Every group that’s been around for a while starts to accumulate traditions. Special activities and treasured events become part of the fabric of a thriving organization. This is true for Better Said Than Done, and our next show brings the third installment of one of our favorites.
This Thursday, September 14th at 8:00 P.M. Eastern time join BSTD for an online extravaganza and the third installment of our tuneful series – Storytelling The Musical Follies! Jessica Robinson emcees the evening, and the musically talented cast consists of Angela Lloyd, Andy Offutt Irwin, Andy Russell, Ria Spencer, and Jude Treder-Wolff!
Tickets are on sale right here!
For this show I wanted to find out a little about our tellers’ personal musical journeys, so I asked them this:
Name three pieces of music that have influenced or inspired you.
Here’s what they shared…
1. (in utero) Caroline Lloyd – Live on the Steinway grand piano, composing melodies, setting Latin american poets’ verses for a mezzo soprano voice
2. 1957 Double Album, Music For Children, Carl Orff w/ Gunild Keetman, AOSA.org, American Orff Schulwerk Association
3. Miriam Makeba, Pata Pata
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“Quitting Time” by The Roches
“St James Infirmary” by Louis Armstrong
“Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman
My first thought was of the Love and Rockets album “Express”. I listened to them on my walkman over and over as I skated around NYC in college, and on one awesome trip to Paris. I can hear Kundalini Express every time I think about skating in France.
Ani DiFranco got me through much of my 20s. I listened to “Untouchable Face,” over and over and over again, along with most of her songs from “Little Plastic Castles.”
Harry Nilsson and Harry Chapin sprang to mind next – my parents music, that I grew up with. But it was Harry Chapin who made me want to be an artist, or who at least made me think I could, or should, do it. I didn’t want to let my “Dreams Go By.”
“Take It Easy” by The Eagles – This album permeated my entire senior year in high school- band trips, dates, prom – you name it! And “Take It Easy” was my favorite cut on the album.
“What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – I love Louis and New Orleans, but most of all the lyrics paint such a wonderful, uplifting view of the world. This one never lets me down.
“Did She Mention My Name?” by Gordon Lightfoot – Love this song on its own, but I learned so much from studying the lyrics. This could so easily have been another “I love you, I miss you, I want you back” song, but instead it is subtle, wistful and understated. Wonderful stuff.
Earth Wind and Fire’s “September” will always be a personal favorite. It takes me back to hanging out with all of my cousins in my grandparents back room as a little kid.
Prince’s “Controversy” album. Have to say the entire album because from start to finish the album rocked my world. I even remember what I was wearing when I bought it.
Parliament’s “Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)”. A seminal track in the all-time funk cannon. And Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop was also the name of my college radio show.
Joni Michell’s “Both Sides Now” – first and mainly because she was the iconic female singer/songwriter of my generation, and the song that literally shifted my perspective on life was Both Sides Now. I love that every verse ends with “I really don’t know clouds/love/life at all” and that perspective made me think differently at a time I very much needed that open-ended way of thinking.
Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” – I was a piano player since age 6 and when I heard a piece of music that enchanted me I wanted to be able to play it as quickly as possible. I discovered that piece when I was 10 and had to work hard to learn the scales in the key of the song and practice so much to be able to play it. It inspired me to work hard and get better and I felt such a sense of satisfaction when I was able to play it after a few months of skill development.
“I Have A Dream” by Abba – that song became popular when I was at a crossroads in my life and had to decide if I should stay safe or take a big risk. Staying safe was attractive because I didn’t want to get hurt, be disappointed, fail, and make my life situation worse by taking the risk, but taking the risk was attractive because it had the potential to learn, expand, have adventure. That song felt like a message to follow the dream and I did! It was the right choice.
Now that you know what powers their love of music, come to the show and see how those inspirations power their performances. The Zoom room opens at 8:00, and the show starts directly thereafter. Standard ticket price is $16 dollars, with a $6 minimum contribution and options to show the tellers even more love.
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