Keith Jarrett - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Through the end of winter there was this eager anticipation of better, sunny days to come and of spring to claim the land. As happens every year I'd totally forgotten that springtime promises include the promises of allergies. So with the eyes and nose dripping there's all the more reason to find some music that soothes the soul. ...

For today, that music is the phenomenal mastery of the piano by Keith Jarrett. Essentially, any of his piano pieces would do, but my all time favorite is the Koln Concert (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4) ~ if you have the time and the inclination take a listen, it's worth it, I promise. For now and for this blog it's his interpretation of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" - enjoy!

Over the Rainbow

Robbie Robertson - Ghost Dance

The mind is such a wondrous thing ~ unwilling to be subjugated by the attacks against innocents it seeks out words / songs of hope and light. There are many of those, new and old alike, but somehow my mind tends to seek out the "Ghost Dance" by Robbie Robertson which says it all:

You don't stand a chance against my prayers. You don't stand a chance against my love. [...] we shall live again, we shall live again ...

Stevie Wonder and Sting - Fragile (Live)

The song "Fragile" has a way of burrowing underneath your skin with its rather soft melody. Even the picture of rain falling like tears from a star balances beauty and sadness. And again, only looking closer at the words brings home the message:

Perhaps this final act was meant To clinch a lifetime's argument That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could

I'd have a hard time to pin down which one song by Sting is my favorite but Fragile definitely is right up there.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Shosholoza

The Zulu word Shosholoza means go forward or make way for the next man, and is also reminiscent of the sound made by the steam train (stimela) described in the song. "Shosholoza" is a Ndebele folk song that originated in what is now Zimbabwe but was popularized in South Africa. The song is a traditional South African folk song that was sung by Ndebele all-male migrant workers that were working in the South African mines in a call and response style. The song is so popular in South African culture that it is often referred to as South Africa's second national anthem.

 

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male choral group that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland, and have won multiple awards, including four Grammy Awards. They were formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960 and later became one of South Africa's most prolific recording artists, with their releases receiving gold and platinum disc honors. The group has now become a mobile academy, teaching people about South Africa and its culture.

Abarax - Journey's End

I'm partial to whales (who would have thunk ~ considering the avatar :o) so getting the album "Crying of the Whales" by Abrax (or here) was a no-brainer. It was a good decision: the longer I listen the more I want to hear. "Journey's End" is the track that most reminds me of a memorable and fascinating encounter I had with those gentle giants of the sea ...

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life - Monty Python's Life of Brian

Some weeks want to end on a low note and they seem to put all energy and effort in to get their way. Little do such weeks know that they stand a snowballs chance in hell to succeed as long as there's the right musical antidote at hand. Take "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" from Monty Python's "Life of Brian" for example ~

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life

Monty Python's Life of Brian

Ladysmith Black Mambazo/Mint Juleps - The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is among the groups that I can listen to for hours and doing so always leaves me feeling better. Then, there's the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Some nights my mother would sing it to get her brood to sleep ~ leaving me with dreams of foreign countries just waiting to be explored. I'm awestruck to learn that the roots of this song go as far back as the 1920s ...

The Lion Sleeps Tonight