December Newsletter: A Review of the Month’s Culture, Arts + Trends

LOVE + HAPPINESS = DECEMBER

BEST WISHES FOR HAPPY HOLIDAYS
AND A GRAND NEW YEAR
FILLED WITH JOY + PEACE + LOVE!

Who better signifies the spirit of the season? The great, wonderful, forever super soulful Reverend Al Green receives this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, for those who have made significant contributions to the American arts and culture. Born to sharecroppers in Arkansas, he has sold more than 20 million albums and won 11 Grammys. “I got to meet country and western people, I’ve got to meet gospel people, I’ve got to meet hillbilly people, I’ve got to meet just down-to-earth regular American Midwest people — and all of them have had an effect on me.” Wearing the Kennedy Center honors medal and with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra band backing him, Al Green performed Tired of Being Alone and Let’s Stay Together on the Late Show with David Letterman …  Nick (What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding) Lowe’s Quality Holiday Revue at the Bowery Ballroom … Hip Hop Nutcracker featuring my pal, M.C. Kurtis Blow … The NY Philharmonic’s glorious Handel’s Messiah and The Night Before Christmas with Whoopi Goldberg … Then Dianne Reeves welcomes in the new year with the NY Phil’s all-Gershwin celebration … “Oh! ‘S wonderful! ‘S marvelous! That you should care for me!” … And here’s to everything wonderful and marvelous for you in the New Year!

HOLIDAY CHEER = DARLENE LOVE!

And who better delivers the music of the season? The one and only Darlene Love performed her always anticipated annual rendition of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) for the final time on the Late Show with David Letterman. Did she blow away the crowd? Oh yeah! … After 28 years with Letterman, what’s next? “I think we should get together once a year and do a huge Christmas show. A Paul Shaffer-Darlene Love Christmas show somewhere in New York. I’m sure it would sell out.” Count us in!

R.I.P. JOE COCKER

And what better sentiment at the holiday season than the one that touches us all? The great rock/soul voice of Joe Cocker thankfully lives on forever – and never more so than on the Beatles’ With a Little Help from My Friends … “What would you think if I sang out of tune, Would you stand up and walk out on me?, Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song, And I’ll try not to sing out of key, Oh I get by with a little help from my friends, Mm going to try with a little help from my friends” … At this time of year, we especially need and appreciate the warmth, kindness, and affection that friendship brings in our lives.

WE CAN HELP
Barkley hopes you get a lot of toys this holiday … Westie Rescue of New England sent me this beautiful bundle of happiness … All volunteers, they are dedicated to saving, fostering, and placing West Highland White Terriers into new loving forever homes. Your donation helps them continue their mission, one that is close to my heart … When our Westies smile, the world seems a little lighter.

Soundtrack to this Issue is
Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together

C’mon, sing along:
Let’s stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad.

 

Who rescued whom?
So grateful for Barkley coming into my life.
Thanks to Westie Rescue of New England.

Buddha, stay. Good dog. z”l
“…live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
(Buddha)

Sources:
Al Green pic: Kris Connor/Getty Images
Al Green quote: Associated Press
‘S Wonderful: written by Ira and George Gershwin, ©Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Darlene Love pic: Late Show with David Letterman
Darlene Love quote: Billboard
With a Little Help from My Friends lyrics: written by Lennon/McCartney, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Let’s Stay Together lyrics: ©Buddabear Publishing, Emi Foray Music, Irving Music Inc., Al Jackson Jr Music, Al Green Music Inc., Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Burlington Music Co. Ltd., Jec Publishing Corp.