Today is Memorial Day and we want to take a moment to honor the fallen. Each was an individual, set on this planet with skills and gifts a unique personality and people who loved them. They gave all for this country, but my mind wanders to what else these warriors and citizens might have accomplished had they lived. Today, take time to talk to a stranger and find out their history. Old, young, American born or foreign, neighbor or stranger; be open to making a new friend, and understanding them. Take time to cherish our hard won freedom, our blessed country, and our wonderful servicemen and women.
Lately, I have been having conversations worthy of Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock lyrics, “I came upon a child of God…” There has been a series of memorable characters to talk to, and it has been enriching and exhilarating. Some of the people that cross my path are those that come to play the Threadgill’s School Night Sessions. Right before SXSW this year, Raina Rose played it, and blew me away when she did a cover version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You.” That is a hard song to sing, and she brought an exceptional grace to it. When the Music Fog Spring Marathon came around, she brought John Elliott, Andrew Pressman, and Anthony da Costa along. Anthony has been hailed as a comer since he emerged as a fifteen year old, and two years later, he was the subject of a rave review in the New York Times. We were delighted to have them, and here is the Music Fog version of Anthony’s song “Note.”
- Jessie Scott