posted
There is bad music. There is good music. And there's great music. The difference between each category is time impossible to describe and amazingly obvious at the same time!
Part of what I do here, in this odd tradition of mine, is try to explain what music I love and why. Few pieces are truly great--most are "only" good. But, while great music is very, very rare, most good pieces have great moments in them.
In this week's "column"--my 400th post--I shall go over a plethora of works, explaining exactly where the great moments are.
Here, There, and Everywhere by the Beatles: The chorus is amazing. So tender, so sweet, and heart-wrenching. This is one of the most brilliant pieces ever created by the Beatles.
Martha My Dear by the Beatles:
2:00 - end. The music is delicate, and so are the words. For some reason, the phrase "Martha, my dear, you have always been my inspiration" really appeals to me.
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John:
1:00-2:00. Wow. Very, very poetic wording. Very, very beautiful music. Elton John is and was a superstar for a reason--his voice is focused, dynamic and charming. Best phrase? "And left me blinded by the light."
Judas' Death Jesus Christ Superstar - Soundtrack.
3:40-4:10. In the shouts of Judas are pure agony. He has murdered his best friend, and now, he kills himself.
Pilate and christ Jesus Christ Superstar - Soundtrack.
2:21 (when the cymbals crash and Pilate says "you're Herod's case")-end. The crowd is wild--off Jesus goes to see Herod! This is a perfect example of crowd dynamism--and of good music.
Maybe I'm Amazed
Paul McCartney
2:15-2:25. This one phrase right here is perfect. Nothing could make it any better. Paul McCartney at his best.
Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John:
2:28-2:36. "Damn it, listen to me good!" Unlike modern day songs, Elton uses a "swear" word to strong effect. The damn is incredibly powerful; it strikes like a hammer at the listener.
A Storm is Coming Howard Shore, LoTR soundtrack.
1:38-1:44. In context with the surronding music and the song title--A storm is coming--this sole violen is despearatly tragic. It comes right before the song degenerates into wildness--and it is sad, horribly sad.
The Treason of Isengard Howard Shore, LoTR soundtrack.
2:50-end. The song goes through a lot. But right at 2:50 the treachary happens. You hear it. To me, that sudden change is the sound of betrayal. And--though they officialy mean something else--the words in the background are shouting in horror, "Saruman!"
posted
Good stuff Phanto. I'd be curious to hear what you think of Vincent (Starry Starry Night) by Don McLean and a favorite protest song of mine by Mason Proffit called Two HangmenPosts: 2022 | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John:
1:00-2:00. Wow. Very, very poetic wording. Very, very beautiful music. Elton John is and was a superstar for a reason--his voice is focused, dynamic and charming. Best phrase? "And left me blinded by the light."
I love this song, and for a very specific reason. Well, I liked it a lot before, but after seeing EJ in concert a long time ago, this song will always be in my memory. You see, the concert was back in 1975, and happened to take place on an Autumn Sunday, the first day off of daylight savings time, in Dodger Stadium. Well, just as the sun was getting ready to go down, this song began. So, he did about a fifteen or twenty minute version of it (with long instrumental in the middle) and by the time it was ending, it was pitch dark in the stadium. So, as the last chord was fading out, all the stadium lights suddenly were turned on. It was just beautiful, a perfect presentation of a wonderful song.
Oh, and McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" - this is the only post-Beatles McCartney song that I really love. It's pretty close to perfect, I think.
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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There is a whole live show there. This site used to have their albums with little listening buttons, but it has changed. I am still trying to find a song for you to listen to. I think of the horse Flies as Michael Stipe and David Byrne genetically fused, playing an odd sort of bluegrass-old time blend.
Also, if you like Natalie Merchant, she is touring with two of the Horse Flies, Judy Hyman(fiddle) and Richie Stearns(banjo) They play on her new album, too.
[ July 04, 2004, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
I think that the best from Jesus Christ Superstar is "I Don't Know How to Love Him." If my memory serves correct, it is sung by both Mary Magdalene and Judas. Both have different feelings towards Jesus and it is reflected through their putting different emphasis on the same words to the same song.
I must agree on "Here, There, and Everywhere." It is my favorte song by the Fab Four. My second favorite is "Eleanor Rigby" (check it out if you have not).
Another poster mentioned "Vincent" (a.k.a. "Starry Starry Night") by Don McLean. This song is a beautiful marriage of lyrics and music.
Another one you may want to check out is Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band." He wrote the song to and about his father, and it is brilliant!
Posts: 279 | Registered: May 2004
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Elizabeth, thanks for the idea! That does sound like it's right up my street.
No broadband for me unless I'm at work, though. At work, I don't risk getting caught listening to downloads. Wonderful catch-22, neh? I'd love to hear Twink's stuff, but haven't been able to load it yet! Posts: 1843 | Registered: Aug 2003
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"I think that the best from Jesus Christ Superstar is "I Don't Know How to Love Him." "
Wait, isn't that from Godspell?
Speaking of Godpell, there is a song in it that absolutely floors me. I think it is called By My Side, and is a duet by two of the women. I have the chills just thinking about it.
Edit: Erik, let me see what i can do...
[ July 05, 2004, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
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