Tag: music

A Musical Tribute to the 2012 Olympic Games in London

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Can you believe the Olympics are finally here? You might not have noticed the pre-coverage going on EVERY SINGLE DAY for the last several months….if you don’t own a TV, computer or radio that is. But, if you didn’t then you wouldn’t be reading this now would you!

I have come up with a musical tribute of sorts to pay homage to the London Olympics starting this evening.  This was meant as a light-hearted musical tribute with a touch of humor and cynicism thrown in for good measure.

So without hesitation here is the list….LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

 

TO THE WINNERS

Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith

Controversial Olympic Logo

Rapture – Blondie

Victory is Won – Santana

Shinning Star – Earth Wind & Fire

Nobody Does it Better – Carly Simon

 

TO THE LOSERS

Cry Baby Cry – The Beatles

Last Child – Aerosmith

Last In Line – Ronnie James Dio

The Party’s Over – Willie Nelson

Dammit – Blink 182

 

WHAT OLYMPIC OFFICIALS WANT TO HEAR

Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles

Sunshine of Your Love – Cream

Mr. Blue Sky – E.L.O.

Anything by K.C. & The Sunshine Band

Sunny & 70 – Slayen & Fox Guitar Duo (Pardon the shameless plug!)

 

WHAT OLYMPIC OFFICIALS DON’T WANT TO HEAR

The Rain Song – Led Zeppelin

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head –  B.J. Thomas

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 – Bob Dylan

Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival

One Rainy Wish – Jimi Hendrix

 

IF MICHAEL PHELPS BREAKS THE ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL RECORD

Fast as a Shark – Accept

Iron Man –Black Sabbath

Big Shot – Billy Joel

Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood

One – Metallica

 

TO THE MARATHON RUNNERS

Run Like Hell – Pink Floyd

Long Distance Runaround – Yes

Runnin’ Down a Dream – Tom Petty

Running Wild – Judas Priest

The Long Run – The Eagles

 

REGARDING THE CHINESE ‘WOMAN’ ATHLETES (Yes I know this isn’t nice but kind of funny)

Three Times a Lady – The Commodores

Dude Looks Like a Lady – Aerosmith

Inject the Venom – AC/DC

(reference to steroids etc-which unfortunately may apply to many athletes in the games)

Lola –The Kinks

 

GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE

Heart of Gold – Neil Young

Golden Lady – Stevie Wonder

Silver & Gold – U2

Maxwell’s Silver Hammer – The Beatles

😦 Honestly I could not think of one song with bronze in the title…but does any one really care besides the athlete’s families?

 

FOR EVENTS WITH CLOSE CALLS

Thriller – Michael Jackson

Skin O My Teeth – Megadeth

Heartbreaker – Led Zeppelin

Ain’t That a Shame – Cheap Trick

Nothing I Can Do About it Now – Willie Nelson

Well there it is a musical tribute to the upcoming Olympics.  Out of full disclosure, every song here is in my ITunes library. For those of you looking for new music I strongly recommend you give a listen to any and all songs listed!

Also, this post was inspired by a fellow blogger’s. He is always a great read…be sure to check him out Every Record Tells a Story.

Here is to a safe and exciting Olympics in the true spirit of sport!!

Sun Kissed the Sea by Shores of Apollo

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This is a treat for me! Shores of Apollo is one of my former student’s, Victor’s, band. It is always cool to see someone who has taken lessons from me that continues to make music, but, even cooler to see them flourish!

Victor was always really musical even at a young age. Must run in the family as his dad is a pretty good drummer too.

This song has a really cool mix of heavy-ness and dream like melodies. The bands Facebook page states that, ‘all current recording are works in progress.’ Can’t wait for the final versions then. Keep on rocking Victor…and please keep me posted of your upcoming shows and projects!

Check this video out, there are some great guitarists and musicians coming out of the Poway area!

Shores of Apollo Facebook Fan Page
Enjoy!

Sabicas- Arabian Dance

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I posted a Debussy piece earlier today one if his Arabesques. A friend of mine commented on the post that I should check out Sabicas’ flamenco piece entitled, “Arabian Dance.”  I agree it is a great piece!

Sabicas is one of the huge legends of flamenco guitar and a pioneer in spreading the genre outside of it’s native Spain. I have heard a lot of his stuff but never this one. It is a very virtuoso piece for sure lots of runs and very ‘Arabic’ sounding in its use of the harmonic minor scale. Arabic sounds have always been a big part of flamenco as the Moorish influences moved into Spain and combined with the existing culture.

Enjoy!

Music to Relax – Debussy Arabesque #1

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Hope everyone had an easy Monday! Regardless you might want to unwind a bit and I am here for you. This issue of ‘Music to Relax’, features the impressionist composer Debussy’s piano work “Arabesque.” Debussy wrote a pair of these and this is the 1st one.

The music of the Impressionist period began near the end of the 19th Century in reaction to ‘Common Practice,’ music with its roots in the Medieval period (500-1400), through the Renaissance(1400-1600), stylistically heightened in J.S. Bach’s hands in the late Baroque(1600-1750), continued through the Classical period(1750-1820) of Beethoven and Mozart and exploited through chromaticism and virtuosity of the Romantic composers(1820-1910, some say it has never truly ended.)
Regarding the chromaticism of the Romantic Period pretty much any note was fair game, but, the music still followed the basic rules of tonality and rules of the ‘Common Practice.’ All twelve notes could be used in any key…the basis of my blog name 12 Notes & the Truth!

Impressionists, who followed the art movement broke with these traditions. The result tended to be very lush relaxing wide open sounding music. They tried to make different sounds. Non diatonic scales and non functioning chords were trademarks of this period. However, Debussy and another composer Ravel were not fond of the term applied to their music.

If you want to play this and relax it should do the trick.

If you are looking for a music challenge try to think how this music sounds different than Bach, Beethoven, Mahler…etc.

Click here for previous ‘Music to Relax’ posts.
Enjoy!

Got Your 1979 Who Tickets? They’re Still Good!

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Remember back in 1979 when there was a tragic event at the Who concert in Cincinnati? 11 concert goers were trampled to death running  to get seats. The problem was that the whole event was festival seating meaning it was all general admission with no reserved seats. Imagine everyone barreling in to get good seats. I was barely old enough and think I mostly remember it because of an episode of the old sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. The show was based on a rock n roll radio station in Cincinnati and the oddballs who worked at the station…Herb Tarlik, Les Nessman, Dr. Johnny Fever, Venus Flytrap and of course was the launching pad for Loni Anderson’s career. Obviously the show had to confront the situation.

The Who’s Pete Townshend reacts to the tragedy

One of the following concerts in Rhode Island was subsequently cancelled. Most of the ticket holders received refunds for their unused tickets. There were, however, some who kept their tickets as keepsakes. Turns out those tickets may be more valuable than anyone ever thought. Now as the Who is touring again in 2012, 33 years later, in support of their 1973 rock opera, “Quadrophenia,” those unused tickets are going to be honored for the upcoming concert.

1979 Who tickets to be honored

I just hope that they let those ‘kids’ who held on to their tickets keep the old stub…but the article in the above link seems to suggest the venue manager Lawrence Lepore, wants the old tickets. Even with his intent to donate the proceeds to charity…let them keep the tixs and generate a social media campaign for the charity….win win!!

Good Times, Good Food, Good Friends, Good Wine & Music at Orfila Vineyards & Winery

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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.

Relaxing at Orfila Concert

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!

My custom picks have arrived!

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Excited to get my custom guitar picks delivered today!

They’re  basic but I think they look really cool! Next, I need to get a logo!!

Had them made by InTune Guitar Picks. They were super cool and great to work with!

Thanks to everyone who voted in the online pick contest. Design #1 won by a landslide.

 

 

 

 

 

I guess it is a little ironic that I don’t use picks any more since I play mostly classical/flamenco styles with my nails but they are cool ‘business cards’ anyway.

Hope I don’t lose them…check out this previous post about picks mysteriously disappearing.

Music to Relax – Horace Silver “Lonely Woman”

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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!

Slayen & Fox “Sunny & 70” on KNSD Morning News

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Did you watch KNSD 7/39 Morning News yesterday? If you did you would have heard Slayen & Fox Guitar Duo.

5:25 AM as they came back from commercial one of my tunes, “Sunny & 70” was aired as Jason Austell described the scene outside the KNSD building on Broadway just north of Horton Plaza.

Thanks to everyone at KNSD especially @djtikiNBCSD (twitter) She’s super cool and easy to work with…and always looking for local music to all my colleagues out there!

KNSD is doing a lot to promote local music with shows like SoundDiego which airs after Saturday Night Live on Saturday evenings make sure you check out the show or set your DVR!

If you did not get to see “Sunny & 70” broadcast live check out the link below…and of course watch KNSD News all day. You never know when they’ll air us again!

Sunny & 70 braodcast on KNSD Morning News July 10, 2012

 

American Idol Live Season 11 Tour Setlist

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Check here for my review of the San Diego American Idol show.

 

Post updated July 16

Here is a link to one of my favorite websites regarding the AI Live Setlist

Setlist.fm Check this link for the most recent setlists of AI and your favorite bands on tour.

America are you ready to see your favorites?

The 2012 final ten have kicked off their tour and are headed to a town near you!

The top ten this year include winner Phillip Phillips and runner up Jessica Sanchez from my hometown San Diego, Chula Vista more precisely. Also on tour are; Joshua Ledet, who I thought was the best pure singer this season, rockers; Elise Testone, Colton Dixon, and Erika Van Pelt, crooners; Heejun Han, Deandre Brackensick and the two pint size powerhouses; Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine.

Below is the setlist as reported by Michele Amabile Angermiller on The Hollywood Reporter website. Check out the article for more info on the tour and videos!

I will keep an eye out for updates setlists if they become available!

If you see one of the shows please leave some feedback below.  I will see the tour in San Diego at the end of July.

Enjoy!

Set List:

Top 9 – “Sing” My Chemical Romance

Deandre Brackensick – “Master Blaster”  Stevie Wonder

Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh – “Undo It”  Carrie Underwood

Erika Van Pelt – “Glitter in the Air” Pink

Colton Dixon, Erika Van Pelt, Joshua Ledet, Hollie Cavanagh – “Moves Like Jagger” Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

Heejun Han – “Green Light” John Legend

Heejun Han with Deandre Brackensick and Jessica Sanchez -“Party Rock” LMFAO

Boys – “Everybody Talks”  Neon Trees (Without Phillips)

Elise Testone – “Whole Lotta Love”  Led Zepplin

Elise Testone (backing vocals by Erika Van Pelt and Deandre Brackensick) – “Rumour Has It” Adele

Colton Dixon – “Meant To Live” Switchfoot

Colton Dixon – “Never Gone” (Original Song)

Colton Dixon – Piano Man by Billy Joel

Top 9 – “Just The Way You Are”/”What Makes You Beautiful” Billy Joel/One Direction (Without Phillips)

INTERMISSION

Jessica Sanchez– “Best Thing I Never Had”  Beyonce

Jessica Sanchez (backing vocals by Deandre Brackensick and Joshua Ledet)– “How Come You Don’t Call Me Any More” Prince

Jessica Sanchez (backing vocals by Deandre Brackensick and Joshua Ledet) – “Proud Mary”  Ike and Tina Turner

Skylar Laine – “Gunpowder and Lead”  Miranda Lambert

Skylar Laine – “Stay With Me”  The Faces

Hollie Cavanagh (backing vocals by Elise Testone and Erika Van Pelt) – “Rolling in the Deep”  Adele

Hollie Cavanagh – “Give Your Heart a Break” Demi Lovato

Joshua Ledet (backing vocals by Elise Testone, Deandre Brakensick, Erika Van Pelt)– “Runaway Baby”  Bruno Mars

Joshua Ledet – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” James Brown

Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez – “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me”  George Michael and Aretha Franklin

Phillip Phillips – “Superstition”  Stevie Wonder

Phillip Phillips – “Nice and Slow”  Usher

Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone – “Somebody That I Used to Know”  Goyte

Phillip Phillips with Jessica Sanchez – “Volcano”  Damien Rice

Phillip Phillips with Colton Dixon and Deandre Brackensick – “Home”

Girls – “Raise Your Glass” Pink

All – “Glad You Came” The Wanted