My brother Kent suggested an Audra McDonald song for this week's Wednesday Song, and while the fabulous Audra has sung hundreds of amazing renditions, this one will always stick out in my mind. My mom and I went to see an Audra McDonald recital when I was in high school, and I was captivated. Audra was charming, funny, real, and (very importantly to me at the time) was a singer who crossed over between the classical and musical theater worlds. I remember thinking that if Audra could figure out her mixed musical identity, so could I! (Alternatively, I could just shape shift into her.) Although this song is an old standard by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern from their 1927 musical Show Boat, I heard it for the first time at this recital. She introduced the song "Bill" by telling the audience that she sang this song at a benefit where Bill Cosby was present, and he wasn't so sure the song was a compliment. (Oh, Bill Cosby. If only I had as pure an impression of you as I did when I was a kid. Alas.) But enjoy, and Happy Wednesday Song Day! ALSO: our Citizen Workshops Launch Party is two short weeks away! If you haven't RSVPd yet, do so today!!
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