Janis Ian

Janis Ian was spectacular.  She's been off my radar for decades, woe to me.  She's been working away and writing/performing her beautiful songs.  We saw her in a 175 seat venue, the Dance Palace in Pt. Reyes Station on Saturday night.

This is one of her more light-hearted songs, and you can hear it at her website under Free Downloads, of which she has many.  It's worth giving a listen.  Her voice is, I think, even better than when she was young -- still hitting those high notes strong and true.  She and her wife Pat live in Nashville.  

so much for iphone and stage lighting...

Married In London

Janis Ian

We're married in London
but not in New York
Spain says we're Kosher
The States say we're pork
We wed in Toronto
The judge said "Amen"
and when we got home
we were single again

It's hard being married
and living in sin
Sometimes I forget
just which state I am in
Thank God I'm not Catholic
I'd be a mess
trying to figure out
what to confess

My passport in Sweden
says I've got a wife
Amsterdam tells me
I'm partnered for life
but back in America,
Land of the free,
I'm a threat to
the national security

If I were a frog
here is what I would say --
It's hard being green
It's hard being gay
but love has no color
and hearts have no sex,
so love where you can,
and bugger the rest

TGIF

A truly inspiring and moving concert by the Dave Brubeck Institute Quintet last night at the Crocker Museum.  Interspersed with talk about various jazz artists and the origins of jazz, and how jazz brought American blacks and whites together back in the dark ages of our country.  Dave Brubeck would cancel gigs at segregated theaters, and would make headlines in the local papers every time by doing so.

“Kinship doesn’t come from skin color. It’s in your soul and your mind.”
Dave Brubeck

“Strange as it may seem to those who have not been in the music business long enough to recall it, there was a time when the public appearance of black and white musicians performing in the same group not only was taboo, but could have caused physical violence to erupt in many parts of the then not-so-United States….More than any of their contemporaries, jazz musicians were responsible for breaking down the barriers and attempting to foster a spirit of goodwill between the races.”
Leonard Feather
Billboard Magazine
May 4, 1974

The music was fantastic - the theater packed by enthusiastic lovers of jazz, and the last song had us on our feet dancing and clapping rhythm.  The musicians, so  young, so talented, so knowledgeable.  There is hope for the future, ladies and gentlemen.

D’Amore Duo

The pairing of guitar and oboe is sublime.  We just saw these two perform this afternoon at the Crocker Museum (which has an excellent performance hall).

Listen here for an  piece that was written for them, and has an interesting history fit for Black History Month.  It's in 3 movements.

They have traveled all over the world bringing their music to people.  What a life.  Of course I purchased a CD afterward, the music is so intricate, delicate, bold, unique.

An excellent reason to drag my body out of bed.  Still in the grip of my cold, and am feeling better (I think) but now my throat hurts again and is very ticklish.  Time for another frozen fruit bar!

'Tis the Season to Relax

My friends reminded me of the marvelous Grooveshark on the internet, wherein you can listen to all kinds of music.  A blessed break from all the Christmas carols polluting the airwaves.  Instead, take a dip deep into your subconscious mind.



Don't get me wrong, I dig Christmas.  Just not so MUCH of it.  I may even be putting up my tree today.

Music Makes My Heart Soar

Here's a video of Shawn Colvin and Allison Kraus singing Paul Simon's song The Boxer.  Always a compelling song, these two women do it justice.



Do you have a favorite youtube or viveo song you like to share?  Link me to it in the comments.  I always enjoy this form of music.

I Need You, I Don't Need You

I have been obsessed with this song of late.  Must have something to do with all my reading on vulnerability.  Rufus does such a lovely job.

Viva la Musica

Me, @ 1974

Music has always been an essential part of who I am.  It feeds my soul, if lifts me up and gives my life context.  It connects me to the past as well as keeping me grounded in the present.

My former husband was an excellent guitar player.  We had that love of music in common.  My first 'wife' and I shared a love of music and that was a lovely way to connect.  My second wife and I had completely different musical tastes, and that was okay.  I learned to love a lot of new music from her.  But she didn't like my music, and was not open to listening to it.  She also didn't like my singing voice; that was a first for me.  Everyone I know likes my singing voice.  She did support my taking a singing class at the local junior college -- but I was not free to practice when she could hear me.  I know.  Pretty pathetic.  She was just happy I was out doing something after retirement.

The woman I'm dating is a singer/songwriter and musician.  She loves my singing voice; she says I sound like Mary Chapin Carpenter.  Not too shabby.  She has been recording a cd of her songs -- I can't wait to hear it.  She has a beautiful Martin guitar that she calls her 'baby.'   She has a network of friends that she plays music with and I'm eager to meet them and participate.  Wa-hoo! 

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “I know that the most joy in my life has come to me from my violin”.   Here here. 

Fall in Love

I don't remember how I found The Belle Brigade, but a couple of months back I did. I love their music. Give a listen.

Good Listening

Good for a rainy day. Good for getting chores done. Good for wooing someone with a glass of wine next to a roaring fire. Good for sitting all by yourself.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Time for some levity after my last post.  This band, Mumbo Gumbo, is local, and fantastic.  My friends Kathy and Lynn had them play their wedding reception in the summer.  A real treat.



Another local band, Walking Spanish, delivers up great music.  This video was taken this summer at the park across the street from my apartment.  I was there!  It was the first time I'd heard this band and now I am a devoted fan.  I will (and do) brave dive bars to hear them.  Give them a minute to start up the song, after the sirens go away.



I feel so very lucky to have such great talent in my back yard.

More Music

Another share from a facebook friend has inspired me. Take a listen, perhaps you, too, will feel the power.



And tonight I watched a 25th Anniversary celebration of Les Miserable stage production. It seems a fitting musical for our times. I think the OWS movement should adopt some of the songs.  Inspiring, yes indeedy.  But - also - it makes me wonder how many times people have said, "No more!" only to find ourselves in the same predicament.  Over and over, it is our human history.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I found this posted by a friend on Facebook today. What a brilliant recitation of this Kipling poem.  The lines, 
"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same" 

just blow my mind.

And then, because I was watching this clip, I found this one and oh. my. gosh.

How much light have these artists let into the world? I marvel at the human capacity for creative expression. I note how much joy these two video clips have given me today. WOOT!

Trigger Hippy Band Tour

This is what is going to be delighting me this evening.  Goodie!  And only 2 blocks from my place.  Sweet.

Jamming in NC

My last night in North Carolina, Max and Ann took me to their regular jam session.  I had so much fun!  After awhile, though, those reels in the key of A all begin to sound alike.  But this one, Green Apple, I particularly liked.  The gent playing the banjo here has some serious hand and finger problems in both hands but he keeps on a'playing.  That's a love of music, that is.

Gas Station Roses

Thanks to Solo Homo, I now know of Natalia Zukerman's music.  Thanks Solo!

In the Still of the NIght

Just because it's a great song (thank you Cole Porter) and this is a very sexy cover by the Neville Brothers. Enjoy your weekend, friends.

How Am I Supposed to Love Somebody?

This newish song by Jackie Greene echos my post of the other day.  What am I supposed to do with all the woes of the world?  I love Jackie's album, Til the Light Comes.  I miss two shows of his locally since I was too spaced out to get my ticket early.  Won't do that again.

The Life!

My bobble head Obama and my purple Buddha got me in the right mood to hit the road.  With my new CD of Walking Spanish blasting away, I was flying free and ready for some fun!

There were great clouds to the north east and this photo doesn't begin to do the scene justice.

The bums made me a great grilled pizza dinner, and later will all fell asleep to the sounds of crickets and frogs singing their sweet night songs.

 Morning came on strong with blazing sun on the deck and some great shade-grown organic coffee provided by my excellent hosts.

We took a morning hike through the woods, Roger picking up bird feathers for me to stick into my hat band.  Robin spotted a baby deer and got a great shot of it.  Go to her blog, she'll probably have it posted soon.

I tooled on down the road to Auburn in the late afternoon to catch a free concert at the Auburn Regional Park.  Mumbo Gumbo opened the show and they were fantastic -- the sheer exuberance of their music blew me away.  I even got up and danced with these creaky old lungs of mine.

I ate chicken tacos and had an ice cold beer and the weather was perfect.  I met up with two friends from Downiville (1.5 hours up the road).  Great American Taxi was the second band, and while good, the sun was setting and it was time to be getting home.  The drive down highway 80 with the windows wide open and the wind in my hair (and a great jazz radio station playing) made the perfect ending to my trip.  It was sheer joy, my friends.  All of it.

Wa-Hoo!

I Will Survive

How great is she?

Crazy For Lovin'

Great version of this song.  I think it's the sweetest thing that Diana and Elvis are married.  I get all sentimental about them, and imagine their union to be one of great friendship and musical camaraderie.  Of course, you never know what's really going on beneath the public presentation...and that's partly what this song is all about.