Musica
I do not know about you guys (*hint hint- feel free to tell me) but I can not concentrate well with OUT music on! I tend to like all music except for what most people like, haha. In other words I’m the salmon swiming against the stream most of the time. I stick to what I like, and that includes everything except for generally rap, pop, and thats about it. I love classical music, I love jazz, I love show tunes, I love Rock, Metal (heavy and melodic) and I love punk. I tend to like the older stuff more.
This morning I woke up to some LOVELY music. I had set my ipod alarm to play my most played list, so today I will introduce you to some of the artists on that list.
1. First of all there is, possibly one of my favourite modern classical musicians (if that even makes sense) who also happens to be a good friend. His name is Steven Tsitsos. He recently started a you tube account and though as of today he only has a few videos up, they are all absolutely phenomenal (if he sees this he will laugh). When He asked my favourite I had to be honest. I couldn’t choose and still can’t! They are all just so beautiful. The three part of ‘Affairs of the Heart’ are all astoundingly beautiful, but the songs for percussion and orchestra are beautiful, fun, and receive more views in general, and I particularly like the Prague segment of these. Check them all out at his channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenTsitsos#p/u/1/g25j5v0kM3k
I hope you enjoy!
2. A wonderful Canadian star Michael Buble reaches heights of supremacy on my I-pod play lists. Ok that might parcially be because I was dancing to one of his songs and listened to it over and over again, but I still love his music. And the music video was very fun too. Here it is:
The song I danced to was Cry Me a River. I did a little jazz number en pointe, but sadly it did not end well. I had some…technical difficulties. I hadn’t practiced much for it since my ballet exam was coming up soon as well. First the pointe shoes came half off… then one tore! Haha it didnt go well but for once, I am still able to listen to a song after having performed to it. here it is on Youtube:
3. Another group I love is Weather report. I danced to them a few years ago, the 1min 30 second dance turned into an impromptu improvisational piece when the uncut version was played. Luckily it was a solo and I managed the full 7 minutes, though my mom was near having a heart attack and was ready to pull me off stage when she saw I was tired. I had recently had a sore throat, perhaps from nerves, and when I got off stage, after the demanding jumps and pirouettes and the added stress of not knowing what was happening, I started coughing with my throat so sore, I needed to drink plenty of water before returning to the back stage duties I had helping out other dancers older and younger. They have too many songs to pic a favourite, so I will let you guys explore and make the decision for your self!
4. As for jazz… hmmm. Duke Ellington is pretty good (hahaha). And of course so is Count Basie. I love the song “April in Paris” that he did(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buPYdXcfwJc). Ella Fitzgerald is also amazing. I the album she did with Louis Armstrong. I strongly suggest you find it! But there are too many great Jazz musicians to choose from. The Dave Brubeck quartet is incredible. I was fortunate enough to see them in concert in the Terry Town concert hall, and meet Mr. and Mrs. Brubeck back stage as well. I know I already showed you Take Five, but his pieces “The A-Train” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk” are both incredible too. These guys just need to be mentioned: Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker. Bird of course is possibly one of the BEST and most fundamental musicians of jazz.
I’ll have a think about any more of my favourite Jazz musicians. Tell me who you like too.
5. As for heavy metal, I love Kamelot. There are so many great metal bands, but I love the stories they tend to tell. Amon Amarth is good too. Most of the good metal bands seem to have references to stories. What my brothers and sister and I have figured out from our own experimentation is that Scandinavian, German and Polish metal is really good. Of course there is good metal from all over the world, but its up to you to find your own taste!
Well I’ve had an awful long break from studying. I better get going. More later dear Readers!!!
Mirella Rose
oh and P.S. If anyone wants to know more great Jazz Legends there is actually a book titled that, which has the best must have CD’s for any connoisseur of Jazz. Also, if you want to play jazz you MUST absolutely MUST get the Real Book. Years after being put together it is still in use and a powerful reference book for jazz musicians old and young. It has all the best songs of jazz from all composers. I don’t know if there is a CD of it, but the book itself is good to have!