YouTube Saturday

I almost saved this for Tuesday's Ten on Tuesday that is upcoming.  The topic then is your Ten Favorite Christmas Songs.  I'll go into how difficult that list will be for me when I make the attempt at that list, but I just could not wait, COULD.NOT.WAIT! to share this new recording with you.  I purchased it from iTunes on Thursday and have listened to it practically non-stop, it is just that amazing. 

Let me start by saying that Songs of Joy and Peace is not an album that screams holiday or Christmas at any time.  I would consider it more a winter album, some of the songs with a holiday bent (Silent Night and Wexford Carol being the most obvious), but a collection of music and artists that is so inspirationally put together that it should be a must listen for the human race.  Many genres of music are presented with James Taylor singing Here Comes the Sun and bluegrass artist Alison Kraus on Wexford Carol.  While trying to narrow down what I wanted to say in this post I have listened to the cd multiple times, trying to figure out which of the tracks would be my favorite and as each one ends I decide, "that's the one," only to have the next begin and change my mind.  Joy to the World with Dave Brubeck is so much more than you can expect that already wonderful song to be.  Natalie Macmaster's fiddle playing on A Christmas Jig has me wanting to dance no matter how tired I may be.  Brubeck returns with percussionist Cyro Baptista on Concordia, another spirited jazz rendition from the unlikely source of a Gregorian Chant.  This Little Light of Mine by gospel singer Amelia Zirin-Brown is a dixie jazz band party of light and love.

The album also has the feeling of a collaboration of world artists sharing music of joy for them.  Before I go on, listen to what Mr. Ma has to say about his dream for this recording.

He has more to say here (James Taylor is in that video), another great interview and peek into the process.  While I could truly go on all day and through each offering on this album, I'll just finish with the three that made me cry when I first heard them.   The bagpipes and soulful vocals of Alison Krauss on Wexford Carol really did move me to tears, I could listen to it all day.  The John Lennon tune Happy Xmas (War Is Over) gets a reverential treatment by Ma and ukelaliast(?) Jake Shimabukuro.  That is a song I liked anyway, but I adore this performance of it.  Touch the Hand of Love is a song that hit me just right at the right moment.  Sung by Renee Fleming, it just cannot get better.

I truly could say something about every song, but I'll leave you with this search which has excerpts of some of the songs on the album and other little interviews and information from Yo-Yo Ma himself.  Before you run out to the store to buy it, consider that the iTunes version has bonus tracks and video, but not the 60-minute bonus DVD.  I may have to get one.

I wish I could share this music with all of you, but the next best thing is to offer it to one commenter to this post by next Saturday.  After watching Ma's explanation of his thought and planning for this gift to music lovers, share with the blog what song you would have brought to that party, had you been invited.  You don't have to be a musician to have a song that means joy or peace to you, just someone that has a song in their heart.  Hmmm....I'm still thinking on what mine would be.  I'll get back to you.

Twenty-five to go.  Every one filled with music. 

Comments

[Jane]

Thanks for sharing this album with us. I enjoyed the interview with Yo Yo Ma, and am going to listen to more of the music at iTunes right now.

[jill]

Ma is a favorite at our house. My daughter feel in love with the cello when she was little and saw Ma on Mr. Rogers. Thank you for a great video.

[Etherknitter]

It's taken me a number of hours to think about this. Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi.

[Lisa McGuire]

I LOVE Yo YO Ma even though I'm not a big fan of the cello. And I'm going out to buy this CD, and can not wait! I don;t have to wait toill Saturday to tell you my choice of song I would bring if I were chosen. My choice of song to bring would be "Oh Holy Night". I can feel the PASSION and FAITH of the writer Placide Cappeau and composer Adolphe Adam. I love how it starts out with one voice, then rises to a multitude of voices. I love how the verse/voice is not repeated or duplicated with instruments. It is left to BE on its own. The music is supportive of the voice and provides a good foundation for the voice. Yet on it's own , still very pleasant and nice to listen to...again I can FEEL the PASSION and FAITH. It pulls at my heart each and every time I hear it. At times, it brings tears to my eyes. There are many, many, many songs, like "Silent Night", that I would and could chose, but they would be second choices. "Oh Holy Night", is the song I would bring for Yo Yo Ma's party.

[margene]

Amazing story that goes into that CD. I must buy it from iTunes and enjoy it on my new gift. Thank you for sharing it. I love every person he has features. It's difficult to come up with only one song. I do love John Lennon and Ma's choice for the album. Maybe my choice could be Please Come Home For Christmas. We all want loved ones near at this time of year.

[Linda M]

I guess mine would be something non-traditional from the Paul Winter Consort's Winter Solstice album, actually probably the whole album. While its probably not exactly relevant to this post it is very moving music to me.

I'm a big fan of Yo Yo Ma, I have his autograph on his cd of the Bach Cello Suites. I heard him play in an open rehearsal with the Baltimore Symphony in 1998 or 99... the concert was sold out and the demand was so high that they agreed to an open rehersal and "meet the artists" signing afterwards. It was a wonderful event.

And, thanks to Margene, I know enough to wish you a very happy birthday.

[Jane]

Very nice album! I hear a lot of Christmas tunes because my four kids are all in school bands plus two accompany a choral group. The sweetest tune I have heard is "Good Night" by Lennon/McCartney. It's a lullaby, but what is more peaceful than a sleeping baby?

Thanks for sharing.

[CyndiG]

I bought the Allison Krause/Yo Yo Ma Wexford Carol on iTunes after reading your blog. It is wonderful!

I also love Kathy Mattea's "Good News" Christmas album.

[Katy]

Ooh, I was searching for music for a holiday mix and happened to catch up on your blog at the right time. This looks like such a great CD!

[Katy]

oops, forgot to add my song. I think it would be something from a muppets album (maybe "It's in every one of us"?).