Grateful

Grateful

Grateful
Music and Lyrics by John Bucchino
Sung by Joe Lupariello
Musical Director:  Brian Graden

Performed at
Sterling's Upstairs as The Federal
January 27, 2013

From the first day of selecting songs, writing and putting together "Where Or When," I had a vision that "New Music" would be the opening number and "Grateful" would be the very final closing number.  For years I have loved this beautiful song composed by the remarkably gifted John Bucchino.  "Grateful" is the perfect pairing of words and music-  the melody is so rich and warm and the lyrics so poignant.  This is one of those rare songs that live in the world of gratitude as opposed to envy- in spite of all the stress and adversity we face- most of us are truly blessed. 

Ultimately it felt so fitting, I was truly grateful to be surrounded by friends and loved ones who ventured out on a cold rainy January evening to see the show. 

The Prayer

One of my favorite websites

NASA has a wonderful website which is called Astronomy Picture of the Day or APOD. It's filled with breathtaking images of space and earth.

This is Young Stars in the Rho Ophiuch cloud.

Enjoy!

The Moon's A Harsh Mistress

Starting Here, Starting Now

One of my favorite wedding songs of all times- "Starting Here, Starting Now" is written by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire. The words are as beautiful and poignant as the music. I sang this song for Alison and Keith's wedding- my niece and now nephew.

This was my first time rehearsing with the pianist- so in his defense he had a couple, er, uh, rehearsal clunkers.

This Heart Of Mine/ I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans/ I Wanna Be Around

This is a love story in 3 acts.

I thought it would be fun to join three songs together that, unlike a typical medley, would create a story arc with a beginning, middle and end. I liked the notion of a musical romance in three acts-- Act One: new love ("This Heart Of Mine"); Act Two: disenchantment ("I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans"); and Act Three: break up ("I Wanna Be Around").

Although the songs were written by different composers and lyricists- they were composed around the same period- so they have a similar feel and tone.

I love the way Wayne Bethanis plays these songs- and how he shifts from the romantic mood of "This Heart Of Mine" into the more melancholic "I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans" and then into the tentative but ultimately bitter "I Wanna Be Around."