1. Bruce Springsteen, during Sunday's inauguration kickoff concert in DC, doing a powerful acoustic version of "The Rising" supported by a full gospel choir. Here it is, at least until HBO inevitably yanks the clip:
2. A studio recording of a song Mahalia Jackson performed during the 1963 March on Washington. (I can't remember which one, but it was gorgeous.) This was almost certainly not the song, but it works so beautifully with the title, theme, and tone of Bruce's--to say nothing of the zeitgeist at this particular moment--that I can't resist sharing it:
#2 inspired me to pull out my copy of ...
... this compilation of Jackson's recordings for Columbia as a way of honoring the present confluence of anniversaries, inaugurations, and such.
I'm actually not the biggest fan of either the Boss or the Queen of Gospel, but of course I recognize their places in popular culture and music history, and each has created many moments that speak directly to me. Today I heard two more, and the day--24 short hours before we officially welcome a president who can actually form complete, coherent, and even thought-provoking sentences!--was all the more inspiring as a result.
2 comments:
now that i know about your blog, i'll be all over it...i love music but it is hard to access it all here...this is like one-stop shopping for a gal like me.
Maura, I should have known it was you! Glad to see you've found me here, and I'm more than happy to help spread the word about all kinds of music. Would love to hear what kinds of sounds you've heard on your travels...
And hey, I was thrilled to discover your own blog, too!
See you on your next trip to the States, though I sure wouldn't mind seeing you in your adopted land, either.
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