This is a contemplation about two songs that influenced me as a young man. I published it on BIZCAT 360. Here's an excerpt:

At some point in my wayward youth, it occurred to me that two of the songs I listened to frequently are thematically related. The first is “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor, from his 1970 album, Sweet Baby James. The second is “Too Much Seconal” by Johnny Winter, from his 1973 album, Still Alive and Well ... James Taylor and Johnny Winter were among my first musical idols. In 1970, I was 16. I was sure I’d live forever. In 1973, I was 19. I was sure I was invulnerable. “Fire and Rain” was a pretty song. “Too Much Seconal” was a superficially rousing blues tune with unorthodox instrumentation that marked the return to recording for someone whom I’d already seen perform live a number of times. Since I was immortal and invulnerable, what the hell did their lessons mean to me?

You can read the entire post here.