Finals week! O boy, O joy! Papers to read, tests to take, decisions to be made - let's see what the contributors to this post believes will keep us from spinning into the vortex. Personally speaking, Hanukkah is, as I write this, just about over for this year but the spirit of light, freedom, and friendship should get us through the long, dark, nights of Winter. Music helps!
Luciano Pavarotti - "O Holy Night" - One of my favorite Holiday songs! (T. Williams) (Editor's note - The late, great, opera artist has that kind of voice, like Aretha Franklin, that can transport a listener beyond the everyday. Yes, it's theatrical and there are times when emotions are faked but there are some artists who, on certain sings, transcend! RBK)
Marconi Union - "Weightless" - I recently found this mesmerizing, magical and relaxing video and sent it to Michael. I’d like to share it with you for the blog. If you don’t watch and just listen you will feel your heart rate slow down and your breathing will become rhythmic and easy.... music to dream by, meditate to, zone out with. (B. Rosenbaum)
Paul Simon - "Under African Skies" & Peter Gabriel - "Don't Give Up" - Lord knows (pun intended) I’m not much for the holiday season… but it’s a good time of year for songs of beauty and of hope, so here’s one of each - two artists who manage to accomplish real tenderness without it ever being contrived (as it so often is), and with these songs do it in a legitimately multicultural and inclusive way befitting a neglected spirit of the season. Paul Simon’s “Under African Skies” is the best moment of his "Graceland" album for me - it’s such a beautiful, seemingly authentic moment from all the musicians involved. This live 2012 version is particularly sweet without being saccharine.
And Peter Gabriel’s always been a guilty pleasure of mine; he wears his heart on his sleeve in a way that only he can, and does it with so much integrity. This version of “Don’t Give Up” (originally written as a duet with Kate Bush), from Gabriel’s "Secret World" live album/tour justifies Paula Cole’s entire career - I could take or leave her solo stuff, but her voice was made for these moments. (K. Saulnier)
Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) - "Christmas Is All Around" - Not a real a holiday song, but what about Christmas is all around us from the movie, "Love Actually?" It’s snarky and funny and really campy! Love it. (C Hakala). (Editor's note - It took a day or two but I finally figured out that this sweet, albeit treacly, tune (hilarious video) is a rewrite of The Troggs 1967 smash "Love Is All Around", a treacly song recorded by the same group who did "Wild Thing" and "I Can't Control Myself.")
Bleachers - "Don't Take The Money" - Spotify released my top 100 most listened to songs, so I figured I would suggest my most listened to: "Don't Take the Money" by Bleachers. I have been listening to Bleachers for a while but have never really known much about them. In looking them up, the release of his first single as Bleachers was "I Wanna Get Better" was in 2014. However, he is part of the band Fun, which is more well-known for a couple of songs that got on the radio. "I Wanna Get Better" is the first song by Bleachers that I found, and I still listen to today. I was immediately drawn to "Don't Take the Money" when I first heard it because there is something about the chorus that I instantly fell in love with. I have never been able to figure out why, but I find it okay to indulge in ignorance from time to time. (M. Winslow)
Young People's Chorus of New York City -"Let There Be Peace on Earth" is a song written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. It was initially written for and sung by the International Children's Choir created by Easter Beakly and Arthur Granger of the Granger Dance Academy in Long Beach, California. The song's composers led a number of rehearsals for the children's choir from 1955 to 1957, and the song continues to be the theme for this group of children who represent a host of nations and who sang in Washington, DC at the JW Marriott next to the White House in 2002. The song was also performed at the 9/11 Memorial attended by Pope Francis sung by a children’s choir. (J Gaffney)
Lady Gaga & Joseph Gordon-Levitt - "Baby It's Cold Outside" - There's been a lot of discussion about whether this song promotes date rape and excess drinking, etc. but, there are many songs in the Great American Songbook that are worse than this (and no, I won't post them). This particular version turns the tables and the woman is doing the inviting. Whatever, just take a look at the lyrics, then the video, and judge for yourself. (RBK, suggested by T. Williams)
The Felipe Salles Interconnections Ensemble - "Lullaby #1" (live at The Jazz Gallery in NYC on 11/08/18) - As the semester comes to a close, I am also working on my Best of 2018 list of recordings. This was a really good year for big band/large ensemble albums. My Top 10 includes three, one each by Jim McNeely, Dafnis Prieto, and "The Lullaby Project" from saxophonist and composer Felipe Salles. OEWO contributor and large ensemble leader Kyle Saulnier is co-producer. The track below is from a showiest month in NYC. (RBK)
Thanks to all the contributors and to the readers - we'll be back in the Spring Semester. In the meantime, have a wonderful Holiday season, a Happy New Year, and a great break!
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
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
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":
Post #2 for the Fall (sure doesn't feel like Fall - soon enough).
Aretha Franklin - "Think" - This is a very early version of a woman empowerment song. Aretha's
vocals are powerful, but the message is even more powerful, as it speaks
to making a stand about how she feels she is being treated. This song,
and
songs like this, led the way to songs now that speak of strong, powerful
women who know that they have OPTIONS in the world and they are only
limited by the artificial limits they may place on themselves (or by
society, sadly). (Chris Hakala)
Alicia Keys - "Girl on Fire" - There is ENERGY and FIRE in this song. (Betsy Rosenblum) - Ms. Keys, while not sounding much like Aretha Franklin, also is a fine pianist and possessed of quite the pliable voice. This is certainly a 21st century Pop tune mining the social commentary of other songs such as "Brave" (Sara Bareilles) and "Roar" (Katy Perry) plus it sounds great really loud. (Editor)
BTS - "Fire" - BTS
is a South Korean group that gained a lot of popularity worldwide and
was the first South Korean group to make it to both the
Billboard top 200 and perform at the AMAs. This is an older song of
theirs but it's one of their more popular "classics". (Megan Winslow) (Editor's note - you'll notice the heavy influence of American music on this and other "foreign" songs/videos.)
The Who - "Pinball Wizard" - Daniele Dugre-Martin suggested this song from the Rock Opera "Tommy." Peter Townsend, leader and main songwriter of the British quartet, has been playing around with the idea of an extended song cycle since the early days of the band. In fact, his first attempt appeared on the band's second album "A Quick One". "Tommy" is a fascinating experiment and one could argue endlessly whether Townsend succeeded (his 1973 opera "Quadrophenia" was much better realized). This song however is classic Who. The percussive acoustic guitar opening, John Entwistle's thundering yet melodic bass and Keith Moon's explosive drumming, all frame one of Roger Daltrey's more articulate vocals. (Editor)
Simon & Garfunkel - "The Boxer" - Thomas Williams chose this song and I concur. By the time the duo recorded this song (late 1968 - released as a 45 rpm in March 1969), Paul Simon was well on his way to being one of the finest songwriters/storytellers of his generation. On top of that, his partnership with producer Roy Halee taught him the joys of the studio. Note the use of several acoustic guitars, the bass harmonica, the firecracker sound from the drums on the chorus (supposedly recorded in an empty New York City church), and the layered vocals. Shout out to the amazing harmonies of Art Garfunkel, one of the prettiest voices in "folk-rock." While we may not understand the intent of Simon's story, the power of the music makes us pay closer attention. (RBK)
Paul Simon - "Can't Run But" - First move forward to 1990. Paul Simon has just struck worldwide gold with "Graceland", his wonderful if controversial that began life in the townships of South Africa before the death of apartheid. His next album "The Rhythm of the Saints" took to Brazil to record many fine Brazilian musicians including vocalist Milton Nascimento and the "roots" ensemble Uakti. He brought the songs home and added a number of other musicians, from jazz soloists to the South African musicians who had become part of his touring ensemble. While not as "popular" as its predecessor, the album remains my favorite Simon to this day.
Here we go to present day - on Friday September 7, Paul Simon releases "In The Blue Light", a collection of 10 songs from throughout his career, pieces he felt the need to reinvestigate, to re-record with new arrangements and personnel. "Can't Run But" first appeared on the 1990 album and, as you will hear below, moves at quite a pace with percussion of all sorts pushing the music forward. The song is on the new album as well - here, the majority of the percussion instruments are replaced by the musicians from the "new music" chamber ensemble yMusic. Listen to how they replicate the rhythms of the original with delightful melodic twists throughout. (RBK)
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.
Plenty of time indoors this week to contemplate our Spring schedule, the colder weather, the books we have been waiting for enough time to read, and our other jobs we do during the week. Then there is the music we listened to or tried to listen to during the time away (not all of us were off-campus this week).
"1000 Nights" - Frenship - I like the more relaxed feel that it has while still having a lot of different sounds. (Megan Winslow) "Frenship are an electropop duo hailing from Los Angeles, California. Frenship members James Sunderland and Brett Hite met while working at fitness store Lululemon and became fans of each other's music. This led to the two stoking the creative embers, and they eventually began creating music together." (AllMusic)
"Beware of Darkness" - George Harrison - He gives great advice when I need it. (Betsy Rosenblum)
The Beatles's lead guitarist and resident spiritualist released "All Things Must Pass" as his first post-Fab Four record. His struggle with wealth and fame are well-known but he also bankrolled Monty Python, toured with the Traveling Wilburys (Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Bob Dylan), and was good buddies with Eric Clapton.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen - Characterized by vocal harmonies and ranging from
progressive to hard rock, Queen’s “style” could never be nailed
down….If you didn’t know who the group was but thought the incredible
voice sounded familiar it was probably Queen. Winning Grammys and Juno awards their songs can still get an audience clapping along. And who can forget Brian May? Rocker and astrophysicist? (Daniele Dugre-Martin)
"American Tune" - Kurt Elling - As I stated on an earlier post, Paul Simon is one of my favorite songwriters (ever). Kurt Elling is a wonderful jazz singer who cut his teeth on the Chicago scene in the 80s and 90s. Not only can he scat sing with the best of them (Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks) but he also has a poet's ear for lyrics. He's recorded "American Tune" (as a voice and piano duo) but this orchestrated version moves me to my soul. Composed in 1973 as the US was mired in the Vietnam War and reeling from the Watergate scandal, the song is both pessimistic and optimistic. Elling's version has similar intent (the video is aimed at the issues with immigration, racism, sexism but there's the promise of "tomorrow's another working day.") - Richard Kamins
"Whisky Lullaby" - Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss - This came from Thomas Williams and I won't even try to speak for him. The song comes from Paisley's 2003 album "Mud on the Tires" and was composed by Country music legend Bill Anderson and Jon Randall. Anderson has had a long career with a slew of big hits but also wrote songs for many of his contemporaries. Yet, this song started because Randall was going through a divorce and had started drinking. He met Anderson and they put the song together and gave to Paisley who then shared it with Ms. Krauss. Released as a single in 2004, it won the 2005 Country Music Association Song of the Year. The accompanying video is set in 1947 and the man is coming home after the long war. Many people complain that country ballads are corny and unemotional - not this one. Even without the video, the song has lasting power. Plus, Alison Krauss's voice is so lovely. (R Kamins)
Here's a few more songs that have come in since our first posting.
Paul Simon announced his retirement from touring earlier this week so two people chose two songs from his vast repertoire.
"The Sounds of Silence" - Simon & Garfunkel - There are bunch of versions of this tune floating around but I chose to link to the 45rpm from 1965, the one where producer Tom Wilson (at the time, one of the few African American producers working at a major label - in this case, Columbia Records) added electric guitar, bass, and drums to the original one acoustic guitar and the voices of Simon and Garfunkel.
(Danielle Dugre-Martin)
"Spirit Voices" - Paul Simon - When my daughters were younger, they loved to listen to Simon's "Graceland", the album with a mix of South African musicians (there was quite a controversy when the artist went illegally to record them) plus songs with Linda Ronstadt, Rockin' Dopsie, and Los Lobos. It is a great collection but my favorite is the one that followed - "The Rhythm of the Saints" was issued in 1990 and featured a slew of songs influenced by Brazilians artists such as Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, and others. This tune, co-written by and featuring the ethereal voice of Nascimento, still knocks me for a loop even after 28 years.
(RBK) www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqd_4Kh5OxM
"Miserere mei, Deus" - Tallis Scholars - Speaking of ethereal, this lovely piece is a setting of Psalm 51 by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652). The work was composed in the 1630s during the reign of Pope Urban VII for use in the Sistine Chapel during matins, as part of the exclusive Tenebrae service on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday of Holy Week (source: Wikipedia). Recording of this piece often fall short of the magnificence of hearing this work sung in a chapel. Nevertheless, this performance is stunning.
(T Williams) www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpzdB0G3TJU
John Rudolf photo
"Kenedougou Foly" - Anat Cohen Tentet - Over the past decade, Israeli-born saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen wowed audiences around the world with her vibrant musicianship and her ability to play so many styles. I have seen her play swing,heard her play Brazilian chorus and folk music, funk, blues - while she is a fine tenor and soprano saxophonist, she is a world-clarinet player. This piece from her latest album is an exciting arrangement of a tune composed and performed by West African balafon player Neba Solo (his version is below Ms. Cohen's) - both have a rhythmic flow that pulls you from your chair. I love both versions.
(RBK)
A Cohen - www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG7E5miN3gE
N Solo (the long version) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvLBJSRx5Zk
"Pyramids" - DVBBS & Dropgun feat. Sanjin - This came from one of QU301 students but the "beats" are as African as the ones played by Neba Solo. He told me that lyrics are not his thing but he does love sound, rhythm, bass (floor-shaking bass), and how this music just erases the craziness of the day. EDM (Electronic Dance Music is one of the more popular genres at the moment) is the continuation of the fact that people have danced for millennia - the words are not really important but the groove is "supreme"!
"Rolling In the Deep (We Could Have Had It All)" - Adele - The power of her voice and the message of the song are closely linked. Adele has listened to the blues and soul singers of the 1950s and 60s (including the great British singer Dusty Springfield) - you want it dance, you want to song along, shake your fists and your tush.
