Hallelujah, with Ukulele

I recently read a biography of Leonard Cohen (I'm Your Man, Sylvie Simmons) which mentioned — off-handedly — that he plays uke. So it seemed a charming match.

I'm currently reading The Holy or the Broken by Alan Light, which is an exhaustive study of the growing popularity of this song. Aside from a discussion of record sales — a necessary evil — he talks about how each singer's interpretation brings something new to the song.

My interpretation, as is often the case, is a syncretic blend of other interpretations that have spoken to me. My aim is mix moments of innocence (an element of the Buckley interpretation, according to Light) with moments experience (Cohen's original and John Cage's cover).

Only Love

I continue to test the theory that serious songs are especially appropriate for the ukulele. The ultimate test will be a Leonard Cohen song (coming soon), but this Neil Young song is also a good proof of concept.

Happy Birthday, Woody!

A day early, but this is the day I had time to record, edit, and upload the video. I did a version in my study, but recording it in the shadow of the arbor in my backyard seemed so more appropriate.

Shelter From the Storm

I like to sing in the shower. Have I told you that? Are you surprised to learn it?

I also play with alternate tunes while in the shower. So it was, sometime in 2000, I decided this Bob Dylan song should really be a sea chanty.

I'm back in the St. Nicholas Chapel at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral. I prayed to be worthy to sing this song in this space; I lit a votive (immediately under the BVM).

You Tube Premier

There's a couple of stumbles here - who knew I'd be so unsure in front of a camera? - but I think the point of the medley comes across. Shot with a Flip Ultra.

Hard to Live With

Mandolin blues. What a concept.

Hazards of Love

I really like the sound of this track, what I presume to be the second "single" from the album of the same name. I've listened to the 30 sec snippets available on iTunes, and the album as a whole sounds interesting. It's a "concept" album, similar to their previous album, The Crane Wife. The difference being that album had two stories told over a series of tracks, with 2-3 tracks being outside those stories; the description of this album indicates it's all one story told over the course of 17 tracks.

Let me know what you think of this track.

This Land Is Your Land

Pete Seeger, his grandson Tao Rodriguez, and Bruce Springsteen. Note that Pete, that wonderful iconoclast, sings verses rarely recorded - "By the relief office, I saw my people" and "The great big sign there said Private Property".

Volunteers

Classic story song by Mark Erelli & Peter Nelson; performed here by Mr. Erelli.

Old Dogs

This one's for you, Brother Dave.

Song D'Jour: Hammond

The latest issue/CD of the Oxford American (Issue #58) includes this song, which has definitely grown on me with each listen. The article actually mentions the Soundstage Performance embedded here.

Dr. Omed Lives

Dateline: Tulsa, OK
Dr. Omed is alive, well, and continuing his ministry. As you'll see via the link, TVRR Doctor recently officiated at a wedding. Thanks to the miracle of the internet, Dr. O is an ordained minister, and may officiate at weddings. Recognized by the state, and everything.

I wish I had known about the wedding, as I have met the couple. The gentleman on the right of the picture is Randy, a fantastic mandolin player. We are the traditional live entertainment at Dr. Omed's annual Winter Solstice gathering.

Tom Paxton

Pictured is the first Tom Paxton album our family bought. Padre bought it in late 1971 or early 1972 on the strength of a record review. And it was good. Not a bad introduction to Paxton's music.

Tom Paxton was among the group of singer-songwriters in the early sixties sometimes called "Woody's Children"; that is, this group (e.g., Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Judy Collins) carried on Woody Guthrie's folk tradition, not only by singing traditional songs, but also by writing and singing new songs. These new songs would often address concerns of the common man or current political issues, as Woody's did.

How Come the Sun is a good example. The opening track, "I Had to Shoot That Rabbit", addressed the Viet Nam war as well as the sport of hunting. The title track addressed ecology as well as the folly of human warfare.

Tom Paxton was raised in Oklahoma (his family moved here when he was 11). He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he majored in drama. He returns to Oklahoma sporatically, the most recent trip being this past Friday (Feb. 9) when he performed at Stage Center.

He played two 50-minute sets. He played a lot of favorites, including his best-known songs, "Ramblin' Boy" and "Last Thing on My Mind". I didn't recognize every song he played, but I enjoyed all of them. In particular, I was pleased to hear him play "Jennifer's Rabbit" from his Morning Again album.

I did hope he would sign autographs; I brought the How Come the Sun album cover in case he would.

As you see, he was kind enough to sign the album cover.

While signing the cover, he explained the child on the cover was his daughter Kate. Then he named the group on the back cover: Kate, Tom, his wife Midge, and his daughter Jennifer.