JUNE/JULY, 2020 – Vol. 12, No. 5

Bryan Bowers / autoharp Bryan Bowers / mando

The Last Concert featured Bryan Bowers on Feb. 17. This issue features the theme  Blues in Times of Pandemic, which includes an article, Blues in the time of Pandemic, 1919 — “In a few days influenza would be controlled,” by Shalom Goldman, reprinted from Informed Comment, followed by More Pandemic Blues Songs. There will be no more Concerts during the coronavirus pandemic. The Couth Buzzard is closed for the duration, but you can phone, e-mail, and place online book orders, and contribute to their Emergency Fund here. We will continue the NW HOOT as long as we have new articles to publish.  We are always looking for more writers (send us your ideas and articles).

A WORD FROM YOUR DIRECTOR (3), by Stewart Hendrickson

Dear Friends, I hope you are all safe and well, and getting along in these troubled times. There will be no more live concerts until we are safely through this pandemic. PNW Folklore will go quiet, but not disappear. We will be back. The NW HOOT will continue as long as we have articles to publish, and our main website will be there with all its interesting information. We all miss live concerts, informal jams, and, most of all, the community we have developed at the Couth and elsewhere. A lot of this music activity has gone online with Zoom, YouTube, and other technological developments. We have become more tech-savvy, but long to interact live again in the real world.
In this time of pandemic, art has taken a big hit. No more live concerts. No more open galleries to show old and new art. Music, dance, and drama organizations may fold for lack of support, but new ones will arise to take their place. An old piece of art may be lost, but something new will appear. Writers will always find something to write about. Art is a human endeavor, it comes from within, and will arise wherever humans prevail. The arts will survive.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing all of you again when our live concerts resume.
Stewart Hendrickson

BLUES IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Triumph of Death, oil on panel, 46 x 63.8 in., 1562, Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Music- including blues – speaks to major crises,  and pandemics are no exception. The influenza epidemic of 1918-19 spawned many blues songs. Perhaps the most memorable of these is “The 1919 Influenza Blues.” We begin with a recent article by Shalom Goldman in Informed Comment, reprinted here with the permission of the author and publisher. Continue reading “BLUES IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC”

You’ll Never Walk Alone


“You’ll Never Walk Alone”
Virtual Choir/Orchestra 15 Countries: 300 People
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, 300 people from 15 different countries came together to participate in a virtual rendition of the beautiful song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel. Please share this video to help spread a little hope during this time! “I left New York City on March 14, anticipating a short absence. The Brooklyn College Choir had been preparing for performances with the New York Philharmonic, and then that was gone. Arriving home in Iowa, I found comfort in playing the beautiful song from the musical Carousel, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’ I embarked on collaborating online like so many others are doing. What started to fill the void of music collaboration has evolved to new meaning for me with the lengthened quarantine. Hopefully, the words, ‘you’ll never walk alone,’ along with the visual of 300 people joining together offers the audience some comfort and peace during this time. Stay safe and healthy my friends!” – Harrison Sheckler Brooklyn College M.M. ’21 Piano Performance

What the World Needs Now – for Virtual Orchestra

Just a little something to brighten your day. What started as an idea on my flight home from college ended in a collaboration with some of the most incredible people. I couldn’t be more grateful. Please share to help us promote positivity and optimism while we need it most. 💜 “What the World Needs Now” Music by Burt Bacharach, Lyrics by Hal David for Virtual Orchestra.