A Lesson in Perspective
You know, I spend an awful lot of time feeling sorry for myself. (No shit, Marcy, you do? Yeah, I do.) I find I'm sad, I'm missing someone, I'm at my wit's end about something, whatever the case may be. And in my tiny little circle of existence, sometimes it really does seem like I have good reason to be blue.
Well, recently I came across something that provides me with some much needed perspective. This is a letter written to Matthew Ryan by a soldier serving in Iraq. He writes movingly and eloquently about how much Ryan's latest album, From A Late Night High Rise, means to him, linking particular songs to moments and experiences he's had. He never feels sorry for himself, even though he's in a situation that would certainly be the end of me. He just puts one foot in front of the other and does what needs to be done, keeping his sanity and strength of mind by listening to music and remembering the people he loves at home.
The letter appears on Ryan's myspace. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if this letter is written by a man or a woman. Not that it makes any difference.
No matter what your politics or how you feel about the war in Iraq, I don't think you can help but be touched by what he has to say.
Matthew Ryan --"Victory Waltz (Feat. Kate York)" mp3 off From a Late Night High Rise (buy)
One more thing. I always intended to do a full review of From a Late Night High Rise, but it came just as I was vowing to try to focus on less-sad music, so I never listened to it like I should. I'm listening more to it now and I've got to tell you, it is one fine album. It's not all down and slow by any means, but it is very serious. He made this record after his brother was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a friend of his had died, so he's working through sadness and anger and loss. It is well worth your time to explore it in depth.
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