The Effects of "Seeing It Live"

Having many favourite artists, I am always wary about seeing any of them perform live - I have been disappointed before and am not really willing to spend money on a concert that will not live up to my standards.
I really enjoy the Transiberian Orchestra's Christmas arrangements, so I went to their concert at the Rose Garden (Portland, OR).  While the music was still the stuff I've been listening to for years, the concert was nit to my liking.  It was like a rock concert, but EVERYONE stayed in there seats.  Because of the conflicting performance energy to audience's relaxed seating, the concert lost enjoyment.  I would have liked the performance to match the relaxation of the audience
I've also been to concerts where I've wanted the opposite - I wanted to be dancing around and all with the performers...

The question is - how does the live performance change your view of the artist?
There have definitely been concerts I have attended that have caused me to re-evaluate my devotion and some that have strengthened it.  The Oak Ridge Boys are a group I rarely listen to outside of a concert - it was kinda a family tradition to see them in concert in Branson, MO when we went on vacation or in the Wisconsin Dells, WI for the Christmas concert.  I love going with my mom and sister and singing along!
The merchandise is important too - sometimes...I have bought CDs at concerts, but I've never got any t-shirts or posters or photos or anything else.  Is the concert merch important in one's following?

Have you ever seen someone(s) and had your view of them completely changed??  Have you ever purchased any merch at a concert that has affected your following of an artist?

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Social Network

Not knowing much about creating electronic music, I am at a loss for how Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross came up with the music for the movie The Social Network.  The ability to express the story around the Facebook phenomenon and all of the drama at its beginning is amazing.

Knowing the movie isn't completely accurate doesn't change the effects of the music.

I am curious about the process Reznor & Ross went through: did they write the music after seeing some of the film?  Did they ever get to see part of the film before composing?

I will hopefully be able to give you an analysis after I see the film, so stay tuned!!

Play On ~ CD Review

Play On ~ Carrie Underwood ~ 2009 ~ Arista

Carrie Underwood's third album starts with a bang!  The catchy crossover song about a bad boy pulls you into the album.  Although the fun bashing continues later in the album (guys may not appreciate it), the next couple songs vary greatly in character.  The organisation of the album in that respect is superb - everything is mixed up, no song follows another of the same character - something that has also been a given in the previous two.  Carrie manages to fit love ballads, punchy songs about revenge, heartbreak songs, fun and in love, and inspiring songs all on one album - with only thirteen tracks, and all of them are enjoyable.  (Isn't there usually at least one song on every album that you don't like?  I don't have that with Play On).
One new aspect of this album is Carrie's greater personal involvement - she has been helping write her songs.  And you can hear it.  "Mama's Song" and "Look At Me" especially reflect her life recently.  (She got married recently you know!)
Another new addition to Carrie's collection is the crossover duet with the Sons of Sylvia (also a great band to have a listen to).  "What Can I Say?", a song of mutual heartbreak, the character of the song is one not represented by the others on the album, maybe only because it is a duet and Carrie is still the main feature of the track.
The album closes with the title track - an incredible, inspiring piece with its own bang - one of those "never give up" songs, but one of the best I've heard.  The lyrics in some way address any problem you could be having, some more metaphorically than others.  Five stars!

Celtic Rainbow ~ CD Review

Celtic Rainbow ~ Various Artists ~ 1999 ~ Owl Records International Limited

A phrase that came to mind listening to this album was "Tour of Ireland" - via music.  This album visits musical styles from Ireland going back to the traditional Celtic sounds that many people think of coming from that region of the world to the new-age pop-style with small appearances from a Celtic rock sound.
The beginning of the album sounds vaguely Enya-esque with a touch of the Titanic soundtrack suspending the listener in earthy-airy-flowing vocals and instrumental lines.  Even before looking at the titles of the tracks, one can see the images the titles seem to intend.  However, the beginning of the album becomes mundane as there is not enough variety in the styles, rhythms, pulse, and instrumentation.  Many of the first tracks could potentially be used for meditating with the stark similarities between the tracks, the deep soothing qualities letting you relax but not encouraging sleep.
The second half of the album leans back to the traditional Celtic with folk tunes, love songs, and traditional dance tunes.  Be aware of the two Christmas carols stuck in the middle of the album - although the arrangements are intriguing.  "The First Noel" is sung in Gaelic and has a very modern backdrop; "Ave Maria" is completely instrumental - a harp like instrument plays the melody and embellishments.  After the flash to the past, the listener is revisited by modern-sounding music.  Track 18, "White Velvet", sounds like a Celtic-influenced Barry White or Neil Diamond and Track 19, "Spirit of Ages", takes the listener to a night at an Irish disco.
Overall, this is a great way to expose someone to world music - maybe don't listen to the tracks in order though.

The Changing Music Scene

Aspiring artists, composers, musicians.**

what is the best way for them to exhibit themselves to the world?  close friends can easily hound in on a facebook/myspace/twitter page, but that only goes so far.

CD sales plummeting, singles available online are again creating those one-hit-wonders of the vinyl age.  But what does this mean for the classics? Not only Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi - any those old-time pieces that can't be released again because they're everywhere already? 

My grandfather probably has 3000+ CDs of all his "favourite" classical, orchestral pieces ad composers - he has not been caught in the crazy technological advancements that the younger generations have.  How is his perception of the current music scene different than everyone else's?  How does his tiny use of the internet affect his sense of "pop culture"?

What affects how you buy music?  Do you still buy the entire physical CD?  I do - I like having the physical, it's a back up; I have the book that goes with the CD.  Although, I do like being able to load 1000ish songs on my iPod Nano and roam around the planet without all those CDs in tow.

What about music?  How much sheet music or music books have you got lately?  The internet has many many many sites that sell and will transpose pieces and songs for you before purchase.  Does this transposition tool help increase sheet music sales - your favourite song transposed to a range that you can perform it in, transposed to a key that's easier to play in.

**Here's one of the aspiring groups:
 AcMe RehD (a combination of their real & pen name initials) is a sibling duo - one the wordsmith and the other the composer - both musicians.  Influenced by the classical music (which they were exposed to while in the womb from the middle of the orchestra), country, celtic, pop, jazz - bascially everything except rap and heavy metal - they seem to be striving for a best of both worlds scenario.

on the radio

SISTER HAZEL - (HARD TO SAY) ALL FOR YOU - 1997

...Somewhere More Familiar

how has my taste in music changed since i first heard this song?
i still like it, but i don't like everything i used to
and i like music now that i would never have listened to when i was young - and not just because of parental and peer influences