Jammin': Music on Board

Scott and I are by no means music snobs, but we do love our tunes.  Our iPods are full of mainstream pop hits (Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga and, yes, Jimmy Buffett included), mixed with some international beats, a fair amount of reggae, a dash of country, a nice smattering of classic rock, a hint of techno and just about every musical genre in between.  We actually have three iPods full of tunes that we have accumulated over the years so even though some of it might be "dated", there's enough music on board to keep things interesting.  We listen to music regularly and it's almost always on in the background of our boat during wake-time hours.  We've always been this way, but now that Isla has grown a particular affinity for full-on dance parties (what can I say, she takes after her mama!), well, music is kind of a big deal around here.

One of the best "non-essential" systems we installed in our boat were our cockpit speakers.  I don't know what it is, but being able to sail along effortlessly on a beautiful day while listening to some well appointed tunes (think Jack Johnson, Zac Brown or if you're feeling particularly pensive, some nice downtempo) makes that sail even more enjoyable.  Furthermore, relaxing in some beautiful anchorage with a sundowner in hand just isn't the same if you don't have some nice background music to accompany it.  That's how we feel about it, anyway.  So cockpit speakers have always been, and will always be, a must for us in our boats.

We also installed a Fusion marine stereo receiver with built-in iPod Dock and absolutely love it.  Our iPods insert directly in the unit, keeping them safe, secure and free from any cumbersome chords, and unlimited music free of interruption is ours.  We took our music control a step further by installing the Fusion marine wired remote control which is mounted our steering pedestal so we don't have to run up and down the companionway to change a song or switch out iPods.  It comes in handy if that particular Brittany Spears song starts playing when we have company; we can quickly change it and pretend like we downloaded it only for Isla's dance parties (cough, cough).

One good thing about music, when it hits - you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

Lost In the Sun...

I've always loved this song by Keane, it was (for some reason or another) really popular when I was backpacking solo through South East Asia in 2006 and always evokes feelings of nostalgia and wanderlust in me.  It came up on my playlist the other day and I thought, "Now that's a song to make a video to!"  So naturally, I did!  I hope you enjoy.

"Lost in the sun, can anybody find their home?"

- Sunshine, Keane

Love,

Brittany & Scott

Note: You can make the video larger if you click on the grey arrows in to the left of the Vimeo logo in the bottom right hand corner.  If for some reason you are having a hard time viewing this video on the blog, try giving it some time to load or visit it on Vimeo HERE.

A Little Inspiration from Bob

The other morning Bob Marley's song "War" came on our iPod and even though I know it by heart and have heard it probably 1,000 times - it still moves me.  The lyrics are almost, word for word, a speech by Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I made before the UN National Assembly in 1963.  I think the words are powerful, incredible, and ring so very true today.  Read them first, then listen to my man Bob sing it.  Amazing.

Until the philosophy which hold one race superior

And another Inferior

Is finally

And permanently

Discredited

And abandoned 

-Everywhere is war -

Me say war.

That until there no longer

First class and second class citizens of any nation

Until the color of a man's skin

Is of no more significance than the color of his eyes 

-Me say war.

That until the basic human rights

Are equally guaranteed to all,

Without regard to race 

-Dis a war.

That until that day

The dream of lasting peace,

World citizenship

Rule of international morality

Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,

But never attained 

-Now everywhere is war - war.

And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes

that hold our brothers in Angola,In Mozambique,South Africa

Sub-human bondage

Have been toppled,Utterly destroyed 

-Well, everywhere is war -Me say war.

War in the east,War in the west,War up north,War down south 

-War - War -

Rumors of war.

And until that day,The African continent

Will not know peace,

We Africans will fight - we find it necessary -And we know we shall win

As we are confidentIn the victory

Of good over evil 

Good over evil, yeah!

Good over evil 

Good over evil, yeah!

Good over evil 

Good over evil, yeah!

Listen to Bob sing it here.  God, what I would have done to be able to see this man live. LOVE.

Love,

Brittany & Scott

Sunday Chill-Out

One good thing about music - when it hits, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

It's a lazy Sunday, perfect time to sit back and chill out with one of my most favorite artists of all time; the prophetic Bob Marley.  I could go on and on about how incredible I think this man was but suffice it to say his words and his music changed the world.  I particularly love the album, Dreams of Freedom which is an ambient version of some of his more popular songs.  Very, very nice.  Take a listen if you'd like.

Love,

Brittany & Scott

Home is Wherever I'm with You

This is a sort of anthem for Scott and I.  I love this song.

Of course, I'm a little biased to our version by Ben Mahoney/Leap Productions.


Happy Monday!

Love,
Brittany & Scott

What are we Listening to?

A lot of people ask us what sort of music we listen to on the boat.  Scott and I have very eclectic tastes; we have everything from classical to county, techno to tribal, rock to reggae and just about everything in between.  Our "everyday" music, however, consist mostly of bands like; Band of Horses, Death Cab for Cutie (and The Postal Service - they have the same vocalist), M. Ward, Arcade Fire, Counting Crows and Soul Patrol (to name a few).  But what we're listening to a lot these days is the entire Coldplay discography.  We love them and this new song.  Enjoy!

Happy Friday everyone!

Love,

Brittany & Scott