Sunday Sessions: There Is Work To Be Done
Shine On is a song which packs a number of thoughts into a few verses: ideas about resilience, community, connection, hope... you may find these ideas both timeless and resonant with current day situations as well.
May Erlewine, who is a singer and songwriter from the US midwest, wrote the song.
Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem have a really great version the song, which they often do in concert.
Rani Arbo and the three men who make up daisy mayhem are based in New England. They bring a range of backgrounds and experiences to their collaborations. The four have been play music together for more than twenty years now; both on record and in live performance, their joy, connection, wit, and creativity come through -- in addition to stellar musicianship.
All four sing. You will most often find Rani Arbo singing lead, along with playing fiddle or guitar. Andrew Kinsey plays bass (though he began his musical career playing bagpipes). Anand Nayak handles electric and acoustic guitars. Scott Kessel pilots Drumship Enterprise, which in addition to what you may expect from an acoustic drum kit includes such items as a Danish Butter Cookie tin, a vinyl suitcase, cardboard pizza boxes, and other items.
Across their albums, their song choices are at once focused and eclectic, drawing from traditions of several sorts, contemporary writers such as Erlewine, and their own writing.
“You could call it agnostic gospel.” they write in the sleeve notes of Big Old Life, the album on which you will find Shine On recorded. “You could call it reverent (except when it's not). You could call it a foot-stompin' musical shout-out to the universe. You could call it ... four people playing songs they like, together...”
‘There is work to be done’ is is one part of a line in Shine On. So is ‘I am learning as I go.’ There are more lines in the song helpful in considering resilience and hope, both in here abd now and in long term aspects.
You may also wish to see
More about Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem, with other songs to listen to as well: Walking the World of Music with Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem, at Wandering Educators
About their album Some Bright Morning
About their album of songs for children, Ranky Tanky
Another Sunday Sessions: Walk the Road
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