Dan Barker: The Great American Songbook

In part one of the two-part musical this Sunday, FFRF Co-President Dan Barker plays selections from freethinking composers such Stephen Foster, Scott Joplin, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin and George & Ira Gershwin. Barker, an accomplished jazz pianist, recorded the show on the Diane Uhl Steinway Piano at FFRF’s headquarters in Freethought Hall in Madison, Wis.

“The public is not aware that so many legendary composers were nonbelievers,” says Barker. “It’s given me special pleasure to share their irreverent views and play their compositions.”

[mildredmartinez]

Wonderful. So enjoyable. Learned so much. Enjoyed so much. Thank you.

[larrylorenzen]

Impressive job, Dan ! I have fond memories of when you spoke at our Unitarian congregation years ago. Peace be with you!

[margaretfrenkel]

Thank you for such a pleasant interlude in a crazy week. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[glutinousmaximus]

... An excellent presentation Dan. AND you play that ol' Steinway beautifully!
Great entertainment with a great message! Many Thanks.

[formerx]

This presentation is pure h̶e̶a̶v̶e̶n̶ delight! Thanks to Dan and everyone involved.

[jasoncarpp]

I love watching FFRF videos. I agree with much of what you talk about regarding religion. If only you were on "Alexa". That's my favourite way of listening.

[marie-clairedelongchamp]

Dan thank you so much for this video! I’m a music enthusiast, introduced to the Great American Songbook with covers by various artists, Rod Stewart, Seal, Lindsay Buckingham to name a few. Nice to know the history of the original artists/composers, very interesting, to say the least! All of them CLASSICS ! 🇨🇦💞🥰

[bragekorsnes]

Well done by you all. Looking forward to part two.

[timbohp]

OK, I came into this thinking I wasn't going to enjoy this. I'm glad to say I was totally wrong! This was fascinating, chock full of great information that I had no clue about. Then there is Dan, an excellent player and not a bad singer either! Thanks for a fun journey through the Great American Songbook!!

[toastedcheeze]

Your playing is so relaxing. Enjoyed learning about early non-believing American music composers.

[bobh]

A true joy and delight. Thank you, Dan. 👍 ❤️ 🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

[notacoincollector]

Thank you, this is very informative and your musical interludes are superb!

[okiepitat-town]

That was great, very edifying and he saved my favorite song for last, “Our Love is Here to Stay. Great content.

[terrypussypower]

Dan reminds me of so any different people, Alastair Stewart being one of them.

[terrypussypower]

Hey Dan, can I have that piano once you're finished with it?

[imonthebox]

Jerome Kern did not write "All the Things you are". Oscar Hammerstein 2nd did. Jerome Kern wrote the music. Hammerstein wrote the words.