Archive for Best Music
08.25.10
Posted in Best Music at 3:02 am by admin
Alicia Keys and her mega-producer new man Swizz Beatz are still feeling the love after their marriage last month. ‘Everything was just wow, it is a blessing, ‘ 42-year-old Beatz recounted. ‘It was positive energy, and we are still in those moments,’ he explained to Access Hollywood. The musical couple who is expecting their first kid together later wed at a personal home in the Mediterranean Sea in July. Collaborating in the studio comes naturally for the newlyweds. ‘Anybody that is brilliant can just connect to another mind, ‘ the musician declared. Beatz’s actual name is Kasseem Dean.
In different story, Alicia Keys Continues Her Honeymoon in Style.
Pregnant performer Alicia Keys can’t avoid the paparazzi nowadays, not even while lounging on the most exclusive beaches of St. Tropez. The trendy frontman, who has been wearing some leading edge and enticing motherhood clothing since pronouncing her pregnancy one or two weeks back, was spotted leaving Nikki Beach this week, where she lounged alongside her new man Swizz Beatz. Keys appears to be enjoying her time off ; Earlier this week she was snapped on board a luxe yacht with Queen Latifah. The lady definitely knows the best way to take holiday glamorously.
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07.20.10
Posted in Best Music at 11:27 am by admin
Forbes Top-Earning Musicians list of 2010 has just named Britney Spears as the 5th highest earner over the past twelve months, clawing in £41.8m. So it’s unsurprising the rich pop star, twenty-eight, made a decision to go on a shopping orgy in Wood Hills, LA.
The distressed vocalist looked fresh faced in a white linen dress but could not judge whether to wear her wedge heels or flip flops, so modified during the day out. Shopping rampage : Britney Spears celebrates being the planet’s 5th highest earning musician by going on a shopping trip Spears, who was accompanied by her bodyguards, not only modified her shoes but also appeared from one shop wearing a new summer purse, earrings and a huge ring on her index finger. But regardless of her high takings, the star is still under conservatorship by her pop, meaning she hasn’t got total control of her finances yet. The Poisonous vocalist seemed to be in a much more healthy state than we have seen her during the past though and was even clenching onto a bottle of water, in an effort to lead a good way of life.
While Britney came in at number 5 on Forbes’ chart with earnings of £41.8m during the last year, Irish band U2 topped the list as the highest musical earners. Britney received far more excellent news last week after it was commented that the cast of Happiness will make a Spears-inspired episode. Though the show will hark back to her, she cannot be appearing for a cameo.
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06.26.10
Posted in Best Music at 6:04 am by admin
Fans of the Michael Jackson from round the world have paid tribute to him one year after his expiration. In his family town of Gary, Indiana, his mum attended a commemorative service outside of the performer’s youth home and displayed a testament to him.
Other family members visited the L. A. graveyard where the musician is at rest and greeted some of the fans who had gathered outside. Jack Izzard reports.
In a different story, Michael Jackson’s sister LaToya has been to see the star’s pet chimp Bubbles in an emotional visit.
The vocalist has incredibly been brought together with the previous pet for a documentary called Michael Jackson And Bubbles: The Infinite Story. The documentary, which tells the tale of the King of Pop’s unusual relationship with the chimp, is coincidental with the first anniversary of Jackson’s death. LaToya had not seen Bubbles for twenty years. She is saying in the show she recalls him as a young chimp who sat at the family table and ate with them.
In another story, Michael Jackson’s estate is challenging another Japanese company that claims it owns the rights to take advantage of King of Pop image at this time on a mobile phone that alleges to help the world’s children.
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12.23.09
Posted in Best Music at 11:11 am by admin
Singer Leona Lewis’ attacker has pleaded guilty to assaulting the star at a book signing in London and been ordered to remain in hospital under Britain’s Mental Health Act. Peter Kowalczyk, 29, who suffers from mental health disorder schizophrenia, appeared at London’s City of Westminster Magistrates Court to answer a charge of common assault, in relation to the incident which took place in October 2009.
According to court documents, Leona Lewis was left with redness and swelling to the face, and whiplash symptoms after being punched by Kowalczyk, reports Contactmusic. A witness statement from Lewis says, “I feel completely devastated by this attack. Now I am very frightened about going out in public and I don’t know where the next attack will come from and if this will be more serious than what has just happened.”
District Judge Howard Riddle has ordered Kowalczyk to remain in hospital for an indeterminate period. The judge told Kowalczyk: “This is what happens when you don’t take your medication. A woman is now devastated.”Peter Kowalczyk, 29, is said to have struck the former “X-Factor” winner in the face at a signing in London on October 14.Appearing before City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the accused, who is schizophrenic, admitted common assault.Melanie Lee, prosecuting, said Lewis had suffered redness and swelling to the face and whiplash symptoms and was now scared to leave the house.
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05.08.08
Posted in Best Music at 3:14 pm by admin
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is delighted to have as our guest, Dan Goldman, Guitarist, Song Writer, Poet,
Arranger and a musician of many other talents.
Dan is here to discuss his world of music and travels.
Norm:
When did your passion for music begin? What keeps you going?
Dan:
I can’t quite remember when my passion began. It seems to have been an inborn appreciation. My earliest memories are of listening to old records and 8-track
recordings that my parents had kicking around the house - anything from Kenny
Rogers to Neil Diamond sparked my interest at the time. My father played piano,
and I always loved listening to his romantic, albeit, slightly schmaltzy touch.
I’d press my ear against the soundboard to get the most out of the vibrations.
Norm:
Who were the musicians that influenced you?
Dan:
There are too many to mention; but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say, in order
of appearance: The Beatles, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, my uncle Issac,
Classical guitar repertoire including Bach and most of the Spanish composers,
Joni Mitchell, Jim Hall, Bill Frisell and on and on.I’m currently into Wilco,
Joanna Newsom, Lisa Germano, to name a few.
Norm:
When on tour, do you notice any differences in audiences from one city to the
next, and if so, would you say that this may due to their geographical location.
For example, how would you compare audiences in Vancouver to those in Toronto or
Montreal insofar as your music is concerned?
Dan:
Yes, I’d say the main difference lies in how saturated the market is. In
Calgary, for instance, where there isn’t as much traffic in terms of touring
bands, I tend to get a warmer and more appreciative reception than in Toronto,
where, although I play plenty of great gigs, the audiences are somewhat numbed
by the sheer volume of musicians around. Then again, performances are always
different and anything I think is the rule is always put into question as soon
as I play an unexpectedly great gig in the least likely situation.
Norm:
What challenges or obstacles do you encounter while traveling and performing?
How did you overcome these challenges?
Dan:
I get nervous a lot. I’m fine when I’m actually performing, but I generally get
stressed a couple of hours before the show. It’s really important for me to eat
and rest appropriately so that the stress doesn’t take a toll on my
performances. I generally try to put aside a certain amount of time every day
that I’m on tour to warming up or to my sitting (meditation) practice.
Norm:
Which is your favorite city to perform in? Why?
Dan:
I can’t say that I have one. Anywhere where the people are receptive and
supportive becomes the best city.
Norm
How do you get the inspiration for your song and music writing?
Dan:
I love music. It’s not hard to get inspired, what’s hard is following through
and staying consistent with my writing practice. I find that the only way to get
to where I want to be expression-wise is to spend the time it takes; and you
never know how long that’s going to be, so you just keep going!
Norm:
What was the first piece of music you ever wrote? What was the reaction?
Dan:
I can’t remember. It was probably something in the classical guitar idiom. I’ve
always made sure to ask people who I knew would be supportive - a stacked deck,
if you will, in my favor.
Norm:
Do you set yourself daily, weekly, yearly goals? If so, what are some of your
goals?
Dan:
Yes, I definitely have to set daily goals, otherwise a whole day passes me buy,
and I feel like I’ve done nothing. These goals are rewarding because I can say,
for example, I’m going to work on words for an hour, and then at the end of the
hour I’ve done it - it might all be shit, but at least I’ve stayed with it, and
it’ll likely turn into something good at some point. In contrast, saying that I
want to tour the world by the time I’m 33 is a bit more difficult to
materialize. Ultimately, I know that if I keep writing and touring, I will get
led to greater accomplishments in my craft as well as a greater fan base with
more touring opportunities.
Norm:
You are a guitarist, song writer, poet, and arranger. Which of the above do you
prefer and why?
Dan:
At this point, I’m a singer-songwriter. It’s what I practice on a daily basis,
and it’s how I’m starting to become known.
Norm:
I understand that in Canada there are Music Festival Travel Grants as well as
other travel grants that assist professional Canadian musicians to perform at
festivals outside their province or territory of residence.
Apparently, these grants are given to introduce experience artists to new
audiences at an early stage of their career to a wider public. Have you ever
received this assistance and if so, could you tell our audience how beneficial
have they been from the point of view of furthering your career?
Dan:
Yes, I’ve received some assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts and it
has been extremely helpful. I got a tour grant last year, for instance, which
allowed me to tour across the country. Although the tour wasn’t as well
organized as I’d hoped for, it did provide me with a new network of people
across the country who have since become very supportive, including my current
manager, Candace Elder.
Norm:
Do you think there is some kind of a connection between music and travel?
Dan:
Absolutely. Traveling, whether physical or emotional, provides a new
perspective, or a new backdrop, if you will, to your old script. It makes your
story seem a little more vibrant, and therefore, worthy of being documented,
which of course, is one of the main purposes of art.
Norm
What is next for Dan Goldman and is there anything you wish to add that we have
not covered?
Dan:
I have a tour beginning in August that I hope will bring me from coast to coast.
I’m also working on some new songs and am really excited to record them in the
new year.
Thanks Dan and good luck with all of your future endeavors. Thanks Norm
To read more about Dan or listen to his music check out his site at www.dangoldman.ca
Norm Goldman is the Editor of the travel site, http://www.sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, http://www.bookpleasures.com.
Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily Azerad-Goldman, the couple meld words with art focusing on romantic destinations.
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04.26.08
Posted in Best Music at 1:09 am by admin
The piano is the most wonderful of instruments in my opinion. Irving Berlin wrote the words and music to a song about the affection many people share for this beautiful instrument called I Love a Piano. It was introduced in 1915 in the Broadway musical Stop! Look! Listen! Later it was sung by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in the 1948 film Easter Parade.
Here are some of the words to I Love a Piano by Irving Berlin. Maybe you can recall the tune.
I love a piano, I love a piano, I love to hear somebody play!
Upon a piano, a grand piano, it simply carries me away!
So you can keep your fiddle and your bow, give me a P-i-a-n-o, Oh, oh!
I love a piano, I love a piano, I love to hear somebody play!
Below are ten reasons why I love the piano.
1. I love the keys, they’re black and white, my fingers stretch to play just right.
2. I love the keyboard, put together by an ace, I can always find my place.
3. I love to play the ivories, their tops so smooth when I play each key.
4. I love the sound, so full and profound, it’s fit for even a king.
5. I love the energy, to feel its power, I fly upon the keys.
6. I love the harmony, I make it myself, I need nobody’s help.
7. I love the musical range of endless possibilities for creativity.
8. I love the grand piano, how elegant, but please don’t hurt the elephant.
9. I love the bench, it matches my décor. I’m centered in my musical core.
10. I love the glossy lacquered hood - my happiness reflected in its rosy wood.
For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.
These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com
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04.01.08
Posted in Best Music at 11:00 pm by admin
So you wanna be a star?
Part 1
So, you’ve made the decision! You’ve finished recording your album and it’s the “best” - it deserves to be heard by the world and you’re deserving of the adulation afforded to the creation of such a masterpiece! Of course, you know in your own mind that it won’t be easy to become a star. After all, everyone says that the music business is difficult’. But hey, you’ve got what it takes, you’ve got talent, and this really is a great album - all your friends and family agree - so what can possibly stop you? What indeed…?
Few people outside of the Music Business have any idea just how difficult it is to survive, let alone succeed, in the ever-changing and unforgiving world of entertainment. Being a musician is much, much more than simply writing, recording and performing.
And few people have any idea of what is involved in the recording of a good sounding CD, of the time and effort involved to get that polished sound that every artist who ever produced a demo aspires to create.
Don’t be fooled by inane rubbish like Pop Idol or X-factor. Not only do these sort of programs give a totally false impression of the reality of the music industry, but they totally undermine the integrity of it! And just for the record, I don’t dispute the obvious talent of some of the participants, but the ends do not justify the means! It is indicative of just how low we have sunk as a society that we are happy to watch and laugh at ‘hopefuls’ who clearly have no talent at all, make embarrassing fools of themselves because they really think they do have the talent.
Then, when the competition proper really gets going, we can watch the music business do what it does best, that is, chew up and spit out varying degrees of talent live on our screens in the name of TV entertainment!
The programs are designed to maximize TV ratings and to manufacture a “Pop Star” who’ll be long forgotten in 10 years time. Of course, they’ll say that isn’t so, but then, they would, wouldn’t they!?
We live in an “Instant Fame” society. Celebs and their lifestyles are thrust in our faces 24/7 and far too many people, particularly but not exclusively the young, think fame can be achieved. They are fed the belief that it’s possible to give up the day job and become a star. In reality, it’s virtually impossible. For a greater insight into the realities of the Pop world, check out the Simon Cowel book “I don’t mean to be rude”.
Being a musician, an artist, is a vocation. It’s a way of life in which everything and everyone else, absolutely everything and everyone else, take second place. Musicians are selfish - they have to be by definition, and I know because I am one.
It’s about “The Journey” (much like life) - the journey of self discovery that starts when you realize that being a musician is what you want to do, continues and evolves as you make music and friends along the road, experiencing the highs and the lows and culminates in the realization that the journey doesn’t have an end because you’re always seeking to do something new, always forging new ideas - seeking to write ‘The perfect song’ or ‘The perfect album’. But a word of warning, if you’re fortunate enough to find success, the pressures and the demands will become greater, they’ll not get less!
You can’t do it on a “part time” basis and expect to succeed beyond a bit of fun at amateur level (not that there’s anything at all wrong with that). So, if you really want to ’succeed’, the very thing that you have to accept is… that you probably wont’! And that isn’t as crazy as it sounds!
You see, the most important thing in music is simply that you love doing it. It’s a way of life that’s in your blood, in your soul, and it takes precedence over everything else. And as mentioned earlier, it’s about the journey.
Now, I can hear you saying things like; “That’s all right for you to say, you’re in the music business”.
Or maybe you’re thinking; “Well I have all these attributes, but how do I pay the bills and still make my way as a musician?”
Yes, I am fortunate enough to be involved in music, enjoying moderate success and recognition in a specific music genre. But what I have learned is, that success is relative.
My life and everything in my life revolves around music. But over the years, and particularly in the early days, my private life and finances paid a very heavy price.
Being involved in music is about being in it for the long haul, not the short term - you don’t even consider the short term. Ask most musicians and they’ll tell you the process is a painful one. When I hear young musicians say they’ve ‘given up everything to be in music’, my reply is, that they have no idea what “everything” is!
Being a musician requires many things, many attributes. Selfishness we’ve already mentioned. Stubbornness is a key factor to - you just have to keep going, then there’s dedication, passion and belief. An acceptance that there will be a lot of hard times. You must be prepared to give everything and more, and even then, even with all those things, if you’re not ‘in the right place at the right time’, success can still pass you by.
And thru all this, you keep smiling. You don’t question why you’re doing what you’re doing or the cost of it in broken relationships and heavy debt. You just keep going because music is such a big part of you!
The one remaining prerequisite for a musician is an understanding and supportive partner - without whom you’ve no chance at all. Reminds me of the old joke: What do you call a musician without a significant and supportive partner? Homeless!
So, finally, what’s the difference between a musician and someone who wants to be a musician? It’s simple. A musician is someone who gets on with it. They step outside of the box of conventional 9-5 and all that goes with it and live the life and all it entails. They probably won’t make it big, but they define their own success and whatever happens, they’ll never lose sight of why they’re doing what they’re doing.
And someone who wants to be a musician, a star? Well, they’re unable to do the above!
So, lets go back to the beginning - If you still want to be a musician, a recording artist, then I’ll give some hints and advice on demos in part 2.
David Wright is a solo keyboard player and recording artist, composer and producer who founded the electronic music label AD Music in 1989. Also founder member of the electronic band Code Indigo and has released 24 solo and band albums over an 18 year period, with performing and production credits on many more. www.admusiconline.com
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03.25.08
Posted in Best Music at 7:09 pm by admin
All professional musicians, whether they’re playing jazz, rock, bluegrass and country music, have spent their first years of practicing bent over a half speed record player. You might be wondering what does this have to do with trying to learn to play the guitar by ear. As you will learn from this article, it actually has a lot to do with it.
Slowing Things Down
In order to learn to play the guitar by ear you have to begin with learning the melodies, chords and leads from a recording. To be able to do this, you’ve got to slow them down a bit. Some exceptionally gifted people with really good ears are able to learn to play some slow songs just by listening to them at a normal speed. However, even those folks have problems with learning faster melodies and need to slow things down.
Most of us can’t even figure out slow songs just by listening to them at a normal speed. While most of us can match a note with our guitar or voice if it’s the only thing we’re hearing, we tend to get confused when lots of notes are played together. If you slow the music down, we can separate the notes and play them piece by piece until we learn the whole song.
Slowdown Technology
Years ago, the slowing down process was done using half speed tape recorders. However, as you slowed the music down, the pitch dropped. By the time you got to half speed, the pitch had already dropped a lot. Anyway, for most of us, half speed is still to fast. You will probably need a 1/10 speed in order to figure out certain pieces.
Fortunately, nowadays everything has been made easier with the aid of digital slowdown technology. You can now slow the melody down as much as you want, without having the pitch dropping.
Do You Really Have to Put So Much Work Into It?
You’re probably thinking that spending so much time on figuring out each note yourself must be awfully hard. Why not just buy a book and get over this part?
Of course, you can buy a book, but, as it usually happens with all music theory books, it will probably be gathering dust on your bookshelf forever. If you really want to learn to play the guitar by ear, you will have to get involved in the process and figure out the notes from a melody yourself.
While figuring out note by note on your own is the best way to go, consulting a transcription book from time to time while you’re trying to figure out the music is also good. Some beginner guitar players who want to learn to play the guitar by ear learn from a transcription book first and then play along with the original recording at a slower pace to get the rhythm.
You should learn to play the guitar by ear just because this way you get the most fun. Playing the guitar should be fun and this is why you should have started to learn it in the first place. However, the more you time you invest into the learning process by getting involved in practical activities, the faster the progress.
Article written by real guitar lover. Some of authors articles can be found at:
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