Music Monday

 Before I get to today’s theme …

Neil Sedaka passed away on Friday.  Drew and I were real fans.  Drew and Sedaka share Sephardic Jewish heritage.  It’s a “six degrees of separation “ situation —  Sedaka’s cousin was another famous singer, Eydie Gorme.  Eydie was also Drew’s mother’s cousin.  Drew isn’t actually related to Sedaka, but he does feel a kinship of sorts. 

We had the pleasure of seeing Sedaka in concert in July 2012.   At the time I wrote:

Sedaka was amazing.   He sang songs from his first career, 1958-1963.  He sang songs from his second career in the 1970's.  He sang songs he wrote for other singers. He did ballads and rock n roll.  He sang a salsa piece he just wrote.  He did classical music.  And he brought down the house with "My Yiddishe Mama" - in Yiddish. Great concert.

So here are a few of his best:

  

Tzedakah is a foundational Jewish commandment mandating justice and righteousness through charitable giving to those in need. Sedaka was aptly named — he was a dedicated philanthropist who supported the Alzheimer’s Foundation, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Skin Cancer Foundation. Anyone who saw his mini concerts on social media during the pandemic knows his generous spirit.  He will be missed.

And now, time for the theme.

And the theme?

the early Roman began the calendar year with March because it brought the first day of spring and new beginnings. The approaching changing seasons with the evidence of life’s return is visible in our area and perhaps where you live, too. Pick songs that reflect the mood of sunny spring weather

Let’s start with the obvious

Moving right along 

And 

And switching gears again … a prayer for peace in the Middle East.