Charlie Bernhardt: Journal

We had a great Soup and Song Productions house concert with Lui Collins this past Saturday night November 19. I've known Lui for more than 30 years, going back to the days when we were playing the same bars and coffeehouses as undergraduates at the University of Connecticut. Her music is special to Marilyn and me. We even wove the music and lyrics of one of her songs into our Ketubah (marriage contract).

For Lui's show this year we had our biggest crowd yet for a Soup and Song concert - 29 people. Everyone had a great time. Marilyn's Vegetable Soup was a hit. Lui included some songs from her forthcoming album, "Closer." Before the show, she played the "almost ready" mixes for Marilyn and me and we just loved it. I have added a link to Lui's web site on my links page. Please check out this wonderful singer, poet, song writer and performer.

It was such a pleasure getting to see her again and spend time singing and chatting. It is always good to keep and build relationships with folks you knew when you were much younger. Thanks, Lui, for a great evening.

Next Soup and Song Productions Concert will be March 4 when George and Julius return to Laurel. More news later.

B'Shalom,
Charlie

Marilyn and I got the greatest gift one can receive on Wednesday, November 9. Marilyn’s daughter Erin and her husband Tony had a baby girl! Welcome to the world, Lily Anne Murillo. She arrived at 2:59 p.m., weighing in at 6 lbs, 4 ounces and measuring 18.25 inches. She is as beautiful as she can be. Mom and daughter (and Dad) are well and looking forward to going home today. Bubbie and Zaydie (that’s Marilyn and me!) are proud and thrilled.

I got to go and see her yesterday and just melted. She and I had some quiet time together, as we sang Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti,” among other songs. (That was one of the first songs I sang with my boys. You can’t beat the classics.) I am gathering in all the books and recordings of songs and stories for children that I can find. Suggestions are welcome. She and I are going to sing a whole lot of music.

Barucha haba’a b’shem Adonai. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God. Join me in welcoming Lily Anne. We’ll keep you all posted on how she’s doing. Check the photo page for some pictures.

B’Shalom,
Charlie

I'm going back into the studio on October 26 and 27. This time I won't be recording an album to be released to the public. I am making a recording of the Shabbat morning service as we do it at Oseh Shalom. The text will come from the Reconstructionist prayer book, "Kol Haneshama." In our service we use melodies from many sources, from traditional chants, to Israeli, to Chasidic, and modern American music, including a few of my own. We will be making CDs and giving them to all our 6th grade students in our Religious School. The students and their families can use these as they prepare for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Several years ago I recorded the service using the cassette deck we have connected to our sound system in the synagogue's sanctuary. As one would expect, the sound quality is not very good. Once I experienced the difference it makes to record in a studio with experienced, talented engineers and professional equipment, I knew that I had to make that kind of recording for the service. I got together with Rabbi Fink, our Religious School Director Mary Meyerson, and our Religious Vice President John Riehl and started planning this project. My son Jeremy will be with me again to produce and assist in the engineering. Archie Moore, the engineer for the "Bridge" album is not woking at Omega Studios anymore. Kimo Van Gieson, another of Omega's fine staff engineers will be working the console. I'm excited about getting started. Watch this space for news on our progress.

B'Shalom,
Charlie

Brother Gershwin said, "Summertime and the livin' is easy." This time of year is always busy for me. Late summer means getting ready for the High Holidays and all the intense feelings that come with them. This period brings Rosh Hashanna, the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, the Day of Attonement. There is music to practice that I haven't sung since last year. I have to rehearse the Oseh Shalom choir. From year to year we are not sure how many voices we will have and how they will balance among the parts. Plus, this year we have the added feature of a race between the workers who are replacing the synagogue's HVAC system and air conditioning and the calendar whose pages are rapidly turning. Will we have air conditioning before Rosh Hashanna? We'll see.

Luckily, the holidays are "late" this year. The relationship between the Jewish lunar calendar and the secular solar one means that the Holidays can come seemingly 'early" or "late' - as early as the second week in September, or all the way into October. So, this year, I get "more" time to get ready.

Traditionally, we have pictured our lives being reviewed during this season, and a heavenly decree written and sealed for our fate in the coming year. May all of us be sealed in the Book of Life. I wish all of you l'shanna tova um'tukah - a good and sweet new year!

B'Shalom,
Charlie

I spent June 19-21 at the Great Labor Arts Exchange at the National Labor college in Silver Spring, MD. This annual event brings together artists, organizers and cultural workers who are using their talents to build their unions and the labor movement. It is a chance to share experiences and reenergize your efforts. This year was no exception. The Labor Heritage Foundation, which sponsors the event, presents its Joe Hill Award to individuals whose body of work has contributed to enriching the movement. This year my buddy Anne Feeney was the recipient. (Mazel Tov, Anne!)

The Exchange ends each year with a free concert on Tuesday night. At this year's concert I got to perform with Joe Jencks. We sang the song, Tzedek that we wrote for my CD. What a thrill it was to have an audience of labor folks singing the chorus with us. Special kudos to the progressive hip hop duo, La Paz, from southern California. They blew the roof off the auditorium and gave all of us that much more reason to have faith in the next generation of activists.