Reading a newspaper, I saw a picture of birds on the electric wires. I cut out the photo and decided to make a song, using the exact location of the birds as notes (no Photoshop edit). I knew it wasn't the most original idea in the universe. I was just curious to hear what melody the birds were creating.
I sent the music to the photographer, Paulo Pinto, who I Googled on the internet. He told his editor, who told a reporter and the story ended up as an interview in the very same newspaper.
Here I've posted a short video made with the photo, the music and the score (composed by the birds).
Music made with Logic. Video made with After Effects.
(Vimeo "is a respectful community of creative people who are passionate about sharing the videos they make")
He arranged his score using a xylophone, bassoon, oboe and clarinet. He said the melody was not his invention --it was the birds' idea. "The notes are the exact position of the birds (in between the lines). The rhythm is a interpretation of their position, since there are no bar lines."
Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile. ~William Cullen Bryant
"September Song" is an American pop standard composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. It was introduced by Walter Huston in the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, and has since been recorded by numerous singers and instrumentalists. It was used in the 1950 film September Affair, and the popularity of the film caused Huston's recording to hit the top of the 1950 hit parade.[1]
Jeffrey Lynne (born 30 December 1947 in Shard End, Birmingham) is a two-time Ivor Novello Award recipient and Grammy Award-winning English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, guitarist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys.[2] Lynne has produced recordings for artists such as The Beatles, Brian Wilson, Roy Orbison, Del Shannon and Tom Petty. He has co-written songs with Petty and also with George Harrison whose 1987 album Cloud Nine was co-produced by Lynne and Harrison. His compositions include "Evil Woman", "Telephone Line", "Livin' Thing", "Mr. Blue Sky", "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Sweet Talkin' Woman". In 2008, The Washington Times named Lynne the fourth greatest record producer in music history.[3]
And here's another appropriate song for the season from Jeff Lynne & ELO --
It's been a couple of years since we've heard from them. The Train's DEFINITELY on time with this new song. FINALLY!! A great pop tune for all of us to listen to. Good tunes seem to be in short supply on the airwaves lately. My fingers get quite the workout changing stations all of the time. A lot of hand slappin' fights whilst driving the kids around, trying to agree on a station.
We all yelled "TURN IT UP" when this one came on the other day.
I bet we'll see/hear this song on a future movie soundtrack -- It just works so well.
It's easy going, has a simple melody, and a hook that will certainly catch and reel you in. "I gotta hear that one again"
This random act of theatre at the Antwerp Central Rail Station in Belgium is simply AMAZING!!..... ASTONISHING, astounding, surprising, stunning, staggering, shocking, startling, stupefying, breathtaking; awesome, awe-inspiring, sensational, remarkable, spectacular, stupendous, phenomenal, extraordinary, incredible, unbelievable; informal mind-blowing, jaw-dropping; and...... just plain TOO. COOL. FOR. SCHOOL.
Antwerpenpen-Centraal (Antwerp Central) is the name of the main railway station in the Belgian city of Antwerp. The station is now widely regarded as the finest example of railway architecture in Belgium.
Op zoek narr Maria (Looking for Maria) is a talent competition program that aired in Belgium on Vtm. It premiered on March 25, 2009. The premise of the series was to find a musical theatre performer to play the role of Maria von Trapp in the 2009 Albert Verlinde and Roel Vente revival of The Sound of Music at the Efteling Theatre.
VTM, a television station in Belgium, recently used a flash mob dance stunt to announce their newest reality television program “Op zoek naar Maria”. The promotion, similar to T-Mobile’s ad set in Liverpool St Station In London, is promoting the program’s search for an an actress to play the leading role in the The Sound of Music.
On Monday morning, March 23, commuters were introduced to the recording of Julie Andrews singing the song, “Do Re Mi”, as recorded for the 1965 musical, Sound of Music. 200 dancers strategically placed in the crowd began to dance as a remix of the track came through the speakers.
T-Mobile in the UK has launched an advertising campaign with the aid of a flash mob dancing in London’s Liverpool Street Station. At 11.00 am, on Thursday 15th January, 350 dancers surprised commuters passing through the railway station. The three minutes of synchronized dancing was captured on ten hidden television cameras, edited and premiered during an entire ad break in Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 4, at 9 pm on Friday 16th January. Lysa Hardy, head of brand and communications at T-Mobile, said:
“‘Dance’ brings to life the fact that there are often unexpected, wonderful, exciting things that happen that you want to be able to share with your friends and family."
Ahhhh......random acts of theatre -- nothing like it!
Now if you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll recall that it was roughly 12 months ago that I waxed poetic over the visceral power of NRBQ's music. For me, the 'Q' (as they are affectionately referred to) have always been the great equalizer; their joyous sound and off-the-hook stage shows contained just the right amount of irreverence and master musicianship to effectively put the world on hold for a few hours at a time, allowing me to recall a time when life didn't feel so damn complex and messy. Since the band has now regrettably called it quits after a long 37 year run, I must rely solely on their recorded output as my legal drug of choice for suppressing nervous tension in a scenario that might go something like:
"Dr. Howard! Dr. Fine! I'm a mess! Can you give me some sort of prescription for this holiday malaise?"
"Well, Miles, are you getting any exercise? Why don't we try that in combination with a Vitamin B12 shot and some NRBQ? Let's start out with 'Tiddlywinks.' I'll give you a script for it that you can fill at the record shop. And do call me if your symptoms worsen, but the 'Q' should do the trick. Now roll up your sleeve."
NRBQ have amassed a fanatical cult following over more than two decades of recording and touring with their incredibly versatile eclecticism; their music might veer from country to rockabilly to pop to bar-band R&B to blues to free jazz, all in the same album. The group's wacky, sometimes corny sense of humor and in-concert unpredictability (the band sometimes vows to play whatever song audience members request) have endeared them to fans.
What shows they put on! Here's Carlene Carter talking to NRBQ -- they performed Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm" on Nashville Now, June '93.
Joey Spampinato is one of the founding members of NRBQ, and one of the most in demand session bassists. Check him out (at 3:00) on stage with Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Etta James, Eric Clapton..... and more.
(The videos are from the Documentary Hail Hail Rock and Roll -- Chuck Berry's 60th Birthday Bash in 1987)
Patients who have lost part of their visual awareness following a stroke can show an improved ability to see when they are listening to music they like, according to a new study published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. continue reading
Thank you to all who are bringing food items. Last night's show from start to finish was exactly 3 hours, so our show on Saturday is 2:00 and should finish at 5:00. Please drop off your hot food items in the cafe at 4:30-4:45 so we have time to set up the buffet line to start serving at 5 - 5:15ish. This will give the kids a good hour to relax before they need to be on stage for the evening performance. If anyone needs to bring a food item in early, we will be in the cafe setting up at 3:30. You can also drop off items prior to the show - just have your child leave them in the band room and we will get them to the cafe.
Our cast party will be getting started a bit later than planned. In an effort to get the kids back down to the cafe as quick as possible, we could use a few more hands helping out with putting everything back (pit instruments, costumes, props, etc.) and cleaning the make-up and dressing rooms. We are hoping to get the cast party started by 11:00 and the kids out of the building by 12 - 12:30.
Mr. Clark thanks you and your children for the outstanding support you have provided in putting on this show.
All of the kids' hard work has certainly paid off......
This first comic book featuring Superman is considered "The Holy Grail of Comic Books"
John Dolmayan, drummer for the rock band System of a Down, submitted the winning bid.
System of a Down are known for their left-wing political views. In their songs, they have addressed such topics as the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Armenian Genocide, Iraqi Civil war, Capitalism, minority rights, War on Drugs, anti-religious sentiment, and censorship. The band is a part of the Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.
The man who had previously owned the book purchased it in a secondhand store in the early 1950s when he was nine years old.
From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe.
Join the Movement to help build schools, connect students, and inspire communities in need through music
This first video below was shown on the PBS segment with Bill Moyers --see the post below from November-- (Here's the link and the interview with the Producer, Mark Johnson. He's been making this documentary for years!)
"Stand By Me"
next from youtube: the follow up to the classic "Stand By Me" and the second of many "songs around the world" being released on CD/DVD in April, 2009. Featured is an incredible track written by Pierre Minetti performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.
"Don't Worry"
from youtube: an incredible rendition of the legendary Bob Marley song "One Love" with Keb' Mo' and Manu Chao. This is the third video from the documentary and a follow up to the classic "Stand By Me" and the incredible "Don't Worry." Released in celebration of Bob Marley's birthday on February 6th, this tribute to the legend is performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe. This video will be available soon at iTunes and will also be available on CD/DVD on 4.21.09 everywhere music is sold.
"One Love"
You can Pre-order the CD/DVD "Playing For Change" Songs Around The World" now at amazon or get the videos at itunes.
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
A classical quartet gets the prime spot between the swearing-in of Vice President-elect Joseph Biden and that of President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday. And along the way, a 56-year-old musical injustice will be rectified. Two of the nation's most familiar classical artists -- cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman -- will be joined by Metropolitan Opera clarinetist Anthony McGill and Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero in performing a new piece by composer John Williams.
(Mr. Williams has composed many of the most famous film scores in history, including the Indiana Jones series, Star Wars, Superman, Born on the Fourth of July and Harry Potter. )
It's called "Air and Simple Gifts," the centerpiece of which will be "an exuberant rendering," in Williams' words, of traditional Shaker hymn "The Gift to Be Simple," which Aaron Copland made famous in his 1944 ballet "Appalachian Spring."
Williams surrounds "Simple Gifts," as the tune is also called, with an original, hymn-like theme.
The president-elect asked Perlman and Ma to perform, and they in turn called Williams -- a frequent collaborator with both artists -- "to help them prepare something to play." Ma chose the other two performers, Williams told Daily Variety.
Knowing of Obama's appreciation for Copland, they chose the Shaker hymn, which Williams arranged for this unusual quartet, and then composed "a reflective and prayerful theme" as musical bookends.
Since Ma was in L.A. last week to perform with the Philharmonic, he visited Williams on Saturday to run through the piece. The quartet played it for the first time on Tuesday in New York and will rehearse again and record it with Williams on Sunday. Chamber groups are not usually "conducted," so Williams will not be seen on Tuesday (although he said he may attend as part of the crowd).
In January 1953, Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" was scheduled to be performed at Dwight Eisenhower's inaugural concert but was banned at the last minute when an Illinois congressman complained about Copland's liberal politics. Later that year, Copland became a target of Joe McCarthy's Communist witch-hunt.
In time, Copland was "completely rehabilitated," Williams noted, performing at the White House and eventually receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. The performance at this inauguration of "Simple Gifts," a piece widely associated with Copland, "describes a completed circle of events that is nice to think about," the composer said.
"We all feel a sense of great privilege to be able to contribute in a very small way, musically, to an event like this," Williams added. "It's a great moment in our history."
This was not the first President for which Yo-Yo Ma has performed. At age seven, he played for President and Mrs. Kennedy in a televised concert hosted by Leonard Bernstein.
Judson Laipply is back with the official sequel to "Evolution of Dance" - one of the most watched Internet videos of all time!
(You can view his new dance in a higher quality video and learn all about Laipply and his charitable giving here.)
Evolution of Dance 2
Here's his first Evolution of Dance from 2006
About Judson Laipply:
Since 2000, Inspirational Comedian™ Judson Laipply has been educating and entertaining audiences all over the world. After earning his Masters degree from Bowling Green State University and his B.A. from Bluffton University Judson embarked on mission to make people laugh and think. Working full time with Certa-Pro Painters for the first two years Laipply slowly began to build a following while crafting his style and content. After moving to Cleveland in 2002 and going full time Judson has never looked back and currently averages over 100 shows a year. His shows are funny and reverent, inspiring and comical, casual and poignant, and audiences are left feeling energized and inspired. In March of 2001, Judson performed for the first time in public a finale that would one-day take the world by storm. After mixing together 12 popular dance songs from the last 50 years Judson debuted “The Evolution of Dance” and it instantly became a crowd favorite. 5 years and 18 songs later, Laipply placed a video of the 30 song six-minute “The Evolution of Dance” on little know site called YouTube. No one could have predicted what followed. In the next few months the video became a viral sensation and was passed from email to email, posted in countless blogs, discussed on endless talk shows and podcasts, and the entire world watched as the video amassed over 70 millions views in under 8 months and helped propel YouTube to the status it has today. To date it is the single most watched video in the history of the Internet and has been viewed over 150 million times and is the single most popular video on YouTube. The popularity of the video lead to appearances on the Today Show, Ellen, Inside Edition, E!, Oprah, and hundreds of other media outlets around the world. He has been in 2 music videos, one for Bare Naked Ladies, and one for Weezer, performed at halftime of the NBA finals, and continues to bring laughter into the lives of all those who watch it. Laipply continues to speak to a wide range of audiences across the globe and currently resides in Cleveland Ohio.
The purpose of The Music Boosters is to assist the music teachers in providing our children with the wonderful world of music.
No more searching through the backpacks in hopes of finding info on music events, rehearsal schedules, concerts, fundraising info......It's all right here along with many other music related features.
All parents are welcome to post items of musical interest.
