Time Out Ten
Blackbird
For this item you need to be able to stop for ten minutes.
We are often moving on to the next job, the next meeting, scrolling down social media, taking the next call ......'Time Out Ten' asks you to stop for ten minutes and listen to a particular piece of music; to find a time when you won't be interrupted, when you can put in/on your headphones and chill out. Ten minutes isn't long.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Lennon and McCartney's song Blackbird from their 1968 album The Beatles has various depths of meaning. In all cases it is an inspirational song, and it has inspired many musicians to play and interpret it.
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In his version, pianist Brad Mehldau plays it both on a Trio recording and on a video for our ten minutes time out. It is worth listening to both. The video with solo piano has a great response on You Tube. People write: "Stressed out coming off a long and crowded tube ride after a busy day in the city, closing myself in a dark bedroom, and putting this on. My heart rate is at least 20% slower and my anxiety and exhaustion are halved. Just gorgeous." and "It's like turning a crystal in your hand and seeing it how it catches the light."
Brad also recorded a longer version of Blackbird for his album The Art Of The Trio Volume I. It is equally beautiful and relaxing but in this case he has the company of Jorge Rossy (bass) and Larry Grenadier (drums) - it is well worth listening to here.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free