Music Therapy with Miss Moon

"If we have been pleased with life, we should not be displeased with death, since it comes from the hand of the same master."
~ Michelangelo

Words cannot express how surreal it feels to know that Whitney Houston has died. I wish I could eloquently write a fitting tribute to the woman whose voice was always there in my life since childhood, but truly... the words escape me. Instead, I will share with you one of my favorite songs of Whitney, a song that a litty bitty Miss Moon used to sing at every talent show or family occasion that required it. The song has a powerful message, one that I wished to God Whitney had taken to heart.



I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

Rest In Peace, Whitney Elizabeth Houston
(August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012)

A Little [AMY WINEHOUSE] for a Saturday Night

I wasn't going to post a "Saturday Night" song tonight. It was after learning of Amy Winehouse's death today, and feeling both saddened and infuriated by it, that I decided that I should share with you all one of my favorite songs of hers. I hope that while listening to "Tears Dry On Their Own" that you will all join me in sending Amy's family your thoughts and prayers, as I am sure they desperately need them now.

Rest in Peace, Amy Jade Winehouse
(14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011)

Miss Moon's Musings About: The Loss of a Lady...

Today, the world regrettably says a fond farewell to Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away at age 79.



I could write about her life, her marriages, her career and the scandals and gossip peppered in between... but I rather show Elizabeth in one of her finest film moments.






Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE
(February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011)
Rest in Peace!!!

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

I cannot believe that Teena Marie is no longer with us. She died yesterday at the age of 54. I had to share my favorite song of hers for this week's Music Therapy with Miss Moon song. Here's "Portuguese Love".





Rest in Peace, Teena Marie
March 5, 1956 - December 26, 2010

A Little [JIMI HENDRIX] for a Saturday Night

Forty years ago today, the world lost the genius that was James Marshall Hendrix. I couldn't think of a better song selection for this particular Saturday Night than Jimi's "Angel".







I hope you all will listen like I am and think of Jimi.

A Little [LAMYA] for a Saturday Night

This is my first time posting a Lamya song on my blog because her death over a year ago continues to be a shock to me. Her album, Learning From Falling has helped me through many dark days in my 20s and it continues to be one of my favorites. It's such a shame that we won't ever get to hear new music from her.







But oh I am not afraid
To be a lone bohemian
I can paint a portrait of myself
I will call me a black Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa
Come to discover - I am your daughter

The sky above me is silent and empty
I am an island
A little freak of melancholy
But these hands
They unbead your rosary of wisdom
Bewitched, spellbound I'm found
And returned from superstition
You are my martyr
I'm a vestige of a revolution
My alma, my mater
And now I can let go
My old addictive solutions

But oh I am not afraid
To be a lone bohemian
I can paint a portrait of myself
I will call me a black Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa
Come to discover - I am your daughter

I used to be a connoisseur
Of hate, self hate, paternal hate
Hate cum gratis
I connected every kind
Sipping it like red wine
The insecurity was mine
The ties that bind were
My design

But oh I am not afraid
To be a lone bohemian
I can paint a portrait of myself
I will call me a black Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa
Come to discover - I am your daughter

The sun is still unkind
To those like you and me
Seekers of sanctuary
Though I'm not afraid
I'm sanctified and fortified
Because you sacrified
I can call myself Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa,
Men have adored you

But oh I am not afraid
To be a lone bohemian
I can paint a portrait of myself
I will call me a black Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa
Come to discover - I am your daughter


Rest In Peace, Lamya Al-Mugheiry

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

I can remember seeing Lena Horne for the first time and wondering "Wow... who is this?!?!?" As I grew older, I learned more and more about her.... what an amazing woman she was. Since making Bedford-Stuyvesant my home in Brooklyn, I of course have a great deal of pride knowing Lena Horne walked the streets of Macon Street back in the day!!!





Lena Horne "Stormy Weather"



Rest in Peace, Lena Mary Calhoun Horne
June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Rest in Peace, Keith Elam aka Guru
July 17, 1966 – April 19, 2010