Dodie
Mother Country
John Stewart
John Stewart, the fourth Kingston Trio, was listened to early on in repeat mode. I must admit I got to liking his music. Then his music disappeared from the house and car for at least twenty years. Browsing the net one day, Michael discovered that Stewart had continued writing good music but alas Stewart had died. Michael regrets
that he never went to a live John Stewart concert. For the past ten years he has had a lot of fun finding every album ever produced – obscure concerts, songs that never made albums, etc. etc. If I have to pick one, Stewart’s “Mother Country” reminds me of road trips – singing along as loud as I could.
Dodie
Thirsty Boots
Eric Andersen
Michael loves his music and we often listen to his iPod which still works in scramble mode in the car. Much of the music he plays I have heard for going on 50 years and I must admit I love most of it. He has added new music by favorite singer/song writers and new singer/songwriters but not many. First we listened to records, then 8 track cassettes, then CDs and now he buys the CDs and puts them on the iPod. This song reminds me of my early days with Michael who was very thin, had long curly brown hair, wore baggy corduroy pants with red suspenders, a flannel shirt and funny shoes that could be called boots. (Robin Williams played a character, Mork, on Mork and Mindy, that dressed and looked a lot like Michael.) The boots were a soft leather and luckily irreplaceable. Here is a photo of a wooden sculpture I bought in Europe in 1972 as a facsimile. We still wonder why Eric Andersen wasn’t a commercial success. In fact we wonder that about most of Michael’s favorite singer/songwriters.
Dodie
I'm from New Jersey
John Gorka
John Gorka, is a more recent addition (30 years), but of the same genre, folk music, great lyrics, good melodies and not a commercial success. I will mention “I’m from New Jersey” in case no one else mentions it. Michael rewrote the lyrics for Nancy Heiser’s 40th birthday in 1993 and we sang it onto a cassette since we were out of town for the celebration. Michael lived in New Jersey for most of his formative years. He could identify with
the song (the girls with the big hair and the tolls on the parkway, they will slow you down), which is now dated. When our grandson Pete was born in NJ, Michael got Gorka to sign a piece of paper that Michael framed with the album jacket cover and gave to Pete. Gorka wrote – “For Pete, Welcome to the World. I am from New Jersey too.”
Pam
Blowin’ in the Wind
Peter, Paul and Mary
Sounds of Silence
Simon and Garfunkel
I remember growing up in the sixties in Basking Ridge as I, in high school, and my brother, Mike, who was 4 years younger, both loved the new music of the 60's. I know our parents were not yet into this as they were from the big band era and Cole Porter music. I could name many more, but these are probably the most memorable for all of us Baby Boomers.
Maddie
Somebody's Baby
Jackson Browne
As you may remember, this was the song we danced to at my wedding. In true dad fashion, you gave me two CDs of possible songs for my wedding and I settled on this one, as it reminded me of innumerable drives we took around Maine, New England, and beyond listening to your folk music. I have put this song on my OR playlist so that each time it comes up I am reminded of you, especially your distinct balled fist, shoulder jabbing dance style.
Matt
Iowa
Dar Williams
We had a double date (Me and Maddie, You and Dodie) at a Dar concert in 2014. "Iowa" was a great connection between your family and my mother's, who grew up in northwestern Iowa. I thought fondly of you and that song later in the year, when my grandpa passed away
Kevin
Moonshadow
Cat Stevens
As the defacto DJ, you curated the majority of the soundtrack to my childhood. To be honest, I did not appreciate it at the time. 10 year-old boys are not known for their sophisticated musical tastes, and I was no exception. The first artist that went from old-person-bore-fest to ooh-wait-I-like-this was Cat Stevens. In particular, Moonshadow always reminds me of you not only because of the artist, but also because I remember you singing it on clear, moonlit nights on the Island. Whenever I see a bright moon, I think of that song and you.
Carrie
Only One
James Taylor
The last week has been great fun listening to all of the artists and songs that remind me of you, but it has created a true dilemma of trying to pick just one song. I recognize how lucky I am to have grown-up with a music enthusiast who has spread his love and seemingly unfathomable knowledge of so many singer-songwriters to many of his friends and family. After going round and round in my head thinking back to so many car rides that all blend together and are somehow distinct- to the Island, through Tuscany, on back roads to soccer games, to Greenwich, to meet the carpool, on vacation in Asheville, my pick for this challenge is James Taylor. With so many great folk singer-songwriters in the mix (special shout out to Dar Williams and The One Who Knows), it is James Taylor songs which I sang, thinking of you, to my kids to get them to fall asleep in their cribs. As I learned all the words from singing along with you, I hope to pass on the love of music and many of these same songs (James Taylor and beyond) to Pete and Tess. If I have to pick just one, it will be Only One, the song we danced to at my wedding. Happy Birthday Dad! Love you!
Brian
Meet the Mets
Glenn Osser
No brainer, the song that comes to mind when I think of Michael is Meet the Mets. Baseball season or not, a visit wouldn't be complete without Michael singing Meet the Mets for me. After the first verse...We Meet the Mets, Step right up and greet the Mets! Bring your kiddies, bring your wife; Guaranteed to have the time of your life, we discuss that neither of us are very familiar with the rest of the lyrics.
Michael, I'm going to learn them; the next time you visit, I'll be prepared.
David
I’m From New Jersey
John Gorka
Michael introduced us to John Gorka and many other artists who are slightly outside the “main (even Maine) stream”. My musical experience has been quite “plain vanilla” (James Taylor, Carole King etc.), whereas Michael’s is much more eclectic and nuanced. Also, he lived in New Jersey for so long that I associate him with
New Jersey more than Pennsylvania, despite his love for the Steelers. Michael regularly asks Alexa for songs I have never heard of, by artists I only dimly remember. Being brothers-in-law with Michael has been a constant joy for me, for which I feel extraordinarily lucky. Thank you, Dodie, for picking such a wonderful mate!
David
“Maverick” TV Theme Song
David Webster
On Pickering, Michael and I love to reminisce about the classic theme songs from TV’s Golden Age for action series like Maverick, “Have Gun Will Travel”, Adventures in Paradise, Wanted Dead or Alive, The Rebel, Mr. Lucky and 77 Sunset Strip. All of these had memorable theme songs and cheesy lyrics that are fun to dredge up. Maverick: “Riverboat ring your bell, Fare Thee Well Annabelle, Luck is the lady that he loves the best! Natchez to New Orleans, Livin on Jacks and Queens, Maverick is a legend of the West.” Also, “Have Gun Will Travel” reads the card of a man. A soldier of fortune in a savage land.” We have passed many a fine hour digging deep into our memories for melodies and words. “Good fun”.
Gee
Anthem
Leonard Cohen
Michael introduced me to Leonard Cohen while letting me know that his family found his singing style too raspy. I am drawn to that style as it resonates with me. His musical poetry I find compelling. I never before paid attention to lyrics as I was more into the melody. I am blown away by his lyrics and they are enhanced by being sung by Cohen. Rough is good. (Sorry Jones children.) In 2016 when Trump was elected, Leonard Cohen died (probably not related). I found solace in listening to the many recordings of Leonard Cohen as I mourned the two events. In thinking about this tribute to my dear brother-law, I have reacquainted myself with Cohen. A treat.
Thank you Mike ❤️
Michael & Alyssa
Straight Down the Middle
Bing Crosby
When we think of Michael Jones, we think of all the fun times we've had playing golf with him. We have witnessed his prowess from the Oregon coast to the wilds of Maine and points in-between. His golfing mantra (if not always his execution) is consistent... "Straight Down the Middle!”
Anne
Fountain of Sorrow
Jackson Browne
My best memories of music with Michael are when I was in college and after, listening to Jackson Browne. As a young woman with romantic notions of love and loss, his melancholy songs always got to me, and the album, Late for the Sky, was my favorite. Hard to pick one song from that album but maybe "Fountain of Sorrow". I think Michael appreciated him as a singer songwriter and was probably drawn to his more upbeat songs, but it's hard to avoid the songs about loss when you listen to Jackson Browne.
Teka
Let's Give them Something to Talk About
Bonnie Raitt
It always brings me great joy when I see that Michael is also at "table 4" as he is one of my favorite people to sit next to at a dinner party. He is inquisitive, genuinely curious and always ready with a fun fact to share. This song popped into my head when I thought about Michael because he is an expert conversationalist and always has something to talk about!
Ben
Mystery Train
Elvis Presley
Truckin’
Grateful Dead
I have a distinct memory of one summer day on the Island with the Joneses. It was 25 years ago now. We spent the morning drying the dishes by the radio and hearing stories of Michael's favorite singers. Of course there was Bob, and Joan, and Cat, (and maybe Gordon?) And before them, Woody and Pete. And Peter and Paul and Mary. And always, there was Tim. After the dishes, we hacked our way out to the Little Field and back in a rousing game of Island Golf, before Michael and I joined my father for a quick trip into Deer Isle to re-up on some critical supplies like plastic golf balls, potato chips, and beer. When we arrived in Sylvester's Cove, we piled into my dad's car. Michael sat shotgun and I was in the back seat. When my father started the car, what was playing on the radio, but the Grateful Dead. It was strange because the Dead rarely played on the radio, let alone on my dad's easy listening station. Even stranger, the next song was also the Dead. Then we heard the news: Jerry Garcia had just passed away. Jerry had been a folk hero to me and my friends and many in Michael's generation. As I absorbed the weight of the news, Michael recalled that he had been on the Island when Elvis Presley died. To commemorate that moment, on the occasion of Michael's 70th birthday, I have two songs. Elvis Presley died August 16, 1977, which also happened to be my first year on the Island with Dodie and Michael. Song: "Mystery Train" (I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but this is my favorite and a good movie too!). Jerry Garcia died that day, August 9, 1995. Song: "Truckin'" (What a long strange trip it's been!). So, not unlike Neil sang: "From Hank to Hendrix I walked these streets with you," from Elvis to Jerry to now, Happy Birthday, Michael!
Shawdee
Lilac Wine
Jeff Buckley
When Shawdee and I first started dating, Michael sat her down to convey the importance of Tim Buckley in the canon of American music. Of course, not one of us has ever heard a Tim Buckley song before in all of our lives. But Shawdee, being a skilled assimilator, and wanting to make an impression on an esteemed statesman of the family, shifted the conversation to Jeff Buckley (Tim begat Jeff. Sadly, father and son both died by the age of 30). Nonetheless, Shawdee and Michael connected over the Jeff Buckley song "Lilac Wine," which she listened to incessantly on CD in the late 90s.
Topher
Centerfield
John Fogerty
While this is really a baseball song, it always reminds me of the times we all played touch football in Greenwich at Thanksgiving and how you always selflessly put yourself into the game. Always leading the charge to the front yard on every crisp Thursday morning you built a strong tradition for our family and memories for a lifetime. My bond with my cousins was formed in that house and on
that field as much as anywhere, and it's a bond I truly treasure. Through knee-pain, and more, you always stepped up. Looking back now — from my new, older perspective I see how great a gift that was, showing us the importance of family, inclusion — "everyone plays!", and tradition. Happy birthday Michael and thanks for being a great Uncle to me for 44 of your 70 years!
Margie
A Family Tie
Maura O'Connell
Uncle Mike's love for, and knowledge of, music was legendary in our family, perhaps only matched by the legends of his Thanksgiving touch football prowess. His tastes were as varied as his collection was vast. So it should come as no surprise that he introduced me to the wonderful world of the female singer-songwriter circa 1990. Gifted by him with a tape of Maura O'Connell's A Real Life Story, I spent hours as a twelve-year-old enraptured by the soulful words of the Irish singer. That was the beginning of my lasting fandom for the genre (paving the way for Joni Mitchell, Dar Williams, and Stevie Nicks). As Maura sang of the family tie on the album, "It is the very best gift that God gave," I am so fortunate that our families are bound together. Love on your birthday, Uncle Mike!
Jon
Anything by Tim Buckley
Tim Buckley
One of our favorite pastimes on Pickering is listening to the radio while we’re cooking, doing dishes, playing Bridge, etc. And, because it’s rural Maine, one of the few musical genres available to us is Classic Rock. This combination of extreme leisure and ubiquitous oldies lends itself quite well to discussion and debate, and one thing Uncle Mike has never been accused of is not having (or holding back) his opinion on something (which is what makes him such a great conversationalist!). One time, a little ditty by Tim Buckley came across the airwaves, and Uncle Mike declared that Tim Buckley was, pound-for-pound, a better musician than Bob Dylan. This was one of the hottest takes ever to be uttered on the shores of Pickering, and, despite constant derision from the younger generation, Uncle Mike stood by his statement. I still don't know who Tim Buckley is, and I couldn't name a single song he wrote, but to this day he is forever burned into my memory as the man that Uncle Mike thinks is better than the greatest songwriter of his generation.
Liz
Tapestry
Carole King
There is no way Uncle Mike remembers this, but we were all in Black Butte for that family reunion years and years ago (decades at this point). I was just discovering singer, song-writers and Carole King was on the top of my list of artists to listen to on repeat. I'm sure I had played "I Feel The Earth Move" a thousand times when he told me that "Tapestry" was the best song on the album. I believe he also tried to explain to me what it meant. Who knows. If he did, it went over my head. Either way, he was right and I always recall that snippet of a memory when I hear Tapestry. Memory is a strange thing, but I am nearly certain this happened!
