Let Love Rule

If music ignites the flame of love and God is love, is not every note for Her?

Along with all the snow, cold, sickness & dark…love??… is in the air.
Why’d they stick a holiday about romance in the saddest slice of the year?

Romance and depression do not mix well. I’ve learned. God bless Elise for weathering my winter blues. I’m no stranger to a good, dark, existential wormhole. I can go deep into that cavern, find a good rock to perch under & night night. Leave the dopamine in December. No smiles ’til spring.

Thanks to a magic cure I’ve found over the years, eventually I come out and get back to the mass abundance of love in my life. Elise and the boys. A roof. Food. No cancer. A fun, creative job. Two living parents. The worlds greatest in-laws. A museum worthy ‘guitar problem’. On an on they go. But damn, those dark moments get lonely. You know them. We all do.

What’s this about a “magic cure”?

Listen. I’m not here to sell snake oil or evangelize but I do want to tell you what works for me. Every single doggone time. I’m talking 100% efficacy. It’s not beer. That worked for a minute and hurt for an hour then got old and damaged my liver. It’s not drugs. Tried lots of them too. It’s not my beautiful wife and children. It’s not their job to manage or regulate my emotional storms. That’s my job. It’s not even religion or faith. Don’t get me wrong - I love me some good old time religion and faith is a beacon the storm. But I’m talking about a straight up life raft. A tugboat to get me to shore, eyes on the lighthouse…

When I get the wherewithal to press play…it’s music that fills my dark, empty, wintry desolation with love. Every time. I happen to believe God put me and music together on purpose; a drowning mans canoe every time I thought I was sinking alone…Of course, it’s gotta be the right kind. So, if your having trouble finding the cure for what ales… I got a playlist for you. DM me.

Speaking of selecting songs for the season…Another fun part of this gig is using a song during the “Peace Passing” or more commonly known as the offertory, to nod at a seasonal holiday like… you guessed it; Valentines Day. Enter the Cupids. Let the love rain down.

This week I picked Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz:

“Love is gentle as a rose and love can conquer any war
it's time to take a stand brothers and sisters join hands

We've got to let love ….Let love rule (2X)

Love transcends all space and time & love can make a little child smile
can't you see This won't go wrong but we, we've got to be strong
we can't do it alone.

We’ve got to let love rule…..Let love rule (100X).”

The lyrics, extracted from its badass, bell bottom, booty shakin’ frame work read like a Zen Koan or Haiku or maybe even…. a bible verse!?!?

“Love is gentle as a rose and love can conquer any war “ See 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love transcends all space and time & love can make a little child smile”

I saw Lenny Kravitz in the late 90’s at the Electric Factory with Cindy Blackman on drums. Her afro & tank top were a halo & wings. She played with the a hypnotic ferocity and finesse that absolutely floored me. When she took her drum solo time stopped as I froze in a spell of wonder and amazement… smiling like a child looking through a kaleidoscope for the first time. Is that love? The lit fire for music, for drums, for Cindy!? It sure felt like it in my blooming boyish heart.

Half of the lyrical content is about doing this thing together.

“ it's time to take a stand brothers and sisters join hands….
…..but we, we've got to be strong we can't do it alone"

Teamwork. Looking out for each other. Support.

Another moment that jumps out. Lenny turned his guitar, literally, into a Flying V. He chucked it clear across the stage perfectly arcing like an arrow on target to penetrate the castle turret (aka Marshall Stack) when, poof, two magic hands ascend the wall (aka Marshall Stack) and phew!! Perfect catch.Talk about TRUST! Talk about teamwork… The secret magic hands of the crew, the drummer in the back…the publicist who made sure we knew about the concert, the 3rd shift tour bus driver… on and on. It’s a team effort. Love.

We need each other to love and love needs love to work and to win.
That’s what I’m hearing.

Speaking of winning…

Here in the City of Brotherly Love, as I sit between a Super Bowl and victory parade, I’d be remiss not quote the great Nick Sirianni who, when asked how they did it, said

“…we’re great because of the greatness of others...”

So on this love lit weekend, roses are cool, I guess… Chocolate? Sure! But is that love? Can’t hurt. But that won’t get you to the show on time.
Intercept a flying arrow. Drive the bus. Play your heart out. Let the wonder in. Take care of your band mates and remember to press play. Spring is on the way.

Let Love Rule.
XOXO,
d

GS.

2/14 Neo Trio / Mikes Tavern / Reading, PA 8p
2/15 Dead of Winter Fest / Stollen Sun Brewing / Exton, PA 6p
2/16 St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church / Chester Springs, PA 9:30a
2/21 Hezekiah Jones, EV Sheldon & Daniel S Bower / Godfrey Daniels / Bethlehem, PA
2/22 Chris Kasper / Mikes Tavern / Reading, PA 8p
2/23 St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church / Chester Springs, PA 9:30a
2/23 Chris Kasper / Dawson St. Pub / Philadelphia, PA
2/27 Jones Twins (DSB & Kiley Ryan) / Barley Mow / West Reading, PA / 6-9p
2/28 Daniel S Bower & Charlie Muench (bass) / Other Farm / Boyertown, PA 6-9p
3/1 Daniel S Bower & Dave Van Allen (pedal steel) /Mikes Tavern / Reading, PA 8p
3/2 St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church / Chester Springs, PA 9:30a
3/7 Philly Nelson / West Reading Motor Club / West Reading, PA 8-11p
3/28 Hezekiah Jones / Eremita Cafe / Roxborough, PA