Summer has zipped on by and it's time to get back to the fun at QU. This blog started in the Spring of the year with the hope that people of all different backgrounds would chat about what they are listening (and why). Here we go!
Today (8/25) is the Centennial Celebration of Leonard Bernstein who wrote the music
for "West Side Story". "Maria" is one of those songs with lyrics
by Stephen Sondheim and was published in 1956. In the movie, the song is sung
by the lead character Tony when he learns the name of the girl he's fallen in
love with is "Maria". The name "Maria" is spoken or sung in
the song 29 times. It begins in B major and then modulates to E-flat major. (Wikipedia)
The song is widely known for its use of the melodic interval of a tritone in
the main theme. The song is an example of the use of Lydian mode, which is the
same as the major scale but with a raised 4th, giving the tritone
characteristic of this piece. (Joe Gaffney)
Don McLean - "Vincent" - This is such a hauntingly beautiful song. The main theme is of understanding and acceptance. Makes me think when I hear it! (Chris Hakala - Happy first full year at Springfield College!)
Need I tell you that this song is about Vincent Van Gogh, the brilliant 19th Century painter who led such a tortured life? I agree with Chris that this is such lovely song plus it has held up well over the decades. (Editor)
Neil Cicierega - "Wow Wow" - (And now for something completely different) - Neil
Cicierega is an individual of interest to me. Most of his music is
mashing two songs together that are of completely different styles (many
of which sound quite strange). However, this mashup I quite enjoy to
listen to. He gave a TED Talk, and that is when I really started to
appreciate his work as a creator. I also learned that he was the creator
of Harry Potter Puppet Pals, which was an extremely popular video (at
least for kids) when it came out. (Megan Winslow)
Aretha Franklin - "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" - It’s a tribute to my husband Michael. Aretha sings what my heart feels.
And I know she sings what’s in the heart of every woman who loves. (Betsy Rosenblum)
Ms. Franklin left a body of work second to few. Most people forget how important her piano was to her performances as sitting there for even one song settled her down and allowed her to open up that amazing voice. She had there ability to take a song associated with another singer and make it her own ("Spanish Harlem", "Respect") - I can not think of any modern singer who can do that. (Editor)
Owl Jensen - "I Love to Singa" - (and something else completely different) - We are nothing if not equal opportunity people here at the blog: when Siggy Nystrom suggested this song, I looked it up on Youtube and, of course, it was there. One (especially your patient and accepting editor) would love to believe that this sweet little tune will carry you through the first week of classes with a smile on your face and the melody stuck in your head. Walk past her classroom and belt it out at the top of your lungs - then scram because security is bound to come and take you away (ha! ha!)
Lara Downesand Kevin "K.O." Olusola - "Something's Coming" - Back to "West Side Story" to close out this post. Earlier this year, classical pianist Lara Downes released a tribute to Maestro/Composer Bernstein titled "For Lenny." A collection of solo dedications from different composers as well as selected works by him, the album also featured several duets. The one posted here opens the album. "K.O." is the "beat box" person in the a cappella quintet Pentatonix - he's also an accomplished rapper, vocalist, and cellist. As a human drummer, he's flat-out amazing. Ms. Downes is not only is an delightful pianist but also an essayist and activist. She tours throughout the US and Europe playing several different programs of pieces by American composers. Take a look and a listen. (RBK)
I'll have more to post later this week; in the meantime, enjoy this pastiche!
Spring semester came and went. It did not seem so fast in the middle of it but, now that it's over, the time flew right by. This blog has been fun and will return sporadically throughout the summer. Here are a few more cuts ti brighten your days and nights!
"School Is Out" - Gary U.S. Bonds - Before Alice Cooper came along with his song of pretty much the same name (1972's "School's Out"), this 1960 ditty served the purpose of a Summer song. It's a bit "lo-fi" and sounds like it was recorded at a party but most of U.S. Bonds's songs sounded like this. Who needs stereo when you can turn this song really loud and just let it wail!
Mr. Bonds made a bit of a comeback in the 1980s thanks to Bruce Springsteen and his hirsute sidekick Little Steven Van Zandt. He had a couple of regional hits before "disappearing" for another two decades. He continues to work and record with Van Zandt. (RB Kamins)
"Slappin' The Cakes on Me" - John Pizzarelli - John Paul Pizzarelli Jr. (born April 6, 1960) is an
American jazz guitarist and vocalist. He has
recorded over twenty solo albums and has appeared on more than forty albums by
other recording artists. The son of swing guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John
Pizzarelli was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He started on guitar when he was
six and played trumpet through his college years. He attended Don Bosco Preparatory School, an
all-boys Catholic school. In his teens, he performed with Benny Goodman, Les
Paul, Zoot Sims and Clark Terry.
He may be recognized from his iconic pop ‘jingle’
from the television commercial for Foxwoods Casino in CT; however, Pizzarelli
is an accomplished jazz guitarist. I have attended many of his performances in
various venues ranging from cabaret venue, to live radio show recording, to Tanglewood
in the Berkshires. I have always come away fully satisfied by an evening of
memorable melodies.
"Slappin’ the
Cakes on Me"is one song from Pizzarelli’s 1993 CD entitled Naturally: This song, composed by Dave Frishberg, is a simply great collaboration with his father, Bucky; his
brother Martin; Clark Terry and Ray Kennedy. When listening to it, one tends to
close his eyes and float with the soft tones that create an ephemeral state of
relaxation. Enjoy it here. (Joseph Gaffney)
"Don't
Take the Money" - Bleachers - It is really fun, upbeat song that has
themes of life experiences. To me, this song sounds like summer car
rides which makes it very appropriate
for this week as we enter the summer break. (Megan Winslow)
This group - well, actually this solo act - is the brainchild of songwriter and guitarist Jack Antonoff. He's composed mega-hits for the likes of Taylor Swift, Lorde, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sia, and Sara Bareilles ("Brave", a favorite around the Kamins household). He's got that knack of writing "earworms", songs that get into your head and won't leave, no matter what you do.
"Grandma's Hands" - Bill Withers - Withers was a working man making wash room and air stairs for aircraft companies in the late 1960s when a demo recording of his songs made the rounds of many record labels. Rejected by many different ones big and small (although several of songs were recorded by a number of people, including Diana Ross),the tape eventually landed in the hands of Clarence Avant, founder of Sussex Records. He signed Withers, hired Booker T. Jones (famous for his work with Otis Redding, Carla Thomas), and the singer-songwriter went into the studios to record his debut Lp. The album cover (on the left) was supposedly taken at the machine shop where Withers was employed. Happily, the first song Sussex released was "Ain't No Sunshine" which became a huge hit. For the next few years, Withers had a string of big hits ("Lean on Me", "Use Me", "Kissing My Love") but Sussex Records went bankrupt. He then signed with CBS Records but had a real hard time dealing with producers and did not have a hit again until he connected with saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. to make "Just the Two of Us", a tune that went to number 1 in 1981. He retired in 1985 and, thanks to the great popularity of his songs used in movies, television shows, and elsewhere, he's been able to live off the royalties. He writes a few songs now and then but does not perform due to a medical issue.
The song I chose is from that debut album, a group of songs that continue to resonate 46 years after I first heard the album. This particular song is simple, spare arrangements (Stephen Stills on guitar), and quite a heartfelt vocal. (RBK)
I'm pleased to write that I have enough material for two posts. Let's get right to it.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon and Garfunkel - I suppose the medical events of the week reminded me of this haunting toon. (Thomas Williams). Not much to add other this is one of those songs that, to me, sounds timeless. It could the gospel-influenced piano lines, the "large" orchestral arrangement, and, of course, Art Garfunkel's angelic voice. In the midst of the Vietnam conflict and all the craziness in the world at the time, this song was balm. (RBK)
"God's Plan" - Drake - “God’s Plan” is about Drake’s life-the story
so far in the music industry-which he acclaims to be the god’s plan. He says he
has a lot of haters and people who would love to see him go down. But thanks to
the Almighty, he has been able to withstand all the negative influences. Feedback
has come from various types of people including religious leaders. (Joe Gaffney) Here is a
critique from Eddie Stern, Director of the Brooklyn Ganesh Temple, Brooklyn,
NY:
"As for God’s actual plan,
who knows what that plan may be? Giving away money to people in need and to
programs that will help kids is certainly a good use of money, whether you have
a lot of it, or a little of it. On the one hand, people might say that it is a
bit self-serving of Drake to film and flaunt his charitable acts. However, one
would hope that other people watching his video will be inspired to do the
same. It’s good to be inspired by people we admire to think beyond ourselves,
and to reach out to those in need. Most religious and spiritual traditions hold
that true happiness is found in connecting with the people and world around us,
because it is a shared happiness, a shared joy, and not just the pursuit of our
own, individual happiness. Shared joy is much more fulfilling. Fulfillment in
life is not just having enough money, or having a lot of stuff, it’s about
actually fulfilling our souls with shared joy, and shared goodness.”
"Drugs" - Adam Jensen - My song submission this week is Drugs my
Adam Jensen. I find it to be a fun (and somewhat comical) song that
also touches on the important issue of drug abuse. I think what I like
about it most is how distinctive the instrumental melody of the song is.
"Fanfare for the Common Man" - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - One of the "super groups" of the 1970s and 80s, this trio made a lot of sound for three men, each one a superlative musician. Here, they tackle a classic work from American compose Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990) that was originally "was inspired in part by a famous speech made earlier in the same year; in that speech, the vice president of the United States of America, Henry A. Wallace, proclaimed the dawning of the "Century of the Common Man". Here, the band rocks out in an empty stadium surrounded by snow and, as you can see, quite cold. Daniele Dugre-Martin suggested this song and was there at OlympicStadium in Montreal, Quebec, CA later that evening after the roof was closed and the snow removed. (RBK)
"People Take Pictures of Each Other" - The Kinks - As I played this song (from the brilliant 1968 Lp "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society", I remembered our trip to England and all the people taking pictures standing in front of the famous places one could visit: pictures would be snapped and then people would walk away. I wondered "did they ever go in"? I'm a strong believer that Ray Davies, the head of The Kinks, was one of the great songwriters of the 1960s once he got over his "teen" music phase ("You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of The Night") and started composing pithy portraits of English society. (RBK)
I was hoping to do, at least, two more posts with the ultimate one at the end of Finals Week. So, here's the penultimate post!
"Maybe" - Alina Baraz & Galimatias- Since I have been listening to a lot of very relaxing/slower music to study, I have been listening to "Maybe" by Alina Baraz a lot. I like how the song is somewhat sparse
instument/sound-wise. It has a very chill vibe,
but the song changes enough throughout to keep your interest. It comes
from her album Urban Flora which is a fantastic album to listen to while
studying (at least for me it is and I have recommended it to other students that are studying). (Megan Winslow)
"Money For Nothing" - Dire Straits - At the time this song came out, I was working at Sears and I was,
in fact, moving refrigerators and color tvs. The song was an anthem to
us in the warehouse and we sung it loud and laced with profanity. (Chris Hakala)
Editor's note: - Somewhere in our house is a picture of our younger daughter Rachel peering intently at the lyric sheet that came with Dire Straits's "Brothers in Arms" Lp. We swear it's how she learned how to read (from that album and Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man"). (RBK)
"Two of Us" - The Beatles- I played
this at a friend’s “funeral” on the Orkney Island of Rousay last summer. It illustrates our long friendship very well as it did Lennon and McCartney’s
collaboration of many years. (Daniele Dugre-Martin) From "The Beatles Bible": The opening song on The Beatles' final album, "Two Of Us" was written by Paul McCartney about his fondness for getting deliberately lost in the country with his future wifeLinda.
Lennon and McCartney shared the same microphone to sing the song, as captured in the Let It Be film. Indeed, the middle sections contain likely references to their relationship, with both acutely aware that their time as members of The Beatles was drawing to a close. (Editor's note: C'mon Paul, we know this is all about you and John!
"World We You Live" - Crowded House- I loved this group back in the 80s and 90s but only owned two of their albums. Of course everyone knows “Don’t Dream it’s Over” but they had many other hits over the years. Such as “World where you live.” Great road trip music. (Thomas Williams)
Editor's note - I have always considered this "adult pop" music, fun to sing along with plus lyrics that are not shallow. If you missed this group first time around, check out their songs.!
"Down San Diego Way" - Arthur Blythe - To end this post on a boisterous note, my 301 students ask me about my favorite songs. Of course, since I have been listening to music for over six decades, my list is way too long to publish anywhere. However, most of my favorites are connected to memories. In the mid-70s, I was a reviewer for the New Haven Advocate specializing in jazz, especially "out" jazz. I had the opportunity to meet saxophonist Arthur Blythe and hear him play live. No matter what musical situation he put himself in, his alto sax always sounded like joy personified. No more so than on "Down San Diego Way" from his first Lp on CBS Records. Guitar, percussion, bass, drums, tuba (Bob Stewart is the true "bottom"), flute, and Mr. Blythe's sweet tone. Yes, this is noisy but it' a reflection of a person who lived to play, loved to play, and appreciated when people would come up and say "thank you." This song is a real "summer - open the windows and play it loud, really loud - song". (RBK)
Hmmm....where to start? It's finally Spring (or, at least, it feels like Spring where I am sitting) and what better way to celebrate than with songs that celebrate beginnings and songs that move the feet and/or the soul.
"Centerfield" - John Fogerty - This song is a terrific ode to baseball sung by one of the most unique
voices in music. The song reminds me of playing baseball, obviously, but
of the longing to be so good at something that I was never quite good
enough at. I played for years, and always
wanted to be put into the game. However, for many years, it was just
that: a longing! (Chris Hakala)
Editor's Note - The title comes from this song but is "borrowed" from Chuck Berry's ode to his "brothers" and a nod to Jackie Robinson, "Brown Eyed Handsome Man."
Here's Mr. Berry's song, first issued in 1956:
"Love Me Do" - The Beatles - First song recorded by the Beatles who went on to
record about 214 songs mostly written by Lennon/McCartney. All four
members went on to have successful solo careers with Paul McCartney
probably being the most successful. (Daniele Dugre-Martin) Editor's note - When this song was first released in the United States, it never reached anywhere the Top 100. After "I Want to Hold Hand" and "She Loves You" topped the US charts, the Chicago-based Vee Jay label re-released the song and it made the Top 10!
"Poinciana" - Ahmad Jamal Trio - This tune, subtitled "Song of the Trees", is based on a Cuban folk song and was first made popular by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra in the late 1930s - the song went on to be recorded by a slew of people. When Pittsburgh, PA native Ahmad Jamal (formerly Frederick Jones) included the song on his fourth album, 1958's "Ahmad Jamal Trio at The Pershing" But Not For Me", the 8-minute piece became a huge hit. The version below, suggested by Professor Paul Pasquaretta, comes from one of Jamal's earliest recordings in either 1951 or 1952 and features piano, guitar (played by Ray Crawford), and bass. The "hit" version below that features the "classic" Jamal Trio with Israel Crosby (bass) and Vernel Fournier (drums). (RBK)
The 1958 "classic":
"Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - U2 - From the Irish quartet's classic 1987 album, "Joshua Tree", just great music! (Thomas Williams)
Arguably this band's biggest album, it moved them from concert halls to sports arenas and outside stadiums. (RBK)
"Wichita Lineman" - Jimmy Webb with Billy Joel - Jimmy Webb had a slew of hits in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, writing for people such as Linda Ronstadt, Richard Harris, The Fifth Dimension, Brooklyn Bridge, and Art Garfunkel. But his biggest successes came with guitarist-vocalist Glen Campbell. Campbell had Top 5 songs with "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and "Galveston" but it's "Wichita Lineman" that continues to move me to this very moment. It's such a haunting melody and the lines "I need you more than want you/And I want you for all time" hit me in the heart every time I hear them. The Campbell version is excellent but this one by the songwriter and friend Billy Joel, recorded in 2010, is darn close to perfect (great mandolin work from Stuart Duncan and a fine dobro solo from Paul Franklin, both veteran Nashville session men). (RBK)
Mid-April already, Finals week is around the corner, graduation right after that, and then the "lazy, hazy, days (daze?) of Summer - this blog has been on a short hiatus due to the editor's busy life (if sloth can be categorized as form of "busy"). Spring is here (sort of) and your humble editor's mind turns to pop music (or mush - you choose).
"I Want You Back" - Straight No Chaser with Sara Bareilles - Here's a delightful take on the Jackson 5's 1969 breakout Motown single. Straight No Chaser is one of the best contemporary a cappella groups and, when you add Sara Bareilles's splendid voice (what a range!) to this brilliant arrangement, magic happens. This is the sort of song you play really loud with the windows open and sing along - well, I do and that scares the heck out of our neighbors and the cats. (RBK)
"The Winner Takes It All" - Abba - From 1974 - 1983, you could not escape the Swedish quartet Abba if you listened to AM radio. They had scads of hits. This choice comes from Thomas W and he writes "They’re all fun toons, but I tend to like ballads. Showing my soft side..."
"Society's Child" - Janis Ian - I heard her much nominated
and autobiographical song “Society‘s Child “ recently. controversial at
the time it tells the story of a white girl and her black boyfriend who
have to break up because society will not accept the relationship. She also wrote “Seventeen “ another amazingly touching song. Now also
known as a science fiction writer she continues to perform in concerts.
(Daniele Dugre-Martin)
"Tossin' and Turnin' - Bobby Lewis - Now, one from my (misspent) youth. I spent many a night listening to the old tube radio my Grandfather bequeathed to me upon his passing. It sat on the shelf above my bed and gave off a soft light when it was on. I listened to radio stations from all up and down the East Coast and the Midwest. That's when I learned to love rhythm 'n' blues music, listening to songs that made me so happy to be alive. I had no idea what the lyrics were about (this song is rated "G" but Ray Charles's "What I Say" got me in trouble with the parents - my Mother said it was too suggestive for a young mind) but I loved how the song moved. Still do.
"The Last Supper" - Jesus Christ Superstar (Soundtrack) - I recently watched the 1973 movie of the Broadway production, "Jesus Christ Superstar".
Very ‘70s!
All the tracks are great but the music running through my mind of late is the opening meditative track from the last supper scene.
Note how as they sit they mimic Da Vinci’s painting! (Thomas Williams)
(Editor's Note: NBC will air a live version of the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical this Sunday 4/01 with a cast that includes John Legend, Sara Barielles, and Alice Cooper (hopefully not in the lead role).
"Garden Party" - Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band - Song about being booed off stage… (Daniele Dugre-Martin)
At one point in the 1950s, Rick Nelson was second only to Elvis Presley in popularity on the 45 rpm charts and with teenage girls. He reinvented himself as a county-rocker in the early 1980s and this song is a response to the audience's responses when he didn't play his "big" hits and played original material. (Editor's Note)
"My My My!" by Troye Sivan - I have listened to a lot of his work and it has been interesting to see how he has progressed while maintaining a style. This is one of his newer songs so recently it has taken some priority over his other ones on my playlist as I better acquaint myself with it. (Megan Winslow)
(Editor's Note - Troye Sivan Mellet is South African born YouTuber, Actor, Model and Singer known mainly for "The Spud Franchise" and "X-Men Origins", and "Wolverine."
Sign of the Times - Harry Styles - I thought that this was serendipitous. After watching news
coverage of the March for Our Lives, I got in my car and drove into town to do
some errands. I turned on the radio and one of my favorite hits from 2017 was
playing, Harry Style’s Sign of the Times.
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The lyrics are poignant. On the one hand, they can be from a parent to a child. According to
Styles in an interview with Rolling Stone, the lyrics are “…written from a
point of view as if a mother was giving birth to a child and there's a
complication. The mother is told, 'The child is fine, but you're not going to
make it.' The mother has five minutes to tell the child, 'Go forth and
conquer.'" On the other hand,
one can imagine the message of the lyrics coming from a victim of recent school
shootings to his/her mother. (Joseph Gaffney)
"Just stop your crying
It's a sign of the times
Welcome to the final show
Hope you're wearing your best clothes
You can't bribe the door on your way to the sky
You look pretty good down here
But you ain't really good
If we never learn, we been here before
Why are we always stuck and running from
The bullets?
The bullets
We never learn, we been here before
Why are we always stuck and running from
The bullets?
The bullets"
"The President Sang Amazing Grace" - Joan Baez - Composed by Zoe Mulford after the horrible tragedy in Charlotte, North Carolina, this version appears on the new album by Joan Baez (who, like Paul Simon and Elton John, has announced her retirement from touring). This week, the Atlantic Monthly published on its website the lovely video below to Ms. Baez's version. Honestly, the song speaks for itself. (R Kamins)
