Can song lyrics change your life? Does listening to music have the potential to alter the world? Yes, it does. But the changes still have to start with you. If you learn how to listen to music very honestly, you can learn the secrets of the ages by listening to song lyrics.
"I've been cheated. Been mistreated. When will I be Loved?" This set of lyrics written by Linda Rondstadt years ago gave rise to my understanding of the tansformative power of listening to song lyrics. I was in college, studying the book Beloved, by Toni Morrison. I had a paper due in one day;' I was completely stressed out; and I had no clue what to write about.
I took a nap and woke to the lyrics of Ms. Rondstadts song. It was buzzing in my ears, and I had the sudden feeling that I should pay close attention. I intuitively felt the lyrics were important.
They were.
Although I do not recall the precise details, the few lines from that song gave me all the insight I needed to write my paper in a very short time. The line
"When will I be loved?" was a doorway into my understanding of the book Beloved. I realized that the central character just wanted to be loved, and that was all I needed to know to access enough creativity to write a terrific paper. From that moment on I never doubted the pure potentiality of song lyrics.
The above is just one illustration of the power of song lyrics. Many more are possible. For instance, always pay close attention to any song lyrics that run through your head.
When lyrics run though your head, they stop being "out there." For all practical purposes, if you are singing the song lyrics, then you might as well have written them in the first place. You are imbuing them with meaning, and they are now "in" you, so to speak.
So, how so you benefit from this knowledge? By understanding that what you are singing about is about you. You can gain great self-awreness and wisdom by looking carefully at what you are singing. Do not assume that these are just random song lyrics running though you mind. They are not random. You are choosing to sing them and they have a message.
The message is usually about something you wish you had or about something you are fearful of. The song you are singing offers you clues as to what your deepest values and bleifs are. These deep attitudes are what you need to uncover in order to become more self-aware and powerful. So next time song lyrics run thourhg your head or come onto the radio at an odd time, pay very close attention. They just might change your life or give you an answer you needed.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Album Music
Album Music
There has always been something of a divide between album sales and singles sales. I have always preferred album music, which tends to be less commercial, to the more mainstream pop-dominated singles charts. This is a sweeping generalization of course. From being a teenager, when I first started to collect records, I have saved up to buy the albums of the artists I like. There are few singles in my collection. Today, singles have three or four tracks on them and are quite expensive. Some of these tracks are fillers and different mixes of the one song. I will only buy a single if I'm certain that I'll never want to buy the album.
The nature of how we obtain our music has changed so much. With the coming of Internet downloading, we can compile our own albums by selecting the tracks we want. Traditional album music bought in the record stores may contain tracks we'd rather not have. This is becoming more and more influential, as download sales are being included now in record charts. Some songs are becoming big hits on the strength of their downloads alone, as in UK band, the Arctic Monkeys. Will album music, as we've always known it, continue to sell? It's difficult to say, as fans take more control over what they listen to. Everyone is their own DJ, with their ipods glued to their ears.
Albums give performers the chance to experiment in ways they wouldn't consider when producing a single. They can try out different kinds of music which fans may not be familiar with. In the 1970s, concept albums were in fashion, with arty gatefold sleeves and poetic lyrics. It was a far cry from the three-minute single. A lot of artists, then and now, rely on album music sales and don't bother to promote singles much. Singer songwriters are an example of this. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young have made little impact with their single releases. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple could fill big stadiums without good singles success. They shifted tons of albums instead.
I always look at the album charts first to see what's happening. It's more interesting to me than the singles charts, which feature a lot of one hit wonders and passing trends. Another reason for buying albums is to hear a good band captured live. A sustained stereo blast of live rock for forty minutes is just what the doctor ordered.
There has always been something of a divide between album sales and singles sales. I have always preferred album music, which tends to be less commercial, to the more mainstream pop-dominated singles charts. This is a sweeping generalization of course. From being a teenager, when I first started to collect records, I have saved up to buy the albums of the artists I like. There are few singles in my collection. Today, singles have three or four tracks on them and are quite expensive. Some of these tracks are fillers and different mixes of the one song. I will only buy a single if I'm certain that I'll never want to buy the album.
The nature of how we obtain our music has changed so much. With the coming of Internet downloading, we can compile our own albums by selecting the tracks we want. Traditional album music bought in the record stores may contain tracks we'd rather not have. This is becoming more and more influential, as download sales are being included now in record charts. Some songs are becoming big hits on the strength of their downloads alone, as in UK band, the Arctic Monkeys. Will album music, as we've always known it, continue to sell? It's difficult to say, as fans take more control over what they listen to. Everyone is their own DJ, with their ipods glued to their ears.
Albums give performers the chance to experiment in ways they wouldn't consider when producing a single. They can try out different kinds of music which fans may not be familiar with. In the 1970s, concept albums were in fashion, with arty gatefold sleeves and poetic lyrics. It was a far cry from the three-minute single. A lot of artists, then and now, rely on album music sales and don't bother to promote singles much. Singer songwriters are an example of this. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young have made little impact with their single releases. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple could fill big stadiums without good singles success. They shifted tons of albums instead.
I always look at the album charts first to see what's happening. It's more interesting to me than the singles charts, which feature a lot of one hit wonders and passing trends. Another reason for buying albums is to hear a good band captured live. A sustained stereo blast of live rock for forty minutes is just what the doctor ordered.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Music And Lyrics By Karaoke
Back in the late 1990s, MP3 players revolutionized the way people listen to music. Today, karaoke MP3 players are revolutionizing the way people sing.
For those who are unfamiliar with the origins of MP3 players, MP3 is a file extension name (.mp3) for a type of compressed audio file. Typically, an MP3 file retains the quality of the sound while compressing it to about one-twelfth its original size. Early MP3 players were made with flash memory, and could hold only about 20 songs. Today, MP3 players (and digital audio players like the iPod) have internal hard drives that can hold thousands of songs.
In the early days, MP3 downloads were songs "ripped" from CDs and "shared" via the Internet. That was deemed to be illegal copyright infringement, and eventually led to online music stores that sold not only top 20 Billboards but also virtually any song available for sale. MP3 music players became ubiquitous and everyone from teenagers walking down the street to businessmen on airline flights could be seen with the telltale earbuds in their ears.
Today, MP3 players have gone to the next level, providing not only listening pleasure, but also the satisfaction of being able to read the song lyrics and sing along. These MP3 karaoke players are the hot new gadgets on the market, and capitalize on the popularity of such hit TV shows as "American Idol," "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" and "The Singing Bee."
Karaoke MP3 players are a breeze to use. Simply put, the user takes his or her MP3 downloads, loads them into the karaoke MP3 player, and then enters the lyrics. You can either enter the actual lyrics of the song or your own version of the lyrics. Once you've entered the lyrics, you can use the manufacturer's software to remove the vocal track from the song. This leaves you with only the music. From there, the screen on the MP3 player displays the lyrics as you sing along and records your voice over the melody. From there, you can share "your song" with friends, submit it as an audition, or simply listen for your own enjoyment.
Unlike regular karaoke machines, which are bulky and require setting up, karaoke MP3 players are the ultimate mobile devices. In addition, karaoke music players rely on karaoke CDs to display the lyrics and play the music. You can forget the top 20 Billboards, since by the time a song makes it on a karaoke CD, it's long past its prime. In contrast, karaoke MP3 players allow you to use MP3 downloads of the most current hits - as well as old favorites.
There's little doubt that MP3 players have come a long way, and that the new wave of karaoke MP3 players are in perfect harmony with today's trend to sing along and sing out loud!
For those who are unfamiliar with the origins of MP3 players, MP3 is a file extension name (.mp3) for a type of compressed audio file. Typically, an MP3 file retains the quality of the sound while compressing it to about one-twelfth its original size. Early MP3 players were made with flash memory, and could hold only about 20 songs. Today, MP3 players (and digital audio players like the iPod) have internal hard drives that can hold thousands of songs.
In the early days, MP3 downloads were songs "ripped" from CDs and "shared" via the Internet. That was deemed to be illegal copyright infringement, and eventually led to online music stores that sold not only top 20 Billboards but also virtually any song available for sale. MP3 music players became ubiquitous and everyone from teenagers walking down the street to businessmen on airline flights could be seen with the telltale earbuds in their ears.
Today, MP3 players have gone to the next level, providing not only listening pleasure, but also the satisfaction of being able to read the song lyrics and sing along. These MP3 karaoke players are the hot new gadgets on the market, and capitalize on the popularity of such hit TV shows as "American Idol," "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" and "The Singing Bee."
Karaoke MP3 players are a breeze to use. Simply put, the user takes his or her MP3 downloads, loads them into the karaoke MP3 player, and then enters the lyrics. You can either enter the actual lyrics of the song or your own version of the lyrics. Once you've entered the lyrics, you can use the manufacturer's software to remove the vocal track from the song. This leaves you with only the music. From there, the screen on the MP3 player displays the lyrics as you sing along and records your voice over the melody. From there, you can share "your song" with friends, submit it as an audition, or simply listen for your own enjoyment.
Unlike regular karaoke machines, which are bulky and require setting up, karaoke MP3 players are the ultimate mobile devices. In addition, karaoke music players rely on karaoke CDs to display the lyrics and play the music. You can forget the top 20 Billboards, since by the time a song makes it on a karaoke CD, it's long past its prime. In contrast, karaoke MP3 players allow you to use MP3 downloads of the most current hits - as well as old favorites.
There's little doubt that MP3 players have come a long way, and that the new wave of karaoke MP3 players are in perfect harmony with today's trend to sing along and sing out loud!
Gospel Music And Lyrics - Part Of American Religious Music
Gospel music is considered as a genre of music that is mainly a form of American religious music. According to its history, gospel music came into being during the 18th century during the enslavement of African Americans. The blacks then were prohibited from so many things. They could not even worship alone; they had to do so with their masters. This, though, did not stop them. They organized secret meetings and together they created their own worship hymns. Gospel music, as we know it today, had begun.
The very first gospel music was created using their white master’s worship tunes as the background for their words. If you’re going to read deeply into the early gospel music lyrics composed, you’ll realize that it mostly contain the slaves’ woes and eternal faith in God. These songs were sung while the slaves were working long hours on their master’s plantations. Historians say the slaves created such gospel music and gospel music lyrics to instill faith among each other that their sufferings would end one day and that they would be delivered from their miseries.
Careful analysis of gospel music lyrics will teach you of the sentiments and jubilance of the slaves as well as expose you to their emotions and their experiences during that time. Also, aside from instilling faith among the people who gathered to listen to it, gospel music and its lyrics served as a calling for people and church-goers to abide by God’s ways and pursue his righteous path. Gospel music lyrics mostly appealed to everybody’s heart to have strong faith in God and follow his path even though they’re on the verge of misery.
Generally, gospel music lyrics aim to instill people enthusiasm and spiritual motivation in spite of the hard times and distress. It tells people to always have strong faith in God and his will. Nowadays, gospel music lyrics are being used at most evangelist churches all over the country and even the world.
If you want to learn more about gospel music lyrics, there are sites that offer such information. Books and other printed materials are also available. There are also sites that offer different gospel music lyrics and tablature; in case you may want to try some gospel music pieces.
The very first gospel music was created using their white master’s worship tunes as the background for their words. If you’re going to read deeply into the early gospel music lyrics composed, you’ll realize that it mostly contain the slaves’ woes and eternal faith in God. These songs were sung while the slaves were working long hours on their master’s plantations. Historians say the slaves created such gospel music and gospel music lyrics to instill faith among each other that their sufferings would end one day and that they would be delivered from their miseries.
Careful analysis of gospel music lyrics will teach you of the sentiments and jubilance of the slaves as well as expose you to their emotions and their experiences during that time. Also, aside from instilling faith among the people who gathered to listen to it, gospel music and its lyrics served as a calling for people and church-goers to abide by God’s ways and pursue his righteous path. Gospel music lyrics mostly appealed to everybody’s heart to have strong faith in God and follow his path even though they’re on the verge of misery.
Generally, gospel music lyrics aim to instill people enthusiasm and spiritual motivation in spite of the hard times and distress. It tells people to always have strong faith in God and his will. Nowadays, gospel music lyrics are being used at most evangelist churches all over the country and even the world.
If you want to learn more about gospel music lyrics, there are sites that offer such information. Books and other printed materials are also available. There are also sites that offer different gospel music lyrics and tablature; in case you may want to try some gospel music pieces.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
American religious music
Gospel music is considered as a genre of music that is mainly a form of American religious music. According to its history, gospel music came into being during the 18th century during the enslavement of African Americans. The blacks then were prohibited from so many things. They could not even worship alone; they had to do so with their masters. This, though, did not stop them. They organized secret meetings and together they created their own worship hymns. Gospel music, as we know it today, had begun.
The very first gospel music was created using their white master’s worship tunes as the background for their words. If you’re going to read deeply into the early gospel music lyrics composed, you’ll realize that it mostly contain the slaves’ woes and eternal faith in God. These songs were sung while the slaves were working long hours on their master’s plantations. Historians say the slaves created such gospel music and gospel music lyrics to instill faith among each other that their sufferings would end one day and that they would be delivered from their miseries.
Careful analysis of gospel music lyrics will teach you of the sentiments and jubilance of the slaves as well as expose you to their emotions and their experiences during that time. Also, aside from instilling faith among the people who gathered to listen to it, gospel music and its lyrics served as a calling for people and church-goers to abide by God’s ways and pursue his righteous path. Gospel music lyrics mostly appealed to everybody’s heart to have strong faith in God and follow his path even though they’re on the verge of misery.
Generally, gospel music lyrics aim to instill people enthusiasm and spiritual motivation in spite of the hard times and distress. It tells people to always have strong faith in God and his will. Nowadays, gospel music lyrics are being used at most evangelist churches all over the country and even the world.
If you want to learn more about gospel music lyrics, there are sites that offer such information. Books and other printed materials are also available. There are also sites that offer different gospel music lyrics and tablature; in case you may want to try some gospel music pieces.
The very first gospel music was created using their white master’s worship tunes as the background for their words. If you’re going to read deeply into the early gospel music lyrics composed, you’ll realize that it mostly contain the slaves’ woes and eternal faith in God. These songs were sung while the slaves were working long hours on their master’s plantations. Historians say the slaves created such gospel music and gospel music lyrics to instill faith among each other that their sufferings would end one day and that they would be delivered from their miseries.
Careful analysis of gospel music lyrics will teach you of the sentiments and jubilance of the slaves as well as expose you to their emotions and their experiences during that time. Also, aside from instilling faith among the people who gathered to listen to it, gospel music and its lyrics served as a calling for people and church-goers to abide by God’s ways and pursue his righteous path. Gospel music lyrics mostly appealed to everybody’s heart to have strong faith in God and follow his path even though they’re on the verge of misery.
Generally, gospel music lyrics aim to instill people enthusiasm and spiritual motivation in spite of the hard times and distress. It tells people to always have strong faith in God and his will. Nowadays, gospel music lyrics are being used at most evangelist churches all over the country and even the world.
If you want to learn more about gospel music lyrics, there are sites that offer such information. Books and other printed materials are also available. There are also sites that offer different gospel music lyrics and tablature; in case you may want to try some gospel music pieces.
From the late 1990s
Back in the late 1990s, MP3 players revolutionized the way people listen to music. Today, karaoke MP3 players are revolutionizing the way people sing.
For those who are unfamiliar with the origins of MP3 players, MP3 is a file extension name (.mp3) for a type of compressed audio file. Typically, an MP3 file retains the quality of the sound while compressing it to about one-twelfth its original size. Early MP3 players were made with flash memory, and could hold only about 20 songs. Today, MP3 players (and digital audio players like the iPod) have internal hard drives that can hold thousands of songs.
In the early days, MP3 downloads were songs "ripped" from CDs and "shared" via the Internet. That was deemed to be illegal copyright infringement, and eventually led to online music stores that sold not only top 20 Billboards but also virtually any song available for sale. MP3 music players became ubiquitous and everyone from teenagers walking down the street to businessmen on airline flights could be seen with the telltale earbuds in their ears.
Today, MP3 players have gone to the next level, providing not only listening pleasure, but also the satisfaction of being able to read the song lyrics and sing along. These MP3 karaoke players are the hot new gadgets on the market, and capitalize on the popularity of such hit TV shows as "American Idol," "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" and "The Singing Bee."
Karaoke MP3 players are a breeze to use. Simply put, the user takes his or her MP3 downloads, loads them into the karaoke MP3 player, and then enters the lyrics. You can either enter the actual lyrics of the song or your own version of the lyrics. Once you've entered the lyrics, you can use the manufacturer's software to remove the vocal track from the song. This leaves you with only the music. From there, the screen on the MP3 player displays the lyrics as you sing along and records your voice over the melody. From there, you can share "your song" with friends, submit it as an audition, or simply listen for your own enjoyment.
Unlike regular karaoke machines, which are bulky and require setting up, karaoke MP3 players are the ultimate mobile devices. In addition, karaoke music players rely on karaoke CDs to display the lyrics and play the music. You can forget the top 20 Billboards, since by the time a song makes it on a karaoke CD, it's long past its prime. In contrast, karaoke MP3 players allow you to use MP3 downloads of the most current hits - as well as old favorites.
There's little doubt that MP3 players have come a long way, and that the new wave of karaoke MP3 players are in perfect harmony with today's trend to sing along and sing out loud!
For those who are unfamiliar with the origins of MP3 players, MP3 is a file extension name (.mp3) for a type of compressed audio file. Typically, an MP3 file retains the quality of the sound while compressing it to about one-twelfth its original size. Early MP3 players were made with flash memory, and could hold only about 20 songs. Today, MP3 players (and digital audio players like the iPod) have internal hard drives that can hold thousands of songs.
In the early days, MP3 downloads were songs "ripped" from CDs and "shared" via the Internet. That was deemed to be illegal copyright infringement, and eventually led to online music stores that sold not only top 20 Billboards but also virtually any song available for sale. MP3 music players became ubiquitous and everyone from teenagers walking down the street to businessmen on airline flights could be seen with the telltale earbuds in their ears.
Today, MP3 players have gone to the next level, providing not only listening pleasure, but also the satisfaction of being able to read the song lyrics and sing along. These MP3 karaoke players are the hot new gadgets on the market, and capitalize on the popularity of such hit TV shows as "American Idol," "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" and "The Singing Bee."
Karaoke MP3 players are a breeze to use. Simply put, the user takes his or her MP3 downloads, loads them into the karaoke MP3 player, and then enters the lyrics. You can either enter the actual lyrics of the song or your own version of the lyrics. Once you've entered the lyrics, you can use the manufacturer's software to remove the vocal track from the song. This leaves you with only the music. From there, the screen on the MP3 player displays the lyrics as you sing along and records your voice over the melody. From there, you can share "your song" with friends, submit it as an audition, or simply listen for your own enjoyment.
Unlike regular karaoke machines, which are bulky and require setting up, karaoke MP3 players are the ultimate mobile devices. In addition, karaoke music players rely on karaoke CDs to display the lyrics and play the music. You can forget the top 20 Billboards, since by the time a song makes it on a karaoke CD, it's long past its prime. In contrast, karaoke MP3 players allow you to use MP3 downloads of the most current hits - as well as old favorites.
There's little doubt that MP3 players have come a long way, and that the new wave of karaoke MP3 players are in perfect harmony with today's trend to sing along and sing out loud!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Looking Out For A Music Box
One item that I had as a child that I wish I still had is my music box. The one I had was simple, yet was a treasure to me throughout the younger years of my life. It was small, made of wood, and had a tiny ballerina that rotated to music when it was opened. I have seen many a music box since that time, but none can compare to the one I had. Perhaps it’s special to me because this particular music box was a gift from my grandmother, and something like that can never be replaced.
Memories of my music box have come back to me recently when I took my daughter to see the Wiggles. They do a song called Music Box Dancer, and I can’t help but think that is the same music that was once played by my own music box. The song is beautiful, and I remember sitting mesmerized the first time I heard it. Perhaps the feeling is from another memory, but I don’t know. Whatever the case, the song Music Box Dancer reminds me of my treasured box, and I often wonder what become of it. I do know it is no longer around.
If you had a music box like mine when you were young, you may no longer have yours either. There are many places you can look, but if you want something just like the one you had, you should look on eBay first. There are so many different things on eBay; you never know when you may run across the very same music box you had when you were a child. You may find other items from your childhood as well.
You can also find a music box in an antique store. Many stores that sell antiques also sell vintage items from the sixties, seventies, and the eighties. While I was in one such store, I saw the same brush and mirror set my mother had presented to me when I was young. She had it from when she was a child, and she saved it for me. Sadly, I don’t have this set anymore either, and when I went back to get the one I had found, it was gone. So if you find your music box in a store like this, you should buy it right away. Chances are good that you are not the only one looking for that particular music box.
Memories of my music box have come back to me recently when I took my daughter to see the Wiggles. They do a song called Music Box Dancer, and I can’t help but think that is the same music that was once played by my own music box. The song is beautiful, and I remember sitting mesmerized the first time I heard it. Perhaps the feeling is from another memory, but I don’t know. Whatever the case, the song Music Box Dancer reminds me of my treasured box, and I often wonder what become of it. I do know it is no longer around.
If you had a music box like mine when you were young, you may no longer have yours either. There are many places you can look, but if you want something just like the one you had, you should look on eBay first. There are so many different things on eBay; you never know when you may run across the very same music box you had when you were a child. You may find other items from your childhood as well.
You can also find a music box in an antique store. Many stores that sell antiques also sell vintage items from the sixties, seventies, and the eighties. While I was in one such store, I saw the same brush and mirror set my mother had presented to me when I was young. She had it from when she was a child, and she saved it for me. Sadly, I don’t have this set anymore either, and when I went back to get the one I had found, it was gone. So if you find your music box in a store like this, you should buy it right away. Chances are good that you are not the only one looking for that particular music box.
Music Festivals And The Buzz Of Music Lovers
There are things to love and things to hate about large gatherings of people. The great thing about music festivals is the atmosphere and the buzz that comes from music lovers who want to have a great time. The negative side is the condition of the toilets, the queues for the toilets and the insufficient amount of...you guessed it; the toilets. There are also the fast food vendors to contend with. The food is ok generally but they charge exorbitant prices. I dread to think how much profit they make from a burger in a bun. Of course, any outside event is better in sunshine but you learn to love the mud eventually. Good live performances from the bands make up for everything.
The 1960s was the decade when music went outside to cater for the massive demand for tickets. The highpoint of the surge of music festivals came in 1969 when 400,000 people gathered in a field at the now famous Woodstock. It was the age of flower power and the counter culture. There are enduring images of naked people dancing in the mud and kaftan clad fans wearing flowers in their hair. Anti-Vietnam War feeling was high and people wanted to prove the point that large crowds could assemble peacefully with music as an international peacemaker. The music was great too with contributions from diverse artists, including The Who, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and Joan Baez. The sponsors lost $2.4 million and no one seemed to care. Times change and an anniversary Woodstock Festival held in 1999 ended in riots.
The other iconic festival is held in the UK on a semi-regular basis at Glastonbury in England. It attracts the biggest acts and has been running since 1970. Michael Eaves is the dairy farmer who runs the event on his farmland. It started as a hippie haven with other activities, which were just as important as the music. Lately, it's been criticized for becoming too big and commercial. It's certainly come a long way from the first one, where every one got free milk from the cowherd! It's still held in fond affection and there is a New Age presence that has inherited the mantle of the hippies. The last one was held in 2004 and Paul McCartney topped the bill. Glastonbury was the inspiration for a lot of other music festivals, which showcase new talent as well as the stars.
In addition to the main rock festivals, there are niche events, which celebrate different musical genres. Fans of reggae, country music, jazz and folk music all have their own music festivals to go to. If there's no mud, that's a bonus.
The 1960s was the decade when music went outside to cater for the massive demand for tickets. The highpoint of the surge of music festivals came in 1969 when 400,000 people gathered in a field at the now famous Woodstock. It was the age of flower power and the counter culture. There are enduring images of naked people dancing in the mud and kaftan clad fans wearing flowers in their hair. Anti-Vietnam War feeling was high and people wanted to prove the point that large crowds could assemble peacefully with music as an international peacemaker. The music was great too with contributions from diverse artists, including The Who, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and Joan Baez. The sponsors lost $2.4 million and no one seemed to care. Times change and an anniversary Woodstock Festival held in 1999 ended in riots.
The other iconic festival is held in the UK on a semi-regular basis at Glastonbury in England. It attracts the biggest acts and has been running since 1970. Michael Eaves is the dairy farmer who runs the event on his farmland. It started as a hippie haven with other activities, which were just as important as the music. Lately, it's been criticized for becoming too big and commercial. It's certainly come a long way from the first one, where every one got free milk from the cowherd! It's still held in fond affection and there is a New Age presence that has inherited the mantle of the hippies. The last one was held in 2004 and Paul McCartney topped the bill. Glastonbury was the inspiration for a lot of other music festivals, which showcase new talent as well as the stars.
In addition to the main rock festivals, there are niche events, which celebrate different musical genres. Fans of reggae, country music, jazz and folk music all have their own music festivals to go to. If there's no mud, that's a bonus.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Classic Christmas Music
One of the best parts of the holidays for me is when the Christmas music starts coming around. There are a few songs that I love a lot, but most of them are dear to me. Perhaps it is because those songs remind me of the magic of Christmas when I was a child. There are some songs I can’t stand though, and those are some of the parodies that you may hear on the radio. I guess I like the traditional, and those songs are the ones that remind me of family, friends, and Christmas day.
You can find all types of Christmas music at your local music store. If you like something in particular, you can probably find it anywhere. You can find religious Christmas music, or you can find your favorite songs sung by some of your favorite artists. I know some people who think that Christmas is just not Christmas without their favorite songs. If you love Elvis, having a blue Christmas may not sound like such a bad thing after all. Though I’m not entirely familiar with Elvis, I’m sure he did quite a few holiday tunes that many people still love to listen to today.
If you like Christmas music and you play an instrument, you can find sheet music for almost any song you can think of. If the song is still under copyright, you may have to pay for the sheet music, but it shouldn’t cost you very much. When you do this, you can play your favorite Christmas music for your friends and family. You can also find them online for download. You can find one song, or you can download an entire album all at once if you so desire.
Some Christmas music is classic, and you can find many different varieties of the same song. You can find some with vocals and you can find something done by a big band if that is what you like. In a world of popular music and in an age when the big band sound has all but disappeared from the charts, you can still appreciate the music as it was when you or your parents were children. You may find that modern versions of your favorite Christmas music is nice, but nothing will compare to the memories you have when you hear the songs as you heard them when you were very young.
You can find all types of Christmas music at your local music store. If you like something in particular, you can probably find it anywhere. You can find religious Christmas music, or you can find your favorite songs sung by some of your favorite artists. I know some people who think that Christmas is just not Christmas without their favorite songs. If you love Elvis, having a blue Christmas may not sound like such a bad thing after all. Though I’m not entirely familiar with Elvis, I’m sure he did quite a few holiday tunes that many people still love to listen to today.
If you like Christmas music and you play an instrument, you can find sheet music for almost any song you can think of. If the song is still under copyright, you may have to pay for the sheet music, but it shouldn’t cost you very much. When you do this, you can play your favorite Christmas music for your friends and family. You can also find them online for download. You can find one song, or you can download an entire album all at once if you so desire.
Some Christmas music is classic, and you can find many different varieties of the same song. You can find some with vocals and you can find something done by a big band if that is what you like. In a world of popular music and in an age when the big band sound has all but disappeared from the charts, you can still appreciate the music as it was when you or your parents were children. You may find that modern versions of your favorite Christmas music is nice, but nothing will compare to the memories you have when you hear the songs as you heard them when you were very young.
Phantom Of The Opera Broadway Musical
When I was young, my father told me that I should surround myself with culture and intelligence. He wanted me to be educated and informed about what was going on in the world. He would take me to art shows and plays in order to expose me to the arts. I went to my first Broadway musical when I was in middle school. He had gotten two tickets to the Phantom of the Opera Broadway musical in New York City. A week before our trip to the city, he purchased the soundtrack to it so that I could know a bit about it ahead of time. Listening to the music was nothing like actually being there.
The day came for my first Broadway musical journey and it was pouring. I dressed up as nicely as I could and we headed for the bus station. Much to our dismay, it was still raining intensely when we arrived in New York City. Rivers of umbrellas walked down the streets and we tried to merge with them. The two of us only had one umbrella however, so it was a challenge. We were wet and cold. I entered the theater more interesting in getting dried off than seeing the Broadway musical that we had endured this weather in order to see. When we took our seats, I still felt damp and the air conditioning made me feel incredibly cold.
I will never forget the first five minutes of that Broadway musical. I was captivated. I honestly think that my mouth was probably hanging open. Everything was breathtaking. The cast was brilliant and more talented than I could have ever imagined. The choreography was perfect and the costumes were flawless. I forgot about being cold and wet. I knew that this would not be my last Broadway musical, there would be many more. The entire show left me in awe. We walked out of the theater and back into the rain. I barely even noticed it, the Broadway musical had left me with such a warm and happy feeling. On the bus trip home, all I could talk about was going to see another Broadway musical. My dad just laughed. He told me that Broadway was addictive, and I believed him. Everything had impressed me, including the city. While I had once been intimidated by the mere thought of New York City, I found myself in love with it. I never once felt as if I wasn't safe. The theater district just seemed so sophisticated to me
at the time. It still does. I've seen more than one Broadway musical now that I'm in my adult years. I must say though, that Phantom, still tops my list as my favorite Broadway musical.
The day came for my first Broadway musical journey and it was pouring. I dressed up as nicely as I could and we headed for the bus station. Much to our dismay, it was still raining intensely when we arrived in New York City. Rivers of umbrellas walked down the streets and we tried to merge with them. The two of us only had one umbrella however, so it was a challenge. We were wet and cold. I entered the theater more interesting in getting dried off than seeing the Broadway musical that we had endured this weather in order to see. When we took our seats, I still felt damp and the air conditioning made me feel incredibly cold.
I will never forget the first five minutes of that Broadway musical. I was captivated. I honestly think that my mouth was probably hanging open. Everything was breathtaking. The cast was brilliant and more talented than I could have ever imagined. The choreography was perfect and the costumes were flawless. I forgot about being cold and wet. I knew that this would not be my last Broadway musical, there would be many more. The entire show left me in awe. We walked out of the theater and back into the rain. I barely even noticed it, the Broadway musical had left me with such a warm and happy feeling. On the bus trip home, all I could talk about was going to see another Broadway musical. My dad just laughed. He told me that Broadway was addictive, and I believed him. Everything had impressed me, including the city. While I had once been intimidated by the mere thought of New York City, I found myself in love with it. I never once felt as if I wasn't safe. The theater district just seemed so sophisticated to me
at the time. It still does. I've seen more than one Broadway musical now that I'm in my adult years. I must say though, that Phantom, still tops my list as my favorite Broadway musical.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)