[Bud Jackson]

Jung, Mona, Lisa & Everyone!

I’d like to add that I loved Mona, Lisa & Rudi’s recent composition & performance of “If You Raise Your Head!” I would really like to see more of that kind of thing from our MLT’s! It’s actually a nice Rock/Funk type Fusion song that’s great for improvised solos, and slightly similar to Grace Kelly’s version of “Unchain My Heart.” I think it would be cool to see Lisa & Mona trading off Guitar licks along with Papa Rudi on the organ & bass! Also, Mona could easily trade solos with herself on Drum set, Cajon & Bongos! MAYBE this idea will inspire the MLT Team to write a “jammin’ kind of song” for soloing!

Anyway, it’s just a thought I’ve had ever since I first saw this video which I’ll put up here now. Maybe some of their newer Club Members haven’t seen this yet?! ENJOY!

If You Raise Your Head – MonaLisa Twins (Original) (youtube.com)

[Bud Jackson]

Jung,

There’s nothing wrong with being philosophical, (unless you don’t like philosophy!) But then we do hopefully mature & expand our interests as we get older! I’ve had similar experiences as you, in learning to appreciate different Musical styles, & I’ve learned a lot about myself along the way. I know that music has made me happier and stronger as I’ve grown, and much more accepting of different people & cultures. All of that has enriched my life, & I’m not sure where I would be now if I hadn’t chosen Music for a profession!

And I really like Grace Kelly too! She has a very similar personality to Mona & Lisa! She’s very open, nice, sincere & appreciates her fans. And I hope that someday I can do to our Twins what I got to do with Grace! (Now you’re probably thinking, WHAT is he talking about!?!?) Let me explain:

I saw Grace live for the first time in Seattle over a year ago in a Jazz Club. Right before her show, I was able to see her as she was getting ready to go into the dressing room. (She was dressed, of course, just getting ready to go on!) She was super nice, talked to me for a few minutes, and let me take two pictures. I told her that I’d shown a few of her videos to my classes, & that they had clapped at the end!

She put on a great show, & at the end she promised the audience “free sweaty hugs” to anyone who wanted to meet her afterwards. (There was a line of over 50 people, including a few musician kids!) So I did get a hug, though it wasn’t sweaty, just nice! She also offered to send a free CD to those who bought a CD, just for coming to her show in Seattle!

I bought her new CD & a Grace Kelly T-shirt that night.

A few weeks later I got a free CD from her that she’d signed, with a nice added personal note! She apologized for being late, because the people who usually did the wrapping & mailing were off duty for a few weeks. So I thought WOW — how nice! And I also thought, this is how Lisa & Mona are also; talented, but humble, & very kind & appreciative of their fans!

I’ve always tried, & usually succeeded in meeting many famous musicians. The Jazz ones are easier to meet when they play in the Clubs. Seeing some of Mona & Lisa’s videos, they seemed to be the same way when they were playing places like the Cavern!

OK, so I tend to go on & on too, but I thought I would share that experience, as I dream of one day (or two,) meeting Mona, Lisa, Rudi & Michaela! (We have to have our dreams, RIGHT!)

Dat’s all for now & enjoy your evening! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Hi Jung & Everyone,

That’s interesting; I like Rick Beato, & I just watched this video for the 1st time. I like some implications here, esp. with the popularity of Rock, Guitar and Melody on the rise! I think that a lot of Music style popularity has to do with how much money is spent to promote just a few kinds of Music Styles, & also a lack of Education in Music. Socioeconomic status has something to do with it too.

I’m also very happy with Mona & Lisa’s current rise in popularity, & I consider them a wonderful & positive new influence in Music today, & hopefully for many years to come! They are a result not just of their parents’ influences, but also from the kind of Music Education they received back home in Austria!

I love guitar, voices, Rock etc. but Instrumental Music is important too. The healthiest Music Scene should include all kinds of Music. I looked up Jazz popularity because it wasn’t even mentioned in Rick’s video. What I found, said that out of 185 million adult Americans, about 34%, or 63 million say they “like Jazz.” but only 5%, or 9.5 million say the “like Jazz the best.”

Just to clarify, the US isn’t the ONLY country in the World, & I haven’t looked up current world popularity for Jazz. Also, yes, I play in a Jazz group, & have for many years, but I’ve also played & love many styles of Music! And I appreciate that Mona & Lisa have written & performed some of their songs with a Jazz/Swing feel!

And sorry to say, many Americans aren’t very knowledgeable about Jazz, which originated here. Blues, Jazz, Ragtime, Funk & other styles have had a HUGE influence on popular Music for over 100 years, worldwide! Even Rock has its Blues & Jazz influences. The Beatles themselves said that they were influenced by America’s early Rockers, Chuck berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, & of course the white Rockers like Buddy Holly & Elvis.

And although we can still enjoy ALL of these Music styles, they have never been stagnant, and are always evolving. I would just like to see Jazz, Rock, Classical, Latin and all Music understood & appreciated by everyone. I don’t care for “Musical Prejudice,” or preference of one Music style, & condemnation of other styles.

Although Jazz originated with African Americans since 1895, it has become a Multi-National Art Form. Here’s one example of a newer Jazz Saxophonist/Vocalist who combines Jazz, Rock, Funk, Techno & other styles. You might enjoy this — Grace Kelly doing “Unchain My Heart!”

GRACE KELLY GO TiME: Unchain My Heart – Grace Kelly Studio Sessions (youtube.com)

[Bud Jackson]

Tim,

You are so right. And I can’t wait to see their new videos!

Well, time to head out to work. — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Tim, David & Jung,

Your experiences discovering the MLT’s on YouTube pretty much mirror my own. I found them after seeing Amy’s videos first, when I was looking for more Beatle videos. I enjoyed their Beatle covers, then started watching the videos of their own original songs. It took me just a short amount of time to appreciate their own songwriting, which is very sophisticated!

Then I was amazed at how many DIFFERENT artists that they covered, including especially all their California videos! There are other good young musicians out there covering Beatle tunes for sure, like Amy. I really like to see that and hats off to Amy Slattery too!

Mona & Lisa stand out among the crowd now and are the leaders of the pack! They do so many things amazingly well! This video of “You Can’t Do That” has the best authentic Beatle Scream I’ve heard outside of the Beatles. And that is Lisa’s vocal cord shedding scream at minute 1:33! You have to do that with some control in order to not hurt your vocal cords!

So I guess we’re all of one mind on appreciating the MLT’s talents! (And Amy is very good too!)

CHEERS! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Hi again Jung,

I forgot to say that your goal to perfect your piano playing of the Great Masters is a very worthy one! Life was so harsh back in the 17th, 18th & 19th Centuries that it’s amazing how long some of those Composers/Musicians lived! But even with our modern advances in medicine today, there are no guarantees in life! We should never give up on our dreams & goals, because they’re what makes our lives worth living! Our personal activities and interests keep us young longer!

Ciao! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Jung,

I’m sorry to hear your Dad’s in a care facility but reaching 96 is quite an accomplishment! And he’s done a lot in his life! More Americans need to appreciate how we’re really all the same Worldwide, and that we have more similarities than differences. Writing books about our experiences is a great way to reach people too!

My wife is reading a book about life in Korea, and she & our daughter have a high interest in art, languages, history & life in Asian countries. We should all realize that people in various countries aren’t personally responsible if their leaders and governments make poor decisions. The vast majority of people everywhere just want a decent life and a place to live, surrounded by family and friends. Having Peace on Earth is essential for everyone. Division & racism have NO PLACE in our modern world!

My last surviving Aunt is 103 since last May. I hear she’s not doing well now, & I have to find a way to visit her in Colorado without me losing much work. Every time I’ve visited her in the last 8 years, I didn’t know if it would be the last time. But she has surprised everyone!

Personally, my favorite foods are Asian — Indian, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese in no particular order. However, I will say that I never order very hot spicy foods anymore, NOT because I don’t like them, but because they don’t like me!

I’m pretty healthy overall, but my digestive system just can’t tolerate the hot stuff anymore. No offense to all of you who love it! And I don’t drink much alcohol anymore. I’ve NEVER smoked or used illegal drugs, because I learned long ago how bad those things are for our bodies. They’re NOT nutritional essentials that anyone needs.

Also, my interest in different countries comes from travel, studying languages (French & Spanish,) and using Songs from various languages in my teaching. It gives my students more of an appreciation for different cultures, esp. since many come from different parts of the Globe!

Here I am writing too much again, because soon I won’t be able to — with my work schedule during the week!

Take care everyone! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Jurgen,

OOPS!! I replied to David about your John Lennon post, when I should have replied to you! But on the other hand, I’m talking to everyone anyway. Once you start typing a reply, everyone else’s comments go away, so it gets slightly confusing sometimes!

Have a great weekend! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Jurgen & Jung, (J & J!)

I saw that movie only once when it first came out. it was so well done, and when I saw the part where he meets John Lennon, I wasn’t expecting it. I remember gasping, and the tears started to come, (as they are now.) After being a Beatles fan for so long, singing all their songs, living in NYC & walking past the “Dakota” many times, even as John was still alive, and visiting Liverpool, seeing Penny Lane, the Cavern Club, & taking tours to all the Beatle houses, naturally I feel a special connection to John & his Band Mates.

When John’s “Double Fantasy” first came out, I was so thrilled that he WAS starting over again, and that he had a renewed career ahead of him! Of course, that didn’t last long, & the shock & reality of his death hit home very hard to me, & so many millions of people!

So the movie here was sort of a nice healing “What if” thought about how peaceful a post-Beatle life COULD have been for a much older, settled & experienced John. If only!

In the bigger scheme of things Worldwide, I truly hope that we are ALL able to help our World become a much better place, with Understanding, Love & Acceptance of ALL people! “All You Need is Love,” as the Beatles sang, rings so true today as it did before!

I’m also glad that our Mona Lisa Twins are carrying on the great tradition of what the Beatles had first started, 67 years ago when they were still teenagers!

Thanks for posting the movie clips & your thoughts about this! It brought back all my feelings! Although they’re never too far away! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

David,

Being part of a Musical group does enrich the Soul in ways that no other subject can! It’s a unique experience, whether practicing by yourself, performing with other people, or even by listening to Lisa & Mona! (It’s hard to put one of them before the other, so I have to switch their names sometimes!) OK, that’s all I have to say for now. Later Taters! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

David,

Learning about Physics should be a requirement for all students, even at a younger age. Many adults know nothing about this field. I am not an expert by any means. But from what I’ve read & understood, the knowledge of Physics is essential for creating new technology that could make a better future for everyone.

I don’t want to go too deep, but I see no reason for there to be a conflict between Religion & Science. I respect both, & they should be thought of as being related. We just don’t know everything there is to know YET. Maybe we never will, but we have to TRY!

No matter what we believe or don’t believe, the Universe is going to keep on doing what it does, long after we’re gone. There’s a connection between all things, & everything affects everything else, positively or negatively. We may be a tiny speck in the Universe, but that doesn’t mean that our lives aren’t important to all of US here on Earth! Therefore, we need to all take steps to set our lives into more POSITIVE Directions!

Humanity has made great strides in Science, but unfortunately, a lot of it goes into weaponry, which doesn’t benefit Mankind AT ALL! What we need is Physics & Science linked to Humanitarian causes & Education that will fix all our World problems. We have to STOP pitting different People & Religions & Nations against each other. We need SOLUTIONS for everyone. NOT more war, starvation, lack of clean water, hygiene, rampant crime & on into the night.

Why is it not possible to gather all the most intelligent people from every country to come up with these solutions?! And for Religious people the World over to find common ground, & to STOP stoking the fires of conflict!

Money, greed and power must take a backseat to the HIGHER cause of making ALL peoples’ lives better! I’m just trying to help kids learn about Music, by teaching them to Work Together as a Team to produce a final performance program. Which will ultimately benefit their ability to work with other people towards positive common goals. If everyone will do their small part to create a better World, we will be light years ahead of where we are now, instead of making the same mistakes, over & over.

COOPERATION should replace COMPETITION. Those who want to compete should compete against THEMSELVES. This will help each person to achieve their best self, in order to build a wonderful life for everyone.

David, I’m guessing that your experience on Clarinet in Band long ago was something that helped you along in your personal development!

Even though I didn’t meet John Lennon, or know him personally, I learned a lot about life by reading & finding out how his personal triumphs & tragedies affected his Music, & how he affected the World in positive ways. If he never became famous, he could have had a great life,
but wouldn’t have touched so many people. I’m just so sorry that anyone has to be killed just so everyone else can understand how pointless it is to take another life through violence. Will we ever learn?!

Sorry to get so heavy about all of this, but I’m so tired of seeing our Home Planet in such turmoil.
Things HAVE to get better! In the meantime, let’s all do our best to make positive changes!

PEACE, Brothers & Sisters! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

David,

Another thing I think about when I have difficult students is that John Lennon was not loved & appreciated by all his teachers as a child. Some told him that he wouldn’t amount to much. But he really had a difficult childhood, with his father gone all the time, & his mother out partying and not taking care him. She pawned him off on her sister, Mimi.

Later, she came back into his life & was a big influence, teaching him Banjo chords & sharing her home for get togethers w/her son & his friends. But soon she died tragically when hit by a car close to Mimi’s house where John lived. Later, John’s best friend Stu died of a brain hemorrhage. And John’s Uncle, (Mimi’s husband) also died when John was a teenager.

Even while surrounded by all the negativity in his youth, John managed to have so much drive & ambition with his Music! So sometimes I’ll look at my difficult students & say to myself, THAT student could grow up to really have something valuable to give to the World, no matter which profession he or she may choose. The hard ones need our help the most!

I’m sure you know all that anyway, but those are a few thoughts of mine about helping difficult students. It takes a bit of “tough love” sometimes!

Best of luck in your last 10 years of teaching! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Hi David,

Thanks for your positive comments! I do love to teach. & also to play in a Band. Sometimes I feel like “why should put up with all these student behavior problems every day?” It’s possible for me to just say enough is enough, I don’t need this anymore, like the last teacher did. But I’m not a quitter, and I always hang in there and keep plodding along.

Then I’ll have days like today, when I’m making more positive connections with students! I know that I am turning things around, and once we do our first Concert, more of the “difficult” young students will be on board.

Finally, the weekend is here! But what I really want to do is sleep, exercise, practice a lot and work on new seating charts. I can do it with a companion cup of Tea or Coffee, relax and just enjoy the practice, which I haven’t been able to do much of lately!

By the way David, what subject(s) do you teach?

Thanks, and take it easy, if possible! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Hi Jung,

It’s so kind of you to respond! I’m sure everyone is busy, and it’s hard to keep up with all the posts by us MLT admirers. I do enjoy teaching, but this is a tough job with all the behavior issues. I’ve had to talk to teachers and administrators about certain student problems. I’m sure there are reasons for why these kids act out the way they do. But those are the ones that need our help the most! Most of the students are fine, and I’ve had some nice interactions with them!

I’m needing to help Band students catch up, and we’re starting to work on songs w/the K– 5th grade classes for the Martin Luther King Performance!

Your Dad sounds like he loved his job in Electronics, working & teaching in his field long after retirement! What’s he doing now? I hope enjoying a real retirement! Unfortunately, my Dad passed away in 1997, & my mother in 2000. They were great people, very supportive & at least lived into their 80’s. I still miss & think about them every day! They were Dance Teachers and loved Music!

I’ll be teaching during the Livestream tomorrow, but I’ll watch it in the evening. Have a great weekend! — Bud

[Bud Jackson]

Hi Jung and Everyone,

I’m trying to keep up a bit with everyone’s additions to the General Discussions, & I was surprised to see you mention my name. I forgot I’d mentioned John Lennon’s books, “In His Own Write,” and “A Spaniard in the Works.” I cracked up when I first saw that 2nd book title, making a play on words of the British phrase “A Spanner in the Works.” I read those books a very long time ago!
Thanks for posting the videos of John!

I just wanted to say I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to read and comment hardly at all in the various comment sections lately! I’ve read some, & saw a few videos, but I just haven’t had time lately, after making a large number of comments myself over the Christmas break. I apologize if I haven’t responded to anyone that I’ve missed!

I’m in my 6th week of a long-term Music substitute job, teaching Kinder thru 5th grades, including Beginning Band. While I’m retired & don’t have to work, I enjoy it! However, the last full-time teacher got fed up with so many student behavior issues here that he quit one day. He was a friend of mine that I’ve worked with before. So I’m dealing with all of that. Thankfully the Administrators are supportive.

Also, I had covid (a light case) in September, followed by 3 colds in which I lost my voice! Then I had a tooth infection & haven’t been able to play, plus just being run down & burned out from everything! I’m NOT looking for sympathy. It’s just been a very tough year all around.

I still love following Mona & Lisa, and I’ve enjoyed all their Livestreams & new videos! I just didn’t want anyone to think that I’d lost interest in reading what all my new MLT friends have had to say.
I’m still here! I just have to put this very demanding job I have first, plus I have my Band rehearsals. I’ve only been able to sing a bit lately. So sorry if this sounds like all — ME ME ME!

I was informed today that I probably will be needed until the end of the school year, which is good, but I’m always looking for new ways that I can reach the kids who are very difficult, for various reasons. I’m sorry again if I don’t respond to anyone! There’s a lot of planning & practice that goes with the job too! SORRY FOR MY LONG LETTER!

Best wishes to everyone for a BETTER year! — Bud