Filler Soul

My Version : Napak Tilas Sejarah POWER METAL

2012-10-27T03:44:00.000+01:00

Lama vakum dan setelah 6 tahun sibuk dengan kegiatan masing-masing, grup musik era 80-90an Power Metal kembali berkumpul. Desember 2010 lalu, mereka merelease album anyar bertajuk Power Metal IX.

Ada yang berubah dalam album ini. Arul Efansyah memang masih tak tergantikan untuk mengisi vokal, meski sempat tak aktif beberapa lama dan digantikan vokalis lainnya ketika grup ini vakum. 3 pemain baru, mengisi 3 punggawa lama yang absen pada album ini. Mereka adalah Sababa (bass), Ekko Dinaya (drum) dan Sastro Adi (keyboard).
Khusus Eko Dinaya, sudah ikut andil di album sebelumnya di tahun 2004, KebesaranMu.
Yang unik, adalah 2 gitaris andal yang sempat keluar masuk Power Metal, kini bergabung, saling mengisi dan memberi warna baru. Keduanya adalah Ipunk dan Lucky Setyo. Bersama mereka berdua berpadu memainkan double guitar.
Baru kali inilah, Power Metal memainkan 2 gitar. Ipunk, adalah gitaris yang mengharubiru dunia musik rock tanah air di era akhir 80an dan 90an. Ia berperan penting dalam kelahiran album pertama Power Metal - Power One. Dari album ini, banyak lagu yang akhirnya tersimpan apik di memori penggemarnya. Sebut saja lagu berjudul Angkara, Satu Jiwa, Cita yang Tersita, Bayangan Dirimu hingga Pengakuan yang religius itu.
Ipunk sempat keluar dari Power Metal dan bergabung dengan Andromedha, band asal Surabaya yang saat itu, juga memberi warna peta musik rock negeri ini. Lain lagi dengan Lucky Setyo. Sebelum bergabung dengan Power Metal di awal 1993an, ia memegang gitar di grup Andomedha.
Singkatnya, Ipunk dan Lucky, saat itu – entah disengaja atau tidak – bertukar tempat. Sayatan gitar Lucky, tertoreh di sejumlah lagu yang cukup membekas di hati fans fanatik Power Metal. Lagu Sirna, Memori Jingga, Timur Tragedi, Egosentris, Bidadari hingga Sungguh adalah sebagian buah keterampilan Lucky memainkan melodi gitar.
Nah, di album anyar ini, mereka berdua bergabung, bahu membahu untuk memuaskan dahaga penggemarnya yang sudah lama menunggu kiprah mereka kembali.

“Sang Waktu dan Keyakinanku”
Mengusung 10 tembang gres, hanya satu lagu yang repackage. Lagu Satu Jiwa yang memiliki speed yang cepat, diolah kembali dengan sound dan irama yang agak berbeda. Coba simak permainan gitar Ipunk dan Lucky yang saling mengisi dalam lagu ini. Lagu yang berada pada side B empat ini, terasa lebih gahar. Speed lagu tetap saja tak berubah dari bentuk aslinya. Warna suara Arul juga tak berubah, meski usianya sudah diatas 45 tahun. Memang, power suara agak berkurang, tapi itu tak mengurangi roh lagu ini.

Sang Waktu, menjadi penggebrak di album ini. Di posisi pertama, lagu Sang Waktu, sangat khas berbau Power Metal. Inilah warna asli Power Metal yang lama tak terdengar. Ada sedikit warna Metallica di sana. Ditambah irama yang kencang. Raungan sound gitar yang galak dari Ipunk dan Lucky, bergantian menghias di sepanjang lagu. Lengkinan suara Arul juga dahsyat. Asyik pokoknya… Lain lagi dengan lagu Keyakinanku, lagu andalan kedua, dimulai dari suara keyboard Sastro. Terasa manis dan syahdu. Tak kalah dengan Raymond Ariasz – pendahulunya, Sastro juga piawai memainkan jemarinya, tuts demi tuts. Memilih jenis suara instrumen hingga menyusun melodi yang manis.

Festival Rock
Grup Power Metal berangkat dari ajang Festival Rock se Indonesia yang digelar Log Zhelebour di era tahun 80-90an. Kompetisi tahunan yang rutin digelar ini, kala itu, memang secara tidak langsung mendongkrak musik rock berkibar di blantika musik tanah air. Banyak daerah di Indonesia mengirimkan wakilnya untuk berlaga.
Final Festival tak hanya didominasi kelompok musik dari Pulau Jawa. Puluhan grup band menjadi finalis, mengalahkan ratusan grup band lainnya untuk menjadi yang terbaik. Tercatat nama-nama Elpamas dari Malang, Valhalla dan New Chordex’s dari Medan, Three Brothers asal Bengkulu, Saltis dari Madura, Rudal dan Sahara dari Bandung, Big Boys dari Banjarmasin, Andromedha, Kamikaze dan Phytagoras dari Surabaya, CB Band dari Kediri, Kaisar dari Solo, Partha Putri dan Casanova dari Yogyakarta serta Whizz Kid dan Roxx dari Jakarta. Selanjutnya, musik keras ini juga memunculkan nama-nama baru seperti Surabaya Rock Band, kakak beradik Adi Metal Band juga dari Surabaya serta Rolland Band Yogyakarta. Sebagian dari mereka kemudian eksis dan membuat album rekaman.
Setelah lolos finalis, Power Metal menjuarai ajang bergengsi pada Festival Rock se Indonesia ke V, di tahun 1990. Saat itu, Power Metal mengusung lagu Malapetaka dengan Pungki Diaz sebagai vokalis. Tak berapa lama, Arul yang kala itu, juga tampil jadi finalis dengan grupnya Big Boys dari Banjarmasin, bergabung dan masuk ke Power Metal menggantikan Pungki yang pindah ke Andromedha.
Arul Efansyah – vokal, Ipunk – gitar, Prass Haddy – bass, Raymond Ariasz – keyboard dan Muggix Adam – drum. Merekalah formasi pertama ketika membuat album perdana, Power One. Nyaris semua lagu di album ini menjadi popular. Angkara, Satu Jiwa, Malapetaka, Cita yang Tersita, Bayangan Dirimu dan Pengakuan, semua teringat benar di benak kita.
Album berikutnya, berturut-turut keluar satu persatu. Serigala, Power Demons, Power Works, Power Mission. Ipunk kemudian memutuskan keluar, dan diganti Lucky Setyo. Masih produktif, mereka terus menggulirkan album demi album. Sempat pula mereka membikin album History of Power Metal dan 18 Greatest Hits di sekitar tahun 1995 hingga album terakhir KebesaranMu pada tahun 2004.

Seperti dinamika grup-grup musik di seluruh dunia, kesibukan masing-masing personil dan tuntutan menghidupi ekonomi keluargalah, yang akhirnya membatasi mereka untuk selalu berkomunikasi. Pertemuan antarpersonil, pun menjadi sebuah harta yang tak ternilai. Dampaknya, produktivitas Power Metal juga kian surut. Kondisi itu kian diperparah dengan berubahnya selera musik tanah air. Musik rock yang dulu meraja, kian terkikis dengan hadirnya musik pop kreatif, ska bahkan dangdut.
Raymond Ariasz, Muggix Adam, Prass Haddy (kemudian digantikan Fredi Rossi dan Endro Endrawan), akhirnya mundur satu persatu. Bulan lalu, kawan di Magelang memberiahu, kalau Muggix Adam kini bermukim di kota Magelang, Jawa Tengah bersama keluarganya. Sedangkan “Raymond Ariasz masih di Surabaya”.
Dan baru Desember 2010 lalu, Power Metal berani melempar albumnya yang ke sembilan. Album baru tersebut ternyata memang benar-benar ditunggu penggemarnya.
Sejak dilempar ke pasaran awal Desember, hingga akhir tahun sudah terjual dua ribuan kaset. “Padahal album ini belum dibantu video klip, karena baru saja kelar syuting”.
Di tahun 2011 ini, sejumlah aksi bakal dilakukan Power Metal. Selain tur di beberapa kota untuk promosi album dan pembuatan video klip album baru, Power Metal juga bakal menggelontorkan mini album. Rencananya, mini album tersebut akan dilempar dalam triwulan pertama tahun ini. Berikutnya, Power Metal akan kembali masuk dapur rekaman membuat album berikutnya. “Kami akan berduet dengan salah satu penyanyi rock wanita yang dulu pernah merajai negeri ini”, kata Arul, tanpa memberitahu siapa penyanyi yang dimaksud. Bisa jadi itu Nicky Astria, Mel Shandy, Hesty Brizha atau Ita Purnamasari? Entahlah….kita tunggu saja. Salam tiga jari.

Maunya Nulis Aja ........

2012-04-21T14:46:00.001+01:00

Aku sungguh merindukanmu ..
Apakah Tuhan selalu menyampaikan rindu-rinduku untukmu?
Aku selalu meminta-Nya untuk menyampaikan rasa rindu ini padamu.
sepertinya keinginanku untuk bersama telah sirna.

Bahkan sampai saat ini hanya kamulah yang berada di tahta tertinggi hatiku.
Aku hanya ingin bersama denganmu saja meskipun tidak tahu caranya, tapi bisakah kita bersama-sama di surga?
Aku tlah lelah dengan kehidupan .........
Aku yang selalu merindukanmu.

Surat Yang Gak Perlu Dibaca !!

2012-04-21T14:37:00.000+01:00

Dalam keheningan malam, ku coba mengerti apa yang terjadi. Merangkai puing-puing kisah yang tak pernah bisa terjawab oleh logika. Menyatukan getir dan manis berpadu menjadi bingkai kesalahan yang berkepanjangan. Ini bukan mauku. Ini juga bukan inginku. Semua terjadi di luar kendaliku.

Apakah aku salah?
Sebuah pesan dari sanubari muncul ketika jiwa tersayat oleh nyatamu. Senyum mengelakkan luka yang tersamar.
Meskipun mata tak akan pernah mampu untuk bersembunyi. Lalu, hanya penyesalan yang kemudian menjabat erat keterasingan antara maaf dan seandainya.
Dan diri menepi, mencoba merenungi. Hingga lahirlah sebuah kejujuran hati dalam puisi ini:

Letter from the heart
Sungguh aku pernah meminta hati dan cintamu
Sungguh aku ingin kau membalas rasa ini
Ingin aku mengatakan itu, jujur, tulus dihadapanmu
Namun beraniku tak pernah hinggap didiriku, walau sesaat
Aku takut kau lebih menjauhiku
Aku takut kau lebih membenciku
Meskipun aku tak tahu apa yang ada dibenakmu saat ini
Telah bencikah itu ada untukku
Telah menjauhkah pilihanmu kini kepadaku
Sungguh aku ingin berkata maaf
Maafkan aku jika telah melukaimu dengan rasaku
Maafkan aku jika aku tak bisa untuk tidak mempedulikanmu
Maafkan aku yang selalu mengganggumu hanya karna ingin mendengar suaramu
Maafkan aku yang pernah menjadikanmu sebagai penyemangat hidupku
Maafkan aku untuk semua yang telah aku lakukan….
Dan sungguh aku ingin berkata terima kasih
Terima kasih atas penerimaanmu terhadapku meski terkadang seakan terpaksakan
Terima kasih kau mengijinkanku sedikit hadir di kisahmu walau hanya sepenggal
Terima kasih kau pernah mengajakku masuk dalam duniamu meski sepintas lalu
Terima kasih karna kau telah membangkitkan semangatku walau kau tak pernah tahu
Terima kasih kau pernah mewarnai dunia kecilku ini…
Tuhan sampaikan kata-kata ini untuknya..
Agar dia tahu aku pernah meminta hati dan cintanya
Agar dia tahu aku takut kehilangan dirinya
Agar dia tahu aku selalu mempedulikannya
Meski dia tak pernah mempedulikanku…
Tuhan katakan padanya aku merindukannya
Aku hanya ingin dia menggangapku ada
Ada di mata dan di hatinya

Terpaku. Mulut terkatup. Tak satupun kata bersuara saat puisi ini terlahir. Surat yang tak pernah terjamah mata siapapun. Surat yang selalu tersimpan nyaman di dalam laci hati.
Jiwa bergetar, berharap puisi ini sampai ke relung terdalamnya. Bukan untuk mengganggu, bukan pula mengusik ketenangan di sana. Namun, sepenggal mengertimu itu, akan menjadi nafas kehidupanku selanjutnya.
Maka, kelak lihatlah aku dengan hatimu. Sentuhlah aku dengan jiwamu. Tatap mataku dengan tulusmu. Dengan begitu ku kan tahu sebening embun pagi nanti senyummu tertumpah dalam cawan keikhlasanku, melepaskan semuanya.

Isteri Yang Agresif di Sayang Alloh

2012-04-21T14:28:00.000+01:00

Wanita solehah ialah wanita penghibur suami. Merekalah sebenarnya WANITA PENGHIBUR dan isteri yang paling pandai melayani suaminya, dengan mempersembahkan segala kemesraan, kemanjaan dan cinta yang sebenarnya. Sehingga hati suami selalu merindukannya dan tidak mau berpisah dengannya walaupun sekejap.

Namun bagaimana untuk menjadikannya kenyataan? Apa yang perlu dilakukan oleh isteri? Mudah saja! Satu daripadanya ialah dengan mengukir SENYUMAN.

GINCU yang paling indah bagi isteri ialah SENYUMANNYA yang MANIS menghiasi bibir.
Celak yang paling indah menghiasi sepasang matanya ialah pandangan yang MESRA dan LEMBUT.
PAKAIAN paling cantik yang dipakainya ialah KELEMBUTAN dan KEHALUSANNYA. Dan WEWANGIAN paling harum yang dikenakanya ialah KEBERSIHANNYA.

Alangkah baiknya jika sang isteri menggunakan senyumannya yang manis, pandangan yang mesra dan lembut serta wajahnya yang berseri-seri terutama sekali ketika mengiringi kepergian suami tersayang ke muka pintu, apabila suami hendak keluar rumah dan apabila menyambut kepulangannya.

HARTA yang PALING BAIK di dunia ini ialah ISTERI yang SHOLEHAH dan satu daripada CIRI isteri yang solehah ialah yang MENGGEMBIRAKAN suaminya apabila suami MELIHAT ke arahnya.

Apabila suami hanya memandang wajah isterinya yang menghantar dan menyambutnya di muka pintu dengan senyuman manis, wajah yang dihiasi cantik untuk suaminya (tidak comot), rasa lapang hati dan gembira tidak terkata. Hilang segala rasa letih, lapar, dahaga dan tekanan perasaan. Semuanya hilang disebabkan mujarabnya SENYUMAN isteri yang diiringi KATA-KATA yang LEMBUT dan MANJA menusuk kalbu. Ini yang menyebabkan hati suami tertawan dan segera pulang ke rumah, bukan karena takut isteri yang ‘Queen Control’ sehingga suami akan pergi kerja pun harus membawa jam beker sebab takut terlewat pulang kena marah dengan isteri. Isteri begini tak masuk booklah..!

Coba kita bayangkan ketika hendak menaiki dan turun dan kapal terbang. Ada beberapa pramugari yang ditugaskan untuk menyambut kita di muka pintu, dengan senyuman yang manis mengucapkan selamat datang, selamat pagi, terima kasih dan sebagainya. Kita berasa sungguh BAHAGIA apabila disambut dan dilayani sedemikian rupa. Apatah insan yang bergelar suami yang mendapat layanan yang paling istimewa dari isterinya yang tercinta. Hati suami akan gembira tidak terperih.

Mari kita renungkan betapa pentingnya untuk isteri mengiringi kepergian suami ke muka pintu apabila suami hendak keluar rumah dan menyambut kepulangannya dengan senyuman:

1) Sebagai SEMANGAT dan MOTIVASI kepada suami yang keluar mencari nafkah dan berasa letih apabila selesai bekerja. Kajian mengatakan : “suami yang mendapat belaian dan perhatian daripada isterinya akan cemerlang di tempat kerjanya dan di tengah masyarakat.”

2) MERAPATKAN hubungan antara suami isteri dan menerbitkan rasa RINDU ingin segera bertemu.

3) Suami merasakan dirinya DIHARGAI dan DISAYANGI.

4) Timbul perasaan SALING MEMPERCAYAI anatara satu sama lain.

5) Turunnya RAHAMAT dan KEBERKAHAN dari Allah SWT, sebagaimana sabda Rasulullah SAW “Sesungguhnya apabila seorang suami menatap isterinya dan isterinya membalas pandang (dengan penuh rasa cinta-kasih) maka Allah SWT menatap mereka dengan pandangan kasih mesra.
Jika suami membelai tangan isterinya maka dosa mereka jatuh berguguran di celahan jari-jari tangan mereka”.

6) Senyuman adalah rahsia AWET MUDA. Kajian mengatakan apabila seseorang itu senyum, dia menggunakan 14 otot di mukanya dan ini adalah rahasia awet muda. Manakala apabila seseorang itu bermasam muka, dia telah menggunakan 72 otot di mukanya dan ini adalah penyebab ‘cepat’ tua.

7) Senyuman mendapat pahala SEDEKAH, ditambah dengan pahala melayani suami yang besar ganjarannya di sisi Allah SWT.

“Siapa-siapa wanita yang menunggu suami pulang lalu disapukan mukanya, dihamparkan tempat duduknya, menyediakan makanannya, merenung suaminya atau memegang tangannya, memperelokkan hidangannnya, memelihara anaknya dan memanfaatkan hartanya kepada suaminya karena mencari keridhoan Allah SWT, maka dituliskan baginya tiap-tiap kalimat ucapannya, tiap-tiap langkahnya, tiap-tiap renugannya kepada suaminya sebagai pahala memerdekakan seorang hamba”.

Untukmu Wahai Penitip Sejengkal Hati

2012-04-21T14:04:00.000+01:00

Apa kabar hatimu kini? Setelah sekian lama tak bersua dalam gerimis hujan yang menebarkan aroma kabut. Setelah sekian lama tak bertemu dalam hangatnya secangkir cappucino dan sepotong muffin.

Apa kabarmu, wahai Sang Penitip Sejengkal Hati?
Masihkah ada sebagian hatimu yang engkau simpan untukku, meskipun itu tersembunyi di palung hatimu yang paling dalam? Ingatkah engkau akan kata-katamu ketika itu? Ketika kaukatakan hendak menitipkan sedikit saja hati sebagai sekeping mozaik untuk bisa melengkapi hari-hariku. Aku terima kala itu. Kujaga sejengkal hatimu dengan sepenuh jiwaku. Kusimpan rapat di dalam lubuk hatiku yang paling dalam. Aku menjaga dan merawatnya dengan penuh kasih sayang biar senantiasa tumbuh mekar di dalam hatiku.

Namun, Kekasih
Malam tadi aku bermimpi buruk. Datang seorang dengan wajah menyeramkan. Tak buruk tapi sorot matanya tajam membuatku mengerut dalam ketakutan.
Aku bertanya, “Siapa engkau?”
Dia menjawab, “Aku si malaikat penjaga hati Ilham.”

Ya, Ilham, Kekasihku. Dia datang, Dia datang hendak merenggut sejengkal hatimu yang telanjur engkau titipkan padaku. Katanya, hatiku tak cukup besar untuk menyimpan mozaik cintamu, dan di sana ada tempat yang lebih lapang untuk menyimpan kepingan hatimu itu.
Aku menolaknya, Sayang. Namun apa daya, direnggutnya hatimu yang kusimpan rapat-rapat dalam relung hatiku.
Disobeknya hatiku dengan jemarinya yang berkuku tajam, juga dengan tatapan matanya yang terasa sembilu. Ngilu, Sayang. Aku tak kuasa untuk menolaknya. Ia merenggut hatimu, membawanya pergi dari hatiku, meninggalkan luka menganga dan berdarah-darah. Mengoyak, meruam, aduh sakit sekali, Sayang.
Perih kurasakan. Lihatlah hatiku yang kini terkoyak. Rusak tak lagi berbentuk. Mungkin tak ada yang bisa menyembuhkannya sedangkan engkau tak kunjung datang untuk menenangkanku, meredam luka hatiku, menentramkan gelisah jiwaku.
Aku berlari, Ilham. Berlari sekuat tenagaku untuk meraih kembali kepingan hatimu yang ia bawa pergi. Aku terengah, terseok, lalu habis sudah daya. Ia menghilang membawa sejengkal hatimu. Tak hendak ia kembali meskipun aku menangis darah.

Lalu, bertemulah aku dengan sosok yang baik hati itu. Ia menatapku dengan penuh cinta. Sejuk kurasa di kalbu, Ilham.
Aku pun bertanya, “Siapa kau?”
Ia menjawab, “Akulah malaikat penjaga hatimu. Pengobat laramu dan penghibur hatimu di kala sedang resah dan gulana.”
Aku pun tersadar, Ilham. Tak seharusnya aku menyimpan jengkal hatimu pada hatiku sedang hatimu telah dijaga oleh malaikat penjaga hatimu. Tak seharusnya aku mendamba cintamu, sedangkan ada malaikat lain pula yang menjaga hatiku. Kenapa tak kusadari ini dulu, ketika semuanya belum telanjur jadi luka begini? Ilham, Sayangku, Sang Penitip Sejengkal Hati
Kukembalikan lagi hati yang telah engkau titipkan padaku. Biarlah malaikat penjaga hatimu yang akan menemani hari-harimu, di kala senang dan di kala susah. Aku pun akan menjalani hari-hari bersama malaikat penjaga hatiku. Bukankah ini yang terbaik untuk kita?

Sayang,
Terimakasih untuk semua kebersamaan yang kita lalu. Meski hanya menghasilkan perih, setidaknya aku pernah mengenal cinta darimu, dari kabut yang kita nikmati, dari secangkir cappucino yang menemani kita. Setidaknya, meskipun kini kita tak lagi bersama, kita tahu bahwa kita pernah saling cinta. Sudah cukup bagiku untuk sekadar mengingatmu dalam kenangan. Terimakasih atas sejengkal hati yang pernah ada. Namun, kita memang hanya kepingan mozaik yang rapuh, takkan kita berdiri dalam sebuah ikatan kokoh.
Oh, ya, salamku untuk malaikat penjaga hatimu. Semoga kita akan bisa bahagia bersama malaikat penjaga kita.
Dialah yang memang layak untuk kita taburi cinta.
Senja hari dalam balutan kabut,

Memaafkan & Memberikan Kasih Kepada Dia Yang Menyakitimu

2012-04-21T11:43:00.000+01:00

Terkadang ketika kita dikecewakan oleh orang - orang yang telah kita sayangi dan orang yang telah kita percaya, kita pasti merasakan kekecewaan dan kesedihan yang mendalam.Bahkan, sangat sulit untuk melupakan apa yang telah terjadi dan apa yang telah di ukirnya bersama kita.

Seperti itulah yang saya rasakan ketika saya dikecewakan oleh orang yang saya sayangi. Saya adalah seorang lelaki yang sempat melabuhkan hati saya kepada seseorang yang seiman. Tapi karena adanya suatu masalah yang melibatkan orang ketiga saya pun harus mengakhiri hubungan itu dengan rasa sedih yang mendalam. Kesedihan saya bukanlah karena saya tidak memiliki dia lagi sebagai kekasih, tetapi karena ketidakmampuan saya untuk menerima kekecewaan yang harus saya alami, karena begitu tulusnya saya kepadanya, begitu ingin nya saya berubah menjadi lebih baik ketika saya berhubungan dengannya, saya ingin memiliki hubungan yang sehat dan berjalan sesuai firman Allah. Saya juga ingin mengubahkan dia menjadi lebih baik. Karena ketulusan yang begitu dalam itulah yang membuat saya terluka, dan sulit bagi saya untuk melupakan nya. Saya merasa bersalah karena saya sudah melukai hati 2 orang sekaligus. Sebab selain perempuan itu juga masih menyayanginya, tetapi ada orang yang juga menaruh kasih kepada saya yang tidak saya tahu sebelumnya.

Sulit buat saya ketika menerima kenyataan. Sulit bagi saya untuk memaafkannya. Tapi saya berdoa kepada Allah. Saya serahkan hidup saya sepenuhnya kedalam tanganNya. Meskipun saya akui sangat sulit, tapi semua itu perlahan menjadi lebih baik. Setiap saya berdoa saya tidaklah meminta untuk kembali padanya. Tetapi saya meminta Allah berikan yang terbaik, Allah jamah hati saya dan dia. Saya minta kepada Allah kedamaian hati. Sebab saya tidak ingin adanya permusuhan diantara saya dan dia. Saya selalu berusaha memberikan senyuman ketika saya bertemunya, saya selalu berusaha sabar ketika dia meng-sms saya. Sebagai seorang perempuan yang memiliki hati dan perasaan, sangat sulit bagi saya menerima semuanya. Tetapi dikala saya menerima perlakuan itu, selalu saya berusaha membalas nya dengan kasih. Saya minta bimbingan Allah. Bagaimana saya harus bersikap yang berkenan di mata Allah. Bagaimana saya harus mengambil makna yang dalam dari semua yang saya hadapi.

Dengan bimbingan Allah saya berhasil lalui itu semua. Saya mampu menghadapi nya dengan tetap memberikan kasih dan memaafkan. Dengan hati ikhlas dan sabar saya terima semua yang terjadi. Karena saya tahu rencana Allah itu indah pada waktunya. Dia tidak akan memberikan ujian yang melebihi kekuatan kita. Dia memberikan ujian yang berat, karena Dia ingin kita lebih mengenal Dia dan Dia tahu bahwa kita mampu manghadapinya.

Jadi, buat anda yang merasakan kekecewaan dan luka yang seperti saya alami, adalah hal yang baik jika anda memaafkan dan memberikan kasih kepada dia yang melukai hati anda. Tetaplah mendoakanya karena hanya melalui doa lah, dia yang melukai hati anda akan menyadari kesalahannya kelak. Biarkan Allah yang bekerja didalam hidup dan masalah anda.

Indah Cintaku

2012-04-21T11:35:00.000+01:00

Ku ingin kau tahu, ku ingin kau selalu
Dekat denganmu setiap hariku
Sudahkah kau yakin untuk mencintaiku
Ku ingin hanya satu tuk selamanya

Ku tak melihat dari sisi sempurnamu
Tak peduli kelemahanmu
Yang ada aku jatuh cinta karena hatimu

Cintaku tak pernah memandang siapa kamu
Tak pernah menginginkan kamu lebih
Dari apa adanya dirimu selalu

Cintaku terasa sempurna karena hatimu
Selalu menerima kekuranganku
Sungguh indah cintaku

Epica - The Phantom Agony the Album (2003)

2012-04-17T22:26:00.000+01:00

Epica - The Phantom Agony the Album (2003) - I guess that no one hasn't heard that Mark Jansen had to leave After Forever in April 2002; it was quite big news in the Metal world. And then did his little side project, Sahara Dust become his fulltime band, Good or bad? Well, I guess good, now we have two bands in the same genre, even if I like Epica a bit more than After Forever.

I read something about Epica and decided to brought their album, and believe me, I was highly surprised of what I heard, Gothic Metal, with classic singing mixed with growls, and the songs sounded damn good too.

01. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
02. Sensorium
03. Cry For The Moon (The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV)
04. Feint
05. Illusive Consensus
06. Façade Of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers - Part V)
07. Run For A Fall
08. Seif Al Din (The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI)
09. The Phantom Agony
10. Veniality [bonus]
11. Triumph of Defeat [Japanese bonus]

On vocals, the young and beautiful Simone Simons does a great job, with her classic singing style, make Epica reach another level, and with no other than Tarja Turunen as her idol. And Mark does a great job to, as songwriter, singer and guitarist, his growls fits perfect with Simone's clear and powerful voice. The albums it self is a very serious story, based on stuff like 9/11 and so.

As I said, the band was in the beginning named Sahara Dust and was a side project that Mark was working on, in the same time, as he was a member in After Forever. The only Sahara Dust release to see daylight was a two-track demo called "Cry for the Moon" after that; they changed to Epica (Taken from the Kamelot album with the same name, Kamelot is one of their favorite bands). "The Phantom Agony" was recorded in Wolfsburg with Sascha Paeth, the same guy that recorded with Kamelot and Rhapsody. (And he was a member of the old Power Metal act, Heaven's Gate). So the production is out of complains, but what could you expect from Mr. Paeth?

The Phantom Agony gives us 9 songs, 2 of them was included on the Sahara Dust demo that I was talking about. ("Cry for the Moon" & "Illusive Consensus"). And 7 new written songs. And to give the album an extra push, they added 8 strings too (3 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos) which gives the album even more Gothic feelings and some extra power. And together with Simone, they fit perfect into the album. The lyrics are filled with feelings, precisely as the music, and it very easy to take Epica to your heart and really love them.

So all of you, that want Gothic with Tarja alike vocals and some growls, check up Epica, and all After Forever fans, that miss Mark, this is for you, even if you don't miss him, this is for you too, 'cause it's close to After Forever, even if Simone is a better singer than Floor (It's my opinion).

Killing Songs: "Cry for the Moon" will kill you, believe me. And the rest of the album too, it's hard to do such a solid album.

Download : Mediafire.com

Source : metalstorm

Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast (1982)

2012-04-17T20:23:00.000+01:00

Iron Maiden : The Number Of The Beast (1982) - At that time, Iron Maiden had already released two studio albums, Iron Maiden and Killers, which had made them known in the British metal scene. However, vocalist Paul Di Anno was fired from the group due to his uncontrolled alcoholic problems. Although this could have been proved a painful strike, Iron Maiden's golden era was about to start. Soon, vocalist Bruce Dickinson joined the group and in 1982 they released the historically important album The Number Of The Beast.

Disc I
01. Invaders
02. Children Of The Damned
03. The Prisoner
04. 22 Acacia Avenue
05. The Number Of The Beast
06. Run To The Hills
07. Gangland
08. Total Eclipse [1998 remastered bonus]
09. Hallowed Be Thy Name

Disc II [1998 remastered release]
01. Total Eclipse
02. Remember Tomorrow [live]

The number Of The Beast is one of the best Iron Maiden albums and one of the best creations in the heavy metal history. It consists of nine memorable songs based on a wide variety of melodic riffs performed by guitarists Adrian Smith/Dave Murray. The bass parts prove for another time that Steve Harris is one of the best bassists and Clive Burr's drumming couldn't have worked better. In the end, Bruce Dickinson's operatic vocals send every song to the limit. Notice that some people find his vocals annoying while some others consider him as one of the greatest vocalists ever.

The song themes are usually taken from history or generally they are about situations taking place in past. Each song has a story to tell and the lyrics, which are full of imagination, are emotional and melodramatic. From time to time they can be dark or even indicate the presence of an evil entity. My favorite quote is: "When you know that your time is close at hand, maybe then you'll begin to understand, life down here is just a strange illusion".

As far as song highlights are concerned, this album contains the emotionally loaded song 'Children of the Damned" with Dickinson being very persuasive. Also, there is the totally classic song 'The Number of the Beast', which is about evil powers overtaking the world. Additionally, it contains 'Run to the Hills', which is an anthem/song written about the Indians. The intro is one of the most unforgettable riffs ever and the solo is one of the best [if not the best] in this album. In the end, you'll find the seven minutes long song 'Hallowed be thy Name', which describes the last moments of a man who's going to be executed.

The Number Of The Beast is an album with excellent artwork and the booklet contains liner notes and info, lyrics for all the songs and a very interesting collection of pictures [notice that we are talking about the 1998 remasters]. The CD is enhanced, which means that you can play it from your CD-rom drive. Also you will be able to view the interactive content including the two video clips 'The Number of the Beast' and 'Run to the Hills'! Also, There are photos, bios, album information, samples from other Iron Maiden albums and even an Iron Maiden Family tree!

Link : Mediafire.com
Password : hailmetal

Jamie Cullum to Perform Two Sets at CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival

2012-04-17T18:13:00.000+01:00

Jamie Cullum to Perform Two Sets at CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival - British singing and piano sensation Jamie Cullum brings his eclectic mix of jazz, pop and rock-influenced music to the opening night celebration of the CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival* on Friday, August 6, at 8:00 pm at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport Casino. The evening opens with the saxophonist/singer Grace Kelly.

The festival continues August 7 and 8 at Fort Adams State Park; Cullum is set to perform on the Fort Stage on Saturday. Tickets and more information are available at newportjazzfest.net.

Get a sneak preview of Jamie Cullum in performance when he appears on The Bachelorette on Monday, May 31, at 8:00pm on ABC. For more information, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelorette. Jamie Cullum, who has played guitar and piano since age eight, developed an avid interest in jazz from his older brother. He was inspired by piano icons Oscar Peterson and Dave Brubeck and spent some of his formative years living in Paris, where he honed his abilities performing in jazz clubs. Cullum will perform selections from The Pursuit, his first album in four years, as well as some of his favorite jazz standards and his own originals. His latest music embraces the full range of his diverse talents and far-flung musical passions. While it covers more stylistic ground than anything he's done previously, the album offers the same musical fluency, emotional commitment and lyrical wit that helped to make Cullum's prior releases Twentysomething and Catching Tales international crossover hits selling more than four million combined copies worldwide. He recorded his first album, Heard It All Before, at age 19, followed by Pointless Nostalgic.

After spending two years touring in support of Catching Tales, Cullum retreated from the spotlight and spent much of the next two years working on a variety of musical and non-musical endeavors. He and his older brother and frequent collaborator, Ben, joined forces for a dance music project, “BC vs. JC," that found the brothers creating melodic dance music in clubs across England. Jamie also contributed to albums for Pharrell Williams, the Count Basie Orchestra, Japan's Soil & Pimp Sessions, Norway's Beady Belle and France's Camille, as well as spent time as a Goodwill Ambassador to Ethiopia for UNICEF. Cullum's highest profile side projects saluted his courtship with Hollywood, beginning with the animated Disney feature Meet The Robinsons, in which Jamie was the singing voice of Frankie The Frog. He followed with his vocal on the Golden Globe-nominated “Best Original Song" from the John Cusack film Grace Is Gone, and culminated in his co-writing and performing with Clint Eastwood for the Golden Globe-nominated “Best Original Song" from 2008's Gran Torino. Now, he's back on the road celebrating The Pursuit at concert across Europe and the United States.

Eighteen-year-old Grace Kelly's career is definitely on the fast track. Wynton Marsalis (who performs on the Fort Adams Stage on Sunday) was so impressed with her three-night stand as guest of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in November 2008 that he invited her to join the ensemble at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Harry Connick, Jr. heard her in a master class and invited her to sit in with his band and she has been a featured guest on NPR's Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland. In addition, Grace has received numerous honors including The Boston Music Awards' “Outstanding Jazz Act," WCVB-TV's “Five Bostonians to Watch," Downbeat Critics Poll's youngest ever “Alto Saxophone Rising Stars," the Boston Phoenix's “Best Jazz Act in Boston" in the 2009 Best Music Poll (for the second consecutive year) and three ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award. To this astonishing list of credits, Kelly adds Mood Changes, the fifth release on her PAZZ label. The album mixes six standards with four Kelly originals. She is particularly excited about the strides that Mood Changes reveals in her band leading skills. “There's nothing like playing my own music with my own band," she acknowledges. She also enjoyed critically acclaimed success on her previous album, Gracefulee, which has dominated the DownBeat Student Awards over the past four years. A student at Boston's Berklee College of Music, Grace enjoys “... playing all the time and just living music all day." Her College is also represented at the festival by the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Septet on Saturday afternoon.

George Wein made history 56 years ago when he started the festival era with the Newport Jazz Festival. Along with his company, New Festival Productions, LLC, Wein continues to present the best in established and rising stars, this year including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea Freedom Band with Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride & Roy Haynes, Ahmad Jamal, Wynton Marsalis, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Chris Botti, Jason Moran's Bandwagon, Jon Faddis Quartet, Gretchen Parlato, Fly, Julian Lage Group, JD Allen Trio, David Binney Third Occasion Quartet, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society and many more.

Java Jazz Festival 2012 : Some Tid Bits from the Fest

2012-04-17T17:50:00.002+01:00

Java Jazz Festival 2012 : Some Tid Bits from the Fest - Java Jazz Festival 2012 has been passed, yet many of us should still experience the jazz-lag after receiving the blows from stage to stage. Aside from enjoying jazz being served by around 2000 musicians from all over the world, it’s also interesting to see what’s happening outside during the festival.

It’s clear that Java Jazz Festival has become an important part of the lifestyle. Speaking of fashion, many people tried to dress up jazzy for this occasion as we found vests, blazers and of course the Sinatra’s fedora hats everywhere, other than the casual dress like t-shirts and jeans. Looking at the number of attendance, we can have a solid proof that jazz is actually not that difficult to digest. All ages from small babies to seniors packed in to catch their favorite artists, or even just to absorb the sense of jazz. For us, all these showgoers brought a different kind of excitment to see in a festival as big as this. It’s normal to see puzzled face when they were trying to find the stage or people running in full speed because they didn’t want to miss the selected show. There were many funny things, cool moments or unique situations all around the venue that we didn’t want to miss, not to mention the lovely blue sunset sky which appeared above the venue for the whole three days.

Salute to our photographers, they still managed to snap some shots in between their duty to take stage photos and squeezing through crowds. So now we want to share their off stage during the foremost music bash on earth. (Please click each thumbnail at the end of this article to see the photos).

There were many sweet couples seemed to drown their romance into Java Jazz by hugging each other while enjoying the show. Java Jazz Festival has also become the meeting point for artists around the world, including those who came from the same country said hi to one another. Fans took the chance to take pictures with the artists if they were lucky enough, while others had such a good time with their family and friends inside.

What Java Jazz Festival brings to us is not just a simple jazz event. Yes it’s gigantic, with thousands of artists and hundreds of show for total 3 days, but more than just that, we could also see the kind of jazz lifestyle under one roof living peacefully and harmoniously. We just remember a song from Level 42 titled “Love in a Peaceful World”, and we experience the essence in this festival. How lovely to have it through jazz. Not only jazz can entertain us to the max, but it can also carry the message of peace. Thank you Java Jazz! We’ll see you again next year.

Norman Brown - Celebration (1999)

2012-04-17T17:43:00.000+01:00

Norman Brown Celebration (1999) - Brown is an urban jazz guitarist/vocalist with a sound similar to George Benson's. You've heard his music on the Weather Channel. (Is that a compliment or an insult?) He's got a good tone and he's a pretty good writer, so that puts him ahead of many artists in the field. One thing I've noticed that distinguishes him from most guitarists is that, when he solos, he uses the full range of the instrument, not just the upper register.

Track list :

     1. Out'a Nowhere 4:52
     2. Together At Last 5:05
     3. Paradise 4:26
     4. You Make Me Feel Brand New 5:45
     5. Celebration 4:23
     6. Getting By 4:54
     7. Rain 4:14
     8. Never Again 4:39
     9. Breaking Out 5:21
     10. It's Time For Love 4:37
     11. Stay Strong 4:42
     12. Rain (Remix)

Tracks: For smooth background music, all the tracks serve their purpose well. There's a unnecessary cover of The Stylistic's You Make Me Feel Brand New which adds nothing to the soulful original. The beautiful ballad Rain is almost ruined by the unusual, distracting electronic percussion track. Still, there aren't any tracks that I want to skip. In fact, I'm usually pleased when a Norman Brown cut comes up during an iTunes shuffle on the work computer.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I bought this used at the Hastings in Nac not long after moving. It most likely provided background music while I finished up my dissertation in '06.

Download : Mediafire

Fourplay : Let's Touch the Sky (2010)

2012-04-17T17:34:00.000+01:00

Fourplay : Let's Touch the Sky (2010) - For Fourplay, it's all a numbers game. 2011 marks the band's 20th anniversary, Let's Touch the Sky is their 12th album, and "new guy," Chuck Loeb is both Fourplay's third personnel change and third guitarist replacing Larry Carlton, who stepped in for Lee Ritenour in 1998.

Personnel changes in long-established bands happen when a disgruntled member bolts over the dreaded "creative differences" or out of necessity, as when Carlton decided to return to his solo career. When it was Carlton's turn as the new guy on 4 (Warner Bros., 1998), there was a consistency in sound between his playing and Ritenour's. It wasn't until 2002's Heartfelt (Bluebird) that Carlton seemed to truly settle in as an equal partner with keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason.

Loeb has the advantage of appearing on several of James' solo albums, and that familiarity serves him well, as his guitar is featured early on his own "3rd Degree." Loeb's style meshes well with the signature Fourplay radio friendly tunes, but his playing is noticeably funkier than Carlton, and his familiarity with James would seem to indicate his period of adjustment into this supergroup will be a relatively quick one.

The introduction of new blood surprises on Let's Touch the Sky, with "Golden Faders" being seven minutes worth of swinging and sizzling, as if the band was just enjoying jamming too much to stop. James dedicates "Gentle Giant" to the great Hank Jones, who passed away in May, 2010, and is driven by James, with an unexpected assist from East on acoustic bass.

More familiar are the East vocal showcase, "I'll Still Be Lovin' You," while a subtle contribution from Anita Baker makes "You're My Thrill" gently sparkle like sunlight on water. Usually it's just asking for trouble to even try to cover an R&B classic like "Love TKO," that weaker singers than Teddy Pendergrass fear to even attempt; but American Idol winner Ruben Studdard's version honors the original while updating it. It's one of the bold and unexpected surprises of Let's Touch the Sky.

Changes in personnel can be leading indicators of a band reaching the end of the line. Not this time. If anything James, Mason and East seem invigorated by their new playmate. Loeb is a perfect fit, and with his addition to the group as both a composer and player, Fourplay is well situated to continue on both artistically and commercially as a force with which to be reckoned.

Track Listing: Let's Touch the Sky; 3rd Degree; More Than A Dream; Pineapple Getaway; I'll Still Be Lovin' You; Gentle Giant (for Hank); A Night in Rio; Love TKO; Above and Beyond; Golden Faders; You're My Thrill.

Personnel: Bob James: keyboards; Nathan East: bass and vocals; Chuck Loeb: guitars; Harvey Mason: drums and percussion; Ruben Studdard: vocals (8); Anita Baker: vocals (11).

Nightwish - Once (2004) The Album

2012-04-17T17:28:00.000+01:00

Nightwish - Once (2004) The Album

Tracks

01- Dark Chest of Wonders.
02- Wish I Had An Angel.
03- Nemo.
04- Planet Hell.
05- Creek Mary's Blood.
06- The Siren.
07- Dead Gardens.
08- Romanticide.
09- Ghost Love Score.
10- Kuolema Tekee Teiteilijan.
11- Higher Than Hope.
12- Live To Tell The Tale.

mediafire.com a6fc78l2idu46fy

megaupload.com MHSYSNH0

The 13th Cape Town Jazz Festival

2012-04-17T17:16:00.000+01:00

The 13th Cape Town Jazz Festival - Andre Petersen Quintet (SA) will be launching their debut album at the Rosies Stage. The Bassline Stage will present hip-hop band Atmosphere (USA), as well as South African born female MC Jean Grae (USA), Cape Town electronic duo Goodluck (SA), South African songbird Zamajobe (SA) and local rising soul star Zahara (SA).

Multi Grammy Award winner Ms. Lauryn Hill has been confirmed to perform at this year's Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Her performance will take place on Saturday 31 March 2012 at the famous Kippies stage. Hill established her reputation as a member of the sensational Fugees. In 1998 she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The recording earned Hill 5 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

Outline, a new release by The Jason Reolon Trio (SA), Alfredo Rodriguez (Cuba), Grammy award winning tenor saxophonist David Sanchez (Puerto Rico) and Lionel Loueke (Benin) is highlight. Afro jazz sounds will be present with The Moreira Project (Mozambique).

Additionally there will be a series of workshops taking place at various venues throughout the CBD and greater Cape Town area over an 8 day period. component explores various elements of the jazz world and includes Arts Journalism, Music Workshops, Music Business, Master Classes as well as many other workshops. The Duotone Photographic Exhibition will document the emergence and growth of jazz.

The Community Concert (free to all) will take place on Wednesday 28th March 2012 on Green Market Square, showcasing some of the international and local acts scheduled to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Ticket prices are R400 for a single day pass. A two-day weekend pass is R550. There will be an extra fee of R30 per act for patrons wishing to attend concerts on the Rosies stage. Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2012 sponsors are the Department of Arts and Culture, the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, The City of Cape Town, Oude Meerste, Hansa Pilsner, Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Cape Town Partnership, and the Western Cape Education Department. Official broadcast by Mzansi Magic.

Cape Town City supports this festival to promote the heritage of jazz.

Norah Jones and the Music She Loves

2012-04-17T17:04:00.000+01:00

Norah Jones and the Music She Loves - It took Norah Jones precisely one year to become a household name. Her debut album, “Come Away With Me,” was released in February 2002, and by the following February it had sold four million copies and she had won five Grammys.

A side project she created the following year is less well known. As a diversion from the pressures of following up one of the best-selling debuts of all time, Ms. Jones and four friends formed the band the Little Willies (named after her childhood hero, Willie Nelson) and began playing her favorite country songs at a series of unannounced gigs at the Living Room, a tiny music venue in New York.

“I think I had to leave home for me to know how much country music meant to me,” said Ms. Jones, who moved to New York in 1999 after studying jazz composition and performance in high school and college in Texas. “I listened to Hank Williams, Dolly Parton and Willie growing up, but I wanted to play jazz. When I listened to Bill Evans, I transcribed the chords. When I listened to ‘Red Headed Stranger,’ I just listened to enjoy it. But it really seeped in more than I could have known.”

Almost six years after the Little Willies released its self-titled 2006 debut, the band — which features Lee Alexander on bass, Jim Campilongo and Richard Julian on guitar and Dan Rieser on drums — is finally unveiling its sophomore set, “For the Good Times.” The album, which will be released on Jan. 10, includes covers of songs by Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.

In the final days of December, we put Ms. Jones on the spot and asked her to create an on-the-fly five-song playlist of her favorite Texas songwriters — artists she’s been inspired by, performed alongside or covered with the Little Willies.

WILLIE NELSON, “PERMANENTLY LONELY” “He’s my No. 1,” said Ms. Jones, who has earned Grammy nominations for three of her duets with the country legend — “Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want to Get Over You),” “Dreams Come True” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” The Little Willies’ version of Mr. Nelson’s “Permanently Lonely” is on the upcoming album.

“Willie’s songs are deceptively complicated,” Ms. Jones said. “He’s like a twisted jazz musician under all that country. He writes these chords that are just beautiful — the way they come together so simply, yet they go against normal forms that you learn as a musician. But he makes them sound so beautiful and simple. You don’t try to that, you just do. And that’s what’s great about Willie: he just does.”

TOWNES VAN ZANDT, “NO PLACE TO FALL” A song considered by many to be one of the late great Texas songwriter’s signatures, the Little Willies included it on its 2006 debut.

“I tend to listen to Townes when I’m feeling melancholy,” Ms. Jones said. “And this is one of Townes’s most beautiful songs. For the Little Willies, it was one of the easiest and most natural things we’ve recorded. That’s the best kind of situation, when the song kind of plays itself. For that to happen, it has to be a pretty incredible song.”

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, “BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS” Mr. Kristofferson recorded “Best of All Possible Worlds” in 1970 for his debut album “Kristofferson,” and 36 years later, the Little Willies laid down the same track on its debut release. (The title track of the band’s new album, “For the Good Times,” is also one of Mr. Kristofferson’s songs.)

“Best of All Possible Worlds” is “so much fun because it stacks up a lot of words and a lot of clever lines; it’s so well crafted, but also so soulful,” Ms. Jones said. “That’s the trick to songwriting — you want craft, but you also need soul and honesty. And who’s as inherently soulful as Kris Kristofferson? Look at ‘For the Good Times.’ It’s one of the most heartbreaking, beautiful lyrics ever. If he only wrote those two songs, he’d be on the list. But obviously, he’s given us so much more.”

SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE, “IF YOU WANT ME TO STAY” “I’ve always loved the fact that Sly Stone was born in Denton,” said Ms. Jones, who went to college in Denton at the University of North Texas. She has yet to record a Sly Stone song.

“He’s just one of those people,” she said. “You put on a Sly Stone record and it changes your mood. It feels so good. I might be crazy, but I also feel like I can hear the Texas in his singing. I feel like you can hear the country in the back of his voice and the pronunciations, the way he splits syllables.”

CINDY WALKER, “YOU DON’T KNOW ME” Ms. Walker, a country songwriter, had Top 10 hits in every decade from the 1940s to the ’80s, and big-name musicians from Ray Charles and Bing Crosby to Elvis Presley and Mr. Nelson performed her songs.

“I didn’t know much about her until Willie did that ‘Songs of Cindy Walker’ album and I realized I knew half of those songs. I grew up on them,” Ms. Jones said. “ ‘You Don’t Know Me’ is so fantastic because it strikes the perfect balance of simplicity, directness and heart.”

www.nytimes.com