Indie Rock Wednesdays
To be completely honest, I’ve just been perusing the free songs on Amazon and liked the 30 second preview of this song. So I bought it. And by “bought” I mean I clicked a button that said I could have it for free. Does it get much better than good, free music? I think not, fellow meanderers.
I’ve heard of Freelance Whales before but never gave them a second thought until now. This is just a really good song. No two ways about it. I hope y’all enjoy it too :)
“Hannah”- Freelance Whales
Happy Hump Day, guys and gals.
June 22nd, 2011
June 20th, 2011
Classical Mondays
There are few things I love in the world more than Ron Weasley. Pair his most shining moment in the entire series with an indescribably beautiful orchestral ballad by Alexandre Desplat and I’m basically on my knees. Harps, chimes and flutes make this song airy, heartfelt and moving.
This is a song you can truly feel. You feel the emotion and the gravity of the situation that just occurred. You can feel the love pulsing between Ron and Hermione and you can’t help but hope they can hear this song too and feel the same way you do.
Less than a month until DH Part 2, folks. We’ve stuck by them til the very end. And that’s a beautiful thing.
June 19th, 2011
Pop Sundays- because you know you love a good, juicy pop song.
While I normally can’t listen to pop 24/7, Owl City is the one exception. Adam Young created a synth/pop sound that makes me feel like I’m floating above the Earth in a euphoric dream state and nothing can bring me down.
He is an openly devout Christian and sticks to his guns with his lyrics. I think I relate to his music because he’s fun, smart, witty and nerdy, but never vulgar or crude. And he loves Narnia and LOTR. Nerdfighters 4 Life.
This is the opening track, “The Real World”, is from his latest album, All Things Bright and Beautiful, which dropped last week.
June 18th, 2011
Folk/Bluegrass/Americana Fridays- because sometimes you want to close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on a wrap-around porch gazing wistfully at the Appalachian mountains while a very nice old couple plays lovingly duets with a banjo and fiddle.
I adore a good banjo/acoustic guitar/mandolin/fiddle combo. I’ve been listening to Prairie Home Companion and Bluegrass music my whole life but I think my affinity for it really comes from when my family and I lived in Memphis, TN. On Sundays after church, my mom would turn the intercom radio throughout the house to Bluegrass Sundays on NPR and we’d hum and dance and make “down in the holler” jokes. On a whole, I despised living in Memphis (having left Austin…whoa totally different) but Sundays were what made it bearable. I loved our Methodist church and how great I felt every Sunday after seeing my friends and coming home to the whole family in sunny spirits.
Living in Tennessee, we took several short trips to the Eastern part of the state and the Carolinas. One of my most vivid musical memories is listening to Alison Krauss’ album, Forget About It, on a trip to Kiawah Island, SC in 1999. I remember closing my eyes on the porch facing the beach and hearing the most pure and captivating voice wafting from the CD player inside. It was Alison’s voice and I’ve been madly in love with every project she’s done ever since. From her partnership with Union Station to her work on Cold Mountain and O Brother, Where Art Thou? to the album Raising Sand she did with Robert Plant. She is undeniably magnificent, and the newest album from Alison Krauss and Union Station, Paper Airplane, is no exception. Their songs speak of a different era but capture the same emotions we feel today. A recipe for pure, beautiful and poignant music.
I couldn’t pick which song to post so here are two of my favorites, “Paper Airplane” and “Dust Bowl Children”.
Peace, Love and Banjos.
June 16th, 2011
Jazz/Blues/Big Band Thursdays- because everyone loves music they can really feel.
Tonight I went to see the Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris, at the only art theater in San Antonio, the Santikos Bijou. This movie is just enchanting. It’s real, it’s hopeful, it’s funny, it’s honest, it’s stunning. Judi Dench and Marion Cotillard are truly exceptional.
If you’ve ever been to Paris you know the feeling Owen Wilson so endearingly champions throughout the movie. He just wants to walk. Walk, absorb, feel, understand, experience. That is exactly how I felt both times I’ve been fortunate enough to make it to the city of lights. I’m perfectly content to throw in some headphones, grab a baguette and a cup of coffee and go explore. To sit in the Jardin du Luxembourg and people watch. Ultimate perfection.
Cole Porter and his exquisite compositions are featured at the forefront of the plot line and I couldn’t help but want to share my favorite version of one of his hits. Ladies and gentlemen, the incomparable Ms. Ella Fitzgerald.
June 15th, 2011
Indie Rock Wednesdays- because everyone needs to unleash their inner hipster every now and again.
I first saw GIVERS at SXSW 2011 in Austin, Texas. My friend happiestonthedancefloor assured me I would love them and of course, I did. They are fun, light, energetic, passionate and young. Add in some serious musicality and you’ve got all the ingredients necessary for a successful indie group.
Their new album, “In Light”, dropped last week. Definitely worth a listen…or 26.
I dare you not to dance a little in your seat right now.
June 13th, 2011
My New Blog!
Ahoy fellow internet renegades! I’ve started a new blog. Musical Meanderings is an experience I’m starting to explore all kinds of musical genres and learn a little something more about how people see the world through music. I’d love for y’all to follow me there as well, see the post below for a few more details. I hope you like it and happy listening!!
Here’s the Idea
A very good day to you all and welcome to my new project! Today I had somewhat of a revelation. When I’m feeling downtrodden or discouraged, I immediately reach for my headphones and escape into a world where I can be and feel anything I want without scrutiny or repercussions. Music is my solace. It puts a smile on my face when it seems nothing else can. It draws tears down my cheeks when I need a good cry. It makes me feel as though somehow, everything will be alright. But even thought I’m an avid music enthusiast I sometimes find myself at a loss for exactly the right music for the moment, situation or circumstance. This blog is my attempt to explore all different genres of music and expand my musical palette.
I can only hope the same for other wonderful bloggers such as yourselves. I’m going to post at least one new song everyday. At first there will be some of my own favorites with reviews/descriptions of the songs and the artists that brought them to life but within the next 2 weeks I’ll really get to the substance of this experience. I’m going to do a different genre for each day of the week! I’m going to keep it pretty standardized for the first few weeks then I’ll start sprinkling a few extra songs from different genres here and there…keep it interesting :)
I’d love to have your support in this so let me know what you’d like to see and tell all your friends! I sincerely hope other souls will benefit from this as much as I hope to.
Let the magic, music and meandering begin!
