Marvin Weisbord, 88, and Alan R. Tripp, 102, have teamed up to release an eight-song album called the “Senior Song Book,” pairing 21st-century lyrics with 1940s-style tunes.
The pair – who live at the Beaumont at Bryn Mawr retirement village in Pennsylvania – came up with the idea for the album two years ago after Mr Weisbord took a poem written by his friend to mark his 100th birthday to music.
The self-funded album – released last month online and as a CD in the US – features Mr Tripp as the lyricist and producer while Mr Weisbord organised the jazz band and plays piano on all the songs.
Neither had any previous experience in music (Mr Tripp worked in advertising, while Mr Weisbord was a consultant), but say their songs are designed to appeal to all ages with the eight songs touching on themes such as true love (‘Wonder Woman’), bad breakups (‘Goodbye, Goodbye Forever’) and getting older (the aptly titled ‘I Just Can’t Remember Your Name’).
Still the duo says their music will hold special appeal for those who grew up listening to artists such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.
“There’s no new music being written for people in our age bracket,” Mr Weisbord said. “So, we’re writing songs that are recognisable, in genres that are recognisable, with lyrics telling stories about what our lives are like now.”
Clearly, they have found an audience – the CD has already sold out. The men also say the album is proof that you should always push yourself to try new things – no matter what your age.
“Whether it’s writing, knitting, whatever — it’s wanting to do it well that makes the difference,” Mr Tripp said. “Whatever your skill or hobby is, if you try to do it as best you can, and then a little better than that, that will make you happy.”
Good advice.
