My favorite Stephen Foster songs on his Fourth of July birthday
There's something cool about Stephen Foster, the first great American songwriter, being born on the Fourth of July (in 1826). When I was a kid, I remember the enjoyment of playing through a Foster songbook at the piano, a wonderful hardbound book with evocative, super-nostalgic drawings for each piece. And I remember being especially drawn to a couple of ballads that weren't as much a part of the Foster hit parade as "Beautiful Dreamer" and "I Dream of Jeannie."
These two, "Gentle Annie" and "Hard Times Come Again No More," struck me so strongly, I guess, because they were so darn sad, so haunting. They seemed to me terribly personal and real; they still do.
I found some video clips of both songs featuring Anna McGarrigle and her sister, the late Kate McGarrigle, along with friends and family (including Kate's son, Rufus Wainwright, in "Hard Times"). These are remarkably touching, truthful performances that demonstrate just how richly Foster's music continues to speak to us.
I know these are downers, not the usual bright Independence Day fare, but there sure are some hard times going on right now, so I don't think the songs are out of place at all. I hope you like them. (The "Gentle Annie" clip cuts off about two seconds too soon, alas, but the damage is slight.)
Comments
There was also a very fine recording of Foster's songs on Nonesuch some years back: Joan Morris, accompanied by William Bolcom.
Posted by: John McIntyre | July 4, 2010 9:56 AM
A couple of years ago, there was an amazing CD that I have, "Beautiful Dreamer." It won a Grammy.
It's got Allison Krauss, John Prine, Raul Malo, Ron Sexsmith, Roger McGuinn, Suzy Bogguss, Ollabelle, Beth Nielsen Chapman and others...
Posted by: Mike | July 4, 2010 1:10 PM
During two trips to Ireland a few years ago, my wife and I were struck by how often we heard Irish musicians performing "Hard times" in the pubs. Locals in the pub often sang along as if it were a piece of Irish folk music. The song does seem to speak to the famine years very well, so it is not too surprising, I guess. It remains one of my favorite songs of all time.
Thanks for writing. I'm intrigued to learn of that song's Irish connection. TIM
Posted by: David Reynolds | July 7, 2010 3:49 PM