Text by Dawoud Kringle
American musician, actor, and activist Harry Belafonte has died.
Belafonte was a popular and well respected singer and actor. His more famous songs included “Day-O,” and “Jamaica Farewell.” His roles in movies such as Carmen Jones, Island in the Sun, and White Man’s Burden cemented his place among the great American Actors.
Text by Bruce Gallanther (DMG Newsletter for April 14th, 2023)
“The Garden of Earthly Delights” performed by The United States Of America, released in 1968. Written by Joseph Byrd and Dorothy Moskowitz
Poisonous gardens, lethal and sweet
Venomous blossoms
Choleric fruit, deadly to eat
Violet nightshades, innocent bloom
Omnivourous orchids
Cautiously wait, hungrily loom
Text by Dawoud Kringle
Born Frederick Russell Jones in Pittsburgh in 1930, Jamal began playing music at three when an uncle inspired him to begin playing the piano. After some formal training, he began playing professionally at the age of 14. His potential was recognized by the great piano master Art Tatum.
Text by Bruce Gallanther (DMG Newsletter for February 16th, 2023)
Photograph of The Byrds (1965): http://www.drb-fans.com/pre-drb.html, Copyright : Sony Music Entertainment, 1965 (then CBS, Inc.)
“Eight Miles High” written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn & David Crosby. Released as a single on March 14, 1966. Performed by The Byrds, from their Fifth Dimension LP,
Eight miles high, and when you touch down
You’ll find that it’s stranger than known
Signs in the street, that say where you’re going
Are somewhere just being their own
Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
Rain gray town, known for its sound
In places, small faces unbound
Round the squares, huddled in storms
Some laughing, some just shapeless forms
Sidewalk scenes, and black limousines
Some living, some standing alone
Text by Dawoud Kringle
By Phil Guest from Bournemouth, UK
The music world is in mourning following the news of the death of Burt Bacharach.
Bacharach started his music career after he met Vic Damone in the army in 1950. He worked with Damone for three years following his discharge. In 1956, he got a break when, after working with several musicians, he was introduced to Marlene Dietrich. He worked as her arranger, conductor, and musical director, and toured the world with her.
