mb palaver

MusicPalaver: Blurred LInes -- Il Tormentone Estivo di 2013?

 

I learned a phrase in Italian class a few months ago that I think of whenever I hear Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" on the radio.  "Tormentone estivo" literally means something like "big summer tormenter," but refers to catchy, blockbuster songs that burrow into your ears at the beginning of summer and hang on like grim death.  ("Call Me Maybe" anyone?)  The concept started in the '60s, and it's enough of a thing in Italian culture that La Repubblica ran a story last year called "Quarant'anni [40 years] di Tormentoni," listing (and seeking votes on) the songs meriting this title from 1972 to 2012.  The article talks about how these songs get so associated with the summer they were big that they always call to mind a story, love, friendship, or memory from that summer.  I don't know many Italian pop songs, but I randomly clicked on a link to one of the songs, "Tre Parole" by Valeria Rossi, and I recognized the song right off -- I guess that just shows how ubiquitous it was (though, to be fair, it was the 2001 entry, and I did go to Italy around Memorial Day that year so, needless to say, it gives me the warm fuzzies).  Here's a G-rated version of "Blurred Lines."  My apologies if it torments you for the rest of the day (or summer).

[Photo from La Repubblica.]

 

 

 

ArtPalaver: I Only Have Eyes for You at the Hirshhorn

There's only a few more days to catch this eerie, trippy, mellow art event on the mall.  Doug Aitken's "Song 1" runs through this Sunday, May 20, from sunset to midnight.  It's a 360 degree video projection onto the circular walls of the Hirshhorn Museum, accompanied by various renditions of the song "I Only Have Eyes for You."  There was something special about how quiet and almost reverent the crowd was, sitting on walls around the sculpture garden or walking around the museum's perimeter watching the images stream by.  What a lovely way to spend a spring evening in Washington.

MusicPalaver: Somebody I Used To Know

This song gets under my skin.  I can't get it out of my head (am I mixing metaphors?).  But it's now on every radio station every 7 minutes.  Will it be like Circus Peanuts?  (By the way, what's up with the ex-girlfriend having her friend collect her records?  Do they still listen to records in Australia?  (If so, maybe I'll move there. I miss records.)  By the way part 2:  that Kristen Schaal is quite talented.)

 

 

 

 

TheaterPalaver: The Adventures of Prince Achmed at the Source

When a friend asked if I wanted to see a 1926 animated German film accompanied by a live original score, my first thought was "um, I'm busy that month."  But I'm a come-with kind of girl.  And I'm glad I did.  The event, presented by the Constellation Theatre Company at the Source theater on 14th Street in Washington, opened tonight and runs for two more nights.  Tickets are $20, or $13.50 (with service charge) via Goldstar.  The visuals are remarkably inventive, and it's simply astounding that the musical accompaniment is being played by one man -- Tom Teasley -- who didn't seem to take a breath for more than an hour while playing his improvisational eastern-influenced jazz score.  Here's how Constellation describes it:

German visionary artist Lotte Reiniger, using a silhouette technique inspired by shadow puppetry, created The Adventures of Prince Achmed, the oldest surviving animation feature film.  The narrative is based on stories from The Arabian Nights.  A wicked sorcerer tricks Prince Achmed into riding a magical flying horse, which he uses to embark on many adventures. While travelling, he falls in love with the beautiful Princess Peri Banu, and must defeat an army of demons to win her heart.

Helen Hayes Award Winner Tom Teasley’s innovative world music score is based upon his collaborations with indigenous musicians in Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the West Bank and Jerusalem during his work as a Cultural Envoy for the U.S. State Department. Teasley has been an artist-in-residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has collaborated with the National Symphony as both a soloist and composer.  He will play live in Constellation’s upcoming production of Metamorphoses in May.

 

Image from goldstar.com.

MusicPalaver: New Irish Music Galore!

Maybe three new CDs by Irish artists don't count as new music galore, but galore comes from the Irish “go leor,” and is fun to say.  Here are my extremely quick, non-thoughtful takes from a quick listen to each.

 

Sinead O'Connor, "How About I Be Me (and You Be You)?"  Good album, with a lot of interesting lyrics, though intense at times (surprise!).  But the opening track, "4th and Vine" is pure fun.  The very end is so religious I felt I could either skip Mass this week, or I need an exorcism.  I'm not sure.  I like the title.

 

 

 

The Cranberries, "Roses":  Very mellow.  "Zombie" this isn't.  The lyrics range from banal love songs to was she on drugs when she wrote this or what?  But the sound is lovely.

 

 

 

 

The Chieftains, "Voice of Ages":  This album is heavy on deedly-dee and country music, two of my least favorite genres, but "School Days Over," with The Low Anthem (whoever they might be) is terrific.  They performed it on Letterman last week.  I can't think of another TV venue where I more enjoy watching a good musical performance, because Dave seems genuinely honored to be in the audience.  Check out the clip below -- Dave congratulates The Chieftains (presumably on their 50th anniversary as a band) and says "What a wonderful organization!"  As usual, the Chieftains collaborate with a number of musicians on this album, including Bon Iver, The Civil Wars, The Decemberists, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops (mmmmm).

 

 

MusicPalaver: Merry Christmas from The Drifters, 2011 Version

Just in time for Christmas, my annual Christmas greeting to my Dad, via The Drifters.

 

RandomPalaver: Da Da Da

Apropos of nothing, I just started whistling this song.  (Who whistles?)  I found the old VW commercial, and it made me happy.  I still have the push-up toy Lynn gave me in the commercial's honor.  I only wish I could find the "Spin City" promo parody with Michael J. Fox.

 

MusicPalaver: Pandora, Begorrah

Photo of MB, Dubliner, two Guinnesses, and a Smithwick's,
at The Bailey, Duke Street, Dublin, by Mike, 2005

 

Pandora is offering three Irish-themed channels, just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

• "Irish Pub Rock Radio" is fun, at least in small doses, though your neighbors may kill you if you don't keep the volume down.  It's lots of Pogues (whom I've had a special place in my heart for since my friends met them in the Hotel Helix lobby a few years ago and they left tickets for us at the 9:30 Club box office), Dropkick Murphys, The Chieftains, Black 47, Stiff Little Fingers (whom I only know from my Belfast friend Joanne), and the like.  Nary a green alligator in sight so far, thank goodness (memories of a roomful of people upstairs at Murphy's in Old Town twenty years ago booing me and my youngest brother and his friends for not joining in).
• "Irish Pop" carries U2, the Cranberries, Sinead, Van Morrison, and an awful lot of music that sounds suspiciously boy band-like (though I must confess I love Ronan Keating's version of "When You Say Nothing At All," plus he's cute as a button).
• "Celtic Radio" tends toward the diddley-dee.  You've been warned.

They can be found under "Themed" stations under the genre stations list.  Or if have more energy, just create your own mix, starting with your favorite Irish artist or song.  And have a happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

MusicPalaver: Melbourne -- I Want To Go To There

It seems television coverage of every Grand Slam tennis tournament includes about five commercials, run about a thousand times each.  After watching untold hours of the Australian Open coverage, I could do without ever again watching men in meat ponchos trying to outrun hungry wolves while wearing Degree deodorant, and it bothers me that I find myself humming the Franklin Templeton Investments theme song.  But I loved the Melbourne tourism ad.  It showed people bundled up in a cold gray city, who look into a picture frame and see folks Down Under strolling on the beach and sipping cocktails in strapless dresses, while a woman softly sings "I wanna go, I wanna go where you go when you're gone."  It reminded me of a comment Dubliner posted on here about the Australian Open a few years ago:   "But perhaps what's most appealing to me is that I get a glimpse of sunshine and warm weather in the depths of winter here."

The song is "A Heart Divided" by Sydney native Holly Throsby.  You can watch Holly sing the song on youtube, and buy it on iTunes.

MusicPalaver: Pandora's Box of Christmas Music

Although, as I’ve confessed before, I’m nuts for Christmas music, I get tired of my own CDs, and the local radio station dedicated to Christmas music from Labor Day to Groundhog Day leans a bit heavy on Josh Groban and something terribly sad about a new pair of shoes.  But I just figured out how to get a good mix of Christmas songs on Pandora, either online or, even  better, through TiVo and my home theater system.  The key is to start a new station with a Christmas song or artist who’s released some holiday music that’s suits your tastes.  For example, I like The Pretenders’ “2000 Miles.”  I can select either “2000 Miles” or “The Pretenders (Holiday).”  You can then add variety – for example, I added The Waitresses (Holiday), inspired by their song “Christmas Wrapping” (ever listen to the lyrics?), Bare Naked Ladies (Holiday), Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson (Holiday) (to pick up the “Winter Songs” music I raved about last year), Sarah McLachlan (Holiday), and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (Holiday).  I’m getting a mix that includes those artists plus Cyndi Lauper, Queen, Burl Ives, the Ramones, Ella Fitzgerald, the Kinks, Judy Garland, and Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone singing “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”  And artists I've never heard of with kinda cool songs, like Rosie Thomas's melancholy take on "Christmas Don't Be Late" (yes, the Alvin and the Chipmunks song, and yes I did say melancholy).

You can say you’re tired of a song or artist so you won’t hear them for a month.  You can also skip songs, but only 6 an hour (and 12 a day), so use the skips judiciously.  I just used two on Michael Bolton and Celine Dion.  How’d they get in there?

One warning:  don't accidentally add a heavy metal artist to your Christmas mix.  Trust me.

Finally, my annual Christmas greeting to my Dad: