About Me
This is a gathering place for fans of the music of Joe Raposo (1937-1989). This is also the development space for a Joe Raposo tribute album in progress. Joe's music is not just for children. It's for us too.Here, we are primarily remembering Joe Raposo's brilliant work as one of the original composers for Sesame Street. Along with iconic works such as the jingling theme to "Sesame Street" (covered by the Free Design), the relentless "C is for Cookie," and Kermit 's signature ballad "Bein' Green," (also one of Ray Charles' signature ballads!), many fans of pop music reflect fondly upon early Sesame Street classics such as the touching "Sing" (which the Carpenters scored a hit with) and the breezy "Everybody Sleeps" (sung by Raposo himself). As the tribute album shapes up, we will stream songs on here. In the meantime, Youtube is your resource for viewing Joe Raposo clips (see a few links below). +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
+- Although many of Joe Raposo's vocal compositions were humorous (see "C is for Cookie") in connection with one of his heroes, Spike Jones, this is not the focus of this site or the tribute album which is in development. We are trying to show the other side of Joe, a significant side as much of his work (at least 3 or 4 'albums' worth) will serve as a revalation to fans of easy-listening/bossa/sunshine-pop/70s soul type music. Some favorite upbeat songs of this variety which come to mind are of course the sunshine pop gem "Somebody Come and Play," the Sunrays-esque "Run," the uptempo bossa-flavored "Two," or the Shambolic 70s-pop of "Rain Falls." But who could also forget gems like "Love" or "J Jump" which were first heard on TV by money as sung by a cheerful group of New York City school children?+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
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On the mellow side, "Little Things" is a future standard that reminds us of Joe Raposo's close friendship with Sinatra (who was a close friend and fan of Joe--demanding at one point that his "Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back" LP be exclusively comprised of Raposo compositions!). Some other personal favorites are the "Picture a World," a soul ballad that would make Thom Bell and Laura Nyro happy, and the achingly moving "Go Ahead and Touch." And I defy anyone to listen to tracks like "Starfish" or "Look Around" without having a little bit of their adult jadedness chipped away. +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
+-Many fans of Joe Raposo's music favor his brilliant miniature instrumental soundtrack pieces that were shown during montage sequences. Who could forget his incredible be-bop and funk alphabets that slammed like Miles or Lee Dorsey? The instrumental or 'pictoral' pieces that Joe was often called upon to produce were often some of his most experimental and incredible works and easily recall the instrumental pieces of composers like Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, and Vince Guaraldi. Prime examples of these were films of animals with titles such as "Dolphin," "Flamingo," "Gazelle," or "Giant Panda." Many of these used instruments such as ukelele, tack piano, glockenspeils, and piccolos, which gave the music a small sound that Joe thought would feel comfortable for children. And us too. Joe never dumbed anything down, and that's why this music is so lasting. Even outside of the context of the program. +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
+-Jonathan Donaldson, 2008.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
-+-+-+-UPDATE - May 2008 - Our Joe Raposo tribute album is shaping up nicely. Some of the artists that are getting involved are The Bats, The Heavy Blinkers, Louis Philippe, The BMX Bandits, Orwell, Jeff Marx (Avenue Q), The Green Fields, The Simple Carnival, Scott & Shelby Hunt, The Paula Kelley Orchestra, The Mercy James Gang, Brian Dewan, The Nimbleines, and The Universe Society. Each artist holds a special place in my heart and each has a unique plan for suprising you with sweet jingle-icious Raposo goodness.
Please stay tuned for more updates as the list of artists expands!
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UPDATE - October 2008 - It is October and I am still loving the music of Joe Raposo. I hope you are too! Some of my favorite artists are continuing to get involved in the project, such as Harvey Williams, A Girl Called Eddy, Jenifer Jackson, and Paul Steel. These are amazing artists. Just, wow. Joe would be proud. In addition, a very special label has smiled upon the project, which felt really nice. Fingers crossed, but until that day comes, the word is mum! Happy Halloween!!
Luvz, ~Jonathan
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UPDATE - January 2009 - It's the new year, and I must say that winter is not my favorite season. I've been listening occasionally to the Sesame Street Original Cast "Live" album, and really hoping that I find someone who wants to do something live for the project. I'm not done working. The last mile is the hardest mile? There are some new additions to the project. From Scotland--Future Pilot AKA, From Spain--La Casa Azul, from Sweden--Blood Music, from the right coast--Mary Edwards, and from the left coast--Silvergirl. What's all of these artists have in common is a genuine love and enthusiasm for this music! That's a quintuple shot of what I needed for this update. Perhaps one more update before we roll tape??!
I am here if you need me. Jonathan
Luvz, ~Jonathan
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UPDATE - June 2009 - Dear faithful followers of these Joe Raposo Music Project bulletins, the past few months have been a very productive time period for the compilation in progress. In fact, I think this might in fact be the last bulletin that deals with casting. Thanks to the help of folks like Duglas Stewart and Karl Jonas, the word has spread far and wide....Joining us now are Laura Cantrell, The Volebeats, Cotton Candy (Mark Robinson from Unrest/Evelyn from Blast off Country Style), Kelley Stoltz, Jim Noir, The Future Bible Heroes, Humberto Cordero, The Brigadier, and in a wonderful collaboration, Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) with Euros Childs (Gorky's Zygotic Mynci) and Bill Wells.Also, I am hoping to speak with Frank Oz and Roscoe Orman in the coming months, both of whom sang the music of Joe Raposo during the early Sesame Street years.There may be a few other artists added along the way, but I don't think there will ever be another update like this one!Thank you all for your continued support. All the best this summer!
~Jonathan Donaldson, The Nimbleines
'Joe Raposo Music Project'
