Hello readers,
It's been quite awhile since I wrote, mostly cause I've been up to a lot of stuff. I wrote before that I finished up my jazz season, and just a few days ago we had our spring concert, which was quite stressful in itself. It went well, although I'd love to pack a house one of these days.
Referencing one of my earlier posts, I didn't get that drumming gig. Not because I wasn't good enough, but the scheduling didn't work out. So, ummm, sigh. So because of that, there hasn't really been the excitement in my life that I had thought there would be about now.
I've spent the last few weekends focused on fantasy baseball, which is all fun and good. But as I've said before, part of the fun of sports is the escape from your life that you feel while watching. Well, if nothing's going on in your life it's not as exciting.
I'm going to Italy next week, I'm really psyched for the trip. Looking for book ideas if anybody has any? It's a long flight...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
President's Day
Hey all,
It sure is nice to have this day off of school. That's really the only point to this blogpost, only to say that I'm looking forward to the next month or two. Next month because I'm finally getting to my jazz performances, that'll be nice since we've been practicing since November for these shows. And the month after that because the jazz season will finally be over.
I'm sure I'll have time to reflect when that time comes, but it's crazy to think how much my life changed from the day I chose to go for the extra hours of a jazz band program. Who ever knows if it was the right decision (It's something I think about a lot, if you can't tell).
So, made it past V-Day, thanks captain. And Abdalla made me watch Nascar, as usual it ended with disappointment, now other sport ends their biggest event of the year after only finishing 3/4 of the race.
What better way to end this post than a tribute to our highest office. Please to enjoy...
It sure is nice to have this day off of school. That's really the only point to this blogpost, only to say that I'm looking forward to the next month or two. Next month because I'm finally getting to my jazz performances, that'll be nice since we've been practicing since November for these shows. And the month after that because the jazz season will finally be over.
I'm sure I'll have time to reflect when that time comes, but it's crazy to think how much my life changed from the day I chose to go for the extra hours of a jazz band program. Who ever knows if it was the right decision (It's something I think about a lot, if you can't tell).
So, made it past V-Day, thanks captain. And Abdalla made me watch Nascar, as usual it ended with disappointment, now other sport ends their biggest event of the year after only finishing 3/4 of the race.
What better way to end this post than a tribute to our highest office. Please to enjoy...
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Grammys
Slowly but surely, the Grammys are winning me back.
A few years ago, they were unwatchable. Probably, I think, because I can't stand their rules for what songs and albums can win album for the year...
Example: Let's take U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind.
Great album, yes. According to Wikipedia, it was released in October, 2000.
You might remember "Beautiful Day"..
Oh wait, that's not it....Anyways, you know it right? So...
It won:
soooo Next year came along and...
Anyways, I thought the show this year was pretty good. I like that Plant and Krauss won album of the year. And no, it's not because I don't like rap. It's because the Academy is not the People's Choice awards, and for the second straight year they proved it.
Some other thoughts:
Take a Listen, Take Some Time, Post your Thoughts...
A few years ago, they were unwatchable. Probably, I think, because I can't stand their rules for what songs and albums can win album for the year...
Example: Let's take U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind.
Great album, yes. According to Wikipedia, it was released in October, 2000.
You might remember "Beautiful Day"..
Oh wait, that's not it....Anyways, you know it right? So...
It won:
- Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2001.
- Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2001.
- Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
soooo Next year came along and...
- "All That You Can't Leave Behind" won Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2002.
- "Walk On" won Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2002.
- "Elevation" won Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2002.
- "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" won Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2002.
Anyways, I thought the show this year was pretty good. I like that Plant and Krauss won album of the year. And no, it's not because I don't like rap. It's because the Academy is not the People's Choice awards, and for the second straight year they proved it.
Some other thoughts:
- Jennifer Hudson, good stuff.
- MIA looked weird and Kanye is, well, Kanye.
- The Jonas Brothers offend me. Can't believe Stevie wasn't in the center of that stage. Dave Grohl got it right when he played drums for Paul. Dave could have picked up a guitar and stood next to Paul and sing his songs. But, no, Grohl was honored to play drums for him. Just like the Jonas brothers should have been honored to play with someone like Stevie Wonder. They didn't need to prance and jump around. Just sayin'
Take a Listen, Take Some Time, Post your Thoughts...
Friday, February 6, 2009
Not an album title
Hey all,
So check it out. Since my jazz program has started, I have had no time to listen and review the RS top 500. So, sorry for that. But, I thought, stuff has been happening in my life, so I'm going to break from my promise to only post albums and their reviews.
Well, a lot has happened since I last posted in December...well, no not really. We had a break from school, I didn't do that much. School started up again, jazz band rehearsals every day. Weekends spent doing this and that.
Anyways, the reason I picked up the proverbial pen was to talk about this audition I had last night. It's for a cover band, if you know me you know what I'm talking about. It was quite interesting, and kind of brought to a head the two parts of my musical life.
It's tough to explain, but let me try by saying that I went through 8 years of concert bands and classical music. 8 years of being told that the drums were too loud, and that I needed to fit my sound into the sound of the band. 8 years of being told not to overplay and to be a compliment to the group.
Well, last night I was told basically the opposite. It was like, umm yeah if you're not playing as loud as humanly possible how will we get the beat. It makes sense when you think about it, but it blew my mind. Can anybody out there relate to this?
But don't fret, I'm getting another shot. Look for a post later on as this situation develops.
Take a moment, take a listen, post your thoughts.
So check it out. Since my jazz program has started, I have had no time to listen and review the RS top 500. So, sorry for that. But, I thought, stuff has been happening in my life, so I'm going to break from my promise to only post albums and their reviews.
Well, a lot has happened since I last posted in December...well, no not really. We had a break from school, I didn't do that much. School started up again, jazz band rehearsals every day. Weekends spent doing this and that.
Anyways, the reason I picked up the proverbial pen was to talk about this audition I had last night. It's for a cover band, if you know me you know what I'm talking about. It was quite interesting, and kind of brought to a head the two parts of my musical life.
It's tough to explain, but let me try by saying that I went through 8 years of concert bands and classical music. 8 years of being told that the drums were too loud, and that I needed to fit my sound into the sound of the band. 8 years of being told not to overplay and to be a compliment to the group.
Well, last night I was told basically the opposite. It was like, umm yeah if you're not playing as loud as humanly possible how will we get the beat. It makes sense when you think about it, but it blew my mind. Can anybody out there relate to this?
But don't fret, I'm getting another shot. Look for a post later on as this situation develops.
Take a moment, take a listen, post your thoughts.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Bringing It All Back Home
Rolling Stone Rank: 31
Another Dylan album in the top 50. I understand why it wasn't higher, but yet I can see why Stone rated it as high as it did. I found nothing wrong with the music, but it didn't really hit me as greatness. I invite criticism, because I really have nothing good or bad to say about it. Solid blues from the man, and yet there were times when the classic "Dylan whine" just gets on your nerves.
Overall though, its Dylan at his core. If you like him, it's another album to put on the shelf. If you dislike him, you find another reason to stay away. Don't like this one form your opinion, but it's worth a listen.
Stats
Album: Bringing It All Back Home
Artist: Bob Dylan
Year: 1965
My Favorite Song: Subterranean Homesick Blues
Tomorrow: The Stones
Monday, December 22, 2008
Blue
Rolling Stone Rank:30
Hello again, my computer was down again for a few days. So, sorry to my hundreds of fans I'm sure you were on the edge of your seat. Just kidding. In case your reading this, I know that I'm the only one that reads these things, which is fine with me.
The album I listened to a few days ago was Joni Mitchell's Blue. Fantastic. As I've said many times, the music that I respect most is the one that comes from the heart. For me, it's passion. That's the only thing that matters. It doesn't matter the genre, doesn't matter the style, or really the era. If you can feel that passion, that raw emotion, then you can really connect to an artist and to the music.
It's one of the reasons that I don't like rap music as much as other kinds. I mean, yes, there are exceptions, from what I've heard about Kanye's new album, it's filled with emotion. And while it's not the style people aren't used to, it's the emotion that draws you in. The main problem I have with most rap is that I feel like the artist could care less about what he/she is doing. They could care less about what they're saying, it's just a total turn off for me.
Anyways, back to Blue. I loved it. It wasn't great to exercises to, but I listen to it later in the car, and it really came alive. The emotion just pours out of every single song. And so simplistic, so bare bones, I really enjoyed it. Anyways, give it a listen. Tell me what you think.
Stats
Album: Blue
Artist: Joni Mitchell
Year: 1971
Favorite Song: A Case of You
Tomorrow: Dylan
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Led Zeppelin
Rollins Stone Rank: 29
Hello faithful reader(s). As you may or may not know, my personal life has had some major changes in the past few weeks. Anyways, I thought this would be a good time to get back to listening to the music that I love. Something about wanting something in my life to stay great, while rest of it falls apart. ok, so. moving on.
I totally agree with the Rolling Stone writer on this one. Listening to this album was like watching Jordan at UNC. Wow, you knew if was great, and yeah they won some games, but you had no idea he would be that good. Same thoughts on these boys from England. The first thing that jumps out at you is "wow, Robert Plant has a ridiculous voice". His range and emotion shine though on this album, almost drowning out the rest of the band.
Essentially the album is signature blues. The first few songs fool you with some pretty heavy guitar riffs, but by You Shook Me you can tell the albums true spirit It has all the usual aspects you would expect. Slow moving, blues progressions, elongated guitar solos, with little to no chord change underneath. I love the guttural screams that Plant gives throughout the album, most notably in Dazed and Confused and Communication Breakdown.
Overall, a great listen. I would obviously recommend this to anyone . It would be great to listen to all the Zeppelin albums chronologically. They are a great example of a band that kept getting better with each successive album. But, that's not my game.
That's it for me, a short one to get this back up and running again. Oh yeah, Happy Holidays
Hello faithful reader(s). As you may or may not know, my personal life has had some major changes in the past few weeks. Anyways, I thought this would be a good time to get back to listening to the music that I love. Something about wanting something in my life to stay great, while rest of it falls apart. ok, so. moving on.
I totally agree with the Rolling Stone writer on this one. Listening to this album was like watching Jordan at UNC. Wow, you knew if was great, and yeah they won some games, but you had no idea he would be that good. Same thoughts on these boys from England. The first thing that jumps out at you is "wow, Robert Plant has a ridiculous voice". His range and emotion shine though on this album, almost drowning out the rest of the band.
Essentially the album is signature blues. The first few songs fool you with some pretty heavy guitar riffs, but by You Shook Me you can tell the albums true spirit It has all the usual aspects you would expect. Slow moving, blues progressions, elongated guitar solos, with little to no chord change underneath. I love the guttural screams that Plant gives throughout the album, most notably in Dazed and Confused and Communication Breakdown.
Overall, a great listen. I would obviously recommend this to anyone . It would be great to listen to all the Zeppelin albums chronologically. They are a great example of a band that kept getting better with each successive album. But, that's not my game.
That's it for me, a short one to get this back up and running again. Oh yeah, Happy Holidays
Stats:
Album: Led Zeppelin
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Year: 1969
My Favorite Song: You Shook Me
Tomorrow: Joni
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