Pompeii

Hello everyone! I am the daughter of the blogger who writes this and you know what? I am taking over for a day. Now don't freak out, everything will return back to normal...eventually. So today my dad woke up with the song Pompeii, by my favorite band, Bastille in his head. Hearing this I insisted that I write this post. For those of you who don't know Bastille consists of four members; Dan Smith, Chris Wood, William Farquarson and Kyle Simmons.

• Dan Smith, 14 July 1986 (age 27) – lead vocals, keyboards, percussion (floor toms), producer, songwriter
• Kyle Simmons, 5 February 1988 (age 26) – keyboards, percussion, bass, backing vocals, synthesizers
• William Farquarson, 22 September 1983 (age 30) – bass, keyboards, guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• Chris "Woody" Wood, 6 July 1985 (age 28) – drums, backing vocal

Many of you have probably heard this song on the radio over, and over, and over again. Many of you have probably not realized who the artist that created this masterpiece is, well eternal shame on all of you, in fact; DIS-HONER ON YOU, DIS-HONOR ON YOUR COW, DIS-HONOR ON YOUR SENSE IN MUSIC! Anyways the music video is a very serious, dramatic, clip. I personally think that the song is really for you to determine the meaning personally, I do know that it is meant to tie into our modern world and its technology, I could go on and on but I'm just going to post the video now. 

I'm just going to let that sit in for a while........................................................thought about it enough yet? No? Well too bad, I am moving on. This song personally is not my favorite from the Bad Blood album that Bastille released in 2013. Some of my favorites are Icarus, the Weight of Living (parts one and two), Flaws, and *gasp* Bad Blood. A friend of mine had the opportunity to meet the band at their one of their concerts. Her poster for the concert has hence named us Bastille fans, who know of the poster, Bastallions. (The band looks quite majestic with their heads on horses if I do say so myself) 

I do really like this song though. The lyrics easily refer to the story of Pompeii. Black clouds over the hills, walls tumblin down. It is just one intense form of poetry with an amazing musical background in sync to it as well. A wall actually did fall down during the eruption and the ashen clouds. 

So I honestly don't know what my dad keeps going on about in these posts but they last forever so I am just going to keep talking and call it good. Bastille's style reminds me slightly of Imagine Dragons, which is probably why I absolutely LOVE both of the bands. One of their songs has been very popular on the radio as well. On Top of the World is a very good song but like all good songs get replayed until you can't bear to hear the song anymore. I am a little sad to admit that I am starting to feel that way about Pompeii. Don't get me wrong I ADORE the song I just need to stop hearing it on the radio, give it a few days, then listen to it and fall in love with it once again. Well I am done talking. I hope I didn't annoy the heck out of you readers. Signing off, I'm Zoe Newman, and you have been watching Disney Channel! 

The Naming

Today's post is gonna be kind of neat because I get to shamelessly plug a show my wife is opening this week!

Last night I was lucky to be part of an exclusive group that was allowed to see the opening premier of "Children of Eden" at Centerpointe Theater in Centerville.  This was a unique musical, like nothing I've ever seen.  The fact that this cynic enjoyed it says to me that there's something special about "Children of Eden"

Check out that gorgeous blonde.  Yep, that's my wife.  She plays Eve, you know, like Adam and Eve?  Yes, that Eve.

Anyway, I'm getting distracted.  So... the first act of CHILDREN OF EDEN is the story of Adam and Eve and the second act is the story of Noah and the Ark.  Without spoiling anything, the story becomes a beautiful parable about man's existence and struggle in life.  In it, one generation learns from another and seems to evolve as it learns.

Behind all this intelligent story telling, is a beautiful score by Stephen Schwartz, who is probably most famous for his musical WICKED, or GODSPELL.  From what I've heard, this show is his "baby" and he loves it more than any of his others in spite of its relative obscurity.  It was fun to see something special like this and I left wanting to watch it again and catch all the profundities I missed the first time through.  I enjoy being challenged artistically.

My  famous and gorgeous Megan as Noah's Wife in the second act 

OK, so I suppose I'll share the song stuck in my head as I arose today.  It's from the first act of this show and is the moment where God, soon after introducing Adam and Eve to the Garden of Eden, shows them all the animals in the garden and asks that the animals be named.  I've heard my wife go over this, and other songs from this show, time and time again over the last few months while she's been rehearsing.  I'm actually surprised I haven't blogged about one of these songs before now.

Anyway, here it is folks, listen if you please:

The Naming, from "Children of Eden"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRhiFT2LUTc

One last thing.... my wife was fantastic as Eve and Mama Noah in this production!  Her singing was spot on, and her acting was the best I've ever seen.  She never ceases to amaze me.  And I'm most biased to her, but the rest of the cast deserves a shout out.  I don't think I've seen a more talented and dedicated group of performers in a "community" production.  A special shout out to my 7-year-old daughter who played a rabbit boarding the ark as well (I wish I had a picture)

If you live nearby, this show is well worth your time.  I highly recommend it.

Northshore

Hey guys.

Here's a song from Tegan and Sara.  Have you heard of them?  They are hands-down, without dispute, the best pair of identical twin, Canadian, lesbian singers you'll ever hear.  Hands down. 

Joking aside, they do rock and have some great songs, one of which was in my head this morning as I arose.  It's called "Northshore" and here's what it sounds like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE-4ekeMv0Q&list=PL9hGbIIgTaeCNQbMS8B9L5YP3hIs9_wKS&index=13


It's Father's Day.

It's also Tegan and Saraoke time (I just made up that word, you can use it but you must pay me a dollar every time you use it)

I love being a Dad, and it wouldn't be possible without an incredible woman in my life, and let me tell you- I have one.  And she indulged me today by performing this song with me.  Yep, she's rad.

(Disclaimer, the sound is awful, but I don't care.  We had fun.  Also we grew impatient and this was our best take.  No hating allowed)

I hope everybody has a really really  neet Father's day, expecially those Dad's out there!

Heart is a Drum

I don't have a lot of time and I'm posting a day early.  I'm on my way to lake Powell and won't have internet access while there.  I know, rough life, right?  But I really like the song that was in my head this morning and has been running through my head for the last couple of days.

It's from Beck's new album "Morning Phase."  This album is mellow and just sounds really good to me.  Of all the artists I listen to, Beck uses his time to record in the studio most effectively.  Usually I just like the music to speak for itself, but for some reason I really appreciate the sounds he produces with his recordings.  Listen carefully to this track, "Heart is a Drum" for subtle things, like the way his voice reverbs and harmonizes, and piano and other instruments that highlight the simplicity of this song.

I hope you like it, my subconscious sure does:

Cotton Eye Joe

When you hear these words where does it take you:

Where did you come from ?
Where did you go?
Where did you come from, Cotton Eye Joe?

For me, it takes me back to high school when I had energy to kick my legs high like the stereotype of a hillbilly drunk on moonshine.  Do you know the song I'm talking about?

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, in 1994 a Swedish techno group, appropriately called Rednex had an international hit with a song called "Cotton Eye Joe.

Here it is, if you dare listen:

This song was a staple at High School dances.  Hoo Boy did we kick our legs and dance to this song!  

So, here's what's interesting about the song I woke up with in my head this morning.  It's by incredibly underrated songwriter, Josh Rouse.  The title:  Cotton Eye Joe.  The lyrics?  The same as I posted earlier, but a totally different twist on the song, more mellow, more relaxing, more beautiful. 

This song comes from Josh Rouse's 2010 album "El Turista."  Many of this album's tracks are in Spanish.  Rouse was based in Nashville during the peak of his career in the early 2000's, but he married a Spaniard and has been in Spain ever since (as far as I know, I don't follow him as well as I should.)  This album is a sort of dedication to his time in Spain.  It's a great album!  I highly recommend it.  Like, really highly.  Like really really highly.

"Cotton Eye Joe" is the 8th track on the album and the song stuck in my head this morning:

The video I found is slightly different than the recording than the version on the album, so I guess you'll have to buy it to find out what it really sounds like.  You won't regret it.  Buy the whole album! 

One last word about the song "Cotton Eye Joe."  Before today, I thought the song had originated with Rednex, but in fact, I was wrong.  Cotton-Eyed Joe is an old American folk song that dates back to before the American Civil War.  Did you know that?  I sure didn't!  

Well this has been fun hasn't it?

 A good week to every one.

Brady