Here’s a beautiful live acoustic rendition of “Sunshower”- one of my favorite songs by one of the most gifted singer / songwriter / guitarists of my generation- Chris Cornell. I’ve never had the opportunity to see Chris, Soundgarden or Audioslave (his other bands) in concert, but hope to some time. This video was a treat to find. Recorded on June 16th, 2013 with high quality HD video and audio. Amazingly, just 375 views- doubt it will stay that way for long.

Dark as roses, fine as sand
Feel your healing and your sting again
I hear you laughing and my soul is saved
On forgotten graves you cry

Crawl like ivy up my spine
Through my nerves and into my eyes
Cuts like anguish
Or recollections of better days gone by

But its all right
When you’re all in pain
And you feel the rain come down
Oh its all right
When you find your way
Then you see it disappear
Oh its all right
Though your gardens gray
I know all your graces
Someday will flower
Oh in the sweet sunshower
Oh in the sweet sunshower
In the sweet sunshower

Eyes like oceans so far away
A feather trail to a better way
Worried mornings turn into days
Then into worried nights

But its all right
When you’re all in pain
And you feel the rain come down
Oh its all right
When you find your way
Then you see it disappear
Oh its all right
Though your gardens gray
I know all your graces
Someday will flower
Oh in the sweet sunshower
Oh in the sweet sunshower
In the sweet sunshower

I know all your graces
Someday will flower
In the sweet sunshower
And its all right
All you’ll be you are today
Are today
Its all right
All you’ll be you are today
Are today………

Romain Cloitre-Bali Holidays from romain cloitre on Vimeo. {EAV:db883cc94c39f5f8}

ÉIRE. Frio from aritzaranburu.com on Vimeo.

Outside The Box from Adam Chilton on Vimeo.

Danny Fuller | Cloudbreak June 8th 2012 from RVCA on Vimeo.

January Pipe from Dylan Roberts on Vimeo.

Another great one from LNF (Lastnamefirst.tv) on Vimeo! I think every town needs to have one of these at their premiere break. Enjoy!

A semi-oldie, but goodie! Love this organization, this song and this video.

Love this duet with Leonard Cohen and U2. Do you know Cohen? So many still do not. He’s a 78-year old poet, author, singer/songwriter and owner of one of the most unique and compelling voices ever. He’s probably most well known for his song, “Everybody Knows”, but his music catalog and place in history runs much deeper. 

From his Wikipedia:

In a speech at Cohen’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 10 March 2008, Lou Reed described Cohen as belonging to the “highest and most influential echelon of songwriters.”

The critic Bruce Elder wrote an assessment of Cohen’s overall career in popular music, writing, “Cohen is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic. . .singer/songwriters of the late ’60s. . . [and] has retained an audience across four decades of music-making. . . Second only to Bob Dylan and perhaps, Paul Simon, in terms of influence, he commands the attention of critics and younger musicians more firmly than any other musical figure from the 1960’s who is still working at the outset of the 21st century.”

Enjoy this clip of Leonar’ds “Tower of Song”. The album version of this song sounds like it was played/recorded on one of those tiny little casio keyboards that you might have received as a throwaway Christmas gift back in the 80’s. But the simple melody, wry lyrics, golden voice and enigmatic style of Cohen have always made it one of my favorites. Nice work by Bono and team with back-up. It’s clear they recognized they were working with “rock” royalty.

One of the most beautiful and soulful versions of one of the most beautiful and soulful songs ever. Jimmy Cliff, feeling it.

Beautiful work from Riley Blakeway on Vimeo. Beautiful Play from Kelly Slater

I really love this concept: A professional surfer (former ASP World Champion and Central Floridian, CJ Hobgood), being sponsored by a non-profit group! TWLOHA (To Write Love on Her Arms) is an organization dedicated to providing help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA, founded by Jamie Tworkowski, is not only a non-profit, but also a surfwear brand. So people who support the brand also support the cause. It is a genius business model because it is also a very worthy one. 

CJ, along with his twin brother, Damien, are in my opinion, two of the best ambassadors the sport of surfing has ever seen. They’ve both been ripping for years, as adept at the newest of new school airs and rotes, as negotiating the heaviest of slabs at places like Teahupo’o and Pipe.

C.J. nearly abandoned his coveted spot on the World Tour last year, but a couple of outstanding late season competitive successes, along with a bit of self-reflection, convinced him to continue in 2012. Having the opportunity to be supported by and in turn, to be able to promote such a meaningful brand/organization like TWOLHA no doubt provided a fresh surge of motivation for Hobgood, a strong self-professed Christian.

If you’ve ever known someone who has struggled with depression or addiction, then you know how debilitating those things can be. I’ve seen it up close and personal and have watched how it affects not only the individuals experiencing the issues directly, but nearly everyone around them in one form or another. Hopefully, CJ and organizations like TWLOHA will be able to use a similar “ripple effect” in reverse to raise awareness for these kinds of problems, and marshall more resources to help those who are fighting to overcome them.

If you are a Fantasysurfer player like me, take it from someone who has finished in the Top 1% of all players worldwide for three years in a row: Keep you eye on CJ this year. Despite a significant influx of rising young talent, CJ is going to be surfing with renewed purpose. If they price him low (likely), be sure to pick him up. And if he under-performs (unlinkely), well– let’s just say that won’t really matter.

You see, some things in life are more important than surfing.

My 12 year old daughter, Kendall, along with her 13 year old cousin, Madison, have made their directorial debut, an epic film starring the much revered and reviled, “Popular Girls”! Despite the star power, I am not certain if this will make it to a theater near you, so here it is on YouTube. I think they did a bang-up job. Some nice editing, scoring  and special effects work, here. The acting’s pretty good, too. Below is the plot summary Kendall provided me. Grab some pocorn. Silence your cell phone. And enjoy…

“It’s Spring Break, and the ‘popular girls’ are going to Hawaii (not)! Somehow, they end up in…. Canada? The four girls go on many adventures in Pelly Mountain, some of which are hiking, escaping giant tires, bungee jumping – the usual. But only one comes out alive. This teaser will make you itch in anticipation to see the movie!”

This day at Teahupoo- Aug 27th 2011 during the Billabong Pro waiting period is what many have called the biggest and gnarliest Teahupoo ever ridden. Chris Bryan was fortunate to be there working for Billabong on a day that went down in the history of big wave surfing. The French Navy labeled it a, “Double Code Red” prohibiting and threatening to arrest anyone that entered the water.

Kelly Slater described the day by saying, “Witnessing this was a draining feeling being terrified for other people’s lives all day long. It’s life or death. Letting go of that rope one time can change your life and not many people will ever experience that in their life.”