8:00 pm: In an effort to feel more inspired for my class paper on my musical heritage, I opted to listen to some of the music introduced to me by my family. Dean Martin is on right now- love him. Love his smooth crooning style. Most people love Frank, but I grew up to Deano. And he makes me happy- he has a way of melting away stress and making me feel warm as though I just had a glass of wine (of which his character would have approved). One day I’ll perform “Volare” in karaoke and pay my respects. Next up is the Temptations’ “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”. Great song, but not what I had initially heard by them. I used to sing “sugar pie, honey bunch…” when I was little with friends, bu as I grew up I got to hear more of the songs that spanned their career. The ultimate boy band to me, and I do mean that as a compliment. Best get to writin’ that paper though.
Bringing in the brass. August 10, 2009
10:45 am: Today in class I began to see that a lot of the students had a similar musical past to mine. A decent amount of popular classic rock and folk music. Then one student presented on their musical influences from Haiti. When she began playing the Christian music I noticed the Creole influence with a lot of brass instruments playing hymn-like melodies. Somehow brass makes them more cheerful to me- the bright sound of the metal just makes things sound happier. While I was younger a family friend instroduced me to some Haitian music, but it occurred to me that I really didn’t know the music that well at all. But I do know that one of the founding members of Arcade Fire was from Haiti and it is interesting to think that the brassy, orchestral sound the band has could be heavily influenced by Haitian/Creole church music. One of the songs played as an example in class reminded me a lot of “Crown of Love”. Makes me wonder, and makes me wish I had my headphones so I could listen to the group.
Across Borders August 4, 2009
10:30 am: Today we had a special treat in class when the students from the Fusion Arts Exchange program came in to tell us about their experiences learning about American music and improvising with one another. What I found extremely intriguing was the idea that America is NOT without culture. We hear that so much just because the mainstream has helped to drown out the real cultural centers, but the fusion of different traditional musics that has occured in the States is tremendous. They got to go to some of those cultural centers in NYC and see jazz musicians and sing spirituals in a gospel church setting. It was also interesting to learn about how some of their cultures are not as strongly represented with traditional music as we might think. I was shocked to learn that none of the Irish students was trained in traditional Celtic music and they had event mentioned that they never really encounter it that often. Or to hear that an Indian student was learning their classical music (which is based in tradition), but that he also was psyched to go to a Steely Dan concert while here in the States. I guess globalization is really having an impact on music- good or bad, I am not sure. It may be the same thing that occured centuries and centuries ago, and we’re just continuing the trend.
Take It To The Limit August 2, 2009
Typing this update from my phone- finally. Short and sweet, which is not the norm for me but I will go with it. Listened to some oldies at a `que today and it included the Eagles. Great summertime band- my family would play them for cookouts because of their southwest country vibe and the general lightness to their well-crafted songs. Hearing them makes me thinkvof good times outside with good food and good people.
Dance off! August 1, 2009
10:00 pm: Tonight, we dance! Friends and I went out to the Phoenix Landing for some 80′s dancing fun. It’s a favorite of mine, because I get to hear so many good songs from one o fmy favorite decades in cheesy music. There were a couple of MJ hits, the requisite Madonna classics, and a number of others I can’t remember because I had far too much adult beverages. Regardless, a good time is always had. I am not sure what it is about dancing to 80′s and top 40 songs that makes for such a fun night out, but I am pretty sure it has to do with being comfortable in being ridiculous. There is other music that I guess I would consider fun but more serious in nature- like I mean to be dancing, ut with frivolous music there’s no pressure to be good. And I am not… so I am okay with that.
Overheard.. July 28, 2009
12:20 pm: There’s this little man that always plays Mexican guitar songs at Park Street that I’ve become accustomed to hearing (okay, and often ignoring since I normally have my own headphones in). He serves as pretty cheerful background music for the T… but I’ve noticed this other feller coming more often to perform. He does the singer-songwriter thing, which to say the least, has been done here in Boston. I’d prefer if they would get more variety and culture from the buskers. A few years back some politician wanted to outlaw the busking- not sure I can imagine the major T stops without it… and now it seems about the only venue for start-up musicians.
3:45 pm: I just brought my “iPod donut” (or the JBL circular iPod dock) to my office to help me charge my iPod and maybe even listen to music, but I’ve noticed something eerie about this office. No one listens to music out loud. Maybe I am just used to having worked at a music company for awhile and having multiple iPod docks going at a time? Somehow I could hear better doing support at the old office with music playing than I can in my new one without it- I think the acoustics are just different. The building make-up is mostly the same, but the desks are in a closer proximity and there are more people with jobs that require them to speak on the phone near my department. It’s a strange thing to think about, but I am hoping that we can maybe start a softly-played music trend- I think that it could serve as a big help to release some stress and tension that can occur- especially in my department (Tech Support).
Music for Summer July 25, 2009
8:00pm: The Beach Boys kick off their show at the Hatch, and summer officially begins. What an event- they have fans from all sorts of classes and ages. Strange. The big kicker was probably that John Stamos was there, and that is pretty much how everyone my age knows the Beach Boys. Not me- I grew up listening to them- but because of Full House and Saved By The Bell, I really had no concept that they weren’t exactly a current band. I just thought that is what kids my age listened to. Little did I know it was when my mom was a kid that they were most popular.
Anyhow, the night ended short because we were too far away to see anything and hear much over the roaring food vending trucks. It sounded like canned music as a result. Bummer- maybe I’ll get the chance to see Brian Wilson instead some time.
So, I think I can dance. July 16, 2009
9:00 pm: But not well. Not like the folks on the Fox television show, “So You Think You Can Dance”. But I love that show and watching people experience music in a way I am not very good at. The musicality of some of the dancers is very impressive, and those that are truly good have an appreciation for all genres of music, which is rare these days. And on this week’s episode(s) one of the dancers did his solo to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. What a GREAT song. It’s a pretty cliche thing to say, but for good reason. It’s true. The moment the high note is hit on “I neeeeeeed your love”, just forget it. That little moment in music is up there as one of the tops. The melody just oozes longing, and the production is classic- making it timeless. It’s the only song I really remember from that whole night of dance. Let’s face it, any others don’t really compare.
I’ve got you covered. July 15, 2009
10:00 am: We’ve all heard them, loved them or hated them. I’m always intrigued by the idea of them- Covers. Rip-offs? Tributes? Once specific type of a “cover” we went over in class yesterday and today was our very own Star Spangled Banner- taking the melody of another song and applying a new song to it (a parody of sorts, but more serious). It’s the symbol of America, but the melody is an old Scottish drinking song. I had no idea until this class that was the case, but that it is. Does that mean our National Anthem is any less American? I like to think not.
Some would debate with me about the amount of power and praise a cover should receive. But there are times where I think the cover artist or new performance of a piece takes the interpretation of the song to a new level, sometimes even surpassing the original in popularity. This happens all the time- how many people knew that “All Along the Watchtower” was a Bob Dylan song? Most people my age attribute it to Jimi Hendrix, or worse yet, Dave Matthews. And the arrangement and tune I know is Hendrix’s version- I’d be willing to bet that is the case for most people. I also think of “Hallelujah” as a Jeff Buckley song, though it was written and performed by Leonard Cohen. Shreck fans probably think it was written by Rufus Wainwright. There are more examples than I can possibly count. You can check out The Covers Project to find more. My point is that some artists seem to connect to an audience with their interpretation of the material better than others- sometimes better than the original, despite the intention of the song.
11:45 am: For class tomorrow, we’re going to get into the political context of music. Out of the numerous examples I can think of and own, I might go with a modern take (rather than the typical ’60′s/’70′s Dylan or Young type of ballad). I despise most overtly political music- it just polarizes my thoughts too much for what I usually seek out of music. So what is the most political band on my iPod that I enjoy? Probably MUSE. Any votes for songs? I am thinking I’ll go with “Take a Bow”, “Knights of Cydonia”, or “Apocalypse Please”. Suggestions? I’ve some other bands too (Arcade Fire, Metric, most anything rap) but MUSE strikes me as the most political without naming names.
Things happen for a reason July 13, 2009
8:15am: After the craziness and mayhem of the last week, I was looking forward to getting this one off to the right start and really being productive. FAIL. This morning when my alarm went off, I somehow still believed it was the weekend and I slept right past it. I think. I don’t even recall it having gone off. Upon swearing at myself a lot for having done such a dumb thing, I finally got going and started to rush thinking I could catch the last bit of my class I haven’t been to in so long. After considering it awhile, I decided it wasn’t worth trying to catch the last half hour of class and my time was better served catching up on the content for that day. So where does this all lead in music? I grabbed my iPod and relaxed my way to school instead, for the next class, and played Sigur Ros’s “Se Lest” on repeat. That song makes me euphoric in a way. It’s just such a celebratory sound and reminds me of the ocean and seagulls and stuff. Suppose you have to hear it. It was just the song to help pick me up and while I was on my way to my next class, I walked down Huntington Ave to discover that one my regular walking route there was a gigantic pile of rubble. The brick crown molding on the top of one of the old dormitories had come crashing down at about 8:30am. Miraculously, no one was hurt and no one was walking there at the time. But I could have been, had I not overslept my alarm. Crazy stuff. Thank goodness for good music to help me see the upside of all that.
10:00am: In class we watched a documentary called “The Language You Cry In”, which traced back the roots of a song sung by an African-American slave. Sure enough, they were able to pinpoint the village and tribe that just happened to have someone left that knew the tune. Through all the change that had taken place on both sides of the Atlantic, it was amazing to see how a song could withstand the test of time without ever having been really published or taught widespread. It made me a little sad to think that I never grew up with any folk songs passed by oral tradition, as much as those learned in classes. Not one. Sad, considering some of my Celtic heritage, or my Native American ancestry.
