Entry No.43;   June 2010
American Preservation   The New Recording

  I recorded "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" for David Dobkin and Warner Brothers at Matter Music with Dan Pinnella several years ago for the soundtrack to the film "Fred Claus." We all had fun recording together. Later, David approached me about an idea he had for a record of classics and traditionals with Dan and I. I was really excited about it from the start & felt it a good choice. I love and play so many tunes by others and wanted to cut a record like this and do it live. So, we reconnoitered for a long weekend to hang more and make some music. A band was put together, which included some folks I'd worked with before on "Fred Claus," including David Wagner and Gaby Moreno. Dean Butterworth took the throne with Chris Joyner on keys and I focused on my performance as we all worked out David's arrangements together. There were no expectations. I'd check in with the band before each tune and we'd cut it a few times, usually going with the first or third cut. It was more than a lot of fun to make and I think you hear it when you listen.

Entry No.42;   March 2010
Take Me to the River Children's Community Chorus   View slideshow | Meta Vie blogs on the concert.

Pete Seeger's new songbook "Where Have All the Flowers Gone: A Singalong Memoir" has recently been published by Sing Out! Check out the slide show of our rehearsal and concert Pete, Jenny Murphy, 12MN, Westhab and others put together December 10, 2009. Pete's new book is our songbook for the concert and chorus. I joined Jenny, Pete and children from Hastings-on-Hudson and Coachmen Family Center in White Plains. It was big fun on a big birthday.

I'm continuing to use Pete's songbook with the kids at Westhab's Coachmen Family Center.

Thanks to photographers Jim Metzger, Susan Ruttman, W.L. Jackson and Ellen Fisher Turk.

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