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“The onion has many skins. A multitude of skins. Peeled, it renews itself; chopped, it brings tears; only during peeling does it speak the truth.” In the post-war novel The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass, patrons gather at the Onion Cafe and savor onions, the only item on the menu, to do there what they can’t do elsewhere - to cry. In Poets’ Cabaret, the collected songs of composer Jack Perla, singers, musicians, artists and friends, also gather to do together what can’t be done alone - to celebrate music and each other. Poets’ Cabaret is an invitation - a container for singing, stories and celebration. Imagine a small space - a cafe, theater, bar, even a living room. Any of these is stage enough for singers and musicians to embody Rilke’s jubilance over new love, Agee’s brooding on parenthood, Fenton’s panic over a dwindling stash, or a grandfather, whiling away the day weaving fishing nets. |
The songs can be arranged in any order, and performed recital style - just voice (or voices) and piano, or with optional upright bass and percussion parts. The goal is joy and intimacy, and trust amplifies creativity - singers and musicians are invited to improvise (chord changes are included). Anecdote, personal experience, current events, or improv - everything that lifts the evening is welcome. Performers are invited to mix the songs with other music, stories and poetry close to their heart, and to request new arrangements of favorite songs. Bring narration, dance, visual design, staging or just simple props -- Poets’ Cabaret is an open book where inspiration and the moment lead.
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Poets' Cabaret, Volume I
Collected songs on poetry by: William Taylor, Rainer Maria Rilke, James Fenton, Lisa Delan, Walt Whitman, Breyten Breytenbach, W.B. Yeats, Denise Levertov, James Agee, Steven Cordova, Wendell Berry, Klaus Bremer and John Howard Payne Instrumentation Piano and High or Medium Voice (optional parts for upright bass & percussion) |
Score Samples
For perusal materials, performance licensing, score & part rental or purchase, please visit Bill Holab Music... |