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.
The Canadian federal election is in full swing.
This week's set is dedicated to the sitting prime minister.
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.
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.
Misha plays the angel Castiel on my favorite show, the show for which I drop everything, sitting to watch it properly rather than staying on the computer and half-watching out of the corner of my eye: Supernatural
This is what Misha looks like in character as Castiel.
This is what Misha looks like, normally.
Pretty good arms, actually.
Shouldn't lean so much, though.
Hard to keep the center!
Much harder than it looks. Those ballet dancers are doing themselves no favors, most of the time, making it all seem so effortless.
Anyway, because Misha's big scavenger hunt is beginning tomorrow, today's 5 on Friday goes out to all GISHWHES participants. Good luck! Have fun!
1 - The Final Countdown - Europe
2 - Seven Nation Army - White Stripes
3 - Fishin' Blues - Taj Mahal
4 - You Can Get It If You Really Want - Jimmy Cliff
5 - A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight - Firehouse Five Plus Two
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 didn't know until a few years ago that there was such a thing as a selenophile -- someone who loves the moon, is captivated by the moon, who feels a sense of excitement as dusk settles and night takes over.
All I knew was that I loved the moon and moonlight in a way that sunworshippers seem to love their sunny days. Actually, no -- the sun lovers' relationships to sunny days seems to be more of an extrovert thing, while they fill their blue-sky days with lots of activity and feel happy doing it.
My relationship with the moon and the night fits with my introverted self, filling me with a quiet joy, yet a very intense joy. It's just me and the night and no desire to do anything but be.
1 - Moonlight Bay - Leon Redbone
2 - By the Light of the Silvery Moon - A Capella Trudbol (Julien Neel)
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 know I keep saying this, but after the winter we had this past year, everyone in this neck of the woods is enjoying the sweetness of summer like we never have before.
For this week's set, let's fling ourselves into the sounds of summer.
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.
Tomorrow on July 11th we'll be celebrating our 23rd anniversary.
Here's a special set dedicated to 'the road so far', as they say on my favorite show Supernatural.
1 - Sensual World - Kate Bush
2 - This Guy's in Love With You - Herb Alpert
3 - Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross and The Supremes
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
Champion of the Arts - I write historical and paranormal fiction, as well as poetry. I love to showcase creative works by artists of all stripes. Blogging from Nova Scotia, Canada
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