It Could've Been Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pxe9msS7lA&list=RD7Pxe9msS7lA&t=6

June 25: The Day the Music Died

The following email was originally posted on June 25, 2018

For some (Don McLean, for example), the Day the Music Died was when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959.  But for many of us the Day the Music Died was much more recently.  For many of us, the Day the Music Died was June 25, 2009 -- the day that Michael Jackson died.

In celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month and in remembrance of the best selling African American Music artist of all-time, I offer the following three videos.  The first was the one which electrified the television viewing audience in 1983 with a dance routine which seemed to defy physics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvsBBNV-U4

the second is a live performance from some 30 years ago that shows Michael at his peak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujDSiL600nc

and the last is a montage of Michael performing the song that may be his most lasting message song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnJaf-9fZjc

Enjoy, Remember, and Reflect.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

A Dance With My Father

June is African American Music Appreciation Month

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Music_Appreciation_Month

and this weekend we celebrate Father's Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_Day_(United_States)

In recognition of both occasions, I commend the following for this Friday's musical offering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmDxJrggie8

Happy Father's Day, Everyone!

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

The Blind Boys of Alabama

I had to catch a plane last Friday so I was not able to tell you about the passing of Clarence Fountain, one of the leaders of the Blind Boys of Alabama

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/06/obituaries/clarence-fountain-88-dies-led-the-blind-boys-of-alabama.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fobituaries&action=click&contentCollection=obituaries®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

I also was not able to tell you that one of the more memorable concerts I have attended in the last five years was the appearance of the Blind Boys of Alabama at Napa's Uptown Theater a few years ago.  I seem to recall telling someone, at the time, how remarkable it was to see a group of men in their 70's and 80's perform with such electric energy that it put most contemporary artists to shame.  And I did so want to tell you about it last week.

Well, I missed that opportunity, but today is a new day and I am able to make some amends.  And so, while it is difficult to convey the electricity generated by the Blind Boys of Alabama, I think this video comes close

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA17BmsklFA

And now, before I go out for my evening walk, allow me to say Rest In Joy Clarence Fountain, and thank you for sharing the energy with us for so many, many years.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Can You Surry?

May was unusually chilly here in the Bay Area.  However, today was warm and there are more warm days on the way.  Soon Summer will be here.  The most pressing question then will be "Can you surry?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgPGDRc7_kM

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

Can you surry,
Can you picnic?
Can you surry,
Can you picnic?
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Stoned Soul

Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Rain and sun come in akin
And from the sky
Come the lord and the lightning
Stoned Soul

There'll be trains of blossoms
There'll be trains of music
There'll be trains of trust
Trains of gold and dust
Sweet trains of thought
Can you surry?

Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Stoned soul