Phoebe Snow, one of my favorite artists, has died of complications related to a brain hemorrhage that she suffered in 2010. Shambhala Sunspace has a brief obit. Also, Los Angeles Times obit.
She practiced Buddhism with Nichiren Shoshu. My favorite Phoebe Snow song is Natural Wonder from her album of the same title, here. You can listen to the live version here. I love it because it's silly, warm, passionate and joyful all at once. "I'm not afraid to cry. Crying only makes me tough. I'm not afraid to feel. Sometimes I never feel enough."
It's hard to pick just one favorite song, though, from her awesome catalog of songs. Thank you, Phoebe.
3 comments
Sorry to hear that she is gone. Brooke, do you remember this blog entry?http://buddhajones.com/diary/138/Your comment actually coaxed me to check out Phoebe Snow, who was also a bit ahead of my time. She wrote some great songs.
I saw the story about her passing on the news today. I didn't know she was a Buddhist. I always liked her voice.
Wow, that's sad news. I didn't know that she had suffered a brain hemorrhage. I remember reading the profile of her in 2008 (in the SF Chronicle) and being surprised to learn that she was a Nichiren Buddhist. I appreciated the way she talked about her practice and how it buoyed her during incredibly sorrowful times. I appreciated that very much.Maybe this isn't the time to snark about the whole "celebrity buddhist" thing, where you have to wonder if a celebrity's supposed embrace of the dharma is just a publicity pose. Or, you know, when people cite the membership of celebrity buddhists in certain organizations as a way to confer legitimacy on the organization or practice -- and/or celebrities who reciprocally "pimp the org" -- a phrase I credit to brooke.When Snow talked about her practice, she didn't glamorize it or fake it up. She talked about pain and doubt and finding sanctuary. It was real. She had been there and had practiced through the darkness.I found this link, written last year by someone who knew her.