5 on Friday -- Set 297

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature has been Spotlight On...

...and for our twelfth and final installment for 2015's year-long project, let's swing with woodwinds. I'm concentrating for this set mainly on flute, but there are a few recorders in these tracks. Flutes bring us full circle back to the ancient world.    

We began the year listening to the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies.

Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July.

In August I trained the spotlight on a favorite of mine, the bass guitar. In September we gave the stage over to that diva of instruments -- the lead guitar.

In October, I moved from stringed guitars to orchestral strings.

For November, I focused on horn arrangements.

December wraps up this year's musical project with the mellow tones of the flute and recorder. Flutes have been played on battlefields, they've been played by shepherds on hillsides, they've been part of an orchestra or played by peasants. They generally evoke a feeling of the Everyman, as well as reaching back through time to our earliest ancestors. Flutes and recorders give a dual sense of being rooted, as well as the floating sensation suggested by the wind descriptor of woodwind.

For all of you who have enjoyed this year's Spotlight On feature, I invite you to check back next week on New Year's Day for a brand new year-long project.

I've had such fun with the three I've done so far. I love taking up creative challenges like Blogging From A to Z in April, or the NaNoWriMo writing marathon in November. Deciding on a musical challenge for my 5 on Friday feature is a way to broaden my own musical horizons.

I embarked on my first 5 on Friday challenge in 2013 with the Birthday Boys/Birthday Girls project. I alternated male and female singers each month, beginning with January Birthday Boys, to see what sort of music they bring us.

In 2014, I ran The Hit Makers feature, where I looked at different styles of music each month, five of my favorite artists in that style and what songs launched their careers. That was an amazing project, beginning with the British Invasion set.

Where will 2016's musical journey take us? Drop by on January 1st to find out.

Let's finish up 2015 with a Spotlight On flute.    

1 - Coming Home Baby - Herbie Mann - 1961

2 - The Hustle - Van McCoy -1975

3 - Fernando - ABBA - 1976

4 - Colour My World - Chicago - 1971

5 - Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin - 1972

If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

5 on Friday -- Set 291

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

This year I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature is called Spotlight On...

...and for our eleventh installment, let's continue our look at tonal complexity by the addition of a horn section. Horns have traditionally heralded ceremonies and carry with them an association with celebration.  

We began the year listening to the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies.

Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July.

In August I trained the spotlight on a favorite of mine, the bass guitar. In September we gave the stage over to that diva of instruments -- the lead guitar.

In October, I moved from stringed guitars to orchestral strings.

This month, the spotlight's on five songs where the horn arrangements are the prominent feature.

1 - The Cup of Life - Ricky Martin - 1998

2 - One Fine Morning - Lighthouse -1971

3 - September - Earth, Wind and Fire - 1978

4 - 25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago - 1970

5 - Go Down Gamblin - Blood, Sweat and Tears - 1971

5 on Friday -- Set 287

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

This year I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature is called Spotlight On...

...and for our tenth installment, let's move into an element of deeper tonal complexity by the addition of a string section. Strings immediately bring a sense of emotion along with them, whether it's joyfulness or melancholy.

We began the year listening to the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies.

Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July.

In August I trained the spotlight on a favorite of mine, the bass guitar. In September we gave the stage over to that diva of instruments -- the lead guitar.

For October, I'm moving from stringed guitars to orchestral strings. Here are five songs where the string arrangements are the prominent feature.

1 - Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins - 1996

And what about the awesome music video by Little Miss Sunshine directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris? 

2 - Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles -1955

3 - The World I Know - Collective Soul - 1995

4 - Cloudbusting - Kate Bush - 1987

5 - Exogenesis Part 1 - Muse - 2010

 

5 on Friday -- Set 282

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

This year I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature is called Spotlight On...

...and for our ninth installment, I'm transitioning from percussion and rhythm to the leading melodic instrumental voice.

We began the year listening to the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies. Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July. In August I trained the spotlight on a favorite of mine, the bass guitar.

For September let's listen to that diva of instruments -- the lead guitar.

1 - Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles - 1969

A typically bittersweet joy radiates from George Harrison's guitar in this song he wrote after a long English winter. 

2 - Milkcow Blues Boogie - Elvis Presley -1954

Elvis' guitar player Scotty Moore was an essential part of the 'Elvis sound' that took the world by storm in the mid-50s. He was ranked at 29 in the Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, a list heavy with electric guitar gods.

3 - Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits - 1979

Mark Knopfler's undeniably unique sound burst out from pop music's late-70s/early-80s move into synth and a highly-produced sound. Knopfler instead brought us his throwback to a more traditional sound with his '61 Fender Stratocaster. 

4 - Black Dog - Led Zeppelin - 1971

Jimmy Page's playing on this classic Zeppelin tune helped propel it into legend:

Top Fifty Classic Rock Songs of All Time -- Classic Rock magazine

20 Greatest Guitar Tracks -- Q magazine (UK)

500 Greatest Songs of All Time -- Rolling Stone magazine

To mention merely a few.

5 - Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) - Jimi Hendrix - 1969

This footage of Jimi Hendrix playing at Woodstock is riveting, and then somewhat hilarious when the camera moves to gaze out at the appreciative if bedraggled audience and the half-empty hillside strewn with the remnants of festival goers. He was the headliner and closed the festival, which meant that he went onstage beginning at 9:00 in the morning. Over half of the attendees had gone by Hendrix's close to two-hour set.

He was ranked posthumously as the greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone, but had also  been named during his lifetime as Artist of the Year (1968) by Billboard magazine, and Rock Guitarist of the Year (1970) by Guitar Player magazine, among a great bounty of lifetime achievement awards.

Considering his early death at 27, and how far he pushed the boundaries of the electric guitar at the time, it's surprising that he was so passionately embraced during his lifetime, as true trailblazers are so often misunderstood by their contemporaries, and only valued much later when the public catches up with them.    

  

5 on Friday -- Set 278

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

This year I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature is called Spotlight On...

...and for our eighth installment, I'm transitioning from percussion to rhythm. We began the year listening to the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies. Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July.

For August let's listen to one of my favorite instruments -- bass guitar.

The bass is a stringed instrument, yet its function is to anchor the groove of the music alongside the more obvious percussive sibling, the drums. Bass players often use percussion techniques such as slapping the strings, popping them (a more aggressive plucking) or thumping, as well as playing the strings as would a lead guitarist. 

1 - Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey - The Beatles - 1968

This song is extra groovey, with handclaps, bell and other smaller percussion instruments shared out by The Beatles. Paul McCartney totally rocks out on bass with this track.

2 - Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops -1966

The bass player on this track is the one, the only James Jamerson.

"A true session giant, Jamerson has played on over 30 number one records, laid down stone cold grooves for the biggest artists Motown, soul and funk could throw at him, and has influenced scores of bass players from all genres of music." -- Claire Davies, MusicRadar 

What is a session musician? These are working musicians who are in demand for recording sessions or live performances, but who do not permanently join a particular group.

Being a session musician generally means more stability as far as residence, because there is less need to tour the country or head out internationally. The session musician builds a reputation locally and becomes the go-to instrumentalist when other acts come to town. This gives the musician the added benefit of playing in many musical styles and alongside a vast array of fellow musicians.

3 - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Sly and the Family Stone - 1969

I hope you've been busy groovin' to these tunes. Get ready to cut loose with the slapping funk of Larry Graham, who is credited as the originator of this technique. 

4 - Come On, Come Over - Jaco Pastorius featuring Sam and Dave - 1976

This is a fairly tame, more accessible tune from a legendary bass player. He was already teaching bass at the University of Miami at the age of 22. His self-titled debut album coaxed Sam and Dave to reunite just so they could work with him. He played for Weather Report from 1976 - 81, leaving to work on a myriad of solo projects, collaborations and session work. He passed away at the young age of 35 after years of erratic behavior and deteriorating health, a direct result of mental illness.

Jaco Pastorius was loved by family and friends, and revered by his fellow musicians. His death is a simple yet sober reminder that the grip of mental illness can be stronger than the best support system, stronger than the remedies available, stronger even than the burning flame burning inside the person who lives with this type of chronic condition. 

As an added bonus for this week's set, here's a far more typical example of Jaco Pastorius' groundbreaking bass playing. He was incredibly influential, pushing the bass to new levels with his lyrical style and use of harmonics.

Continuum - 1976

5 - Hysteria - Muse - 2003

Stepping away from the funkier tracks to some rock bass playing, here is Christopher Wolstenholme of Muse with a base line voted 6th best bass line of all time by MusicRadar.

  

5 on Friday -- Set 273

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

This year I'll be taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature is called Spotlight On...

...and for our seventh installment, I'm venturing out from the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies to explore percussion. Following April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, and June's look at piano, here are five songs which shine a spotlight on the cowbell.

1 - Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult - 1976

On April 8th, 2000 as season 25 of Saturday Night Live was drawing to a close, a sketch originally titled Behind the Music: Blue Oyster Cult but now commonly referred to as More Cowbell aired to immediate acclaim. It has only grown more popular in the fifteen years since it was first broadcast.

Cowbells as part of the percussive instruments is more common in salsa music, but has a recurring place in pop and rock music. Apparently the 1970s enjoyed something of a cowbell renaissance.

Don't Fear the Reaper is one of many classic rock songs attached to one my favorite shows of all time -- Supernatural. To be honest, however, for me it will always belong to the 1994 miniseries The Stand. 

2 - Low Rider - War -1975 

3 - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - Bachman Turner Overdrive - 1974

4 - Incense and Peppermints - Strawberry Alarm Clock - 1967

5 - Honky Tonk Women - The Rolling Stones - 1969

  

5 on Friday -- Set 271

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

I'm still in catch-up mode, having taken off most of May and now June from blogging, due to pacing for my fibromyalgia. 

And now, back to our regularly-scheduled programming.

This year I'll be taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature is called Spotlight On...

...and for our sixth installment, I'm venturing out from the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies to explore percussion. Following April's look at drums, and May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, here are five songs which shine a spotlight on the piano.

1 - Jealous Guy - John Lennon - 1971

2 - Mad World (Donnie Darko soundtrack) - Gary Jules - 2001 for the soundtrack, 2003 for radio release

3 - Levon - Elton John - 1971

4 - New York State of Mind - Billy Joel - 1976

5 - Nothing From Nothing - Billy Preston - 1974

  

True posting date: June 19, 2015

5 on Friday -- Set 270

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

I'm still in catch-up mode, having taken off most of May from blogging due to pacing for my fibromyalgia. My husband Brad and I were busy wrapping up our year-long outdoor fitness challenge, which you can read about here:

Our Journey Back to Joy

And now, back to our regularly-scheduled programming.

This year I'll be taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.

This year's feature is called Spotlight On...

...and for our fifth installment, I'm venturing out from the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies to explore percussion. Following April's look at drums, here are five songs which shine a spotlight on the vibraphone or the vibes.

1 - Flying Home - Lionel Hampton - 1957

2 - Caj Tjader - Maramoor Mambo - 1965

3 - Heartstrings - Milt Jackson - 1957

4 - So Many Things - Gary Burton Trio - 1961

5 - Head Start - Bobby Hutcherson - 1966

  

True posting date: June 5, 2015