Moving Music Movies

Recently I watched two documentaries that deeply moved me.

One, Young@Heart, chronicles the Young@Heart Chorus, an internationally-touring group of men and women ages 70 and up that performs rock and roll songs (think Hendrix, Sonic Youth, and Talking Heads). I had a huge grin on my face for most of the movie (and there were tears, too, because it so moved me).

These people will capture your heart. One man with congestive heart failure comes back to sing with the group after a long absence, and I kept thinking that if he can sing with fluid in his lungs then what the hell am I doing not singing? It really inspired me.

Watch the trailer here and find out more about the chorus at their website.

The other documentary was, for me, highly anticipated. Girls Rock follows attendees of Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, OR, a magical place where Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney and Beth Ditto of the Gossip are camp counselors and girls come together for a week in the summer to learn an instrument, form a band, and perform a song. ROCK!

What I just learned while researching this post is that they run a Ladies Rock Camp too! I am very seriously considering going to the October session. Women 19 and up come together for a weekend, form a band, and write and perform a song. So. Rad. Ladies Rock Camp raises money to keep the girls' camp going.

Watch the trailer here, find out more about the movie here, and learn more about the camp here.

The Soprano

So, I did it. I finally overcame my fear in a major way and I sang again. And not only that, I recorded it. I feel some definite butterflies about writing this post and sharing this song for the wide world to hear, but I know it's going to be healing. From here, who knows what I can do.

This is not the most astounding piece of music you've ever heard, and I'm not in any way trying to say I'm some amazing singer, but I did sing with a very open and brave heart. I was helped along by a talented friend of mine, Chris Proctor, who taught himself to sing and play guitar about 10 years ago. I talked to him about making a CD three years ago, and this year he finally held my feet to the fire. On the first day of the year. And on the second day, he came over and we spent four hours practicing until we created something that wasn't half bad.

I chose to sing "Falling Slowly" from the Once soundtrack because the music is inspiring and watching that movie made me want to perform again. It's like a little tribute to the artists who encouraged my inner singer to emerge.

And so, here it is. A monumental moment in my life that will most certainly lead to more joyful and heartfelt singing in my life.

I have no idea how to upload audio files to Blogger, but I've hosted the song on my web site. If you click this link, you can hear it in Windows Media Player. If anyone knows how I can successfully embed a player into this post, let me know.