“One Love” should be played each morning in congress just before they start the bickering. Just a thought. I think one of Neil Young’s songs from the new Fork in the Road album is titled,”Singing a Song Won’t/Can’t Change the World**”. Maybe not, but the music songs good.
Playing for Change is taking donation at their website.
**I don’t believe the album has been released yet and I may have the title wrong .
The song “Because of You”, number #1 pop single of 1951, was my introduction to Tony Bennett. My mother loved that song and when my mom loved a song, she would play it over and over. (I occasionally shock myself when I hear something on the radio or in a movie and I start to hum/sing along to a song from the 40’s or 50’s and not remember why I know it. Its like I heard them in my crib and the words and melodies of Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole, and a few Broadway show tunes, are in my bones)
But, back to Mr. Bennett, I received a DVD of his called “Duets: An American Classic“awhile back and I listened to it again. He sings with assorted pop stars like John Legend, Elton John, Christina Aguilera (He sings “Because of you” with K.D. Lang, “Smile” with Barbra Streisand, “For Once in My Life” with Stevie Wonder)
Fun to see these youngsters work at holding their own
with this octogenarian – who btw, just seems to be having a great time
with it all. I enjoyed it.
“BECAUSE OF YOU” (Written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson for the movie “I Was An American Spy”)
Because of you there’s a song in my heart
Because of you my romance had its start
Because of you the sun will shine
The moon and stars will say you’re mine
Forever and never to part…
Jessica Williams
Both Jessica Williams and Eric Reed do something with Thelonious Monk’s music that I imagine to be difficult and that is, taking creative liberties in the same way that Monk might have approached them if he were still alive.
Eric Reed
There is freshness in their interpretation (“Round Midnight” – Reed “Functional” and ” Jackiening”- Williams) yet it is still unmistakeably Monk. Very good listening, especially for that transition period from late afternoon to early evening when it is nice & comfortable outdoors.
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Summer is almost here – time to make plans.
Atlanta is hosting its National Black Arts Festival again this year. Starting 7/29, music, dance, film, theater, poetry, literature – the Conga Kings, “Growing the Dream” at the Children’s Education Village, “Brazilian Cool” Gala – all presented courtesy of the NBAF. Their aim is to celebrate the vibrant life and art of people of color.
NBAF *Atlanta
July 29 – August 2, 2009
Woodruff Arts Center * Atlanta
1280 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA
“The mission of NBAF is to engage, cultivate and educate diverse audiences about the arts and culture of the African Diaspora and provide opportunities for artistic and creative expression.”
The Phoenix Art Museum offers up a fun idea.
The “Train Tracks“ is a vehicle for local musicians in Phoenix to showcase their talents. A variety of artists, groups, and singers perform acoustically on the light rail in Phoenix/Tempe. There is a competition associated with this event with rounds of voting done by the riding public via the Internet . I am sure other cities are doing this, but this is the first time I’ve heard about it here.
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