Music To Be Thankful For!
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
We asked reporters, on- and off-air talent from around PBS and Thirteen this question: “What music are you thankful for?”…and they answered.
So what music are YOU thankful for? Please share what artist, song, or album means a lot to you, below, in our comments.
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Gwen Ifill, NewsHour and Washington Week
“When I think of music that makes me feel thankful, I think of Walter Hawkins and the Love Center Choir’s’ “Love Alive II.” It was released in 1978, and I remember singing many of the songs on the album when I was a member of my church’s gospel choir. Hearing any one of the songs now brings a rush of memory and, yes, thankfulness.”
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“I’m thankful for the tremendous variety of genres, styles and performers that we are lucky enough to feature in our series. As a former musician, however, I am thankful that the world has gotten smaller, enabling different cultures to influence each other to create music that is new. I discovered this first in a 1974 recording called “Native Dancer” (listen) by jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter in a collaboration with Brazilian singer/songwriter Milton Nascimento. It remains a favorite over 30 years later.”
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“I love a fairy polka after a big helping of Pumpkin Pie, but I am truly thankful for Ms. Ella Fitzgerald (listen)! My Fairy Grandmother introduced me to her, and she is sparkalicious!”
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Susie Gharib, Nightly Business Report
“I am thankful for the Beatles. The stock market is collapsing and the economy is in turmoil, but when I listen to “Here Comes the Sun”, I smile…as George Harrison sings “Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right”, I really feel everything will be all right.”
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“This time of year I love listening to classical holiday music such as Handel’s Messiah and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. I also enjoy choruses and organ composition around the holidays, as well as Vivaldi, Mozart and Bach. When New Year’s approaches I’m drawn to Strauss’s celebratory waltzes.”
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Rick Karr, Blueprint America
“I’m thankful for the undeservedly obscure Cleveland band Pere Ubu (listen), a one-band desert-island disc: pop, rock, noise, and compelling stories. They’ve persevered: 30 years, 13 studio albums, seminal singles. They blazed a trail and kept going after the rest of the world turned right, onto the Interstate. I’m thankful because they give me something great, time and again.
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Tom Stewart, ‘The Voice of Thirteen’ (13’s Announcer)
“My wife, Maureen Kelley Stewart, is a cabaret singer and performs a song called “Grateful” (listen) by the contemporary composer John Bucchino (he wrote the recent Broadway musical “A Catered Affair”). As you might imagine, it’s a song about gratitude, and is a great reminder of all we can be thankful for, even in times of adversity. ‘Giving thanks for what I’ve got makes me so much happier than keeping score…I can’t stay depressed when I remember how I’m blessed…grateful, grateful, truly blessed and duly grateful’.”
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“Joe Jackson’s “Look Sharp!” (listen) This is the first album I bought after moving to New York City to go to NYU back in ’79. Every day back then was a wonder, a dream come true. I went to the movies almost every afternoon; would often run into poets Allen Ginsberg and Ted Berrigan at the St. Mark’s Bookstore; saw Mick Jagger at the St. Mark’s Bar & Grill, and within a week spotted both Dustin Hoffman and Octavio Paz on Bleecker Street. So whenever this old world starts getting me down I don’t have to go to no roof top. I just remember to “look sharp” and “to see the pretty, pretty, pretty girls in the streets, see them walking with their pretty shoes on their feet, damn dooby doo doo wop a doo doo wop a doo doo wop, damn dooby doo doo wop a doo doo wop a doo doo wop!” That’s a vibe to be thankful for!
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It’s a pleasure to listen to the Jonathan Schwartz radio program as he plays American pop music and backs it up with stories behind the music and the performers.
I absolutely adore the harmony & passion exemplified in “DooWop”. Great stories bound to unforgetable melodies can soothe you, or get you up and dancing–especially after too much indulging.
keep the oldies and the classic soul music shows coming……
BLUE MAGIC IS MY FAV GROUP…..
sarah brightman, josh groban
I WILL ALWAYS REMAIN OLD SCHOOL: MY FAVS ARE TEMPTATIONS, COMMODORES, LIONEL RICHIE, I DO HOWEVER HAVE CDS FOR YANNI AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING
On Thanksgiving Day, I always remember Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant. Although I can certainly find it on the internet, I will no doubt search the FM airwaves for a broadcast…unless of course Thirteen gets on the case. I’m looking forward to Roy Orbison’s Black and White–an amazing performance.
Josh Groban
“You Raise Me Up” is the title of my favorite song!
I love the Edith Piaf Album Je revien.My favorite song Stevie Wonder, I just called to say I love you.
So, so many.. Music is life: Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra’s Duets albums, Tony Bennett, JT, Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Rosemary Clooney, Placido Domingo, The Beatles, Pavorotti, Santana, Moody Blues, Jim Croce, John Denver, etc. It’s endless… I could wax on to infinity…Not to forget Broadway plays… musicals… just endless because each song evokes memories of what was and what one wishes to be. Thanks for the memories, 13.
The Jay Welch Chorale happily rendering, “Caroling, Caroling, Caroling” (Christmas Bells Are Ringing),
A most joyous melody with words to lift high the spirits.
I’m thankful for James Taylor!
I must admit, I am eternally inspired by, and thankful to, my two favorite recording artists — ARETHA FRANKLIN and JONI MITCHELL. I was pleased to see that BOTH Great Women were recently profiled on “American Masters” — and I purchased both video/DVDs. I also truly enjoyed the recent special, “Respect Yourself,” on the history of Stax/Volt [ having been born-and-raised in Memphis, Tennessee ], and that GREAT Otis Redding special, which I loved so much that I pledged during the broadcast! . . . Thank You, Thirteen, for this and your continued wonderful programming!
Very simply: Bruce Springsteen!
The theme song from recent Star Trek series, “Faith of the Heart” [also recorded by Rod Stewart], “I Will Get There” performed by Boyz II Men, the album A Grain of Sand especially the song, “War of the Flea” performed by Yellow Pearl aka Iijima, Miyamoyo & Chin, and Melanie’s “Nickel Song” have helped me keep going through racism, recessions, blackouts and 9-11
Classic Country & Western, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, & 1960’s Rock.
Today I am thankful for Willie Colon! For songs like, “Guisando.” I would adore it if Thirteen aired an American Masters on the Fania All Stars!
I’m thankful to the music of Peggy Lee, “Fever”. I am thankful for the music of “Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five”. The Jackson Five is the group of my youth growing up in New York City.
BEATLES, BEATLES, BEATLES
NEED I SAY MORE—PROBABLY SPEAK FOR MORE THAN 99 % OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION—THEIR MUSIC GIVES SO MUCH UPLIFTING, HAPPINESS, MEMORIES TO THE EARLY DAYS OF THE GREAT MUSIC!!!
THANKS EVER SO MUCH FOR THIRTEEN
county johnny cash,county clint black,& louis armstrong.i listen to almost any music as long as they are not yelling and screaming like fools.no rap or beatles.miss the days of dean martin when there was music.
Celine Dion & Barry Manilow & Yo-Yo Ma
Roy Orbson special—-who played with Roy? I see bruce,Elvis,Daltry Who Else?
Jug Band Music. Without question this has been the most enjoyable, meaningful and fun music in my life. While there are other forms of music I like, from the minute I heard Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band in 1963, I was hooked. I’ve been playing it ever since, with the same group we formed to play folk music in 1962. It is without question America’s truly unique music – a blend of jazz, folk, blues, regtime, you-name-it.
I am thankful for the Ramones, the Clash, the Sex Pistols, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and of course the Beatles. Without them, I do not know if music would be bearable today.
Certainly, Andre Bocelli hands down!!!!!!!!
No-one modern day can come close. Such a pleasure to listen to.
Thank you Andre and Thirteen. Keep up the fine work!
The music which especially appeals to me is opera broadcasts on Sunday Arts. Classical music concerts are pleasurable when they feature the works of a famous composer or singer.This Thanksgiving night Andrea Bocelli’s Vivere concert from Tuscany was a real treat. Keep up the great programming. It is much appreciated by this member.
i am thankful for the music of teddy pendergass and ojays,marvin gays and,order as sush and for station like thirteen who play there concerts thank you pbs.
In tough economic times, we all need to be inspired and creative. Jazz-any form-inspires creativity! Today, I recommend Carmen McRae-she’s got the attitude!
Miss Barbara Carroll remains New York’s and the country’s #1 Cabaret artist — a performer without peer, a lady of style and unsurpassed keyboard talent.
peggy lee
THERE’S QUITE A L O N G LIST OF “FAVORITE” SONGS FOR ME HOWEVER, I ALWAYS THINK FIRST OF MEL CARTER’S SONG “HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME!! GREAT SONG, WONDERFUL VOICE! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT PROGRAMMING!
My favorite music runs the gamut from classical to classic rock. It’s impossible to narrow it down to one artist or song. I would like to say that the Beatles and The Velvet Underground (and Lou Reed’s) contribution to Rock music has been enormous.
Paul Simon’s American Tune
Anything written or performed by Gato Barbieri, especially Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile) composed by Carlos Santana.
Like Bob, I’m also grateful for choral music, classic rock (especially British bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd), and opera (Cecilia Bartoli and Placido Domingo).
Neil Young
I am so very thankful for my friend, Joe.
I am just thankful for music in general, i can’t imagine a world without it, however, i love the Tempting Temptations,I can’t get next to you, Ball of Confusion and Papa was a rolling stone.
I think the greatest music is Doo Wop, I sit and listen to it and my heart softens with all the memories it brings back, especially hearing Earl Lewis and the Channels, the Cleftones, the Dubs what could be better. I was not even brought up on Doo Wop, but after seeing TJ Lubinsky’s shows, and hearing his radio show, I could not go back to anything else. I just fell hard for the music and have not looked back since. Thanks heavens for a man like TJ, he is an ICON!!!