LEA performs Feb. 6 WVU. Photo © T. Webb. Music moves the spirit.
Throughout this snow-filled winter, I've been reminded of how much music has touched my life. Song continues to inspire me. I likely would have never begun writing poetry without having grown up with music.
I've been connecting with music on several levels in 2014. My next blog posts here on theodorewebb.com will feature musical inspiration, events, festivals, opportunities, ideas, singer-songwriters, and of course, poetry.
What kicked off my music inspiration this year, was hearing singer-songwriter and musical visionary LEA (thisislea.com) perform Feb. 6 at West Virginia University. (LEA's performance was among a number of excellent recent events/programs organized by the Center for Black Culture and Research at WVU.)
LEA's passion for sharing her unique voice is inspiring. I was captivated by her positive energy, her message that every voice has a right to be heard, the dignity of humanity and that we are one (to see each other as one, not as "separate.")
LEA created a dynamic dialogue with the audience, by talking to us in a personal way, telling us about herself and her music, asking questions and sharing ideas, thoughts and poetry.
Throughout this snow-filled winter, I've been reminded of how much music has touched my life. Song continues to inspire me. I likely would have never begun writing poetry without having grown up with music.
I've been connecting with music on several levels in 2014. My next blog posts here on theodorewebb.com will feature musical inspiration, events, festivals, opportunities, ideas, singer-songwriters, and of course, poetry.
What kicked off my music inspiration this year, was hearing singer-songwriter and musical visionary LEA (thisislea.com) perform Feb. 6 at West Virginia University. (LEA's performance was among a number of excellent recent events/programs organized by the Center for Black Culture and Research at WVU.)
LEA's passion for sharing her unique voice is inspiring. I was captivated by her positive energy, her message that every voice has a right to be heard, the dignity of humanity and that we are one (to see each other as one, not as "separate.")
LEA created a dynamic dialogue with the audience, by talking to us in a personal way, telling us about herself and her music, asking questions and sharing ideas, thoughts and poetry.
LEA hails from a musical family from the Baltimore area. She blends gospel, jazz, country and R&B into her own style, which she calls "SoulFolk."
During her performance at WVU, LEA emphasized three important attributes, "Vision, Faith and Love," explaining:
LEA encouraged the audience to sing together to "elevate the feeling." We sang "We Shall Overcome," among other songs.
("We Shall Overcome," made famous by many singers/musicians, including the recently deceased, Pete Seeger, comes from an earlier gospel song, "I'll Overcome Someday", by composer and minister Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley.)
Although we were not exactly in a "church," I felt taken back to my youth growing up here in West Virginia, when my mother, a pianist, played hymns in country churches, where folks sang together. "I'll Fly Away" (one of the many Mom played) is one of my personal favorite gospel songs.
Other important songs in LEA's performance included,"Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "Precious Lord Take My Hand."
STARLINGS (readers), have you heard "We Shall Overcome" or any of the other songs mentioned? What are your feelings about these songs? What do they mean to you?
Feel free to comment. You're welcome to share other songs which have an important meaning to you.
Leave some comments below. And, as always, share this post!
During her performance at WVU, LEA emphasized three important attributes, "Vision, Faith and Love," explaining:
- Vision is to "see clearly what you want to accomplish and share it in vivid detail."
- Faith is "seeing your vision as an inevitability, not just a possibility."
- Some leaders have vision/faith, but are missing love, LEA noted.
LEA encouraged the audience to sing together to "elevate the feeling." We sang "We Shall Overcome," among other songs.
("We Shall Overcome," made famous by many singers/musicians, including the recently deceased, Pete Seeger, comes from an earlier gospel song, "I'll Overcome Someday", by composer and minister Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley.)
Although we were not exactly in a "church," I felt taken back to my youth growing up here in West Virginia, when my mother, a pianist, played hymns in country churches, where folks sang together. "I'll Fly Away" (one of the many Mom played) is one of my personal favorite gospel songs.
Other important songs in LEA's performance included,"Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "Precious Lord Take My Hand."
STARLINGS (readers), have you heard "We Shall Overcome" or any of the other songs mentioned? What are your feelings about these songs? What do they mean to you?
Feel free to comment. You're welcome to share other songs which have an important meaning to you.
Leave some comments below. And, as always, share this post!
Read 1st chapter FREE! Theodore Webb: Poet, novelist, short story author, playwright. Webb is the author of the Dystopian fiction short novels, "Lifeline,” “Crucible,” “Colossus” and “Inferno,” the first books in “The STARLING Series,"available for ALL DEVICES, smartphone, Kindle, PC, MAC, via Amazon.com. All 4 books are also available as 1 volume, "The STARLING Connection." Webb's short stories are online, including "Desperate Engine" (Amazon) & "Family Hour" (Smashwords).
