Is this a twee bit weirdly morbid posting a tribute/obit to Amy Winehouse 5 years on? Well what the heck. Ms Winehouse did something very silly ending in her death- probably totally unpremeditated (she was to be attending one of her best friends wedding the following day).
Always the support has been there for Amy when all around there seemed to be a sea of ridicule when she happened to ‘fell’. I’ve had some very interesting conversations in NY-totally happenstance- about the Oscar winning documentary. What I would agree upon is that it would have been so much greater if interviews were attainable with both police and paparazzi. As with life, there are many reprehensible individuals but there are also humans just doing their job (with a conscience), moreover a tiny few doing their job trying to change things with far more than just a conscience: people who cared about Amy as a human being.
I often wondered (and indeed Amy seemed healthier and somewhat happier in the United States) whether if she’d moved (or at least spent more of her life in America) whether she’d have lived longer. Lived happier. Even had a baby Winehouse;) ! Even another musical incarnation! America’s weird irony is that it can indeed be soul destroying; equally if not more so, be soul giving if you are that talented.
This song link may seem sentimental tosh to some (and is indeed often ‘trotted out’ by award show orchestras when they don’t know what else to play;). But it is a beautiful poignant song sung here by the great Tony Bennett-a wondrous gentleman talent- who loved Amy’s contribution to the world of music far beyond death.
My out of tune Young Chang piano (totally my fault neglected it for 3 winters and summers- 20 degrees to 96 degrees)- just goes to show how resilient and good a piano it is;) !! Any chance of a free tuning Stienway;) ! no comparison Nintendoed....:
Abbado (Mahler)
Andrew.....
[Dec 28, 2016: I have thought a lot about taking down the link to myself. YouTube took down the Abbado link. Did he allow some wrong notes as well;) Was he imbibing Pinot Grigio? Maestro: as if!
But I think 'people in the know' understand why I leave the upload link be. Others will simply mock it. Well- that's your prerogative. And it isn't like it is on YouTube. THAT would not be right. And totally not intended. I hadn't played the piano (nor sung) in almost 15 years until this summer. Perhaps it's TMI. Certainly perhaps. But in a world where art/culture gets 'airbrushed' to an inch of its life since 15 years (and certainly before- but nowadays like no time before)- yet technology supposedly allows people of the world to be even 'freer' than ever. How many 'real' voices whether vocal or political does one hear in this future? Really any more than before? Certainly the 'tools' get a message out there that before could easily not be heard. I hope that doesn't sound all too polemic. The last thing I would ever waft over someone.] Just some post-XMas thoughts. YEAH! I survived. Another round.
As I doubt almost no one will read this postscript, I can say what I want:) Happy 90th Birthday Mr. Tony Bennett. I was at a reception for the film prize 'thing that your daughter was initiating zonks ago. And several PR's etc said: go and get your photo take with him. I know that is such an NY thing. And I could have put it on my website and you would most probably be very very gracious about it. But I just couldn't justify that to myself. I'm sure that makes sense to you, sir. I need to work a LOT harder to be snapped with you. I surrounded myself with fascinating things. Yes, indeed. My mistake: not to surround myself with the thing I loved more than anything else. Music. It takes bravery to do that. In an honest way. Not with an intention to earn money. And of course there is still time.
THAT Helsinki Once Upon a Time is totally sublime. The word awesome is so abused nowadays I shudder even spelling it! But in the TRUE sense of the word AWESOME it was. You give hope to everyone. Few know that Sinatra was an fascinating painter. The best of him would be of interest even without his celebrity. I hope that is true of you as well, sir. I feel as if I'm thrusting these words into the pod of space. As it should be;)
