It was a small venue—an old church, maybe. Judi Dench sat on an old piano bench against the right wall, looking worried and undecided. We all sat quietly, but the people around me held thin plastic squares high in the air—no bigger than a matchbook with rounded corners, so I knew it was an Apple product. Tiny recorders.
“Yes,” Dame Dench finally said in her raspy voice, “I will sing, but absolutely no recording. Please.”
No one put down their tiny squares, and I felt anger tumble over my need.
“Put them down,” I said, trying for loud and reasonable, but ending up with shaky. “It’s Judi’s voice, not yours. It belongs to her.”
More hands lifted in the semi-darkness.
They’re spoiling it, I thought, desperate. She’ll leave.
Her eyes found mine in the crowd. “Oh, all right, then.”
She turned to the piano, away from her audience, but did not play it. She started to sing a Loreena McKennett song acapella, her Shakespearian-raw voice scratching the notes. She was not a singer, yet she sang. At 83, she sang. Recorders be damned.
SandySue Altered
A Mind Divided 
Jun 19, 2018 @ 08:55:39
I feel aggrieved at almost any performance because of those little rectangles. I want to shout “HAVE THE $%#@ EXPERIENCE!”
Anyway, thanks for sharing that gorgeous music.
Jun 19, 2018 @ 12:06:46
They were things I’d never seen before, but I immediately knew what they were. Ahh, the omniscience of dreamtime.
Jun 19, 2018 @ 12:31:07
People are extremely rude!
Jun 20, 2018 @ 14:07:17
Even in dreams!
Jun 21, 2018 @ 00:49:44
I know!
Jun 19, 2018 @ 21:39:50
She has grit that’s for sure 💛
Jun 20, 2018 @ 14:07:05
I love it when my subconscious throws me a bone.
Jun 20, 2018 @ 03:48:33
Love Dame Judi. And hate those damn phones, which people seem to feel the need to insert into every experience. They’ve become a cancer in our society….
Jun 20, 2018 @ 14:06:35
This little gizmo in my dream was smaller than a phone–maybe an inch square and very flat. Still, I knew exactly what it was.
Jun 20, 2018 @ 03:56:43
P.S. Have adored Loreena McKennitt’s music for years. I find it mesmerizing. Thanks so much for reminding me how wonderful she is….
Jun 20, 2018 @ 14:05:25
A lifetime ago, I sang this song in public. I wrote to Loreena for the sheet music and she sent it with a very kind note. Sometimes, people amaze me.
Jun 21, 2018 @ 10:57:23
Wow! What a cool story, Sandy! She seems like she would be that way…genuine and thoughtful.