DOWNTOWN. Story by Jacinta Harper
The nurse had downloaded the lyrics to Downtown, probably in exasperation at our feeble yet frequent attempts. Finally, we sang the song in its entirety.
BETWEEN THE BARS by ELLIOT SMITH. Letter by N.T. McQueen
Intention often gets forgotten when it comes to art and all that remains are interpretations. How others remember our insides in music or words or pictures is what survives time.
DON’T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYING & WALK HAND IN HAND. Poem by Cathy Brigden
No shaking shoulders and no audible sobs for this public crying needs to be invisible for the grief mask to be effective. "Don’t let the sun catch you crying", sings Gerry with his Pacemakers.
THE RHYTHM OF LIFE performed by SAMMY DAVIS JNR. Story by Angela Savage
One of my fondest childhood memories is dancing with my father to Sammy Davis Jnr singing Rhythm Of Life from the soundtrack to the 1969 musical Sweet Charity.
AGING FRIENDS by KIDS THESE DAYS. Story by Madeleine Maccar
Each near-miss is a reminder that I wouldn’t be so lucky next time. It does make me sad my friends are aging, though we learned all too well that age has little to do with mortality.
The Grieving Stories
Music and mourning meet in our latest collection, The Grieving Stories. Twenty tributes to mothers, fathers, friends, siblings, teachers, colleagues.
BROWN SKIN BABY (THEY TAKE HIM AWAY) by BOB RANDALL. Text by Anne-Marie Smith
Well before Took The Children Away by Archie Roach was the 1970 song Brown Skin Baby (They Took Me Away) by Bob Randall.
OVER THE RAINBOW. Poem by Michael Leach
I peer into the rear-view mirror/ at my sister’s baby face/The tears brimming
THE GAMBLER by KENNY ROGERS. Story by Angela Savage
Over the years, while my mother’s faith in Christianity declined, her belief in country music only increased.
BAD REPUTATION by JOAN JETT and the BLACKHEARTS. Story by Rick Kane
It was as if I had heard Bad Reputation for the first time. As it directly related to my sister. As it stands as a song. And it is, my friends, a ripper.