Amidst horrific shootings in Las Vegas and the aftermath of rampant violence around the world, it’s hard some days to put the next foot forward. Add to that all those recovering from hurricanes in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Texas & Florida who have lost everything, where just accessing food and water is a struggle and rebuilding is a long journey of doing without, for now.
Our hearts and prayers (& pocketbooks) are with the suffering, as much as we can do.
But, there’s so much we can’t do, and therein lies the rub. We get depressed, or at least a bit overwhelmed, at the senselessness of it all.
We can cry out our frustration to God, ‘why, why, why?’ But, methinks God is more interested in answering our cries “help, help, help (please.)” And then we try to be light and love where we are (with Divine assistance.)
But, in the doldrums of bewilderment, there are also spirit-lifter-upper aids to get our feet moving forward (or at least tapping toward inertia.)
Music can lift our spirits. Really. It can (and does.)
Listening to NPR this morning, I was saddened to hear Tom Petty died yesterday. While his status as a rock star giant with his Heartbreakers band from the 1970s-1990s is cemented in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I came to appreciate his musicianship in the Traveling Wilburys.
Working in a Middle East conflict zone in the 1990s, a friend visiting from Paris introduced me to the Traveling Wilburys. Their music quickly became (& remains) a favorite – inducing happy vibes into challenging days spent dodging bullets & stones whilst trying to do something about mind numbing injustice & poverty.
Five rock music giants – Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty – got together in friendship and created music, for the love of music, in their 1988 “Traveling Wilburys Volume 1.” Followed up a few years later with “Traveling Wilburys Volume 3.” (Roy Orbison died between the two compilations.)
Although these rock greats released Traveling Wilburys under assumed names (Nelson, Otis, Lefty, Charlie T. Jr, and Lucky), it quickly became (& remains) a best-seller because their music is so good, fun, and foot-tapping uplifting.
“Music is real magic: it affects human beings, it can heal, it can do wonderful things…a lot of people have told me, your music got me through a really hard time.” Tom Petty
Amen.
Thankful for Tom Petty (& the Traveling Wilburys), the joy of their music that lifted my spirits during tough times – and continues upbeating me from their position high on the playlist.
When your outsides in (inside out)
And your downsides up (upside down)
Yeah, your upsides right (rightside up)
Yeah, don’t it make you wanna twist & shout
When you’re inside out
The Traveling Wilburys
Let’s all do the Wilbury Twist!!
grace, peace & upbeating music legacies
Virginia : )
R.I.P. Tom Petty!
Roses in the Rubble 
What a wonderful tribute!
Thanks, Cin. The Traveling Wilburys have been a favorite for a long time. Methinks their enjoyment of playing together (& they all looked up to Roy Orbison) comes through loud & clear in the music. Love & hugs! GL
The Traveling Wilbury’s have always been one of my top favorites. Such a group of talent just getting together for the love of music. It says a lot about Tom Petty’s love of music. Great post.
BERNADETTE, you rock (literally!) Watching the video (& reading the little book that came with my Traveling Wilburys deluxe edition pictured) it’s so obvious they had a grand time together making music. Rock-n-roll blessings to you. VA 🙂
There’s so much happening in the world all simultaneously. It does indeed get quite overwhelming! 2017 has been an interesting one to say the least. May God hear our cries for help! So helps us God. Amen. 🙏
It’s kinda overwhelming, but thankfully our God has BIG EARS and an even BIGGER HEART. We just need to keep dialing the Heavenly help-line. May God help us, and you, to face whatever challenges come. Blessings!
Thank you, loved his music
Carol-Jo, Tom Petty leaves a large legacy of music we can enjoy for a long time to come. I’ve been doing the Wilbury Twist (carefully) all week! Blessings & hugs to you! 🙂
I am sorry for America’s loss. It was heinous crime. Silly with no answers! Pyschopath Paddock? Any links to terrorism? May God bless and help the survivors and console the bereaved families. Blessings!
Our hearts can’t believe all the violence & devastation – it’s senseless, especially in the case of Las Vegas. After this I hope (& pray) there will be legislation banning assault weapons in the USA. It seems like a no-brainer! Blessings to you in little-red-dot Singapore!
Thanks for the memories, V. Anything to give us a respite from the pain.
Tim, the violence & devastation is so heartrending. As an overseas relief & development worker I saw devastation & the results of violence (mass graves inclusive) that shook my faith in humanity; however, my faith is not in humanity, but in God’s love to heal our hurting world. And in the gifts of music, art, beauty, creation that help us along the way. Blessings!
such(a) a radical of natural endowment just getting together for the love life of music. So helps us God. Amen.
Getting together for the love of music is a grand thing altogether – and we benefit! Blessings to you!