Sally Campbell (b. 1941) is a songwriter, singer and musician. She was unable to 
sing or play an instrument when she began writing songs. With the help of teachers, however, she learned to sing on-key and play the autoharp. Gifts Songs and Blessings, her CD, is a collection of songs recorded at a concert for her 70th birthday. She also works closely with the Peoples’ Voice Café, an alternative coffeehouse. A former children’s librarian at the Library of the Blind, part of the New York Public Library, she is now a “de-cluttering consultant” helping people to clean and organize their livingspaces. She is also a peace, disabilities and environmental activist and was president of her library’s union.
Sally is a member of Morningside (NY) Meeting. She became a Friend as an adult, coming out of a Congregationalist background. She started writing songs at Friends General Conference Gathering in 1982, and many of her songs have been inspired during Meetings for Worship. Her first song, for example, was “Hug a Friend”, and another, “Give Us This Day a Gentle Song” was written when a couple brought their baby to Morningside Meeting. She has co-led songwriting workshops at FGC Gathering and performed at First Day Schools, too.
I was delighted with Sally’s Gift Songs and Blessings. Reminiscent of Malvina Reynolds, her songs are short and pithy, often funny, always warm. She calls herself a “song-catcher”. This reflects her gentle and light spirit perfectly. (She is a dear friend of mine).
(Gift Songs and Blessings is available for free by emailing Sally at scampfriend@earthlink.net. An interview with Sally, during which she shares some of her songs can be heard at http://www.northernspiritradio.org/episode/giftsongs-and-blessings-sally-campbell-song-soul. She will also be offering a concert for her 75th birthday on November 19 at 8 PM at the Peoples’ Voice Café, 40 E. 35th St. in New York City. Admission is by donation of $20 or whatever one can afford; no one will be turned away).
May 2016