Do yourself a favor listen to this!
Actively listen or listen while you are working, reading, relaxing, enjoying a glass of wine…just listen!
Keith Jarrett “The Koln Concert: Part I
Category: Jazz
Upcoming Shows, September
Here are my upcoming public performances through the end of September.
There are two shows.
Both are solo performances featuring a mix of classical, Latin, popular and flamenco styles.
Friday, September 21 at the Roxy in Encinitas. 7:00-9:30PM
Very cool place that has been supporting music forever in San Diego. They have something for every taste. Great food mostly vegetarian but don’t let that scare you, try the falafel burger or their pizzas. Roxy also has specialty coffee drinks, full bar and desserts.
All ages are welcome!
Sunday, September 30 at Orfila Vineyards & Winery in Escondido. 3:00-5:30PM
This is the place to go if you want to relax out in nature for a couple hours. Orfila overlooks the vineyards and mountains in the distance.
Taste some wine, grab some food(they are supposed to have a gourmet food truck) and listen to music.
Kids are definitely welcome even though it is a winery.
In all I have five gigs the next two weekends so I will be a busy guy. Two weddings, a fiesta and the two public events above.
It’s been blast seeing everyone at the recent shows and it is always great to see familiar faces so hope to see you! You might even get your photo on the website! Check my blog.
Also check my performance calendar.
Mike check:
2012 NFL Predictions ‘Rock n Roll’ Edition
Here are my 2012 NFL ‘Musical’ Predictions. I used only songs from my own music library. If you are unfamiliar with any of the music, check out the songs and broaden your musical horizons.
These views are my own, if they are inflammatory towards your favorite team or player, it IS intentional but all in good fun…except the Raider cracks!
So here is the 2012 NFL season as I see it! Come back after the season and we can re-hash and I will probably even have a playoff version!
Good luck to your favorite teams!
AFC WEST
San Diego Chargers–Loving You Sunday Morning, The Scorpions
Bolts are my team win or lose. Let’s go with win, despite Norv Turner!
Denver Broncos -The Gambler, Kenny Rogers
Elway is gambling on Manning’s health…All In! Probably gonna be a good bet!!
Oakland Raiders–Living in the Past, Jethro Tull
Yeah we know you won….a long time ago…but you’ve been pretty bad since. Find a new argument Raider fan! Not that you have the fastest player…that’s tired as well!
Kansas City Chiefs-Castles Made of Sand, Jimi Hendrix
They are relying on Matt Cassel, that’s not a good thing for Chiefs fans.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans– New Kid in Town, The Eagles
No more Manning in the division the South should be theirs for a year or two at least.
Tennessee Titans– Caught In the Middle, Ronnie James Dio
They wont be first, they wont be last, they wont be memorable, they’ll be caught in the middle.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Cat Scratch Fever, Ted Nugent
That’s what these cats are gonna give their fans not much else.
Indianapolis Colts-Upside Down, Jack Johnson
We’ve bee used to seeing them on top but should get used to seeing them on the bottom for awhile, definitely in 2012.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens–Hard to Handle, The Black Crowes
They may be hard enough to handle all the way to the Superbowl. D can’t do it all. Gonna rest on the shoulders, actually the arm, of Joe Flacco.
Pittsburgh Steelers-Steel Bars, Foo Fighters
Where Big Ben belongs? How long do you call a franchise classy when their star clearly is not. Apples don’t fall far from the tree. They will fight for the division and settle for a wildcard.
Cincinnati Bengals-Breaking the Law, Judas Priest
Yeah, we all know the Bengals offseason exploits. If they could focus all their criminal energy to the field of play they could be good…don’t see it though.
Cleveland Browns–I Am the Walrus, The Beatles
Not sure even Mike Holmgren can fix this mess especially not this year.
AFC EAST
New England Patriots– Same Old Song & Dance, Aerosmith
Yep, they’re still here, still good, still got a shot at the Superbowl and adding to their dynasty.
New York Jets-Just the Two of Us, Grover Washington, Jr.
If Sanchez and Tebow do not make a music video arm in arm singing this song and sharing the backfield… 2012 will be a DISASTER in New York.
Buffalo Bills–Dream On, Aerosmith
Maybe another strong start but playoffs look like a dream.
Miami Dolphins-Bad to the Bone, George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Nobody likes bones in their fish and these fish just stink.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49’ers– Who Are You, The Who
This applies to the whole team but especially Alex Smith. Were they for real last year? We’ll look for them to be tough
Arizona Cardinals–Three Little Birds, Bob Marley
“Don’t worry, ‘Bout a Thing” Mostly mediocre division, nobody expects much. If they get any kind of QB play …”Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright” Just not sure that will happen.
Seattle Seahawks–Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel
…Mediocre, and that’s the way they’ll be this year.
St. Louis Rams–Bad, Michael Jackson
Someone had to get this song why not the Rams, the shoe fits.
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints– Bounty Hunter, Molly Hatchet ..And Justice For All, Metallica Redemption Song, Bob Marley
Bounty Hunter…they did the crime!
…And Justice For All…They are paying the price
Redemption Song…They proclaim their innocence.
They still have LOTS of offense and I see them outscoring teams in the regular season.
Atlanta Falcons–Devil Went Down to Georgia, Charlie Daniels
Seems like he only shows up in the playoffs though, unlike the rest of the team. Maybe their year to break the playoff bug with the Saints down but I still see them as a wildcard.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2
Tampa fans should be more worried about the Rays catching the Yankees, cause I dont see the Bucs doing much in 2012. Sundays could be tough.
Carolina Panthers–Things Can Only Get Better, Howard Jones
With Cam Newton a year older Carolina fans have got to hope this is true.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers-Run With the Pack, Bad Company
It would be a good bet to run with the ‘Pack.’
Detroit Lions-Welcome to the Jungle, Guns N Roses
Who woulda thought the Lions would be players in the NFL watch out for em!
Chicago Bears–Blowin in the Wind, Joan Baez
In a division with GB & Det…their hopes like their great city are in the wind.
Minnesota Vikings–Outshined, Soundgarden
Looking California but Feeling Minnesota…gonna be a long year.
NFC EAST
New York Giants–LimELIght, Rush
Yes Eli has 2 SB’s but in SD we remember his snively limp wristed attempt to hold the Bolt jersey on draft day. Giants will be good but hunted! Better be ready for everyone’s best shot.
Dallas Cowboys–Where Have all the Good Times Gone, Van Halen
America’s Team No More….never was as far as I am concerned although they have made some serious NFL history in their heyday.
Philadelphia Eagles–Dog Eat Dog, AC/DC
Oops did I go there? Good things happen to good people and bad things… to Vick!
Washington Redskins–Waiting on a Friend, Rolling Stones
If and when RGIII is ready the ‘Skins will be ready
Click here for other sports & music posts!
Mike check:
Feel Good Friday Guitar at Orfila Vineyards and Winery
Hi Everybody,
I am very excited to be back at Orfila this Friday, August 24, 3:30-6:30 PM. If you are looking for a great way to unwind and start your weekend off right this is the place. It is so relaxing out in their gardens, overlooking the vineyards and enjoying a glass of wine and some guitar music. Click here for details.
All ages are welcome.
Two For the Road ‘Mobile American Comfort Food’ a gourmet food truck will also be on hand.
Hope to see you there and play for you!!
Mike check:
No Olympics on TV Burnout??? Listen to Some Music!
That was some serious TV watching every night for the past two weeks. Riveting coverage of sports that we only care about every four years. But it was riveting.
Now what are we all gonna do? Watch re-runs of Chopped, Modern Family or Big Bang Theory? You could read a book or do a project with your family. All good ideas.
Here is my nickels worth of free advice…LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC! Not on your TV, not on your computer on some sort of music device!
Find some old jazz or classical piece. Play some of your kids favorite music. Play your kids some of the embarrassing music you grew up with. Better yet make your own music… every home has a guitar or piano tucked in a distant corner, right?
Give the giant screen on your wall a break for 30 minutes tonight. You will feel like you really did something different…because you will have done something different.
Mike check:
We Lost an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award Winner Today – RIP Marvin Hamlisch
That’s right, Marvin Hamlisch was one of only eleven to ever win all four prestigious awards not to mention he also won multiple Golden Globes, as well.
Unfortunately, the composer passed away today at age 68.
Locally, Hamlisch’s name was synonymous with the San Diego Symphony’s Summer Pops, as he was the principal conductor.
Another huge musical loss in 2012, RIP Marvin Hamlisch!
Mike check:
Guitar Practicing Tips – Know Your Open Strings
One of the first things you will want to learn as a guitarist is the letter names of each of the six strings. Sure you can learn a bunch of tabs and chords and play songs but what about when you are jamming with your friends and they say something like, ‘your D string is out of tune?’ It sure would be embarrassing if you didn’t know which string they were talking about! I actually remember in college we had composer John Duarte pay us a visit. Some of the students who were playing his pieces were asked to perform for him in a master class setting. One student did a great performance of a Duarte piece. As is custom in a master class the composer/guest is to give some helpful critiques and suggestions. Mr. Duarte suggested the student play a certain passage on a different string to achieve a desired sound.
The student froze. In front of the composer, his teachers and an audience full of guitarists he froze. He couldn’t find the notes he needed and it was embarrassing for everyone there let alone the poor guy on stage.
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! The first step you need to take is to know your open strings! Once you memorize these there are easy ways to find any note you want on the guitar. If you want to play bar and power chords knowing all the notes on the 5th and 6th string is essential and again it starts by knowing the open strings.
Here are two acronyms that are helpful to remember your open strings. Both were created by students of mine. One from over 15 years ago and one from a recent class.
Here are the open notes starting from the 6th string(thickest) to the first (thinnest)
E A D B G B E
Starting on the 6th(thick) string to the first(thin) string …by Patty
Eat A Darn Good Breakfast Everyday
Starting on the first(thin) string to the 6th(thick) string …by Orlando
Easter Bunny Gets Drunk At Easter
Don’t like these? Create you own version, whatever it takes to get you to memorize the open strings!
Click here for past practicing tips.
Mike check:
Good Times, Good Food, Good Friends, Good Wine & Music at Orfila Vineyards & Winery
This week was filled with projects, students, arranging music and rehearsals. I finally have a chance to write about last weekends event at Orfila Vineyards & Winery in Escondido! What a great time!! There were lots of friends who came out to relax on a Saturday afternoon. It was great to see you all, play for you and hang too.
If you haven’t been to the winery yet it is a must see San Diego destination. Great place to enjoy a picnic lunch a beverage and just relax. It is kid friendly and they have a blast running and playing as parents rest their bones! All the employs are chill and super helpful. Nice selection of wines and the best…you dont have to drive to Temecula or take an extended trip to Paso Robles or Napa.
In addition to the music, the wine and the food they also had Katy Doherty of KD Custom Jewelry with some very cool items available. From my seat on stage she seemed to be a fan favorite keeping busy ALL day and the kids loved her too!
I definitely recommend you pay them a visit…and how about on Aug 24, 3:30-6:30 as I will be back there for another go and looking forward to it!
Hope to see you there!
Mike check:
Music to Relax – Horace Silver “Lonely Woman”
I love this song! I cant hear it and not relax. It soothes my brain like no other song I can think of.
There are certain recordings that you hear and know the stars were aligned as it was being created and for Horace Silver’s, “Lonely Woman,” it might have been the stars, the planets and the universe all in phase, much like my last Music to Relax post of Miles Davis’, “Blue in Green.”
The song is mellow in it’s sonicity but has an intensity that breathes life into it’s dulcet tones.
Silver creates the relaxed mood in Lonely Woman in a handful of ways.
-First, his quartet is downsized to a trio of piano, bass and drums.
-The spacing is so open rhythmically and sonically. Rhythmically, the bass line and drum accents are almost entirely half notes.
-Brushes are used on the drums to lighten the percussive nature.
-The chords Silver uses on the piano accompaniment are mostly open spacings with just the right dissonances mixed in.
-When soloing Silver uses pentatonic scales which eliminates chromaticism.
The intensity comes when he does blend chromaticism and dissonances to contrast the vibe of the piece. Then the final bars just lift you up.
You have to think if more people were exposed to this piece the world would be a better place.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this song!!
Enjoy!
Mike check:
Monday Song to Relax – Blue in Green, Miles Davis
If you had a long Monday like me here is a great tune to help you unwind. Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green” Even the title sounds relaxing. The piece is modal with open spacing in the chords. In fact ‘space’ is a great adjective for this piece. The melodies, drums, bass and improv lines all take their time creating a laid back feeling.
If you are unfamiliar make sure you check out the whole album, “Kind of Blue” a true jazz landmark recording!
Relax! Enjoy!
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 