Special BlogCast: Super Toons for Tonight’s Super Moon

 

December’s full moon, on this very night, is known as a super moon because it’ll appear 7% larger and 16% brighter than normal.

Not to worry if Mother Nature drops the cloudy curtains down on your night skies… she’ll offer up a couple of encore performances… on the world stage… come January 2018… the first to occur on the 1st and the second on the 31st (within the Eastern U.S. time zone… dates may vary by one day in your locale).

Of course, anytime there are two full moons in the same month, the second is a.k.a. a blue moon… even though there’s no actual blue hue involved.

ADDENDUM: Mere minutes ago, I stepped outside to witness the moonrise… which reminded me to remind you that seeing the moon on the horizon offers up an optical illusion, which makes this super moon appear even larger. If you’d like to see such a super, super moon, I’d advise you to go online to check for your local moonrise time and then look to the east. Believe me… weather permitting… there’s no possible way you can miss it!

I’m offering up the following mood enhancing, mini, Moon Toons soundtrack to help usher in this evening’s event.

 

Chenille Sisters ~ Howlin’ At The Moon

Tom Paxton ~ Looking For The Moon

Andy Williams ~ Moon River

Ray Charles ~ Moonlight In Vermont

If you LIKED what you heard, click back for my next scheduled BlogCast on Sunday, December 24, 2017… btw, you never know when there’ll be an unscheduled program (or more) along the way… so “stay tuned”.

You can also find past programs archived in my BlogCasts and music categories.

 

 

Super Moon Toons (Super Special Blogcast)

Just in time for the Super Moon (11-14-2016), I’m Blogcasting five Moon Toons, which will help set the proper mood for this amazing astronomical event… one where Earth’s satellite, in it’s full phase, will be at it’s closest perigee since 1948 and appear 15 – 16% larger and far brighter than we’re accustomed to seeing.

Oh, btw… the Moon is looking mighty impressive even as I post this tonight… one night early.

Throughout the ages, gazing at the Moon has inspired a universally experienced air of mystery, awe, romance, passion, and love… these feelings eventually and inevitably becoming interwoven into our world’s music. When a song’s focus turns skyward, our primal, natural yearnings are roused, instinctively drawing each listener’s attention to matters celestial.

And if the moon watcher is also a composer of music, a synergy develops with other watcher-songwriters. Consequently, there’s a vast body of Moon Toons for us to choose from and enjoy. There’s also a diversity of song tempos, instrument arrangements and musical genres, which could almost be compared to the phase like moods set by the Moon… first quarter, full, last quarter, new and earthshine… from the narrowest sliver to the Super Moon… and everything in between.

While these special musical segues, presented below, can be enjoyed at any time of day, for the optimal effect, synchronize the playback with the spectacular Super Moon. At that time, be sure to shut down all artificial lighting and once you’ve clicked the play button on the first video, traipse on over to your window, fling those curtains wide open and watch this cosmic event lazily arcing across the sky.

Once you’ve tracked through all five songs, it’ll be time to head for the great outdoors… and the farther away you get from the hustle and bustle of civilization, the better. If there’s a significant other in your life, invite that person to join you.

Once you’re one with nature, the hush of the night will form its own subtle “music”… perhaps a gentle, steady breeze whooshing through pine needles or rustling whatever leaves may still be on the trees… maybe a nearby babbling brook will add a bit more ambiance, too. At that point, that ol’ devil moon will draw your gaze upward and you’ll feel your terrestrial concerns ebbing as you soar to commune with the vast cosmos.

Who knows, the sparks of new love may be in the air? Or perhaps latent feelings will be rekindled? Might single folks even wind up experiencing an unexpected meeting with their soul mate, while both are wandering about beneath the night sky? Whatever transpires under the Milky Way… under the Super Moon… you’re bound to feel a timeless bond with the rest of humanity… one that has always been there for the taking… for those attuned, caring souls, who know how and where it’s found.

Howling is cool, but not mandatory.

 

Van Morrison ~ Moondance

Sting ~ Moon Over Bourbon Street

Cassandra Wilson ~ Harvest Moon

Norah Jones ~ Shoot The Moon

Bap Kennedy ~ Moonlight Kiss

 

 

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