“I think community is important.
Especially when it comes to music.”
— Jaleel Shaw, alto saxophonist

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It’s kind of cool that I keep finding artists who see (and say) what I see. The quote above is from a  post by Shaw on his blog. He goes on to say:

“I think [a sense of community] is one of the first things I found myself learning/experiencing when I began playing music. By performing, I learned how to interact with, not only other musicians, but also with an audience.

I think it’s an amazing way for a group of people to get to know, understand, and trust one another.”

So do I. (*smile*)

I’ve had a revelation.

I want us singing.

By singing, I mean camp songs, children’s songs, ditties and doowop, and classics — from Bach to The Beatles. Work songs, play songs and pretend songs. Theme songs, heart songs, and soul songs.

By us, I mean families and friends, companies and coworkers, schoolkids and grad students. Elders and ingenues. Amateurs and pros.

It doesn’t matter if you think you can’t sing. Or if you can read music, or if you know the names of the notes. Or what those Italian words printed in italics (hmm) in the music mean.

To me, singing isn’t about that stuff. It’s about other stuff — good stuff, fun stuff, enaging and feeling connected to others stuff. Self-expression and taking chances stuff.

I want us to experience the joy of letting loose, connecting with each other, and swimming in a pool of resonance. I want us to engage, move and delight each other. To reach accord — to live harmoniously. (Remember, I’m out to change the world.)

First things first. Let’s bringing singing back.

I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of friends going through lots of stuff right now. Or should I say STUFF?

Financial woes, serious illnesses, the blues, the blahs … not to mention cabin fever. We live in Minnesota** and it just snowed AGAIN! (Although, I guess to be fair, some people are excited about that?) I’ve spent more than a few hours in the past months vegged out in front of the computer instead of working. (Hence last week’s post about discipline (c;)

One of the things I have to remind myself to do when the world starts to seem like it’s out to get me (and everyone I know) is to listen to music. I send music to friends and family going through STUFF. My music, other people’s music — it doesn’t matter – it’s the message, the mood, the meaning that’s important.

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Here are some songs that almost always make my playlists. If you’re grappling with STUFF (or just stuff – *smile*), they might be the perfect prescription.

• I Am Sending You Light – Melanie DeMore
• All That You Have is Your Soul – Tracy Chapman
• A Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Simon and Garfunkel (but also Eva Cassidy)
• Cry (If You Want To) – Holly Cole
• God Bless the Child – Billie Holiday (and me, of course)
• Going Home – Ulali
• I Shall Be Released – Bob Dylan (but also Nina Simone)
• Now Touch the Air Softly – Peter Mayer
• Stay With You – Jon Legend
• The World Exploded into Love – Bob Schneider
• You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King (and also James Taylor)

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**If you’re in or near the Twin Cities, the next Songtaneous is this Saturday, March 7.  Visit my Events page for more info.