The Music Thread

[KevinJS]

 

[42N2Zs]

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All the album covers you posted have been a treat! I’ve always viewed them as worthy works of art and been tempted to buy an LP just for the album cover. Thanks …

 

[42N2Zs]

Here are two more versions of the song Kawika by Mark Ho’omalu. The first one is a chant; the second one has a modified melody line and an additional refrain.

Ever since his first appearance at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo (1997), Mark has raised eyebrows because of his unique style that blends traditional and unconventional elements.

(Mark Ho’omalu is from the Islands; he co-founded the Academy of Hawaiian Arts in Oakland, California.)

Seems like he got enough flak from the establishment that he responded by titling his 2003 album “Call it What You Like …” The “singing” Kawika is from this album. The chant is from “Po’kela Chants,” 1999.

Kawika (David) refers to King David Kalakaua, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Nation. He is known as the “Merrie Monarch” because of his flamboyant style. He was also a staunch supporter of Native Culture and is credited with its revival. The annual week-long Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, HI, is named after him. A three-night hula competition is central to the event.

I became an instant fan after seeing and hearing Mark chant (on TV). Shortly after “Call it What You Like …” was released, I bought the CD …

He Mele Inoa O Kalakaua - YouTube

kawika by mark ho'omalu - Google Search

 

[KevinJS]

All the album covers you posted have been a treat! I’ve always viewed them as worthy works of art and been tempted to buy an LP just for the album cover. Thanks …

I’ve done that a few times. The music content is not usually disappointing either when some effort has gone into the artwork.

I’m trying not to swamp the thread. I listen to music almost constantly so I play much more than I post.

I’m glad you find it interesting.

 

[KevinJS]

 

[42N2Zs]

I like music or songs that make me laugh. Of course, it needs to have a catchy tune too! El Burro Socarrón plays on the Hawaiian Music channel, and I have fun singing along whenever it comes on (the burro part). Although technically not Hawaiian, being homegrown makes it so.

Until now, I only knew El Burro Socarrón as the “Donkey Song.” That anyone would make up a song about a donkey is already funny to me. A little research made it even funnier - El Burro Socarrón translates to "The Sarcastic Donkey" or "The Cunning Donkey." The song is about a lazy donkey that works hard only when in love. Even funnier, it’s a metaphor relating to a co-worker! Not a lyrics person, but I find the concept highly amusing.

The genre is Katchi-Katchi, a local term for Puerto Rican music. Etymology, condensed version: when a person of Japanese descent first heard the music, he described it as “scratchy.” Although not apparently audible in this recording, the scratchy sound most likely can be attributed to a güiro, a percussion instrument made from a hollowed-out long gourd with ridges carved along the top. Sound is produced by scraping or hitting the ridges with a stick or metal hair comb. Here, we call it the Sratch _ss! …

 

[KevinJS]

Germany:

UK and China

Italy

Finland

 

[42N2Zs]

It is said that if anyone only possesses 11 albums, one of those albums will be Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Since I possess many multiples of that number, it's no surprise that I have it. It's a beautiful album. It was written and performed by a tightly-knit group, who could practically feel each others thoughts and moods.

Fast forward to Tusk, a cocaine-fuelled adventure in self expression and I think we have the piece that Fleetwood Mac will be remembered for in 200 years time. It cost a phenomenal amount of money to produce. The personal lives of the performers were in tatters; marriages and relationships of many years standing were in ruins, but somehow Lindsey Buckingham and the band managed to put together a masterpiece. Mick Fleetwood once said that the band is a rhythm section (himself and John McVie) accompanied by anyone who could handle being a part of something that is bigger than any musician. Watching the band on stage shows the different characters at play. Mick and John look totally relaxed, enjoying themselves hugely. Christine McVie doesn't appear to be putting too much effort in and lets the keyboards do the work, her crystal clear voice filling the moment when called upon to do so. And then Buckingham and Stevie Nicks put on a performance that screams of desperate, unfulfilled love, an opportunity missed, a moment passed. The passion of their performance speaks volumes. They seem not so much to be singing to each other, as pouring out their hearts to each other, and all the time with a realization that there is no going back, that what has gone, has gone...forever.



Fleetwood Mac is one of the great bands, yet somehow flies under the radar. Many of the people who have the 11th album would forget to mention the band if they were called upon to name their top ten. For me, they are up there with Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Pink Floyd etc. THE greats, those who cannot be, and never will be, replaced, those who musical history will never forget.

Love this song.

It is said that if anyone only possesses 11 albums, one of those albums will be Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Since I possess many multiples of that number, it's no surprise that I have it. It's a beautiful album. It was written and performed by a tightly-knit group, who could practically feel each others thoughts and moods.

Fast forward to Tusk, a cocaine-fuelled adventure in self expression and I think we have the piece that Fleetwood Mac will be remembered for in 200 years time. It cost a phenomenal amount of money to produce. The personal lives of the performers were in tatters; marriages and relationships of many years standing were in ruins, but somehow Lindsey Buckingham and the band managed to put together a masterpiece. Mick Fleetwood once said that the band is a rhythm section (himself and John McVie) accompanied by anyone who could handle being a part of something that is bigger than any musician. Watching the band on stage shows the different characters at play. Mick and John look totally relaxed, enjoying themselves hugely. Christine McVie doesn't appear to be putting too much effort in and lets the keyboards do the work, her crystal clear voice filling the moment when called upon to do so. And then Buckingham and Stevie Nicks put on a performance that screams of desperate, unfulfilled love, an opportunity missed, a moment passed. The passion of their performance speaks volumes. They seem not so much to be singing to each other, as pouring out their hearts to each other, and all the time with a realization that there is no going back, that what has gone, has gone...forever.



Fleetwood Mac is one of the great bands, yet somehow flies under the radar. Many of the people who have the 11th album would forget to mention the band if they were called upon to name their top ten. For me, they are up there with Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Pink Floyd etc. THE greats, those who cannot be, and never will be, replaced, those who musical history will never forget.

I love this collaboration. I thought the line was “just say that you love me “ and that it was the title also. Wrong and wrong! I bought the album “Fleetwood Mac “ which had “Rhiannon” on it. I still have a crush on Stevie Nicks …

 

[42N2Zs]

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A song that definitely takes me back in space and time …

 

[scifan57]

 

[42N2Zs]

In years to come, 2016 may not go down as a particularly terrible year. Our musical heroes are getting on a bit and I guess we have to realize that time catches up with us all in the end.

Right now, 2016 does seem to have carried off some of the finest musicians. Here are a few that I will miss.

Prince

David Bowie

Keith Emerson and Greg Lake

Removed dead links

Rick Parfitt



Neville Marriner

I like Sky’s A Musical Joke. Guess you must be s trained musician to “get it.” Sounds good to me! …

 

[42N2Zs]

I have always liked the rich, mellow sound of the cello. A local group, “Olomana,” used it effectively to complement their “sound.”

A few years back, a TV ad featured a jazzy cello. I can’t remember what it was for, but the theme for the NBC show 48 Hours is done in a similar style. (I think it’s a cello.)

 

[KevinJS]

THis arrangement is sometimes credited to Arnold Schoenberg. Actually, only the original idea was his. The thinking behind it was about bringing classical music to a wider audience by using a smaller orchestra.

This recording is notable for being one of three that substitutes the female vocal in the 4th movement for a boy soprano. Daniel Hellmann was borrowed from the Zürcher Sängerknaben. I suspect that Howard Griffiths noticed the boy while he was conducting the Zürcher Kammerorchester, as he used the choir for Haydn's Die Schöpfung. Both recordings were made in 1999.

 

[KevinJS]

Simone Simons is the singer with the Dutch metal band Epica

Tarja Turunen was the original singer with Nightwish. She was fired by the band for her lack of commitment and replaced by Anette Olzon.

 

[42N2Zs]

My first “audio system” was a GE Trimline 500 Record Player (1967). The whole affair folded inward for portability (note carrying handle).
GE Trimline 500 Stereo Record Player

Google Search AI Summary: “The mid- to late 1960s US music scene was a period of dynamic change, defined by the British Invasion and the rise of diverse genres like psychedelic rock, soul (especially Motown), and protest music. Major events like the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and assassinations fueled music that reflected a culture in flux, from the upbeat sounds of the era to powerful political commentary.”

My LP purchasing decisions were different from what was popular. Some of my first albums:

Brazil ‘66
I became a fan after listening to this album through a pair of complimentary United Airlines headphones. (I may have seen them on the Ed Sullivan Show prior.) I liked the melodies, rhythm, and cool style of the group.

Herbie Mann at the Village Gate
I decided to listen to instrumental jazz because there were no lyrics to deal with. I especially liked “Comin’ Guy Home Baby” on this album. (I bought another album later which featured a female vocalist, whom I liked.

Dave Brubek, Take 5
“Take 5,” of course!

Mantovani
I rank the live sound of a symphony orchestra “Tops!” Mantovani played all types of music with his orchestra and unique “shimmering strings” style. I especially liked his interpretations of popular music, new, and old. He also made recordings from another favorite category,“movie music.”

A Fistful of Dollars
I like the “Man With No Name,” still keep an ear out for original movie soundtracks.

(Record player and Brazil ‘66 pics transposed.)