R.I.P. Cynthia McQuillan (7/25/53 - 1/14/06)

[mdlbear]

Cynthia McQuillan died in her sleep Saturday morning, at the age of only 52. The flower_cat and I got the news Saturday evening as we were about to sit down for a quiet drink in the lobby of our B&B in Carmel. Naturally, we drank to her memory, and I spent the rest of the weekend with her songs running through my head.

Cindy was one of filkdom's most brilliant and prolific singer-songwriters; her songs ran the gamut from sublimely silly -- "Gay Vampire Boogie", "Green Passions", "Gilda and the Dragon" -- to rollicking adventure -- "Luck is a Jade" -- to hauntingly beautiful -- "Blood-Red Roses", "The Chieri", "Dragons in the Deep". Sometimes all at once. I could sit here for hours trying to pick a favorite or ten. Her songs and her beautiful, clear voice have been part of our household soundtrack for decades.

She was always encouraging to less-talented filkers like myself, a perfect example of the filk community's welcoming attitude toward newcomers.

We will miss her terribly.

Comments

[figmo.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel any better, the last time I got together with Cindy your name came up. "That Steve is a great songwriter," she said. "World Inside the Crystal" was her favorite of your songs.

She also admired your guitar playing greatly.

[mdlbear]

Doesn't really make me feel any better, but it's nice to know.

A late delivery from NorWesCon...

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

One of the many touching moments of NorWesCon was the memorial filk we did for Cynthia... I didn't know her, but I see the legacy she left behind, particularly Heather, whom I've been a fan of since before I knew what filk was, and yourself.... and while I am sad not to have known her, I know that the songs and the people she left behind will continue to touch the world for a long time to come.

"World Inside the Crystal" was something I heard for the first time this weekend, and it just reached right up inside and gave my heartstrings a good yank...

Re: A late delivery from NorWesCon...

[mdlbear]

Thanks. Who sang it, if I might ask? (There are several people in that area who know it.)

ogg] [lyrics]