Peter and the Wolf

It isn't the first time that I've had the profound realization that music has a special power. 

Music makes people smile. 
Music makes people cry. 
It can raise emotions to anger or motivate a nation to patriotic fervor for the good of human rights or to the decimation of war. 

But today, a regular day with nothing notable to it, a song came on the radio as I drove up the street to my favorite coffee place to have tea. Not really a conformist no matter how hard I try. 

Anyway, as I punched the buttons through the commercials I came to the classical station and there, just beginning was the symphony, Peter and the Wolf. Instantly, I was transformed to a 7 year old girl sitting on my Dad's lap as he identified the different instruments; narrating as the music progressed. Until my imagniation took over and I watched as Peter hunted for the Wolf. 

What wondrous power music has to melt the years away, and what a wonderful piece of music to do it

Alternative Music Rocks!

Walk the Moon and Cage the Elephant played at the San Manuel Casino in October. These two bands rocked the house! 

http://www.walkthemoonband.com/

http://www.cagetheelephant.com/

Y = Yehudi Menuhin

Although he was born in the United States, Yehudi Menuhin lived most if his life in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Yehudi first recorded at the age of 13 and at the time of his last recording he was 83 years old. His recording include classical, jazz and experimenntal music

He was a talented violinist and conductor who went on to found the International Music School, Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists and Live Music Now.

Learn more about Yehudi Menuhin http://www.menuhin.org/

Listen to Menuhin play Ave Maria followed by the Flight of the Bumble Bee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDNG9JzWiXY

C = Charlie Chaplin

The filmmaker Charlie Chaplin developed some of the most iconic movies ever made. His work is studied worldwide. His style and characters remain reference points for the film industry.

After joining D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in 1919 to create United Artists, Charlie Chaplin funded his own movies and received the rewards of his creative genius.

In the beginning as a filmmaker, he started movies with little more than an idea. He used the film process to flesh out ideas, and develop stunts as the story line progressed. He worked from inspiration. When he was not inspired, he took days off until the next and right idea came to him. His process of filming sequentially created plot problems that needed to be overcome later.

His artistry was not limited to comedic acting and film; he was an accomplished musician who formed the Charles Chaplin Music Corporation. He won an Oscar for best score for Limelight. 

For more about Charlie Chaplin, visit: http://www.charliechaplin.com/

You Say It's Your Birthday

Kinderfeste or Kid’s Party celebrated birthdays of children, not just nobility, beginning in the 19th Century. The tradition spread throughout the world and was particularly embraced with the 1893 musical composition, “Happy Birthday to You.”

Societal acknowledgement that every child is special lead to the thoughts that children and childhood should be preserved as a time for education and play rather than reduced cost labor or child labor of the earlier eras. The progressive thoughts were championed at the turn of the twentieth century with protesters marching with signs “Abolish Child Slavery” in New York City parades.

In more affluent counties, children grown into adults continue to celebrate the yearly anniversary of their birth. This move to annual celebrations supports the retail culture in the desirability, if not requirement to either celebrate with co-workers & friends at a local eatery/bar or host a party complete with dinner, dessert and gifts.

While I celebrate a special birthday today, not mine. Our celebration is subdued in remembrance of the young military people (just out of their kinder years) away from home today.

Book Review: Better Than Lennon:

Title: Better Than Lennon - The Music and Talent of Paul McCartney
Author: John Cherry
Genre: Nonfiction/Music
ISBN: 978-1-936051-40-3
Publication Date: September 2009
Pages: 132
Price: $14.95
Publisher: Peppertree Press

Better than Lennon: The Music and Talent of Paul McCartney written by Paul McCartney fan extraordinaire John Cherry supports the argument that Paul McCartney was and continues to be the most successful solo artist to come out of the controversial group The Beatles.

Using quotes from friends & co-workers of the Beatles, John Cherry constructs his arguments by comparing the writing credits, sales numbers and placement of songs on the charts to convince the reader of his position.

Paul McCartney always worked hard at delivering what the music fans wanted. He learned to play other instruments and often took charge at recording sessions to get the projects done. When the Beatles were inevitably going to break-up, Paul was the one to try to save the collaboration and when it was over, he was the first to release a solo album. Clearly, Paul was not only a musician but a businessman too.

In the years since, Paul created Wings which had similarly successful sales and chart ranking. The Wings band was plagued with character flaws from the other members which lead to the end of that endeavor. But Paul McCartney overcame those difficult situations to triumph again.

Since crossing into the 21st Century, Paul McCartney, who turned senior citizen, hasn’t lost his touch in producing emotionally evocative music for his fans. The author admits to being emotionally moved to tears during a recent concert. What can top that experience?

Reading this book is like talking to the biggest Paul McCartney fan you know. If you love Paul McCartney, you’ll love this book. If you’re on the fence: who’s the best Beatle, Paul or John?, you may be persuaded that the answer is Paul, by the number of songs produced, by the placement of songs on the charts, by the placement of albums on the charts or by simple dollars and cents.

Listen 3 Days Grace

3 Days Grace

Not a Ticket to Paradise

Eddie Money and his band played last night. It took some arranging to attend. Looking forward to hearing one favourite from the 70s & 80s, just didn't come together the way it should.

His picture in the newspaper was fabulous. WOW! This guy has really taken great care of himself.

Pulled out the old albums... listened to some really great songs and wondered, was it worth putting up with a smoke filled room to see Eddie?

Perhaps, Siloam Springs Arkansas/Oklahoma at a Casino just isn't the best venue to show his talent. Maybe it was an off night...

The band was excellent, I have to give it to the guys. Even so, they couldn't cover for Eddie loosing the words, continually inviting the audience to sing, having trouble keeping a beat with the tambourine. He didn't look much like the photo in the paper. I was reminded of Elvis in the last few years of his life.

The crowd being overwhelmingly three sheets to the wind enjoyed Two Tickets to Paradise as if Eddie had actually sang the lyrics.

I just felt sad, wished I hadn't come and left before the show was over.

http://www.eddiemoney.com/index.htm