Goodbye October, Hello November

Alan Jackson - "Drive" - It wasn’t my childhood, but I can certainly identify with the sentiment.  I find its optimistic spirit comforting. (T. Williams)

From his official bio: Alan Jackson, born October 17, 1958, in Newnan, Georgia, grew up in rural Georgia; he lived with his parents and four older sisters in a house built around his grandfather's old toolshed. Shortly after marrying his high school sweetheart, Denise, in 1979, Jackson moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career in music. After a long series of rejections, he finally landed a recording deal with Arista Records. The tremendous success of his debut album, "Here in the Real World" (1990), marked Jackson's arrival among a group of country artists including Randy Travis, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Garth Brooks, and Vince Gill that represented a new brand of traditionalism in country music and the end of the synthesized pop country trend of the 1980s. 

Lovin' Spoonful - "Rain On the Roof" - When our daughters were growing up, Naomi and I took turns putting them to bed.  We'd read stories and sing a few songs.  My choice today was one that I added to the repertoire when they were just a little past "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" age.  The Spoonful, their name coming from a blues song, were considered one of a number of groups to be "The American Beatles" - they had a slew of hits over a three-year period, all of them quite singable and radio friendly.  The delightful John Sebastian song has always been one of my favorites; it's sweet and now I sing it to our grandchildren.  (RBK)

Peder B. Helland - "Soothing Relaxation" - OK, so this is an odd one. I have discovered amazing sleep music. It runs for six to eight hours with a soothing visual accompaniment of underwater creatures. But listen to the music. It really works of you need to feel calm and sleepy!! (Sig Nystrom) 
(Editor's Note - I suppose I should have posted this last but....There are actually a number of longer digital recordings designed to help people sleep.)

Endless Field - "Unending Season" - Here’s some friends of mine that go by the name Endless Field. The two musicians behind this project, Jesse Lewis (guitar) and Ike Sturm (double bass), are among the most respected sidemen and session musicians in New York - they’re the kind of cats that appear in the background of an inexhaustible stream of notable projects from big-name artists in the jazz and improvised music scenes. Endless Field is a nature-oriented project featuring their compositions, as well as collaborations with top-tier jazz musicians such as Donny McCaslin and Ingrid Jensen. Heartbreakingly beautiful stuff, at once both intricate and infinitely accessible.  (K. Saulnier)
(Editor's Note - I saw and heard these gentlemen just yesterday (10/27) at The Russell Library in Middletown.  They played this piece and several others. In the midst of the maddening and sad news coming from Pittsburgh, PA, this music was an excellent balm at a time of need.)

Buddy Holly & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - "True Love Ways" - Daniele Dugre-Martin suggested this update of classic Holly song. Initially after he passed away at the age of 22 and in the midst of an amazing career.  Through the wonder of modern technology, we hear this version the way Holly imagined it - read the story the album by going to www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/artists/buddy-holly/new-album-true-love-ways-orchestra/.  Watch the video of the project by going to www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT3WsFCuEHg&feature=youtu.be.  \
Here's the title track:

The Beatles - "Think For Yourself" - I can listen to this song several times a day - Harrison's lyrics & voice, McCartney's fuzz bass, group harmonizing....and the great line "although your mind's opaque" !!! (Joe Gaffney)

To this day, my favorite "Fab Four" disk and the first of George Harrison's songs that really stood out. Considering the output of Lennon & McCartney, he did not get a lot of opportunities to show his composer's side.  I agree with Professor G that the harmonies are spot on - actually, The Beatles were known for their fascinating background work. This new remix (2009) really brings out the brilliant sounds with McCartney shining on both the electric bass and the 'fuzz" bass! (RBK)

Foliage Special: The Many Colors of Music

The Beatles - "Two of Us" - A song I downloaded to my phone and played on a remote Orkney headland letting the wind take an old friend's ashes...a beautiful place, she would have approved (she would have liked it more if it had a beautiful old pub, but that's another story). (D. Dugre-Martin) (Editor's note - This is a Paul song which just about every Beatle thought was about his relationship to John and how it soured ("You and me, chasing paper..") but Sir Paul claims it's a love song he wrote for his girlfriend Linda Eastman. 

EDEN - "Drugs" - EDEN is composed of a single member, Jonathon Ng, who is also a record producer and model (who knew!). This was the first song by him that I found, and I fell in love with the relaxed, yet energized atmosphere of his music. As I listened to more of his work I found that there were certain lines from various songs that really stuck in my head and made me think, which is why I was so drawn to listen his music over, and over again. (M. Winslow)


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Jason Aldean - "Fly Over States" - I'm going with a little country this week. Thinking of all my Army colleagues out there who live and work in these great places. (T. Williams)

(Editor's Note - On our honeymoon lo those many centuries ago, we drove across the US to Wyoming in Volkswagen Squareback that broke down with regularity as we drove through those "fly-over states."  We met some of the nicest people in Indiana, Nebraska, and Montana as well as the fine people of Douglas, WY.  We should all do a Blue Highway tour once in our lives, if not several times.)

Banda Magda - "Thiamandi" -  Banda Magda is the ensemble led by a friend and arranging partner of mine named Magda Giannikou. I hate the word genius, because even educated people throw it around without any understanding of what the word actually means, especially in the arts. But Magda is a GENIUS. The accessibility of her work (including, but not exclusively, with this band) belies the artistry and craftsmanship behind it - essentially, the more you know about what you’re hearing, the deeper the rabbit hole gets. Banda Magda is known more for their fun up-tempo stuff, but this slow track is the one I end up playing on repeat for hours - such incredible vibe. The ensemble itself is comprised of some of the heaviest cats in NYC, including my wife Brooke on violin and my brother-in-law Sam on cello, as well as some other people that are veteran members of both her ensemble and mine. (K. Saulnier)



And, now for the 7th inning stretch:

Kate Smith - "God Bless America" - At the seventh inning stretch of New York Yankees home games, an armed service veteran is introduced and honored. Usually he or she stands behind home plate with their family, while their image is shown on the jumbo screen over the outfield bleachers. Then Kate Smith sings “God Bless America” and most of the 45,000 fans sing along with Kate. At the end of her rendition, the jumbo screen image is changed to a picture of that service veteran when he or she was younger. I am especially moved when I see the picture of a WWII veteran in full dress uniform and think of how young they were to be thrown into such a tumultuous world to execute such a monumental task. It affirms to me that God has blessed America and we better take good care of her as we proceed.

Wikipedia tells us that Irving Berlin wrote the song in 1918 while serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Upton in Yaphank, New York, but decided that it did not fit in a revue called "Yip Yank Yaphank", so he set it aside. In 1938, with the rise of Adolf Hitler, Irving Berlin, who was Jewish and had arrived in America from Russia at the age of five, felt it was time to revive it as a "peace song," and it was introduced on an Armistice Day broadcast in 1938, sung by Kate Smith on her radio show. Berlin had made some minor changes, most notably, he provided an introduction that is now rarely heard but which Smith always used:

"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea

 Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free

 Let us all be grateful for a land so fair

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer." (J. Gaffney)

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Lorraine Feather - "It All Adds Up" - Ms. Feather, the daughter of pioneer jazz writer and composer Leonard Feather, is one of my favorite vocalists.  Her music is erudite, many of her lyrics are clever, even funny, and, judging by the songs on her new album "Math Camp", she can write ballads as powerful as Randy Newman (check out these videos, the first from "Toy Story 2" - www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElhbTsKsros - and this one from his adaptation of Goethe's "Faust" - www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEDusVxVKbA ). Anyway, back to Ms. Feather.  She's had quite a career, from off-Broadway to singing back-up for Grand Funk Railroad (?!?) to writing lyrics for and recording songs by Fats Waller and Duke Ellington to writing songs for movie soundtracks. She's been a solo artist since the late 1990s and releases albums every 2-3 years.  Her new CD is the first she's made since moving back to the East Coast from rural upstate Washington and many of the tracks feature a jazz quartet (including the track below which has the great Fred Hersch on piano, James Genus on bass, Gilad Hekselman on guitar, and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums). Also, many of the songs are "scientific" in nature. Give a listen. (RBK)

Autumn Stays

Now it is beginning to feel like Fall, looks like it as well.  Sun rises later, sets sooner, and it's tougher (for some) to get moving (alright, for me to get moving).  Here are a number of selections that may get you thinking or set your feet to moving or just settle your nerves.

John Mayer - "Daughters" -  John Mayer, a college drop out and great singer- songwriter (and a native of Bridgeport, CT).... love this song and the wisdom it shares. (B. Rosenbaum)

(Editor's note - A number of contributors to this blog are fathers to daughters (the contributor is a mother to a daughter!) and I would be surprised if this song does not resonate with the men as well.  Rachel, our youngest, is still "my baby" - she just turned 38, is a mother of two children (one daughter), and I struggle to remember her as a child.)



Can't resist adding this Paul Simon song that he wrote for 2002 "The Wild Thornberrys Movie" - he even received an Academy Award nomination!

The Cast of "Wicked: The Musical" - "Defying Gravity" - In honor of my amazing wife, who has overcome some life challenges, I offer "Defying Gravity" from the Broadway musical "Wicked". It’s a song of hope and inspiration when things look bleak. (C Hakala) - (Editor's Note - The voices you hear are those of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth and the recording is the official Broadway soundtrack. There is a movie version coming in 2019 - the picture on the left is the official poster.)

Kaushiki Chakrabarty - "Raga Multani" - Here’s an Indian artist I’m blown away by Kaushiki Chakrabarty. She sings in the Thumri style, which is considered semi-classical by purists. Her pitch accuracy is scary good, and I love how much sheer swagger she has. I’ve chosen what I hope is a fairly accessible performance of shorter length (these performances can last hours), but even abbreviated the ensemble passes through a multitude of different time feels and colors in the exploration of one raga. (K. Saulnier)

Antonio Vivaldi - "Autumn: The Four Seasons" - This week I am going with a classic classical (T. Williams) - Antonio Vivaldi (born in Venice in 1678 and died in Vienna in 1741) created an impressive selection of pieces for his favored instrument, the violin. In fact, 230 of his concerti for solo instrument with string orchestra and harpsichord were composed for violin while the next largest amount was 40 and that was for bassoon!  "The Four Seasons" is his most famous and a delight from start to finish. (RBK)

Our selection today features violinist Fredereike Saeijs and the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra from 2014:

The Beatles - "I, Me, Mine" - In these times of government greed I would like to suggest “I, me, mine” composed by George Harrison and performed by The Beatles.

"I Me Mine" wasn't officially recorded during the "Let It Be" sessions for the movie or the "Abbey Road" sessions, but The Beatles recorded it later when it needed to be included in the "Let It Be" film. It was their last song recorded together: on the 3rd of January 1970. (D. Dugre-Martin) 

The lyrics:

All through' the day
I me mine, I me mine, I me mine
All through' the night
I me mine, I me mine, I me mine
Now they're frightened of leaving it
Ev'ryone's weaving it
Coming on strong all the time
All through' the day I me mine

I-I-me-me mine, I-I-me-me mine
I-I-me-me mine, I-I-me-me mine

All I can hear
I me mine, I me mine, I me mine
Even those tears
I me mine, I me mine, I me mine
No-one's frightened of playing it
Ev'ryone's saying it
Flowing more freely than wine
All through' the day I me mine

I-I-me-me mine, I-I-me-me mine
I-I-me-me mine, I-I-me-me mine

This version, from The Beatles "Let It Be", features "sweetening" (strings, horns) from co-producer Phil Spector:

Benjamin Boone & Philip Levine - "Soloing" - Saxophonist and composer Benjamin Boone first met poet Philip Levine (1928-2015) when the poet was a visiting professor at California State University/ Fresno where Boone had been teaching since 2000. Levine had a lifelong fascination for jazz, incorporating musicians and songs into his poems throughout his long and varied career.  The poet remains one of my favorite American writers and I use his poem "What Work Is" in my FYS classes whenever I can.  Once, he appeared at Wesleyan University with a vibraphonist. Here, he is backed by Boone's trio with special guest Branford Marsalis on tenor saxophone, performing a poem that harnesses the spirit and vision of John Coltrane plus serves as a remembrance of the relationship Levine had with his mother in her later years.

Here's the trailer that Origin Records released along with the album Boone and Levine recorded titled "The Poetry of Jazz":

Moving Right Along (addendum)

Here are a few songs that I meant to add to this week's post including the first suggestion sent by Fred Raudat.

Jefferson Airplane  - "Comin' Back To Me" - Marty Balin (pictured left), one of the co-founder of the San Francisco-based 1960s psychedelic rock the Jefferson Airplane, died this past September 27th.  He possessed one of the lovelier voices in rock music, a fine counterpoint to the harder voices of Grace Slick and Paul Kantner.  Palin stayed with the band even after they morphed in to Jefferson Starship in 1975. This particular song comes from their second album "Surrealistic Pillow."  (F. Raudat with notes supplied by the editor)

The Beatles - "Here, There, and Everywhere" - Suggested by Daniele Dugre-Martin, this lovely Paul McCartney tune comes from the band's 1966 "Revolver" album, the predecessor to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club".  In the various biographies and histories of the Fab Four, John Lennon is quoted as saying this was his favorite McCartney song and that he had little to do with writing the gem. Note the lovely harmonies and the composer's delicate double-tracked vocals.  (RBK)

Photo: Carl F. Hager

Lorraine Feather - "You're Outta Here" - Ms. Feather, the daughter of the acclaimed jazz writer and composer Leonard Feather, is one of the more creative artists who sings jazz. Over the past two decades, she has released albums based on the music of Duke Ellington, of classic and original "stride piano" music, and her own delightful compositions.  The tune I chose today is based on a Fats Waller piece, "A Minor Drag" - note how the singer deals with the syncopation and the rhythms, plays with language and generally has a delightful time.  To her credit, Ms Feather also composes thoughtful "adult" pieces, ballads that make you think and ponder personal relationships.

However, this track is pure fun! It features the great Dick Hyman on piano (who's still "tickling the ivories" at the age of 91!)

Moving Right Along

As I write this, it's 80 degrees in Middletown and muggy, perhaps the final day of this temperature we will see in 2018 (although nothing should or could surprise save for three beautiful Fall days in a row).

Today, we welcome a new contributor Dr. Kyle Saulnier.  Saulnier may be a familiar name to some at QU as his dad Bruce has been on the faculty since 1972 and is a Professor  of Computer Information Services.  Just this past year, Kyle earned his Doctorate in Music. He currently serves as the Ensembles Coordinator at QU.  But I first heard of him as a musician and composer who leads the Awakening Orchestra, a 19-member ensemble whose music often takes on contemporary social issues, is brash, often loud, but not without its thoughtful and gracious moments. Find out more by going to www.kylesaulnier.com.

Sarah Kirkland Snider - "The Lotus Eaters" from "Penelope" - This is a 14-movement song cycle by Sarah Kirkland Snider that’s simultaneously art song and indie rock. I love hearing modern takes on art song that are so clearly influenced by the popular music and industrial palettes I grew up with, and the minimalist wall of sound that she gets out of the ensemble is so beautifully expansive. Shout out to Shara Worden, the vocalist, who's one of the most powerful indie rock voices of my generation (she used to perform as My Brightest Diamond, and is now making music under the name Shara Nova). (K. Saulnier)

To find out more, go to penelope-music.com/#.

Tomas Luis de Victoria - excerpt from "Requiem Mass" (1605) - I've been sketching out a new painting and needed calming, meditative music. (T. Williams)

de Victoria, born c. 1548, near Avila, Spain—died Aug. 27, 1611, Madrid), Spanish composer who ranks with Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso among the greatest composers of the 16th century.  Find out more at www.britannica.com/biography/Tomas-Luis-de-Victoria.

Don Henley - "Not Enough Love in the World" -  A classic 80s song on a terrific album. The song is wistful and fun with great lyrics. It’s rare to find a song that is a love song that is also honest. (C. Hakala)

Don Henley’s band the Eagles had two top 10 singles—"Take It Easy" and "Witchy Woman"—with their first album. The Eagles then became one of the most popular bands of the 1970s. Their next three albums—Desperado, On the Border and One of These Nights—were all huge hits. Henley went on to a huge solo career after the Eagles broke up, with singles such as “Dirty Laundry” and “Boys of Summer.” (Biography.com)

The original videos for the song have been removed due to the singer's "bad blood" against Geffen Records. You can hear excerpts on iTunes on on Spotify.

Half Alive - "Still Feel" - I recently discovered Half Alive and was surprised to find that they have only released 4 songs. Each song has a surprisingly unique sound, intriguing me where the group is going to continue to move in the future. Still Feel is their most recent song and was the first one I found (as well as my favorite) which is why I chose it. (M. Winslow)

New alternative rock band, half•alive, is a product of a 50 song challenge that was carried out by band's frontman, Josh Taylor in 2016.  half•alive consists of frontman Josh Taylor, drummer Brett Kramer, and GRAMMY nominated producer James Krausse, who came together in 2016 to help with Josh's challenge. (spinorbinmusic.com)

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper - "Shallow" - The newly released remake of "A Star is Born" stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. The trailers are very enticing and places the movie as a ‘must see’ on anyone’s list, mine included. Coincidentally, one of the previous remakes was on television this Sunday morning starring Judy Garland and James Mason, which also is a must see. Here is the synopsis of the movie.
The gist of the movie, just released this week on October 5, 2018, is that a seasoned musician, Jackson Maine, discovers -- and falls in love with -- struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons. (J Gaffney)

Roger Miller - "Chug-a-lug" and "England Swings" - I may be the last person you'd expect to like Country Music but, heck, Roger Miller was a true original.  Born in Oklahoma in 1936, he started out as a writer in Nashville, Tennessee, in the late 1950s and had a few Top Country singles. In the midst of The Beatles Invasion, Miller decided he want to be a movie actor, recorded a pair of tunes for SMASH Records and, while he was in Hollywood auditioning and playing bit parts, both songs - "Dang Me" and "Chug-a-lug" - became huge hits on the pop charts.  For the next two years, everything he recorded turned to gold including "King of the Road" and "England Swings".  Top Forty geek that I was in those days, I loved the fact you could sing along with these short yet sweet tunes. Not much to them but, sometimes, they just need silly and loopy tunes. (RBK)