Songs of Leadership & Fighting this Pandemic

Capitalist Without A Soul  Dan Berggren  folk with banjo, singalong and the hook "Capitalist without a soul." The story of a man that takes advantage of the rich and the poor.  Great rhymes "I've always done what I please, brought the economy to its knees!"

Be A Pain by Alastair Moock  country, upbeat, tempo kindred to New Grass Revival/John Denver tempos. About standing up to what's wrong, Rosa Parks, Harvey Milk, be a pain shout about it and complain, equal pay--Billy Jean King, Parkland, “Don't be polite, raise your voice and do what's right.”  Second Place in the ISC song competition for best children’s song.  

#WeSayThankYou by Leslie Mandoki & Ian Anderson Gentle piano starts this soft rock band (with flute) duet with male voices.  Giving respect to the people—from the hospitals to the grocery store workers that are helping people fighting the Coronavirus. There is also a jab to corrupt speculators that are using this time to make money off of this serious health problem. 

Help! by Kj Denhert voice and guitar thoughtful ballad-style, bringing new life to the lyrics. 

We Know What To Do by Sharon Katz & the Children of Bellas Artes  English and Spanish. Grownup and children’s voices. Unison rapping in Spanish.  It’s about washing your hands.The tempo is similar to the Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me.” 

Hamba Kahle Mandela (Go Well Mandela) by Sharon Katz & Nonhlanhla Wanda:  Piano and acoustic and electric guitar, the right amount of harmonious electric instruments give “Go Down Mandela” a comforting blend with two gentle female voices in English and Zulu.  Stirring ballad to say “goodbye” to Nelson Mandela, whose birthday is July 18.  The song is a challenge to carry his lessons forward.  (pronounced HAM-BA-KAH-LE  MANDELA)  (H=soft sound).   

Let There By New Flowering sung by Cornelius Eady   Poem by Lucille Clifton, a respected African-American poet from Western NY.   Dreamy-sounding male and vocal with a guitar, cello.Last line:  “Let Love be at the end”  

Cornelius Eady · Let There Be New Flowering

Patriotic & Topical Songs

Please, let me know what music services you need.  We have Christmas songs. My artists run the gamut of session players and composers--notably the incredible string player Joe Deninzon, keyboardist Phoebe Legere, Grammy-nominated Gary Lucas....  I'm pleased that one of the projects I supplied some talent for--ONE LITTLE FINGER-- won a number of awards, most notably The World Peace Initiative--Best Film in Cannes. 

 

AMERICAN HEART Jaclyn Bradley Palmer:  Dark patriotic pop, inspired by my love for America, yet sadness over its current state.  The slow-paced beat piano and EDM is strong and hopeful.  Like pop Billie Eilish mixed with the dark folk pop of Phoebe Bridgers. 

STAR SPANGLED BANNER Carmine Appice, Tim Bogert & Friends: Only use music between :17 and 3:50) Soulful Hard rock version of the Francis Scott Key song.  Traditional lyrics of “Star Spangled Banner”  to 2:28, and then part of “The Pledge of Allegiance,” and shouts of “Freedom!” “United as One!” “Government for the People!"

THE GREATEST LIVES Thembeka Mnguni:  This song that channels advice from Muhammad Ali’s interviews, with emphasis on respect and working hard. Vocals by Voice South Africa runner up Thembeka Mnguni, whose alto range recall a superheroine version of Etta James and Cissy Houston combined.  Midwestern rock vibe with Rod Stewart/Kenny Aronoff-styled drums by Carmine Appice.  (Sheer Publishing administrates this song). 

HAMBA KAHLE MANDELA (GO WELL MANDELA) Sharon Katz & Nonhlanhla Wanda:  Piano and acoustic and electric guitar, the right amount of harmonious electric instruments give “Go Down Mandela” a comforting blend with two gentle female voices in English and Zulu.  Stirring ballad to say “goodbye” to Nelson Mandela, whose birthday is July 18.  The song is a challenge to carry his lessons forward.  (pronounced HAM-BA-KAH-LE  MANDELA)  (H=soft sound).    

PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE Michael Veitch:  Acoustic music about how easy it was to pledge allegiance to an America that once was.  Old school imagery of Hollywood, cars, sending men to the moon, learning to shoot.  Then things changed to the point money went south, and food taken from the babies’ mouths, and vivid descriptions of climate change. Cross between David Crosby and Marc Cohn.  

POPULAR Rebecca Loebe:  Sweet and gentle song, reminding us that everyone has felt unpopular. Fact is, “it’s not about you anyway.”  Her voice is like a soprano Dar Williams, gentle pop arrangement with tambourine.  This song helped get Rebecca on the bill for Mountain Stage this September.