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Posts Tagged ‘music’

Simple Pleasures: Birdsong

Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Music, Nature Notes, tagged , , , on April 11, 2011| 1 Comment »

This morning I lay in bed a long time listening to birdsong.  It drifted in through multiple windows, from the trees and bushes surrounding the house, rich layers of sound that were deeply relaxing.  At least, relaxing for me.  I know the birds were hard at work “speaking” to each other.  With spring finally sprung, I’ve seen many birds this past week, including cardinals, blue jays, robins, blackbirds, sparrows as well as the ever present pigeons.   The intensely bright hues of the cardinals and blue jays startled me until I realized they were males trying to catch some attention.  I don’t know which ones sing which songs but together they create quite the symphony.  Care to hear or see for yourself?  Below are a few links you might enjoy.

Why Birds Sing

World’s Largest Archive of Animal Sounds

Songbird Photos on National Geographic

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The Power of Song: Cooke, Holiday, Vaughn Williams

Posted in Inspiration, Music, tagged , , , , on February 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »

A friend of mine teaching a course on race, class and privilege asked if she could use some of my writings on the subject.  Most of what I have written simply recounts my experiences as a brown woman abroad or of my family members in the American south.  In one of the essays, I reference Sam Cooke’s song, A Change is Gonna Come.  My family has long played this tune.  It is a beautiful piece.  Until today though I did not know its history:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Change_Is_Gonna_Come_%28song%29

 

I don’t know if my friend will use song in her course, but she has certainly reminded me of the influence and power of song, for creating change and for simply helping people endure.  Another song I shared with her is Billie Holiday’s rendition of Strange Fruit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_fruit

 

Moving me right now are songs without words by Ralph Vaughn Williams:

Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

 

If you don’t know these songs, they are well worth a listen!

 

 

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High Notes!

Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, tagged , , , , on December 28, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I’ve decided to end the year on a high note by sharing the words and images of others, as well as my own.  First up, a new rendition of Jingle Bells.  Yes, Christimas has passed but as I look out at the remnants of the Blizzard of 2010, I’m still feeling rather jolly and in the holiday spirit.

Jingle_Bells

If I uploaded the song correctly (you know me and technology), then simply click on the above link.  Lead singers are Arianna and Sana with Natasha, Mark and Nicki in the background.  Sana, I am pleased to share, is my young cousin, a talented young woman with a beautiful voice and an artist’s eye.  Below is a self-portrait she painted in high school.  Enjoy and have a good day!

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