Yesterday...

When I was younger, so much younger than today...

The most surprising gift I received for Christmas was the new Beatles mix by Cirque Du Soleil. You see, I’ve been a Beatles fan since I was a small boy living in Jeffersonville, Indiana. I saw their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show and was profoundly changed by the experience.

I grew up with the Beatles and their music has always been an important part of my intellectual and spiritual growth. What they talked about in interviews and sang about in their music became interests of mine that I’ve pursued to this day.

World philosophies and religions, the peace movement, even politics and psychology are topics that became significant to me because they were important to the Beatles. When they said, “All you need is love.” I believed them then and I believe them now. It is still a code by which I try to live each and every day.

Usually, whenever I hear a band do a cover of a Beatles song I am disappointed. The music of the Fab Four contained intricate and beautiful harmonies. They were amazing vocalists and perhaps the best group of singers I’ve ever heard perform together. Yes, there are some amazing individual singers that surpass the vocal talents of either John Lennon or Paul McCartney, but as a group of four voices working together the Beatles were special.

No one understood the musical vision of the Beatles better than George Martin. If you really want to experience the boys at their very best look for the name George Martin listed as producer. Together, this combination of talent changed the face of music. Like it or not, it’s the truth.

When I removed the gift wrapping and discovered a Cirque Du Soleil Beatles C.D. the disappointment was difficult to restrain. I quickly set it aside and moved on to what I hoped would be more exciting goodies. The new digital camera I unwrapped a few minutes later saved Christmas and in my eyes redeemed my wife’s gift giving expertise.

As many couples do on Christmas day we decided to venture out into the world and catch a holiday movie. Now, I figured the drive to Huber Heights would be a good opportunity to give my new C.D. it’s one and only play before it wound up sitting in a rack gathering dust for the rest of eternity.

The C.D. captured my attention from the moment it started playing. I was singing and head bobbing like a teenager. I opened the booklet that came with the two disk set and started reading. George Martin and his son, Giles had produced the music for the Cirque Du Soleil production. No wonder it sounded so fresh and vibrant.

I have been listening to the C.D. for days now and it is pure musical genius. If you’re already a Beatles fan, you’ll love this collection of remastered and sometimes reworked songs. If you’ve never been a Beatles fan, give this C.D. a listen and you’ll discover why they were so popular in their heyday. Good music is timeless and the Beatles are great music. Cirque Du Soleil proves it.

My wife never ceases to amaze me. She continually surprises me with her ability to show me new things. I love the way she intellectually and spiritually enriches my life; just like the Beatles did when I was younger. She is teaching this old dog a lot of new tricks and I am a much better man for it.

Thanks, babe. I love the musical gift you gave me for Christmas and I love the gift of love you give to me each and every day.