We’ll Miss You, Etta James
20 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Everyday Musings, Favorite Recordings
The great jazz and blues singer Etta James passed away today at the age of 73. My aunt has always enjoyed her music. And every once in a while, she’ll sing “At Last” around the house. I grew up with the song, but it was some years before I could fully appreciate Etta James as a singer. Her name often appears in crossword puzzles. For all solvers out there, “Blues singer James” is not Rick, but Etta. Took me a while to learn that one…
Several years ago, my aunt bought a CD of Etta James’ Greatest Hits, and we listen to it a lot. The film Cadillac Records was a big draw for us because Etta James was portrayed in it. Beyonce did a wonderful job as Etta James–and in producing the picture.
My aunt and I also read Etta James’ 1995 autobiography a couple of years ago. That lady really had a hard life, but she was eventually able to deal with her substance abuse and other problems. She was a survivor. But in the end, leukemia took her away.
Just like I regret never being able to see Rosemary Clooney at The Rainbow Room (although I always had a knack for finding profiles about her in magazines, TV, and the radio), my aunt and I also never got to see Etta James perform locally. We tried twice for tickets at the Birchmere, but each time, she had to cancel. Another time, we didn’t even realize she was appearing there one night, and so missed that opportunity, too. The review in the paper was nice. My aunt reminded me that at least we have her music.
So, here is how I imagine her in concert. I wish we could have been there. I’m not sure what date this was, or where it was….
Happy 2012!
01 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Everyday Musings, Singer/Songwriters Tags: New Year
Hi!
I know I’ve been away a long time, but hope to get started back regularly with blogging. This Robert Burns favorite kind of says it all as a New Year’s poem and song. This is Dougie MacLean’s version from Tribute. He’s a favorite singer/songwriter of mine.
But this version by the Tannahill Weavers on their “Best Of” album is my favorite. Here’s a bit about the lyrics.
Something for National Coffee Day
29 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bach, Choral Works Tags: coffee, PostADay2011
In passing, I found out that today is National Coffee Day, so I wanted to commemorate it quickly. I drink it every day, and have drunk far too much of it lately. Water’s the best.
Anyway, it made me think of Bach’s Coffee Cantata, which I haven’t listened to in years. I looked up a translation, and discovered there are many–some more serious than others.
Here are performances in English and German:
History Repeating
28 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Jazz Tags: PostADay2011
This blog started out dedicated to classical music. I still want to keep it to that, but so much music I enjoy comes from all over the place. So, I guess whatever catches my ear is OK.
I did stay within genre on Tuesday, when I listened to the NSO’s opening ball concert on WETA. Joshua Bell was a featured guest, and I also enjoyed Ravel’s Bolero.
I don’t really know why I enjoy this jazz song from the Propellerheads and Shirley Bassey. It was originally released in 1997, and has taken on new life in a Talbots commercial. Something about the rhythm and the song styling, along with an air of mystery. It feels very hypnotic. I hope some of you enjoy it, too.
The Wind and Rain
27 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Choral Works, Shakespreare Tags: PostADay2011
With Hurricane Irene bearing down on all the Eastern Seaboard today and tomorrow (Stay safe everyone!), this song kept running through my head. I first learned it in college, when my interest in Shakespeare exploded. “The Wind and the Rain” is featured in King Lear, Twelfth Night, and other plays–depending on how the director wants to feature music in the productions.
Here are the words:
Wind and Rain
Attributed to William Shakespeare
When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With heigh-ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.
Chorus
With heigh-ho, the wind and the rain,
For the rain it raineth every day.
But when I came to man’s estate,
‘Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate.
Chorus
But when I came alas to wive,
By swaggering could I never thrive.
Chorus
But when I came unto my beds,
The toss-pots still had drunken heads.
Chorus
A great while ago, the world began,
With heigh-ho, the wind and the rain,
But that’s all one, our song is done,
And we’ll strive to please you every day.
This also gave me a new opportunity to learn about another English singer, Alfred Deller, who performs the above. Here he is performing “Greensleeves”:
Reflections on a Special Day
25 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Favorite Recordings, Singer/Songwriters Tags: PostADay2011
There’s a reason that Joni Mitchell’s song, “The Circle Game,” has been going through my head all day, but I won’t discuss why.
I started liking this song several years ago, when my love for carousels was in high gear. I still love carousels. My earliest memory of riding one was in kindergarten, when my school went to a carnival. I don’t know where it was. Either my mom or one of the volunteers stood with me to help me keep my balance. I loved the feeling of whirling around. The horses seemed magical, and I kept staring at their colors.
The carousel at Clemyjontri Park is the best, but I also have fond memories of the one on the Mall. (See the YouTube video below.) A friend rode it with me the day we explored Georgetown and the rest of Washington, DC. I couldn’t get on the horses, but got into the “chariot seats” easily. Today, when I’m down there, I like to go over and watch the kids ride for a few minutes on my way to the next exhibit. It’s cute how they wave to the family members who chose not to get on. They are having a ball, as I used to.
The one at Glen Echo Park is really cool, but I’ve only seen it on a PBS program.
I also have a small collection of carousel horse music boxes that were gifts from my aunt at various times. I should play them more. They are still very beautiful. 
Anyway,”The Circle Game” contains much wisdom. I realize it so much more now. Here are the lyrics, and Joni Mitchell singing it in a 1972 Carnegie Hall performance:
Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like when you’re older must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game *
Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him take your time it won’t be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There’ll be new dreams maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
A New Song to Enjoy
13 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Favorite Recordings, Venues Tags: PostADay2011
Yesterday, my aunt and I shared peach cobbler and coffee at Dogwood Tavern. It’s a sports bar, but they also have music going. One song caught my ear because I liked the melody. An Internet search led me to the band–the Gin Blossoms. The song is “Follow You Down.” I had never heard of the band or the song before now. They are a 1990s band. They formed in 1987, actually. Apparently they have undergone personnel changes and have done solo projects, but it’s good to know they are still recording and performing. I don’t think the 1990s qualify as classic, but I’ll add it anyway. Here’s the video, and then one that showcases the words:
I listened to another of their songs, “Found Out About You,” which also sounds good:
Music Is Everywhere!
13 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Favorite Recordings Tags: PostADay2011
A gray day today–but we went to the farmer’s market anyway. There’s always a lot of people, and a lot of neat things to buy for salads, recipes and stuff. and it’s always nice to talk with people when you get the chance. And people are always out walking their dogs.
And there’s always music. This morning a guy was playing bluegrass and the blues, and as we wandered through, I could hear Jean-Joseph Mouret’s “Rondeau.” It’s otherwise known as the theme from Masterpiece Theatre. When I looked across the street, I saw that a man was playing it on violin, and a woman played it on the cello. They performed other duets, but I didn’t recognize the compositions. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to cross over and tell them how much I liked their playing.
Here is a version of “Rondeau” that I liked. Usually, I associate it with trumpets, but a YouTube search shows that people enjoy playing it on the piano, organ, harp and many other instruments. Here is one I liked:
Good-bye to the “Big Man”
19 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Everyday Musings, Favorite Recordings, Singer/Songwriters
Learned late Saturday that Clarence Clemons passed away. He was best known as the saxophone player for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I am sad…they’ll never sound the same again. Clemons, as well as the rest of the gang, made every song sound great. Fortunately, one of my aunts and a good friend of mine introduced me to the band. Another aunt and I went to their concert in 1997–the only time I saw them live. Great show!!
Here’s a 1978 performance of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” in Passaic, NJ from YouTube. There were so many great songs that featured Clemons. He’ll be missed.
An Enjoyable Earworm
13 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Favorite Recordings Tags: PostADay2011
It took me awhile to find the name of this song and the band who performs it. It’s called “Rhythm of Love” by the Plain White Ts–the same group who sings “Hey There, Delilah.” WASH FM played “Rhythm of Love” this morning. So I felt it would be a good day. The song has been used in a Haverty’s furniture commercial.
An earworm is a song or tune that you just can’t get out of your head, and usually it’s extremely irritating. Only this one’s fun and very upbeat. And the lyrics are included.
I listen to music sometimes while working. But I have been in offices where music and radios were frowned upon. So I always had some kind of song in my head during the day. (Trust me…you NEVER want to hear me sing. 
)
Anyway, enjoy!
