This Performance May be Why the Term ‘God Bless America’ is Used as a Curse Phrase

Congrats to the San Francisco Giants on their 2012 World Championship!

The Giants swept the Detroit Tigers 4-0 in baseball’s Fall Classic. Of course the Giants were my pick to win it all!

On a somewhat different note did you happen to catch the rendition of God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch?

As a performer I absolutely feel for these singers…however, this was really bad!

No more baseball for a few months…of course being a San Diego Padres fan I could say it has been a few years without real baseball!

Previous music/baseball posts

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Making a Halloween Music Playlist? Deviate From the Norm!

Happy Halloween Week everyone! Always one of my favorite holidays.

Are you one of those people who loves to make a playlist for your Halloween parties or to scare trick or treaters as they come hit you up for their Snickers fix?

Well if so this post is for you, and for those of you looking to treat your ears to some new music, as well.

Year after year we hear the same ol’ Halloween standards….Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” “The Monster Mash,”  “One Eyed One Horned Purple People Eater” as festive, quirky pop tunes. Then there is the sophisticated setlisters who employ classical music.  Pieces like; Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D min,” Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mtn. King” and Orff’s “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana.

Lets ‘Deviate from the Norm’ this year….to borrow a line from Rush’s Geddy Lee and Neil Peart. Here are a few ideas that are not quite as trendy but every bit as scary and quirky.  Add some of these tunes to your Halloween Ipod playlist and you will be the coolest ‘evil’ DJ this side of Transylvania.

Scary

Everyone and their mother uses the theme from the Twilight Zone or Michael Myers Halloween movies.

Here is a modern take on the horror theme song genre. Try the end credits from Dexter…you know the serial killer who kills serial killers. Very haunting melody. The version here unlike the show has an extended drumtrack mix through the second part.

Quirky

How this song hasn’t become a Halloween classic I’ll never know. The Who’s tale of a creepy crawly spider named Boris is a great replacement for the overplayed “Monster Mash.”

Megadeth’s, “I Ain’t Superstitious” is a can’t miss, as well.

Rock Tunes

Any of the following would make a perfect addition to your playlist;

Black Sabbath…The demonic Metalers were masters of the tri-tone and chromatic power chord songs.

I would recommend “Black Sabbath” or “Electric Funeral” if you want heavy metal with a dark tinge but their super studio effected intro to the “Mob Rules,” entitled “E5150” will scare the kids right off your porch.

Most people when they think of Van Halen think great guitar but not so much spooky sounds.  Eddie, however, had a few tricks up his sleeve. Check out “Tora Tora/Loss Control,” “Intruder” and the prepared piano piece “Strung Out.” All would add a little edge to your Goul-list. My Van Halen pick, however, goes to the synth based “Sunday Afternoon in the Park.”

Classical

I hesitate to put these pieces on this list because they are ‘real’ music written by ‘real’ composers but not for the purpose of being dark, scary and Halloweenish where as the rock tunes above were. These are composers who have experimented with sound systems, emotions and humanity for much deeper reasons than being background for a bunch of frat boys in costumes drinking as much beer as they can on Halloween. That said I am here for you! I am here to offer you some new sounds and that is what I am going to do.

Charles Ives, “Hallowe’en”

Schoenberg, “Pierrot Lunaire”

Bartok, “String Quartet #4, 5th Movement”

Check back next year for a new list.

Related articles;

Perfect Pumpkins, A Halloween Song

The Bride of Frankenstein, Artwork

Classical Music for Halloween

What Good is Halloween Without Candy Apples

Presidential Campaign 2012, Romney v Obama (Scherzino Falsetto)

As the political season heads Down the Stretch it looks like this tight Presidential race will be a Thriller to The End. Most of us in America from Coast to Coast have become Comfortably Numb after being Kicked in the Teeth by the Promises and Little Lies of both candidates. One Way or Another one of these two men will be our President for the next four years. Americans will be Living on a Prayer that the winner keeps the Taxman away from our Money, but, you would be Fooling Yourself!…. I Wish them both the best as one of them heads to DC and the other Politician returns to either Massachusetts or Sweet Home Chicago. Romney hopes Obama is Movin’ Out. Obama hopes Romney will be Heading out to the Highway. Sad But True one of these FINE men will be Slip Slidin’ Away and the other living in the Limelight.

After hearing from these two for some Time now Americans surely think they are both Dazed and Confused, Heartless

Two Fools A Minute

Fools and just plain Crazy.

The pair keep going Round and Round. Their Jive Talkin’ is a Roundabout way of giving Americans the RunaroundI Cant Explain why they don’t just Say what they mean to say. You Might Think it’s a Communication Breakdown that every thing they say sounds all Do Whacka Do. Well, it’s not the Twilight Zone. They are hoping that voters will Surrender when they become All Shook Up from their blah blah blah, Talk Talk and not see either man’s True Colors

I’m a Believer if you think Life’s Been Good the last four years you will vote for Obama. If not you would like to say Good Riddance to Obama and vote for Romney.

When the election is over hopefully we can all Come Together and Have a Drink on Me!

God Bless America!

My name is Mike Slayen and I fully endorse all songs in this message.

Click here for info on the above songs.

Related Posts:

NewsBusted

Slow Recovery

Maxine on Elections

Campaign 2012, Romney v Obama, Songlist

Here is the songlist with a few explanations from my previous post, Presidential Campaign 2012, Romney v Obama. I had fun writing the piece hope you enjoyed it!

Having to deal with political diatribe for months now, hopefully this post will offer you something positive out of the whole political process…new music to check out!

Scherzino Falsetto-A scherzo is a piece that was known to be composed in a light or jokingly style. Falsetto is a music term when men sing using only part of their voice..like the BeeGees when they sing really high. So I used the phrase “Scherzino Falsetto” as a little joke to those who don’t use their real voice(i.e. lying politicians)…

If you are unfamiliar with any of the songs check them out. Links to all the music are provided on the previous post.

“Down the Stretch” Slayen & Fox Guitar Duo.

I had to include a shameless plug for my CD, make sure you check it out!!

“Thriller” Michael Jackson

“The End” The Doors

“America” Neil Diamond

“Coast to Coast” Scorpions

“Comfortably Numb” Pink Floyd

“Kicked in the Teeth” AC/DC

“Promises” Eric Clapton

“Little Lies” Fleetwood Mac

“One Way or Another” Blondie

“Living on a Prayer” Bon Jovi

“Taxman” The Beatles

“Money” The Beatles

“Fooling Yourself” Styx

“I Wish” Stevie Wonder

“DC” Against the Natural.

These guys are a Heavy Metal Band out of Phoenix. They are really good and if you like Metal make sure you give them a listen! The song is titled DC, with the subtitle (Virginia or Bust).

“Politician” Cream

“Massachusetts” BeeGees

“Sweet Home Chicago” Blues Brothers

“Movin’ Out” Aerosmith

“Heading Out to the Highway” Judas Priest

“Sad But True” Metallica

“FINE” Aerosmith.

This is one of my favorite selections of the whole blog. FINE is an acronym created by Aerosmith as F’d up*Insecure*Neurotic*Emotional. Fitting for politicians!!!

“Slip Slidin’ Away” Paul Simon

“Limelight” Rush

“Time” Pink Floyd

“Dazed and Confused” Led Zeppelin

“Heartless” Heart

“Fools” Van Halen

“Crazy” Willie Nelson

“Round and Round” Ratt

“Jive Talkin'” BeeGees

“Roundabout” Yes

“Runaround” Blues Traveler

I Can’t Explain” The Who

“Say” John Mayer

“You Might Think” The Cars

“Communication Breakdown” Led Zeppelin

“Do Whacka Do” Roger Miller

“Twilight Zone” Golden Earring

“Surrender” Cheap Trick

“All Shook Up” Elvis

“Talk Talk” Talk Talk

“True Colors” Cyndi Lauper

“I’m a Believer” The Monkees

“Life’s Been Good” Joe Walsh

“Good Riddance” Green Day

“Come Together” Aerosmith

Yes I know it was a Beatles song first…

“Have a Drink on Me” AC/DC

“God Bless America” Donna Summer

2012 World Series, San Francisco Giants v Detroit Tigers

This is it!

The end of the 2012 Major League Baseball season is upon us as baseball’s Fall Classic, The World Series, starts today.

When the postseason started I made my predictions with Heavy Metal songs. So far I have done pretty good.

I picked the Giants over the Cardinals and the Yankees over the Tigers in the NL & ALCS series.

Proud to say the Giants won and glad to say the Yankees lost! Having the Yankees out is always a good think in my book.

So now we are down to the final two, The Giants and The Tigers.

I will stand by my original pick…the San Francisco Giants will be World Champions!

It Takes a Village…?

…At least that is what they say. Anyway, I am always happy and proud to share support (links or ?) of others who are passionate about their craft!

Here are a few folks who have linked or promoted my website and now its my chance to pay it forward. Thanks everyone!!

Been having fun chatting regularly with a few fellow music bloggers. Mixolydianblog for all things music focusing on composition, ethnomusicology and of course a love of the GUITAR! Heavy Metal Overload   A great read for all types of music, as well as, Heavy Metal. Last but not least Zombiemisntrel another comprehensive music blog also leaning towards rock and metal!

A wedding photographer from the Philippines shared my blog post  Ten Tips for Planning Wedding Music

An arts magazine called Yareah shared my blog Dodecaphonic Sudoku

Right to Bitch a new blog to me, shared John Bonham 32 Years Missed Check out his blog regarding Bonham’s influence on him as a young drummer. Funny guy!

A local San Diego photographer Nathan Petty …thanks for keeping in touch!

Sharing is caring! If I missed anyone feel free to remind me…I’m always glad to network with like minded people out there working hard at their creative endeavors!

Mike

I See the Evening Star Rise Up, Shining Out On Me- Peace to a Fallen Friend!

Today is the Celebration of Life for a fallen bro, much too young. I’m honored to be asked to play guitar for the event. Thoughts to Patrick, Tiffanie, PJ and all family and friends who his light touched.

Peace Jim!

I’m home once more, much better for
The things that I have found
Much wiser now, so simple how
Each time I turn around
I see the evening star rise up
Shining out on me
And now I understand at last what it means
What it all means

Chuck Berry, Rock & Roll’s First Guitar Hero is 86!

You can’t be a guitar aficionado and not at least have an appreciation for Chuck Berry. The man is the first true rock n roll guitar hero! The duck-walk, the hairstyle and of course the, “Johnny B. Good,” guitar riff, one of the most popular and influential in rock n roll history!

Chuck Berry the energized rocker is 86!! That is crazy but so glad he is still around. He is definitely on my list of must see live performers…hopefully I will still get a chance. He is said to still play a club in St. Louis regularly.

Happy Birthday Chuck Berry, here’s to many more joyful guitar playing years before you!

Watch both the classic version and see the influence he had years later making his way into this classic clip from, “Back to the Future,” where Michael  J. Fox introduces the 50’s to Chuck Berry before… Chuck Berry.

Just saw Jose sing this at the San Francisco Giants playoff game Oct. 14, 2012. One of my favorite musicians!!

mikeslayen's avatarMike Slayen ~ Guitarist

It’s a great day, opening day of the baseball season! One of the unofficial holidays in the life of sports fans across America. Lucky me, on Spring Break and working from home this week got to see all the opening day festivities on TV, live from Miami.
They had all kinds of pregame fanfare: F-16 flyover, Vegas style showgirls escorting the players onto the field, an appearance by the ‘Champ’ Muhammad Ali and of course the National Anthem, sung by Jose Feliciano.
I am not one who usually enjoys much deviation of the norm on the Star Spangled Banner. I just don’t think it’s a song that should be used for personal self promotion and showing off what a great singer you are. The reason it is sung at events is to honor our country. So the runs, trills and ‘check me out’ vocal fireworks are usually out of place…

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MLB 2012 Postseason, Metal Edition

Alright we are one round into the MLB Postseason schedule. I guess two rounds if you consider the new Wild Card game a round. Thought I would weigh in with another music/sports blog. Those who read my blog regularly know two of my favorite things are music and sports and I enjoy wedding the two together when I can.

Here are some thoughts and predictions on the playoff teams.

Starting with the NL & AL Division Series

Giants v Reds

San Francisco GiantsSkin O’ My Teeth, Megadeth

The Giants did get past the Reds but had to do it in dramatic fashion. Losing the first two games at home and then sweeping the Reds in Cincinnati was no small feat, but, they barely hit and need to be careful or they will be home sitting on the skin of their behinds!

Cincinnati RedsRed Road, Slavior

Unfortunately for the Reds the road they hit was a dead end. Ouch, tough way to end a season losing three straight playoff games at home. Latos proved why San Diego Padre fans are glad he was traded, losing his cool and the game in the series finale. I thought pitchers stopped crying after the age of 12.

Cardinals v Nationals

St. Louis Cardinals- Another Hit and Run, Def Leppard

Yes, Def Leppard was a Heavy Metal band at one time. The never say die Cardinals did it again. This time totally deflating the Nationals and their fans in the 9th inning of game five of the NLDS.

Washington NationalsBang Your Head(Metal Health), Quiet Riot

If you are a Nats fan you have to be hitting your head against the wall wondering what happened. And how in the world could they shut down their best pitcher makes no sense! Kind of like dating a supermodel but you can’t touch her…what’s the point?

A’s v Tigers

Oakland A’sGreen Manalishi, Judas Priest

The A’s were a beast this year catching and overtaking the mighty Texas Rangers. Too bad such a great season came to a screeching halt.

Detroit TigersHell Cat(s), Scorpions

Triple crown threat, these Tigers are looking good… now to slay the dreaded Yankees.

Orioles v Yankees

Baltimore OriolesSeduction of a Birds Folly, Against the Natural

Even the Yankee fans are sick of the Yankees and wanted to see the Orioles win. New blood needed. Orioles players, much like the band Against the Natural are not well known but both kick butt!

New York YankeesOn and On, Michael Schenker Group

It just goes on and on for the Yankees. Baseball is not better with them in the playoffs every year. I am suddenly a huge Tigers fan.

NLCS & ALCS Predictions

Giants v Cardinals

San Fransisco GiantsHome Sweet Home, Motley Crue

The Giants have to play better at home than they have of late or they are going home early. Giants are  kind of the Padres north so I have to root for them. Here is a trivia questions for you sports fans. Who is the only person to be on the field in uniform for ALL five of the Padres playoff seasons? See answer below.

St. Louis CardinalsFlying High Again-Ozzy Osbourne

They won it all last year and are poised to do it again even without Albert Pujols.

Prediction-Giants Win

Tigers v Yankees

Detroit TigersDie With Your Boots On, Iron Maiden

The country depends on you to knock out the Yankees. It will be tough though and if they’re gonna die, die with your boots on!

New York YankeesSad But True, Metallica

Yes the Yankees are deep into the postseason again. Anyone else sick of them yet? Sad but true they will most likely beat the Tigers and head to their 5,000th World Series, bla, bla, bla!

Prediction-Yankees Win

World Series 2012

The Fall Classic comes down to Giants v Yankees in my opinion.

Musical selection for this match up…. Into the Void, Black Sabbath. Who ever wins, baseball fans will be thrown into the void for the winter. At least we have the NFL!

Prediction-Giants Win

Trivia answer Bruce Bochy was a player in 1984 and Manger in 96, 98, 2005 & 2006. Tony Gwynn was a player in 1984, 96 and 98 but not around for the last two playoff teams.