Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Led Zeppelin 1973 (Top RnR moment)
For my five-minute presentation to the class on a moment that changed music history, I chose to elaborate on Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour of America. It was their 9th tour of North America, for this edgy English band. It started in Atlanta Georgia on May 4th shortly after the release of Led Zeppelin’s fifth album, “Houses of the Holy” which toped the charts. They continued to repeatedly sell out venues at stadium after stadium across America until they were practically dead from exhaustion. On May 5th at Tampa Stadium, Florida, Zeppelin played in front of 56,800 fans, which broke the record set by The Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1965. In total this tour grossed 4,000,000 dollars. Lead guitarist, Page, later commented on their mental state during the tour saying, “when I came back from the last tour I didn't know where I was. I didn't even know where I was going. We ended up in New York and the only thing that I could relate to was the instrument onstage. I just couldn't....I was just totally and completely spaced out.”
Muse event #2 Flogging Molly Concert
A month after this semester started at San Jose State, I attended a concert at the event center. The band was called Flogging Molly which is an alternative Irish rock band. Flogging Molly has been one of my favorite bands growing up and I have held it close to my heart ever since. I was incredibly excited when I learned that they were playing at San Jose State, and I was immediately filled with anticipation. Upon hearing I instantaneously purchased a ticket. The concert was one of the most fun experiences I have ever been a part of. From Irish jig mosh pits to people linking arms, it was truly one hell of a party. Before the concert I was able to get the autographs of every band member on a poster of the band. I have it hanging up in my room now. I remember the moment when the lead singer, David King, looked into my eyes, shook my hand and said, “Thanks Brother,” after I said how much I loved the band. It was one of the best concert experiences of my life.
Scholarly Journal Review
In the opinion of David Henderson, Jimi Hendrix’s music is a direct portrayal of his incredible musical “gifts”. In the scholarly journal, “Jimi Hendrix Deep Within The Blues and Alive Onstage at Woodstock--25 Years After Death”, the journalist, David Henderson, talks of the glories and mysteries of the exalted Jimi Hendrix. At one point he describes Hendrix’s music as the prototype of former greats such as Bo Diddley and Elmore James. Henderson has seen it all. He lived through Woodstock and even saw Jimi “go head to head with Sly Stone, who was then at his height, at the Fillmore East.” Apparently this mind-blowing performance changed his critiquing style forever labeling Hendrix as the model of greatness in music.
Later on in the article, it talks of Hendrix’s mysterious death. The inquest that followed came to the “open verdict” that they could not say how he really died. Evidently, there were people who were not listened to at the inquest. The ambulance drivers who arrived on the sight found nothing but a dead body upon entering Samarkand hotel. There he laid a mere shadow of his former glory with “a wine-soaked towel around his neck.” The inquest was not allowed to be reopened upon the finding of this new information. There have been multiple other theories about his unfortunate death. Though it looked like he overdosed, many believe that he was murdered, perhaps in a racist anti black protest. He ended his journal by quoting the words of Hendrix himself after Woodstock, “Music is magic . . . magic is life . . . Love as never Loved Before . . . Harmony to Son and Daughter . . . man and wife.”
Later on in the article, it talks of Hendrix’s mysterious death. The inquest that followed came to the “open verdict” that they could not say how he really died. Evidently, there were people who were not listened to at the inquest. The ambulance drivers who arrived on the sight found nothing but a dead body upon entering Samarkand hotel. There he laid a mere shadow of his former glory with “a wine-soaked towel around his neck.” The inquest was not allowed to be reopened upon the finding of this new information. There have been multiple other theories about his unfortunate death. Though it looked like he overdosed, many believe that he was murdered, perhaps in a racist anti black protest. He ended his journal by quoting the words of Hendrix himself after Woodstock, “Music is magic . . . magic is life . . . Love as never Loved Before . . . Harmony to Son and Daughter . . . man and wife.”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Final Essay
The Clash of two Beautiful compositions
It was once said that, “Music is what feelings sound like.” Every moment of anger, every moment of love, every moment of complete melancholy can be expressed through music. Without music, the world would be plagued by monotony and would diminish the individual’s capability to use it as an emotional and physical projection. Though music is ideal in expression, there are different kinds of music and covers of different songs. We are left to choose which ones we like the best, sometimes choosing the greater of two masterpieces.
The song “Such great heights” was originally composed by the band called the postal service. With Ben Gibbard, of Death Cab For Cutie, leading vocals and Jimmy Tamborello as producer, the song has a high tempo and lyrics that could practically be found in a poetry book. The first time I heard this song, I fell in love with it. However, it wasn’t until later that I would hear the version of this song that would transcend much of the music that I had ever heard up to this point.
The man goes by the name “Iron and Wine”, and his version of “Such great heights” exceeds the original in many ways. His real name is Samuel Beam and through his vocals and guitar performance, he sets the audience into a binding trance. Instead of having a high tempo for the song, he slows it down using guitar plucking to set the mood of the song. His soft voice sooths the ears and fills one with a sense of happiness along with a wave of sadness that the listener just cannot shake.
The lyrical progression in this song is superior to many of the songs found in the world today. The shallowness of much of the music over the years makes it hard to take a lot of songs seriously. However, then come along songs like “Such great heights”, which is filled with imagery and metaphors that make it such a great composition. It starts of by saying, “I am thinking it's a sign, that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned.” I have thought a great deal about this specific lyric. It seems that if one truly finds his true love, its possible that the two will fit together as one, just as “corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces from the clay.” It is possible for one to lose this bond and have it slip away forever. Individuals over think circumstances and don’t realize that they actually have their love right under their nose.
Even though I prefer the “Iron and Wine” version of this song, the majority of the world prefers the version by Ben Gibbard. This is probably due to the fact that the Postal service version was the original and it came out first. I have heard both songs many times and, as I said before, I have a deep admiration for the Samuel Beam version. With the help of his airy guitar and quietly powerful voice, Samuel Beam turned a great song into an extraordinary one.
It was once said that, “Music is what feelings sound like.” Every moment of anger, every moment of love, every moment of complete melancholy can be expressed through music. Without music, the world would be plagued by monotony and would diminish the individual’s capability to use it as an emotional and physical projection. Though music is ideal in expression, there are different kinds of music and covers of different songs. We are left to choose which ones we like the best, sometimes choosing the greater of two masterpieces.
The song “Such great heights” was originally composed by the band called the postal service. With Ben Gibbard, of Death Cab For Cutie, leading vocals and Jimmy Tamborello as producer, the song has a high tempo and lyrics that could practically be found in a poetry book. The first time I heard this song, I fell in love with it. However, it wasn’t until later that I would hear the version of this song that would transcend much of the music that I had ever heard up to this point.
The man goes by the name “Iron and Wine”, and his version of “Such great heights” exceeds the original in many ways. His real name is Samuel Beam and through his vocals and guitar performance, he sets the audience into a binding trance. Instead of having a high tempo for the song, he slows it down using guitar plucking to set the mood of the song. His soft voice sooths the ears and fills one with a sense of happiness along with a wave of sadness that the listener just cannot shake.
The lyrical progression in this song is superior to many of the songs found in the world today. The shallowness of much of the music over the years makes it hard to take a lot of songs seriously. However, then come along songs like “Such great heights”, which is filled with imagery and metaphors that make it such a great composition. It starts of by saying, “I am thinking it's a sign, that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned.” I have thought a great deal about this specific lyric. It seems that if one truly finds his true love, its possible that the two will fit together as one, just as “corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces from the clay.” It is possible for one to lose this bond and have it slip away forever. Individuals over think circumstances and don’t realize that they actually have their love right under their nose.
Even though I prefer the “Iron and Wine” version of this song, the majority of the world prefers the version by Ben Gibbard. This is probably due to the fact that the Postal service version was the original and it came out first. I have heard both songs many times and, as I said before, I have a deep admiration for the Samuel Beam version. With the help of his airy guitar and quietly powerful voice, Samuel Beam turned a great song into an extraordinary one.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Workshop # 2
A couple weeks ago I attended a muse workshop that focused on Conflict free living. They started out the seminar by explaining what conflict is. They said that conflict is an expressed struggle between at least two parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from others to achieve their goals. They later went on to describe the types of conflict. If broken down to the bare gears, conflict can be devised into four sections. First is the avoidance style. It takes place when the person in conflict is not willing to resolve the problem. The second is the accommodating style. This is when the person in target sends ambiguous and indirect messages. Third is engagement style. In this, there are intense verbal and non-verbal expressions and a willingness to engage in resolving the conflict. Lastly, and perhaps the best course of action, is the discussion style. The conflict is resolved by being verbally direct, and if the other person is comfortable with expressing disagreement.
She rapped up the workshop by using the acronym SUR. This stands for stop, understand and respond. In order to resolve a conflict, one must decide to remain in control, take time to understand the other person and decide how to respond. It is in one’s best interest to remain calm and then respond accordingly.
She rapped up the workshop by using the acronym SUR. This stands for stop, understand and respond. In order to resolve a conflict, one must decide to remain in control, take time to understand the other person and decide how to respond. It is in one’s best interest to remain calm and then respond accordingly.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
workshop # 3
Recently I attended a workshop on how to make an effective and efficient résumé. They started of the seminar by saying that “A résumé is like a good ad”, it will get the readers attention by showing logic, credibility, and instilling an emotional response. A good example should have a clear focus and have a crisp, clean layout. The resume should be interesting and engage the reader. Whilst creating a résumé, one should reflect on one’s personal, unique talents that set them apart from the norm. The result of one’s work will create a first impression that is imperative to attaining the job.
After understanding the basic facts, one must take inventory. Making a list of one’s skills is key in the development. Also, educational degrees and achievements along with work experience and personal abilities will make a difference if stated in the text. Another vital part to creating an effective résumé is to research the job itself that one is trying to procure. What is the employer’s shopping list? What skills are they seeking? What are they talking about, what do they value? Lastly it is important to talk to people who work in or attend the same type of program, this will give one an insightful angle on the job in target.
After understanding the basic facts, one must take inventory. Making a list of one’s skills is key in the development. Also, educational degrees and achievements along with work experience and personal abilities will make a difference if stated in the text. Another vital part to creating an effective résumé is to research the job itself that one is trying to procure. What is the employer’s shopping list? What skills are they seeking? What are they talking about, what do they value? Lastly it is important to talk to people who work in or attend the same type of program, this will give one an insightful angle on the job in target.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Bucket list
When I was ten years old I watched my dad sitting in his big leather chair talking of the future. I sat there, a young observant child listening to him talk of the glory days that were to come that would line our lives with ease. As he went on, he finally said, “You know what Raph? I’m going be retired by the time I’m fifty. That’s a good goal isn’t it?” I sat there dreaming of a time when my life wouldn’t be ruled by money any more, and I was filled with anticipation.
At that time my family and I lived in Aptos. We had 27 acres with an apple orchard and 2 horses. We also had 11 cats to keep the ground squirrel population under control. This was truly a child’s playground. I had everything I could have wanted, but still I felt ultimately alone. You see, I was home-schooled as a child. This also would seem like a child’s dream, “being able to live on a huge plot of land, never have to leave, and have two beautiful horses always there for you.” I loved Tobey and Pharaoh, but they were not enough.
I had no friends growing up other than my siblings. I had them to hang out with until the age barrier separated us. My brother was the first to go, he would lock himself in his computer room and work on rebuilding his PCs, a hobby of his. My sisters were next, they were absorbed into fashion and things that had to do with real woman once they hit puberty. Mindless playing on the fields wasn’t their game any more. I was left completely and utterly alone. I did the best I could playing games with myself. One of favorites was to hit the giant Castro beans with my baseball bat. These plants would grow as tall as six feet and made perfect opponents for my lonesome self. I would pretend that they were orcs and I would slay each one of them. However they never kept me occupied long enough.
I would always find myself under the weeping willow tree in the middle of the field. Here I would sit, doing nothing, and would eventually cry myself to sleep. I never knew why I was always so sad, I thought it was something I just had to deal with. This lasted for a long time. I would throw up for no reason, my parents thought I was sick and thus took me to the doctor. The doctor found nothing wrong with me. They eventually realized what was wrong. I was suffering from depression. I kept throwing up every day for a while, but finally they found what I needed, friends. They enrolled me in Saint Nicholas elementary school when I was 12 and I the depression never amplified itself to what it once was.
Life never truly repaired itself. My dad is now 56 and over a million dollars in debt. I hope that in the future I will have the time for my children, and I will be able to retire by the time I’m fifty. However, what I’ve learned over the years is that, no matter how terrible one’s life can get, if this person finds true friends, he or she will not need a bucket list, all one needs is ones friends, and then work enough to live comfortably.
At that time my family and I lived in Aptos. We had 27 acres with an apple orchard and 2 horses. We also had 11 cats to keep the ground squirrel population under control. This was truly a child’s playground. I had everything I could have wanted, but still I felt ultimately alone. You see, I was home-schooled as a child. This also would seem like a child’s dream, “being able to live on a huge plot of land, never have to leave, and have two beautiful horses always there for you.” I loved Tobey and Pharaoh, but they were not enough.
I had no friends growing up other than my siblings. I had them to hang out with until the age barrier separated us. My brother was the first to go, he would lock himself in his computer room and work on rebuilding his PCs, a hobby of his. My sisters were next, they were absorbed into fashion and things that had to do with real woman once they hit puberty. Mindless playing on the fields wasn’t their game any more. I was left completely and utterly alone. I did the best I could playing games with myself. One of favorites was to hit the giant Castro beans with my baseball bat. These plants would grow as tall as six feet and made perfect opponents for my lonesome self. I would pretend that they were orcs and I would slay each one of them. However they never kept me occupied long enough.
I would always find myself under the weeping willow tree in the middle of the field. Here I would sit, doing nothing, and would eventually cry myself to sleep. I never knew why I was always so sad, I thought it was something I just had to deal with. This lasted for a long time. I would throw up for no reason, my parents thought I was sick and thus took me to the doctor. The doctor found nothing wrong with me. They eventually realized what was wrong. I was suffering from depression. I kept throwing up every day for a while, but finally they found what I needed, friends. They enrolled me in Saint Nicholas elementary school when I was 12 and I the depression never amplified itself to what it once was.
Life never truly repaired itself. My dad is now 56 and over a million dollars in debt. I hope that in the future I will have the time for my children, and I will be able to retire by the time I’m fifty. However, what I’ve learned over the years is that, no matter how terrible one’s life can get, if this person finds true friends, he or she will not need a bucket list, all one needs is ones friends, and then work enough to live comfortably.
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