Dancing Mattress Productions: The Midday Distraction #80: Jill Barber

21 March 2010

The Midday Distraction #80: Jill Barber

Today's music comes from a Canadian chanteuse performing jazz inspired by the classics of the vocal golden age.

Here's what you'll hear today (right-click to download MP3 or to open in a new tab or window):

Jill Barber: "Oh My My"
Jill Barber: "The Knot"
Jill Barber: "Chances"

(Total play time: 13:28)

The music in today's show comes via the IODA Promonet and may be downloaded for free below as long as their promotions remain active.

Today is Harmony Day in Australia, Human Rights Day in South Africa, Independence Day in Namibia, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Mother's Day in much of the Arab world, World Down Syndrome Day and UNESCO's World Poetry Day.

Henry V became king of England this day in 1413. Pocahontas, the Native American woman at the center of a lot of American mythology, died this day in 1617. German composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born this day in 1685. Pius VII was crowned pope in Venice this day in 1800; the Catholic church leadership had been driven out of Rome at the time, and so he wore a temporary papal tiara made of papier-mâché. The Zoological Society of Philadelphia, America's first, was incorporated this day in 1859. Bluesman Son House was born this day in 1902. Filmmaker Russ Meyer was born this day in 1922. Soul singer Solomon Burke was born this day in 1940. British actor Timothy Dalton was born this day in 1946. English actor Gary Oldman was born this day in 1958. South African police fired on a group of unarmed black demonstrators this day in 1960, killing 69 and wounding 180 in the Sharpeville massacre. American comic book writer Mark Waid was born this day in 1962. The Alcatraz federal prison in San Francisco Bay closed this day in 1963. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led 3,200 people on a march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., this day in 1965 -- the third and finally successful attempt. San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto signed the first Earth Day proclamation this day in 1970. And Club Nouveau's cover of "Lean on Me" topped the U.S. singles chart this day in 1987.

Chances