All posts tagged: song

Poems for Billy Strayhorn (III)

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In the early morning of May 31, 1967, Billy Strayhorn made his transition to another realm. In honor of him, and his musical legacy, I would like to share “Lotus Blossom”, the third poem from my series inspired by his compositions. I was deeply moved by the recording of Duke Ellington playing this piece as an impromptu tribute to Billy. I understand that it was accidently recorded after the session for Duke’s album “And His Mother Called Him Bill” was supposed to have concluded.  In the background, you can hear the other band members talking and packing up as he begins to play this intimate solo. Oh! I listened to this recording many, many, many times while I was writing the words below. You can also listen to it here: “Lotus Blossom” on YouTube*. I wanted to compose a piece where the lotus not only described how I personally feel about Billy Strayhorn, his life, the man, the artist, and how he inspires me and countless other musicians, but one that would also describe the natural life cycle of this mystical plant. It was the juxtaposition of these two metaphors that inspired …

9/11 Tribute Song – This Unforgiving Town

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This Unforgiving Town (My Lagan Love – 9/11) ©2003 Laurie Early/ASCAP The Hudson flows along the shore Where orchards of steel grow. Each gleaming bough contains a tale Of lives and loves below. And every wave sings out its song For shattered hearts needing repair. Who will be dressed in sorrow’s gown In this unforgiving town? As sunlight wakes the morning sky Our innocence a memory. An axeman wears a selfish smile As he fells another tree. The city’s armor takes the blows But yet the human damage shows. Who will be saved? And who will drown In this unforgiving town? When twilight rolls upon the day A dusty night time looms. A flood of tears won’t wash away The pain caused by these wounds. And so we’re called to higher ground Because it’s there that love is found. Who will be brave? And who’ll be brought down In this unforgiving town? My Lagan Love, the melody that inspired this song, is over 500 years old. I have changed the Irish Traditional up a bit …

Lorena Fontana – A Vision

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A couple of years ago I was surprised and honored to get an email from Lorena asking me to review some of her original lyrics before her recording date. She is an amazing singer and composer I met in Rome in 2011. At the time I was surprised she had reached out to me because her English lyrics were so imaginative and grammatically correct (not easy for anyone, but especially when working in a second language) so I did not know how much value I could add to her work. She did not need any real corrections, but we did engage in a wonderful dialog about motivations in the lyrics and questions about certain phrases that she subsequently revised herself. It was such an exciting exchange of ideas and I am grateful to have assisted her in any way during her creative process. She thanked me in the liner notes and that was a nice little thrill to see. Lorena traveled all the way to California to record this CD and she produced a cool video about the trip entitled “The …

Let Me Sing This Dance With You

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This past Sunday I had the opportunity to sing a few jazz standards accompanied by Murray Wall on double bass (contrabass); he’s a wonderful musician. It was so much fun. No microphone, no piano, no drum, and a no distractions.  We had a small audience who also seemed to be sending out the “no judgments” vibe which was very sweet. It was a showcase-style performance with four other women, and we had a ball singing in this simple rotating format. It was conceptualized by one of the performers, and dubbed “Beauties and the Bass” by another.  A lovely group dynamic. After the performance, I spent a few moments talking to another friend. She was part of the audience, but had also assisted a couple of the singers with their choreography (suggesting hand gestures, slight movements to try while singing, and other things like that.) She is a very graceful person, and we spoke about her possibly dancing to one of my original songs sometime in the near future.  As we were talking I was immediately reminded of the following song that I wrote …

Poems for Billy Strayhorn (II)

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I am in London this week!  So, of course, I am prompted to post a second poem from my series inspired by specific compositions of Billy Strayhorn, Chelsea Bridge, a London landmark. As you read, you may wish to listen to one of the sax solos that inspired me while I was writing–Ben Webster’s sensitive version of “Chelsea Bridge” on YouTube*. Chelsea Bridge ©2009 Laurie Early There’s a footpath under the Chelsea Bridge Darling, meet me there tonight I’ll be there waiting in the moonlight. We’ll go walking down by the River Thames while the boats go by you can steal a kiss memories to cling to for a lifetime. Do you remember that storm, the day we met last April, when we both ran for shelter from the rain? Our romance made London a dreamland where we’ll never be lonely again. As the river sparkles like stars so high up above I will take your hand, I will give my heart “I love you that’s forever,” this I’ll promise. This I’ll promise under the …

How Could I Forget Your Eyes?

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How Could I Forget Your Eyes ©2012 Laurie Early (Music by Alfonso Deidda) How could I forget your eyes? Eyes that changed my life when they met with mine. I took just one look at your face, and this world became a brand new place, and I have never felt a love like this one surround me before, (I feel so lucky, baby.) How could I forget your eyes? Eyes revealing secrets I have never known. You taught me to balance, and then, I learned that I could trust my heart again, so tell me, how could I forget your eyes? And, if I just stop for a second, and breathe a moment, I dream what a dream our little life could be. I remember glances you gave me. Is there a chance you’ll save me from living a life without you near? (Baby, that’s my fear.) So tell me, how could I forget those sweet eyes? What would life be like without your loving gaze? I can’t see a day without you; from our first kiss …

Poems for Billy Strayhorn (I)

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This poem is the first I am posting here from my series of poems inspired by specific compositions by Billy Strayhorn. As you read my words, I encourage you to listen to the Alessandro Vaccari Quartet* performing a lovely version of Strayhorn’s Isfahan that I discovered recently on YouTube. My Isfahan ©2009 Laurie Early Poets speak your name and sigh, ink in quill, for calligraphic lace, my love, cannot hold you still. A mystical poem can’t ever enclose, the fragrance of such a rose, your gardens harbor those, my Isfahan. Jasmine in the wind ‘neath saffron-colored skies. Tea served near the square, with Persian lullabies. Your tranquil flowing streams and mosaics gleam… turquoise, gold, and green, my Isfahan. You are half the world, my Isfahan.   Another poem in this series is:  (II) Chelsea Bridge *Alessandro Vaccari Quartet 17 giugno 2011 – PER LA RASSEGNA “EFFETTO JAZZ” 2011 Alessandro Vaccari – ten sax Emiliano Pintori – keyboards Roberto Beneventi – double bass Vittorio Sicbaldi – drums Località: Barchessoni di San Martino Spino, Mirandola, Modena, ITALY

Consider the Moon

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Consider the Moon ©2008 Laurie Early Consider the moon reflecting the sun, asking nothing for herself but to share light where there was none. Consider the moon she’s scarred many ways, but stays true to herself as she moves along through each phase. And you know she has a dark side she keeps to herself, full of sadness, fear and anger, and a ton of self-doubt. But if you care to visit there she’ll surely let you see, so that you won’t make the same mistakes as she. Consider the moon, she’s so far away, illuminating our nighttime, but getting closer, closer, closer to the sun each day. She’s leaving us, she’s leaving us, she’s gonna leave us all in her dust Men have walked all over her and left their trash behind. consider the moon.   [Photo of the moon by Richard Williams © 2013]