1929

On January 5, 1929, the world welcomed Elvira Estelle Zander.  Her mom and pop were proud parents to her and her older brother, Henry.

Estelle disliked her first name with a passion and in fact only referenced it for official matters.  Her brother, just four years her senior, misspoke her middle name, Estelle, for Dell when introduced to her upon homecoming and that name stuck.  The world, then, would forever know her as Dell and oh the life Dell would lead.

In this special edition of Set List, I am sharing the most popular song to be released in January 1929.

"Love Me or Leave Me"

Written by Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn

Performed by Ruth Etting

Empty Sky

In 2010, I launched Set List with one scope in mind - anything music and in every format possible.  Fifteen years later, that root has grown into a full tree with many branches.  Now, in 2025, I am daring a branch far from music yet just as creatively inspired.  Music is an artform.  Color fills art.  

And with that said, songs fill his Empty Sky.

Debut album by Elton John

Released in the UK in June 1969

Released in the U.S. in January 1975

Genre considered - Soft Rock

Review Scores -

AllMusic - 2/5 Stars

Disc & Music Echo - 3/4 Stars

The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 2/5 Stars

Reception was mixed for the album but seemed to hint the want of more positive and simply just constructive criticism.

Track List -

Side One -

1.  Empty Sky

2.  Val-Hala

3.  Western Ford Gateway

4.  Hymn 2000

Side Two -

1.  Lady What's Tomorrow

2.  Sails

3.  The Scaffold

4.  Skyline Pigeon

5.  Gulliver/Hay Chewed/Reprise

No. 6 on Billboard 200 (weekly - 1975)

No. 178 on Billboard 200 (year-end - 1975)

(Wikipedia)

At this point, I should explain why I am setting aside Saturdays in this month of September to Elton John when so many other days concentrate on my Spring e-commerce business.

Sir Elton John, rather, is known for being a colorful musician in terms of fashion sense and showmanship.  Bold hues and design.  Of course, he is a music artist first and foremost with, to note, 32 studio albums and over 300 million records sold worldwide - making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time (Wikipedia).  

Elton has come to be considered a cultural icon through his music amongst other reasons. 

Elton John has truly put a unique stamp on an already vivid industry.

When I launched my share of color books on Set List not long ago, I did so for one reason - passion.  I am passionate about creativity and so thought Set List would be a potential vessel where my passion is already defined.  

Yet, I am forever drawn back to what this blog is meant to be about - solo artists and bands with their lyrics, songs, videos, awards, charts, certifications, fame inductions, posthumous honors.

And so to strike a happy medium for now, Sir Elton John is a good fit - colorfully creative in every way.

Always remember to Play it!

color.me.style Etc.

In this second week of September, I shared ballgowns reminiscent of eras long ago, chic footwear for beachgoers, and luxury jewels for the romantic at heart.  

On this Friday, I am capping the week with a colorful special occasion - Wedding Bells.

The featured Coloring Book picture is low key and understated in gentle hues and design.  The delicate strokes of the bride & her dress accent the simple backdrop dotted every so often with precious flowers of soothing colors.  My choice of medium grey as a background to the notebook is the best color for the icy blue & cream dress palette.

With that said, 

Enjoy, explore, and as always please feel free to shop or share!

Products - Notebook, Mug, Necklace, Bracelet

Wedding Bells

In Memory - September 11, 2001

Where were you?

- World Trade Center -

2,606 casualties

• 2,192 civilians (including 8 EMTs & Paramedics from private hospital units)
• 343 members of the New York Fire Department
• 71 law enforcement officers (including 23 from the NYPD, 37 from the Port Authority Police Department, 4 from the New York State Office of Tax Enforcement, 3 officers of the New York State Office of Court Administration, 1 fire marshal from the FDNY, 1 member of the FBI, 1 member of the New York Fire Patrol, 1 member of the U.S. Secret Service)
• K-9 Sirius - Port Authority bomb-sniffing dog
• Youngest victim in flight age 2 1/2
• Eldest victim in flight age 85
• Youngest victim on the ground age 18
• Eldest victim on the ground age 79
• 10 pregnant women were victims as well
• Stranded elevators - Occupants burned alive or trapped
• "...intentionally jumped to their deaths to escape the extreme heat, thick smoke, chemical exposure and fire..." ... Jump speed of 125 - 200 mph
• "...accidental falls..."
• No one survived the North Tower.
• South Tower Survivors

September 11 Memorial Fountain & Museum

- Pentagon -

125

• 47 Army employees
• 6 Army contractors
• 6 Navy employees
• 3 Navy contractors
• 7 Defense Intelligence Agency employees
• 1 Office of the Secretary of Defense contractor
• 33 Navy Sailors
• 22 Army Soldiers

Pentagon Memorial

American Airlines Flight 11

- 87 civilians, including 11 crew -

excluding 5 hijackers

United Airlines Flight 175

- 60 civilians, including 9 crew -

excluding 5 hijackers

American Airlines Flight 77

- 59 civilians, including 6 crew -

excluding 5 hijackers

United Airlines Flight 93

- 30 civilians, including 7 crew -

excluding 4 hijackers

-------------------------------------------

Flight 93 intent - Washington, D.C.

Passengers fought back

Forced crash in Shanksville, PA

Flight 93 National Memorial

Wall of Names

I was driving home from dropping off my mother at the train station.  The news broke in while I was listening to a talk radio station.  A lot of cars seemed to slow down when the morning rush generally picks up.  My minutes to home felt like hours.  When I did get home, up the stairs and to my condo unit felt more like a marathon than the usual sprint.  I raced to the living room and grabbed the television remote to turn the set on.  I collapsed.

What I saw then is what all saw then and for the eternity that lasted...not just for the day but for the domestic and global history that unfolded.

The United States is not perfect.  Slavery.  Segregation.  Treatment toward black men, women, and children...children who wanted to go to school and learn about history...history they did not know they were making...history that I studied, researched, penned in an essay that would later be published, and briefly considered teaching...history.

History to never forget.  History to never repeat.   Yet, remember the blemishes the U.S. carries with it as well.  Those scatter throughout decades and centuries.

International society is not perfect.  World War I.  World War II.  The Holocaust.  Apartheid.  Korea.  Vietnam.  The Gulf.  The Berlin Wall.  Cuba.  Assassinations.  Resignations.  Pop culture.  Inaugurations.  History made...

"The attack on the World Trade Center's North Tower alone...the deadliest act of terrorism in human history..." (Wikipedia) 

Never forget.

Never repeat.

color.me.style Luxe Jewels Second Ed.

In the First Edition of color.me.style Luxe Jewels, I shared colorful designs that called upon royalty with a princess style tiara and throne fit for a king or queen.

In this Second Edition of color.me.style Luxe Jewels, I am offering a richly designed display case filled with glossy luster, shining crystal, and sparkling statement.

Gemstone Jewel

Colors - Hot Pink & Royal Blue

Notebook ... Mug ... Necklace ... Bracelet

------------------------------------------------------

Will you...

Colors - Red & Kelly Green

Notebook ... Mug ... Necklace ... Bracelet

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Sparkle & Shimmer

Colors - Pastel Pink & Vivid Blue

Notebook ... Mug ... Necklace ... Bracelet

Design credit - Coloring Book via mobile app

color.me.style Beach Side Footwear First Ed.

As the summer season cools down, the hope of Indian Summer warmth lingers as long as possible.  One last trip to the pool park.  One last summer fling festival.  One last day at the beach.  Make the most of the season before the sun sets on a sizzling solstice.

One last.

Show off chic beach footwear one last time before snow boots will come back in fashion.

Beach Day

Notebook ... Tote Bag

Bright Green & Vivid Blue backgrounds

5.5" X 8.5" ... $19.99

Natural, One Size, $29.99

Design credit - Anima Color via mobile app

color.me.style Fashion Sense Second Ed.

In color.me.style Fashion Sense First Ed., I shared samples of digital coloring designs as found on the mobile app, Coloring Book.  The three featured gowns showed all that unique designs and creative color hues have to offer into one picture that comes to life and forever speaks volumes.

In this second edition, I am all in with a grand design that is reminiscent of 19th Century luxury and opulence.

Grand Ballgown

Available in Hot Pink & Medium Grey

Notebook ... Tote Bag ... Mug

5.5" x 8.5", $19.99

Neutral, One Size, $29.99

White, 11oz, $15.99

Design credit - Coloring Book via mobile app