Originally Posted By Mary Poppins We're playing a Tribute to Stephen Foster in our upcoming band concert. He wrote classic pieces like Camptown Races and My Old Kentucky home. Some really beautiful stuff. His lyrics are archaic though in terms of race relations, but we are just playing the music.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Archaic, isn't really the word for it, but he was a product of his time and then nothing much was thought of it. Some of his stuff was being performed right into the 1970's without anyone so much as blinking an eye. I will agree that the melodies are really good and easy to harmonize with and, as it turns out, many of the more objectionable lyrics are easily changed to be more politically correct and less offensive. They were all simple melodies, the type one hums and sings along with.
Originally Posted By iamsally How neat for you. I grew up in a musical family and majored in music for a couple of years in college. So yeah, I am familiar with his music. I wish I had a band to play in. The times were what they were. It is part of our history.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF I usually don't care for these "tribute" albums, but a friend loaned me this one a while back: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Dreamer-Songs-Stephen-Foster/dp/B0002M64Z6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1265034419&sr=8-1" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Beautifu...9&sr=8-1</a> I thought it was very well-made.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Our piece is arranged by Sammy Nestico, in the 50's, I believe. It has some neat "50's" riffs that you wouldn't hear in today's music.
