As a graduate of film school, I know a little film history. Yup, that’s right, the musician that went to film school. Sound familiar? Another famous musician or two has done the same thing. One was Jim Morrison. Alas I digress. Being that I had to take a lot of courses that dealt with film I obviously know a little about some actors and actresses that many people may not know. Why? Well, some have been out of the spotlight or dead for quite some time. One such actress is Natalie Wood. What makes her famous? Well she is in one of the top 100 movies of all time: West Side Story, as per the peeps at AFI (American Film Institute).
Additionally, Natalie Wood did have a bit of a storied career. Not to mention a public profile marriage to Robert Wagner. Of course most of this is old news as it happened about 30 years ago. That’s eons in the entertainment world and probably beginning of time in terms of technology.
For some reason or another the captain of the boat, or rather the yacht, has recently come out stating the original investigation was flawed and that Natalie’s husband is to blame. He’s saying that Natalie Wood’s drowning was likely caused by Mr. Wagner. Apparently this yacht man’s comments are so convincing that it has led the LA authorities to reopen the case of Natalie Wood’s death and investigate it further. That’s quite a thing. A Hollywood mystery to be sure.
Being the sweet individual we’re publicly told Natalie Wood was and the crazy circumstances around her death, I’m thinking Daniel Levi Goans song “Gates of Heaven” seems really appropriate. It’s not a polished commercial thing, no it’s a backwoods, country porch, filled with heart kind of thing.
While the character in the song is wondering if they’ll get into heaven, it’s quite the question anyone in a death mystery could also ask. Morbid, no? Well, lets move on to the good things about the song and think positive thoughts about the investigation.
I dig the opening piano bit. Slowly elements get introduced. the acoustic guitar. The bass. The vocal. The story. They all get stirred into the mix and create a really intimate vibe. The line that is pretty wild here is “I thought I heard the Gates of Heaven close. I thought I heard God’s voice saying no.” Wow. Gotta wonder what would prompt that. What kind of sin would one have to have committed in life for their God to say no dice, you’re not wanted. That’s yet another mystery.