Songs I Like | Golden Skate

Songs I Like

skatinginbc

Medalist
Joined
Aug 26, 2010
Would you like to share some songs you love with other posters?

Let me start with mine:
1. "Smiling Face" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2c3fqClRYc ) (Composer: Li Tai Xiang): Excerpt Lyrics: "Drizzling faint sorrow, wisps of memory, like dreams, like fantasies, like realities"
2. "Olive Tree" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrjQmZ8t8nQ&feature=fvwrel )(Composer: Li Tai Xiang): Excerpt Lyrics: "Don't ask me where I'm from. My hometown is far away. Why do I wander in a distant land? For the olive tree of my dream." Note the Dorian mode (also known as Russian minor, a diatonic scale corresponding to the white keys of the piano from "D" to "D") used by the composer to create a "far-away" feel. Dorian = Olive???--an interesting connotation anyway.
3. "Walking in the rain" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUjPktylfio&feature=related )(Composer: Li Tai Xiang).
4. "Mistake" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuEQu9QUe4o, Sorry for the poor sound quality that skips notes in many places, but that's the only link I can find)(Composer: Li Tai Xiang): Excerpt Lyrics: "The clip-clop of my horse's hooves is a beautiful mistake. I'm not a homecomer, but a transient."
 
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Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Now, these are songs I would never have found on my own. Thanks, BC!

Hmmm. What to give in return?

This is a song from Portugal called "Os indios de meia praia." I apologize that I have no idea what it means; a friend at the office shared it with me after I found fado music in Carlos Saura's film about fado, the Portuguese national music genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aepOA5zSP0E

Here is a cantata written by Sibelius, a song (I have deduced that laulu is the Finnish word for "song") about Leminkainen, a legendary Finnish character. Again, I don't know the words, though I gather they might be kind of ribald. I love the song for the jaunty, stirring tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WQRfqUnNM8

This is a song by an early music consort called Arpeggiata. I just love the rhythm. Talk about syncopation!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62xfkKkYsCw
 
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skatinginbc

Medalist
Joined
Aug 26, 2010
Thanks for the great songs. I could feel the sunshine radiating from those songs. :)

Frankly, I failed to detect any mournful tune in the fado ("fate") music you recommended: "Os indios da meia praia" ("Indians of the Middle Beach"). The lighthearted melody, to me, is at odds almost in a comical fashion (like the Dixie Chicks' Goodbye Earl) with the overtly political lyrics that depict the life of the poor who came to the sea town and worked like a slave to make a living. One reason I thought of might explain such "oddity" concerns the intent of the song writer (Zeca Afonso, a left-wing activist)--to have political resonance in the working-class circles. What can be more easily accepted than a simple, lighthearted song that everyone can sing along?

Speaking of Dixie Chicks, some of their works were really outstanding. The inconsonance between killing a man and the happy tune surely drew my attention. Here are some examples of their songs that I love:
1. Goodbye Earl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw7gNf_9njs)
2. Not ready to make nice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pojL_35QlSI&feature=relmfu )--very beautiful song :thumbsup:.

Also, I have been quite interested in how languages influence the music. Since Finnish always places the primary stress on the first syllable of a word, it is my hypothesis that Finnish songs are less likely than others to start a musical phrase with an upbeat. Sibelius' Laulu Lemminkäiselle kind of confirms my theory or at least does not invalidate it. The only times (with a relatively low frequency) that the song begins a phrase with an upbeat involve such linking words as ja ("and") and nyt ("now").
 
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Joined
Aug 16, 2009
BC, you put your finger on one of the things I have found fascinating about fado music. There doesn't seem to be any one rhythm or mood, despite the name. I expected them all to be mournful, sung by women with plangent voices like Edith Piaf. But if you think about it, Portuguese music would be likely to have influences from Brazil and Africa, and I think that explains it. My friend says that many of the fado singers come from college campuses, by the way.

If you can find the Carlos Saura film, which I think is just called Fados, by all means rent it. It's a delightful view of a little-known but very rich art form. One thing I found fascinating watching the movie, which was mainly a performance picture, not a narrative, is that almost every singer, male or female, performs with eyes lowered and almost closed. I don't know why that is.


I'll check into the Dixie Chicks. One country song I love is "Rocky Top, Tennessee." It's got interesting melodic progressions and intervals (if I'm calling the note changes by the right name). Here's an early performance, by a very un-glitzy country group, the Osborne Brothers. Listen to that banjo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n9prNixjbg
 

skatinginbc

Medalist
Joined
Aug 26, 2010
Here's an early performance, by a very un-glitzy country group, the Osborne Brothers. Listen to that banjo!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n9prNixjbg
Your banjo led me to another song I love: Man Of Constant Sorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=GDA708XlFIo). I always thought it was composed specifically for the movie "O, Brother, Where Art Thou?", and I was always impressed with the composer's ability to make it sound so old-time till I found out just now after a quick google search that it was indeed an old song, more than a century old. Although some people claim it was written by Dick Burnett (1883–1977), I strongly suspect that the real author probably bore an Irish last name, for I hear in that song a pure pentatonic scale (Gaelic jumped into my mind) as well as the extensive use of ornaments (e.g., slides)--a major distinguishing feature of Gaelic music, which I believe is closely associated with what some linguists called the "Irish falls" (rising pitch movements in the final position of a phrase or sentence). In contrast, Osborne Brothers' Rocky Top used a somewhat "contaminated" pentatonic scale and exhibited a relative lack of ornaments in their voice, a giveaway that it is rather "Americanized" (probably "modernized" is a better word).:biggrin:
 
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Joined
Aug 16, 2009
I can't remember whether Judy Collins or Joan Baez used to perform "Maid of Constant Sorrow"; maybe both of them did. (My two vocal touchstones for American folk revival music.) (hunts around a bit)

Here's Baez, very early in her career. She tends to sing the authentic gender identification, so she sings it as "Man of Constant Sorrow." The notes to this video say that the origins are in dispute. To me it sounds American, but of course most Southeastern American folk music is descended from either Irish or English folk songs. You could go through the music collected by John Jacob Niles and the songs collected in the U.K. by people like Vaughan Williams and find parallels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQQjBjwe3-s

And here's Collins doing the song as "Maid of Constant Sorrow," changing the gender and also the state (to Colorado, where she actually grew up, instead of Kentucky).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFGftqJex2c

I love a lot of English Revival folk music, especially by the group Steeleye Span, who I think did a lot of their own arrangements and adaptations, and used electric instruments. Here's "The Weaver and the Factory Maid," which has everything: Maddy Prior's clarion voice, some story, some dancy music, and a glimpse of the Industrial Revolution and the people who lived through it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do7epBepl8U&feature=related

Back to Canada. I'm sure you know Stan Rogers. I came upon him after his untimely death, and I just adore him. This guy's lyrics I listen to. How can he make such complex and particular words fit so neatly into rhyme and rhythm? Two of my favorites are both sea songs: "Bluenose" and "The Mary Ellen Carter."

Bluenose:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1IvV6qAWY

The Mary Ellen Carter (a song of hard-won renewal if ever there was one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhop5VuLDIQ


By the way, the observation you made about the way Finnish tends to stress the first syllable explains for me the very tricky rhythm at the beginning of the Sibelius, which seems to accent the beat I'm not expecting, and then it kind of shifts. Thanks for the extra insight!
 

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
Ooh music thread! I like all sorts of music, but I have to say I love K-Pop. To be honest, my love for K-Pop started after finding a bunch of videos while looking for Yuna Kim commercials on YouTube a few years back.

Also it makes AMAZING running music. (It's true)

Anyway here's a few of my favorites:

Sistar, "Alone" — I really love the blend of synths and piano licks in this song. Very sensual and I love the dance moves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XVIFSM1tEQ&ob=av2n

Brown Eyed Girls "Sixth Sense" — Also sensual and powerful, but in a different way. I love the anarchy theme in the music video. Also can you believe that three of the four members are in their early 30s?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdH1GwyZJuY

Seugri, "VVIP" — The Alice in Wonderland theme is quite fun. Sort of a Korean-version of Justin Timberlake. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygkhxUItiUM

The Koxx, "12:00" — Love the electronic sound of this Korean indie rock band. Also love the lead singer sings completely in English. The cinematography int his video is gorgeous! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN8RR9ZYcwA

4Minute, "Dream Racer" — This is a song where an idol girl group crosses with indie (the song was produced by The Koxx). The Koxx's electronic sound is very apparent here, but yet maintains the girl group sound of 4minute. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U23E9tHo2y0 (Also like the 1980s-style outfits the girls wear in this performance)

Clazzi, "How We Feel" — More Electronica goodness. And this video is off the hook! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TCYOTV92rpE

Epik High, "Love Love Love" — This group was on the forefront of hip-hop in Korea. Tablo (the skinny one) is actually Korean-Canadian and graduated from Stanford. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MkzNG0j06l0


More on other genres later!
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Thanks, Mrs. P. This thread is great, like a world tour of music that most of us would either never know about or never be able to weed through to find the best songs. It's wonderful to realize how much inventive music (and video creation) is out there.
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
I spent quite a while lately listening to music for Yankee polka SD's and previously for folk OD's.

Many were quite forgettable, but some made me smile enough that I play them for fun when I'm feeling low.

Loituma's Ieva's Polka (Finnish)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ygdAiDxKfI

Here's the Bling Polka I think it is Slovenian?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W80WVrVRDk

And I like the Dropkick Murphy's crazy mix of punk and celtic

I ran into them when they created the "End the Curse of Babe" anthem Tessie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6EIN3EeE78

Here's Shippin up to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qxXUTZ31N0

and The State of Massachusetts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HTL5CjeMu0&feature=related


Here's a Ukrainian song, Pidmanula pidvela in modern version by Via Gra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-vMxa-KvE

It means you tricked me & you let me down
 

skatinginbc

Medalist
Joined
Aug 26, 2010
I can't remember whether Judy Collins or Joan Baez used to perform "Maid of Constant Sorrow"...To me it sounds American
Thanks for pointing out that there are in fact many versions of "Sorrow". The earliest I could find and listen to is Emry Arthur's (1928)(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70uxe9FCls), which reminds me of Pretty Saro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6ArylRGWME), an English folk ballad preserved in the Appalachian Mountains. Those early versions, including Collins' and Baez's, indeed sound "American" (I mean a mixture of English, Gaelic and African influences). Strikingly, none of the early versions ends in the tonic major. The Soggy Bottom Boys' version, sung in a minor scale and ended in the tonic, is clearly a recent rearrangement. It reminds me of Pretty Polly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR6_rz1VfF8&feature=fvst), which is said to have Scottish roots.

Indeed, the music tells me it's time for the nightclub. My head bobbing, my arms waving, my hips shaking, my lips smiling...:)

I have to say I love K-Pop...
The Korean Wave is irresistible, so many good stuff in K-pop, which excels in both musical and visual entertainment. What a great list, very enjoyable. Some part of Sistar's "Alone" reminded me of Michael Jackson's music. BTW, I love Summer Breeze as well. :thumbsup:

Loituma's Ieva's Polka (Finnish)
What a cute song, tickling, making me smile. A Finnish song, eh? Not surprisingly, it starts with a downbeat--the first syllable of a word, which is always stressed.:biggrin:
 
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Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
Next on the musical world tour Scandinavia!

The region that bought you the likes of Laura Lepisto, Kiira Korpi and the Heglesson sisters also is a regaion full of beautiful music:

Jens Lekman, "The Opposite of Hallelujah" — Jens has somewhat of a melancholy voice but it's backed by major-key melodies so somehow it has a happy feel to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=x4K90J59LQ4

Also worth checking out Jens Lekman, "A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill" — Who knew a man of Nordic descent show such SOUL? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CN4fPZpV1dU

Kings of Convenience, "I Rather Dance With You" — A guy with red hair and a track suit dancing with ballerinas — the video alone is worth watching. But the song has a soft folk melody with a cool drum hook. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OczRpuGKTfY&ob=av3e

The Whitest Boy Alive, "Burning" — And the lead singer of Kings of Convenience (Eelyand Oye) goes from folk rock to a completely awesome electronic sound. Sort of reminds me of Joy Division or New Order. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAWurnyKZUM

Royksopp, "What Else Is There" — A song with a haunting dark melody and beautiful female vocals. The video is pretty cool too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADBKdSCbmiM&ob=av2e
 

Johar

Medalist
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Would you like to share some songs you love with other posters?

Let me start with mine:
1. 歡顏 "Smiling Face" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2c3fqClRYc ) (Composer: 李泰祥 Li Tai Xiang): Excerpt Lyrics: 飄落著淡淡愁, 一絲絲的回憶, 如夢如幻如真 "Drizzling faint sorrow, wisps of memory, like dreams, like fantasies, like realities"
2. 橄欖樹 "Olive Tree" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrjQmZ8t8nQ&feature=fvwrel )(Composer: 李泰祥 Li Tai Xiang): Excerpt Lyrics: "Don't ask me where I'm from. My hometown is far away. Why do I wander in a distant land? For the olive tree of my dream."
3. 走在雨中 "Walking in the rain" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUjPktylfio&feature=related )(Composer: 李泰祥 Li Tai Xiang).
4. 錯誤 "Mistake" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuEQu9QUe4o, Sorry for the poor sound quality that skips notes in many places, but that's the only link I can find)(Composer: 李泰祥 Li Tai Xiang): Excerpt Lyrics: 我達達的馬蹄是美麗的錯誤, 我不是歸人,是個過客 "The clip-clop of my horse's hooves is a beautiful mistake. I'm not a homecomer, but a transient."


Are the names in Japanese writing or is it a virus on my computer?
 

skatinginbc

Medalist
Joined
Aug 26, 2010
Are the names in Japanese writing or is it a virus on my computer?
They are Chinese characters. Do you think I should delete them so as not to confuse people? Ehh, I think I'm gonna go ahead and delete them from my original post. Now, there should be no foreign writings in my Post #1, otherwise it is virus on your computer.
 
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Johar

Medalist
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Oh, keep them. Just wanted to be sure. I've been known to get weird viruses. I had a Google virus that led me to auto ads.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Like Bulgarian songs?
Here is one I like: "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices: Who am I?" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyL8UZr-RJ4&feature=relmfu)

Care for "Chinese" music? Here are some samples of aboriginal music of Northwestern China.
1. Eastern Iranian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qULLj4KF0M8#t=49s
2. Turkic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGAdGlbFMhc

This is getting better by the post! We've just about made it around the world. I can't wait to get home and listen to the polkas, the earlier version of Maid of Constant Sorrow, the Bulgarian music, the aboriginal music of China...

Bulgarian! I was hunting for some to share, because I have Bulgarian friends. One that I can easily locate on YouTube is this song that accompanies video of the death of Leonidas from the movie The 300. I didn't see the movie, so I don't know if the song is actually in the movie, but it's riveting and heartbreaking and gorgeous, I think. My Bulgarian friend says that the particular vibrato deep in the throat is a specialty of Bulgarian women's singing. Notice that the lyrics are below the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PP-c_-lxus

(My first attempt at copying and pasting failed, and I pasted in part of an index I was working on this afternoon. Electronics are capricious.)
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
I'm busy as busy, but I can't wait to listen to all the treasures listed her.

One musical style that I haven't seen here is the singing of the Zulus:

Some of this group's songs are traditional, some are transcribed hymns. This is the group that sang with Paul Simon on the record that included The Boy in the Bubble & Graceland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLYcyUKqLck

I like them very much.

Here is part of Paul Simon's African Skies tour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC93Q75I2NY&feature=related

The Boy in the Bubble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ki3AbK8tM
 
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