From the ever popular tune “Even Squeeky Fromm Loves Christmas,” I’d like to borrow a line. ‘Though there’s not much left of her mind, her memories are festive.’ Squeaky, you are not alone…
Melinda Brazzale once again hosted us on Zoom, while the Covid pandemic ravages the country. She changed some settings, and the sound quality was noticeably better this month. Thanks Melinda!
There are some things that can be counted on with our Zoom meetings. Some folks are good with the technology, adding interesting backgrounds and such, while others struggle just to get on line. For instance, Rick started out on a glacier somewhere, then moved to the warmer climate of Florence, Italy. Some folks can sit very still, while others seem to have ants in their pants. Usually, the information provided is very thin; thank goodness for the internet and Wikipedia for filling in the gaps.
One of the Zoom ‘perks’ is Rich Ryan’s cue cards. After someone completes a tune, Rich will hold up a card. ‘Rock Star’, ‘Did you write that?’ and ‘You Sleighed It!’ were a few of his Christmas cue card comments.
The Rock Star of the evening, I think, was Russ Williams playing and singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’. He only sings about once a year for us, and it’s always a treat. The chords he can play while singing at the same time is mind boggling; for him it is easy compared to the classical pieces he can put together. Speaking of which, he spit out the name and composer of his first piece so fast (and only once) I didn’t even get close. When I tried looking it up later; I was directed to the Hyundai website… You’ll have to ask Russ what he played; I don’t have time, I’m shopping for Hyundai’s now.
We ended on what has become a Christmas CGS tradition, Robert Earl Keene’s “Merry Christmas From the Family”. I could almost hear you all singing along!
It was a fun meeting! And did much to boost our holiday spirits in these (socially) difficult times. Here’s hoping you and yours have a happy and healthy holiday!
December 2020 Playlist
Keith Blaney & Nancy McKenzie started off with ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,’ a traditional English carol.
Roland Peterson, ‘Opus 133’, Mauro Juliani.
Gary Krause, ‘Coventry Carol’, 16th century English carol.
Rich Ryan, ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’, J.S. Bach (1723)
Ken Frederick, ‘Dust in the Wind’, Kansas.
Steve Gilmore, ‘What Child is This’, (Greensleeves) traditional tune with lyrics by William Chatterton Dix.
Ed Heffern, ‘The Skye Boat Song’, Sir Harold Bolton added lyrics to the Scottish air collected by Anne Campbelle MacLeod.
Edith Cook, ‘Etude in B minor’, Fernando Sor.
Russ Williams, ‘Recardos es Elandra’, buy a Hyundai.
Ernie Brazzale, ‘Quarantine’, parody of ‘Misty’.
Rick Memmel, ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, on bass.
Nancy & Keith, ‘Silver Bells’, Ray Evans & Jay Livingston.
Roland Peterson, ‘Study in A minor’, Juliani.
Gary Krause, ‘Angels’, original.
Rich Ryan, ‘Sweet Baby James’, James Taylor.
Ken Frederick, ‘Kissing in the Rain’, original.
Steve Gilmore, ‘Mary’s Boy Child’, Carribean tune.
Ed Heffern, ‘Oh Come Oh Come Emanuel’, 13th century Christian hymn.
Edith Cook, ‘Minuet in C’, Fernando Sor.
Russ Williams, ‘Auld Lang Syne’, Robert Burns poem set to traditional folk song.
Ernie Brazzale, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, Bart Howard.
Keith & Nancy, ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain’, African-American spiritual.
Gary Krause, ‘It’s Christmas’, original.
Ken Frederick, ‘Oh So Beautiful’ (wedding song), original.
Keith Blaney, ‘Merry Christmas from the Family’, Robert Earl Keene.