STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Yesterday, I heard a song that inspired me. It lifted me, it moved me and I got really, really lost in this epic song. I knew I wanted to tell you all about it, but I had to marry it with an important pair of shoes that equally lifted my aura. I bought these shoes a while ago, but have never worn them. I’m waiting for the perfect moment (in fact, they are a full size too big for me - but hey, I fell in love so I will make them fit.)  This moment came when I heard this song and I came home, pulled them out from the floor of my closet and just wore them around the house, celebrating and basking in the music and memory of the song in my head. They are high shoes indeed – they have to be. They are my very own Stairway to Heaven –altudinous, majestic and purely celestial.

The song I am referring to is Mary J. Blige’s rendition of the tremendous Led Zeppelin classic, Stairway to Heaven. First of all, Mary J. is a mega legend and a powerful female artist in her own right. Musician, actor, songwriter – this gurl does it all. She has collaborated with the best of the best – P. Diddy, Madonna, Bono, but now she has added the cover of Zeppelin’s time honored song and collaboration with Travis Barker, Randy Jackson and Steve Vai to her greatness. This song is not available domestically yet and it’s quite possible that you haven’t heard it yet. If not, I encourage you to listen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5KiZ27WCHY  . It was released March 15, 2010 and is the bonus track on her international re-release of her album, Stonger With Each Tear. But please make sure you listen to it in its entirety. As you know, Stairway is a long song. But it builds and crescendos and the last minute or two in the nearly 10 minute song is emotive and compelling. I promise you will get lost in it just as I did. I heard Mary J. duet with Andre Bocelli where she covered Bridge Over Trouble Water. That was incredible. But honestly, it pales in comparison to Stairway. She just feels it. She gets it. She’s a mega hero and I love listening to her rock out. I can’t wait until it releases in the United States and when I can download it to my iPod. I’m gonna count on her getting me through my runs. I’m going to polecat, flip, spin and invert on the pole with her. And I’m going to play it often and loud, until the speakers go to eleven. This song is certainly 11-worthy.

Marni, Scarpa Mary Jane, bone and black calf leather