Thinking about it some more, the early 60's was also when I still attended church, and the old, sacred choral works done by the choir in many ways expressed my visions of the early-60's heaven. In later years, exposure to the sitar through Ravi Shankar and the Beatles made me aware of other colors in the universe, other views of the spirit. That, and being young and idealist and questing, perhaps contributed to the demise of my appreciation of church choirs and the early 60's religion in which I had been brought up.

Today, I again appreciate old-fashioned church music, although it now has a mountain flavor and a more primitive sound. But I also consider a performance of Handel's Messiah part of the Christmas celebration, part of my continuing spiritual exploration.