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Joan Beckow Legacy Project

by Joan Beckow Legacy Project

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    22 tracks!

    Disc 1 (Tracks 1-11) - I Will Be The Tune (Musical Theater)
    Disc 2 (Tracks 12-22) - Hear My Spirit Sing (Classical/Sacred)
    Purchasable with gift card

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Beautiful double-disc CD with 20-page booklet, free digital download and free shipping in Canada.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Joan Beckow Legacy Project via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $30 CAD or more 

     

1.
Once there was a tailor, Who travelled from place to place. An ordinary tailor, Of ribbons and ruffles and lace. And wherever he’d go, He’s sew contentment into every sleeve. And in every seam a tailor’s dream would be found there, Bound there. Once this very tailor, Just happened to pass this way. This ordinary tailor, On this - not unusual - day. Simply knocked on a door, As often before, But listen to how and why This ordinary tailor Became an extraordinary kind of guy.
2.
Heaven knows I don’t need clothes To prove a single thing. If I were dressed in some tattered vest, I’d still be every inch - a king! A king! Look at me, I’m as light as a feather. Look at me, I’m as fair as fair weather. Look at my smile. Look at my style. It’s rare perfection! Look air me, see the tilt to my chin. Such majesty, and the shape that I’m in Is simply superb. There’s no other word for me! Take a look at my teeth, My toes, My knees and my nose. I cahn’t believe it’s true. And like the skies, My glorious eyes Shine a royal blue. What else! Look at me, I’m without any flaw, So naturally, people hold me in awe. No wonder they come, No wonder they run, For miles and miles to see. They come to look at me!
3.
When you hear the jangle, jingle As the sleigh of ol’ Kris Kringle Goes a-gliding down the Milky Way, And you hear the shouts and laughter Rise up to heaven’s rafter, It’s time to give a wish away, For Christmas day. Trees all trimmed with icy lace, Apple nose in the snowman’s face, Twinkling flames in the fireplace, That’s my Christmas wish for you. Turkey stuffed with spices rare, Then a nap in an easy chair, A Christmas dream - just waiting there - That’s our Christmas wish for you. A bit of blue sky up above you, A silver lining now and then. A certain someone there to love and care for you, But till then We’ll send you flying In a sleigh ride down a fluffy hill, Sailing over each ridge and rill, Holding hands - every Jack and Jill, That’s our Christmas wish for you. Ooh, ooh, ooh .. A certain someone there to love and care for you, But till then We’ll send you flying In a sleigh ride down a fluffy hill, Sailing over each ridge and rill, Holding hands - every Jack and Jill, And if all our wishes come true, Perhaps next December, Though we may never meet again, You’ll remember how we made this Merry Christmas wish .. For you.
4.
I need a miracle, And I need it soon. Mama says, If I count to twenty, by fives, Squeeze tight my eyes, Then ask that wise, old man in the moon… I know that Miracles do happen. Dreams can sometimes come true. And when Miracles happen They come right out of the blue. So I made a wish upon the moon, And now I’m waiting to see If Miracles do happen, If one little miracle will happen To me. I’m waiting Waiting so patiently For a signal A sign that will help me to see That soon, that guy in the moon Is gonna’ notice me. Can you hear me? Miracles do happen. Dreams can sometimes come true. And when Miracles happen They come right out of the blue. So I made a wish upon the moon, And now I’m waiting to see If Miracles do happen, If one little miracle will happen To me.
5.
A single flower he sent me since we met. All tenderly his messenger he chose. Deep hearted, (oh, so) pure, With scented dew still wet. One perfect rose, one perfect rose. I knew the language of the floweret. My fragile leaves, it said, his heart enclose. Love, long has taken for his amulet. One perfect rose, one perfect rose. Why is it no one ever sent me yet One perfect limousine, do you suppose? In every dream I dream - a limousine. A limo, limo Oh no! It’s always just my luck to get One perfect rose (how lucky can you get?), One perfect .. One perfect rose. One rose.
6.
Every time I see that the sky above is gray, I make believe the clouds have gone away. And, oh so often, I pretend to be A someone who is not at all like me. So if I should choose to be a pirate on a cruise, Or a soldier who is battling with the foe, I can see it. I can be it ‘Cause I know That I only have to make believe it’s so. I’m always pretending. Each day passing by find me spending A fine afternoon, flying up to the moon In an orange and green balloon. I’m only pretending, But often you’ll find me befriending A wee, little elf who has injured himself In a fall from my cupboard shelf. I climb on top of a haystack, And in just the wink of an eye Discover I’m climbing on to the back Of a bright, golden butterfly I know I’m pretending, ‘Cause I’m always sure of the ending: Though make-believe skies may be cloudy today I know when I wake they’ll be Gray. But what in the world is there left to do? Except to to depend on Pretending - To make the skies Blue.
7.
Christmas Comes and goes away. I wish, for once, that it would stay a little longer. Every trick of magic that I try Just ends up tragically, But my dream just grows stronger. Christmas Comes and goes away so soon. I wish that it would come again .. in June. I’m very fond of every holiday, But Christmas is the most - in every way. In Santa’s sleigh, a gift for everyone. No other day is filled with so much fun. Yet, every time it goes away so soon; I wish that it would come again in June. I can think of nothing else eight months of every year. By April I am filled with Christmas cheer(ing). In May & June, I carol with delight. By August, Mama’s sick of hearing: "Silent night, Holy Night” All is NOT calm nor bright. Dear Santa: I’m so very fond of you, But how I could love you more six months from now. Yes, Christmas Comes and goes away so soon. I wish, I wish, Oh how I wish it came again In June (Christmas Comes and goes away too soon) Too soon (sigh).
8.
On our way to the palace that fateful day, On our way to the palace, we lost our way. We were doomed to thunder up and down the countryside. Is it any wonder we were lonely - Everyone was hiding. Lost our way to the palace, a big mistake. Would we ever enter the palace gate? But now, at last, the spell is broken. Our doubts are cast away. Now we sing together, And we sing in rhyme. Happy Ever-Aftering through time. To the steps of the dungeon, we made our way. To the depths of the dungeon, afraid to say All hope had vanished. We were banished, we were blue. Whatever happened to that tried and true Fairy tale ending? In the deep of the dungeon we fell apart Couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t even tell my heart That I’d forgotten all the words to “Some Day My Prince Will Come”. But we now remember, Every single line. Once again, it’s “Once Upon A Time”.
9.
On the other side of nowhere, On the far side of now, We will be together, Somehow. For I shall be the starlight, you will be the moon. You will be a haunting flute, and I will be, I will be the tune. On the other side of nowhere On the far side of now. We will be together, somehow. And when we’re done with all the sadness, Done with all the joy I shall be the robin, You will be the bough. On the other side of nowhere, On the far side of now. On the other side of never, On the far side of here, Love will be so simple, So clear. For I shall be the sapling, you will be the oak. I will be the firelight, and I will be, I will be the smoke. Though my heart is ripe for breaking, I’ll remain true and strong, Knowing that it won’t be too long Until we’re swaying in the garden, Playing in the sea. When this life is over (Alternate lyric: When the journey’s over) We will meet somehow On the other side of nowhere, On the far side of now.
10.
Captain James Cook: Guided by the stars I go, Guided by the flight of birds. Guided by a vision growing inside me. Chided by a quiet voice, Whispering I must believe. Telling me I have no choice but to leave. Telling me the winds are growing stronger. Telling me to tarry here no longer. Guided by the stars I’ll do things no man has done before. Riding every wave, I’ll get to that distant shore. And when I find my dream has, at last, come true, Guided by the stars, Guided by the stars, I’ll come sailing home to you. Elizabeth Cook: You’re going away, and I feel this yearning. I want you to stay. Will I ever understand the dreams that taunt you so? You’re going away, and the wheel keeps turning. Why must it be so that my lucky star seems oh, so far? Here, I’ll abide until the running tide Brings you back to my door, To my aching arms, Brings you back to the shores of my love. I say to every star I see: “Guide him safely ‘cross the sea.” I’ll stay with the moon, And pray that you soon Sail back home to me.
11.
We may be little, we may be small, Often we stumble and we fall, But here where it counts We’re ten feet tall, And we’re not so little after all. We may be trembling down to our toes. Terror may grip us to the core, But here where it counts Our courage grows, And we’re not so frightened anymore. Often when we’re hiding in the heather, Feeling rather cowardly and broken hearted, We all dream of home, Yes, home sweet home. Then the darkness doesn’t seem so gloomy. All our trepidation seems to fade. And we almost seem to Be less shivery, Be less quivery. Suddenly, we’re not quite so afraid! We may feel helpless, feeble and weak, Ready to quit and run away. But here where it counts We’ve lots of cheek, And some day we may decide to stay. Often we’re weary, tired of this joke. Often the tears begin to fall, But here where it counts, A heart of oak, So we’re not so weary, No, we’re not so teary, Though here, with our backs against the wall. We’re not little. We’re not so little After all!
12.
May the words of my mouth And the meditations of my heart Be acceptable unto Thee, Oh Lord. I only pray for you to hear me, hear me, Listen Lord, listen to me. Blessed Lord, may this song Full of praises that I sing to Thee, Be acceptable unto Thee, Oh Lord. Guard my tongue from evil, All evil, My lips from speaking guile. Purify my heart from malice. Give me shelter from pride. Teach me how to reflect On the journey of my soul. Hear my spirit sing. How clear to me This struggle to find You In all I may do. May the words of my mouth and my meditations
13.
Open unto us, Open unto us. Oh G-d, Oh G-d. Open unto us the gates of mercy. Before the closing of Thy gates, E’er the day is done, before the day is done. The day vanishes. The sun is setting. Let us enter, enter Thy gates.
14.
Loveliest of trees, the cherry, now Is hung with blooms along the bough. And stands about the woodland ride, Wearing white for Eastertide. Now, of my three score years and ten, Twenty will not come again. And take from seventy springs, a score, It only leaves me fifty more. And since to look at things in bloom, Fifty springs are little room. About the woodlands I will go, To see the cherry hung with snow.
15.
One, two, buckle my shoe, La la la la. Three, four, Shut the door On the life I knew a long time ago. Just a nursery rhyme ago. I knew a child who could dance on air, Could throw her troubles to the sea, But gone is that child and her ribboned hair, And I’m here with The Woman I’ll Be. I knew girl with a gypsy dream, A sun-drenched vagabond was she, But gone is that girl and her ribboned hair, And I’m here with The Woman I’ll Be. I’m standing on the threshold, I’m reaching for the door, And little seems familiar to my stare. I linger in the hallway, Afraid of one step more. And yet I know It’s time for me to dare .. To be a woman With a woman’s heart. To honor all that’s deep inside of me. I know I must answer the voice that beckons. Though trembling, I’m eager to see The earth, and the sky, And the great adventure Awaiting The Woman I’ll Be
16.
How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord. Better is a day in Thy house than a thousand elsewhere. Happy are they who dwell in Thy house. They are continually praising Thee. Incline Thine ear and answer us. Be gracious unto us, Oh God. And cause us to rejoice For unto Thee we lift up our souls.
17.
Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonay, Eloheinu, Adonay echad. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our G-d, the Lord is one. Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam vo-ed. Blessed is G-d’s glorious kingdom, forever and ever. Amen
18.
Wheresoever I turn mine eyes, Around the earth or to the skies, I see Thee… I see Thee in the starry field, In the harvest yield, In every sigh, In every sound. An echo of Thy name is found. A blade of grass, a simple flower, A perfect witness to Thy matchless infinite power… Thou art the air I breathe, The light, the darkness, the winter cold. Thou art the song that wells up From the deep, deep springs of my soul… Wheresoever I turn mine eyes … I see Thee in the kiss of snow, In the fire’s glow. Each grain of sand, Each drop of dew. And lost am I to all but You. The rising of the moon, The raging of the sea, And I’m adrift in half-forgotten memories of Thee.
19.
Oseh shalom bim’romav Hu ya’aseh shalom .. Alehlu … V’im’ru: Amein. Translation from the Hebrew: May the One who causes peace to reign in the high heavens, have peace descend upon us … and let us say: Amen.
20.
Lord, how majestic is Thy presence, How majestic is Thy presence in all of the earth. My sovereign Lord, bringing glory to the heavens, Perfect glory to the heavens, unmeasured its worth. I tremble in wonder. Tremble in awe At the splendor I see before me. How sweet is the moon, As it fills the night with gold and beckons my soul. Lord, what are we that you are mindful of us, What are we that you should love us, And cherish us so? My sovereign Lord, You have showered us with honor, In your tenderness you’ve made us just less than divine. We long for the wisdom, goodness and grace To be worthy of all Thy blessings. In mercy, may we grow strong. Hear this prayer, Oh Lord. Receive with favor, our song. Lord, Lord, My sovereign Lord. What are we that you are mindful of us?
21.
La, la, la, la Tov L’hodot, Tov l’hodot l’Adonay La, la, la, la. U l’zamehr l’shimecha L’shimecha Elyon … Tov l’hodot .. L’hagid ba boker, Chasdechah V’emunatecha baleilot … Tov l’hodot …
22.
How goodly are Thy tents, oh Jacob. How goodly are Thy dwellings, Oh Israel. Through Thy great mercy, Oh Lord, I come to Thy house, And bow down, bow down, In Thy holy temple to worship Thee. Oh Lord, I love the place where Thou dwelleth, And I bow down to adore Thee, my Maker. May my prayer be answered In an acceptable time. Mayest Thou, mayest Thou, Mayest Thou in the greatness of Thy mercy, (Mayest Thou in the greatness of Thy mercy) Answer me according to Thy faithfulness. Amen

about

Who is Joan Beckow?

You might not yet know her name, but it makes complete sense to put Bernstein, Sondheim and Beckow comfortably together in the same sentence.

Not all remarkable creators get the spotlight they deserve during their lifetime, and the Joan Beckow Legacy Project came into existence to produce the debut, albeit posthumous album of prolific, brilliant, and TOTALLY under-celebrated female, Jewish, Canadian composer, Joan Beckow, who passed away at age 88 in January 2021.

Enter the Joan Beckow Legacy Project - 22 songs, 30 musicians, recorded live-off-the-floor on both sides of the country to produce a double-disc album, under the mother/daughter music-direction duo, Wendy Bross Stuart (Vancouver, via New York), and Jessica Stuart (Toronto, via Vancouver). Joan has been adjacent to exceptional artists-turned-celebrities throughout her career, starting with her long-time musical collaboration with best friend and 1950’s UCLA roommate, Carol Burnett, but remained modest in the pursuit of her own work.

The Joan Beckow Legacy Project double album and 25-minute documentary will finally give a platform to the exceptional repertoire of this praise-worthy, female composer, and give these special pieces a chance to live on long beyond the life of their author, Joan Beckow.

credits

released October 14, 2022

Music & Lyrics by Joan Beckow
Music Direction by Jessica Stuart & Wendy Bross Stuart

Vocalists: Jessica Stuart, Jessica Lalonde, Jocelyn Barth, Doug MacNaughton, Alex Samaras, Jackson Welchner, Danny Fong, Rabecca Talbot, Kat Palmer, Lisa Osipov Milton, Rosie Callaghan, Meghan Anderssen, Maisie Meneer and Taylor McKee

Toronto Intrumentalists

Piano: Wendy Bross Stuart
Cello: Beth Silver
Violin: Aline Homzy and Brielle Goheen
Vibraphone/Percussion: Michael Davidson
Flute: Anh Phung
Viola: Laurence Schaufele
Trombone: RJ (Arjuna) Satchithananthan
Clarinet/Additional Strings: Drew Jurecka

Vancouver Instrumentalists

Piano: Wendy Bross Stuart
Cello: Dávid Szigeti
Violin: Katie Stewart
Flute: Brenda Fedoruk
Percussion: Phil Belanger
Double Bass: Wynston Minckler
Clarinet: Liam James Hockley

Producer: Jessica Stuart
Recorded By: Julian Decorte, Canterbury Music Co., Toronto; and Zach Blackstone, The Warehouse Studio, Vancouver
Mix Engineer: Drew Jurecka
Mastering Engineer: Justin Gray
Editor: Andrew Jin Chung
Assistant Producer (selected tracks, Toronto sessions): Alex Samaras
Arts Administrator: Rosie Callaghan
Archival Digitization: Jay Pollock
Album Design and Layout: Katherine Morley

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about

Joan Beckow Legacy Project Toronto, Ontario

You might not yet know her name, but it makes
complete sense to put Bernstein, Sondheim and
Beckow in the same sentence.
Not all remarkable creators get the spotlight they
deserve during their lifetime, and the Joan Beckow
Legacy Project came into existence to produce the
debut, albeit posthumous album of prolific, brilliant,
and under-celebrated female, Jewish, Canadian
composer, Joan Beckow,
... more

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