Siggy Nystrom, my colleague in FYS and QU 301, has been viewing from the sideline since this blog began. Now she jumps in with quite a collection of songs. Here's what she has to say:
"I confess (and many of you already know), I continue to listen to Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton for all of the obvious reasons. It’s in my car CD player while only three other CDs sit in the glove box waiting: Alyson (sp) Krauss Union Station and KD Lang’s “Ingenue” and “Absolute Torch and Twang.” And like Richard, Paul Simon is by far my favorite song writer/singer/creator of harmony. If I’m feeling low, just put on "Graceland", and the world comes alive again. Speaking of Graceland (sort of) I just received from Amazon my two orders of The Zomba Prison Project, “I will Not Stop Singing” and “I Have No Everything”! The story behind these beautiful voices from prison makes the power of music even more compelling.
OK, back to dancing with diamonds on the soles of my shoes...."
"Alexander Hamilton" - Original Cast - The most popular musical of the past decade, Wesleyan University graduate Lin-Manuel Miranda not only read Ron Chernow's massive biography of Alexander Hamilton but also used his love for hip hop, rap, pop music, and the influence of Stephen Sondheim ("Sunday In the Park With George", "Into The Woods", and "Assassins", among others) to create a most memorable theatrical experience. Every new production of the show sells out within minutes and not just for the novelty of the multi-racial cast, the powerful music , and the great voices - listen to the brilliant lyrics, to the speed, to the wit, to the amazing internal rhymes. (RBK)
"Every Time You Say Goodbye" - Alison Krauss and Union Station - Here's Ms. Krauss with her long-time band!
Rob Verhorst/Rolling Stone
"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" - Paul Simon - As noted above, this song is from Simon's career-changing and genre-busting album "Graceland." Much of the music came about when the songwriter traveled to South Africa to investigate the amazing dance music coming from the ghettoes and shantytowns of the apartheid state. He took much flak for breaking the ban that Musicians Unions around the world had about performing in South Africa. If one wants to pick nits, Simon gave no concerts, rarely picked his guitar, but led jam sessions and brought the tapes back to the United States to create his program. He also paid the musicians double their normal rate for their studio time and made sure everyone was fed. When the album became a huge hit, he brought a number of his collaborators to the US to tour with him, jumpstarting the international of the vocal choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Up until the death of guitarist Ray Phiri, Simon used him and bassist Bagithi Kumalo (he's such a brilliant player) on his recordings and on his tours. (RBK)
"I Will Not Stop Grieving for You, My Wife" - Zomba Prison Project - Produced by author and Grammy-winner, Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Malawi Mouse Boys), the Zomba Prison Project’s debut album “I Have No Everything Here” was the surprise “world music” hit of 2015. Featuring prisoners and officers from Malawi’s maximum security prison— many that were previously non-musicians— the record offered songs of heartbreaking and forthright loneliness, regret, and despair coupled with a sense of resilience and courage under the most extreme of circumstances. The album received the first Grammy nomination ever for the country of Malawi, an honor that sadly the overwhelming majority of African nations have still yet to receive.
Here's a few more that have come in this week - feel free to share!
"Modern Nature" - Sondre Lerche - This song is one I heard from a movie soundtrack ("Dan in Real Life"). It's a simple tune with terrific lyrics. I like how the duet in the middle carries the message of relationships through both the music and the lyrics.
(Chris Hakala)
(The second voice on the track is Lillian Samdal). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7nAXL7UShA
"Stone in Love" - Journey - From the album "Escape", 1981.
I remember riding in my friend ‘s 79 lime green pinto wagon with the
windows down blaring this tune ...and thinking we were cool.
"Gods Love Nubia" - "Aida" - The Broadway Musical AIDA is based on the opera Aida
by Giuseppe Verdi. The music and lyrics were a collaboration by Elton
John and Tim Rice. Set in ancient times, it tells the story of an
Egyptian sea captain
who captures and enslaves a Nubian princess, only to fall in love with
her. The two are torn between their true love and their respective
commitments to country, culture and family. The song 'The Gods Love
Nubia' performed by the princess Aida (Heather Headly)
while in jail with her fellow Nubians is inspirational. It plays like a
gospel revival hymn and addresses the healing of a broken people. The
Nubians, led by their princess's song, rise individually then in unison
to stand, gain strength and rediscover their
purpose. I listen to this particular song over and over when driving
down the road or, as was the case last weekend, when painting rooms in
my house. The song speaks to bridging racial and social divides. It is
very applicable to the many divides in our country
today. Hopefully, if more people listen to the lyrics of Tim Rice and
capture the spirit of Elton John's melody, 'The Gods Love Nubia' may
inspire them to realize that our gods want more from us and they want it
now.
"So Far Away" - Carole King - In honour of Carole King’s birthday I nominate “So Far Away” from her
multiple award winning album "Tapestry". A lament about loved ones being
too far from home, it certainly tugs at the heart whenever I hear it
since my son is in the Military and is often far away.
Here's a link to the original version from 1962 by The Drifters (it was released right before Christmas and did not reach Number 1 until January 1963).
And, one more version, this one from Laura Nyro also released in 1970. I love all three versions; honestly, I can not pick one over the others as each one lifts my heart!
"Naive Melody (This Music Be The Place)" - Talking Heads - With Valentine's Day barely in the rear view mirror, I felt the need to post my favorite love song. The art-rock favorites of the 1980s, Talking Heads grew out of the New York avant-garde punk scene and discovered soul music along the way. This track, from, arguably, one of the best concert videos ever, "Stop Making Sense" (1984), is a case where the live version may be better than the original (which is pretty darned good). I have always been moved by the line that goes "Out of all those kinds of people/ You got a face with a view" - can't tell you why, it just moves me.
The purpose of this blog is to share music that members of the Quinnipiac University are listening to these days. At this point in time, the list only reflects the two classes I am teaching this semester, an FYS-101 and a QU 301, plus contributions from invited members of the QU community. The latter group will grow as the blog continues through the semester. Feel free to comment but no spam!
CRO - "Einmal un de Welt" - Chose
this song because we briefly talked about German music. I think this
one is really upbeat and fun. I don't understand it, but from what I
know he's just talking about girls and money and traveling. Basically
the same thing that American singers/rappers talk about. Languages may
be different but it seems to me that wherever you go in the world,
mainstream music culture is the same. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2pySXCmwpc Haniya Ahmed (FYS)
John Prine - "Clay Pigeons" - I've been listening to Clay
Pigeons sung and played by John Prine. This is written by another
fellow named Blaze. I’m just curious what others think of this
song/ballad, and if Theresa or may not be a greater or lesser
appreciation dependent on age. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3zNl6NsOyY Alden Mead (Faculty)
Billie Holiday - "Strange Fruit" - Thought I might share a song we’re singing in the spring concert of
Another Octave – Connecticut Women’s Chorus. The concert theme is
“Heroes & Villains”; I’m sure you can guess which category this song falls under. The song is “Strange Fruit,” an eerie song where the
tempo and the way the words are sung are vital to the meaning in the
song. The Billie Holiday version is the version you should include in
your blog; it’s probably the best known, although many singers have
sung. Be sure to post a version with the words…and be careful choosing
because I found some errors, such as “popular trees” instead of “poplar
trees”! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mO92ll_q0k
Anne Harrigan (Faculty)
Imagine Dragons - "Radioactive" - This song has a mix of hard rock and a touch of heavy metal genres.
It is slow beat with a chorus that repeats a few times. When I listen to
the song it projects a heavy rhythmic beat, which is ideal for
difficult cardio-vascular exercises like cycle, elliptical, treadmill,
running stadium steps or bicycling. By increasing the resistance or
slope of the machines used or the number of repetitions, the ‘heaviness’
of the song provides a beat that can help you work through the
heaviness of the exercise when your legs, lungs and heart are
challenged. The lyrics of the song (below) are not necessarily upbeat,
it is the tune that is the take-away and very applicable to the toughest
part of the particular cardio exercise at that moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU
Joe Gaffney (Faculty)
Barry Phillips - "The World Turned Upside Down" - The music is colonial
American. The album's title song is well known as a dance tune played by
both colonial forces and the Regulars (particularly when they
surrendered at Yorktown in 1781!)
I play the album when I read and write as I find it calming and contemplative. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUcH0Of_sxs
Thomas Williams (faculty)
Panic! At The Disco - "Northern Downpour" - I
chose this song because the lyrics may seem nonsensical at first, but
have a deeper meaning
when you think about them. I really appreciate the metaphors that they
use since they're very descriptive, and I also like how many different
meanings the song can have to different people, or even at different
times in your life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zouSojyIi94
Megan Winslow (QU class of 2020)
Led Zeppelin - "Immigrant Song" - It has powerful lyrics with Viking overtones (I love the Orkney Islands
where most of the males have been identified as having “Viking” DNA). I
saw this performed in concert and it simply gave goosebumps.
Green Day - "Poprocks and Coke" - The lyrics are terrific. At one point in my life, I was at a bad point. This song, and the lyrics of the song, were just what I needed at that time to help me deal with some of the things I was struggling with.
"The Band's Visit" - Original Cast Recording - Katrina Lenk - "Omar Sharif" - I listen to a lot of music and it's hard to pick one track but I am quite enamored of the music from the Broadway play "The Band's Visit". Based on a 2007 Israeli movie, the play tells the following story:
"After a mix-up at the border, an Egyptian Police Band is sent to a remote village in the middle of the Israeli desert. With no bus until morning and no hotel in sight, these unlikely travelers are taken in by the locals. Under the spell of the desert sky, their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected ways." The music was composed by David Yazbek ("The Full Monty") and combines all sorts of influences. I really enjoy the story (Israeli humor can be quite sarcastic and ironic) and the project plays to my idealistic belief that music can heal a fractured world.
