Sometimes you hit on a song you can’t get enough of. I suppose it’s a part of that compulsive obsessive disorder that makes you become a novelist.

This song is one of those. I can go mumbling the lyrics, hear the slow beat in my mind, and suddenly feel an urge to hear it.

Now, the lyrics are quite obsessive on its own, but I can’t help but a wry interpretation of my own onto it. Isn’t this how we feel about our characters sometime?

Filme lindo, com uma trilha sonora linda também. Algumas das músicas do filme (e minhas favoritas) eu listei aqui.

Mint Car - The Cure
Brighter Than Sunshine – Aqualung
Look What You’ve Done – Jet
I’ll Be There For You – Bon Jovi (detonada cantada pelo Ashton Kutcher no filme)
Breathe – Anna Nalick

Ashton cantando I’ll Be There For You (ele mesmo canta até direitinho, mas o dublador dele…)  

Brighter Than Sunshine – Aqualung
I never understood before
I never knew what love was for
My heart was broke, my head was sore
What a feeling

Tied up in ancient history
I didn’t believe in destiny
I look up you’re standing next to me
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Brigther than sunshine
Let the rain fall, i don’t care
I’m yours and suddenly you’re mine
Suddenly you’re mine
and it’s brighter than sunshine

I never saw it happening
I’d given up and given in
I just couldn’t take the hurt again
What a feeling

I didn’t have the strength to fight
suddenly you seemed so right
Me and you
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It’s brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don’t care
I’m yours and suddenly you’re mine
Suddenly you’re mine

It’s brighter than the sun
It’s brighter than the sun
It’s brighter than the sun, sun, shine.

Love will remain a mystery
But give me your hand and you will see
Your heart is keeping time with me

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It’s brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don’t care
I’m yours and suddenly you’re mine
Suddenly you’re mine

I got a feeling in my soul …(repeat chorus to end)

…Uma pausa queridos amigos, revejam o dia!!!!!!!!!

dal 01/11/2009 al 16/05/2010
LEZIONI DI ROCK Viaggio al centro della musica –  V Ed.
a cura di Ernesto Assante e Gino Castaldo
Auditorium Parco della Musica
Teatro Studio, Sala Petrassi
h. 11:00 € 5.00
Info 06 80241281

Inizia domani 1 novembre la quinta edizione della rassegna LEZIONI DI ROCK, incontri di approfondimento a cura di Gino Castaldo e Ernesto Assante, critici musicali, giornalisti, ma soprattutto due grandi appassionati di musica, quella buona  e vera, che sanno riconoscere e trasmettere raccontandone, come si farebbe a un amico, tutti i dettagli spesso inediti della storia e di cio’ che ha fatto nascere o spesso finire una determinata situazione musicale. Che si parli di un artista, di un disco o di una band in generale, Lezioni di Rock è sempre l’occasione per imparare qualcosa in più grazie ai racconti dei due esperti, che ne sanno una più del devil, supportati da ottimo materiale video, foto e audio a rendere ogni incontro più completo.

Anche io mi sento allieva di Gino ed Ernesto e grazie a queste lezioni di rock, che frequento con certosina assiduità, ho fatto crescere il mio bagaglio di conoscenze musicali. Non vi lasciate  ingannare dal titolo della rassegna, perchè se il rock è l’ingrediente fondamentale degli incontri domenicali, non macheranno il jazz, il pop, RnB e tutto cio’ che può essere considerato la grande Musica degli ultimi cento anni.

gino castaldo

PROGRAMMA 2009/10

Dom. 01/11/2009
Beatles – Remastered

Dom. 22/11/2009
Michael Jackson – Thriller

Dom. 06/12/2009
Santana – Abraxas

Dom. 13/12/2009
Coldplay – Viva la vida

Dom. 10/01/2010
Jethro Tull – Aqualung

Dom. 31/01/2010
Tom Waits – Raindogs

Dom. 21/02/2010
Aretha Franklin – Aretha

Dom. 28/02/2010
Led Zeppelin – II

Dom. 14/03/2010
Weather Report – I sing the body electric

Dom. 28/03/2010 Sala Petrassi
Queen – A night at the opera

Dom. 11/04/2010
The Cure – Seventeen seconds

Dom. 18/04/2010
Neil Young – Harvest

Dom. 09/05/2010 Sala Petrassi
2001 Odissea nello spazio

Dom. 16/05/2010
Depeche Mode – Violator

Take two of SAMs attempt to blog . I was gonna talk about snogging but insteAd I will tAlk about the importance of consistency in rAdio while on the road. Once agAin we are assured that we will find much classic rock. We All make our calls on what we will hear on this trip. I’m not sure what to pick… So far brown eyed girl, feels like the
first time, green eyed lady, aqualung, roundabout has been called. I’ve just decided to call lucky man. StAy tuned and we will let you know who the winner of reptets “greatest music ever recorded” classic rock radio wager is.

Ambivalence

Study For Arcadia

Night Dancer

Nude Outdoors

Miranda Larraz

Myra Larraz

Summer Of 82

Winter Hat

Storefront

Showtime

Jethro Tull – Aqualung

Eu nunca compreendi antes
Eu nunca soube para que servia o amor
Meu coração estava partido, minha cabeça estava doendo
Que sensação!

Que sensação em minha alma
O amor queima mais brilhante que a luz do Sol
Mais brilhante que a luz do Sol
Deixe a chuva cair, eu não me importo
Eu sou seu e, de repente, você é minha
De repente você é minha… e isso é mais brilhante que a luz do Sol

Você fala muito
Talvez seja essa sua forma
De quebrar o silêncio que
te consome
Mas não soa do mesmo jeito
Quando ninguém está realmente ouvindo

Você tem muito.
E gastar todo seu tempo
colecionando e descobrindo
Não é o suficiente.
E não importa o quanto você tente
você nunca acha o que procura

Last week I shared with you one of my (new!) favorite Dave Matthews Band songs.

Since it’s a gloomy Friday with flood-like rain here in the Lou, I’m sharing Aqualung’s “Brighter than Sunshine,” with you to a) bring back the sun (yes, even girls who like rain get tired of it after awhile) and b) because it’s a beautiful love song.

Happy Friday, lovelies!

Ah, vocalists. I love them, especially when they genuinely believe in their music. Much like my Seven Great Female Vocalist, this list is all about vocalists who I think are fantastic and who deserve more recognition. This time it’s the men. Some are already established musicians but could do with a little more acknowledgement. Click on their name for more information.

7. AaRON

Full name: ‘Artificial Animals Riding On Neverland’ i.e. Simon Buret and Olivier Coursier
Origins: France
Album/s: Artificial Animals Riding On Neverland (2007)

Okay, so I’m cheating a little bit here. AaRON is a French duet. However, Simon and Olivier have their own roles as vocalist and composer respectively (of course they do more than just that). They are my newest discovery and I’ve become obsessed with them so I couldn’t really go past them. Therefore, to make up for the fact that it’s not a solo artist I have placed them at number 7. There isn’t a great deal written about them on the internet (not that I could find anyway), which may be due to their origins. Their music contains a mixture of English and French. I discovered them when I did a YouTube search for Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit (one of my favourite songs) and found that they sang a cover version. I was transfixed by Simon Buret’s vocals, which are raspy and powerful. He sings as though he’s trying to hold back but in doing so he manages to generate a lot more impact. Olivier Coursier accompanies Simon on the piano and creates very atmospheric music. Then I listened to Tunnel d’Or and U-Turn (Lilli), in French and English respectively. The sound the pair makes has to be one of the most haunting and beautiful that I have heard. You don’t have to know French to appreciate the music, though it wouldn’t hurt. Had they been brothers they would be in my Sibling Collaborations article. This is a fantastic duo that deserve recognition.

~~~

6. Damien Rice

Full name: Damien Rice
Origins: Celbridge, Ireland
Album/s: O (2002); 9 (2006); Live at Fingerprints Warts & All (2007); Live from the Union Chapel (2007); B-Sides (EP, 2004)

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice is known for his lyrical prowess and intensity. Not only that, he can play the violin, cello, guitar, piano and drums. He belonged to a group called ‘Juniper‘ in the early 90s. But after some discontentment with the band’s direction, Damien decided to pursue a solo career. He has a gentle voice that is so expressive and soothing. His songs aren’t made to be played loudly but at times it is necessary to understand what he sings about. However, this is part of his charm; the soft-spoken vocals don’t necessarily need to be understood in order to be felt. The emotions come through consistently. In O, he collaborates with Lisa Hannigan, a professional partnership that ended in 2007. Both vocalists create a great moody atmosphere, as can be seen in Volcano. Another single,Cold Water, has been used in several movies including the wonderful film The Girl in the Cafe, which is available on YouTube in different parts, see part 1 here. I found Damien Rice while browsing ‘Rocking Horse‘. His album looked like something I’d enjoy. But I didn’t actually get the album until a friend of mine played Cannonball and I just thought he was great. Definitely a vocalist worth having a listen to.

~~~

5. Aqualung

Full name: Matthew Hale
Origins: Southampton, England
Album/s: Aqualung (2002); Still Life (2003); Strange and Beautiful (2005); Memory Man (2007); Words and Music (2008)

Matt Hale didn’t particularly like the “singer-songwritery” feel of name, so he went for a name that was more enigmatic and “generated less musical expectations”. Thus he went for Aqualung, which had an underwater/outer space slo-mo atmosphere. Growing up with parents who owned a record shop, Matt had always wanted to be a musician. In his early years he was in several bands until he decided to try it on his own as Aqualung. How I came across him is now lost to me — I think I heard his song on some show (?). Anyway, his song Left Behind is the first one of his I found. He has smooth vocals that complement his gentle and affecting lyrics. I can see where the idea of “underwater slo-mo” comes in; there’s a reverberation to his voice that seems to be natural rather than studio created. I also find it interesting that he was born in 1972 but still looks like a twentysomething year old. Some people are just too lucky.

~~~

4. Elvis Perkins

Full name: Elvis Perkins
Origins: New York, USA
Album/s: Ash Wednesday (2007); Elvis Perkins in Dearland (2009)

Elvis Perkins, named after Elvis Presley, is the son of the late actor Anthony Perkins. He is the second most recent discovery of mine on this list; a friend played his album once and I loved it. He has a quiver in his voice that makes his songs sound mournful and quite beautiful. There’s a lot of introspection in his music, which is where a lot of the melancholy and emotion comes from. The tragic loss of both his parents (at different points in time) can be felt, particularly in ‘Ash Wednesday’ half of which he recorded before and the other half after his mother’s unfortunate death. He has a very bohemian look about him, too, that works well with his emotive music: see All Night Without Love for an example. He is a very gifted lyricist (he prefers not to be called a “singer-songwriter”). He comes highly recommended.

~~~

3. Josh Pyke

Full name: Joshua Jon Pyke
Origins: Sydney, Australia
Album/s: Memories & Dust (2007); Chimney’s Afire (2008); EPs: Current Works Volume 1 (2004); Recordings 2003-2005 (2005); Feeding the Wolves (2005); Beaks of Crows (2007)

Like many (or pretty much all) of my favourite musicians, Josh Pyke came out of an obsession with his song Middle of the Hill. Sometimes I find a song on my mp3 player that I had forgotten about (in some cases I don’t even remember where the hell I got them from), and Josh Pyke’s song was one of them. I listened to it while going home on the bus once and quite liked it. Months later I heard Make You Happy and, besides wanting a guitar-shaped boat, I loved the vocals and remembered I had one of his songs. I went back and listened to the lyrics and was amazed. The song sounds like it should be a happy tune but the lyrics are a little dark. More research into him and another chance viewing of Memories & Dust and I found a strong connection with his style. His songs have a great tune which are balanced by the wonderful, at times haunting, lyrics. There’s a quirkiness about him that also appeals to me.

~~~

2. Rufus Wainwright

Full name: Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright
Origins: New York, USA
Album/s: Rufus Wainwright (1998); Poses (2001); Want One (2003); Want Two (2004); Release the Stars (2007); Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (2008)

Rufus Wainwright is the very first vocalist I called my favourite. It began simply enough: I heard his version of Across the Universe and quite liked his voice. I looked for more of his stuff and got a hold of his album Poses. For years I decided I couldn’t have a favourite anything because it seemed impossible. But Rufus broke all that and the more I listened, the more I was convinced he was one of the greatest singers I had ever heard. I named him my favourite (but a reacquainting with Pulp changed that). I found his music to be beautifully crafted and sung. His baritone vocals, at times, seem to have a sort of flaw in it, a raspy undertone that added depth and emotion. I loved it. His lyrics are somewhat introspective and poetic. He often sings about events and/or emotions that have had a strong impact on him. In Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk he sings about his drug addiction, while in Gay Messiah he speaks about his sexuality, and in Do I Disappoint You? he portrays his own “human frailties“. He comes from a very musical family. His parents (Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle) are both singers and so is his sister (Martha Wainwright) and half-sister (Lucy Wainwright Roche). There’s such a sophisticated history of musicality just in his background, and it comes through in his songs. And though he isn’t my favourite now, he is very, very close behind.

~~~

1. Jarvis Cocker

Full name:  Jarvis Branson Cocker
Origins: Sheffield, UK
Album/s: Jarvis (2006); Further Complications (2009)
(For information on PULP click here)

Jarvis Cocker has to be my all-time favourite vocalist (so far, taking the title away from Rufus Wainwright). I discovered him when I saw the music video of Common People on television. I thought it was a cool track. Then I heard Disco 2000 and was once again intrigued by Pulp. Research led to me ‘Different Class’ and then the other albums. I slowly became obsessed with their music, with the catchy Britpop sound and the great lyrics. Of course,  by the time I found Pulp they already were on their ‘hiatus‘ so I knew I wouldn’t be seeing them in concert any time soon. Other musicians came and went, Pulp was pushed to side for a while until I heard Common People again and paid attention to the lyrics. It soon became my favourite song. Then I noticed Jarvis had gone on to do a couple of solo projects and that he is touring Australia! Jarvis is very witty and observant and often comments on culture and people, which can be seen in many of his songs e.g. Mis-Shapes (Pulp) and Running the World (solo). His singing voice carry the Sheffield accent throughout his repertoire. He often combines speech and singing in his music, which gives it a unique duality. His dress style is fantastic. I have a ticket to see him when he comes to Brisbane in December so I can’t wait! Jarvis is just awesome.

(Ok, so I’m cheating a little here (not the first time) by putting up Common People. However, it’s too good a song to pass up)

PREVIEW: Download 20 Watts’ PROG ROCK MIX on Mediafire

Like epic compositions, time signature changes and songs that can last for more than 15 minutes? Progressive rock is for you. Emerging primarily in Britain in the late 1960s, the oft-critically maligned genre (commonly known as “prog”) has persevered with the simple goal of adding artistic credibility to rock music. Founding fathers like Yes, Pink Floyd and Genesis set themselves apart from their contemporaries by featuring classical and jazz influences in their songwriting. The innovation continues today, as bands like Porcupine Tree and Opeth incorporate hard rock and metal into their own experimental, progressive sounds.

So what’s the very best in progressive rock? 20 Watts’ DAN KAPLAN has the answer in our fifth 20 installment. Watch for new 20s each Thursday, only on 20 Watts, and check out our previous 20s below!

While browsing Affordable Music, our favorite record store in Summit County, Colorado, we found an old copy of Jethro Tull's Aqualung and noticed a strange little blurb about skiing on the cover. We've owned copies of this album, but strangely, never noticed the lettering on the handbill above Aqualung's left shouder. It's a little hard to read, but it says: "Spend Christmas Skiing." Click on the image for a larger view. And we here at Copper Colorado Condos could not agree more, and we'd love to help you plan your ski vacation in Colorado.

Yesterday we asked if anyone could identify a classic 1971 rock album with an interesting ski reference. The album, of course, is Jethro Tull’s Aqualung (look closely at the photo), and we here at Copper Colorado Condos are left wondering whether Ian Anderson, the band’s  flute-playing front man, had a thing for skiing.

What gives with Jethro Tull and snow sports? After we noticed this little blurb on the album cover, we quickly cruised over to YouTube and watched an old video of the band performing Aqualung in concert, and we must say that, while the guys were stylish in their striped pants and fringed leather vests, they didn’t exactly look like they’d be found anywhere near a chairlift – but who knows, we could be totally wrong. If anything, we’d say that Ian and the crew would be into snowboarding, except that wasn’t really happening back in that era.

Hmmm, maybe it’s just part of the album’s theme of social commentary about the disconnect between affluence and abject poverty, often to be found on the same street in most major cities of the world, or maybe the artist who did the cover was a skier. Then again, maybe not. Maybe it’s just one of those totally random cosmic coincidences. In either case, we agree, and would like to help you plan your best-ever Christmas ski vacation.

Please browse our web site and Facebook page and have a look at all the great condos available at Copper Mountain, then feel free to contact us for more information and to make a reservation.

Now, before I sleep

Something To Believe In – Aqualung

King’s Lynn Corn Exchange 16.09.09

For anyone unfamiliar with the name Ian Anderson, it’s likely that you’ve heard of his group ‘Jethro Tull’, for which he has been the driving force for the past 40 or so years.

The evening didn’t get off to a particularly auspicious start,  involving numerous walkie-talkie exchanges and the unheard of restriction of only being allowed to shoot from the side of the audience (and no further than the top of the stairs to ground level). This proved to be a bit of a problem as I had only packed my 17-55mm lens, so I decided to drive home & pick up ‘the Beast’, my Canon L-series 70-200mm IS lens. It meant I missed the first couple of songs, but at least I could get some close-ups and, as I was shooting the entire gig, I wasn’t too worried.

Probably best known for his wild-eyed, straggly-haired image and one-legged flute playing, Ian Anderson may have lost the hair, but he certainly didn’t disappoint in the flute-playing department; on several occasions chuffing into the flute whilst hopping about the stage like a man possessed.

The setlist for this evening of ‘Acoustic Jethro Tull’ favoured tracks from the band’s early days, such as ‘Fat Man’ and their 1968 reworking of ‘Serenade To A Cuckoo’ originally by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, a man whose innovative style Anderson borrowed heavily from in the early days. We were also treated to a version of Tull’s “worst song we ever wrote”- ‘Back To The Family’, which, considering it was recorded in 1969, hasn’t aged badly at all.

With a back-catalogue as extensive and varied as Jethro Tull’s it was always going to be a challenge keeping the entire audience happy, but most of the classic Tull tracks were there in one form or another- Aqualung and Bourrée going down particularly well with the audience. Another crowd pleaser was a Latin-flavoured solo performance from Anderson’s talented young guitarist, Florian Opahle.

Many of the songs performed were in much altered forms compared to the original versions, but the new arrangements worked well and, in many cases, served to breathe new life into the songs.  Anderson & Co’s performance was impressive and, on tonight’s evidence, suggests that, if indeed he is ‘Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll’, that may be no bad thing.

All images are available to purchase as archival prints. Please contact me for further information.

Brighter Than Sunshine: Aqualung

I never understood before
I never knew what love was for
My heart was broke, my head was sore
What a feeling

Tied up in ancient history
I didnt believe in destiny
I look up you’re standing next to me
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, i don’t care
I’m yours and suddenly you’re mine
Suddenly you’re mine
And it’s brighter than sunshine

I never saw it happening
I’d given up and given in
I just couldn’t take the hurt again
What a feeling

I didn’t have the strength to fight
Suddenly you seemed so right
Me and you
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It’s brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don’t care
I’m yours and suddenly you’re mine
Suddenly you’re mine

It’s brighter than the sun
It’s brighter than the sun
It’s brighter than the sun, sun, shine.

Love will remain a mystery
But give me your hand and you will see
Your heart is keeping time with me

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It’s brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don’t care
I’m yours and suddenly you’re mine
Suddenly you’re mine

I got a feeling in my soul … [repeat chorus to end]

Yellow!

I’m the Taong Bahay right now in our Division. Everyone’s in a meeting and I’m hoping this lovely Friday will go smoothly. I wish this day won’t be loaded (most of my days aren’t–and I’m grateful).

Taong Bahay, bantay . Most of us experience that role on special days at work. This means rest to us.

I’m OIC for this hour. Oye! I look after the Division.

I wish I can look after T.Yawn at all the times. Make sure she has everything she needs. Shield her from harm.

Be her respirator. Be her pressure suit.

(Disclaimer…this post is about writing only in the sense that I wrote it).

You think you’re strange? Yeah – so do I. Yep – you read that right. I think you’re strange and I might not even know you.

I hope I didn’t offend you – not my intention. To me, strange is good - strange is beautiful. Strange makes you who you are – it makes you memorable and special.

What’s funny is that most people go through life trying to be normal, suppressing quirks and unique traits that can make them endearing – possibly irritating – but hopefully endearing.

A couple of months ago, an audiophile introduced me to the song Strange and Beautiful (I’ll Put a Spell on You) by Aqualung.  At the time, I was in no frame of mind to listen to a slow, deep song that would inevitably re-open a gi-normous hole in my heart. I didn’t know it then but I’ve since learned it’s the song from the movie, Twilight, which is based on the book by Stephenie Meyer. I’m reading the book series now and I love it.

Looking back - listening back, I should say – I think the song is all about the realization of another person – opening your eyes and understanding differences and viewing the world from another’s perspective.  It’s living in the moment of acceptance of those quirky, strange, beautiful, unique, and endearing qualities. And as frustrating as they may seem for the person who holds those qualities, the moment that person accepts and owns their unique-ness, the more beautiful that person becomes.

So there you are; strange and beautiful.

Twilight – Edward, Bella and the Cullens – Strange and Beautiful Aqualung (as posted by JodiCrisp on YouTube):