Mother-Daughter Music #1

Being blasted out of bed Christmas morning by Handel's Hallelujah Chorus played as loudly as Mom could crank it up on our "stereo's" turntable, is one of my earliest music memories.  A few more >>> listening to her singing lullabies and Latin pop songs, my dad's violin, sister's piano, brother's trumpet, and the five of us warbling harmonies on "Rock-a My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham" during long car trips---childhood treasures tucked away in my memory.

Thanks to Mom, I got my first guitar the year my family spent in Argentina while my microbiologist dad was on sabbatical from Cal Poly doing research on brucellosis in cattle there. (I've yet to find a musical association with the cow thing!)  I took off on the guitar, courtesy of some private classical lessons from a very patient Argentine teacher, and also of the two young Mormons who showed up at our door and taught me "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and other popular folk songs of that 60's era.

Later, armed with some basic chord progressions, a few short and sweet sonatas, and a love of singing and accompanying myself and others, I got to spend my junior year in Granada, Spain, and immerse myself musically in the land of Don Quixote.  In retrospect, I realize my good fortune to have had that uncommonly care-free period.  I would return home to finish college, marry the greatest guy in the world, raise a son and daughter who are the light of our lives, launch my music in various venues, and try out different careers---all feeding my spirit and heart enormously--- before I would get to see that part of the world again.  Forty years.  Growing up hearing these stories and dreaming of traveling more together, my daughter Genevieve proclaimed, "Mom, we could go on forever saying we're going to do this; let's book our tickets!"

Genny with mug, and me 

And she did, and we went and, joining all those who find Travel so rewarding, our highlights included connecting with local families and sharing music, food, stories and laughter.  My favorite things.  Someday I'd like to read my daughter's stories of her first music impressions.  And yours, dear Reader----please leave a comment or two below.

Mom's Memorial Music

                                                                     

For my junior year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, my parents helped me arrange to do a study year abroad in Granada, Spain.  That experience remains a highlight of my life.  Forty years later, my daughter, Genevieve helped arrange for the two of us to visit Granada together.  Genny and I had a fantastic 3 weeks this spring in southern Spain, specifically Granada, Madrid, and Monachil, a tiny village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.  I'll be sharing stories about this for a long time...

Several weeks before leaving, my mother----an intrepid world traveler---died peacefully in her home. She knew of our Spain plans and was very happy for us; we felt her twinkly spirit with us the whole trip.  She is the one that instilled my love of travel and music.  In her honor, my son, Matthew is compiling a mix to play at her memorial service.  We are choosing some favorite songs from her albums:  Argentine tangos, Greek hasapikos, Mexican folk songs, Andrea Bocelli's tenor, and some of my covers of songs in Spanish recorded by dh, Rick, especially for mom..  

Here is one of Andrea's beautiful offerings.  Enjoy. ♫  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlPPqPodiA

Music kisses,

Lisa