Music Notes – Sunday, April 26th:
This Sunday’s musicians are Aaron Burkle, Alicia Burkle, The Chancel Choir and UUCC Music Director Mike Carney
Centering Music: You Gotta Be – Des’ree/Ingram
“You Gotta Be” was a 1994 hit for British R&B/Soul singer and songwriter Des’ree (b. 1968 as Desirée Annette Weekes). The song was co-written by Des’ree along with producer Ashley Ingram (b. 1960) and released on Des’ree’s second album I Ain’t Movin’. “You Gotta Be” rose to #5 in the US (Des’ree’s only major chart success in America) and also received critical acclaim, winning the BMI Pop Award for Song of the Year and receiving nominations from Billboard, MTV, and Ivor Novello.
Song: How Could Anyone – Roderick
Libby Roderick (b. 1958) is a singer-songwriter and activist from Alaska. Her song “How Could Anyone” (#1053 in Singing the Journey) was written in response to a friend in pain. It has been heard around the world, translated into many languages, and is reprinted in many books. The simple folk tune and words have been embraced by people with many types of pain, from AIDS orphans to cancer survivors and prisoners. The lyrics have been used for healing in many different settings, including churches, hospitals, shelters, rallies, weddings, and funerals. (from uua.org)
Special Music: Strength Courage & Wisdom – Arie
India Arie (b. 1975 as India Aria Simpson) is an American singer/songwriter/guitarist who was born in Denver, Colorado. She signed with Motown Records as a teenager and has released seven studio albums to date with worldwide sales of over 10 million. Arie has also won four Grammy Awards (from 23 nominations) and received numerous other accolades. “Strength Courage & Wisdom”, an anthem of personal empowerment, was written and recorded by Arie and released on her 2001 debut album Acoustic Soul. The song was not released as a single, but has become a favorite among Arie’s fans.
Offertory: Good Enough – Morris
“Good Enough” is a song about love and self-worth, written by award-winning performer and composer Lea Morris (b. 1978), also known simply as LEA. Born in Baltimore to a father who toured the world playing trumpet in the funk band Black Heat and a mother who dreamed of opera while performing with her siblings in the Jones Family Gospel Singers, LEA was singing on the pulpit of the Baptist church where she grew up as soon she could speak. When she discovered the acoustic guitar as a teenager, she began teaching herself to play by writing songs. LEA’s final year in high school in Germany at a classical conservatory, where she sang with the jazz ensemble Black & White and co-wrote with the British pop trio Indigo Wild. Having shared the stage with luminaries including Odetta, Mavis Staples, Dar Williams and Anthony Hamilton, LEA performs at a far-ranging array of venues, including arts centers, universities, festivals, places of worship and beyond. She performs solo and with her band, The Moment. (includes material from thisislea.com).
Song: There’s a River Flowin’ in my Soul – Sanders
“There’s a River Flowin’ in My Soul” is #1007 in our Singing the Journey hymnal. It was composed by Rose Sanders (b. 1945), who is a civil rights attorney, activist and creative artist living in Selma, Alabama. Ms. Sanders was Alabama’s first African American female judge, and she has co-founded and works to support many organizations which protect children.
Postlude: This Is Me – Pasek & Paul
“This Is Me” is a song from the 2017 film musical The Greatest Showman. The music and lyrics were co-written by Benj Pasek (b. 1985) and Justin Paul (b. 1985), a songwriting team known primarily for their work in film and theater, including the scores for Dear Evan Hansen and A Christmas Story (stage musical), and original songs from La La Land. “This Is Me” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award in the same category.
-Mike Carney, UUCC Music Director