On Wednesday, February 10th, the White House will host “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.” From the White House press release as quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times:

Participants include Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir and others. Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah will serve as emcees for this concert which will feature songs from the Civil Rights Movement as well as readings from famous Civil Rights speeches and writings. The President will make opening remarks at this concert held in the East Room which will be pooled press and streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov starting at 5:15 p.m. ET.

Some might wonder at the appropriateness of one or two of those names, but you can’t wonder at the appropriateness of Bob Dylan’s participation. In addition to the live streaming, the concert will be broadcast on Public TV stations the following day, February 11th, at 8 p.m. ET. Can’t wait.

…

There are reports that Bob Dylan may be playing in Israel in May. I think that many of us would be pleased to see that happen. Dylan last played Israel in 1993, if I’m not mistaken. However, the show in Tel Aviv is as yet unconfirmed. One would kind of think that if he does play there, he would do more than one show, having traveled all that distance. We shall see. There are also some possible but unconfirmed shows in Europe listed at Bill Pagel’s Tour Guide. Add those to the unconfirmed April shows in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. As of now, only the dozen or so shows in Japan during March are confirmed (in addition, I suppose, to the gig at the White House reported above).

…

Thanks very much to Lars for his email regarding Kate McGarrigle:

I’d like to attract your readers’ attention to Canadian sisters Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Kate McGarrigle died last week aged 63. The sisters first caught my attention back in 1976 with their album ‘Kate & Anna McGarrigle’ and from the first time I heard the drum riff by Steve Gadd which drove the magnificent song ‘Complainte pour Ste-Catherine’ I fell in love with their serious material, their stubborn mastery of hard-to-play instruments such as the banjo and the accordeon, instruments which are mostly played by men but which in the hands of the sisters gave a feminine and original sound.

The duo recorded a number of great albums. Their use of French-Canadian folk songs opened up our ears – over here in Scandinavia – to another language, another way of using folk music in a rocky setting. Their harmonies were delicate and strong. Sadly, I never caught them live – and now it’s too late.
Don’t know if Mr. Dylan ever played any of their stuff on his Theme Time Radio show, maybe he did, if he didn’t, he should have. But the music is there for everyone to enjoy. Their most sombre stuff will stay with you forever, their lively tunes will cheer you on.

I’m sure RWB can find an appropriate video to post, commemorating the passing of a wonderful singer, musician and composer.

Sure. In fact, Bob Dylan did play Kate and Anna McGarrigle on his radio show, in the episode with the theme of “War,” and below from YouTube is the track that he played. It’s the heart-rending Civil War ballad written by Stephen Foster, Was My Brother In The Battle?

…

Speaking of “Theme Time Radio Hour,” anyone who enjoyed Fred Bals excellent writing, inspired by that radio show at his website Dreamtime would be interested to know that he’s pursuing a book project on the same theme, which he calls “Night Time In The Big City: Stories From Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour.” He’s looking for interest and support in doing so, and you can read all about it at his own post on the subject.

...................
Share this!

Posts which might be related to this one based on a mysterious algorithm:

• Bobs and Ends
• Bob Dylan at the White House moved up to TODAY
• Morgan Freeman on “Black History Month”