music, books, love and kindness

"Wings" by Haerts (a free iTunes song of the week not too long ago) just shuffled on to my player and, as always, when I'm caught by surprise, the beauty and Fleetwood Mac-ness of it all takes my breath away. It's one of those rare tracks by a new artist that makes me want to run around like an idiot telling anyone who will listen what a super great song it is.

Music has always held amazing power for me. One of the few good things about American Horror Story for me this season has been the Misty/Stevie Nicks storyline. Misty is a very endearing (burned at the stake and come back to life) witch played by Lily Rabe, who infuses her character with exactly the right balance of vulnerability and enthusiasm.

Aside from her frequent tendency to twirl around like Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman, she is an extremely likable person, with an intense fondness for all things Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. In a rather adorable scene two weeks ago, Misty fainted upon having the chance to meet her favorite singer in person (Stevie Nicks, being a really good sport, played herself, taking full advantage of her "White Witch" nickname.)

I'm kind of rambling now, but the thing of it is I totally get that kind of fascination on Misty's part...not so much with the singer, as with how the singer is the conduit for the music. I don't think Misty is fixated on Stevie Nicks as much as she is all that her favorite singer represents. In an episode earlier this season, Lily Rabe gave one of the best performances, as her character tries to explain what music can do to a person.

"Doesn't it just penetrate your soul?" She asks Zoe, a young woman who has stumbled upon the little hut Misty lives in. The look in Rabe's eyes, the sincerity and power of it, backs up her question and gets it just right. Because when music speaks to you like it can, it truly does penetrate your soul.