Today is Your Birthday!
Okay, so today might not be your birthday, but it is mine. So, happy birthday to me and my fellow May 23rd people.
Here are some tunes to help me celebrate. Feel free to use when it’s your birthday.
“Today is Your Birthday”- The Beatles (performed here by Paul McCartney)
“Happy Birthday” – Stevie Wonder
“Happy Birthday to You” – Mariah Carey (performed for Muhammad Ali)
“Snuffy’s Birthday Song” – Sesame Street Gang
Curtis Mayfield
The R&B funkster Curtis Mayfield was born on this day in 1942. He was a pioneer of funk and of politically conscious soul music, as well as an multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, bass, piano, drums, and saxophone.
Mayfield’s Number 1 Soul hit, “We’re a Winner,” became an anthem of the black pride movement in 1967, as was his “Keep on Pushing“, with his group The Impressions, had been an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.
His 1972 album Super Fly, the soundtrack to the film of the same name, was one of the most important albums of the time. Along with Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On and Stevie Wonder’s works, this album was instrumental in bringing about a new socially conscious, funky style of music.
Joe Cocker: Hymn For My Soul CD Review
Joe Cocker’s Hymn For My Soul is truly an inspired event. He has recruited the best musicians, and chosen to cover songs from varied artists and genres, all offering hope for our world’s current state.
Hymn For My Soul starts things off on a funky note with Cocker’s rendition of Stevie Wonder’s classic, trumpet-and-sax-filled, You Haven’t Done Nothin’. George Harrison’s Beware of Darkness and CCR’s Long As I Can See The Light get covered here quite nicely. Bob Dylan’s Ring Them Bells and The Beatles’ Come Together, the final track, are definite highlights. Another standout song on Hymn For My Soul is River’s Invitation, the Percy Mayfield-penned song that has been covered by Southside Johnny and Aretha Franklin, among others.
Hymn For My Soul isn’t solely made up of classics though. Two selections that shine on this record are the recent songs One Word (Peace) by The Subdudes and the title track Hymn 4 My Soul by blues artist Andy Fairweather Low.
Joe Cocker’s unmistakable voice brings new life to these songs. Hymn For My Soul is edgy, soulful, and funky – a real winner.
Click on the links below to watch some of Joe Cocker’s performances and videos.
Joe’s legendary Woodstock performance of With A Little Help From My Friends
Adeli's Music Blog 
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