Category: San Diego

More Human Than Human, A.C. Jobim

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get-attachment-29.aspx“More Human than Human” is a blog series here at 12 Notes & the Truth! dedicated to the unexplainable moments in music that defy words.

Sometimes there is an extra-human element that finds its way into recordings and performances that can’t be explained…a visit from the Muse!

You know the parts of a song that you play over and over because the way they make you feel? Here is my attempt to bring you some of the moments that have moved me over the years, hope they hit you the same way.

“Aguas de Marco,” is a nice little tune written and recorded by A.C. Jobim, the famous Brazilian Bossa Nova composer. In this clip there is a vocal interaction between Jobim and Elis Regina. An exchange that results in a laugh and a light-hearted tone that could not be planned. It could have been edited out as an outtake, but, thankfully it was left as performed! All this happens over an intertwining of descending chromatic lines set by Jobim.

Additionally, there is a slightly out of tune whistling over the piano line that creates an odd chorus-y toy piano sonority.

A small song that packs a heck of a ‘More Human Than Human,’ punch of emotions over a brilliantly composed tune.

Enjoy!

Here’s to a Musical 2014!

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Been a great year on many fronts. Day to day it was great, life and work, enjoyable and getting better, although, overall it was a weird year and I can’t really say I am sorry to see 2013 in the rearview mirror.

Blogging was waaaay in the backseat this year, for many reasons. To ALL my fans and followers(mom) I greatly apologize.

Still there were a few interesting trends at 12 Notes & the Truth!

-The little Michael Schenker post I wrote a couple of years ago continues to get hits all the time. Personally I am glad to know there is so much interest in one of my all time favorite guitarists!

-Folks are interested in 12×12 Sudoku, lots of continued hits there, as well

-Malaysia found its way to 12 Notes ALOT. In fact more than any other non-English speaking country. And I know my mom was not in Malaysia this year. Welcome and hope you keep visiting!

-Allegedly Google’s privacy policy has blocked  the ever valuable resource of knowing the ‘search terms’ that led visitors to websites. I am SURE they didn’t mine your information any more either…right?!

-One thing that has not changed is my lifetime love of music. Creating, performing, listening, studying and discussing the effect these 12 Notes have on our lives!

Soon this blog may split between another website http://www.guitarguys.com keep an eye out for it as the year develops and I am sure I will let ya know, as well!

Well that’s it short and sweet…

I am looking forward to many great projects and wish you all a prosperous and healthy New Year 2014!

I always teach my kids/students, major, sounds happy and, minor, sounds sad…with that in mind…

Keep life on the Major Sonority side of the street!

Peace,

Mike

Trace Adkins, “Arlington” … One For our Veterans

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20131025_113658I was jogging with my Ipod on shuffle the other day when a Trace Adkins song, “Arlington,” came on. I had never heard it before. The lyrics start out benign enough…

“I never thought that this is where I’d settle down,
I thought I’d die an old man back in my hometown,
They gave me this plot of land, me and some other men, for a job well done”

“Oh man,” I was thinking, “this is going to be one of those typical country songs. Maybe his dog and girlfriend left him too.”

Not so fast! By the time the song came on I was already home. As the lyrics went on I had to stand outside and listen to the rest of the lyrics, Mr. Adkins had caught my attention, big time!

Here is the rest of the song…definitely not your broken down truck country lyrics. Kudos to Trace Adkins on this song, a perfect song to post on Veteran’s Day!

There’s a big white house sits on a hill just up the road,
The man inside he cried the day they brought me home,
They folded up a flag and told my mom and dad, we’re proud of your son

And I’m proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I’m on sacred ground and I’m in the best of company,
I’m thankful for those thankful for the things I’ve done,
I can rest in peace, I’m one of the chosen ones, I made it to ArlingtonI remember daddy brought me here when I was eight,
We searched all day to find out where my granddad lay,
And when we finally found that cross,
He said, “son this is what it cost to keep us free” Now here I am,
A thousand stones away from him,
He recognized me on the first day I came in,
And it gave me a chill when he clicked his heels, and saluted me.And every time I hear twenty-one guns,
I know they brought another hero home to us

We’re thankful for those thankful for the things we’ve done,
We can rest in peace, ’cause we are the chosen ones,
We made it to Arlington, yea dust to dust,
Don’t cry for us, we made it to Arlington

Making a Halloween Music Playlist? Deviate From the Norm!

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Happy Halloween! The good news is I have been keeping a guitar in my hands…much more than my blog lately. So with not much time to write thought I would reblog last years Halloween Playlist ideas. Also type Halloween in the search bar top of my site for other previous Halloween posts. BOO! Mike

mikeslayen's avatarMike Slayen ~ Guitarist

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…

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Last Summer Night

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Dear Everyone, (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway)

I am sorry to report that our beloved summer is in its waning hours. Today is the last day.

Fall is great and all with football, baseball playoffs, the holidays and all, but, summer is the best. Swimming, the beaches flip-flops, warm nights.

Who am I kidding its always Sunny & 70 in San Diego.

Still gonna miss you summer, see you next year!

Enjoy, the last night of summer everyone!

NFL Week 2 Recap, Lightning Strikes

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The NFL’s week 2 is now in the books excluding Monday night’s game. The theme for this Sunday’s festivities…”Lightning!” Three separate instances of electric streaks.

There isn’t much that stops NFL games weather-wise, except, lightning. Both the Saints/Buccaneers and later in the evening the 49ers/Seahawks games both sustained delays due to the electricity in the air.

Then of course there was the San Diego Chargers striking a Bolt right across Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles bow. Pre game predictions ranged from Charges had no chance to they would give up 60 points, nope just put a beat down on the Eagles.

Of course with all the lightning going on my head starts playing a bunch of songs with Lightning or similar references in the title.

Metallica’s, “Ride the Lightening”

AC/DC’s, “High Voltage”

Ozzy Osbourne’s, “Lightning Strikes”

However, the song that truly stuck in my head all day was, Aerosmith’s, “Lightning Strikes.”

So here it is, Enjoy!

Better Than Coffee, “Monday Night Football” Theme

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Click here for previous Better Than Coffee posts.

Chargers Win!
Chargers Win!

I think most of you who read this blog would agree music is the best ‘drug’ of all time…including our beloved morning coffee.

This series has been and will continue to be a public service for those of you trying to cut your caffeine intake, by enjoying some fast/energetic music…. ;)

…Or for those of you looking to enhance that morning cup.

I know the NFL already kicked off this past weekend, but, in San Diego tonight is the night! Not only opening night, but, Monday Night Football. How many of you do not get fired up when you hear this theme? Even non-football fans? For our friends across the pond they used it for a competition show called Superstars. I don’t know much about the show, but, if any of you do let us know in the comments, good or bad.

Some facts you might not know about the MNF theme music…

-The music was composed by British composer Johnny Pearson

-The music has been re-arranged, by other musicians, several times to keep it fresh

-The piece is entitled, “Heavy Action.”

You will definitely hear the 70’s in this version!!

Go Chargers!

Enjoy!