Early in the morning on December 23, 2010, an accidental fire broke out on the second floor of The Merion Inn in Cape May. Within minutes, firefighters and police had arrived on the scene, rescued all three inhabitants (including me!) and our five pets, and saved the historic building from destruction.
In those days after the fire, friends and longtime customers filled the bar, offering hugs and good wishes. I couldn’t resist a little black humor, and played tunes with “smoke” or “fire” in the titles. For the most part, though, it was a time for reflection -–not about loss, but about life-- and a time for gratitude for all that had survived.
Here are some of the tunes from those special nights after the fire when we sat around the piano and gave silent thanks for being able to spend that time with each other.
This CD is dedicated to the firefighters, emergency workers, Merion Inn staff, family and friends that saved our lives, gave us shelter and support and restored The Merion Inn.
- George Mesterhazy
(recorded February, 2011 in San Francisco---looking forward to being back at The Merion for the March 17 opening--- I miss my Steinway!)
Track List:
1. I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire (E.Durham, B. Benjamin, S. Marcus, E. Seiler)
2. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Otto Harbach, Jerome Kern)
3. Fever (Fitzgerald, Nichol)
4. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (Mel Torme, Robert Wells)
5. Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
6. My Old Flame (Sam Coslow, Arthur Johnston)
7. His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Civilla D. Martin, Charles H. Gabriel)
8. Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell)
9. Feels Like Home (Randy Newman)
10. Let It Be (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)