Both Sides Now

 My musical experiences this summer centered--not surprisingly--on music from my generation, although with some element of new presentation.

The live music highlights were from the Newport Folk Festival.  Paul Simon hosted a set, playing emcee at times (as in a timely revision of "American Tune" sung by Rhiannon Giddens) but singing as well, with a solo version of "Sounds of Silence."  His voice is considerably weakened but he still can create new phrasings on his old songs.

But the big hit of the Festival was the surprise appearance of Joni Mitchell, participating in a set of her songs with Brandi Carlile, originally announced as a Carlile spot.  Carlile and other younger musicians as well as Joni's contemporaries have been playing privately in what became known as "Joni's Jams" at her home, during Mitchell's recovery from serious illness. 

The tunes are all featured on YouTube, some shot by fans and others with the official Newport sponsorship.  The highlight was her remarkable solo vocal on "Both Sides Now".  I don't know anyone who has seen or heard this performance who hasn't done so in tears.  Such depth, such courage, such artistry, is a moment of a lifetime.  The love for her on that stage and in that crowd is palpable.

On my computer, YouTube posts "suggestions" of other videos on the right, and one caught my eye: a  50th anniversary recording of the Band's signature song, "The Weight," which featured Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr.  This turns out to be a production of an outfit called Playing for Change that edits together bits from a range of international singers and players performing in their own countries--in this case, all of them mind-blowingly excellent.  Most aren't stars, at least in the U.S., but I'm already listening to Larkin Poe, a duo I didn't know about.

This led me to a succession of earlier Play for Change videos--for example, versions of "All Along the Watchtower" (which includes Lakota Singers), "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay", "Gimme Shelter" (which suggests what a version by its original backup singer Mary Clayton might have sounded like, plus I've finally understood the lyrics.)  There are others.  Several of the earlier videos begin with street musicians literally playing for change, but of course, the meaning is double.  Additionally there's "Teach Your Children" performed by an international Playing for Change live band onstage.

These are pure nourishment.  They have lasted and we've lasted to hear them again in these new ways. It's all earned.

 So get some today--while they last.  These YouTube videos are free, and the ads are all at the beginning.  There's so little left on the Internet that's even tolerable, it seems prudent to get all of what remains.