Brooklyn College Library

On the occasion of former US president Jimmy Carter's 100th birthday today, the Walter W. Gerboth Music Library of Brooklyn College pays tribute with a recommendation for the documentary "Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President" (2020), a film currently available to stream via an HBO Max subscription or rentable through other streaming services, such as Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Mary Wharton and Bill Flanagan's entertaining film takes a look back at Carter's administration through the lens of music, appreciating the friendships he developed with such notable artists as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Gregg Allman, as well as the diversity of acts who graced the stages at fundraisers, other political events and at White House concerts across genres, from Johnny Cash and Aretha Franklin to Vladimir Horowitz and Dizzy Gillespie. Carter's deep knowledge of music is impressive, and his presidential legacy includes this passionate commitment to spotlighting the contributions of these performers to American culture and history.

This review, courtesy of RogerEbert.com, gives a good overview: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jimmy-carter-rock-and-roll-president-movie-review-2020

Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President movie review (2021) | Roger Ebert Wharton’s documentary is fresh water in the middle of a desert.

As Pride Month winds down, with the annual parade taking place today in New York City, the Walter W. Gerboth Music Library of Brooklyn College pays tribute to singer-songwriter and LGBTQ+ activist Holly Near, who celebrated her 75th birthday this month. For the past half-century, Near has created memorable music that speaks to people from all walks of life, though the anthem “Singing for Our Lives” especially resonates with the q***r community, calling for universal understanding of our shared humanity. Near has worn many hats throughout her career – protest musician, founder of the Redwood Records label, actor, author of both a memoir and a one-woman show based on those writings – but no matter the medium, her unique voice shines through.

Please enjoy this selection of twelve songs from her catalog:
“Started Out Fine” (from A Live Album, 1974) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qhxkd6Gn0E
“It Could Have Been Me” (from A Live Album, 1974) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CadP4dRemYk
“Imagine My Surprise” (from Imagine My Surprise, 1978) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCGhLXaScBk
“Something About the Women” (from Imagine My Surprise, 1978) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ukRUZV6Ks
“Once or Twice” (from Fire in the Rain, 1981) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_61Ns7CCoz8
“Back Off” (from Speed of Light, 1982) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL1yRlb8hsY
“Singing for Our Lives” (with Ronnie Gilbert) (from Lifeline, 1983) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8amcZCoycok
“Further to Fly” (from Edge, 2000) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi_M0CjKUv8
“I Am Willing” (from Show Up, 2006) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AkGk5maD8Q
“Swimming to the Other Side” (with Emma’s Revolution) (from We Came to Sing!, 2009) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv8sR1OOcoE
“Peace Becomes You” (from Peace Becomes You, 2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twRaGRvTg8I
“Nature” (from the album 2018, released the same year) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Z9O1JmgXg

Amy Winehouse statue in London vandalized as Star of David covered by Palestinian flag ***