Love, Love Lost, or Lonely Songs
First, the entire DFS would like to wholeheartedly thank the amazingly talented, Steve Deasy, for establishing this website for us (if you haven’t heard his music, you should check it out . . .)
Secondly, we’d like to thank Eileen for hosting our February meeting, which begins with signing up with your name and the song you’ll be singing while we discuss ‘New Business’. Our new business began with the discussion of the purchase of new copies of RISE UP SINGING, but most had their own copy.
A.J. said he fully intends to have the Assembly Line Concert IV in Highland Park this year with a march at the end of 400+ hours of music on October 7th that actually ends at the Highland Park Assembly Plant. He was also proud to be a part of the first urban solar street lights on Victor Street, and also told us he sells coffee at 515 S. Washington where our own Hannah Waterstone will be accompanying vocalist, Steven Savage, on piano on February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in a cabaret show.
Marilyn said she and Jere will be performing with the band, QUENCH, at The Steak Hut, 1551 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (where they have live music every Sunday from 11:00 – 1:00) and that the breakfast special (if you arrive before 11:00, is less than $3 – – UNBELIEVABLE!!!!) AND THE MUSIC’S FREE!
We began with Eileen singing Tom Paxton’s “When We Were Good”, then moved into a traditional Irish love song, “Do You Love An Apple?” led by Charlene (which, ironically, Claire had originally planned to sing). That was followed by Denny’s choice, Wince Cole’s “The Glow of the Kerosene Light”, which reminded him of his Canadian boyhood before everyone had electricity and kerosene lamps were quite popular. Ted led us into a Johnny Cash rendition of “I Still Miss Someone” in his best impression of the man in black (very close, I might ad! 🙂 and Jere sang Procol Harem’s debut song, “Whiter Shade of Pale ” (co authored by Gary Brooker, Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher) while we all hummed the familiar Bach-derived accompaniment. Tom led us in an 18th century folk song, “Shady Grove” and Marilyn followed with a song written by Irving Berlin when he was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Yaphank, New York, originally titled, “Yip Yip Yaphank”, but ‘put on the back burner’ until 1938 when, on Armistice Day 1938, it was sung by Kate Smith as “God Bless America”. A.J. sang a beautifully moving delivery of Andy William’s “Love Story” (“Where Do I Begin”) and was followed by an equally moving performance of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Sarah (not unlike Roberta Flack’s 1973 performance of the song composed by Charles Fox and written by Norman Gimbel). Jacqui tried to lead us in “My Lady’s a Wild Flying Dove”, but, it being a more obscure Tom Paxton song (not in RISE UP SINGING) wasn’t what Jacqui had hoped it would be, nor was it anything to make Mr. Paxton proud. Ruby lamented, “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” (he’ll be rising) taking liberty with Jimmy Webb’s version. Claire, who had abandoned “Do You Love An Apple?” decided upon W. B. Yeats’ “Down By the Sally Garden” and we all learned that a weir is a low dam that is built across a small body of water such as a stream or brook to raise the level of it, or to redirect the flow of it. Jack played “My Funny Valentine” on his saxaphone, and was beautifully accompanied by his lovely wife, Hannah on piano. It was then Hannah’s turn, and Jack played along as she presented an original composition, “Falling in Love at the Waterfall”.
At break, we all enjoyed each others’ company as well as the snacks and beverages we all brought to share, then we reconvened for one more round of songs we all love to sing until it wasn’t Saturday night any longer.
Next month we’ll meet at Denny and Claire’s at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9th, so bring your copy of RISE UP SINGING and a snack to share and join us when we sing ANIMAL/CHILDREN SONGS.
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