Jimmy Ate the World?

Posted by Marcy on 1.30.2006

Say whaaa? One of my all time favorite songs that will be played at my funeral:

Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me

There's no one in town I know
You gave us someplace to go
I never said thank you for that
Thought I might get one more chance

What would you think of me now?
So lucky, so strong, so proud
Never said thank you for that
Now I'll never have a chance

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you in

If you were with me tonight
I'd sing to you just one more time
A song for a heart so big
God wouldn't let it live

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you in


As if the music wasn't beautiful enough, the lyrics are golden. At first glance it may seem like a love song for a dying someone. But according to the forums, this is a song for two girls, Mykel and Carli, who died in a car accident. These girls were the leaders of the Weezer fan club and also helped bands who came to town. What an emotional tribute to such a tragedy!

Every time I hear this song I pray angels will lead in to heaven all my loved ones when their time comes. It also makes me want to go out and thank my friends and family for everything in case I "thought I might get one more chance".

Simply an amazing song.

A Cappella

Posted by Dream on 1.28.2006

Went to an a cappella concert at Orange & Brew tonight. Fun times. One of the baritones sang "My December." I melted.

UF version of "The Longest Time" = $$$

w00t

Hurray Michael Crawford!

Posted by Dream on 1.14.2006

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running Broadway show. Here are the record-breaking celebration performance and gala.

Sing, my angel of music...!

Interesting fact: Josh Groban smokes cigars.

Chinese Music

Posted by Marcy on

This semester I have the pleasure of taking "Folk and Traditional Music in World Cultures." It's been three classes meetings so far and I've seen the prof once. He's in Hawaii for the week.

Today we had a guest professor from FSU come in and give a small concert demonstrating Chinese music. The funny part was that this lady said there is no "Chinese music" and it can't be defined because it's so vast. She asked how we would define "American music." It's a good point, but I think it totally invalidates the point of the class... (which if you didn't pick up is to study and identify and describe music from different parts of the world)

The zheng and qin were the two instruments demonstrated. She also sang acapella. Wow. I've never really been exposed to Chinese music before. Of course, I've been to Epcot and I've seen movies like Mulan (not sure if it's Chinese and come to think of it, that movie is probably pretty American, but you get the point, right?).

The singing was so amazing. She would tap an occasional beat on her thigh and I could totally hear percussion fitting right in behind her singing. It was crazy. So melodic. So rhythmic. She talked a lot about the Chinese concept of music - no space and four main types of... pronunciations. The word "ma" can be pronounced or sang in for different ways. And apparently the meaning changes from mother to horse to marijuana to a curse word. Ok so this lady really knows her audience.

Another thing that struck me was the lyrics that were translated into English. They have so much admiration and respect for nature. American music just doesn't mention the beauty of nature enough. All we ever sing about is emotions and material things. For real. When was the last time Green Day or the Black Eyed Peas sang about a cloud or mountain? Perhaps this observation is an insight into cultural values, but feel free to read into this as much as you care to.

The qin was a very quiet string instrument and the professor was very stiff about it not needing amplification improvements. She used a mic on it anyway despite her speech. This instrument was used for self-improvement way back when, along with other art forms like calligraphy.

The zheng was definitely my favorite part. Almost a combination of the piano and guitar but so much more amazing. I believe she said it had 21 strings and 13 inlays. And she was able to produce all 4 of those accents.

Overall, I enjoyed the brief concert. Chinese music definitely makes my A list.

Emotional

Posted by Dream on 1.12.2006

Darn you Josh Groban. Darn you and your amazing pipes and amazing violin music and amazing poetry and the amazingness that warms up this stiff modern heart again.

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit a while with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Soar high

Posted by Dream on 1.09.2006

Contrary to the disclaimer, I'm not sure how intellectual I can make this blog thingy out to be. Nonetheless, I'll try my best (I used the word "thingy" already). For my first post, I'd like to rant furtively on my recent disappointment: classical crossover genre has been contaminated by pop (n. poop).

In July 2005, with her new album Tissues and Issues, Charlotte Church turned to the dark realm. This saddened me a lot. Aside from her not-so inspiring personal life, I really did love her music. Crystal clear voice soaring through coloratura notes without excessive vibratos or a pale lyric color... How refreshing it was! But alas, the Sith has claimed her.

Concerning other crossover artists such as Meav and Chloe and Westenra, I admit that they are all great singers. However, all of their voices are too thin for my taste. Although I enjoy these artists, I believe they fall short of the definition "crossover." For what is crossover? It's a genre that encompasses both classical and pop. Celtic Woman and Hayley Westenra and others are at the pop end of the spectrum, and it frustrates me when they turn amazing classical songs such as "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Ave Maria" and many many other great arias into some squeaky (in Westenra's case) "delicate" arias. They lack agility. They lack power.

These are the days where I am able to truly thank God for giving some artists perfect voices, such as that of SuMi Jo's. Her voice is purely from heaven. Even a layman can appreciate her crystal clear and sugar sweet coloratura. And her messa di voce... So stable, so astute! Her techniques are as agile as the waterfalls and her legato beats a lark... Every song proves that she is, indeed, the best coloratura of the century. How I wish to be her.

But then again, all of our voices will be perfect in heaven. And that will be very soon. :-)

Why, Hello There!

Posted by Marcy on

So I thought I'd give this "team blogging" thing a try. I've asked my Dreamboat to join me on this endeavor as we tackle the broad subject of music. If anyone else out there wants to join our team just holler foo'.

Articles posted here have only one requirement - to be on the topic of music. So write about instruments, artists, songs, bands, CDs, composing, concerts, and anything else you can think of. Be it informative or entertaining or opinionated, my ears are open. So lets dive right in and discuss one of God's many awesome creations.