Barbara Jordan: the Constitution's staunchest defender

They should round up all of Congress, and replay the clip of her famous speech about her utter and complete faith in the Constitution of the United States. Barbara Jordan KNEW how nasty it had been and could become in an augenblick. You can't say she didn't warn us. We need her now. Or at least call her and her rock solid politics to mind and heed what she says. We need someone who will defend the Constitution as astutely as she did.

That's something relatively new in aging for me. Living long enough to have seen a pretty interesting chunk of politics, from Truman on. It was always on our radio, and TV when we got one.

I miss Barbara Jordan, one of my earliest sheroes. I miss Nina Simone, as well, and talked about her at The Good Musician.

So long to The Good Musician

This is one of the many altars, or groupings of art in St. Vitus basilica in Prague. This piece is solid silver, one of a grouping of five. It's quite stunning, as virtually everything else is gold.

The Good Musician blog will retire on July 31. It's been an interesting four months, I've certainly learned a good deal about the world of blogging for pay. I loved the writing discipline, and at the same time had a great lesson in my personal boundaries and commitments. b5media are the greatest--supportive, congenial, and their admin is superb. I hope to work with them again.

Freakin' hard work. My lovely readers are familiar with my freewheeling style, and I believe that's when I write my best. Or at least my most satisfying. Not to say that I am not quite proud of my work as TGM, I was in heaven writing about music. Fried Okra Productions and the people who pop in and say hi, and share fascinating ideas and stories, is home. I missed it.

Of course, that's all very self-serving. It's kinda like my relationship with my flute and my voice. I got my first flute at age seven, a Bundy nickle plated wonderful shiny music-making real instrument. Of my own. To play as much as I wanted. A black case with blue velvet lining. A St. Louis music store sticker nestled by the cleaning rod.

I've sung all my life, except for a period from age 12 to 18, after a grumpy church choir director made a snide remark about me being too sick to sing, but singing anyway, and lousing it up, sneezing, head aching, NOT wanting to be there. Withered my little feelings so's I didn't sing again til college, and by that time I was heavy into the instrumental groove.

For a very long time, through grad school and as a performing musician. Then I got tired of being so focused on going to the edge of flute playing. I just wanted to sing for a while. So that's what I've done. Taken lessons, always a member of the muni chorus, paid section leader, contractor, ringer, et al for several decades now, and I like a chamber chorus to keep my chops up. Or just any singing, wherever--Ballet Austin, ASO, Festival at Round Top, Georgetown Festival of the Arts.

Over time, I've learned to supplement singing by combining it with arts management. Dashing up on stage at the last second after hauling a portativ organ in my station wagon for 80 miles, my entire wardrobe was black so that I didn't have to worry about changing into concert gear in addition to putting the show up.

So where was I? Comparing TGM and FOP. Different instruments. Exceedingly cool at different times. So what do I do? My head is into repertoire at the moment, working with a group of musicians and admins to set programs for this year, while supporting the group during the transition in conductors. Listening to scads of music, going through old programs, awash in fond memories. There's so much good music out there. You might think about searching out the chorus in your town and having a listen.

The Good Musician

Image details: ECHO Klassik 2006 served by picapp.com


I've been so busy, I just realized that I have not announced my latest endeavor. I contracted with b5media to blog as The Good Musician. This requires 1-2 posts per day, plus various music channel activities, group posts, et al. Not to belittle the opportunity, the pay is not why I'm doing this. I have a lot of building and connecting to do.

In addition to this disclosure, I'd like to invite you all to visit The Good Musician and send me your reviews, ideas, comments, anything you'd like, as long as it's not rotten tomatoes or worse. You don't even have to be a musician.

I'm happy to accept new CD releases for consideration for reviews. Or if you heard something on the radio and want to investigate further, let me know and I'll try to help.

As soon as I get some posts queued up, I'll be able to post more regularly here at Fried Okra Productions.

Come visit!!

AVAE's American Tapestry concert

The extended drought has severely limited the bluebonnets this year. As you can see from the photo, they're sparse. If we'd had enough rain last fall and winter, the frame would be filled with a deep saturated blue, with contrasting Indian Paintbrushes scattered throughout. They are companion plants, and you won't see one without the other, except perhaps in a drought. Few Mexican Blankets, either.

So what does any of this have to do with Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble, you may ask? Well, some of the best music happens during bluebonnet time, however lush or sparse the blooms. The concert was very satisfying, good crowd, pitch stayed up pretty well, although I hate flatting at all.

A new opportunity presented itself: I've been hired by b5media to blog as The Good Musician, and went live on March 31. I can still write about music on Fried Okra Productions, and am free to publish any post from TGM a month later. You might as well go over to TGM, check it out, give me your ideas, contacts, and critique. I'm open for suggestions--anything having to do with music.

Learning curve on WordPress, I like it. It will take a bit to get up to speed. I'd love to hear about WP tips or advice--anything to fine tune the digital media, it's a frisky pony at present.