It is, to me, an inescapable fact that music wears the tint of whatever is going on in your life when you first encounter it. So it is perhaps unfortunate that this beautiful rendition of "Winter Was Warm" by fingerstyle guitarist John Dollman arrived in my in-box just as Missy Katz is dying. Or perhaps it was meant to be that way, as it immediately cut to my heart.
I have spent weeks taking Missy Katz to and from the vets, but she just continues to wither away and, at this point, I doubt she'll last the week (if, indeed, she makes it through the day). In this context, this gentle acoustic version of a song from the soundtrack of Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol hits me with a bittersweet blend of nostalgia and regret. And that's kinda what I've always said the best Christmas music does.
I have spent weeks taking Missy Katz to and from the vets, but she just continues to wither away and, at this point, I doubt she'll last the week (if, indeed, she makes it through the day). In this context, this gentle acoustic version of a song from the soundtrack of Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol hits me with a bittersweet blend of nostalgia and regret. And that's kinda what I've always said the best Christmas music does.
I don't know John Dollman, though I do recognize him as a long-time denizen of the forums at The Fa. He's clearly a talented guitarist. I understand that he has made several CDs of his solo guitar interpretations of Christmas music for family and friends and he informs me that some of this music will soon be available through CD Baby. You can currently hear several selections on John's Soundcloud page (as well as some non-holiday music). I hope he'll link from there to CD Baby when his music becomes available for purchase.
But John has made this beautiful version of "Winter Was Warm" available as a free download for the readers of Stubby's (and anyone else who stumbles across it).
For me, the song will now forever be entwined with the memories of Missy Katz, a good girl and faithful companion who, no matter how weak she got, always climbed up to sleep on my chest at night, purring loud enough to wake the neighbors. "Winter Was Warm" will complete the soundtrack of her life, which began with "Ooh Child" when she first arrived in our home small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Given my age and my own health, she is likely the last such companion I will ever know.
John, I'm sorry this piece is more about Missy Katz and less about you. You deserve better. Hopefully, others will find that out for themselves.
But John has made this beautiful version of "Winter Was Warm" available as a free download for the readers of Stubby's (and anyone else who stumbles across it).
For me, the song will now forever be entwined with the memories of Missy Katz, a good girl and faithful companion who, no matter how weak she got, always climbed up to sleep on my chest at night, purring loud enough to wake the neighbors. "Winter Was Warm" will complete the soundtrack of her life, which began with "Ooh Child" when she first arrived in our home small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Given my age and my own health, she is likely the last such companion I will ever know.
John, I'm sorry this piece is more about Missy Katz and less about you. You deserve better. Hopefully, others will find that out for themselves.
RSS Feed
