You Make My Heart Sing

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Sky Blue Sky

Wilco's new album was released today--Wilco (the album). Mm-mmmagnetized to this mixture of sounds evoking sweet music gold ago--a touch of Submarine (Beatles), Holland (Beach Boys), Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton, plus some great juxtapositioning of instrumentation overall. Hear favorites on a previous album, Sky Blue Sky, until the current samples are up, in the meantime. Mm-mm--just sooo cooool.

http://wilcoworld.net/records/disco.php

Saturday, June 20, 2009

The Sparrow

Thank you, thank you, Evelyn Lewandowski wherever you are, for your signature zwish, zwish steps to the platform, your shoulders back, wide smile, belting it out:

"His Eye Is On the Sparrow"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Pk5YMkEcg&feature=related

And Adam's lighting, the gladiola corsages, the glumpkies. Thank you forever.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

No More Silencing Roger Lucey

"This summer, there's to be a grand concert in New York, celebrating the 91st birthday of Nelson Mandela. His release from prison almost 20 years ago was seen as the real beginning of the end to South Africa's apartheid policies.Twenty years ago, Roger Lucey was a young musician who used his music to confront apartheid. But just as Roger's career was taking off, a young South African security officer was assigned to ruin him."

This story is more amazing not just because of Roger's vindication after surviving years of devious censorship, but because these two men formed an unlikely friendship. The true forgiveness and acceptance of Roger and his nemesis, Paul Erasmus, gives so much hope for the reconciliation of individuals as well as society. It is stirring to hear Roger's kind words--he has this sweetness about him, plus, his music is good. In the NPR interview, Paul said that he'd actually become a "secret fan" of Roger's early on. Rock on, Roger!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Viva la Vida Vitamin

PS22 Chorus VIVA LA VIDA by Coldplay acoustic guitar version
http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/

"The PS22 Chorus of 2009 has some fun with Coldplay's Grammy nominated song Viva La Vida, the amazing new hit single from the album of the same name . . . I love watching them sing this one, and it has kind of a different sound and feel on the guitar than the previously posted piano and acapella versions, so I thought it merited YouTubeage . . . :) April sings the solo and sounds better than ever on this one.The PS22 Chorus consists of about 60 fifth graders and have sung with Tori Amos, Crowded House, among many others. Visit our above website to find out more about these amazing New York City public school kids."

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Unexpected Gifts

On an evening walk passing spring woods and a pond, everyone in the presence of God's little, growing tree- and water-dwellers was serenaded into the sunset whether they liked it or not. I noticed that the frog voices have gotten lower (already!) and that the ducks' muffled staccato quacks must have been tucking somebody in.

Then, for a brief incredible half-minute, the unmistakeable harmony of perfect human voices seemed to rise out over the water. Squinting to hear better--am I dreaming I thought, because it abruptly stopped before I could see anything. Well, there were a few stars in the early dark. But, there it really was again. Faintly first some orchestral music and then those beautiful voices, singing, rapping, clapping joy. Then lots of laughter and repeated happy singing. I can still hear it on the breeze through my open window. I think they're practicing for tomorrow's audience, but at least one heart has been lifted tonight. Whether they knew it or not. So neat.