Last night Elsa and I made our very first trip to the famous Frank Gehry-designed Disney concert hall, a cathedral-like space and acoustic marvel that was a fitting venue for the LA Master Chorale's program of selected highlights from the Sacred Concerts of Edward Kennedy Ellington - The Duke!
The original concerts were held in the sixties and early seventies towards the end of Ellington's life and career as he turned his imagination to the spiritual and the infinite.
It was an inspiring evening of unusual and stirring music, a smoking Jazz Orchestra backed by something like 180 singers, and for one incredible number, the whole ensemble was accompanied by a brilliant indefatigable tap dancer who glided around the stage like a human beat box.
Something 'bout believing that keeps me unfolding.
Something 'bout believing that makes my soul sing.
Something 'bout believing that keeps me holding
On to GOD Almighty.
Something 'bout believing that helps my mending,
Something 'bout believing that there's no ending,
Believing all the way because I'm depending
On The GOD Almighty.
I don't light a lamp to see the Sun,
Don't need proof of GOD,
Because I know that there ain't a-gonna be but One.
Something 'bout believing in the creation,
Something 'bout believing the information.
Something 'bout believing there's just one nation,
Under GOD Almighty.
I want to be hip, I want to be cool,
I got to be with it all the way,
Because I ain't about to be no fool.
Something 'bout believing that's greater than pleasure,
Something 'bout believing that's more than treasure,
Something 'bout believing that's beyond measure,
Just one GOD Almighty.
It was almost enough to turn atheists into true believers, especially when the masterly chorale harmonized to the Duke's invocational lyrics to "Something 'bout Believing".
And it was the perfect way for Elsa and I to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary!
Something 'bout believing that keeps me unfolding.
Something 'bout believing that makes my soul sing.
Something 'bout believing that keeps me holding
On to ELSA Almighty.
Thanks, Duke, and to quote your contemporary 20th Century master Luis Bunuel: "Thank God I'm an atheist!"
Enjoy
william
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Janet M | May 23, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Great post Billy! Thanks a lot for the line about me :)
The concert was so special. And I can't believe that we have been married for 9 years now!!
Love U.
Elsi :)
Posted by: Elsita | May 23, 2011 at 09:21 AM
such a great post! i wish i could've been there, it had to sound awesome.
Oh! Happy anniversary !!
Posted by: Alex Mora | May 24, 2011 at 05:47 AM
Happy aniversary!!!
Evelyn
Posted by: Alex Mora | May 25, 2011 at 04:16 AM
happy anniversary, wait how do you have kids that are 10? hee hee -
Posted by: MH | May 25, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Now THAT'S a royal wedding (anniversary) celebration. Congratulations!
Posted by: John Arends | May 25, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Love The Duke!
Happy Anniversary to you two love birds!
Posted by: dutchbaby | May 26, 2011 at 06:03 PM
nine amazing years!!
but remember it doesn't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing:)
all our very best wishes to the both of you
Posted by: margie oomen | May 27, 2011 at 12:25 PM
I love coming to your site. You have so many articles and catergories, I wish I could write blogs like this.
Posted by: davek | August 26, 2011 at 11:36 PM