Sunday, October 4, 2009

*Groan* This is going to hurt!

Having watched that spoken word bit of Rumi that Madonna did about 100 times now, I had to get on to something else. As was inevitable, I did a search on Tori Amos.

What I was hoping to find was "little Eartquakes". What I did find was "Crucify", another great song. I've never really played or written anything I can remember in D-Flat major, which nis apparently the key she wrote it in. This would be a good exercise for me. Besides, I like the way she writes, learning "Crucify" may let me see more of how she tends to structure things as a composer. Having found this tutorial I feel obligated to set my laptop on my keyboard and turn the amplifier on. I may find myself soaking my fingers later, if I really try to get the first piano lick down.

If you like Tori Amos and are working with a piano or keyboard, or want to see why I'm wincing a little, click here:

Saturday, October 3, 2009

I'm Going to Watch this about 100 times...

Here's a Deep Dark Secret. Madonna was one of my first musical hero's. When I was not even a teenager yet, she was my example of how a young woman from a small town in Michigan could take charge of her life and become a rock star if she wanted to. There was more to it than that, I felt that beyond the outward showy displays there was something inside her as that made her both an artist, and a philosopher poet that could use her art to speak deeply to others. Most of my young friends just laughed at me, and I'm sure my Mom laughed even harder.

Today it surprises me, but I'm quite sure I was right. Here's why I'm breathless for her again, amazed to see her do such a beautiful expression of the poetry of Rumi:

Music to Laugh to: The Mean Kitty Song

Sometimes you just need a laugh. I give you the mean kitty rap song, which is awfully cute. :-)

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Seattle Music Sceene: Blue Moon Open Mic Night

If you happen to be up in the seattle area and want a fun evening, the Blue Moon hosts an open mic on Wednesday nights. It starts around 8pm and is run by Angry Joey and co-hosted by his talented daughter Leanne. With any luck I may get to film and post her awsome rendition of "Mad World" by Tears for Fears in the near future. Last nights open mic was amazing from start to finish. There were some noteworthy blues tunes sung by Daddy Treetops, a musician of local folk fame, and also an amazing set of Rastafarian fun lead by Abdulla and his friends.

The crowd on Wensdays is warm and friendly, so if you live in the area or are visiting bring yourself out. If you play, show up with your guitar or a song and sign up with Joey. The crowd is weloming to beginners as well as seasoned ( bad-ass) performers. ;-)~ The Blue Moon is located on 45th street in the U district.

Must be 21 and over to attend, with ID.
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