I told you there would be more clips from this 1988 Friends & Lovers Concert! This video captures my performance of Don McLean's masterful "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)." My friend John Lewis-McLaren accompanies me on guitar.
eJohn was taken from us way too early — he died in April 2014. His wife Grace Lewis-McLaren also shared her musical talents with us at this concert, playing piano on much of the first half. She is an accomplished songwriter and musician and now splits her time between Maine and San Diego.
John and I performed Vincent on several occasions and it became on of my most requested songs. I really think Don McLean created some of the most powerful songs of a generation. It's a joy to sing this piece, although the sadness often overtakes the luminous portrayal of Van Gogh's genius. This concert was the last time I performed in public without including my own compositions in the song list. Inspired by so many great songwriters through the years, I just couldn't hold back any longer. Creating my own work while honoring the works of others now characterize my approach to concerts as well as recordings.
The Friends & Lovers series of concerts began in 1987 and ran through the mid 90s — I think the latest was in 1996. The F&L concerts in the 90s featured myself and my dear friend and fellow songwriter, Peggy Watson.
All of the F&L concerts were staged at the First Unitarian-Universalist Church of San Diego in Hillcrest. This Reunion Concert (1988) was perhaps the most ambitious of the series and we were lucky to have the sponsorship and production assistance of the Looking Glass Mobile Theater — still a vibrant organization based at First UU Church. This particular show featured nearly 20 performers, full lighting, a costume change and an ASL interpreter.
Please let me know if you like these historical flashbacks.
And let me know if you were there that night! As always, I'd be pleased if any of you choose to share this blog post on your social media pages.
John and I performed Vincent on several occasions and it became on of my most requested songs. I really think Don McLean created some of the most powerful songs of a generation. It's a joy to sing this piece, although the sadness often overtakes the luminous portrayal of Van Gogh's genius. This concert was the last time I performed in public without including my own compositions in the song list. Inspired by so many great songwriters through the years, I just couldn't hold back any longer. Creating my own work while honoring the works of others now characterize my approach to concerts as well as recordings.
The Friends & Lovers series of concerts began in 1987 and ran through the mid 90s — I think the latest was in 1996. The F&L concerts in the 90s featured myself and my dear friend and fellow songwriter, Peggy Watson.
All of the F&L concerts were staged at the First Unitarian-Universalist Church of San Diego in Hillcrest. This Reunion Concert (1988) was perhaps the most ambitious of the series and we were lucky to have the sponsorship and production assistance of the Looking Glass Mobile Theater — still a vibrant organization based at First UU Church. This particular show featured nearly 20 performers, full lighting, a costume change and an ASL interpreter.
Please let me know if you like these historical flashbacks.
And let me know if you were there that night! As always, I'd be pleased if any of you choose to share this blog post on your social media pages.
RSS Feed