August 30, 2016

Request by Lawrence Raab

For a long time I was sure
it should be "Jumping Jack Flash," then
the adagio from Schubert's C major Quintet,
but right now I want Oscar Peterson's

"You Look Good to Me." That's my request.
Play it at the end of the service,
after my friends have spoken.
I don't believe I'll be listening in,

but sitting here I'm imaging
you could be feeling what I'd like to feel––
defiance from the Stones, grief
and resignation with Schubert, but now

Peterson and Ray Brown are making
the moment sound like some kind
of release. Sad enough
at first, but doesn't it slide into

tapping you feet, then clapping
your hands, maybe standing up
in that shadowy hall in Paris
in the late sixties when this was recorded,

getting up and dancing
as I would not have done,
and being dead, cannot, but might
wish for you, who would then

understand what a poem––or perhaps only
the making of a poem, just that moment
when it starts, when so much
is still possible––

has allowed me to feel.
Happy to be there. Carried away.

- - - - Inward Bound Poetry: 965.

Posted by gerardvanderleun at August 30, 2016 5:40 PM
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Aaaahh...

Music for adults. No posturing, no tantrums, just taking pleasure in still being here.

Posted by: Rob De Witt at August 30, 2016 6:01 PM

Oscar Peterson's music makes me happy, happy.
My funeral instruction call for ending with this tune from John Lewis---Body and Soul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-mpBlU_lbk

Posted by: Fontessa at August 30, 2016 7:16 PM

I've got this track on a 1990 Telarc label album called 'Saturday Night at the Blue Note" -- loved it for years. But, the YouTube version you had posted works much better with slower tempo and purer theme exposition at the beginning.

The man possessed utterly amazing pianism -- largely due to his having being classically trained. Truly a Canuck National Treasure.

Amongst classical pianists, André Previn isn't a bad jazz pianist either.

Posted by: Kinch at August 30, 2016 7:48 PM