Me too. Because that means there is a trumpet player nearby!
HAHA!!
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Auld Lang Syne
Music Zombie's musical year in review:
2012 was fantastic! I made the trip to Clarinetfest, explored the National Music Museum, attended an Aebersold jazz workshop, visited the birthplace of Glenn Miller, saw Dave Matthews Band at Alpine, and Hugh Laurie in Iowa City.
On a more personal level, I helped to launch a clarinet trio (with two of my clarinet students) and wrote three new arrangements that were performed publicly for the first time. My debut as an arranger, if you will. As a bonus, I learned an entirely brand-new musical in a week and sharpened my flute and piccolo playing skills.
I am learning some new technologies, and hope to start recording some things soon. There are plans for more arranging and perhaps some composing.
This Zombie is counting her musical blessings and looking forward to more great adventures in 2013.
Be safe out there! And take care of your musicians!!
Catch you on the flip side.
2012 was fantastic! I made the trip to Clarinetfest, explored the National Music Museum, attended an Aebersold jazz workshop, visited the birthplace of Glenn Miller, saw Dave Matthews Band at Alpine, and Hugh Laurie in Iowa City.
On a more personal level, I helped to launch a clarinet trio (with two of my clarinet students) and wrote three new arrangements that were performed publicly for the first time. My debut as an arranger, if you will. As a bonus, I learned an entirely brand-new musical in a week and sharpened my flute and piccolo playing skills.
I am learning some new technologies, and hope to start recording some things soon. There are plans for more arranging and perhaps some composing.
This Zombie is counting her musical blessings and looking forward to more great adventures in 2013.
Be safe out there! And take care of your musicians!!
Catch you on the flip side.
Happy New Year!!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
♪♫ On the 12th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
11 Beastie Boys
10000 Maniacs
9 Female rockers
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeeeeee!
We've made it! What an insanely lengthy carol.
Anyhoo.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a horn-driven (obviously) brass band out of New Orleans. It was formed in 1977, heavy on New Orleans inspired jazz. They definitely make use of the rich musical heritage that comes out of New Orleans, but are just as adept at moving a little outside of the gumbo. For example: I'm listening to a track featuring Chuck D (of Public Enemy) in a funky rendition of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On?
The result of this boldness is a rollicking, funky, brass band that you can't help but groove to. And it is good!
Merry Christmas to all! From your friendly Music Zombie!
(As a side note, with regards to The Twelve Days: the 12 days of Christmas actually start on Christmas day and stretch into the new year. Its seems more timely to do it this way, though.)
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
11 Beastie Boys
10000 Maniacs
9 Female rockers
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeeeeee!
We've made it! What an insanely lengthy carol.
Anyhoo.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a horn-driven (obviously) brass band out of New Orleans. It was formed in 1977, heavy on New Orleans inspired jazz. They definitely make use of the rich musical heritage that comes out of New Orleans, but are just as adept at moving a little outside of the gumbo. For example: I'm listening to a track featuring Chuck D (of Public Enemy) in a funky rendition of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On?
The result of this boldness is a rollicking, funky, brass band that you can't help but groove to. And it is good!
Merry Christmas to all! From your friendly Music Zombie!
(As a side note, with regards to The Twelve Days: the 12 days of Christmas actually start on Christmas day and stretch into the new year. Its seems more timely to do it this way, though.)
Friday, December 21, 2012
♪ On the 11th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
11 Beastie Boys
10000 Maniacs
9 Female rockers
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits wailing in a treeeeeeee!
I know, I know, there are only three Beastie Boys, but do you know how obscure the number 11 is in music history?
The Beastie Boys is a three-piece (originally a quartet) hip hip group formed in 1983 out of New York City. Michael "Mike D" Diamond (drums), Adam "MCA" Yauch (bass, died May 2012) and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz (guitar). All three provide vocals as well.
"Beastie" is a backronym* for Boys Entering Anarchic States Towards Internal Excellence. Some of their best-known, game-changing tunes include: Brass Monkey, and Fight For Your Right (to paaaartaaaay!)
*A backronym is an acronym that is created after the fact. For example: Zebra Orphans Making Boring Inchworm Earrings is a backronym for zombie.
11 Beastie Boys
10000 Maniacs
9 Female rockers
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits wailing in a treeeeeeee!
I know, I know, there are only three Beastie Boys, but do you know how obscure the number 11 is in music history?
The Beastie Boys is a three-piece (originally a quartet) hip hip group formed in 1983 out of New York City. Michael "Mike D" Diamond (drums), Adam "MCA" Yauch (bass, died May 2012) and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz (guitar). All three provide vocals as well.
"Beastie" is a backronym* for Boys Entering Anarchic States Towards Internal Excellence. Some of their best-known, game-changing tunes include: Brass Monkey, and Fight For Your Right (to paaaartaaaay!)
*A backronym is an acronym that is created after the fact. For example: Zebra Orphans Making Boring Inchworm Earrings is a backronym for zombie.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
♫ On the 10th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
10000 Maniacs
9 Female rockers
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits swinging from a treeeeeeee!
I actually don't know anything about this band. They were popular in the 1980s (and are still going strong, with a slightly different line-up) and one of their most famous members is Natalie Merchant, who left the band in 1993. Mary Ramsey stepped in to fill her shoes, and from the reviews it seems that she's done well.
Some of the band's notable hits include These Are Days, More Than This, and Because the Night.
10000 Maniacs
9 Female rockers
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits swinging from a treeeeeeee!
I actually don't know anything about this band. They were popular in the 1980s (and are still going strong, with a slightly different line-up) and one of their most famous members is Natalie Merchant, who left the band in 1993. Mary Ramsey stepped in to fill her shoes, and from the reviews it seems that she's done well.
Some of the band's notable hits include These Are Days, More Than This, and Because the Night.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
♫ On the 8th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♫
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits living in a treeeeeeee!
Eminem, AKA Slim Shady, AKA Marshall Bruce Mathers III is an American rap artist that got his start by hustling his self-made tracks to record stores. He was discovered in the 1997 Rap Olympics (who knew that kind of thing existed?! Amazing.) in LA by producers from Interscope, who gave his demo disc to Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre tracked him down and the rest is proverbial history. In 2002 he starred in a semi-autobiographical movie called 8 Mile about a struggling rap artist.
I've always had a bit of a fascination with rap music. It isn't my go-to music on an ordinary basis, but it is interesting to hear the inventiveness from some of the best rap artists. Their ability to free-form in rhythm and rhyme (all the while making their story coherent) is not unlike what a skilled jazz musician can do. And Eminem is one of the best, for sure.
8 Mile Marshall
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits living in a treeeeeeee!
Eminem, AKA Slim Shady, AKA Marshall Bruce Mathers III is an American rap artist that got his start by hustling his self-made tracks to record stores. He was discovered in the 1997 Rap Olympics (who knew that kind of thing existed?! Amazing.) in LA by producers from Interscope, who gave his demo disc to Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre tracked him down and the rest is proverbial history. In 2002 he starred in a semi-autobiographical movie called 8 Mile about a struggling rap artist.
I've always had a bit of a fascination with rap music. It isn't my go-to music on an ordinary basis, but it is interesting to hear the inventiveness from some of the best rap artists. Their ability to free-form in rhythm and rhyme (all the while making their story coherent) is not unlike what a skilled jazz musician can do. And Eminem is one of the best, for sure.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
♪ On the 7th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits singing in a treeeeeeee!
Most pop songs fit neatly into the 4 minute mark. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is our increasingly shrinking attention spans (but tradition is strong on this matter: the first recordable discs could only hold about 3-4 minutes of music). There are many radio-friendly rock songs that run well over the typical four minutes, stretching to 7 minutes or more. Here are just a few of them:
The End -- The Doors
Isn't It a Pity --George Harrison
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant --Billy Joel
Maggot Brain --Funkadelic
In-a-Gadda-da-Vida --Iron Butterfly
Free Bird --Lynyrd Skynyrd
Purple Rain --Prince
Cortez the Killer --Neil Young
Won't Get Fooled Again --The Who
7 minute music
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits singing in a treeeeeeee!
Most pop songs fit neatly into the 4 minute mark. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is our increasingly shrinking attention spans (but tradition is strong on this matter: the first recordable discs could only hold about 3-4 minutes of music). There are many radio-friendly rock songs that run well over the typical four minutes, stretching to 7 minutes or more. Here are just a few of them:
The End -- The Doors
Isn't It a Pity --George Harrison
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant --Billy Joel
Maggot Brain --Funkadelic
In-a-Gadda-da-Vida --Iron Butterfly
Free Bird --Lynyrd Skynyrd
Purple Rain --Prince
Cortez the Killer --Neil Young
Won't Get Fooled Again --The Who
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
♫ On the 6th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits swinging from a treeeee!
Grace Jones is a Jamaican singer, actress, and model. As I write this, I'm watching a YouTube video of Jones performing Slave to the Rhythm while hula hooping throughout the entire song. Impressive.
She's not actually 6 foot tall, but she's close. A statuesque and androgynous woman, she's created a following through outrageous outfits, live animals on stage performances, and creative personas. Jones got her start as a model, then moved into acting and singing. She appeared in Conan the Destroyer (1984) with Arnold Schwarzenegger and A View to a Kill (James Bond movie #14, 1985), among others. Jones is a source of inspiration for many artists, including Lady Gaga, as well as for some male celebrities.
6 ft. tall Grace Jones
Ben Folds Fiiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits swinging from a treeeee!
Grace Jones is a Jamaican singer, actress, and model. As I write this, I'm watching a YouTube video of Jones performing Slave to the Rhythm while hula hooping throughout the entire song. Impressive.
She's not actually 6 foot tall, but she's close. A statuesque and androgynous woman, she's created a following through outrageous outfits, live animals on stage performances, and creative personas. Jones got her start as a model, then moved into acting and singing. She appeared in Conan the Destroyer (1984) with Arnold Schwarzenegger and A View to a Kill (James Bond movie #14, 1985), among others. Jones is a source of inspiration for many artists, including Lady Gaga, as well as for some male celebrities.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
♪ On the 5th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
Ben Folds Fiiiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits singing about a treeeeeee!
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio out of North Carolina. The group is made up of Ben Folds on piano, Darren Jessee on drums, and Robert Sledge on bass. The band made the scene in 1995 with their self-titled debut album that featured their hit, Brick. They released three albums before parting ways in 2000.
But it's okay! After pursuing personal projects, the band reunited for one concert in 2008, then again to record three tracks on Ben's The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective, and in early January of 2012, the group formally reunited to record and release a new album, The Sound of the Life of the Mind. The first single from this album, Do It Anyway, features the cast of Fraggle Rock. Any band that makes room for Muppets in their creative vision is okay in my book.
Ben Folds Fiiiiiiiive
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits singing about a treeeeeee!
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio out of North Carolina. The group is made up of Ben Folds on piano, Darren Jessee on drums, and Robert Sledge on bass. The band made the scene in 1995 with their self-titled debut album that featured their hit, Brick. They released three albums before parting ways in 2000.
But it's okay! After pursuing personal projects, the band reunited for one concert in 2008, then again to record three tracks on Ben's The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective, and in early January of 2012, the group formally reunited to record and release a new album, The Sound of the Life of the Mind. The first single from this album, Do It Anyway, features the cast of Fraggle Rock. Any band that makes room for Muppets in their creative vision is okay in my book.
Friday, December 7, 2012
♫ On the 4th day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeeee!
4/4, or common, time means that there are 4 beats to a measure and the quarter note is the beat.
It's easiest to reinterpret the lower number in a time signature as a fraction: 1/4 => quarter => quarter note.
When placed into a measure (which is really just a way to organize the sound into a readable, easily comprehensible format) you get something like this:
You will remember that "beat" is the pulse that you would tap your foot to. Rhythm is the interesting stuff that happens over the beat. Note (hehe) that there are 4 quarter notes inside this measure. Four beats of music, with the quarter as the beat. Tadaaa! 4/4 time!
There are other time signatures, but the formula to figure them out is always the same. The top number (which can be anything, really) tells you how many beats are supposed to be in a single measure. The bottom number can only be one of a few numbers (because there are is a set amount of kinds of notes). So, with this in mind, we know that the time signature of 7/16 would result in 7 beats within a measure, with sixteenth notes as the beat. We also know that music in this kind of time signature would be annoying, at best, and would be impossible to march to.
4/4 time
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeeee!
4/4, or common, time means that there are 4 beats to a measure and the quarter note is the beat.
It's easiest to reinterpret the lower number in a time signature as a fraction: 1/4 => quarter => quarter note.
A quarter note. Observe the filled in head and stem. The stem may go up or down.
 |
| I promise that I'll learn some sort of Photoshop or drawing program someday. For now, though, you get my low-tech drawings. Zombies can only do so much at one time. Braaaaaaaaainsss... |
 |
| More low-tech music notations. |
There are other time signatures, but the formula to figure them out is always the same. The top number (which can be anything, really) tells you how many beats are supposed to be in a single measure. The bottom number can only be one of a few numbers (because there are is a set amount of kinds of notes). So, with this in mind, we know that the time signature of 7/16 would result in 7 beats within a measure, with sixteenth notes as the beat. We also know that music in this kind of time signature would be annoying, at best, and would be impossible to march to.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
♪ On the 3rd day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♫
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeeee!
Gladys Knight and the Pips. A soul and R&B family group out of Atlanta, GA featuring Gladys Knight, her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight, and her cousins, William Guest and Edward Patten. Berry Gordy, Motown founder, discovered them in 1966 in Harlem's Apollo Theater. They were signed onto Motown's Soul label that year.
The group's most well-known hits include Midnight Train to Georgia (1973), Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye), and an uptempo version of Marvin Gaye's I Heard it Through the Grapevine.
The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Gladys continues to perform, sometimes sans Pips.
3 Pips and Gladys
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeeee!
Gladys Knight and the Pips. A soul and R&B family group out of Atlanta, GA featuring Gladys Knight, her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight, and her cousins, William Guest and Edward Patten. Berry Gordy, Motown founder, discovered them in 1966 in Harlem's Apollo Theater. They were signed onto Motown's Soul label that year.
The group's most well-known hits include Midnight Train to Georgia (1973), Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye), and an uptempo version of Marvin Gaye's I Heard it Through the Grapevine.
The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Gladys continues to perform, sometimes sans Pips.
Monday, December 3, 2012
♫ On the 2nd day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♪
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeee!
2 Live Crew is a hip hop group from Miami, FL. They are notorious for their controversial and sexually-explicit songs but are almost better known for the 1994 copyright case concerning their parody of Roy Orbison and William Dees' song Oh, Pretty Woman. 2 Live Crew's version was on the album As Clean As They Wanna Be, which was created and released with much less profanity and vulgarity than their normal output. Their Pretty Woman version featured the same bass riff, but completely different lyrics. The Woman of 2 Live Crew needs to shave, is bald, and is apparently a cheater.
The whole case was an excellent example of the Fair Use section of the existing Copyright Act of 1976. Because the song didn't cause Orbison to lose fans, market-share, or his reputation as an artist, the 2 Live Crew parody was deemed as fair use, even though 2 Live Crew profited from it.
And that was that.
2 Live Crew
and Tom Waits in a treeeee!
2 Live Crew is a hip hop group from Miami, FL. They are notorious for their controversial and sexually-explicit songs but are almost better known for the 1994 copyright case concerning their parody of Roy Orbison and William Dees' song Oh, Pretty Woman. 2 Live Crew's version was on the album As Clean As They Wanna Be, which was created and released with much less profanity and vulgarity than their normal output. Their Pretty Woman version featured the same bass riff, but completely different lyrics. The Woman of 2 Live Crew needs to shave, is bald, and is apparently a cheater.
The whole case was an excellent example of the Fair Use section of the existing Copyright Act of 1976. Because the song didn't cause Orbison to lose fans, market-share, or his reputation as an artist, the 2 Live Crew parody was deemed as fair use, even though 2 Live Crew profited from it.
And that was that.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
♫♪ On the 1st day...
...of Christmas, my Zombie gave to me: ♫
TOM WAITS IN A TREEEEE!
I'm totally in love with Tom Waits. He is an American songwriter known best for his raspy, gravelly voice (described by one critic as "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, then taken outside and run over with a car.") but also for his willingness to experiment with different styles, sounds, and instruments.
He's brilliant though! His early career had a somewhat mainstream Tin Pan Alley/jazz style, but his later and most recent output can be described as a psychedelic Vaudeville show. The lyrics are all cinematic imagery and lean, mean hooks. His latest studio album, Bad As Me, was released in 2011.
TOM WAITS IN A TREEEEE!
I'm totally in love with Tom Waits. He is an American songwriter known best for his raspy, gravelly voice (described by one critic as "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, then taken outside and run over with a car.") but also for his willingness to experiment with different styles, sounds, and instruments.
He's brilliant though! His early career had a somewhat mainstream Tin Pan Alley/jazz style, but his later and most recent output can be described as a psychedelic Vaudeville show. The lyrics are all cinematic imagery and lean, mean hooks. His latest studio album, Bad As Me, was released in 2011.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Clarinetfest 2012
"Let the clarinet games begin!"
Over the week of August 1-5, I attended the International Clarinet Association's 2012 Clarinetfest in Lincoln, Nebraska. Clarinetfest is the annual gathering of clarinet professionals, teachers, amateurs and enthusiasts. It moves around the globe (as it is an international organization); held at different locations each summer. The Lincoln Clarinetfest was my second one; I'd attended the one in Kansas City, MO about four years ago.
This year's festival was wonderfully diverse and had a good range of lectures and recitals to attend. The evening concerts alone are worth price of admission, featuring many world-renown clarinetting artists, including bass clarinettist and electronica genius Michael Lowenstern, Klezmer artists Corrado Giuffredi and David Krakauer, and jazz clarinettist Allan Vache, to name a few.
Attendees could attend lectures, demonstrations, and masterclasses, or simply listen to new music from attending recitalists. I attended a lecture about teaching young beginners music (beyond the clarinet, but also how to integrate it), a masterclass led by Fred Ormand, a couple of Klezmer/Jewish clarinet workshops, and several pedagogy lectures (how to teach, or different traditions and methods of teaching). The theme of the convention was "Heritage to Horizon", which meant a bit of looking back to several influential teachers within the discipline of clarinet playing and a look forward to what clarinet playing can become, and what the clarinet can do. With regards to the heritage aspect, some legendary teachers were discussed, including Daniel Bonade, Robert Marcellus, and Kalmen Opperman.
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| A panel on the teaching methods and contributions of Robert Marcellus. |
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| Tim Puwalski, demonstrating Klezmer music. He taught us a tune, by ear, and eventually we were marching around the room, Pied Piper-style, playing a tune. |
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| Allan Vache and his band. An outstanding evening of jazz music. |
It was a great week, overall. I picked up some new ideas, met up with some old friends and teachers, and have a stack of music and information to start sifting through. A terrific way to recharge the clarinet batteries! Now, I must go practice!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
So Damn Lucky
A friend and I made the trip to Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI to see the Dave Matthews Band show on July 6. The venue allowed cameras this year, so here are some pictures from the concert. People attend Dave shows for lots of reasons: some go for the party, some go to them because it's tradition to attend one or more concerts every summer, and some go simply for the music.
This is Brandi Carlile. The opening act. She's really good! Go buy her music! She has a Johnny Cash/Sheryl Crow/bluegrass vibe. Solid vocals, strong guitar/piano work.
Stefan Lessard, Rashawn Ross, Jeff Coffin. Bass, trumpet, saxes, respectively. Of these three, only Stefan is a founding member, Jeff was brought in after LeRoi's death to cover the sax parts, and Rashawn adds so much to the sound of the band. Always tasteful, always musical. The musicianship here is just incredible.
It was a hot night. 98-103 degrees. But the band delivered three hours of solid, non-stop, energized music. A good mix of old and new songs, including some of my personal favourites. I try not to go into concerts hoping to hear one song, or expecting them to play certain songs. They'll play what they want to play. However, it was great to hear Seven as an opener, The Song That Jane Likes, You Never Know, and All Along the Watchtower. Closing the show with Tripping Billies was perfect.
Carter is hidden behind his drum set. He has a very busy style of playing, but it's never in the way. Good drummers know how to add to the music without overwhelming it.
A great concert. Despite the heat, the (very large) crowd seemed to be in good spirits, and the band was appreciative. It's so great to be a part of something so big and so positive.
Rock on.
:-)
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| Almost there! |
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| YAAAAAY!!! |
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| The venue. All seats will be filled and the upper lawns will be filled with fans. Right around 40,000 people. |
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| Somehow managed to get a glimpse of Dave pre-show. Those are his twin daughters with him. Their tour buses are behind them. |
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| The Eco-Village had some nifty things, like a couple of these listening stations. |
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| Listening to a track from the new album, due for release in September. |
This is Brandi Carlile. The opening act. She's really good! Go buy her music! She has a Johnny Cash/Sheryl Crow/bluegrass vibe. Solid vocals, strong guitar/piano work.
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| Hard working stage crew. Setting the stage. |
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| Look! Boyd's violin! |
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| He has the best seat in the house. |
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| Stage Left Solidarity. |
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| Boyd Tinsley, Tim Reynolds |
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| Dave, Stefan. |
Carter is hidden behind his drum set. He has a very busy style of playing, but it's never in the way. Good drummers know how to add to the music without overwhelming it.
A great concert. Despite the heat, the (very large) crowd seemed to be in good spirits, and the band was appreciative. It's so great to be a part of something so big and so positive.
Rock on.
:-)
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Blue moon of Kentucky
Getting psyched for my impending Kentucky trip. I will be attending the 2-day Jamey Aebersold Improvisation seminar at the University of Louisville. This will be my first road trip South (well, if you don't count the trip to Florida that I took with my high school band. Riding in a charter bus for 22 hours doesn't really count as a road trip for me.)
In preparation for my trip, I've looked into some well-known musicians from the state of Kentucky. It's no surprise that many country, Christian, and gospel singers hail from Kentucky: Steven Curtis Chapman, Achy Breaky Hearted Billy Ray Cyrus, Loretta Lynn (the coal miner's daughter), Naomi Judd, Wynonna Judd, and Ricky Scaggs. Kentucky is home to a rich history of folk and country music, and it's just a hop and a skip away from another major music hub: Nashville, TN. From Rosine, KY comes "The Father of Bluegrass Music" Bill Monroe. According to his website, he invented, labelled, and propelled bluegrass style into modern America. Through the inception of his band, the Blue Grass Boys, he defined the bluegrass tradition with close harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and driving tempos.
In Monroe's own words: "To me, bluegrass is really THE country music. It was meant for country people." With that quote, it's easy to wander off into the murky depths of country and folk music history, in an attempt to come up with an intellectual definition of "country" music. [Here we go, down the rabbit hole.] What is country music? As opposed to pop music? Or blues? How is modern country music different from modern pop music (leaving out hip-hop for the moment)? Same instruments, some of them even electrified. Same themes in lyrics, same chord progressions. All that's different is style and a bit of twang. Throw in a lap steel guitar, a twangy voice and a violin solo and any tune can become a country tune. Or is it really that easy? Probably not.
The difference comes from the history, I think. The tradition that has been passed down from one musician to the next. In some parts of the country, folk musicians took a turn onto the path of blues and then ragtime and then, eventually, Tin Pan Alley. Jazz musicians rely on traditions too, but are usually trying to break out them; constantly moving towards new sounds. In other parts of the country, like in the South, the music and musicians retained that unique identity. Of course it evolved, but it stayed closer to its roots. Therefore, Bluegrass is country music with lots of caffeine.
That's the way I see it, anyway.
A bluegrass band is traditionally a small string orchestra, with guitars, banjos, perhaps a mandolin, a violin or two, and a bass to keep it all grounded. Like jazz, it is a uniquely American art-form. Also, like jazz, there is an element of improvisation: band members will trade blazing solos over choruses of folk tunes. Rounding the corner, to make the full circle, jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton was born in Louisville, though he considered Birmingham, Alabama is home. And, how could I leave out Boots Randolph, saxophonist extraordinaire (Yakety Sax). He was born in Paducah, and was part of the "Nashville sound" for most of his career.
Now I know what music to pack for the drive.
In preparation for my trip, I've looked into some well-known musicians from the state of Kentucky. It's no surprise that many country, Christian, and gospel singers hail from Kentucky: Steven Curtis Chapman, Achy Breaky Hearted Billy Ray Cyrus, Loretta Lynn (the coal miner's daughter), Naomi Judd, Wynonna Judd, and Ricky Scaggs. Kentucky is home to a rich history of folk and country music, and it's just a hop and a skip away from another major music hub: Nashville, TN. From Rosine, KY comes "The Father of Bluegrass Music" Bill Monroe. According to his website, he invented, labelled, and propelled bluegrass style into modern America. Through the inception of his band, the Blue Grass Boys, he defined the bluegrass tradition with close harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and driving tempos.
In Monroe's own words: "To me, bluegrass is really THE country music. It was meant for country people." With that quote, it's easy to wander off into the murky depths of country and folk music history, in an attempt to come up with an intellectual definition of "country" music. [Here we go, down the rabbit hole.] What is country music? As opposed to pop music? Or blues? How is modern country music different from modern pop music (leaving out hip-hop for the moment)? Same instruments, some of them even electrified. Same themes in lyrics, same chord progressions. All that's different is style and a bit of twang. Throw in a lap steel guitar, a twangy voice and a violin solo and any tune can become a country tune. Or is it really that easy? Probably not.
The difference comes from the history, I think. The tradition that has been passed down from one musician to the next. In some parts of the country, folk musicians took a turn onto the path of blues and then ragtime and then, eventually, Tin Pan Alley. Jazz musicians rely on traditions too, but are usually trying to break out them; constantly moving towards new sounds. In other parts of the country, like in the South, the music and musicians retained that unique identity. Of course it evolved, but it stayed closer to its roots. Therefore, Bluegrass is country music with lots of caffeine.
That's the way I see it, anyway.
A bluegrass band is traditionally a small string orchestra, with guitars, banjos, perhaps a mandolin, a violin or two, and a bass to keep it all grounded. Like jazz, it is a uniquely American art-form. Also, like jazz, there is an element of improvisation: band members will trade blazing solos over choruses of folk tunes. Rounding the corner, to make the full circle, jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton was born in Louisville, though he considered Birmingham, Alabama is home. And, how could I leave out Boots Randolph, saxophonist extraordinaire (Yakety Sax). He was born in Paducah, and was part of the "Nashville sound" for most of his career.
Now I know what music to pack for the drive.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Yummy Rummy
If you like pina coladas,
And getting caught in the rain.
This tune has been stuck in my head for the past couple of days. It was written by Rupert Holmes and released in 1979 as the single from the album Partners in Crime. It's commonly referred to as "The Pina Colada Song", but its actual title is Escape, (and later referred to as Escape (The Pina Colada Song).
The song is about a man who is unhappy in his marriage and so peruses the personal ads. He notices one ad in particular that outlines several intriguing interests. He responds in kind with another personal ad and arranges to meet the woman who placed the original ad. When the pair finally meet at a bar named O'Malley's, they discover that they are already married and actually do have more in common than they had realized. The song ends on a cheerful note, despite the fact that both partners were seeking new relationships.
This song made Rupert Holmes famous, with the cruel irony that it became his defining success. Holmes is also an accomplished author and composer, and has a long list of acclaimed works that have nothing to do with coconut-flavoured beverages. He is the first person in Broadway history to win Best Book, Best Music and Best Lyrics for his (The Mystery of Edwin) Drood, which also won a Tony award for best musical (1985). He has published two novels (one of which has been made into a movie with Kevin Bacon). It's actually embarrassing how he is best known for one pop tune, when so much of his work has appeared in television, movies, and on the Broadway stage.
In reference to the song, though, the line was originally If you like Humphrey Bogart, but, because he had decided that he was using a lot of movie references in his work, he chose to change it to a different form of "escape." At almost the last minute, he changed the lyric to one of the first exotic-sounding cocktail he could think of: pina colada (made with rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream).
Now we know.
And getting caught in the rain.
This tune has been stuck in my head for the past couple of days. It was written by Rupert Holmes and released in 1979 as the single from the album Partners in Crime. It's commonly referred to as "The Pina Colada Song", but its actual title is Escape, (and later referred to as Escape (The Pina Colada Song).
The song is about a man who is unhappy in his marriage and so peruses the personal ads. He notices one ad in particular that outlines several intriguing interests. He responds in kind with another personal ad and arranges to meet the woman who placed the original ad. When the pair finally meet at a bar named O'Malley's, they discover that they are already married and actually do have more in common than they had realized. The song ends on a cheerful note, despite the fact that both partners were seeking new relationships.
This song made Rupert Holmes famous, with the cruel irony that it became his defining success. Holmes is also an accomplished author and composer, and has a long list of acclaimed works that have nothing to do with coconut-flavoured beverages. He is the first person in Broadway history to win Best Book, Best Music and Best Lyrics for his (The Mystery of Edwin) Drood, which also won a Tony award for best musical (1985). He has published two novels (one of which has been made into a movie with Kevin Bacon). It's actually embarrassing how he is best known for one pop tune, when so much of his work has appeared in television, movies, and on the Broadway stage.
In reference to the song, though, the line was originally If you like Humphrey Bogart, but, because he had decided that he was using a lot of movie references in his work, he chose to change it to a different form of "escape." At almost the last minute, he changed the lyric to one of the first exotic-sounding cocktail he could think of: pina colada (made with rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream).
Now we know.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Band Stand Boogie
Hey! I started a photo blog!
Here it is:
fromthebandstand.blogspot.com
Aaaand, go!
(I told you I'd do it, Julie!)
Here it is:
fromthebandstand.blogspot.com
Aaaand, go!
(I told you I'd do it, Julie!)
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Doodle Doo Doo
Playing in dance bands can lead you down a lot of roads. Literally and historically. By "dance band" I mean a big band style band that is employed to provide 1940s era music for people to dance to (You know, dancing. As a social activity. That people did for fun before Internet and video games. And what the really cool people still do now!). In the literal sense, it is not uncommon to be loaded into a van with the rest of the band and driven all over the surrounding area to get to a small dance hall out in the middle of nowhere. Historically, and probably much more interestingly, playing in dance bands means that one is introduced to a rich history of other dance bands, large and small, that had traversed the same roads that you may now be traveling (referring again to the literal part).
One name that has continually popped up since I started playing with such bands is that of Tiny Hill. Not to be confused with Tiny Tim. Harry Lawrence "Tiny" Hill, was a large, large man (you know how people give inappropriate nicknames because they think it's funny. On the other hand, calling him "Fatso" may not have been as endearing). Born July 19, 1906 in Sullivan, IL, he began drumming with a trio while attending Illinois State Normal College. In 1931, he formed his first big band, eventually gaining enough popularity to tour the Midwest circuit, playing in Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. He used sandpaper blocks and a guiro to create rhythms that made people want to get up and dance. He and his band were experts at playing happy dance music.
One of the tunes he made popular is one that usually remains stuck in my head for many days after playing it: Doodle Doo Doo is a novelty song, written in 1924, words by Art Kassel and music by Mel Stitzel. It's a perky little tune, bouncing along: "Please play for me that sweet melody, called Doodle Doo Doo, Doodle Doo Doo! I like the rest but what I like best is Doodle Doo Doo, Doodle Doo Doo!" You can easily find a recording on YouTube. I recommend it; then you'll be singing it all day, too.
Tiny Hill's theme song was another bouncy (some of the best tunes really bounce) song called Angry. Which now usually reminds me of a certain bird-flinging game. Other popular Tiny Hill hit was Skirts, Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, and Dream Girl.
One name that has continually popped up since I started playing with such bands is that of Tiny Hill. Not to be confused with Tiny Tim. Harry Lawrence "Tiny" Hill, was a large, large man (you know how people give inappropriate nicknames because they think it's funny. On the other hand, calling him "Fatso" may not have been as endearing). Born July 19, 1906 in Sullivan, IL, he began drumming with a trio while attending Illinois State Normal College. In 1931, he formed his first big band, eventually gaining enough popularity to tour the Midwest circuit, playing in Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. He used sandpaper blocks and a guiro to create rhythms that made people want to get up and dance. He and his band were experts at playing happy dance music.
One of the tunes he made popular is one that usually remains stuck in my head for many days after playing it: Doodle Doo Doo is a novelty song, written in 1924, words by Art Kassel and music by Mel Stitzel. It's a perky little tune, bouncing along: "Please play for me that sweet melody, called Doodle Doo Doo, Doodle Doo Doo! I like the rest but what I like best is Doodle Doo Doo, Doodle Doo Doo!" You can easily find a recording on YouTube. I recommend it; then you'll be singing it all day, too.
Tiny Hill's theme song was another bouncy (some of the best tunes really bounce) song called Angry. Which now usually reminds me of a certain bird-flinging game. Other popular Tiny Hill hit was Skirts, Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, and Dream Girl.
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