Song # 1:

“I Left my Heart in San Francisco."

This beautiful song was made famous by the legendary Tony Bennett - his signature song at every performance. Born in 1926 he still performs well into his 90’s. Amazing man and career. More importantly, John and I had traveled to San Francisco several times, enjoyed  and loved the city.  Finally, we were married there in 1990 aboard a private, beautiful yacht with all of our family present. It was a beautiful day in every way. Little did I know that some years later, I would return to this beautiful city to sing and record a CD record "Lorelie's Legacy" for my family.

Song # 2:

"Bobby McGee."

"Bobby McGee." Born in 1943, Janis Joplin led a troubled life, seeking to be different even in high school by drinking alcohol and dressing different than her classmates. She was drawn to music as a young adult. Sang at every opportunity at small bars and with small bands. She was a unique, dynamic bluesy, raw, sexual  rock singer with incredible vocals. Janis was finally noticed for her historic performance at Woodstock, August, 1969. She sang with various bands but her drinking and drug problems made her hard to work with. In 1970, at age 27, she died from an accidental overdose of heroin. In 1971, after her death, her single record "Bobby McGee," written by a former love, Kris Kristofferson, reached the top of the charts. Other songs she sang were later released and did very well. In 1995 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; and, received the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award at the
Grammy Awards in 2005.

I chose "Bobby McGee" as a tribute to Janis Joplin's short lived, but highly successful style of singing. Unfortunately she did not live long enough to have enjoyed her success. "Bobby McGee" is a story typical of the young people who got on the road to California to enjoy free love, free sex and free drugs of the 1960's. At the end of this song there is a three generation blending of me, daughter Sandra, granddaughters Madison and Hannah singing together, starting with "he was my lover, he was my man" to the end.  Words are somewhat unclear but we tried to sing it the best we could. We had many laughs about how it sounded on this recording.

Song #3:

"The Lorelei."

"The Lorelei."  I almost had my name spelled this way had it not been for a disagreement between my parents.  My mother didn't like the legend so they decided to reverse the last two letters, naming me, "Lorelie."  A peaceful resolution. The legend/myth of the name "Lorelei" began in 1801 in Germany where its author, Clemens Brentano, began the legend of a beautiful woman of same name was convicted of bewitching men and murdering them, then falls to her death from the cliff, leaving an echo  of her name behind her. In 1824, Heinrich Heine, refined the story and wrote a poem, Dei Lorelei, which described a female siren who sits atop the cliff overlooking the Rhine River, combing her hair. Her beauty and song lure men to their deaths on the rocky cliff below. Since then other poets and classical musicians included this legend in their writing and music.  I chose to sing a fun version of "Dei Lorelei" written and composed by George and Ira Gershwin for a musical called, "Pardon My English" in 1933. These lyrics were a lot of fun for me to sing.

Song #4:

“Beautiful Dreamer.”

Written by famous poem and song writer, Stephen Foster, (1826 - 1864) but not published until after his death, March, 1864.  Al Jolson and Bing Crosby were the first to sing this song. The voice that really brought this haunting melody to  me was that of Roy Orbison (1936-1988). His 3 octave range was so unique. I think he had the most amazingly beautiful voice I have ever heard.  When he sang this piece of music it stayed in my "music mind" to surface when choosing songs. When the sheet music arrived I was surprised there was a second verse which I had never heard anyone sing before. The words in this verse "mermaids are chanting the wild Lorelei" was another surprise. I researched Stephen Foster's history to see if he had a relative, friend or anyone of this name - nothing. But as I mentioned, with the song "Lorelei," many writers and poets used this legend in their writings or music. Many other entertainers also have sung it.

Song #5:

“Sunrise, Sunset.”

Written in 1964 and performed in the popular "Fiddler on the Roof," in the same year. A highly successful musical, performed numerous times. This song is about generations moving from childhood, through the end of their lives - then the next generation follows, etc. The song needed both a male and female voice. I asked John if he would sing the male part, he declined. I asked our son, Scott to sing with me in the song which included a duet.  He knew the music as he had played it in a piano recital June, 1, 1975 when he was 9 years old.  He said he wasn't a singer but would try.  He did just fine!

Song #6:

 “Crazy."

I was always a fan of Patsy Cline's music.  I chose "Crazy" (written by Willie Nelson). This was her second most popular success songs following, "Walkin' After Midnight," which was the turning point in her singing career in 1957 when she appeared on the Arthur Godfrey Show. She sang with many other famous country music greats, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, June Carter, etc. a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Patsy survived a plane crash in in l961.  A second private plane crash in l963 took her life, sadly ending about a 10 year highly successful music career.

Song #7:

“How Great Thou Art.”

Dating back to a poem from Sweden in 1885, it gradually was translated into many languages throughout the world. In the 1950's it became the signature song of the Billy Graham Crusades, after Evangelist Graham's solo singer, George Beverly Shea, sang it at Madison Square Garden in 1957.  Mr. Shea's  recording of the hymn ranked number 204 on the top recordings of the 20th century according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Billy Graham said: "I like this hymn because it glorifies God. It turns Christian eyes toward God, rather than upon themselves. I use it as often as possible because it is a God - honoring song."  I listened to Mr. Shea (1909 -2013) sing it on U tube at the age of 103.  Awesome!!!  I have loved this song for many years even though it was a stretch for my voice in the higher vocal range.

Song #8:

“7 Spanish Angels.”

Written by Seals/Setser and recorded by Ray Charles (1930-2004) as a duet with Willie Nelson. These two vocal artists have been  favorites of mine. Willie Nelson born in 1933 has been performing since 1956 and is still in demand in his 80's.  Many of you may not have heard this song before. Hope you enjoy it.

Song #9:

 “Sunshine On My Shoulders.”

John Denver's music has been enjoyed by many people, including me.  I asked my daughter, Sandra, to sing a duet with me as she has such a beautiful voice. I hope she will keep singing whenever she can.

Song #10:

“Imagine.”

John Lennon (1940-1980) A co founder of the Beatles, already popular in England. When the  group arrived in the United States on 2/1/1964  they were greeted by a thunderous crowd of fans anxious to hear their music. Beatle Mania began! The Beatles had a couple of breaks as a group in 1970 it was final. John continued his life as a peace activist and without a doubt "Imagine" was his most popular piece of music.  Don't we all wish for "the world to be as one" as sung in this song.

Tragically his life ended December 8, 1980 when he was shot by a crazed fan in the archway of his residence,The Dakota, in NYC. His wife Yoko Ono was at his side when this happened. Yoko Ono chose not to hold a funeral for him and wished to mourn his loss quietly with their son, Sean just 5 years old. Many tributes were paid to and for John Lennon, an icon in the music business after his death.

Song #11:

“Blue Yodel No. 6”

There were actually 13 songs in the Blue Yodel series written and sung by the country, blues, folk singer Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933). Known most widely for his rhythmic yodeling was part of what he liked to include in his songs. Rodgers and the Carter Family were the first country music stars, cited as an inspiration to many artists .  An inductee into numerous halls of fame, sometimes referred to as "The Father of Country Music."  This was a fun piece of music that required some yodeling on my part. My yodeling in this song was not as good as it could have been, but here it is. As granddaughter, Madison. heard me yodel - this is the linchpin that got my family legacy album on the move to reality!

Song #12:

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow." 

This song known and loved by all of us was sung by the famous, Judy Garland, in the movie we all loved "Wizard of Oz." I need say no more!  THIS IS A CLASSIC!

Song #13:

“The Prayer.”

I was going to sing this song but when the music came streaming through my head phones suddenly I knew I had to speak, in prayer, the lyrics of this song. The heartfelt, beautiful, loving wishes all parents share for what we hope our children, grandchildren and heirs will choose to follow during their lifetimes. Amen.

A special thanks to:

Madison, I have many people to thank. You, most of all for putting this recording session together.  Many thanks to the wonderful musicians, the patience of the engineer and my son, Scott, for flying in to sing our song.  I am forever grateful to my husband, John, for encouraging me to take on this special family legacy, as I love music so much. He too flew to CA to be part of my experience. John, I thank you again.