Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief - Album 10 of 10

Album Title: Matching Tie and Handkerchief
Artist: Monty Python

Album 10 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

Oh there were several other candidates for this final spot on the list of "10 Albums which Influenced My Musical Tastes."  But Monty Python won out.  Why?  In part because ...

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[Well, something like that, anyway!]


One of the attributes of Monty Python's comedic brilliance was its ("their?") comedic use of, and creation of, music.  I own Monty Python multiple albums, which is more than I can say for any other comedian or comic group.  While I do not own them solely because of their music, I do love being able to hum, whistle and/or sing the funny songs this group created.

Now, the other two albums I've shown here, also in my collection, have some real treats: "Money Song," "Eric the Half-a-Bee," and "Spam" are on these two.  Had I still been 14, I would have been forced to select Monty Python's Previous Record, if only for the six-breasted fairy on the cover.

But Matching Tie and Handkerchief has three things going for it which vaulted it above the others:

1. It has a very memorable name, which matches its cover art.
2. It is a "three-sided" record! (Three tracks; one on one side of the album and two on the other side, making it hard to find the second [or third] track if you were looking for it.)
3. It has "Bruces' Song!"  A song about philosophers being drunk.  It's hilarious!  Until "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (from The Life of Brian) this was the MP song that most frequently popped into my head.  (And now it's in a three way tie with "Always ..." and "The Galaxy - Lighten Up" [Monty Python's The Meaning of Life] for that honor.)

Seriously (or humorously) a part of my musical taste -- the eclectic, sticky, messy, jumbled web that it is -- is filled with the irreverent, bold, clever, absurd comedy created by the Pythons.

----
I'm putting a link to Bruces' Song here, because if you haven't heard it, this link takes you to a "lyric video."  It's not as funny as watching the Pythons perform it at the end of the "Bruces" sketch, but you can catch the lyrics this way. Besides, I'm not sure there's a legal, public version of that sketch.  I hope so, but a cursory look didn't unearth it for me.

Pachelbel Canon in D and oher Baroque Hits - Album 9 of 10

Album Title: Pachelbel Canon
Artist: New Bach Collegium Musicum et. al

Album 9 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

Truth in posting notice: I don't know exactly which album had the version I first listened to, but at some point in my youth, I first heard the piece known to the world as "Pachelbel's Canon in 'D'" and I was mesmerized.

When I started buying music, in addition to others I've written about in this series (and a several dozen I haven't mentioned) I bought classical "sampler" albums looking for the version I remembered from my youth.  Ultimately, I think I ended up with four LPs and three CDs.  I even have a CD with nine different versions of "the Canon" - different instrumentations, different tempos, different numbers of times the theme is repeated.  Utimately, I am not even sure I ended up finding the elusive right one.  But I have many versions now!  I think the version on the CD pictured is it, but I've heard so many by now, it's hard to be certain.

Anyway, this piece of music was so beautiful that, even though we didn't listen to "classical" music in our house much, and even though I hadn't really liked any of the other classical music I might have heard to that point, this piece by Pachelbel caused me to reconsider.

Over the years, I've grown to appreciate more orchestral music, but it all stems from this piece.

Which, by the way, is not technically a canon -- it's a passacaglia (or at least that's what I learned from one of the Great Courses.). Speaking of which, I listened to a whole Great Course on How to Listen to and Understand Great Music, and I doubt I would have ever done that, if the "Canon" had not started me down a nice side path in my musical tastes.

Trivia which may be entirely inaccurate: Have you ever seen Soylent Green? There's a scene in this dystopian story where the lead character's father is enjoying some pleasures from the old days before everything went to hell.  I believe the "Canon in 'D'" was playing during that scene.  I am so convinced of this, I would prefer never to see the film again, in case I am wrong.  It was a very memorable scene, and I really enjoy having the Canon in my memory with it.

OK, that's nine.  Nine of ten.  I have to select one more.  One!  Hard to do, because I have too many options.  I wonder which one I'll select.

Michael Jackson Thriller - Album 8 of 10

Album Title: Thriller
Artist: Michael Jackson

Album 8 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

In our house, our kids grew up listening to 80's music.  We had a lot of the pop stuff from the 80's -- Genesis (Invisible Touch), Prince, Whitney Houston, Madonna, and of course, Michael Jackson.  MJ was listened to most frequently, I think.

Jackson is, of course, one of many artists for whom the discussion occurs: Can you still like their art (music and performance, in his case) even if you believe the artist was morally deficient?  Michael Jackson is certainly not the first, not the last, and likely not even the worst.  I can completely understand people who would be turned off by his music, given what they believe of him.

But in this exercise, I have to include Thriller (and Bad, but Thriller came first and has a higher percentage of great songs) in my list of 10.

Not only is the music good, but Michael was one of the artists who made the MTV generation thrive.  Music videos gave us all a chance to see artists we would never get to see in concerts, and to see them doing things, creatively, that were impossible in live performances.  Jackson knew how to use that medium as well as anyone.

Simon & Garfunkel Greatest hits - Album 7 of 10

Album Title: Greatest Hits
Artist: Simon & Garfunkel

Album 7 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

When I was growing up, I heard the albums my parents played, of course.  Some of them are good memories, but didn't stick with me as music I'd listen to later in life (The Four Lads for example, have fun songs, and thinking about them make me smile, but I don't have them in my digital library.)

But then there's this album.  As soon as I started buying CDs, I bought this (and Neil Diamond's greatest hits, which I lost somewhere.)  And as soon as I started getting digital music, I ripped this album and I still listen to it, and mix tracks of it into "mix tape" playlists I create.  "The Sound of Silence," "Scarborough Fair/Canticle," "Cecelia," -- when I think about it, is there a song on here which is not perfect for some mood or other?

While I don't continue to buy most of Paul Simon's music, I do also love Graceland, and I probably never would have listened to that if I hadn't loved this album so much.  (Though the video of "You Can Call Me Al" was super clever and might have attracted me.)

Anyway, this album also represents another thing: my entry into pop music from before my time.  Pre-teens and teenagers often dismiss anything from their parents' generation as unworthy, and I realize I had a bent in that direction.  But this album was so good, it was the one I associate with me thinking "well, if this is good, maybe there are other things done before 1974 which are worth listening to.

So it makes the list.

Amy Grant - My Father's Eyes - Album 6 of 10

Album Title: My Father's Eyes
Artist: Amy Grant

Album 6 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

In the fall of 1980, I met Sherry.

And the rest is history.

OK, that's not enough of an explanation.  Some exposition.

Very, very soon after we met, Sherry and I started spending most of our time together. And that meant spending time listening to music.

Sherry had been introduced to Amy Grant's music essentially as soon as it became available.  Amy Grant's introductory, self-titled album came out in 1977.  By the time we met, My Father's Eyes was part of Sherry's collection.  We listened to these two albums very frequently.  And, since I hadn't heard of Amy, for a while I could not really have told you which album had which songs.  In fact, Never Alone came out in 1980, and I'm sure Sherry had it very soon after, so those three albums were probably one big collection in my mind.

Until 1991's Heart in Motion, her albums were entirely Christian music, and she defined the genre for at least a decade.   But that's not what made her influential to my music tastes.

Amy Grant, the artist, is our age. Her early work (she writes a significant amount of her music) was "young" -- it sounded like a person of our age experiencing a young faith.  As she got older, her songs reflected a more nuanced, human, experience faith journey.

In my personal history, my faith was "education-based" before I got to college.  I went to church when my parents did, but I didn't ask to go, or look forward to going. I did the Sunday School thing sometimes, but not super often.  When it was time, I went through Confirmation classes mixed in with a group of kids who did NOT want to be there.  There was another group of kids who were taught together -- they were the popular kids, the "good kids" who all knew each other from growing up in the church.  But the entire group of kids was too large for one class, so we got separated, and the group I ended up with were the "rough" kids. It was not fun, but I was a good student, so I was determined to do well, no matter the group of kids.  So I learned what I had to learn, wrote the essays, took the quizzes (all A's, of course) and did just fine on Questioning.  That was 8th grade maybe? Not sure.  But when it was done, I was done with church (except when I had to go.)

I did have a faith lifeline in the sacred music I sang in choir, but other than that, my Christianity was just dormant.

Until I met Sherry.  Her faith was a big part of who she was.  And among other things, she listened to Amy Grant music.  Amy Grant's music was the soundtrack to my faith growth, coinciding with Sherry's influence, our discussions, Bible study, the religion courses I took at Luther, participation in choir and so on.

I've listened to Christian music ever since.  Not exclusively, clearly.  But Amy Grant and Michael W Smith are frequently in my listening list.  When I get melancholy, Amy Grant's music is one of the most frequent cures.  When I get joyful, or have done some learning -- particularly in philosophy or religion -- I want to hear her music.

So, I had to select an Amy Grant album.  Why did I select My Father's Eyes? First, it was among that group of two or three which started it all.  Next, because it had three of the most touching tracks: "My Father's Eyes," "O Sacred Head" and (my favorite) "There Will Never Be Another."

And now that I've written this, I think I'll go listen to Age to Age. 

Star Wars Movie Soundtrack - Album 5 of 10

Album Title: Star Wars
Artist: Movie Soundtrack

Album 5 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

Star Wars, the original movie, with no "A New Hope" subtitle, came out in 1977 and I saw that film, in the Decorah movie theater, 22 and 3/4 times.

That, right there, is probably enough justification for this album to be on my list.

But this whole challenge is about how these albums influenced my taste in, and appreciation for, music.  So, for this particular album, its inclusion in my list is about more than the fact that it's the album from one of my favorite films of all time.

I do not know film history.  I do know my history with film.  After seeing Star Wars a few times, I realized that one of the aspects of George Lucas' genius in making this epic space opera (it's not a sci-fi film, but let's not fight about that) was how absolutely perfect the music is for the story.  That, of course, is also a tribute to the genius of John Williams, too, but I give credit to both Lucas and Williams, because Lucas clearly recognized the impact a good score would have.  Bravo!

And because of Star Wars and its music, a couple things happened to me, where music is concerned.

First, I realized I could really enjoy music that had no lyrics.  That is, in a lifetime where almost all music I heard was "pop" music, accented a bit by the music I sang in choir.  I did appreciate a couple of pieces of "classical" music, but only a couple.  John Williams' score had pieces I could just listen to and smile, or sigh, or (almost) cheer.  I figured there must be more music like that, and so I opened myself up to the idea of looking for more instrumental music.

Second, I began paying attention to the music in films, and then eventually, I started listening to film scores -- other than the "musicals" I talked about in Album 3.  Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Man from Snowy River, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and on and on until, for example, I was obsessed with the soundtrack from Lord of the Rings movies for years.  Inception and Interstellar would not have been nearly as successful without their scores.  Period.

So, this one belongs on my list.  I'm so glad Shawn tagged me in his first post on this topic.  I love thinking about the music in my life.  And revisiting this particular album has brought up a joy I can really use during this time of isolation.

Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas - Album 4 of 10

Album Title: Christmas
Artist: Mannheim Steamroller

Album 4 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

If you read the entry I wrote for Album 3, you know I chose outside of the pop/rock genre already.  Musical theater is a big part of my musical taste.

Christmas music is even bigger.

I know it's frowned upon by most people, but I listen to Christmas music whenever I feel like it!  It could be before Thanksgiving!  Like, in August-before-Thanksgiving!  Or in February!

So, of course, one of my 10 albums had to be a Christmas album.  But which one?


My earliest well-loved Christmas album is this one: A Christmas Treasure performed by Julie Andrews with Andre Previn conducting the orchestra.  I heard it throughout my childhood. [In my memory, the version of the album we had was distributed by a ... tire company? Goodyear maybe? I'm not sure that's accurate, but the album pictured here (which I have on CD and now digital) has all the pieces I remember.]

But when I was younger, I did not listen to Christmas music as frequently, and part of the reason for that is that the industry did not focus on making accessible, well-produced Christmas music which focused on the music.  An artist would do Christmas music (and they still do) and that music focused on the artist. (In my honest but not so humble opinion.)

Until two artists did things differently.

In 1983, Amy Grant released her first Christmas album, so it almost became my choice.

And in 1984, Chip Davis's Mannheim Steamroller Christmas came out of his Fresh Aire work, and made Christmas music something new, and at the same time, very familiar.

I could listen to Mannheim Steamroller's initial Christmas album on a loop for days and not get tired of it, when it first came out.  And then, Chip Davis made more!

Other artists caught on, and so eventually we got Trans-Siberian Orchestra (which is not for everyone, but is wonderful for some people), and Lorie Line.

And now that Christmas music is heard for more than the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are enough pop/country/rock artists doing their own takes on Christmas songs that we could have very nice playlists with lots of variety.  I still think most of the artists who produce Christmas tracks today focus way too much on themselves, but in any case, we get options!

By the way, I've been to a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert.  It's well worth the experience.  The performers are excellent, of course. And the "invented for the music instruments" are cool.  But they know how to focus on the music and how it makes you feel.  Just like the album.

The Music Man Movie Soundtrack - Album 3 of 10

Album Title: The Music Man
Artist: Movie Soundtrack

Album 3 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

 As I said in the Anchor Post, and in a post I wrote in 2008, my musical tastes are eclectic. I listen to music very, very frequently, but I rarely listen to the same kind of music all day, or to the same music on Wednesday as I listened to on Monday.

One of the genres of music I have loved since I was young is represented by today's selection --  musical theater.

When I was selecting my 10 albums, I knew I had to select something from musical theater.  Because my appreciation for this kind of music started when I was very young, I had to select something my parents would have introduced me to.  Three albums came to mind:

My Fair Lady - the Broadway version with Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison

Camelot - the Broadway version with Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet and Richard Burton

And the one I chose, The Music Man movie soundtrack with Shirley Jones and Robert Preston.

I think I heard each of these almost equally as I grew up, and I heard all of them many times before ever seeing them on stage or in the movies.  But I loved them.  I loved how much Dad enjoyed them.  I loved hearing him talk about specific lyrics he thought were very well written.  Examples:

• Music Man: "The Sadder-but-Wiser Girl for Me" - Harold sings 'I hope, and I pray, for Hester to win just one more "A".'  This is a literary allusion to The Scarlet Letter, of course.  And of course I had not read it, but I could appreciate how using knowledge of other art to inform new art was very creative, and I could see how much my father liked it.
• Camelot: "The Seven Deadly Virtues" [You need the Broadway version to hear this song; it did not make it into the film version.]. Mordred sings "You'll never find a virtue unstatusing my quo/Or making my beelze bubble burst".  Verbing "status quo!" Adding "Beelze" to "bubble" for a play on Beelzebub!  That's brilliant.

Ultimately, I chose The Music Man in part because it's also a part of my (very limited) personal theater history.  I was a bit player in the cast of the production at my high school when I was a sophomore.  That experience proved instrumental (Hah! Pun!) in the remainder of my high school experience, as it got me into the "theater crowd" where I met and hung out with some really fun people, allowed me to learn mimeand a little about stage performance (I could hardly call what I did "acting,") and eventually led me to singing on stage as the Jester in Once Upon a Mattress when I was a senior -- one of my absolute favorite memories from high school.

My love of musical theater continues today.  Seeing Wicked and Rent on Broadway -- amazing; being able to listen to, and sing along with, the soundtracks - liberating and joyful.

So, there it is.  That's why a "musical" had to be among my 10 Albums.  Tomorrow, another genre is represented. 

ELO - Out of the Blue - Album 2 of 10

Album Title: Out of the Blue
Artist: ELO (Electric Light Orchestra)

Album 2 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts 

As I started the selection process for the 10 Album Challenge, immediately after A Night at the Opera, the first album I thought of was this one.

As was the case with Queen, I was introduced to ELO by Criag Nordmoe.  While I think most everyone of my generation have a Queen song (or two, or four) they liked and would still recognize, even if they were not Queen fans, I think ELO was less well-known.  Oh, I suppose if people in my generation heard "Evil Woman" or "Don't Bring Me Down" on a "classic rock" playlist, they'd recognize it from their youth, but I'm sure far fewer of them would be able to name the artist as being ELO as would be able to tell you that "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "You're My Best Friend" are Queen's.

Still, I heard this group frequently when with my friends, and the mix of pop/rock and classical, with an unapologetic use of electronic music really tripped something inside me. 

This particular album not only had a super-cool sci-fi-esque jacket, but it was a double album with several unforgettable songs, including "Turn to Stone," "Night in the City," "Mr. Blue Sky" and my personal favorite "Jungle."

I guess part of what makes this album, and this group, influential for me is that it was somewhat "clique-ish."  That is, our group of friends really, really liked it, but it was relatively unnoticed by others. 

I didn't realize it at the time, but sometimes art attracts people initially because of what it is -- ELO was unique at the time in how it mixed its genres -- but then it becomes special because it becomes a defining emblem for  a group.  For me, that's what this album represents. I could be entirely wrong about ELO -- maybe everyone in my generation remembers them as well as they remember Queen.  But it didn't feel like that to me at the time, and it still doesn't.  And that perception is part of what makes this album special to me -- it reminds me of a specific set of friends, and the times we had together.  And it mixes genres in ways that future artists take advantage of all the time.

And it's still a great album.  With music you can listen to over and over again.

Queen - A Night at the Opera - Album 1 of 10

Album Title: A Night at the Opera
Artist: Queen

Album 1 of 10 in the 10 Album Challenge

Thoughts

 Let's be honest here.  I mean, if I can't be honest in this little exercise, what's the point.  So, honesty:

When I decided to answer Shawn's "challenge", what was the very first album I thought of?

This one.

I was first introduced to Queen by Craig Nordmoe, probably in junior high school.  According to wikipedia, this album was released in November of 1975, which would have been in 9th grade.  I sincerely doubt I bought it right away.  I was always a "follower" as regards popular music in my youth.  Once I owned this album, I'm sure I played it some, but honestly I probably heard it at friends' houses more than I played it.  Back then, listening to "records" required access to a stereo, and the only one in my house was a big console in the living room. I just didn't listen to music on my own very often in those days.

But fast forward over time.  What music stuck with me?  What music did I buy on CD as soon as CDs became "the thing" and I knew I'd have to replace my LPs?  What music did I get excited to hear every time it came on the radio?  Queen.  Particularly from this album.  Of course, there's "Bohemian Rhapsody." But there's also "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon" and "You're My Best Friend" and "Seaside Rendezvous" and "The Prophet's Song" and "Good Company!"  Gems -- all of them. And "Love of My Life!" Freddie's voice is a paintbrush in the hands of a master!

I eventually even came to appreciate "I'm in Love with my Car" and "Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to ...)" though that took a while.

In one sense, this album belongs on the list just because of its own merits, but in another sense, it marks the album that got me into Queen and a group of other artists which were favorites of my friends, but which I would not have discovered on my own. 

And then there's the social awareness aspect of Queen and other music artists in the late 1970s: beginning with Freddie Mercury and Elton John (and David Bowie, I guess, but I didn't listen to him much), the heterosexual teenager that I was began to get introduced to the concepts that had been repressed in American culture for so long.  This allowed me to be more ready when some of my friends started "coming out."  I had had a chance to think about social norms, about why anything other than heterosexual love would be "hidden."

It might be 20/20 hindsight, but it's interesting to me how I can look back now and see that, while most of my friends loved Queen (and Elton John), the depth to which they appreciated the artists varied.  Yes, I loved Queen's music. And I loved Freddie's voice and artistry.  But thinking back on it, a few of my friends sensed a kindred spirit when they listened to Freddie.  I'm glad those friends who needed to see someone "like them" found that in the musical artists they hear as we neared adulthood. 

Well, that's enough for this first one, I think.  Oh, except for one more thing: I am thrilled that the film "Bohemian Rhapsody" was made, and made so well.  It helps cement this selection as one of my 10 Albums.

The 10 Album Challenge - Anchor Post

10 Album Challenge - Foreword 

[To be read in a noir style, because that's how I'm hearing it in my head.]

March, 2020. Covid-19 Spring. I'm checking facebook even more often than usual.  On March 27, Shawn tags me on Day 1 of a new social "challenge."

"Day 1 of 10

I was given the task of choosing 10 albums that have strongly influenced my musical taste. One album per day for 10 days. No particular order, or reviewing. Only the album covers. Every day I will ask somebody else to do the same.

I nominate Steve Will to accept this 10 album challenge."

I decide to take him up on it, and so I start thinking about what the challenge means -- at least what it means to me -- and then I start selecting my ten.

As I start posting them -- no, that's not accurate -- as I start selecting them, I realiz I have to say something about my selections when I post them.  Not a "review" per se, but an exposition on why each was chosen.

As I wrote (way back in 2008) my musical taste is eclectic.  As I start the process of choosing 10 albums, it's clear I am going to have to find a way to express that eclectic nature through my selections.  In fact, I realize that this gives me a perfect opportunity to do some self-investigation. I can delve into my memory and into the thoughts and feelings which music conjures in me.  I can attempt to solve the mystery of why I like what I like. 

I am not selecting my 10 favorite albums (and thank goodness for that; I'm not up to the task!). I am selecting 10 which "strongly influenced my musical taste."

So, today, 16 months after my most recent post on this blog (and 58 months after My Last Entry [and by "Last" I had thought I meant "Final"] to this blog was posted), I'm writing again.  

If I survive the journey, this post will be updated as I post my 10 albums.  I intend to do a separate entry about each album I selected, with this post having links to each of them.

Let's see where this leads.  I don't know where it ends.  But I know it begins with "A Night at the Opera."

10 Albums that Strongly Influenced my Musical Taste

1. Queen - A Night at the Opera
2. ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) - Out of the Blue
3. The Music Man - Film Soundtrack
4. Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas
5. Star Wars - Movie Soundtrack
6. Amy Grant - My Father's Eyes
7. Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits
8. Michael Jackson - Thiller
9. Pachelbel - Canon in 'D'
10. Monty Python - Matching Tie and Handkerchief

Afterword 

As I wrap up this 10 Album Challenge, I'll thank Shawn for inviting me to play.

I'll also mention that there are some worthy albums which did not make the list, in part because they sort of overlapped with others that did.


Some people who know me would be surprised, for example, that I did not include these two on the list.  I, too, was surprised.

In the end, selecting only ten was difficult, but it was a fun exercise in self-examination and reminiscing.  I'm glad I did it!

Getting Ready to Sing Hallelujah

It's so great to be home!

I have only had two short business trips so far this year, and I know that will change in the coming months.  But for now, I have been enjoying the many advantages of being in Rochester.

One of many reasons was made clear to me last night.

In the Advent season (and really for all of last Fall) I was traveling so much that I could not even think about participating in my church choir.  I missed the chance to sing some very nice Advent and Christmas songs.  Viewed optimistically, I did appreciate the chance I had to hear the choir (with Sherry in it) on the few Sunday mornings I was in town.  I'd close my eyes during that part of the service and relish the chance to hear beautiful, meaningful music in a worship setting.  I really did like that.

I like participating even more.  We are in the approach to Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter now.  And because I am not traveling, I have been able to rehearse some truly excellent pieces.  Last night was the first of our extended rehearsals, and while I might have grumbled about a two-hour rehearsal at other times in my life, I loved every minute of it last night.  Some of the reasons I loved it were the music, the steady work towards a suitably musical rendition, the people -- all the things that have been a part of every choir in which I've sung.  Adding to those reasons, this year, is my appreciation that I am in town to sing! 

Perhaps it's trite, but it's true: you never appreciate how much you love something until you don't have it anymore.  And so the corollary is that you can appreciate something you love even more when you regain it.  "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" applies to more than romantic love.

I can't sing "Hallelujah" yet.  But I'm getting ready.  And it's a great feeling!

Reign of Vengeance by Future World Music

I listen to music.  A lot.

Sometimes, though, I am performing a specific task and I can't think of any music I own which is appropriate as the "soundtrack" which should be playing to accompany that task.

Designing a role-playing adventure is one such task.  I will sometimes resort to soundtracks from fantasy movies (such as Lord of the Rings, Narnia films or Star Wars) to try to find the right mood.

But recently, I decided to go browsing on iTunes to see if I could find something which would fit the mystery and action, the danger and the heroism, the power and the fantasy, of various kinds of adventures.

I found it!

Future World Music has an album entitled "Reign of Vengeance" and after listening to just a couple of samples, I was certain:  I had to have this!

What a find!

With titles like "Flight of the Imagination," "The Epic Assassin" and of course the titular "Reign of Vengeance" the artists behind this collection of music have captured a huge range of adventure music.  The musical themes fit the titles well, of course, and each one is used as the basis of a truly enjoyable track.  Some pieces are purely instrumental, while others have voices added as choral instrumentation.

In some ways these are reminiscent of Mannheim Steamroller, Raphael or other New Age musicians, but in other ways, they are more like Harry Gregson-Williams (Narnia), Howard Shore (LotR) or John Williams (Star Wars) - they are very dramatic.

If you like any of this sort of music, if you are a fantasy lover, if you enjoy having mood-setting music for adventure -- this is for you. 

Now I have to go look for more music from these folks.  I'm pretty sure it's for me!

Unexpected Christmas Music

So, as well all know, I like Christmas music.

OK, so "like" is a bit of an understatement.

OK, so I have been listening to Christmas music, off and on, since September.  ANYWAY!

Even though I hear Christmas music more often than the average person, I had not heard any playing in public before I left for Asia on October 31.  So I wondered when I would.  After all, it looked like I would not be home until just a couple days before Thanksgiving.

So imagine my surprise when I heard Christmas music in public for the first time on November 9.  Where?  On an airplane from Hefei, China to Beijing, China! 

Yep, I got on the plane deep in Eastern China, in a town which had almost no English anywhere.  (Seriously.  It's disconcerting.)  Yet the entire time the plane was being boarded, the music being piped in was a series of Christmas carols.

Here's a map to help you get your bearings.  The big A is Hefei (pronounced something like "HUH fay.")  It is south of Beijing, which has served as my home base on this trip.  Oh, and you can see Nanjing just to the east of Hefei, which is where I will be when this blog entry gets posted.  I cannot get to facebook, twitter or blogger while in China, so I am having to write this in Japan and get it ready for later publishing.

For the record, the first song was an instrumental version of "Jingle Bells."  It was pretty trite, so I was not going to search hard for a version of it to include here.  Instead, I will embed a pretty good version from the Royal Navy of England.

Bohemian Gravity - Video

Yet another video I encountered through facebook which deserves to be saved.

Tim Blaise creates music and music videos, and he's a graduate student in physics.  Put that mix together with some serious creativity and musical ability and you get this (and others.)



And, to be complete, here is the link from io9.com which was initially shared.

More Internet Things

I think I did this sort of post once before, but whether I did or not here it is:

Some things I've shared on Facebook which were worth my time and which I might want to see again in the future.


Serious and Cool

AIDS-Related Problem solved by gamers
 
Funny and Cool

Laser Grid game

Quote Quiz - Shakespeare or Batman?

To be a Kid again


Musical and Cool

Billy Joel sings with student accompaniment

Superstar - Of Its Time - On Purpose

 It's that time again.  Holy week is when I watch Jesus Christ Superstar.  These days, I can allow myself to turn away from the screen during some of it.  I sing along with pretty much all of it -- well, when the house is empty like it is these days -- and most of the shots are well etched into my memory.

Still, there are scenes which always draw my attention.  As I was watching them again this year, I was struck by how the show is steeped in "1970s." The performers were from a time before everyone in movies was either chiseled from stone or buxom or both.  Josh Mostel's soft-bellied Herod was the only one hinting at the shape most of us normal Americans would be in 40 years later.  (Yes, it's been 40 years!)

Of course the costumes and hairstyles make us think of those psychedelic times and the anti-establishment nature of the day.







Jesus Christ Superstar still works, though.  There are many reasons for that fact, of course.  The music, the acting -- all first rate.  Carl Anderson put so much humanity into Judas.  Ted Neely was born to play Jesus, and to sing those incredibly difficult songs.  The Kings were perfectly cast.  And then there's Yvonne Elliman, whose voice and look brought us a Mary Magdalene who was real, sympathetic and as far from both trashy and glamorous as possible.  (Either would have stained the film.)


I suppose I should ask people in my children's generation whether the '70s nature makes this movie look "old" to them.  My view is that it was carefully constructed to be, in a sense, a "period piece," even though it was created from within the period it depicted.

I suppose the film, like the opera itself, doesn't have the same sense of defiance it had at the time.  I remember as a young near-teen hearing people decry it for not be accurate enough, etc., etc.  (Then again, almost any film dealing with Jesus's life will still have that problem, won't it?)  It certainly was a different slant on the events of Holy Week than the vast majority of us American Christians were being taught.  Today, far more of us have been exposed to variations of the story.  No one should take this movie as Gospel, of course, but it's impressive how many of the key messages are contained.  We all need to realize that depicting a Jesus who is both true God and true Man is probably beyond any of us. The JCS Jesus is more Man, but a very good Man.  The film also asks us to accept that the people around Jesus were real people, with real personal motives.  And hey, that message is even there in the Gospels.

Ultimately, though, it's about the music and the performances carrying the drama and the messages.  I still find this film well worth an annual visit.

I suspect I'll listen to the music again a couple of times before Easter.  I suppose I had better close the office door, though, in case I happen to forget where I am.  I might start singing "Who is this broken man / cluttering up my hallway?"  I don't want to offend anyone.












[Still, this last image is just a bit creepy, don't you think?]

Stairway to Heaven - Heart Tribute

Every once in a while -- or maybe more often than that -- I come across a video and share it on Facebook. But some of them are definitely worth saving a little more "permanently"  -- and deserve some comment.  This is one of those videos.

"Stairway to Heaven" was released when I was only 10, and I suppose it took me a while to first hear it.  But once I did, it became a part of my youth, and a part of the mystery of poetry which is music.  I imagine I am not alone.  "Stairway to Heaven" has rock, it has haunting minor elements, and the imagery of the lyrics evokes far more in my mind than the words would on their own.

And then there's Heart.  Ann and Nancy Wilson can really make a song rock, but in songs like "These Dreams" they can also paint lush pictures.  And, clearly, Ann can sing!

So, when I found this video, in which Heart does "Stairway to Heaven" in a tribute to Led Zeppelin, I watched it. And watched it again.  I simply love their interpretation.  In many ways, it's clearly the original.  In other ways, it's got Heart stamped all over it.

So, if you like the original, or if you like Heart, or both -- I bet you'll like this.

On 12/12/12 - The Twelve Albums of Christmas

For 12/12/12 I decided I really needed to have a 12-themed post.  What to do, what to do?

As I was listening to my Christmas music, the song "12 Days of Christmas" came on, and I knew what my topic had to be....

I love Christmas music.  I listen to it during much of the year -- far more often than most people, but we each have our idiosyncrasies,and I have quite a large library.  Every year, I buy a new Christmas music album, and I often receive more from people who know how much I enjoy the genre.  This year's album was a disappointment, over all, because among the 14 selections, there were only four I would classify as worth listening to again.  But those four are excellent, and with our music technology these days, it's easy to ensure I listen to those, and never hear the others again.

However, there are a great many Christmas albums which are on my "must hear" list.  So, today, here they are, grouped as necessary, with my comments. And the images are "clickable."  They take you to places you can buy the albums, if you want.

Amy Grant Christmas Albums


As Sherry and I started our lives together, Amy Grant was one of our shared favorite artists.  Sherry knew her work before I did, introduced me to it, and we both continue to enjoy her music.  Amy is a Christian, started her songwriting and singing with Christian music, and she brings a conviction along with her beautiful voice and spot-on arrangements.  I've never had a "Tennessee Christmas" but I can image it.  "Breath of Heaven," "'Til the Season Comes Round Again," "Heirlooms" and "Grown Up Christmas List" are all-time favorites of mine.  And her "Silent Night" is so beautiful.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Albums


Almost as long as Amy Grant's music as been in our house, Mannheim Steamroller's has.  These albums are so well known these days that I don't need to describe them, but the innovative take they have, with their reliance on instrumentals, makes them unique.  "Good King Wenceslas" and "Deck the Halls" and "Stille Nacht" are fantastic, and that's just on their first album. Chip Davis is a genius. I had to limit my images to two in order to allow other albums to make the 12. 

Speaking of limiting myself to fewer images while covering more CDs ...

Christmas at Luther

This annual event did not begin until after we graduate from Luther, but Adam started at Luther in 2002, we attended the performance of Christmas at Luther that year, which included "Hope for Resolution" which can still bring tears to my eyes.  For the next several years, until Sarah's last year at Luther, we enjoyed participating in these events.

The CDs contain some of the best choral Christmas you will ever hear.  The organizers of the event always include several audience hymn/carols, and, to their credit, these are also included on the CD, so you can join in and sing along with hundreds of celebrants.
Yes, I know it's sort of a cheat to include only one of the CDs in this list.  I listen to every one of them I own.  If you want to own them, follow this link.

Speaking of Sarah ...

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas


This is Christmas music for a new generation. T-SO is a rock orchestral group, and the songs here -- both arrangements of traditional songs and their own compositions -- are primarily rock-centric.  There are exceptions, but you should be prepared for something modern if you listen to this for the first time.  I've enjoyed the albums since I got them, but it's also true that I like them more each year.  I'm so glad Sarah and Troy got these two for me.

Michael W Smith - Christmastime

Here's an album I got, having never heard, because I like Michael W Smith's Christian music.  I am very happy I did it.

Like Amy Grant, Christmas music has a special meaning to Michael W Smith, as both of them are Christian artists.

Smith is also an accomplished pianist and arranger, and his renditions of carol medleys, as well as "Welcome to Our World" are well worth purchasing this album.


Julie Andrews and Andre Previn


I think I've written about this before but indulge me.

When I was growing up, one of the Christmas albums we had was an album which was distributed by the Firestone Tire Company.  Companies used to do that sort of thing.  In fact, I think we had two Firestone Christmas albums, but one which always stuck with me was the one featuring Julie Andrews (Sound of Music, My Fair Lady (Broadway), Mary Poppins -- you know her) with an orchestra led by Andre Previn.

This is simply beautiful music, which will be enjoyed by any lover of Christmas music, I think.  For me, it has special significance because of my personal history.  I'm so glad I could find it on CD so many years later.

But hey, speaking of music being distributed by companies you might not expect ...

Lorie Line Christmas - from Chex!


Yes, you read that right. From Chex.  (And yes, the link behind the picture to the right will take you to Amazon, which claims to be able to sell it to you.)

I admit it -- I had never heard any of Lorie Line's piano music until we got this CD.  I still haven't bought any more, (Why, Steve?  Why!?!) but I simply adore this disk.

Her versions are not solely piano, but they are instrumental.  Excellent music to have on during a Christmas party, or to listen to quietly in an empty house.

And for the 12th album, I have a decision to make.  One last spot.  Too many good choices.  Because it seems to get on my playlist more than any of the rest this year, I will choose ...


Glee Christmas


Yes, I am a Gleek of sorts.  And I certainly gleeked out for their first Christmas episode.  This is the only Christmas CD of theirs I own.  (Hint, hint!)

Most of the carols on this CD are upbeat, because the TV show is about a Glee club, but there are a couple of quiet arrangements, and generally the happy, energetic voices of these young artists fit the songs they do very well.  "Deck the Rooftop" is a fun "mash-up" -- for which the Glee show is famous; "Baby It's Cold Outside" is groundbreaking and cute; "Angels We Have Heard on High" rocks, in the very best way.

So, there it is, the list of my Twelve Christmas Albums (with a little cheating) on 12/12/12.  If you're a Christmas music fan like I am, you probably have the same trouble limiting yourself.  Feel free to tell me about selections I have missed.  I'm always looking for more!

There it is!

Yeah, so, ummm --- last time I wrote about not being able to find a video.

Sarah found it.  (Thanks, Sarah!)




Love the math.