Siggy Nystrom, my colleague in FYS and QU 301, has been viewing from the sideline since this blog began. Now she jumps in with quite a collection of songs. Here's what she has to say:
"I confess (and many of you already know), I continue to listen to Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton for all of the obvious reasons. It’s in my car CD player while only three other CDs sit in the glove box waiting: Alyson (sp) Krauss Union Station and KD Lang’s “Ingenue” and “Absolute Torch and Twang.” And like Richard, Paul Simon is by far my favorite song writer/singer/creator of harmony. If I’m feeling low, just put on "Graceland", and the world comes alive again. Speaking of Graceland (sort of) I just received from Amazon my two orders of The Zomba Prison Project, “I will Not Stop Singing” and “I Have No Everything”! The story behind these beautiful voices from prison makes the power of music even more compelling.
OK, back to dancing with diamonds on the soles of my shoes...."
"Alexander Hamilton" - Original Cast - The most popular musical of the past decade, Wesleyan University graduate Lin-Manuel Miranda not only read Ron Chernow's massive biography of Alexander Hamilton but also used his love for hip hop, rap, pop music, and the influence of Stephen Sondheim ("Sunday In the Park With George", "Into The Woods", and "Assassins", among others) to create a most memorable theatrical experience. Every new production of the show sells out within minutes and not just for the novelty of the multi-racial cast, the powerful music , and the great voices - listen to the brilliant lyrics, to the speed, to the wit, to the amazing internal rhymes. (RBK)
"Every Time You Say Goodbye" - Alison Krauss and Union Station - Here's Ms. Krauss with her long-time band!
Rob Verhorst/Rolling Stone
"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" - Paul Simon - As noted above, this song is from Simon's career-changing and genre-busting album "Graceland." Much of the music came about when the songwriter traveled to South Africa to investigate the amazing dance music coming from the ghettoes and shantytowns of the apartheid state. He took much flak for breaking the ban that Musicians Unions around the world had about performing in South Africa. If one wants to pick nits, Simon gave no concerts, rarely picked his guitar, but led jam sessions and brought the tapes back to the United States to create his program. He also paid the musicians double their normal rate for their studio time and made sure everyone was fed. When the album became a huge hit, he brought a number of his collaborators to the US to tour with him, jumpstarting the international of the vocal choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Up until the death of guitarist Ray Phiri, Simon used him and bassist Bagithi Kumalo (he's such a brilliant player) on his recordings and on his tours. (RBK)
"I Will Not Stop Grieving for You, My Wife" - Zomba Prison Project - Produced by author and Grammy-winner, Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Malawi Mouse Boys), the Zomba Prison Project’s debut album “I Have No Everything Here” was the surprise “world music” hit of 2015. Featuring prisoners and officers from Malawi’s maximum security prison— many that were previously non-musicians— the record offered songs of heartbreaking and forthright loneliness, regret, and despair coupled with a sense of resilience and courage under the most extreme of circumstances. The album received the first Grammy nomination ever for the country of Malawi, an honor that sadly the overwhelming majority of African nations have still yet to receive.
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