"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way." ~Dr. Suess
Showing posts with label Of relation to Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Of relation to Music. Show all posts

Thursday, December 3, 2009

In a way, it's someone else's story...

My voice teacher just gave me lovely new song to work on, and I thought I'd share it with you :)

It's called "Someone Else's Story," from Chess (the musical). Really, the context is saddening, but the song sounds pretty. It's very easily sung (I think my teacher gave it to me as a break from all the more extensive songs I'm working on.), but it's fun because I get to show off some of my lower notes :) Anywho, enjoy!

Someone Else's Story

Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know
A man and made a promise
He only had to say
And that's where she would be
Lately
Although the feelings run just as deep
The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
And yet I wish it wasn't so
Will he miss me if I go?

In a way
It's someone else's story
I don't see myself
As taking part at all
Yesterday
A girl that I was fond of
Finally could see
The writing on the wall
Sadly
She realized she'd left him behind
And sadder than that she knew he wouldn't even mind
And though there's nothing left to say
Would he listen if I stay?

It's all very well to say you fool it's now or never
I could be choosing
No choices whatsoever.
I could be
In someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see
A reason to be lonely
I could take my chances
Further down the line

And if
That girl I knew should ask my advice
Oh I wouldn't hesitate she needn't ask me twice
Go now!
I'd tell her that for free
Trouble is, the girl is me
The story is, the girl is me.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

In which the Author learns why it is important NOT to make premature judgements.

Some of you may recall my ranting post quite sometime ago about the Phantom of the Opera sequel quite some time ago. (You can read it here, if you wish)

The story has developed a bit since that time. Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess are set to play Phantom and Christine in the London premiere of Phantom: Love Never Dies, contrary to what I formerly posted. From the official website:

“LOVE NEVER DIES” continues the story of ‘The Phantom’, who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic. Set 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of ‘The Phantom’ from Paris, this show is a roller coaster ride of obsession and intrigue...in which music and memory can play cruel tricks...and ‘The Phantom’ sets out to prove that, indeed, “LOVE NEVER DIES”.
Wikipedia adds that Madame Giry and Meg Giry accompany Phantom, but I would take that with a grain of salt, considering just about anyone could put something on Wiki.
Yes, I had a very extreme bias towards this show, and I'm still not happy that this could ruin the perceptions of some of my musical theatre heroes, but just yesterday... I found this. It's a clip of a song from the musical under scrutiny. Ramin Karimloo sang it at the press launch of Phantom: Love Never Dies. I'm trying to figure out how to post videos directly to my post, but til I figure it out (Or someone tells me [hint hint!!]), here is the link to Til I Hear You Sing from Love Never Dies. Grant it, it's kind of creepy that he is still obsessing over this woman (that could be his DAUGHTER [age-wise] if you think about it), but I have to admit... I was swooning by the end of the song.
AH, what's a girl to do?? I don't like the fact that this is associated with one of my favorite musicals in the entirety of the universe (why couldn't they just leave that out of it and make it with totally new characters??), but I loved this song and the man's voice! Have you ever heard anything more phenomenal?!?!
.:.:.:.
This is why we shouldn't judge. Most of the time, we are wrong anyways. And then admitting it is a big mess when we proud people want to hang on to our original bias. *siiiiiigh* (Goes to watch song again)

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Musical theatre perhaps at its PEAK?? Official favorite musical in the entirety of the universe!

**Note, prepare for major rambling like you have never heard before!**

If I were to pick a single word to describe it.... I doubt I could actually decide. Maybe, "Beyond-wow" (The dash makes it one word ;) ), "thrilling," or perhaps, "Indescribable!!" Or, there's always the cliched "Wicked," that being the name of the object under scrutiny.

Yes, I had the wonderful experience of seeing "Wicked: the Musical" on stage.

What a darn gift!! So much I could say! It is my favorite musical in the entire world of musicals!!! The subtle hints toward the "Wizard of Oz" movie; ("Lemons and peaches and mango's, oh my!," "There's no place like home," etc.) The costumes-- oooooh, the costumes!! I could write an entire post going off in tangents about their costumes!! Galinda's sparkling ballgowns, Elphaba's discreet yet powerful black gowns, and the chorus' costumes - Each one seemed to tell it's own story!

And, of course, the cast and the music. Wow. To put it simply, I cannot imagine a cast to work better together! There was such amazing chemistry between all of the characters! Ah, so much talent!!

OK, the music-- I can't even begin to describe.. I laughed delightedly at the lightheartedness of "Popular," and I got chill-bumps when I heard Marcie Dodd belting out "The Wizard and I." Then, there was the long-awaited for "Defying Gravity." Neither words, nor even youtube videos can ever do it justice. There is so much energy and passion in that song... I mentioned I got chill bumps in "Wizard and I?" My heart was pounding so fast at the end of the song, my mind racing with the sheer energy in the theatre... I honest-to-goodness thought I was going to defy gravity myself (Cheesy as it sounds, yes.)!

Oh, here is an amaaaaaaaazing gift God gave to me while we were there! During intermission, my friend and myself ran down the stairs to rent some binoculars to use during the show (This is the most inspired idea perhaps in the universe!), and ran back up the stairs. We then realized how amazingly these worked (seriously, we were in the balcony and, with these handy little devices, could see every single facial expression on the stage!- wow!), and were sent back down the stairs for another pair! (Note that I was still on a high from the last hour-and-a-half, and hadn't tired yet of the stairs) Once we were down to the lobby, and had the binoculars in question, I turned to my friend and suggested that, "Since we are already heeere, why don't we go to the orchestra level and see the stage from there!" Now my friends is a very level-headed person, and suggested we go back to our seats since intermission was almost over. A valid point. But, being a stubborn little moi, I said something to the effect of, "Come on! Intermission is FIFTEEN minutes!! It hasn't been that long!! Let's just go take a look and seeeeee, then we can go back up stairs!" She gave in.

We walked to the stage, so close that we could see into the orchestra pit and probably could have walked onto the stage if we had a mind to... when, all of the sudden, the lights dimmed. The show started. And we were not in our seats.

For ten blissful minutes, I watched the most thrilling musical closer to the stage than I ever thought I would be that night. How darned sensational!!!! It was a highlight of my night! ( After the aforesaid ten minutes, an usher realized our plight and escorted us out of the orchestra level. Or else, you can bet your best bucket I would have stayed there all night!!) But is God good or what?!

That is all I can say for the moment, as it is getting rather late, but I can most surely state that I will be on a major high from this for [at least] the next month!! As I told an usher on the elevator I took up, "Musical theater goes to my head like wine." (My level-headed friend gave me a warning look at this, so I stopped. Otherwise, I probably would have pulled an Anne of Green Gables, and went on with something to the effect of, "At least, that's is how I imagine it would be; your face is flushed, your head is reeling, your heart is beating a mile a minute ; everything is vivid and exciting, and you just want to drink it all in so that you never forget it!")

But goodness, how I ramble! I'm very sorry! If you really read all the way through this post, let me know, I may give you an award or something! I shall stop now, and bid thee farewell!! So long, dear readers!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Amazing what music can do to one, no?

Seriously. Aaaand those who compose (or merge, in this case) such masterpieces aren't to be forgotten either : Love Story (Taylor Swift) meets Viva la Vida (Coldplay). Because I have yet to figure out how to post a video directly on to this here blog, here is the link to the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys

Honestly-- it is a work of brilliance. Utterly amazable. Please watch :) It's a little long... but WORTH IT!!!! Trust me.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Maybe my new favorite song in the universe...!

Alright alright alright, so the candidate for this title changes on a weekly basis... What can I say? There's a lot of good songs out there! *Smileyshrug* Anyway, this song is from the Broadway version of "Beauty and the Beast," it is sung by The Beast (Speaking of whom, did anyone else ever feel bad that he didn't really have a name? Or does he have one and I don't know it. I mean, that's a case for low self-esteem right there; being called "beast" all the time...), and well... it's really sweet; it's called "If I Can't Love Her." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH1twHSdU6M

Chiiiiiiiiiiiillbumps... but then, I'm a Broadway dork, so maybe I appreciate these things in a different was than many.

As an after note, does anyone here, who has read "Waking Rose" (Regina Doman), feel that this could be sung from Fish's point of view, or at least that he could relate to it? I don't know. That's all for now :-)

Oh yeah; here's the lyrics :)
Beast:
And in my twisted face,
There's not the slightest trace
Of anything that even hints of kindness.
And from my tortured shape,
No comfort, no escape
I see, but deep within is utter blindness.
Hopeless.
As my dream dies,
As the time flies,
Love a lost illusion.
Helpless.
Unforgiven.
Cold and driven,
To this sad conclusion
No beauty could move me
No goodness improve me
No power on earth, if I can't love her.
No passion could reach me,
No lesson could teach me,
How I could have love her and made her love me too
If I can't love her, then who?
Long ago I should have seen,
All the things I could have been,
Careless and unthinking, I moved onward
No pain could be deeper,
No life could be cheaper,
No point anymore, if I can't love her.
No spirit could win me,
No hope left within me,
Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free
But it's not to be,
If I can't love her...Let the world be done with me.

Friday, May 8, 2009

D

No, not a random title. While I'm bouncing from the moment, I must inform you that in voice lessons today, I vocalized a high D!! To those of you who hit E's etc. with no problemo, this may not seem like such a big deal - but when I started I thought I couldn't go past a C, then B flat, this makes me very excited!!! Anyway, that's all :)

♪♫♥♫♪

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Masquerade

Stealing this from The Other Katie...

Put your iTunes or iPod on shuffle (this means that it randomly picks a song. At random. I did not pick these out. They are random). Put the name of each song in as an answer to the following questions:

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? The World Turned Upside Down (In other words, THE WORLD WILL TURN UPSIDE DOWN IF YOU DO IT!! Ergo DON'T!!)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Margaritaville

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? All I Need (Hehehe)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? You Are God Alone (niiiice)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Mystery (Hm, so I don't really know??)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Washed by the Water (So I'm clean? I guess that's good ;P)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Prima Donna (okay, I actually do think about Phantom of the Opera a lot...)

WHAT IS 2+2? Innocence (:P)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Gravity

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (lol!)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Kryptonite (I'm SUPERGIIIIIIIIRL!!!!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Gone (K, that's a little scary)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Sea of Faces (um)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Red White and Blue (??)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? I am Free

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? My Sacrifice

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? The Gambler (ROFL!!!!!!!!)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? A Different World (ooooohhh)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Only Hope [:) I love y'all♥♥♥]

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Down Once More/ Track Down This Murderer (Phantom of the Opera) (uh....)

HOW WILL YOU DIE? Learn To Be Lonely (Dying of loneliness?? *tear tear*)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? I'm Moving On

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Even Angels Cry (So are we saying I don't have a sense of humor?)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Think of Me

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? This is the Day (That cracks me up!!!!!)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Mahnamana (Muppets) (Yes, because we all know how scary the MUPPETS are, lol!)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Beautiful Name

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Run (okay, umm....)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? Walking Her Home

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Masquerade

***

If you've read this- YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED!!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Random quote of the day...

Sorry for the randomness of this! But I'm trying not to go a week without posting. Wait, that's not proper english; double negative. How would I phrase that? How about: "I'm trying to post every week"? That sounds good. Anyway, I've recently been introduced to the "Wicked" soundtrack!! For those who don't know, "Wicked" is a new musical, set in Oz before Dorothy came. I'm actually not sure what the plot is, but I know that it's about Glinda and Elphaba (Later known as "the Wicked Witch of the West). I also know that the music is amazing. So now I'm always singing "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" at the top of my lungs, which I'm sure my family just loves!!! ;) I'll try and post something with a purpose soon, I promise! And til then,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

"So if you care to find me, look to the western sky! As someone told me lately, everyone deserves the chance to fly! And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free! To those who ground me, take a message back from me: Tell them how I am defying gravity! I'm flying high; defying gravity! And soon I'll match them in renown! And nobody, in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down!" ~ Defying Gravity - Wicked, the musical.

Friday, December 19, 2008

History Lesson!!

You know the song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas''? Well, my dad told me a little something about the history of it the other night, and I went to investigate. Here's what I found
----

Where to start... how 'bout at the beginning? That's a grand idear. In 1950, Jon Rox wrote the song "(I want a)Hippopotamus for Christmas" It was released in 1953, sung by ten-year-old Gayla Peevey. The song, released by Columbia Records, became a hit.
At the same time (Christmas 1953), the Oklahoma City zoo was trying to raise funds to buy they're first hippopotamus. So whenever the song played on the radio, the media, in order to raise funds for the zoo, would encourage listeners to send in their nickles & dimes to but Gayla a hippo! Over $3000 was raised, and Gayla got her hippo, Matilda. She promptly donated the baby hippo to the OKC zoo. Isn't that neat? I thought it was.

Hope it makes sense. Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

On Christmas Carols

Well a hello to all!! I was just sitting with my mother, stuffing Christmas cards, eating a "customized" trail mix (pretzels, raisins, marshmallows, and I WOULD have put chocolate chips in there but we were all out! *glares*), listening to the "All Christmas all the time" radio station, and I was inspired to write about Christmas music.

I've decided that there's basically three types:
1: The good ol', everyone knows em, traditional Christmas carols.
2: New, more contemporary, Christmas songs. (Christmas Shoes, Someone Special, Jingle Bell Rock, etc.)
3: My arch enemy. The "Updated" Christmas Carols. Where they take songs mentioned in category 1, change the timing, often certain words, and make it "Their Own". What ever.

I personally prefer the good ol', everyone knows 'em, not messed with Christmas carols. I mean, when they start messing with "Winter Wonder Land," "Here Comes Santa Clause," "O Holy Night," and countless others to the point where you can't sing along because the timing is so different then what you were expecting, you know you've got a problem. (Trans-Siberian Orchestra is the ONE and ONLY full exception, because they *generally* don't mess with the tune; they add electric guitars and what not. It's really cool =D)

Have you heard "Straight No Chaser"? It's a men's A Capella group that apparently just got back together. My big bro introduced them to me when he was home at Thanksgiving. Whilst I was stuffing Christmas cards and eating my trail mix, I heard them on the radio singing "Twelve Days of Christmas". It is probably my favorite rendition of this song that I've ever heard!! (They are, in certain cases, an exception to the category 3 rule.) Here's a link to the video of them singing "Twelve Days of Christmas":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Less than two weeks til Christmas!! =D

"O, holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
it is the night of our dear Savior's birth"

Friday, November 28, 2008

Happy moment :-)

I'm happy right now. :) My brother just started playing "Chicken Friend" (Zac Brown Band) and I got up and started two-stepping! It was great!! Anyway, just sharin' that with you!


"I like my chicken fried, a cold beer on a Friday night! A pair of jeans that fit just right, and the radio up!"

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Great Song!

Wow, I just discovered this song!!! Josh Turner singing "would you go with me" is probably my new favorite song in the world!! His voice goes so deep, he puts Toby Keith to shame!!! I'm posting a link to the music video here:
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sApH8VtWFI

Enjoy!!