duke, i love you so

Driving home from work today, I had the pleasure of listening to the best version of The Nutcracker Suite EVER. Duke Ellington on the album Three Suites...phenomenal
Check it out on HERE.

one of the reasons that i love my friends

Jeffery Hyde Thompson

This is a bit of his silliness, but he is quite a talented musician and a really great human, to boot. After enjoying this, check out his serious work. It is well worth it: Jeffery Hyde Thompson

the karaoke cure

Lately, there have been many thoughts running through my mind but none of them wanted to come out in a blog post. However, one thing that is begging attention today is reconnecting with my uninhibited, outgoing self. (Oh, I have missed you so!)

Throughout much of my life, I walked with the confidence as a sure kid/teen/woman, easily talking to people I did not know, engaging in activities that garnered attention and freely expressing myself artistically and intellectually without pause. This has always brought joy and excitement to my soul. I approached tasks and endeavors with vim and passion. Challenging tasks were like crack to me.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the line I ventured away from this vital part of me. Fortunately, I reignited the pilot light this past weekend. How? Oddly enough: karaoke. Before singing, my inner dialogue went something like this:

"Okay, Melissa, look at the song list and maybe feigning interest will make you blend in and go unnoticed that you don't actually get up and sing."

"Unnoticed??!! You'll look so interested that someone is going to make you get up! What are you so afraid of? You used to do theatre, remember?"

"Of course I remember! The memories intact, it's just the stage freight that we never had back then has accumulated and is rearing it's ugly head now."

"Wimp! Even if you totally suck, it's more about having fun. You do remember fun, right?"

"Alright, screw it. I'm going in. **insert semi-palatable belted out karaoke song here** Hey, that wasn't so bad! It was (dare I say?) exhilarating!"

"See? You really have to stop being such a wallflower, because face it, deep down you are a loud, boisterous, life-filled beam of light! Let it shine, sister, let it shine!"

--end of internal dialogue--

This three minutes of unbridled karaoke crooning got me to thinking about how to truly delve back into the authenticity of myself.

Today I vow to simply be me.
Today I conquer self-created fear.
Today I nourish the self emotionally, artistically and with utter self-kindness.
Today,
I sing!

inxs...is just the right amount

Monday morning music.
I love the way music affects the mood.
It can conjure feelings of nostalgia, joy, sadness, pure energy, etc. For me, listening to bands from my youth and beyond always makes me happy, even if the song is gut-wrenchingly depressing.

art, music, movement

I find deep inspiration in experiencing (viewing, watching, hearing) passionate creative individuals demonstrating their crafts. Every time I hear musicians' melodies in my ears, watch the strength and fluidity of bodies in motion or view artists' creations my heart swells and my soul dances.

I believe we all have a musician, dancer and artist inside of us. Mine get sparked by viewing others who embody these parts fully in themselves. Recently I have been pondering what would happen if I begin to tap into each of these parts in myself. Will they work in harmony? Will they compete for attention? Will they create a fuller me? Will they distract from each other? Will each one enhance the others or be their cheering section? Will stimulating all of these parts in me create such joy that I burst?

The time feels right to explore the possibilities and answer these questions and more.

Now this is maitri.

my friend jeff

A very talented and wonderful person.


here's some of his music

http://www.jefferyhyde.com/

let's play a rousing game of musical brains

from Yahoo News (link included)

Musicians' Brain Waves Are Also in Tune

Tue Mar 17, 11:49 pm ET

TUESDAY, March 17 (HealthDay News) -- When they play together, musicians' brain waves harmonize along with the music, according to new European research.

They analyzed electrical activity in the brains of eight pairs of guitarists as they played a short jazz-fusion melody together up to 60 times.

The study found that brain-wave similarities within and between the musicians' brains increased as they listened to the beat of a metronome as they prepared to play, and also when they actually began playing together.

As expected, the frontal and central regions of the guitarists' brains showed high synchronization. But the temporal and parietal regions also showed high synchronization in at least half the pairs of musicians. These regions may be involved in the processes involved in the coordinated action between the guitarists, or in enjoying the music, the researchers suggested.

"Our findings show that interpersonally coordinated actions are preceded and accompanied by between-brain oscillatory couplings," said study author Ulman Lindenberger of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin.

The findings didn't show whether the brain synchronization occurs first and causes the coordinated brain-wave readings, or whether it occurs in response to the beat of the metronome/music, and as the musicians track each others' movements and music.

The study, published in the journal BMC Neuroscience, is the first to analyze musicians' brain waves as they play together, the authors said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090318/hl_hsn/musiciansbrainwavesarealsointune

the roots on late night

It is always nice to see friends being successful, especially doing what they love. A friend of mine from high school, Kirk Douglas "Captain Kirk" plays guitar for The Roots. Now, this amazing band has a new gig: house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The following article was in yesterday's Newsday (Long Island's newsrag), but ironically did not point out the Long Island connection to the band. I guess Glen Gamboa did not do his research!

The Roots hope to flower on Jimmy Fallon's show
March 1, 2009

'Late Night' finds its musical Roots

As the house band for "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," which debuts on NBC tomorrow night, The Roots are getting used to a lot of changes.

The biggest difference between being hip-hop's premiere band and the newest entry in the late-night sweepstakes? "Rehearsing," says Roots' drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson. "We've never prepped so much for any project for anything we've ever done - including our actual show. At the end of the day, this will probably make us an even better machine once we return to the stage."

"More efficient," says Roots' vocalist and rapper Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, adding that the group is ready to be part of the show, even getting involved in its skits and working on what could be recurring routines. The Roots will also regularly back many of the show's musical guests, starting with Ludacris this week, as well as provide all the music between segments and commercial breaks.

But some things won't change. The band is making the 90-minute commute from Philadelphia to Rockefeller Center every day on its tour bus. And it's already started recording the next Roots album, as well as booked concerts for six weeks when the show will be on break.

"This isn't the end of a sentence," Thompson says. "It's just another step. ... This will show that there is absolutely no challenge or obstacle we can't master. It's just part of the ongoing, linear voyage of The Roots."

-Glenn Gamboa
www.newsday.com

vfw

be okay

B E . O K A Y

little jackie

I was unaware that Imani Coppola started a new project, but now I am aware. And I share with you:




Here's another video that may be offensive to some (but entertaining to me):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOcYvczXMjw

of all the things i understand (a.k.a. r__ant)

I do not understand why someone would pay a decent sum of money to see the performances of bands they presumably like only to spend the whole time involved in inane conversation or perpetual text message conversations.





I am not referring to the two females who bantered back and forth across their male counterparts' seats in identically nasal-toned whining voices. These two had an in-depth conversation about why they chose the seats they were in, redundantly laughing and reiterating which one of them picked that row and how they could have picked different seats but did not. As annoying as this potato chip conversation was, at least it was during the span when the stage crew was setting up for the headliner. Incidentally, this group moved from these "perfectly chosen seats" just before the headlining act commenced their set. Guess the seats were not that good. But, no, this is not what I am referring to with puzzlement. What annoyance I mean can be illuminated by the next group that sat in those very seats. Within this group were a male and female who decided their conversation was much more relevant than the music everyone paid to see. Not only did they continue their conversation song after song, but they projected it so loudly that those of us sitting in front of them could enjoy each poignant sentence. Needless to say, general admission allowed us to move our seat so as to not interrupt their pillow talk. I just do not understand why someone would pay good money to have a conversation they could have had for free while not irritating those trying to enjoy the music.





The next thing I do not get are the people that spend the shows on their cell phones or text messaging the entire concert. I am not referring to those that use their cells to find their buddies in the crowd, because that works logistically well and it is presumably short term use. Those individuals still pay attention to what they paid to see. I am talking about people who spend the whole show texting or talking to people as if they where having coffee together and catching up. You may be thinking this is selfish of me, especially in the case of texting because they would not be as distracting as the excessive talkers referenced above. But, alas, they are distracting. In a dark audience, a cell phone screen illuminates quite brightly and, yes, it is distracting to those sitting around you. I find it disturbing that at any given point in time, you can see three or more people text messaging.





Do I just come from a time when people went to concerts to actually see, hear and experience the bands performing? I can not even use the "kids these days" retort because at least half of these offenders are around my age! I would rather be surrounded by beer guzzling frat boys who actually enjoy the music and sing every word to every tune than to be subjected to these inconsiderate people who have no interest in the concert experience.



Put down the gosh-damn cell phones, save your blackberry converstations until later and shut the fuck up when the bands are on! Are you that important that you must bless those around you and at the other end of your communication device at every minute of the day???!!! Yeah, I did not think so. Oh right, I forgot....you are there to brag to your friends that you were at the show even if you didn't actual pay attention to it. You know what, you can text that very sentiment from your bedroom at the same time as the show and they would be none the wiser. That way everyone gets what they want. Come on, be considerate to those of us who simply love the music.


Now, do not get me started about people trying to leave the parking lot post concert....... ARRRRG! Yes, I feel better now.

i'm shipping up to.....pawtucket

for a concert at least.

Where did I go? Pawtucket. Cannot wait for tomorrow night.

Start stomping!

Melissa

i'm all out of love

Wow.... just wow.

oh you know, yeah you know

ha ha ha. These songs make me feel good. Now, get up and dance! fast, then slow, then fast. rock it!!







Under Rug Swept, sucka!

a.c.c.o.r.d.i.o.n

no seriously
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

A second hand accordion and some lessons....

Thanks to Groovy and his passion for music and the unconventional, I now know the correct spelling of accordion.

kate bush friday

Kate Bush - running up that hill

If I only could, Id be running up that hill.
If I only could, Id be running up that hill.

It doesnt hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesnt hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that Im making?
You, its you and me.

And if I only could,
Id make a deal with god,
And Id get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...

You dont want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware Im tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, dont we?
You, its you and me.
Its you and me wont be unhappy.

And if I only could,
Id make a deal with god,
And Id get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
Say, if I only could, oh...

You,
Its you and me,
Its you and me wont be unhappy.

Cmon, baby, cmon darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
Cmon, angel, cmon, cmon, darling,
Lets exchange the experience, oh...

And if I only could,
Id make a deal with god,
And Id get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
Id make a deal with god,
And Id get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
Id make a deal with god,
And Id get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems...

If I only could, Id be running up that hill.
If I only could, Id be running up that hill.

what i find funny on a saturday morning

It's a five minute well done parody. Enjoy!

everyday sunshine

It is amazing how therapeutic music can be. Today, I was feeling unable to do...well, anything. But, at this late hour, I listened to some music and feel totally uplifted. Tomorrow, I will start with music first thing and have a better day.

Fishbone - one of my all time favorite bands!

ned's in the head

I have no idea why, but I've had Ned's Atomic Dustbin tunes in my head this morning. If you care to join in my musical pleasure, here's a couple of videos that should do the trick