Monday, November 21, 2016

Music Monday - Somber

It is again a week of musical farewells, and I will let other bloggers do the heavy lifting (or writing) this week.

Blogger John Holton wrote a tribute to the late Leon Russell.

Another blogger I admire, Roy Ackerman, blogged a tribute to the late Leonard Cohen. 
Those who are fans of the satiric NBC late night Saturday show, Saturday Night Live, were treated (and perhaps moved) by this cold open a week ago, after the Presidential Election.  The cast member singing this, Kate McKinnon, plays Hillary Clinton in political skits.

This time, McKinnon played a piano and sang a song written by Leonard Cohen. Right at the end, she made a political statement.  Agree or disagree, at least we have the right to speak out in this country.  Democracy can get messy, and we may be in for a long, hard, next few years.  Especially when you see political discussions on Facebook and Twitter, two social media that have turned into troll feeding grounds.

Music is one of the things that can sustain us in hard times.  This week, I am thankful for music, and for have knowing a special friend of over 40 years whose life has become music.  Today is his birthday.  Happy birthday, Howard, and may you have only happy years ahead of you.

Day 20 of NaBloPoMo.
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21 comments:

  1. Cerebrations.bizNovember 21, 2016 at 7:44 AM

    Pass along my birthday wishes too!

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  2. DeniseNovember 21, 2016 at 8:18 AM

    I read that nearly 80% of people say they get their news from Facebook. Really? No wonder our election results were so dismal. I love music. But, it can really affect your mood, which is why I have to keep turning off the local classical station cause they keep playing depressing choices.

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    1. bookwormNovember 22, 2016 at 5:37 PM

      The wrong music can certainly be depressing. What is also depressing to me is the percentage of people who decided not to vote in this Presidential election. I have no words for that.

      Delete
  3. UnknownNovember 21, 2016 at 10:20 AM

    Ah, music...it has been there when no one else was...

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    1. bookwormNovember 22, 2016 at 5:39 PM

      Music can be our best friend. In my elementary school, there was a limited budget (I suspect) and only those with talent were able to take music instruction. I wasn't one of them. Why they even did this kind of testing (I still remember parts of the testing) is beyond me. Don't we all need music?

      Delete
  4. Debbie D. November 21, 2016 at 10:29 AM

    Yes, it's been a sad couple of weeks, all around. :( Music is the great healer, though.

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    1. bookwormNovember 22, 2016 at 5:40 PM

      Yes, music heals. Music keeps us going. I remember the songs my friend who I mention at the end of this post composed for the hard times he was experiencing.

      Delete
  5. HaraleeNovember 21, 2016 at 12:00 PM

    I love Kate singing as Hillary and a nod to Leonard Cohen. It is a great moment!

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    Replies
    1. bookwormNovember 22, 2016 at 5:40 PM

      I cried and cried when I watched the SNL clip.

      Delete
  6. Beth Havey November 21, 2016 at 12:41 PM

    Loved this, it made me cry.

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  7. Dorothy BordersNovember 21, 2016 at 12:49 PM

    Music is a refuge in troubled times.

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    Replies
    1. bookwormNovember 22, 2016 at 5:41 PM

      It is. I've read amazing stories about the power of music.

      Delete
  8. Alice GerardNovember 21, 2016 at 2:07 PM

    I love that song. So beautifully poetic. Thank you for the music.

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    1. bookwormNovember 22, 2016 at 5:42 PM

      Thank you for commenting. I'm so grateful that I had a chance to move people through my blog today.

      Delete
  9. Vinay Leo R.November 21, 2016 at 2:35 PM

    I agree with you that music is one of the things that can sustain us in hard times. :-) I've experienced the cathartic nature of music, and grateful for that.

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    Replies
    1. bookwormNovember 22, 2016 at 5:43 PM

      I know my friend has been helped tremendously by music, which has helped him cope with recent sad times in his life.

      Delete
  10. Liz A.November 21, 2016 at 6:48 PM

    Happy birthday, Howard.

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  11. SuzyNovember 23, 2016 at 12:25 AM

    Oh yes, music is food for the soul. Leonard Cohen wrote some awesome songs - Hallelujah would've been one of his best. Happy Birthday to Howard.

    ReplyDelete

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