New Horizon - Lawrence J. Clark

New Horizon: Lawrence J. Clark

[musical CD]. Lyrics and lead vocals by Clark and music by Clark and “The Players.” Cypress, Texas: American Mutt Records (POB 273, zip 77410), 2004.

The songs track Clark’s life from his 1960’s childhood onward. Figuring out life, leaving this crazy world behind, reminiscing mother love, cold cities, sunsets, the Blues, things “Gone with the Wind,” and new horizons are among the dozen offerings. Softly sung lyrics and melodious sounds drift above the more vivid emotions, some joy, some sorrow, some loves, and some losses. This Doctor of English from TAMU strikes a different chord from the usual expectations of Aggieland. He’ll read his poetry, fiction, and songs – and motivate you. He also enjoys workshops for students, young or old. He may be preparing a 4th CD, one of gospel roots where he’ll continue “laying the hard things aside.”

http://www.listentolawrence.com/ http://www.mytexasmusic.com/lawrencejclark booking@listentoLawrence.com http://www.lawrencejclark.com/

Susan Pena's Favorities

Susan Peña’s Favorites:

Songs in Spanish and English,

[musical CD].
Lyrics and Letra by the Peña-Govea family and guests. San Francisco: http://www.cdbaby.com , 2005. $14.00.
As a child in Marshall, I learned to sing “Un elefante,” go with my father to the “Tamale Man’s Stand” to get supper, and go with my mother to visit the Tejana who had the most wonderful garden. While teaching school in Raymondville, Texas in the 1970’s I was deeply immersed in Tejano culture, the folks, the food, the language, and the music.

This music brings back those days. Susan Peña has family strung from California to the Texas Valley.

The dozen bilingual songs and music are a comfortable mix and your body moves easily in rhythm. You’ll hear guitar, trumpet, accordion, mandolin, and other instruments. We have folk classics and original work, e.g., “Elena la ballena,” “Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain,” “The Green Grass Grows All Around,” and “De Colores.” Dancing instructions come in the lyrics booklet with “La Raspa.” Dancing instructions are part of the song in “Las Chiapanecas.” It is an interesting mixture of works for children and adults.

The Peña-Goveas perform in public venues of California, and now they perform in my own living room.
http://www.miguelgovea.com susannpena@sbcglobal.net

Prairie Portait - Don Edwards

A Prairie Portrait. [CD music].

By Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, John Giordano, Music Director. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Western Jubilee Recording Co., ca. 2000. $15.00 CD, $10.00 cassette. http://www.westernjubilee.com/ & http://www.fortworthsymphony.com/

The 16 selections are beautifully performed. The strings, reeds, brass, keyboards, and vocals immediately lift your attentiveness and pride and carry you through traditional and original melodies, lyrics, and story-telling. Don describes the production as a melding of classical music, cowboy music, and cowboy poetry wherein they “create yet another dimension on the artistic landscape of the Great American West.” Don does the singing, Waddie, the story-telling. The other 60 folks make moving sounds, while John rides point.

The best instrumentation is “Home on the Range” for the successful projection of sentimentality, but “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” is plainly exciting. Waddie’s “Commutin’” and “Throwback” lay out some common details of cowboy life, but the short “Horses, Dogs, and Cowboys” conveys a more philosophic tone. As for good songs, Don’s “West of Yesterday” playfully tweaks at nostalgic grand gestures. His “Annie Laurie” shares a universal lost love lament. Thanks to the Bass Foundation for their production assistance.

Recommended widely. 2000 Wranger Award.