There's no chance in hell you know the guy's name. But you know his deft touch and his lilting sense of melody. Keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon of Three Dog Night died this week after a brave battle with melanoma.
I won't drill down too deep on this one. Let me, instead, simply leave you with the one song that best crystalizes Greenspoon's importance to one of the most successful bands of our lifetime. This particular song -- my personal favorite of theirs -- has always done to me what its lyrics imply. It takes me to a place where I can unshackle myself from the everyday pressures of life, be alone with my thoughts and memories, and just for 
the few minutes it takes for this song to play itself through, be free of everything.
And I promise you, on the rare occasions that I get to hear this tune and to go to that place of refuge, relaxation and peace, I ride there on the tips of Jimmy Greenspoon's fingers and the wings of his magic keyboard.
Godspeed, Mr. Greenspoon. And thanks.
When I saw the story, this same song came to my mind. When I was young and cool, 3 Dog Night was kind of a guilty pleasure. Some of the so called soul music intelligentsia thought the music of the group was pap. It may be so, I am not that smart to make a judgment, but this song struck a chord with me and as I sit in my mountain hideaway and listen to it again, I appreciate it even more. On the other hand I still don't like eli's coming.
Couldn't agree more on every point you make, T. Still, one hell of a song. Thanks, buddy.
To my ears, 3Dog's version of Argent's "Liar" is more powerful and immediate than the (also excellent) original. (But please spare me from having to be subjected to "Joy to the World" again. Ever.)
Amen to that. Both points, I mean. Thanks for the comment.
MC thanks, my favorite of theirs as well, brought a smile to my face today....until I remembered my car's 8 track player ate my 3 Dog Night's Greatest hits tape!
Thanks, Gary. Three Dog Night and 8-tracks. I know we were too cool to admit to such things back in our college years, but now there sure is something liberating about unleashing the inner nerd in you, isn't there? 🙂