A musical reminder of the message behind MLK Day
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would have been impressed with the strides made in civil rights since 1968. But he would not be surprised that there's still more work to be done, more struggles to be won on many fronts in many places. That's why the song so associated with King, "We Shall Overcome," still has the power to move. It's worth being reminded on that song, that message on this MLK Day.
I came across an unusual performance of "We Shall Overcome" that I thought I'd share here. It features a pop music icon as soloist --
Diana Ross -- in an orchestra/choral arrangement that expands effectively on the old spiritual. (If the Baltimore Symphony ever resumes its tradition of giving MLK concerts, this arrangement would be a nice addition, even without such an exalted soloist.) This particular performance comes from a 1996 concert in Budapest, nicely illustrating how the music easily crosses boundaries.
