play a tune for me
on ebony and ivory
something simple
a delightful ditty
with your nimble
fingers
teasing a tune
that I can croon
a melody
to make me happy
**
Category: performers
The Celestial Diner
Satchmo singing”What a wonderful world” in a corner of the 1950’s themed diner that never closes down
a mythical diner that attracts great musicians and singers from all around
Jelly Roll Morton rubbing elbows with Duke Ellington at the red bar
the two legends watching Buddy Holly perform from afar
Little Richie, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fats Domino
hanging out but looking for somewhere else to go
Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley
looking over at Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee
Diane Ross and Janis Joplin playing Liar’s Dice
while old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, tries to be nice
so he can stay in this musical paradise
Obo the Clown
he was young when he started clowning around
the world his theater in the round
he wasn’t the kind of guy who ever got down
I’m talking about Obo the Clown
he was known for his funny jokes
and appealed to all kinds of folks
by all accounts he was always merry
when talking comedy he was a visionary
he enjoyed playing the clown for the day
and being on public display
the best thing about Obo the Clown
is that everyone wanted him around
In Praise of Puppets
stings attached
dolls with big eyes
in disguise
one expression forever frozen
in a grimace or a wide smile
meant to beguile
watch the puppets dance
take a chance
enjoy the performance
and suspend reality
to watch their story
Tribute to George Carlin
the comedian who gave us the seven dirty words you can’t say on TV
was George Carlin, whose brutal honesty appealed to me
attacks by the FCC for use of expletives were thrown out of court
a victory for freedom of speech which the FCC tried to distort
while George is no longer on this earth his words are still alive
he made millions laugh about the absurdity of many things
yet there was a serious message to his acts that still clings
to our memories like fall leaves holding on until the last breeze
stubbornly clinging to his mastery of words and sly journalese
Brand Fever
everyone, and thing, has a brand in this land
products and people seeking to expand
Levi’s, McDonald’s, Coca Cola, and Jeep
all culprits in the corporate branding creep
ambitious people market themselves every day
using their talent and experience as a resume
but some people avoid brands, big and small
because they don’t think branding is good at all!
The Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff 