Month: August 2012

New Atlantis old sailor Promise Land for all poem by James Nicosia

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New Atlantis

What sea is this–
That of winds it is completely void?
A sea–so calm, it beats in rhythms of new fear.
This sea– a field of weeds–
More than the earth can hold.

That far gift to sailors
Which gods present,
This night is not true–
For our compass, dear father,
Has gone askew.

Dear God, in mind I fear,
My pride set sail and left my soul ashore.
Yet keep steady helm–
Just an old sailor–
Tired and worn.

These bodies of bones and shriveled skin
Lay watch all day for light or land or home.
These men I’ve led from other prisons
Of steel and stone.

‘Tis October and the air does not stir–
Just one site of land
Only desperate eyes of hope assure.

Yet, suddenly,
“Hark”! a voice from high watch–
Hailed from the Nina
To the Pinta
To the Santa Maria–
A light, they claim.
Dear God, it is–
It’s freedom’s flame!

So What sea is this, dear Lord–
That brings a Promise Land for all.

James V Nicosia

***

Listen to that Duquesne Whistle Blowing Bob Dylan

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Listen to that Duquesne Whistle Blowing Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

 

 

He’s due for a big comeback and I like the raspy voice. This is a good song friends and no one needs me to say so. He’s got that look. Why is this video so violent? What a silly question. Bob looks like he knows.

Marian McPartland Movie In Good Times by Huey

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http://vimeo.com/15065513

To quote:
“Marian McPartland: First Lady of Jazz” profiles this incredible woman, who has made an indelible impact on jazz music, and the music industry as a whole.

Films by Huey

Another quote:
In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland documents the life and career of jazz legend Marian McPartland as a musician, composer, and host of National Public Radio’s Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz. A native of England, McPartland arrived in America in 1948 with her husband Jimmy McPartland and established herself as a leading musician in the male dominated jazz world. Now 93, McPartland tells her own story through interviews filmed over 4 years. The film features McPartland’s own musical compositions and piano improvisations. She is seen performing and regaling audiences with her wit and stories in clubs, concerts, and Piano Jazz recording sessions with Dr. Billy Taylor, Elvis Costello, Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall, Bill Frisell, Nnenna Freelon, Renee Rosnes, Dick Hyman, and others.
………..In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland

The Latest News (click for more info & photos)

On August 11, NPR’s Susan Stamberg is running a story about In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland on Weekend Edition Saturday.  Susan interviewed Marian and me for the story.  She’s a big fan of Marian’s and likes the film.  This is a national broadcast so you’ll all be able to hear it.  I’ll send out an e-mail when I know the broadcast time during the Saturday morning show.
On August 1 and 5 In Good Time is being shown as part of the Prescott Film Festival,  I won’t be going out to Arizona but send a grateful thank you to PFF for selecting the film.  Please tell all your Arizona friends to head to Prescott for the screenings and the Festival.
In September Maine Public Television will show In Good Time twice during its pledge drive. The broadcasts are in the last week of September.  This was just confirmed and more details are coming on this soon.
Other screenings this Fall include
*September 24, Savannah Jazz Festival, Savannah, GA
*October 20 & 21, Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle, WA, at the Northwest Film Forum.   This is a special screening because Seattle Times Jazz critic, Paul de Barros will be there.  Paul’s new book, Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland  comes out on October 16.  Paul and I are hoping to team up for more screening and reading events.  If you have any suggestions or would like to see us in your town please contact me.
I hope to see you at a screening.  You can order a DVD online.  Or now you can buy the DVD in ME and NH at Bull Moose stores.
Thanks for your support.
Peace, Huey
Films by Huey

Blur Poem by C.E. Laine

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City lights are my mother’s pearls
strung above the cream-cut hills
of her bosom, unreachable
as bulbs that flicker over bridges
and filled with the promises she
whispered with my father. Once,
she called me slim and golden
in a poem, and I wanted to be
bright lights and endless hope.

Blur Poem Copyright C. E Laine