Music for Earth and Spirit Podcast

About Music for Earth and Spirit Podcast

Music for a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable World. jimscott.substack.com (https://jimscott.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Jim Scott

Category

music · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Jun 2025

Latest episode

22 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Jun 2026

   On A Personal Note

   Hello Friends, This is a personal letter. I already vented about my new West Coast situation. It’s all doing fine, actually. The vaguest suggestion of rain happened yesterday, the only precipitation in the month I’ve been here. I’m surrounded by opportunities to exercise, and that was a big factor in the choice of this community, but that exercise bicycle I had back in Massachusetts didn’t get used every day, to be honest. I no longer own an exercise bicycle. Also gone are the electric lawnmower, the garden tools, the in-window air conditioners, washer, dryer, drum set, old baby grand piano that needed constant maintenance, unlovely furniture from Salvation Army or neighbors’ front yards, rugs, snow shovels, bags of ice-melt salt and much junk that was in the garage. I’m not missing them yet. But lest you think this is where I fade away – retire – I still dream of having the garden tools and fruit trees and garden again. This is a step on the way, a means to an end. Two moves in the last two years have cured me of much hoarding predilection, and I’ve scored some really nice stuff to live with here: tall shelves and file cabinets for free, nice little round table and chairs from the Restore, bed, bureau, and a beautiful L-shaped desk that I’ve yearned for – $100 delivered. Now, I’ll bring up again that the moving truck has yet to show up. A protest is filed with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. There are important material things involved, but I’m really OK, and for the moment have all I need for a simple existence. This in the middle of the world going mad. The right wing of my L-shaped desk still does not have the electric piano keyboard that will facilitate my writing music (the moving truck) but I like sitting here and things are getting done. It turns out that at my age, to consult with a financial advisor, legally I’m required to have my grown-up son present, so I don’t get taken advantage of. Funny, just when I have been feeling I’ve finally achieved some good executive function in this world, it’s now in question. I’m submitting to the constant treadmill of executive work, booking gigs for next year. I tend to live in the future; employment on the weekend of September 26 in Kansas makes me happy for the day. I’m plotting the next maybe two trips to be via Amtrak. Worth a try, I’ve thought of doing a “train tour” for years. Promotable, and more ecological, I think. The bicycle tour is not going to happen, but alternative to airplane seems a good idea to test out. Seats much bigger on the train. My default for years has been Southwest Airlines – two free bags and A-list for extra legroom. They’ve gone to the dark side, now both baggage and legroom cost more, considerably more. So, with no immediate touring for a few weeks, I walk the dog and meet all kinds of interesting animals and people. All ages, ethnicities and gender presentation are thriving here, LGBTQUIA, well represented, from elite athletes to folks with walkers. There are lots of squirrels, and I’m warned, an occasional coyote. Many birds amid the tropical vegetation. It’s about a mile walk around the edges of this community, many courtyards that look similar but each premeditatedly different. I think of the “Emerald Necklace” of parks Fredrick Law Olmstead designed for Boston. I believe he’s also responsible for Central Park in NYC (just looked it up, over 100 parks across America). Well, someone made a nice mini plan here, each courtyard has a tree or two, and several rocks protrude, I would guess they were here but now orchestrated. Boomer the dog loves each one and I go off the cement walks and walk on the grass with him, his permission to run on a long leash, or is it me on a long leash? I juxtapose all this with the world situation, growing stranger and more ominous every day. A mad man President is such fodder for all the movies to be made in the next couple of decades like the denouement of the Vietnam War. I’m certainly involved in all this stuff, you can be assured, but I don’t want to write about it, enough pundits do. And the disposition to sit around and talk about it without doing anything is something I have which I have no patience. I am not rich by any means, but I’m constantly reminded how privileged I am to be here, writing this. We have four months to do something to save democracy, civility and justice, and the fate of the Earth. I plan to be busy, the criminals cannot get away with this. Justice is slow, but I believe in it. Every bit of time or money we can afford at this time is critical. I know, you’re likely comfortable too, and being asked to behave differently is not what we want to hear. But let’s please do something different, dedicate whatever we can to affecting that looming election. The candidates need your money, and the movements need your participation, and Nature needs you to care. I usually try to say “we” and not just “you” (try to use the “I” words). But you, my friend. I hope you find this interesting and I hope we can work together. Here is a song about nothing – ostensibly - that I wrote a long time ago. (But watch out, once something gets mentioned, it has power). My friend Chuck Wiggins, (hi Chuck) who is responsible for me doing this Substack thing, wishes I would say more often that your contributions to keeping this going are much appreciated - to fund the creativity of a suspiciously old poet and musician. Thanks, if you can. In peace, Jim This Song Ain't About Nothin' Jim Scott ©1990 This song ain't about nothin'. There's no subject that I'm on. Just some harmony and some words to sing to leave you when I'm gone. This song ain't about nothin' there's no big thing I'm goin' through. It's just a feeling that comes over me when I think about sittin' 'round with you. It ain't about how love conquers all. It's not about lies and truth, Or how the summer turns to fall, or glimpses of fleeting youth. I won't hold forth on war and peace, or the fallacy of "might makes right," Or law and order, or Homeland Defense, or young boys spoilin' for a fight. This song ain't about lonely hearts, or loveless, homeless, sleepless nights. Don't need to tell you 'bout hunger or the struggle for human rights. This song ain't about nothin', but I'd just like to say That I hope it makes you happy. Too late, I played it anyway. I won't take on the mystical, or where disembodied spirits go. Won't get too outspoken political, they'd never play it on the radio. It's not about feelings either, don't want you to think I'm blue. I just like to hold this guitar, and the instrumental comes right on cue. This song could be about healing, but I won't play doctor here now. The music's power can be revealing of all that our hopes and fears allow. This song ain't about gratitude, This moments so brief, but memories last so long, so Thanks you can spare me the platitudes, just say: "Remember when Jim was playin' that song? about nothin'." Get full access to Music for Earth and Spirit at jimscott.substack.com/subscribe (https://jimscott.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   11 Jun 2026

   Talking About Spirit

   I’ve never felt ready to talk about spiritual beliefs, my own, anyway. Belief in a deity, or not, is such a controversy for humans, polarizing. That bearded old man in the sky is too much a stretch for me, and I think maybe for most people. But buying into that poetic image gives us a personification that’s hard to let go of, and hard to say it’s something else. What then? OK here’s a try. If it’s Mother Nature, Peace, Life Spirit, the Goddess (if we must play with gender) the Health of Things, Energy (matter and energy trade places we know now), Systems, well, I’ll go with all that. And this power, this force, this balance, deserves our reverence and attention. OK. Gotta keep this thing going - yeah, that all makes sense to me. But in this giant, unfathomable maybe infinite universe, the idea that’s there’s something, someone, who watches over us and can be summoned to intervene in petty human issues is just too fantastic a dream - or nightmare. I wrote a poem, speaking to the “God of the Two Black Holes” that collided, and go on from there to make fun out of the enormous total universe that’s out there. We think it’s about us, but I’d say the universe story is more about molecules, and bacteria and the viruses that want to hijack them. And don’t forget fungi. Whatever other life forms that don’t need water, or air, that we don’t know about yet, I’m sure we will someday. Who’s the God of that? So – it all could be described as magic, but I’ve come to use the word “spirit.” I put it in quotes because it’s beyond description, but that’s what I call it. My friends like to say that there are things, the Earth for one, that are sacred. But many seem to stop short of the word “holy.” I’m referring to those friends who don’t subscribe to the religions where holy is bandied around, and I respect that. Maybe I have too many friends that are healing from organized religion. A friend many years ago when we were young, a woman who became an Episcopal Priest, used to say “That fills me with the ‘HS’” – meaning Holy Spirit – so I’m reminded of that often. My friend, visionary songwriter Peter Mayer, wrote the song “Everything is Holy Now,” and you should listen to that. I made this song some time ago, and I haven’t used it that much. Maybe because I have gotten these critiques, or I’m imagining it. Only in places that celebrate such things do I feel secure that it will go over. Trying it for the wider audience? Maybe I’ve been just too cautious. I’m going to venture it here, I hope it goes over with you. (You can find this song on my album “Gather the Spirit (https://jimscott.bandcamp.com/album/gather-the-spirit-album)”. And I’ll be singing and talking about these things and more during my next Livestream Concert, Wednesday June 17th at 8PM EDT on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jimscottmusic) and Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@JimScottMusic). More details in a few days.) If There is No Holy Spirit ©2007 Jim Scott If there is no holy spirit, What sets the rhythm of the beating heart? If there is no holy spirit What holds together lovers who are far apart? What conducts the winds in their travels from far? If there is no holy spirit, what fire burns In every fleeting star? If there is no holy spirit From what wisdom does compassion rise? If there is no holy spirit How does simple water focus light through human eyes? What wisdom sent the rain from the fleeting clouds above? If there is no holy spirit What defines a parent’s love? Who can explain elusive senses That inform the artist’s brave creation Something greater - takes you higher, Resonates in inspiration That brings the healing to a troubled heart suspending time, erasing separation, Suspending time... If there is no holy spirit How do plants take the strength of a distant sun If there is no holy spirit, How is a fragile life begun? What turns this living earth From the Winter toward the Spring If there is no holy spirit, What moves in every living thing? In the spirit of the moment has this song reached you somehow? If there is no holy sprit, What is it you’re feeling - now? Get full access to Music for Earth and Spirit at jimscott.substack.com/subscribe (https://jimscott.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

3. 

   26 May 2026

   Straight From Hormuz

   I’ve been saying to friends there’s no excuse for this. But maybe there is; humor it seems is under attack. I try to be funny at the right moments, and I have descended to this level at times. Ordinarily, I try to write songs and poetry that will last. On rare occasions I have tossed off a song taken from the daily news and I’ve had a sort of policy to sing it only once, at whatever concert it was, for humorous digression. Visiting my great guitarist buddies, Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin, we got in a discussion about songwriting. Somehow that night I couldn’t stop thinking about the news, and the messes we’re in. I know, we’re all having these conversations these days, “Can you believe what’s happening?” No, we can’t, it challenges our very imagination to picture those figures in the shadows who are probably laughing as they think up the next theft of democracy, decency, compassion, and the list could go on. So, in the morning I presented them with this song. And I’ll admit it’s gotten a little edited, but maybe still in process although already aging. I’ve called them “throw away” songs though I certainly don’t want to demean folks who are masters of this. It’s a good exercise, if that’s what’s dominating your brain and you start thinking “what’s next?” (it’s something I do often). Well, then, what’s next is our response to the surrounding stimuli. I guess I won’t get invited to sing it on the Colbert show, so I will just put it out there in the media access I have. Hope we can have a smile. Straight From Hormuz April 2026 Jim Scott Had to pawn my guitar to fill up my car. Oh, honey have you heard the news? We had to drop some bombs for democracy Now oil can’t get through the Strait of Hormuz. Forget the pedophiles and worry about war Try to question it, you’re sure to find A sharpie pen is worth a lot more To a president losing his mind. (Sing the bass line) Bomb, bomb, bomb-ba-bomb … The world we believed in and fought to protect Is up for sale, and that’s how The criminal occupant of the government Stays out of jail for now. Crisis upon crisis, that’s on purpose, So hard to keep up, and get things sorted Some neighbors are taught to hate us, Some neighbors getting deported. The Mad Man theory has us all weary, but some think it’ll work for a while. Make war, attack the Pope, pretend you’re Jesus - anything To keep attention off the Epstein files. Fight the science with alternative facts, Make peace by pretending you’re tough. If you’re wondering just how did we get here – Well, we didn’t work hard enough. (Bomb, bomb, bomb-ba-bomb …) What will we do? What will we do? Well there’s a simple answer, if you ask me. We got a little less than half a year To save the Earth and democracy. Let’s pray for the President, wish him a nice retirement, And hope for justice to prevail. It seems rape and murder and illegal wars Are not enough to put you in jail. Got to turn out the vote, speak truth to power, Make good political mayhem But while we’re marching and chanting and expressing ourselves Folks drive by, and say “That’s them.” The criminals and liars may be beyond reach Let’s not waste time discussin’ them We’ve got to save some souls who believe the lies Can’t let this become “Us ‘n them.” Bomb, bomb, bomb-ba-bomb No time for complacency, no time for sarcasm, No time for hesitation, because -- Diplomacy doesn’t work, never works, doesn’t work, Doesn’t work - until it does. Got to vote, and it might get harder, don’t give in to fear, And it’s important to remember You can support with your time and money, The folks who’ve worked for 4 years To bring us that election in November. Get full access to Music for Earth and Spirit at jimscott.substack.com/subscribe (https://jimscott.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

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