Category: Art Music

Today’s IPod Workout

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Did a quick 30 minute workout this morning, of course, with IPod on shuffle…all 8,000 songs. The shuffle was pretty eclectic, but, awesome. I feel lucky that I can listen to so many diverse musics and get a connection with all.

It went from jazz to classical/opera to Blues to Grunge to New Age to Pop to 70’s Spacey Synth.

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“Nature Boy” -George Benson

Benson’s cover of the standard

“Ruckertlieder/1 Ich atmet einen linden Duft”-Mahler

I have never been much of an opera buff mostly cause I am just not into lyrics in general. But, Mahler, one of my favorite composers sets such a great orchestra arrangement to support the vocal.

“You Know I Love You” -BB King

BB doing his thing!

“All Secrets Known” -Alice In Chains

AIC is definitely my favorite of all the grunge bands and they are still going strong with a new album to be released in 2013. They may not have had the social impact of a Nirvana or Pearl Jam, but, in my opinion, were vastly superior musically to most of the top grunge bands.

“Rikki’s Shuffle” -Michael Hedges

If you are a guitar fan and don’t know Michael Hedges you really need to check him out! Although he falls into the New Age category, he was truly a virtuoso with a unique style. He is known for using a harp guitar, several tunings and lots of hammering techniques.

“Love Will Keep Us Alive” -The Eagles

The Eagles are the Eagles, many great hits, of course. But, when they wrote sappy songs they really went sappy! Of these songs my favorites are the ones sung by Timothy B Schmidt. Although he joined the band later in 1977 his voice has become an integral part of their sound ever since. Probably best featured on, “I Cant Tell you Why”

“Dream Weaver “-Gary Wright

I was always drawn to these spacey synth driven songs

A Guitar Christmas, John Williams, Villancico de Navidad

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I have a had a blast sharing some different styles of guitar based holiday music with everyone over the past week. Hopefully, you all found at least one new piece out of the bunch. I did! The Jimi Hendrix medley is a new one to me.

This last one is performed by legendary classical guitarist, John Williams and written by Agustin Barrios. It’s not a recognizable Christmas tune like the previous posts. It is a beautiful classical piece.

Previous, A Guitar Christmas posts.

Wishing you all the best holiday! Enjoy!

A Guitar Christmas, Jimi Hendrix, Silent Night/Little Drummer Boy/Auld Lang Syne

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This is a new one to me. I am sure tired and true Hendrix fans have already heard this one, but,  I never even knew it existed.

You know when you got to a Christmas party and the host has a holiday playlist where every song sounds like Frank Sinatra? Nothing against Frank I am a fan myself, but, I need a variety in my holiday playlist. Classical to Metal, Latin to Country, New Age to Punk….that makes an interesting list in my opinion.

There is just something about hearing holiday music interpreted by great musicians and this medley is definitely all Jimi!

So glad to have found this gem to add to my collection.

Enjoy!

A Guitar Christmas, Brian Setzer, Nutcracker Suite

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This is one of my favorite Xmas songs to break out and listen to each December.  I love the big band rockabilly treatment Setzer gives to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite with just enough guitar in there to make it rock.

Even if you think you are not familiar with the Nutcracker you will definitely recognize most parts if not all. Unfortunately, our commercial society bastardizes great classic music into cartoonish soundbites to sell products.

Enjoy yourself a swingin’ Merry Christmas!

A Guitar Christmas- Al Di Meola, Carol of the Bells

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For those of you who don’t know about Al Di Meola,  you are missing out especially if you are a guitar aficionado. Di Meola’s style is a blending of Latin influences with jazz fusion. He is known for blistering solo work and has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians. These partnerships range from rock/metal guitarists Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to fusion jazz master Chick Corea.  From  flamenco giant Paco De Lucia to pop singer songwriter Paul Simon.

Happy holidays, hope you enjoy the guitar inspired Christmas music.

A Jazz Musicians Christmas

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“Playing nice and simple for the ol’ folks…

If they heard my b5’s and minor 9’s I’d be headin’ for the unemployment line…”

I heard this song the other day and had to post it. Musicians all have to play gigs at times where the music means more to the consumers than the musicians(beats digging ditches I always say!) This song a jazz musician lets out his hardships about playing Xmas music for the holidays and not being able to throw in his favorite jazz licks.

Pretty funny and maybe a new Xmas tune to many of you.

Enjoy!

Amazing Artistry on Drums, Buddy Rich

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A colleague of mine, Carlos Rull, recently posted a Buddy Rich drum solo. I always knew Buddy was a great drummer, but, I never really knew about him until his older days when he was known to be somewhat of a ‘colorful’ character. His legendary rants often precede his reputation as an incredible musician.

Seeing this video blew my mind! Rich’s sheer artistry and technique are spectacular. As much as I love music of all genres and technical prowess, highbrow classical to 3 chord punk,  the level of artistry you are about to witness is one of my favorite parts of listening to music. The total control over every note, rhythm and sound only a true master can offer.

Carlos is a great drummer himself…make sure you check out his blog!!

Carlos Rull’s Blog Post of Buddy Rich Drum Solo

RIP Ravi Shankar Renown Virtuoso Sitarist

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Not the post I was planning on writing this evening.

2012 has been a brutally tough year with the deaths of many legendary musicians.  Just last week we lost jazz pianist/composer Dave Brubeck and today(Dec. 11) the sad news of Ravi Shankar’s passing.

Ravi Shankar is an amazing musician known for many things, however, there are two highlights on his resume. First, he was a pioneer in introducing Indian sitar music to the Western world. Second, not totally detached from the first was his influence on the Beatles especially guitarist George Harrison. Trained in the Northern Indian tradition of Hindustani music the sitarist was a crossover  in the 1960’s Western pop culture. As mentioned he was an influence on the Beatles and also played the legendary Woodstock Festival. With his amazing talent and global appeal Shankar became an icon of Indian culture. The Indian Prime Minister said of Shankar on his passing, “National treasure and global ambassador of India’s cultural heritage”.

Shankar has two daughters who are also renown musicians. In the tradition of her father, Anoushka, concertizes throughout the world on the sitar and has pushed the sitar further into the Western realm with her collaborations. I was lucky enough to see the two play together at a San Diego concert near the turn of the millennium. Norah Jones, pop vocalist with a smooth voice inherited her fathers musical genes if not his cultural side.

Shankar died right here in San Diego. For those of you curious who are not from here, he actually passed in La Jolla which translates to the jewel. An amazingly beautiful city on the Pacific Ocean fitting of such an ambassadors final breaths.