402 - Dr. John - Dr. John's Gumbo

I enjoy New Orleans jazz in short bursts. I have a copy of James Booker's Junco Partner that I listen to a couple of times a year while doing chores around the house. Dr. John's melding of New Orleans jazz with roots rock and roll was quite pleasant for me to listen to and didn't fatigue me at all.

The music is fun, the range of sounds from song to song is nice, and the production sounds as if I was hanging out a small club while the band performed.

Songs I knew I liked: "Iko Iko" and "Tipitina"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Blow Wind Blow," "Huey Smith Medley," and "Little Liza Jane"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None

401 - Lynyrd Skynyrd - (pronounced lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd)

As someone born and, somewhat, raised in Alabama, it is a given that I have been exposed to Lynyrd Skynyrd. You don't live in the state and not have any opinion of the band, thanks to "Sweet Home Alabama" (which, by law, must be played by every classic rock station at least twice a day with other Skynyrd songs played, at least, every other hour). I've always thought Skynyrd was okay, but just not my cup of tea.

Listening to (pronounced lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd) changed my mind today. This album is really fantastic. The band sound supremely confident on this album; they bash out the rockers and swing softly during the ballads. The mix of country, rock, blues, and garage sounds both rebellious and inviting. The way the three guitars work together distracted me a few times when I concentrated and picked out what each was doing. The keys/organ are there when are needed and when they grab the listener's full attention, it is for a reason and that time isn't wasted. I did have to remind myself during the second half of the album that I was listening to Skynyrd and not ZZ Top, though.

Songs I knew I liked: "Tuesday's Gone," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Freebird"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "I Ain't the One," "Simple Man," and "Poison Whiskey"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None

1 & 2 Samuel: Quick Summary

These two books tell the story of Samuel's discovery of Saul, Saul's reign, the ascendancy of David, and much of King David's life.

I am intrigued by some of the differences I've noticed between Saul and David. Some of the following statements are general and my readings weren't all that thorough, so forgive any flubs in my logic.

Saul - anointed by God as a child, but really didn't rely on God much when he came to rule as king. More of a national leader than a religious one. Despite being anointed by God as a youth, Saul frequent tendency to not revere or rely on God soured their relationship and God ended up shunning him.

David - although he stumbled quite a bit personally, when it came to matters of Israel, he seemed to put God first and foremost. Obedience to God seemed to trump other motivations when he was making decisions. Lots of pride in God. Despite his sins, David never gave up on God and God responded the same way by forgiving him of his mistakes since David always came back to God.