MUSIC - MUSIC - MUSIC HELPS US LIVE IN OUR WORLD LIKE WE MEAN IT - PART 1

I have been accused, correctly, of being obsessed with music. I have sung my entire life, mostly in church. The first solo I ever sang was K-K-K Katie in the fourth grade at Kate Sullivan Elementary Tallahassee, Florida. Always accompanied by my lifelong soul mate, I have also seen upwards of 150 artists from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin to The Statesman Quartet in every genre of music - gospel, country, rock, jazz, classical, progressive and pop!

So, today is not about finding the right hotel or restaurant. It is about the joys and emotions of music! 

Music can enlighten us. Music can make us see things in a new light. Music can make us cry. Music can make us laugh. Music can make us love. 

Here's a simple list of some of the music I have listened to and loved!

The greatest make-out song - In My Room by The Beach Boys. My Vagabond mate and I saw this amazing group of talented singers at Tully Gym at Florida State University in the late sixties - early seventies when we were dating.

Greatest Rock Song in history - Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Formed in London in 1968, this group with one of the most talented, yet extreme vocalists of all genres of music is still performing today. We saw this amazing band at The 1969 Atlanta International Pop Festival six weeks before Woodstock. 

A quote from Lead Singer Robert Plant on the writing of this intensely emotional tune.

"I was holding a pencil and paper, and for some reason I was in a very bad mood. Then all of a sudden, my hand was writing out the words, 'There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold/And she's buying a stairway to heaven.' I just sat there and looked at the words and then I almost leapt out of my seat.

Second greatest Rock Song ever recorded. Dream On by Aerosmith. We saw Aerosmith at the Amalie Arena several years ago in Tampa. Three hours of completely insane rock and roll! The recording here is Aerosmith's Steven Tyler & Guitarist Joe Perry performing The Boston Marathon Bombing Tribute with The California Children's Chorus.  

Best Progressive Rock, Blues Rock, Folk, Jazz Fusion, English Folk Music, Hard Rock & Classical Music Rock Band with the absolute best flute player in Rock, Ian Anderson. Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull. This amazing band was formed in 1967; the year I graduated high school!

Blending Funk, Rock, R&B, New Wave, Soul, Synth-Pop, Pop, Jazz, Blues and Hip Hop for music fans - PRINCE, IMHO - the best of the best. I had the pleasure of seeing this amazing artist in Tampa several years ago with his band New Power Generation. An innovative, glamorous and intensely gifted writer, singer and guitarist wrote, recorded, and performed his greatest tune the No. 1 Worldwide hit - KISS! 

And, just for all of those wayfaring nomads that love great music, enjoy an amazing performance in 2004 at the induction of George Harrison into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Written by Harrison while he was with The Beatles, While My Guitar Gently Weeps is performed by members of the Traveling Wilburys Band including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood and Prince. Prince, donning a red hat, contributes one of the most amazing guitar solos you will ever hear.

Then there is the one and only Tina Turner. Tina recorded and performed the greatest cover of any song ever written - Proud Mary This great tune was written and recorded in 1969 by Credence Clearwater Revival. We saw The Ike and Tina Turner Revue at Doak Campbell Stadium at Florida State University in the early seventies. I had never seen anybody sing like that and dance like that! The release of Tina's version of Proud Mary by Ike and Tina turned her into an international Star. Enjoy this amazing performance in 2000 at Wembley Stadium.

“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.” – Robert Fripp

Next week - more music for the road, on a plane, on a train or on a ship.

goditi la musica

DLStafford

thenomadARCHITECT

SUMMER 2025 - SIMPLE THOUGHTS ON ADVENTURE & TRAVEL THAT WON'T BREAK THE BANK

In the past, the Nomad Architect has prided itself on finding places to see, hotels to lay your weary head and restaurants that make you realize life can be good that will not make you depressed when you get the bills.

Here is some advice and some thoughts on travel without pain.

Today's post is all about going to those places that you have dreamed of and have some dough left when you return to your permanent abode! We'll start out with a simple list of Do's & Don'ts. To the chagrin of my most favorite Fellow Nomad, I've always been a list guy. She's been my Supreme Navigator since 1969! 

The Nomad Architect's Travel Advice List

Do's

1-Travel with the one you love, the one you laugh with and the one that forgives you when you make a wrong turn or a U-turn for the umpteenth time because you're lost.

2-Go directly to Italy first. This amazing country will change your head and heart no matter your age or position in life.

3-Have your favorite credit card for 90% of the purchases you will make for car rentals, train tickets, food and things to see along the way.

4-Relax! To be thoroughly enjoyed travel must bring smiles to your face and joy to your heart.

5-Enjoy the unexpected. The serendipity of travel always takes your head and your heart to a new place.

6-Plan, plan, plan! The secret to great travel on the cheap is obsessive planning and use of all the travel sites that will find the places and things you desire.

7-If you're going to a foreign country, learn their language as best you can. Most people in most places in Europe welcome Americans with smiles and they really appreciate your attempt at using their native tongue.

Don'ts

1-If it's your first time traveling somewhere new - DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE GOOD OLE USA! It's the most expensive country on the planet for travel.

2-Do not take a lot of cash. Take enough to pay for train tickets and other things that you will use or need. Also, most countries have ATMs, but they always have fees that can be high.

3-Don't settle. Make yourself find the best hotels, restaurants and places to see that will ensure your enjoyment and save you money.

4-Don't sign up for "tours". They cost a lot and don't give you the ability to go down that small road to enjoy something really cool.

5-Unless you have an unlimited budget do not go to California. Hotels, restaurants and places to see and enjoy tend to cost a lot of your hard-earned money.

TRAVEL SITES THAT WILL GET YOU THERE FOR LESS

1-i-escape (https://www.i-escape.com) IMHO this site is the best site to find great hotels with low prices. It covers all of Europe for small boutique hotels that won't drain your wallet. The site also has many links on where to go to see things of interest. Their prices start at around $100 per night!

2-AIRBNB (https://airbnb.com) From personal experience, we have stayed in over twenty AIRBNB's all over Europe and the US. The site has detailed information and reviews for great low-priced places.

3-Tablet Hotels (https://tablethotels.com) Another excellent site with 4–5-star hotels in Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Lisbon as well as many other cities, large and small, in Europe.

4-Eurocheapo (https//eurocheapo.com) It's title is somewhat self-explanatory. Cheap and cool places to lay your weary head after a day of exploring.

5-Booking.com (https://booking.com) This is a large site with extensive diversity all over the world. You can find some amazing boutique hotels for low prices.

These are just a few favorite sites to help all Vagabonds sleep tight for prices that won't break the bank. If you're a serious travel planner, you can find many more sites with great hotels for less money.

Other considerations for getting there and moving from Point A to Point B

The first recommendation - use American Express DELTA Credit Card for travel points. We have not paid for a flight in years. Just like searching for hotels to save money, searching for low-priced rental cars, restaurants and other items will help ensure a travel experience that will thrill you and yours and save you money.

So, get busy on that bucket list, plan your next trip to paradise and go!

Finally - Here's a nice tune by the Chairman of The Board - Sinatra - it's Nice to Go Trav'lng.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by” —Robert Frost

GODERE

DLS

thenomadARCHITECT