Most of the great composers have a Funeral March or two on their CV (and of course a Wedding March - after a few years the two are usually interchangeable), some even have a Requiem Mass, so, bidding farewell to a loved one with music is a time honoured tradition. The Irish wake is just such an occasion where the departed is sent on his/her way with Guinness inspired versions of Danny Boy, Galway Bay and the Isle of Innisfree.
Jazz, of course, is not without its own funereal music going way back to the early days in New Orleans when Oh Didn't He Ramble, The Saints and maybe Saint James' Infirmary were the favourites.
Even today, in Newcastle, we still have New Orleans style funerals which makes me beg the question - do they have Newcastle style funerals in New Orleans?
If they do it may take the form of just such a celebration as I wandered into today in a place not a 1000 miles from Newcastle.
It was late afternoon and I felt the need for a little light refreshment (Greene King's IPA - 5.4%) so I called into one of our local watering holes.
The bar was crowded and, above the noise, I heard one of my (was) favourite songs - A Portrait of my Love. However, this wasn't Matt Monro - no sirree! It was a funeral "party" and they'd put on a Karaoke.
It seems as though every wannabee Jim Reeves, Elvis, Bobby Darin (Things, like a walk in the park), Neil Diamond (Sweet Caroline) were at the funeral. The only one missing was Dolly Parton (unfortunately!)
After I'd recovered from the shock horror of it all it occurred to me that there was no better way to go! Family and friends were having a ball and it brought back to me how it is possible to get something out of the saddest day - Crombie's funeral being the perfect example.
I helped myself to a sausage roll but left before the Bingo (joke).
I don't know who the deceased was but I'm sure his journey across the Great Divide was made easier by the grand send off.
Lance.
(For the record, when my chips are cashed in, I'd like to "hear" Art Pepper's recording of 'Round Midnight - third shelf down on the LP fixture - and any Sinatra ballad - except My Way - plus a few tunes from the Jazz Café regulars!)
1 comment :
Last funeral we attended it was Paul Edis's version of playing "Bring me sunshine' to come into followed by Ghost Riders in the sky. Without a doubt it was the 'happiest' funeral - everyone in BBQ wear! We celebrated life and laughter and love it was great!
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