Tag Archives: music

An Evening with Eric Bibb

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“Marital bliss and conjugal harmony are not
normally considered suitable topics for the blues.”

Eric Bibb is not your normal accoustic blues singer/songwriter.  He writes love songs to his wife which are soaked in passion, fun and fidelity.  He honors his parents…publicly.  He takes the funky chords and rhythms of the blues, turns the lyrics on their head, and transforms them into sounds of grace and gratefulness.  It is gospel-infused blues.

We just spent a sparkling … magical … enchanted … perfect (as in “how could this be any better?”) evening with Eric Bibb.  Unforgettable.  That smile.  Those chords.  That voice.  Those words.

Our family discovered Eric Bibb last summer; in October we saw a few performances on Youtube.  “If he ever comes within driving distance, we need to go see him,” said my non-concert-going husband.  Well.  One afternoon in December when I should have been writing Christmas cards, I decided on a whim to check Eric’s touring schedule.  He was singing in Paris, Dublin, Cambridge, New York, Chicago, Montana …and Sandpoint, Idaho?  5 1/2 hours away, considered a Sunday drive in our parts.   We didn’t count on one of the biggest snow storms in recent history, so the driving took considerably longer.

I told some friends and we booked a table for 15 at the café where he was playing. The small venue,space for 125 people, was glowing, soft lights inside, huge snow flakes outside.  Long time fans, like the people at the table next to us who had flown up from California for the concert, and folks who had never heard of him joined together for a meal and music. 

When he took the stage, two arm lengths away from me, all the ambiance faded into the background and the music dominated.  We were a responsive audience, calling out favorites, hooting at an amazing guitar riff, listening intently to the ballads and clapping with the thumpin’ songs.  He was humbly delighted with our enthusiasm and promised to come back to Sandpoint.  The kindness of the Lord was evident the entire trip.

Shingle by shingle, I’m patching up the roof,

Row by row, bringin’ in the crop,

Love makes a change, I’m living the proof

New water’s in the well, and I’m grateful for every drop.

My son took a movie from our digital camera.  The graphics are sub par but the sound is pretty good (*other than the fact that there is more audience noise…closer to the camera).  Check it out.   Eric’s newest CD “Evening With Eric Bibb” is his only live concert.  If you like this song, get the CD.        



Wedding, Friends and All Things Wonderful

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Wedding music.

I have seen a spectrum of styles, various instruments, a few many-splendored glories and a few fiascoes (including the soloist who had pitch issues to begin with and ended with my threat to boycott accompanying his free-style, note-bending, ad-libbing, Donna Summersesque rendition of The Lord’s Prayer).

But nothing will ever surpass the clarity, the simplicity, the potency of one cello playing The Church’s One Foundation as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. 

… from heav’n he came and sought her to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.

All the joy and solemnity of the incipient ceremony, the thrill of anticipation, the relief of arriving at this place in this moment with these people, were distilled in the dulcet tones of the cello.  A hush descended; the sisters radiant in their turquoise dresses entered with regal dignity; the words from the hymn echoed and re-echoed in my thoughts. That was the defining moment for me.  It was the first time I’ve thought about Christ while I’ve watched a procession of bridesmaids.

The wedding sermon was superb.  You, gentle reader, are blessed because you may read it here.  I timed it:  six minutes to read.  Print it out and read it with your family.  More beauty.  More wonder. More mystery.  

The entire day was magnificent.  A coming together of friends and families near and far to witness the ceremony and rejoice at the reception.  Both families delighted with their new son/daughter/sister/brother.  A traditional southern New Year’s Day meal — and I l-o-v-e-d the steamed collards and black-eyed peas, not to mention the pulled pork.  I think I could be very happy living in the South. 

A glorious wedding brings to fruition all the years of labor and prayer and care and guidance that went into the bearing and bringing up of a child.  It is such a day of rejoicing for the parents and grandparents and all the onlookers who have watched the growth in the bride or groom’s life.        

Our beloved pastor and friend, the groom’s dad, giving a father’s blessing

The bride’s mom, a jewel beyond compare


Lindsey and Jon


You know these people don’t you?

And I was blessed to meet, in real life, Dana of Hidden Art.  Who can say when or where we met?  I think her first comment here was on March 9, 2006. At that time we didn’t have a clue that there were connections lurking underneath the framework of our online friendship.  Dana is every bit the gracious, classy, articulate woman you would expect.  Being with Dana makes you want to sit up a little straighter, because you want to, not because she’s giving you a look.  She inspires you to be a lady, to be beautiful, to be articulate.

We didn’t have the freedom to just sit and talk non-stop until the evening after the wedding.  I loved relaxing together and letting our conversation meander where it would. Another bonus was meeting her parents, lovely folk.  I am inspired by her mother who took up painting after she turned 50 and is now an accomplished artist.  I loved introducing Dana to my loved ones. 

I plan to join Dana and Cindy and others reading Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. 

2008 began gloriously.  I believe it’s going to be a great year.

Second Sunday of Advent

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For the herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance,
Since the kingdom now is here,

O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valleys rise to meet him,
And the hills bow down to greet him.

~ from Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

I hesitate to post the words to songs because reading them without having the tune in your head is just not the same experience as humming the tune (inside or outside your head) while you read the words. 

And I just love this tune.

Cyberhymnal is a great resource, but there are times when I have a hard time getting over the tin or the reverb sound.  Besides, on this one, ahem, they don’t have the “correct” tune, meaning the one I prefer!  (Which is Freu Dich Sehr with a syncopated rhythm)

I just tried to record the tune on our piano – it sounded disastrous!

I guess  y’all are just going to have to trust me.  Enjoy the words….

King’s College Choir

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Christmas at King’s College through yourmusic.com: $27.96/free shipping

While we’ve enjoyed special programs of King’s College,
we’ve never had a Christmas CD (let alone four!) of them to enjoy.
This jewel came in the mail while I was on my road trip.

Let the (choral) music soar throughout the rooms!
Cleaning toilets/ironing/making meals with this music is a privilege!
My throat has more lumps than gravy.

If I were a cat, I’d be purring…

What is your most delicious Christmas music?

Stunning Improv

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This, my friend, is well worth the six minutes to watch it.
I.  Am.  Entranced. 
Gabriela Montero.
My new favorite pianist.
Within two minutes of watching this video I purchased a CD.

Have you heard of her?

Hat Tip, Waving the hat in the air,
Jumping up and down, waving the hat to my new friend Nettie.
Who also taught me how to embed a video.
Thank you SO MUCH Nettie!

We Feebly Struggle, They in Glory Shine

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Le Jour Des Morts, William Bougueareau, 1859

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And the Lord make you to increase and abound
in love toward another,
and toward all men,
even as we do toward you:
to the end he may establish your hearts
unblameable in holiness before God,
even our Father,
at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
with all his saints.
I Thessalonians 3:12-13

One of the side benefits of singing old hymns, especially the really ancient ones (i.e. Of The Father’s Love Begotten) is the connection that it brings with our brothers and sisters in Christ from far distant days. 

I love to sing Great is Thy Faithfulness because it was my mom’s favorite hymn and her memory is wrapped in between every syllable when I sing or play it.  I love the rousing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God because it is solid truth; but it also brings to mind Martin Luther.

It is thrilling to walk where (fill in the blank) walked.  I think history grabbed my young heart when I realized that these people really lived!  All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.   We. Are. Connected. There are so many saints who went before us; the page about their lives is blank.  But we know The Book they read.  And we know some of what they sang. 

These fragments of their lives are precious remnants.  Sometimes I work on memorizing a hymn or psalm while I wash dishes by hand.  I think of the women who did the same tasks five hundred years ago, and perhaps sung the same songs. And I wonder…was Tallis as difficult to sing when Tallis himself was teaching them?  Did they have to struggle with the melody before the beauty broke through?  Did Goudimel hear the textures I hear when we sing his harmonization of the psalms? 

We are tempted to squander our heritage. We search with diligence for the Next New Thing, dismiss the past, and discard it with nary a thought.  

I’m getting a second chance tomorrow to recapture some of my own heritage.  My husband, son and I are having lunch with my uncle and aunt (my mom’s brother and his wife).  I’ve already told them I want to know more about my Dutch Grandma.  She was born in Holland and emigrated to America.  She was always more interested in being helpful than being the center of attention.  Her daughter-in-law responded with warmth and enthusiasm.  “I can’t wait to tell you all about my wonderful mother-in-law and all that she taught me.”  

Happy All Saints Day. 

O’er the Land of the Free

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I was the last patient seen by my dentist/friend last night after waiting two hours.  I think the dental assistant saw how content I was in the chair with my Sudoku. And she had some not-so-content patients to deal with. 

When I got home I was desolate to hear that James Taylor sang the National Anthem for Game 2 of the World Series.  With his guitar! Desolate that I missed it. 

Then I remembered: we live in America where any media event is soon available to one and all.  So I’ve been checking YouTube and was finally rewarded with this.

I am an opinionated National Anthem critic.   Here’s what annoys me:  trying to do something new that has never been done before; note-bending which goes on and on; screeching on the top notes; poor breath control.  The very worst, the most excruciating performance is where the performer(s) slip off the pitch. 

I loved JT’s take on it.  His chords were varied and pleasing to the ear.  He picked a low enough key that was comfortable to sing in and comfortable to listen to.  His singing was wonderful, straight-forward, simple.  The guitar playing was a folk-style with broken chords.  There were no dramatic codas, no “look-at-me” theatrics, just a pure, simple, gracious, unadorned National Anthem.

Thanks, James Taylor.

**Added Later:  Do you want more James Taylor?  Go to this video and move the cursor to 1:30.  He’s doing a sound check and sings a gorgeous “America”.  My husband liked this even better than the National Anthem.  Not only is this guy’s voice pure mountain water – he is a first rate musician.  Those chords!!  Those full rich augmented and diminished chords.  I think the essence of chords (maybe of life itself) is in the thirds and sevenths.


Child Prodigies

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When I read Poiema’s review in March, this book went on my list of books to be read.  In the distant country of my childhood, I played the cello; a lingering fondness for that instrument permeates my soul.  The fact that the author was also a cello player made me eager to read his work.

About a third of the way through the book I had convinced myself that I really didn’t need to keep this book.  I’m still undecided; I loved parts about music intersecting with life, the grown up child prodigy teaching a young child prodigy.  The back story of the trial for the murder of a Buddhist monk didn’t interest me. There are, however, some passages too wonderful to escape my journal. 

[Maestro’s instructions] That is the way to approach your music.  Every piece, every time you play it, is unique and irreplaceable.  Your should open your ears and heart to every phrase, every note and squeeze every drop of beauty you can from it. Take nothing for granted!

[Reminiscent of Robert Greenberg’s Frame of Silence]  This immediately made me think of the kind of silence I used to love, the instant before I would start a piece and the audience would quiet down to absolute stillness.  I always held the bow over the strings for a few seconds too long, just to relish that incredible vacuum, when a hall filled with hundreds of people could become so quiet.  No one ever, ever sneezed, coughed or budged until I offered release with the first note.

Bach, there can be no doubt, brought classical music to perfection. He expressed his musical ideas with devastating precision and understatement.  Each piece is like a finely cut diamond: clear, simple and almost mathematical in appearance, but underneath the surface what complexity and structural integrity! The possibilities for interpretation are limitless; just as there are countless ways to project light through a diamond, no two performances of Bach can be the same because each musician’s unique personality has its own spectrum of feelings that can be conveyed freely through Bach’s inventions. 
When I was very young one of the reasons I was able to hear a piece of music and then play it right back without having to look at a score was that for me each musical phrase had not so much a color or flavor as a texture…

The whole subject of child prodigies fascinates me.  So many prodigies seem very close to prodigals, not in the sense of extravagant waste, but in the sense of being  far away, socially and metaphorically.  During the time that I read The Soloist, I previewed the movie Hilary and Jackie (too dicey to recommend, although the music was gorgeous), about the life of the du Pré sisters, particularly the tormented and fragmented life of the cellist Jacqueline du Pré.  This book and that movie both left me feeling sad: sad for the weight of great giftedness and sad for the lack of appropriate parenting of the children with such gifts.

I’ve always admired and respected Yo-Yo Ma, who has a short appearance in the second chapter of The Soloist.  In contrast to most prodigies, Mr. Ma’s life seems very balanced.   He is passionate about music, but his life evidences an integrity and wholeness that many performers lack.

Tiller’s Folly

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Thanks to all of you, including my husband, for the kind words on my birthday.

The fun keeps comin’!!
We’re off to see Tiller’s Folly whose music is described as
“Progressive Acoustic Roots”, a birthday gift from one set of kids.

I went to a Tiller’s Folly concert with a girlfriend
several years ago and loved them.
They are a world class band. 
One of the members used to live here,
so they make an effort to play here annually.
Celtic, bluegrass, ballads … fun, soulful, haunting, melodic music.

(sigh) They toured Scotland last year.
Scotland.  My Mecca.

Hey!
You decide.
Go here and click on lyrics/listen.

I particularly liked the Irish Ballads on Wild Bird’s Nest.



Does anyone play the fiddle out there?

Soundtrack for School

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We like music to fill our home;
  certain music signals that studying is the priority.
We sing a psalm in our morning time.
But when the Algebra book comes out,
we start the CD player.

We do have rules.
No words – it’s too distracting.
No jarring dissonance – it’s too unpleasant.
There are only two of us at home now so
we try to play stuff we both enjoy.

In no particular order, here are our faves:


I think my Dutch ancestors must have migrated from Ireland.


When we watch movies, I always crane my neck to see the
composer of the soundtrack. 
I like Rachel Portman.

 
This has two discs – lots of good stuff.
Sometimes the music is better than the images.


I bought five CDs trying to find the music on this one.
Finally, I emailed the radio station and asked for help.
One Christmas we gave this CD to lots of people.

This is easily my most favorite violin CD in the world.
It’s a pleasant mix of high, middle and low brow.
Fritz Kreisler’s Liebesieid is worth the price of the CD.

On the whole, I really like the Adagio Series.
Sometimes the music is slow and loud.
I love Bach’s Adagios, but there is too much
choral music, which disqualifies it for school.


George Winston.  A great pianist.
Mellow, evocative, lovely.

When I saw the video of a blogger’s daughter
playing in a string trio, I realized that there was
a huge hole in my CD collection.  No string trios!
They play composers old (Albinoni) and new (Piazzolla).

Janie turned me on to Phil Coulter.
My husband insists that he will write words
to the Highland Cathedral tune to sing in church.
We have four Phil Coulter CDs which we play regularly.

This soundtrack from Ken Burn’s series
is fabulous. 
Make sure you understand:
I want Ashokan Farewell at my funeral.

What can I say?  My son loves Pirates music.
Has all three. 
The truth is, I like it too!

I adore Night Tracks.
When Collin’s appendix ruptured,
 I spent a week sleeping in the chair
next to the bed in the hospital;
we went to sleep every night
listening to this eclectic mix. 

Another keeper. 
This gem has Simple Gifts with Allison Krauss.
I used to want every CD
Yo-Yo Ma was on, but some of his latest stuff
isn’t to my taste.  It was a year ago that I saw
Yo-Yo Ma in person at Ravinia, fulfilling one of my life goals. 
The Haydn concerto still rings in my head.
I highly recommend his two Appalachian CDs.
And the Baroque CDs.
And the Bach CDs.
And the Vivaldi CDs.
And the Dvorak Album.
And the Brahms.
I don’t have his latest, Appasianato, but I bet it’s good.

I couldn’t find an image for Itzhak Perlman’s Vivaldi.
Once The Four Seasons was playing in the background
when the phone rang.  “That is the most beautiful
music I ever heard,” the caller gushed.

Another tried and true winner has been a boxed set
I picked up at some box store.
Weekend Classics.
They are green. 
I gave a set to a client when she got married,
because she loved to listen to them at my house.
Four discs, all perfect for tuning your mind.

Do you have a favorite (instrumental) CD?