Happy Weekend!
MUSIC
What a week… I think we need to change the subject.
There are few tunes that can beat the great Marvin Gaye classic, “What’s Going On,” recorded around the world in Playing for Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEp7QrOBxyQ
Jerry Jeff Walker died a little over a week ago. Here’s his classic in three completely different versions. Amazing how three talented artists/groups can make the tune their own (their sartorial choices show remarkable range as well!):
First, Mr. Walker, accompanied only by guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDoeUz8vExY
Here’s the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band singing “Mr. Bojangles”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyS4V1QMKJM
And the one and only Sammy Davis, Jr. with his version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fju4UajL7g
And because I love the Doobie Brothers so much, here are the Doobie Brothers singing “Black Water” from isolation:
POETRY
As we contemplate global warming, COVID and other existential challenges, Fire and Ice, by Robert Frost, comes to mind:
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
But for something a bit more uplifting, Letter to You, by Bruce Springsteen:
'Neath a crown of mongrel trees
I pulled that bothersome thread
Got down on my knees
Grabbed my pen and bowed my head
Tried to summon all that my heart finds true
And send it in my letter to you
Things I found out through hard times and good
I wrote 'em all out in ink and blood
Dug deep in my soul and signed my name true
And sent it in my letter to you
In my letter to you
I took all my fears and doubts
In my letter to you
All the hard things I found out
In my letter to you
All that I've found true
And I sent it in my letter to you
I took all the sunshine and rain
All my happiness and all my pain
The dark evening stars
And the morning sky of blue…
Stay safe!
Glenn
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