Music for All • Jun. 2023
Sara Goldstein Studio
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REFER A FRIEND
OMNI-MUSIC
My daughter and I are Brandi Carlile fans. We agree on this and sing her songs when driving in the car. Margit begged me to go with her to a Brandi Carlile weekend in early June at The Gorge amphitheater in Washington State. She got tickets to Brandi on nights 1 and 3 (The Highwomen).
I said, “I don’t like crowds.”
She persisted. Then she succeeded in getting tickets to the second night, a performance which was to include Joni Mitchell.
“I saw Joni in 1975 in Buffalo NY. Why do I need to hear her now, at 79?”
I am telling you that the weekend was amazing. The Gorge is magnificent, overlooking miles of canyon, the Columbia River, and hillsides in all colors, changing with the setting sun.
Was it hot? Yes.
Was it cold? Yes.
Were there crowds? Yes.
Did we wait in long lines? Yes.
Did we get to bed at 2AM pacific time 3 nights in a row. Yes.
We heard great music. Brandi is a versatile, beautiful and tireless singer and performer and her band is amazing, with excellent vocals from the Hanseroth twins and Lucius among others. But the highlight of the weekend was the Joni Jam. Joni has rebounded from a brain aneurysm which left her unable to walk or talk. She arrives on stage with a cane and her support person. The stage was set up like a living room, with a band of top notch musicians sitting around her, providing beautiful back up. The Joni jams have been going on at her LA house for months. Brandi led, Joni took it on with guts and glory. Really! What is it to sing at 79 after such an ordeal? A deep, resonant sound, just a bit unsteady but a voice filled with conviction and surrounded by the support of her “jammers.” She was sung to and she sang. She told stories. She tapped her cane and moved in rhythm to the music with a broad smile on her face.
Brandi Carlile made this happen. She is a uniter of musicians and a healer who seeks out those who still have something to sing, as was evident in the appearance of Tanya Tucker, opening for the Highwomen on the third night.
Yes, I am a voice teacher who works with students studying classical voice; opera and art song. But I am at heart a Joni fan. There was a time when I was compelled to make a career choice; folk/blues or classical. I chose classical. A John Prine song will pierce me as much as a Verdi aria. I am an omnivore when it comes to music. I can’t wait to hear Alison Krause and Robert Plant next week at Tanglewood. But first, Emanual Ax and the Emerson String Quartet. I’ll get to bed earlier.
Margit designed and made the glasses. Check out her work at margitmakesthings.com
Have a wonderful summer! Follow your muse and stay up past your bedtime.
ABOUT THE ALEXANDER TECHINQUE
The Alexander Technique helps us to function in harmony with our natural design and with greater efficiency and ease. Alexander lessons are recognized as a valuable resource to people of all ages, including performing artists, athletes, anyone with chronic or incidental pain or just wishing to improve wellbeing.
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