tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47658816542106326732024-10-04T21:54:27.227-04:00FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.comBlogger996125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-53345157063161303742013-12-30T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:31:52.317-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZOxfUP0Sc7s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> I looked around for a while to find a cool, somewhat modern version of this tune. This one fits the bill. It's fairly true to the pace of the original, but it definitely is the artist's own take on the tune. We get some loose hi-hats, grungy guitar, and pop-punk power vocals. The only thing I'm really missing in this take is the signature guitar riff to kick things off at the beginning. The main lead riff is hinted at in the middle, but we don't get that classic kick off tag.</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You can learn more about Duhon at <a href="http://zekeduhon.weebly.com/">his website</a>. He just "a guy who likes to write songs", and he hopes that his "songs can help you in some way". That's a cool sentiment to have about music. It's far better than the "I want to be rich and famous" mentality. A love of music is far more important in an artist's life than a love of fame and riches. If you can make a living playing, I say go for it, but that shouldn't be your motivation to play.</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The song was originally written and recorded by Johnny Cash. It appeared on two of his albums. It was first released on his debut record,&nbsp;<em>With His Hot and Blue Guitar</em>, and it later appeared on&nbsp;<em>All Aboard the Blue Train.&nbsp;</em>The two albums were separated by only five years. The song was inspired upon a viewing of&nbsp;the movie,&nbsp;<em>Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison</em>. Cash also <em>borrowed&nbsp;</em>the melody from Gordon Jenkins. After the song hit its real stride of popularity in the seventies, Cash wound up paying Jenkins a settlement of around $75,000 for the use of the melody as well as some of the lyrics.</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Cash did, however, come up with one of the song's most memorable lines. Reflecting on his time writing the song, Cash said, "I sat with my pen in my hand, trying to think up the worst reason a person could have for killing another person, and that's what came to mind". Of course, Cash was referring to the line, "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die".</div> FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-18441040803787836452013-12-29T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.296-04:00<p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8SLmLm3o0c]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">I've looked up and watched several live version of this song, but I cant find one that has the tight feel that the studio version has. It's a hard groove to capture just right. Honestly, it kind of seems like the band is bored during most of their live performances, the drummer in particular. I could be wrong, but that's how it seems to me. I guess it just feels lazier in a live version. I'm sure it's not easy to play the same song(s) over and over for years and have people ask for them hundreds of times no matter how much new music you release. I can see how it can get under your skin. I've felt that way playing some of the covers I've had to play repeatedly.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The song was originally written by Willie Dixon in 1954, a blues song. It was recorded by Muddy Waters. Foghat has, on occasion, performed a blues cover of the song live, but I can't quite get in to that either. Honestly, the driving beat behind the song is was caught my attention for it. There have been plenty of covers of the song from artists like Etta James to the Rolling Stones to Lou Rawls to Chuck Berry to Adele. It's a cool musical history to explore once you start listening to the different takes and interpretations.</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-66125049783014965302013-12-28T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.309-04:00<p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEjjKNyeGt0]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">This is one of those tunes you can hear in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials. You rarely hear the whole thing, but to know the song all you have to hear is one section, each of which is pretty recognizable. This was the first single released by the group with Stax Records in 1967. The band would have several other hits all the way through the eighties.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The recording story for this song is definitely one of note. The song was recorded by the group while rehearsing a cover of "But It's Alright" with Norman West. The "chorus" of the song that features a group of people yelling "soul finger", was thought up by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, both of who worked as songwriters for Stax. The shouts were recorded by a group of kids that had been hanging around the building outside. They were paid with Cokes for their part in the session.</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-71749449660351488912013-12-27T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.326-04:00<p style="text-align:justify;">Usually you'll find the song I'm posting about at the top of the entry, and text will follow. In this case, I'm gong about things a little different. I'm afraid that I'm gonna offend a few people out there, and I don't mind doing that at all; I just want to make sure I don't offend the wrong people or the right people for the wrong reasons. So, consider these opening words a bit of a disclaimer.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The first song I ever performed on the drums in front of an audience was "Brand New Man" by Brooks and Dunn. I honestly don't remember why I picked that song specifically, but I was lead to it by my love of country music, the music of my youth, the music that I still feel the strongest connection with today. New country, old country, semi-old country, alternative country, traditional country, pop-country, it doesn't matter what kind of country, so long as it's actually country music. I've <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/country-must-be-country-wide-brantley-gilbert/">posted on this topic before</a>, but I didn't put a lot of thought into it, and <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/sure-be-cool-if-you-did-blake-shelton/">previous posts were more about a particular song</a>.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">In order to understand where I'm coming from, you have to understand what country music is, and that's a subjective topic if there ever was one. People are different, so, their definitions of what is country music will be different. To me, steel guitars, twang, fiddles, banjos, and mandolins are are elements of a particular sound of a particular style of country, and to be honest, this argument/debate <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/achy-breaky-heart-billy-ray-cyrus/">has been going on for years within the industry</a>. That is where country started, with those instruments in a very traditional style, but music, all music, is a fusion of all the sounds that have come before it. Country has evolved in its sound, demographic reach, and tone. That last part, not the literal tone, but the figurative one, is where the real change occurs.</p><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_KxM4rU38Q]</p><br/><p style="text-align:center;">Paisley does a great job of summing up what IS country music.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Country music to me is more about content than any other part of its whole. Country music tells a story, deals with a life event, or talks about a particular <i>way</i> of life that no other genre covers quite the same way. The sound of the music is important, too. I can't always describe to you what country music is, but I can 100% tell you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve8sNTqrzCw">what isn't country music when I hear it</a>.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The song linked to right there is "Kick It in the Sticks" by Brantley Gilbert. I like a lot of Gilbert's stuff, and some of it is absolutely what I'd call country, but "Kick It" is not. That's a rock tune if I ever heard one. Now, is there anything wrong with that? Not at all! Traditional country artists have cut their fair share of songs that weren't country tunes. Don't believe me? How bout <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0cCvPOZCc">George Strait singing a Sinatra tune</a>...with Sinatra no less. How about Alan Jackson <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7oQW6ADaZ0">singing a rock n' roll tune</a>...one that was quite a rebellious song during its original release, too? There are countless other examples. In lots of cases, the artists made them their own. Yes, I understand the way you perform a song can change the genre many people would put it under, and maybe that's something more people should consider when judging a song as "country enough" or not, and it's also why I think content is so important.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Now, with that all out of the way, today's post isn't one song. It's a collage of sorts one of the writer's over at <i>Entertainment Weekly </i>put together. He's attempting to show "why country music was awful in 2013". Some of the songs on this list are ones I like. Some of them are ones I hate. Regardless, a lot of them sound an awfully lot alike and seem to be so empty. They don't hit you at a personal level like country music is supposed to hit you.</p><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WySgNm8qH-I]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The most important thing to take away from this is that there's nothing wrong with a fun song about partying and drinking beer and getting down with your girl. If you're gonna do one of those songs, remember two things. One, please don't make it sound so much like every other song on the topic out there. Two, these songs should not be the vast majority of what dominates country music. They've always been around; the problem is that now there are more of them than there are of the ones that really makes country music country music: the ones that establish a deep connection to the people that listen to it.</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-48322040001932655092013-12-26T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.340-04:00<p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1R8Rx2db9c]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">I have no idea what the name of the composition Rinaudo is playing is, but does it really matter? Just watching him play the thing is worth the minute and a half you'll spend watching the video. Doesn't he look exactly like the guy you'd expect to be playing one of these, too? I could spend forever writing about this instrument, but I think it's more fun to watch him tell you about it. So, if you're so inclined to learn more, check out the video linked below. It's awesome to see how passionate he is about this.</p><br/><br/><h5 style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaApFqN_lXs">CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!</a></h5><br/><h5 style="text-align:center;">Also, there's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzhxVjKwwoI">THIS if you're in the mood for something fun</a>. Grampa Skrillex!</h5>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-3239411965030563502013-12-25T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.355-04:00<h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k2i5MEljZU]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Being a drummer, the most impressive part of this video to me is how closely to the real thing the vocal percussionist mimics brushes on a snare drum. I would swear to you it's the real thing, right up to the end of the performance and the short stop they put in the music. That moment gives it away. Also, why do so many vocal percussionists feel the need to imitate the motions a drummer would make while playing the real thing. Maybe it's the equivalent of bass-face.</p><br/><br/><div style="text-align:justify;">For me, regardless of the version, this is the perfect note on which to end my Christmas posts. It is Christmas day after all. The song was first heard by audiences as it appeared in the 1944 musical, <i>Meet Me in St. Louis</i>, performed by Judy Garland. The more common version is the cover Frank Sinatra later recorded.</div><br/><h4 style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:red;">M</span><span style="color:#38761d;">e</span><span style="color:red;">r</span><span style="color:#38761d;">r</span><span style="color:red;">y</span> <span style="color:red;">C</span><span style="color:#38761d;">h</span><span style="color:red;">r</span><span style="color:#38761d;">i</span><span style="color:red;">s</span><span style="color:#38761d;">t</span><span style="color:red;">m</span><span style="color:#38761d;">a</span><span style="color:red;">s</span><span style="color:#38761d;">!</span></h4>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-71818878604170139892013-12-24T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.381-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KYXHg4MjT4]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">In true, double entendre style, Here Come the Mummies have put out a Christmas tune that rings with their own unique flair. It's not anywhere near one of my favorite tunes of theirs, but it is, as far as I know, their only Christmas song. So, by that standard, it has earned a place in my Christmas blog. Any Mummies Christmas song is better than no Mummies Christmas song. Plus, it's spoofing one of those holiday classics from TV, a double dose of holiday cheer.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">I've <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/funky-little-baby-here-come-the-mummies/">posted from the group before</a>, and I'm sure I will again. The group has eight studio albums, and each one is a blast of tongue-in-cheek humor. They're supposed to be awesome to check out live, and I totally believe it based on videos I've seen. I'd love to catch them some time.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-60394867174815410302013-12-23T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.396-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxTSxQcCWLI]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Here's another Christmas cat who can't get much cooler. Armstrong is just about as smooth as they come. Between his trumpet talents and extremely distinct vocal sound and tone, he's probably one of the most instantly recognizable performers in the world of jazz. Most famously, he was the first artist to record <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/pure-imagination-gene-wilder/">"What a Wonderful World" in 1937</a>. Many others have come since then, but no one does it quite like Satchmo, a nickname Armstrong earned or gave himself, the stories on the name's origin vary, with each being as colorful as the last. "Cool Yule" is by far one of the hippest Christmas tunes out there and has Armstrong's touch all over it.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-69305149836920128182013-12-22T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.410-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXUSdHAVNoM]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Leave it to a guy as smooth as Sammy to make one of the hokiest sounding Christmas tunes sound cool. Sammy, whether part of the Rat Pack or on his own, could make just about anything his own, and when he owned it, it was cool. I've posted a performance of his, <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/vehicle-sammy-davis-jr/">a cover that completely erased the original from my mind</a>. However, in the case of "Jingle Bells", that might not be a bad thing. I mean, who else would've come up with "Jing, jing, jingle in the mornin'"?</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The song has been around since 1857. It was written by James Lord Pierpont, whose only popular work was this song...pretty much. He did also write "Gentle Nettie Moore", covered by Roy Rogers in 1934, and it was also the influence for the Bob Dylan song "Nettie Moore". Pierpont's success with that song was also limited; he only wrote the chorus and piano accompaniment, not the entire song.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-37283964499582940252013-12-21T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.423-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kjoUjOHjPI]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Something tells me that even though this may not become one of those holiday classics, sitting at the top of the list next to Perry Como and Bing Crosby, it will become something you see pop up year to year. The video, to date, has gotten over 12 million hits on YouTube. So, there's a pretty good chance you've seen this already. That's over 1 million views each day since it was published on December 11.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">It's honestly a genius marketing strategy for the couple that's starting out on their own. It shows the people to whom this couple would market their services to that they have the capabilities to deliver on what they promise: a hit marketing scheme. Yes, they seem to just be showing off a little with their accomplishments, but it's not really abrasive, so, it's OK. It's a fun little Christmas video, and I like the tune they're spoofing, "Miami" by Will Smith.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-17053535894228743532013-12-20T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.441-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etflv7R6NKA]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip </i>is one of those shows you either love or hate. Over its short run on TV, I loved it. Yes, parts of it are implausible, and, well...here's Louis CK to tell you about all the bad things...</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Update</strong>: The video on YouTube of the Louis CK interview has been removed, but there's still a Huffpost article that covers the highlights. Check it out instead if you want.</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/28/louis-cks-love-hate-relationship-aaron-sorkin_n_1635476.html">Click Here for the Huffpost Article</a></p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">So, while I agree with Mr. CK, Louis, about many of the things he mentions, I have to disagree with his hatred of the show. I find the show funny. I'm really not all that harsh a critic to movies and television. Moments like the one in the clip of the show above make me love it. Although, I can see what he means about the arrogance of having comedy writers sign autographs; it's a little implausible.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The set up for the scene above is pretty simple. The producers of the show within the show, also called <em>Studio 60</em>, find out that musicians all over L.A. are giving up their gigs by calling in sick. They're doing this to help out other musicians from New Orleans, allowing those affected by Katrina to play and earn money for Christmas. Upon learning this, the producers set up this performance to help hand out some work.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-26398944955071556892013-12-19T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.456-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka2nZkKVWmc]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">This is my second post from Chicago in as many days. <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/this-christmas-chicago/">Yesterday's post</a> was a song I generally like, but I felt like Chicago recorded the definitive version. This song, as much as I enjoy Paul McCartney's music, is one I can hardly stand. Actually, I turn the station if it's on the radio...really. I just don't like it. This song and another from Beatles alumnus John Lennon, "So This Is Christmas", are definitely my two most hated Christmas songs. They fall right above "Last Christmas" by Wham! However, Chicago is able to change this one up just enough to make it sound like a song I can somewhat enjoy.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">McCartney originally wrote and recorded the song in 1979. He recorded the song entirely on his own during sessions for <i>McCartney II</i>, and only had members of Wings appear in the video. The band also performed the song during their 1979 tour.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-48569941996127683122013-12-18T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.471-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBgzz6Q8lM]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">I've been looking for a version of this song that I really dug for a while. I should've known that I could count on Chicago to lay down the track I was looking for all along. The rhythm section is tight, the drums hammer straight through syncopated rhythms to make them stand out all the more, and the horns are a big focal point as always; plus, they know exactly when to lay back just let it groove. I've heard lots of different takes on this tune, but this one is definitely the tops that I've heard so far.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The song was written in 1970 by Donny Hathaway (credited as his stage name: Donny Pitts) and Nadine McKinnor. The song has been covered many, many times by a wide mix of artists. Everyone from Chris Brown to The Summer Set to Michael McDonald to the Temptations has taken a swing at this tune, but Chicago are the ones that nailed it.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-60204276268099924732013-12-17T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.572-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Being a drummer and a vocalist, you would think that I'd be all over this song, but as many times as I've seen it posted on my Facebook newsfeed, I've passed over it. Next to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", which is just creepy in my opinion, not that it's the only Christmas song that his (i.e "he sees you when you're sleeping"), and "<a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/14/santa-claus-is-comin-to-town-eddie-higgins/">Santa Claus is Comin' to Town</a>", this is probably in my top five least liked Christmas songs. However, I do like the vocals in this tune, and it's impressive what their vocal percussionist can do, too.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">I've posted <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/evolution-of-music-pentatonix/">another video from this group</a> in the past, and I enjoy everything they do. They're right up there with groups like Rockapella and Straight No Chaser. My dislike for the song can't stand in their way of doing a great job singing it. It's just the song itself I don't like, not their performance. I mean, honestly, is banging on a drum really the best thing to do around a new born?</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-30634533757428777762013-12-16T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.596-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9wpB7wjeuw]</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">I think Ellen nails it when she labels Clarkson's song as a "soon to be" Christmas classic. It has all the makings of a great holiday tune, horn section, 12/8 groove, catchy lyrics and melody. I'd definitely like to hear the rest of her Christmas album. She's a much more talented an artist than she's often given credit for being.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The song was co-written by Clarkson and Greg Kurstin. It appears on her first Christmas album, <i>Wrapped in Red</i>, that was just released this year. It has been compared by many to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas", and i think its a good comparison.</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-51455730062764925972013-12-15T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.609-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co7ZGOjGV4A]</p><br/><br/><div style="text-align:center;"><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">This is, by far, one of my favorite songs around the holiday season. I'm a much bigger fan of the arrangements that involve a horn section, but this Motown-esque cover of the song is catchy. After hearing it, I often find myself walking around singing "ring-a-ling-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding". The song almost sounds like "Heat Wave" in parts, which is funny, because...</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The composer of the original song, Leroy Anderson, was struck with the idea for the tune in a heat wave of 1946, but he didn't finish writing it until 1948. <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/sleigh-ride-harry-connick-jr/">As I mentioned once before</a>, this tune is not a Christmas song; it's only been associated with Christmas over the years. Despite the original intent of the song's author, it was ranked in the top ten of Christmas songs by ASCAP four years in a row, 2009 - 2012.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-25255338597200361152013-12-14T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.623-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tnodqa9lUA]</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">Leave it to a jazz artist to prove me wrong! I just <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/santa-claus-is-comin-to-town-bruce-springsteen/">posted a couple of days ago</a> that this is one of my least favorite Christmas songs. Well, just yesterday, I caught this version on Pandora's jazz Christmas station. While you can definitely hear the melody of the tune, the song takes it and spreads it around in some unconventional ways. I particularly enjoy the bass and drums trading fours at around the 2:03 mark. It just goes to prove that interpretation is so important in music.</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-5602867271313720422013-12-13T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.638-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRjhJ_oWUPs]</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">I just discovered this song, and a couple others I've posted, through <a href="http://idealistmom.com/2012/12/12-christmas-songs-never-heard/">a blog entry about "The Twelve Best Christmas Songs You've Never Heard"</a> from <a href="http://idealistmom.com/about/"><i>The (Reformed) Idealist Mom</i></a> blog. It's a good entry about music, especially for the holiday season. I've checked out some other things she has posted, too, and I'd recommend checking out the page.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">In her entry, Idealist Mom (Kelly), says that this song "sounds like one of those classic Christmas songs from yesteryear", and I have to agree. The song grabbed me right away with the horn intro, and it continued to hold me with something that sounded fresh, yet familiar. The singer-songwriter, Smith, is a Canadian artist. She gained some traction on the fame train in 2009 by recording a cover of "Here Comes Your Man" by the Pixies for the film <i>(500) Days of Summer</i>, which my roommate continues to try and get me to watch. I guess I'll have to give in and watch it now that I have made some connection to it.</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-47062902982763867752013-12-12T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.651-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4QAXj33hQ0]</p><br/>I've posted <a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/merry-christmas-baby-bruce-springsteen/">one other version of this song in the past</a>, and it was pretty much my favorite performance of the song until I stumbled across this one. I've never been a big fan of Crow's, but recently I've stumbled onto some stuff that makes me think I should be. I've apparently just been listening to the wrong stuff all these years. Her radio hits are OK, but as with many artists, those tunes are not necessarily her best work. Here, she and Clapton both tear it up throughout the song, and the band backs them up, playing very tight.<br/><br/>The song was written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore. The original recording, released by Moore and his group Three Blazers, had a much bluesier feel to it than modern recordings. It also featured Charles Brown, who was a major influence in the development of blues, on piano. The slow pace of the original tune doesn't fit by taste, though, and I prefer something with a little more punch, which is exactly what the above recording adds.FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-87450500206441004052013-12-11T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.663-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk-0I6R1oCM]</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">This song manages to combine everything that is <a href="http://songsforrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/06/crazy-dream-los-lonely-boys.html">Los Lonely Boys</a> with lots of aspects of great Christmas rock tunes. For some reason, the shuffle feel you find in this song seems to lend itself to Christmas rock songs better than straight time, a la "<a href="http://songsforrhythm.blogspot.com/2011/12/jingle-bell-rock-electric-mayhem.html">Jingle Bell Rock</a>" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". It also still has that classic sound of the southwest that is the band's signature, plus their amazing harmonies.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">This album was released in 2008, but I was unfamiliar with it until stumbling on this song. After listening to some of the other tracks on the album, I'm sad I hadn't discovered it before now. Other holiday songs cut by the band include "Silent Night", "Carol of the Bells", and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", a very rockin' version of the last one. I don't often buy new albums in their entirety, but this might be one I'll shell out the cash to purchase.</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-11419918449593575722013-12-10T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.002-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khpk9274gMg]</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">This tune is probably one of my least favorite Christmas songs. Written and first performed in 1934, the song has been covered by <i>countless </i>artists and groups. Regardless of the number of covers, I've only ever heard two that I even sort of enjoyed. The one I enjoyed the most was from a very unexpected artist for me, Barry Manilow, of which there is not a good recording available online. This take by Springsteen is next in line, and it's the more familiar one to most people.</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">Springsteen's live version, recorded in 1978, is played on Christmas radio quite often. It features former, late band member Clarence Clemons (saxophone) performing the part of Santa. Clemons would "ho, ho, ho" throughout the song, wearing a Santa Hat. The track was released as a B-side to the song "My Hometown".</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-69972606243747298032013-12-09T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.018-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvGKUXW0iI]</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">I mentioned this song, or more specifically, the actual phrase the song is based around and titled after, while posting in my <a href="http://adaminflorida.blogspot.com/">newest blog about my move to Florida</a>. Go on over there and <a href="http://adaminflorida.blogspot.com/">CHECK IT OUT</a>! When I went looking to link it to my post for this song, I found that I didn't have one! I can't believe I made it two Christmas seasons of Christmas song posts and didn't post this song. That's nuts!</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">So, Mele Kalikimaka, is the actual Hawaiian phrase that translates to "Merry Christmas"! It's pretty simple. Well, actually, it's not all that simple. Techinically, the translation occured the other way, and due to a bunch of constraints on the Hawaiian language, Merry Christmas became Mele Kalikimaka, basically the closest thing it could be to the original.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The song was written in 1949 and most notably recorded by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters, which is the version you hear in this post. Many people have heard it in <i>National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation</i>. It was also, of course, recorded by The Beach Boys, because, well, it just fits.</p><br/><p style="text-align:center;"><b>Update: December 13, 2013</b></p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Just a couple days after I put this post up, I heard another version of this song that I had to get posted. It's not often you hear a new Christmas song or a new version of an old Christmas song on the radio, but it does happen, especially on the all-Christmas-music stations. It doesn't surprise me that Jimmy Buffett covered this song; it fits right in with his usual sound, and he did a good job on it in my opinion. The video below isn't the best quality, but it is the best quality audio of the song that I could find.</p><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMsSv5S5-lk]</p>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-57699508213359093352013-12-08T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.032-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5LROczmJHg]</p><br/><p class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:justify;">I've heard lots of versions of this song, and it's a song that I've always wanted to like, but I could never find one that came across just right. This one, with a sort of Celtic feel, seems to be just right. The song is a traditional carol from England, and it 's a pretty old tune. The oldest written version is from the 17th century.</p><br/><br/><div style="text-align:center;"><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">The band is a duo from Britain, originally formed in 1997. The two members are Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night, hence the name of the group. They have eight studio albums to their credit, one of which is their holiday album, <i>Winter Carols</i>, from which this tune comes.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-38047754340518514652013-12-07T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.045-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBGiQBLLuiE]</p><br/><br/><div style="text-align:center;"><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">I've posted several songs from the <a href="http://www.averyspecialchristmas.org/albums/a-very-special-christmas-vol-3"><i>A Very Special Christmas </i>album series</a> since learning about it. It really does have lots of great artists with great tunes. Plus, the money used to purchase the albums goes to a great cause. If you want to <a href="http://www.averyspecialchristmas.org/albums/a-very-special-christmas-vol-3">swing by there and check it out some time</a>, I highly recommend it.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">This is an original tune from John Popper and the rest of the Travelers. You can definitely hear their sound coming through in the overall sound. They did add some jingle bells in to make it sound more Christmas-like, though. It's a cool song all around, and it's a nice addition to a somewhat non-traditional playlist.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765881654210632673.post-27245096467793941312013-12-06T12:00:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:23:42.059-04:00<div style="text-align:center;"><br/><h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://ddsongsharing.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/december-theme/">December Theme: 25 Days of Christmas</a></h3><br/></div><br/><p style="text-align:center;">[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APl_R6gGMAM]</p><br/><br/><div style="text-align:center;"><br/><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>Rolling Stone</i> ranked this tune as the number one greatest rock and roll Christmas song in 2010. While it is a great tune, and I like it quite a bit, I don't know if that's the truth. While they attributed the success of the song to original singer Darlene Love's emotion and vocal power, I don't think the song itself is strong enough to hold that position compared to some of the other great rock n' roll Christmas jams out there.</p><br/><p style="text-align:justify;">Upon its release, the song wasn't all that successful. It has been popular since then through the many artists that have covered it. Along with the Carey version above, Bon Jovi, Cher, Diesel, R.E.M., Joey Ramone, and many others have taken their shot at the song. Carey's album <i>Merry Christmas</i>, on which the song appears, has sold more than 200,000 copies, making it one of the most successful covers of the original.</p><br/><br/></div>FindingMyRhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16474627321229232336noreply@blogger.com0