the past, a light so steady it's meant to light. Even the broken can learn to mend With the soft touch of a willing hand. We're stronger together. No need to roam in love's embrace. I found my home. Hope is calling like a distant star, a gentle glow pulling me from afar. Love's the voice that heals the past, a light so steady it's meant to last. Thank you.