In memory of Jim Henson

On this day 25 years ago, the world lost a giant creative force in Jim Henson.  I still miss Henson's ability to create worlds and inhabit them so fully and imaginatively.  Music was a key component in the success of "The Muppet Show" and the continued success of "Sesame Street."  "Bein' Green" and "Rainbow Connection" are among the most moving and heartfelt songs performed by The Muppets, while "Mahna Mahna" is a great example of their whimsical side.  Four tunes that also deserve their due as songs and Muppet recordings are:

• Coconut-Kermit, two nurses, and a doctor (An aching flipper led poor Kermit to see all sorts of things that weren't there; one of the most enjoyable "Muppet Show" performances and a clever cover of the Nilsson song.)
• Mr. Bass Man-Scooter & Floyd (Floyd, the bass player in Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem, is Mr. Bass Man in this Muppet performance, while Scooter is the aspiring bass singer.  A strong cover of Johnny Cymbal's song; it impressed me that KARO, the former oldies station in Columbia, Missouri, used to play Cymbal's song when I was in college.)
• New York State Of Mind-Rowlf The Dog (From the album, "Ol' Brown Ears Is Back."  Rowlf, via Jim Henson, pulls off an impressive rendition of this standard.  Rowlf always struck me as the coolest, laid-back Muppet.  It would have been good to have seen more of his piano playing incorporated into "Muppet Show" sketches.)
• The Peace Carol-John Denver & The Muppets (My favorite track from a strong Christmas album; it truly conveys "the light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day."  KYKY's "36 Hours Of Christmas" wasn't complete for me until I heard this.)

I also want to mention a performance that warrants a special section.  One of the most effective "stop and think before you act" performances I've ever seen is The Muppets' take on Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."  As the world becomes increasingly divided politically, it's a performance--and a song--worth taking to heart.