Dreaming Bigger
A BMT Mixtape
My best pal and I took a short flight from London to Dublin. Then a train ride from Dublin to Galway. Then a bus. Then the ferry across the sea to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands.
A taxi ride. A wave of the hand from the driver with limited instructions: follow the slashes of white paint. You’ll find it.
Across the most verdant fields I’d ever seen. Over crumbling stone fences. We scanned the landscape looking for the next white marker.
Until we found our final destination.
November of 1992. No barricades. No tour guides. Aside from 2 or 3 other tourists, we had the ruins to ourselves. Dun Aengus. Dramatically perched over the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean.
Remote. Off the grid. No internet. Armed with guidebooks, maps, a ferry schedule, and a heap of determination.
My best pal was a good sport to join me. But I would have gone solo if she’d opted to stay behind in Dublin with our other flatmate.
I was only 20. This was my dream. A challenge but I was undaunted.
I’m biding my time till I can dream big again. But I won’t be stifled and contained much longer. My restlessness grows.
Here’s to our unfilled dreams. Keep dreaming. Because we’ve got time to make up for.
In the meantime, here’s sweeping music. Grand. Beautiful. Emotional. Expansive. This is the soundtrack that accompanies road trips, flights, sailings.
To getting lost and to getting found. To self-discoveries, to romantic escapades, to family gatherings, to adventures of a lifetime.
To musicians, to singers, to songwriters. To the dreamers. And to you, my friends!
I’ve seen the Pet Shop Boys perform live a few times. Trust me, this is a tame performance. They are all about antics, costumes, and theatrics!
As I was listening to/watching this live cut, I realized that what tickles me more than anything else — despite the sequins aplenty, the mini-me Neil Tennants in their top hats interspersed with mini-me Chris Lowes with their baseball caps, the lime green costumes, the hand waving audience — is the earnestness regarding the delivery of this cover of the Village People’s “Go West.”
Somehow Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe turn something rather insipid into a charming, endearing anthem of growth and courage. Of stretching and independence. Of new frontiers.
It’s a song of hope and inspiration.
Acoustic Odds’ interpretation of the Waterboys’ iconic “Whole of the Moon” is pub musicians-meet-the-West End.
It’s a big song. The Acoustic Odds duo understands that. A bold piano and a commanding vocal are more than enough in their capable hands.
It’s such an impressive cover. I can’t stop listening to it!
I haven’t been to Red Rocks, but I’m sure I’ll make it there eventually. This kind of performance calls to me!
The cacophony of strings and percussion. Then add in that guitar and dash of twang. How yummy!
Amos Lee alternates between soaring and crooning wearily. Sigh. My kryptonite.
“Windows Are Rolled Down.” Yep. Let the wind blow through my hair while I drive listening to music.
Good gracious, this trio of Wilco, Nick Lowe, and Mavis Staples is exactly what my ear wanted. I listened to 30 covers. I can be like Goldilocks when it comes to music. Nothing was quite right. Then I found this sucker and my ear was happy!
This interpretation has a brightness that the other versions are missing. “The Weight” drags without that brightness.
Yes, this is just shy of 13 minutes. Damn straight, says I!
It turns out that infusing a couple of minutes of NOLA-inspired musical vibes courtesy of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band only further improves 90s hit, “Ants Marching.”
I would be remiss in not giving a shout-out to Mr. Matthew’s all-black ensemble. It’s a vast improvement from his baggy, unkempt circa 1996 look. Dare I say, he looks svelte and sexy.
This is a lively, exuberant, rambling, joyous performance by the Dave Matthews Band (et al)! I promise you’ll be in a fantastic mood after listening to this!
I’m pretty sure my heart grew several times by the midway point of Louis Armstrong’s beguiling interpretation of “When You Wish Upon A Star.”
Disney + the trumpet + old school Louis Armstrong = a very dreamy Bonnie
Until her 40’s, Bonnie’s worst nightmare included writing and sharing personal stories publicly. At her friends’ suggestion, she bemusedly started Bonnie’s Mixed Tape on Medium in 2017. She remains shocked that anyone reads her stories and that P.S. I Love You, Assemblage, the Writing Cooperative, and the Ascent have published her work.
Bonnie loves all types of music, but really, really, really loves the 80s.
Thank you for reading this story
I know you are busy and have lots of ways you could be spending your time. you using your time to read my work means the world to me — my sincerest thanks!
