Went to see Art Garfunkel Thursday evening. He's recovering well and sounds terrific! It was a good house, very few empty seats, and he got tumultuous applause for every number, pretty much the same for each poem and reading and a standing ovation at the end. He seemed relaxed and happy, joking with both the audience and the guitar player... It was just him and this guitar player, whose name I didn't recognize though most folks in the audience seemed to. Art said he'd been with him for ten years, so if I were more with it I'd have known who he was too. Art did a Q&A at the end of the show, again seeming relaxed and happy to talk to people. It was a great evening! Sis and I had a blast.
Unfortunately, Patty didn't seem to know who Art was. So, she didn't know any of the songs and was bored. But she's a really good sport. She claimed to me she had a good time. Only Sis, sitting next to her, could see that she wasn't enjoying herself. I'm sorry about that, especially as, like Sis and I were saying later, it's very hard to grock not knowing Art Garfunkel. He only sang two songs I'd mever heard before, one of them by Randy Newman, and one other that I'd heard but didn't know the words to. I sang along silently with every other song almost as a reflex action, as I'm sure most of the audience did. Oh, there was one other song we'd never heard, that Sis and I found very interesting, an anti-war song of Paul's from which was derived the counterpoint, the "Canticle" to "Scarburough Fair." It wasn't what either of us would have expected, but fascinating to hear.
It was nice to be out for its own sake. We had fine weather and we both enjoyed being out and about in Northampton. It's a peacefully busy place with cars, bicycles and pedestrians, all going about their business, never seeming to be in a hurry. If we hadn't gotten out so late I would have suggested we go for a coffee or something, but Patty had to take us home and then drive on home, another fifteen or twenty minutes, and it was a Thursday night, not Friday or Saturday. But she did agree that we needed to find something else to do, somewhere else to go this Summer. Don't think we'll find anything to rival Art, but that's OK. One great night like that is enough to last a while. *smile*
Changing gears: I happened to pick up the March/April "American Songwriter" from BARD Mobile and, near the back, came across the lyric contest. First through Fourth place get their lyrics printed. Several Honorable Mentions get name, hometown and song title printed. First Place also wins a guitar and a trip to Nashville to work with a real songwriter. I need to double check the rules on the magazine's web site, but I'm thinking of entering. What the heck? I might get an Honorable Mention. And it can't hurt!
It's funny, really. Only a few hours before coming across the contest I had decided simply to give up on all creative efforts. But, being the push over I am, a new contest got me all excited again. *sigh* Guess I'll never learn. Or maybe hope really does spring eternal.
OK, it's done. Two lyrics are submitted for the September/October contest. They couldn't be more different, which one hopes will suggest your humble songwriter's vercitility. To refresh everybody's memory, the lyrics are below, the dark one first:
Should I Lie?
Should I lie when he asks me where I've been tonight? Should I smile and say that the time got a-way from me? Should I say that a friend stopped by and we got to talking over old times?
Should I lie when he asks me why I didn't call him? Should I say that my car broke down so I got home late? Should I spin him a tale and postpone all the pain that's coming, when I tell him?
There's no other. It's not that simple. I just can't be his idol anymore. I can't be perfect. I'm only human. I need freedom and affection not a pedestal and worship... He's at the door!
Should I lie when he asks me where I've been tonight? Should I make up a story to soothe him just one more time? Should I spin him a tale and postpone all the pain that's coming, when I tell him that it's over Should I lie?
A New Dream
A new dream's coming soon, fresh and precious, shining bright as the moon. A new dream's coming soon, drawing closer, growing warmer like June. I can feel my heart throwing off the dark and doubt. I can feel my heart open up to pour love out. A new dream's coming soon. In the sunshine, I see the sign that points towards tomorrow and evermore, my love, with you.
Nice visit with Naomi; temperatures in the 70's in the (SF) Bay Area, but high clouds and humidity well in excess of what we are accustomed to. Home now.
Cat, I think that first one has a really good chance. I think it rivals anything Taylor Swift has out…in fact, I think she could run with it and compose music for it. Keep us posted!
So, Alan, did you make the paper? It's pretty impressive to get a clip on the news. Typically, they film about 6 hours to get a 15 minute clip.
I'd be interested to hear what brand w/d you decided on.
I read the article about McCain first thing on Saturday, before work. Thanks for the link. I suppose it's good to realise that these guys are finally becoming has-beens.
Around 11:30pm we realized that Spinnaker wasn't in the house…anywhere. Then I discovered a hole in the screen on the back porch. She did not come when I called her. A few minutes later, Mah*Sweetie found her under the bench out back. =Whew!= I know she would love to be an outdoor kitty, catching chippys by day and fireflies by night. Unfortunately she is mostly white, and would not long last in the wilds of our back yard.
While reading about Sister Robetta Tharpe, I found references to the Holiness Movement. Very interesting.
ReplyDelete--alan
Hi guys!
ReplyDeleteWent to see Art Garfunkel Thursday evening. He's recovering well and sounds terrific! It was a good house, very few empty seats, and he got tumultuous applause for every number, pretty much the same for each poem and reading and a standing ovation at the end. He seemed relaxed and happy, joking with both the audience and the guitar player... It was just him and this guitar player, whose name I didn't recognize though most folks in the audience seemed to. Art said he'd been with him for ten years, so if I were more with it I'd have known who he was too. Art did a Q&A at the end of the show, again seeming relaxed and happy to talk to people. It was a great evening! Sis and I had a blast.
Unfortunately, Patty didn't seem to know who Art was. So, she didn't know any of the songs and was bored. But she's a really good sport. She claimed to me she had a good time. Only Sis, sitting next to her, could see that she wasn't enjoying herself. I'm sorry about that, especially as, like Sis and I were saying later, it's very hard to grock not knowing Art Garfunkel. He only sang two songs I'd mever heard before, one of them by Randy Newman, and one other that I'd heard but didn't know the words to. I sang along silently with every other song almost as a reflex action, as I'm sure most of the audience did. Oh, there was one other song we'd never heard, that Sis and I found very interesting, an anti-war song of Paul's from which was derived the counterpoint, the "Canticle" to "Scarburough Fair." It wasn't what either of us would have expected, but fascinating to hear.
It was nice to be out for its own sake. We had fine weather and we both enjoyed being out and about in Northampton. It's a peacefully busy place with cars, bicycles and pedestrians, all going about their business, never seeming to be in a hurry. If we hadn't gotten out so late I would have suggested we go for a coffee or something, but Patty had to take us home and then drive on home, another fifteen or twenty minutes, and it was a Thursday night, not Friday or Saturday. But she did agree that we needed to find something else to do, somewhere else to go this Summer. Don't think we'll find anything to rival Art, but that's OK. One great night like that is enough to last a while. *smile*
Changing gears: I happened to pick up the March/April "American Songwriter" from BARD Mobile and, near the back, came across the lyric contest. First through Fourth place get their lyrics printed. Several Honorable Mentions get name, hometown and song title printed. First Place also wins a guitar and a trip to Nashville to work with a real songwriter. I need to double check the rules on the magazine's web site, but I'm thinking of entering. What the heck? I might get an Honorable Mention. And it can't hurt!
It's funny, really. Only a few hours before coming across the contest I had decided simply to give up on all creative efforts. But, being the push over I am, a new contest got me all excited again. *sigh* Guess I'll never learn. Or maybe hope really does spring eternal.
Lyric contest page - Click!
DeleteOK, it's done. Two lyrics are submitted for the September/October contest. They couldn't be more different, which one hopes will suggest your humble songwriter's vercitility. To refresh everybody's memory, the lyrics are below, the dark one first:
DeleteShould I Lie?
Should I lie when he asks me where I've been tonight?
Should I smile and say that the time got a-way from me?
Should I say that a friend stopped by and we got to talking
over old times?
Should I lie when he asks me why I didn't call him?
Should I say that my car broke down so I got home late?
Should I spin him a tale and postpone all the pain that's coming,
when I tell him?
There's no other. It's not that simple.
I just can't be his idol anymore.
I can't be perfect. I'm only human.
I need freedom and affection
not a pedestal and worship...
He's at the door!
Should I lie when he asks me where I've been tonight?
Should I make up a story to soothe him just one more time?
Should I spin him a tale and postpone all the pain that's coming,
when I tell him
that it's over
Should I lie?
A New Dream
A new dream's coming soon, fresh and precious, shining bright as the moon.
A new dream's coming soon, drawing closer, growing warmer like June.
I can feel my heart throwing off the dark and doubt.
I can feel my heart open up to pour love out.
A new dream's coming soon. In the sunshine,
I see the sign that points towards tomorrow and evermore, my love, with you.
Being the sucker that I am, I signed up for my free Sound Space, er, space. Need to go investigate it.
DeleteGood luck!!
DeleteIt all sounds good, Cat!
DeleteNice visit with Naomi; temperatures in the 70's in the (SF) Bay Area, but high clouds and humidity well in excess of what we are accustomed to. Home now.
--Alan
Thanks, Bill and Alan.
DeleteAlan, glad you had a nice day, despite the high humidity.
Cat, I think that first one has a really good chance. I think it rivals anything Taylor Swift has out…in fact, I think she could run with it and compose music for it. Keep us posted!
DeleteBoth lyrics have music. They are both full-fledged songs in other words. The contest only calls for lyrics though.
DeleteI second Bill--good vibes for much success!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Puddle♥
DeleteHere's a review of the concert.
ReplyDeleteSo, Alan, did you make the paper? It's pretty impressive to get a clip on the news. Typically, they film about 6 hours to get a 15 minute clip.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to hear what brand w/d you decided on.
I read the article about McCain first thing on Saturday, before work. Thanks for the link. I suppose it's good to realise that these guys are finally becoming has-beens.
Around 11:30pm we realized that Spinnaker wasn't in the house…anywhere. Then I discovered a hole in the screen on the back porch. She did not come when I called her. A few minutes later, Mah*Sweetie found her under the bench out back. =Whew!= I know she would love to be an outdoor kitty, catching chippys by day and fireflies by night. Unfortunately she is mostly white, and would not long last in the wilds of our back yard.
ReplyDelete