I have had a few defining musical moments in my life that I can distinctly remember. These moments are burned into my brain with a clarity that I couldn't shake even if I wanted to.
Sitting in a circle in 2nd grade music appreciation class and our teacher played Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man
". It immediately caught my attention and I wanted to hear more. I can vividly remember those rich tones and harmonies hitting my ears and having it move my little 2nd grade heart. I remember sitting in the band room in 6th grade and the band director playing a clip from Count Basie's big band
. I had never heard music like that before. Swing. Interesting rhythms. Dense chords stuctures. I didn't have those words at the time but I knew I loved it. What is this jazz music?Freshman year in high school. Some punk kid was the DJ at a dance and played Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit
". I hated it. I was late to the party on this one. A couple years later I began to appeciate the genius of it as I do today. I'll never forget that high school dance. Rock music was defined differently after Nirvana in 1991. Going to a Willy Porter
solo acoustic concert in 2000. He played the most mind blowing music by himself on an acoustic guitar for three straight hours. Amazing vocals with soul. Guitar playing like Phil Keaggy.
Deep melodies. I was absolutely mezzmerized. If you ever get a chance to see Willy live, don't miss it for anything. You have to see him live. My sister came into my apartment in 2001 and asked me if I had ever heard of this band called Coldplay
. I had not. She put in the CD Parachutes and from the first track I new I was diving into deep waters. I can still remember hearing those guitar tones and beautiful lines and being completely captivated by the sound of it. I had never heard anything like it before and I couldn't get enough of it. Finally, I had one of those defining musical moments last week as I listened to Bon Iver's new record
. This guy is a genius. Who would think that a dude recording a bunch of falsetto layered vocals would work? It does. It has a rich beauty to it that drips melancholy emotion. I can't get enough. Every single track engages my ear in ways that I have not been in a long time. I am thankful. What are your defining musical moments?
8 comments:
Z-Dog: YOU are one of my defining Musical Moments - and writing, working on and recording "Move" with you...
The mid 1990s gave me a few memorable musical moments, but long have I savored the sights and the sounds offered on a humid Iowa day in the OLBC chapel. Who could have known that two artists known by three simple letters could have offered such a lasting impression? These two boys turned men emerged from the west side of Cedar Falls to lay down some of the funkiest fresh rhymes I had ever heard. Penetrating lyrics. Tight harmonies. And the moves? Never before had I the privilege of witnessing such a unique blend of athleticism, whiteness, and unrealized sensuality. "You down with G-O-D? Who's down with G-O-D?"
Long live SBG!!!
Bon Iver - nauseating hipster warble.
George Michael.
George Michael.
Wham.
George Michael.
SBG
t
Only a fellow hipster would use such a pretentious word as "warble".
My defining moments would be:
The first time I heard "Für Elise". My mom played it once when I was in grade school and I made her play it over and over and over while I layed under the baby grand in our living room. Amazing song.
Singing "All that hath life and breath" in our high school chorale. I was almost in tears each time we finished it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCTGrkAlEtg
In 2006 when my brother in law gave me X&Y by Coldplay. I couldn't believe that the WHOLE album was great! I was determined to only buy (if possible) whole albums that were good. Not just singles.
In 2007 when my bro in law gave me Sufjan Stevens "Illinoise". That moved me from mainstream into that "nauseating hipster warble". I love it
Cody
2 immediately come to mind:
- 10th grade...hearing "Walk this Way" by Aerosmith and Run DMC for the first time.
- Seeing Prince in concert at Paisley Park at a 3am concert with about 200 other people...he closed with "Purple Rain" and standing about 10 yards away from him as he completely shredded his guitar. Unbelievable.
Z,
True or false: Parachutes is the best Coldplay album.
Andrew Faris
Someone Tell Me the Story
Yes
That makes me so happy. I actually think that album is by far their best- I just think the melodic sensibilities (both vocally and in the lead guitar work, but even the bass line and "Sparks" creates rich melody) and song structures smoke the rest of their other albums. Also, the lead guitar work on that album has been one of the biggest inspirations on my guitar playing. I just love it.
Anyway, that's just a little hobby horse of mine, and I had a feeling you agreed when I saw this post.
Andrew Faris
Someone Tell Me the Story
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