So Sad to Lose Another Music Legend

Yesterday, my husband and I took a quick trip to Houston.  It's a two 

hour drive each way, but David had some business to do there and invited 

me to tag along.  As we aproached Sugar Land (just to the west of

Houston), we saw a big advertising board featuring an upcoming 

concert with Tony Bennett and his daughter.  I immediately wondered

how old is Tony now?  I looked it up, and he is 92!  Wow, 92 and still

performing!  It's truly amazing stamina that allows him to still do this.  

Then this morning, I heard of the passing of Aretha Franklin.  We

all knew this was coming, but it's still hard to accept.  Like many of

you, I was a big fan of Aretha.  Such a powerful voice and presence!

She uplifted women and her songs made us all feel stronger.  Although

she is now longer on this earthly realm, I imagine she has joined

the choir up in Heaven and there must be much rejoicing there.

I'm quite sure she will be performing many solos too.

Music has always touched my life.  My Mama had music playing all

of the time, and would even take the time to learn my favorites too.

It's one of those mediums that has the ability to evoke powerful

memories, both happy and sad.  It can instantly transport us to

another place and time.  It uplifts a sad heart and brings a smile

to an unhappy face.  I cannot image a life without it.

Many years ago now, David and I added jazz favorites to our list.

We started to collect CD's from Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris, and

 others.  As our passion for this medium grew, our love expanded

beyond East Coast jazz to West Coast jazz.  Dave Brubeck

became a new favorite.  We were blessed to have Dave perform

in Boise, and we bought tickets to see his performance.  When

he walked onto the stage, he appeared quite frail, but the minute

he sat down at the piano, he was transformed.  His fingers moved

so effortlessly across the keyboard that it was pure magic.

We, along with the sold out arena, were gifted with the most

beautiful evening of memorable music.  

Sadly, he is gone now, but I will never forget that night, and for

me, as well as for many, his memory lives on.  Here is one of

his favorites:

Today's goodbye is bittersweet.   Aretha will be greatly missed,

but I am glad that she is now free of pain.  Thank you, Aretha,

you have left us with many happy memories.  Here is a clip

from the movie The Blues Brothers.  It's one of my favorite

performances of Aretha's hit RESPECT!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley