Talk to me about joy!

Three years ago Kate McGarrigle died of cancer.
Three years later her family (genetically as well as musically) decided to pay her a fitting tribute.
And now you can listen to it!

here's the link

Merrie Amsterburg

Anyone knowing me even just a little knows I'm too often smitten by music. Often led by this huge urge to discover, to know, to fall into music as a divine art. Music as a way to express feelings rather than a way to make money. Music as a way to express a pensive mood rather than a joyfull experience where people meet at festive dance occasions. Music kept a little more introspective rather than shouting just to be heard. Less is more is probably a credo for my true heroes in music... Jane Siberry, Sandy Denny, June Tabor, Mary Coughlan, Patty Larkin... They're in it for the music, and in my opinion don't care about looks and images. (ofcourse they do, I'm not thàt silly, but it seems it doesn't hold pole position in their careers).

Jane Siberry... My (musical) heroin.


I honestly know of no wrong song, note, lyric in her own specific natural way she does her thing the last 30 years. I adore her legacy (hence my tattoo).
oh... by the way... this press photograph of this 50 year old woman... not exactly made to sell? No? Yes?

Sandy Denny... Died to young.


You should google her. She's just great. Just Sandy. Genuine. Just Sandy. Honest. In every word Sandy. In every note Denny. Sandy Denny died too young, age 30.

June Tabor... Mistress of old and new school folk.


Sweet sweet June. Anyone who has heard June Tabor won't forget her, whether that is a positive or a negative thing. She leaves impressions. On me a huge humbling one. In awe. Jaw dropping. Seen her live now about eight times. If she performs tomorrow I'll go. If she performs the day after, I'll go again.

Patty Larkin... A day in Boston is called 'Patty Larkin Appreciation Day'... Well done Patty!.


Beyond category, Patty does what she does. Her own thing, with a very own sound. Vocally raw and human. Love the angel(ic) motive through her work. A very distinctive guitarplayer, but not a show off.

It's through Patty Larkin I stumbled upon Merrie Amsterburg.

Merrie Amsterburg... Three albums, too less albums.


I've been listening to all three albums few last weeks, and I'm so smitten by her I came to realise she's a stayer.
Want to shout: MERRIE! MERRIE! MERRIE!...
But... will anyone listen?

Sure, I like Annie Lennox, Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Vega, Dolly Parton, and so on, and so on, and so on... Sure I like those too. Me and my singing harem. They're part of my wardrobe.
But the hidden gems... wish I knew what's my part in the show 'How to help them get out there in the most spectacular way ever!'...

Patty Larkin 25

Patty Larkin... It's a shame she's so little known...

EC and NW and LW and MW and MC and more

This is about the genius called Eliza Carthy. No matter what, check out this documentary.









An interview with the first family of British folk (and they're hilarious!)

Free Free Free...

Yesterday we went to Kapellenbos for a free podium. Some of our friends were performing so we went in jolly good mood to check them out. And in hindsight... I don't know whether it is because they are our friends, but they were absolutely head and shoulders above the rest... A small review...
Below is a part of the group of listeners. They came to absorb the music and some more. One of them absorbed so much he went down, face first, on the staircase when we got home...


The first of our friends taking the spotlight was Brikke. He sang 'Softly As I Leave You', a song originally done by Frank Sinatra. This was, for me, the first highlight of the day. This was a voice one couldn't help but listen to. Finally a voice that had body and soul. He was accompanied on piano by his daughter Emily...


So then came the daughter... Emily sang 'Like A Star' (originally by Corinne Bailey Ray), followed by 'Love Is A Losing Game', a song we all know by Amy Winehouse. And that, that song, was not only a triumph for Emily, it was the highlight of the day. To sing a song which is made famous by such a defining artist, BUT making this song your very own, not imitating, not trying to copy, but singing your own song... well one has got be very talented to do so. And I think Emily is... She ended her set with a selfpenned song, not quite finished but definately going strong...


Mother and brother watching ever so attentively to the daughter/sister. Apart from the music made that moment I enjoyed the attention given and the wow's I heard at that moment.


Last of our friends to climb the stage were Jahfar. A jazzdubgroup showcasing their own songs in a way one wouldn't expect it in Kapellenbos. A pity they couldn't keep the attention of the audience because of the lack of a singer. The trumpet was the voice, that was obvious, but a lot of listeners went on to talk their own talk. Still they made thrilling music.


And yesterday was the day I finally could take home the painting I bought a few months ago. For now it has found a place upon the closet, away from the cat, until I paint the livingroom, and it will grace the wall there. The painter is a member of Jahfar and one hell of talented guy.

If I Had My Way Three Times

Music, it will always be my solace. And I enjoy it to get people get acquainted with (for them) new music. Once again, this post suits perfectly with previous posts.
The three YouTube-movies below are all about the same song. Well, they are the same song. 'If I had my way' written by the Reverend Gary Davies (°1896, +1972), and what is the song about? ... Exactly! Religion! It seems it interests me in every way. But I think, faith-driven or not, one has to acknowledge the wonderful stories Christianity has produced. This is the story of Samson and Delilah.
Last year, when we were in France we visited Chalon-Sur-Saône, quite a large city in Burgundy. A city with shops! Musicshops! So I went inside one, a bought two cd's. One by Catherine Russell, which I knew as a backing vocal to Jane Siberry and David Bowie. And one by Bethany and Rufus, which I didn't know at all, but the songchoice was alright, so I took the risk.
Here's Bethany and Rufus with their version of 'If I had my way'. I think they made it a new song.



Peter Paul and Mary on the other hand tend to make this song a lot duller, a lot easier, a lot more drained from all drive that's inherent to the lyric.



And finally Rev. Gary Davies, the original.