I had a great time at the National Anthem Concert. It was awesome! I’m very impressed with both David and Charley. I’m doing what they advised and working for change, so I need to get to bed.
Let’s hear some stories!
Please share widely!
Reality-based commentary on politics.
I was unable to go, so I’m anxious to live vicariously through those who attended.
First, the disclosure: I can’t read music. The only instrument I ever played was bongo drums [okay is was 1966] – and I only passed the Music Appreciation course I took in college to improve myself because the professor looked at the number of hours I logged in the language lab to listen to his required music and took that into account when I still could not “hear” what we were being trained to hear.
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p>The heart and soul present in the performances was so strong that not only did I not fall asleep [as I was afraid I would do] but the very air glowed. I admit I especially lowed Charles Blandy’s Boatmen’s Dance [the combination of clear tenor voice and rhythmn really appealed to me] – I thought it was great that the end piece was the kinda drinking song from Carmen, and Robert Honeysucker’s superb baritone got to flirt with every single soprano. So consider this a tease and hopefully, the more musically adept will be able to be more specific from you, Tblade.
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p>Thanks for David Kravits for pulling this together, I understand more than $50,000 was raised for the Obama campaign and most of those seated around me came because they read about it in the Globe and were musicians impressed by the line up [not even Democratic activists]!
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p>Last night was fantastic. I loved all the singing last night, but the two highlights, to me, was David Hoose’s conducting of the Beethoven piece and the dueling violenists. I swear my donation was worth it for that pair alone!
… but that’s not a bongo, it’s a conga.
the drummer uses bongos, too. He’ll have a few drum set ups during a concert.
It was a wide-ranging program put together, and some wonderful performances. Personal highlights included hearing Krista River slide into her notes smoothly and eloquently, Ya-Fei Chuang eliding over her notes like a rushing stream in a wonderful interpretation of Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 2 in G Minor, and the fun of an orchestra having a go at Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. There were a lot of talented musicians evidently having great fun for a good cause.
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p>And these boys don’t just run a good blog, they’ve got a hell of a set of pipes on each of ’em. They can write, sure, but heavens can they sing.
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p>It was also a treat to see so many BMG folks — Kate, RyePower, stomv, AmberPAW, and even “John from Abington”. Betty’s Wok and Noodle makes a good dinner, and apparently one whaling’ good margarita.
… I wound up being too busy to stop and introduce myself properly. I was really looking forward to meeting all the BMGers face to face, but it just didn’t work out that way. Still,… glad to hear everyone enjoyed themselves and I’m really looking forward to David letting us know what the final take was.
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p>I guess I’ll just have make a priority of getting to the next meeting at an establishment for the consumption of social lubricant.
I was nervous I’d miss the last Blue Line train back to Wonderland, so I hauled out of there quick.
I don’t have much to add over what others wrote. It was a terrific show. It was chock full of top-notch musicians, and I had a great time.
I don’t suppose anyone video taped any of the night and can post it on YouTube? For we out-of-towners…
not sure if/when it’s going on youtube, but i did see someone taping it in the back.
those were still photos.
Corinne, Pat, and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and we all agreed it was one of the best concerts of any genre that we had ever been to (and I’m OLD!).
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p>I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked at the time when the concert was over — it was certainly one of the longest concerts I’ve ever been to, but I was in rapt attention the whole time, and it seemed to go by in half the time!
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p>Also, cheap at half the price! (And to think that all those people donated their time so the proceeds could go to saving this country! btw, Amber Paw, I think I remember Charley saying $60K…)
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p>And, Kate and Kathleen, thanks so much for organizing the meet-up at Betty’s — that alone was worth the trip! Good food, good company, great conversation!
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p>Then, as if that all weren’t enough, we stayed with friends in town and headed up the next morning to Manchester to hear our candidate. Barack was firing on all cylinders! Very CLEAR about the differences between his proposals and McSame’s, and FINALLY some direct responses to the lies coming from the other side about Iraq and other things.
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p>It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I took LOTS of photos — have not had a chance to look at them yet, but will try to post some soon. What a great way to spend a 24-hour period. We returned to Western Mass totally exhausted and highly charged!
I certainly won’t claim I have the best ears in town.
Sounds like everyone had a great time