More happiness! (The Sting & Scott Joplin)

Speaking of things that make me happy - let's continue with that theme, shall we? I recently put another album on my iPod. I've been listening to it for as long as I can remember and this one makes me think of my grandmother, Tennie. It's the soundtrack to the movie, The Sting (1973), with Robert Redford and Paul Newman. This is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite movies, and it goes without saying that the music from the soundtrack is some of my favorite music. First of all, I've always had a love for Scott Joplin. His ragtime music speaks to me in a way that no other music does, unless one considers that I have a similar love for the music from The Phantom of the Opera. When I was taking piano lessons oh-so-many years ago, I got to a point where I could play the Maple Leaf Rag without error - and was very proud of myself! The Entertainer, probably Scott Joplin's most famous piece of work, was also on my list of things I was able to play. I miss playing the piano and have wanted to take lessons again for years! Back a few years ago, our very good friends J&EB bought a new house and when they moved in, the previous owners had left their piano! Can you imagine? The thing is, though, J&EB knew of my love of the piano and GAVE me the piano the previous owners left behind! I was so excited and happy about this that I actually cried. I cried! Now, a few years later, J&EB are still housing the piano they gave me in their garage because we haven't been able to afford to move it from their place to ours! I am determined, though, to get it in the house sooner than later because I so want to be able to start playing again! I want my kids to love music the way I do, and, more specifically, piano music. So lovely! But, back to the soundtrack to the movie The Sting (different link here so check it out). I realized yesterday that, though I love all the songs on there, there is one that I have now dubbed, "One of Jen's Happy Songs!" It's called Little Girl and it's just so upbeat it makes me feel good whenever I listen to it, regardless of the mood I am in. The instant the first note of the violin hits my ears, I am instantly in a happy place. This is something that I highly recommend to anyone who loves music, but most especially to anyone who has a love of ragtime music or the movie The Sting. Hmmm....back to my ear candy! TTFN JMS