Dot Dot Dot

I’m finally happy. I’m legitimately happy with my life. I know my life isn’t perfect, and I know I’m not perfect, but I’m perfectly okay with that realization…

That football game was horrible. 52-0?!?!? Could that be any more devastating? Pitiful…

Jazz music is way more modern than people think it is….

What is dot dot dot? I think it’s just a cool way of kind of ending a conversation. It seems like wherever there’s a dot dot dot, there should be a long pause, and someone should just say, “so, yeah”…

If only our school had a marching band; just a small one, just for kicks….

I like him… and? What now? I don’t know exactly what to do, because he won’t get out of my head. He’s not gorgeous, and I’m too shy to just talk to him, but I can’t just let him hypnotize me. I’m falling in like with him, and I barely even know him! I’m going crazy over this guy…

She lied to me in a text message! How pathetically blunt…

Biggest turn-off? Uncontrollable flatulence…

I love the timpani. If I could do something for one day, I would just play the timpani to my favorite songs. It’s such an amazingly loud, underrated, and amazing instrument.

It’s hard out here for an insomniac….

Are we the same person?!?!? It seems like it…

Coldplay has the coolest percussive instruments in “Viva La Vida.” They have a bell, they have the timpani, they have it all…

I haven’t made any posts today… I bet this will be my worst day in a while… 450 views?!?! I love the internet…

I don’t think anyone really LOVES Rihanna’s music. I mean, yeah, there are those few that always get stuck in your head when they’re popular, but once you really listen to them, they all blend together like too many colors and too much water on a canvas.Eventually, at the end of the day, it’s all just pop music…

How much can one, single human being love Matt Nathanson? I’m just wondering…

I won’t call them copycats; they’re just inspired….

The woman looked at me today, as though she thought I was going to steal something. I mean, I’m black, but come on people. Try harder to hide your racist fears….

Gavin DeGraw’s songs get more annoying the more you listen to them….

Maroon 5’s new video is only so-so… Kind of disappointing….

I need to stop obsessing about this guy… We all know I’m saving myself for another band geek! I’m soooo peculiar….

I love my lovelies!

LISTEN TO THIS: CALCAGNO007:: Stevie Wonder

It’s undeniable that oldies are quickly becoming extinct in our world of Retro-Pop and Alterna-Rock. It’s a sad thing. The timeless melodies of the past are becoming unenjoyable, unexciting, and unneccesary to today’s Miley-Jonas-etc. crew. Coincedentally, it’s becoming more important that parents expose their children to some of the best artists there are from the past. Case in point, Stevie Wonder. For those of you who don’t know who Stevie Wonder is, I urge you to download allof his songs as quickly as possible. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest musicians of all time. Being a blind man, Stevie’s music began an era of joy and hope during the seventies, becoming one of music’s most revolutionary artists. Needless to say, Stevie’s music is enjoyable for any generation, and, quite frankly, is timeless. Calcagno007 has been one of my best friends since the 4th grade. He’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, loves traveling, music, and running long-distance, a feat I will never be able to attain.

Epiphany: Favorite Ten

Okay, so I just realized that now, to tell people where I’m coming from, I need to make a ten best songs list. But, this will just be a ten favorites list.

“Sweetest Goodbye” Maroon 5- The first time I listened to this song, I fell in love with Maroon 5. This song can be interpreted in many different ways, and is, debatably, my favorite Maroon 5 song because of it’s astounding vocals and melodies.

“9 Crimes” Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan- This song is so raw and has so much emotion put into it by both artists, it’s such a pleasure to listen to.

“Sleeping to Dream” Jason Mraz- This was so hard to choose, because anything he records live is absolutely amazing. I encourage everyone to buy all of his albums, but especially Selections for Friends, because it’s absolutely amazing. This lullaby radiates passion and relaxation, and can be listened to over and over without becoming annoying, which is always a test of greatness for any song.

“Get a move on” Mr. Scruff- Amazing horns and overall peppy melody. A pleasure to hear. The beat is amazing for a jazz song, and I’m inclined to say that this song is recognizable from the Amanda Bynes movie, What A Girl Wants.

“I Don’t Love You” My Chemical Romance- A lot of rock groups have trouble with love songs, but this song shows the range of My Chemical Romance, and shows that they’re more than an almost-emo rock band. I love this song because it’s vocals are amazing, and the guitar riffs are also breath-taking.

“Heard ‘em Say” Kanye West feat. Adam Levine (Maroon 5)- This song didn’t get as famous as it should’ve, but it’s an amazing song. First of all, I appreciate the amazing raw piano in this song. Kudos to that. Second of all, Adam Levine wrote the chorus of this song, then made “Nothing Lasts Forever” with the same chorus. He didn’t steal it. That has needed clarification time and time again. Nonetheless, it’s an awesome chorus! This song has a real message, an amazing melody, and is definitely a big favorite of mine.

“Somewhere Over The Rainbow (cover)” Eva Cassidy- This song is a favorite because it has an emotional attachment to me. One of my favorite memories is of me, my dad, and my sister driving home and listening to this album, and this song would come on. My dad loved this song so much, and he told us what a great song it was. With time, I came to love this song, because it keeps the memories of my dad from fading away. Eva Cassidy’s cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is simply golden because of how natural her voice is and how her melodies are almost tranquilizing.

“Unforgettable” Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole- I grew up listening to Natalie Cole, and her voice is amazing. I have loved this song for a very long time, and I think that everyone should just take the time to listen to Natalie for a while, because her songs are all stunning.

“Ch-Ch-Check It Out” The Beastie Boys- YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE BEASTIE BOYS SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW. GO AHEAD. CHECK IT. IF YOU DON’T, DON’T TALK TO ME UNTIL YOU GET ONE.

“If I Fell” The Beatles- I’m sorry, but this is my favorite Beatles song. I know it’s a bit of a stretch, since it’s a love song, but I can’t help it. I just love this song. Deal with it.

There it goes. This topic will probably be returning because I have so many favorites, it’s so hard to name only ten.

Comic Relief

So, this blog has gotten just about two times as many views as my youtube page, which is really awesometabulous. Recently, on one of many 5 awesome channels, there was a contest 4 worst songs ever. I LOVED THIS. HERE’S MY LIST.

“Beat It” Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer- I’m sorry, but it’s just wrong. The only reason they made this song was because they were too lazy to write lyrics themselves, and so they phoned a great guitarist (J. Mayer), and just did a Michael-Jackson-Already-perfected cover. There are only three reasons people listen to FOB: their melodies, Pete Wentz, and their preppy popularity. THAT’S IT! However, John Mayer was great.

“Before He Cheats” Carrie Underwood- I think this song became so popular, so fast, that people didn’t actually realize how crazy the song is. It’s COOCOOBANANAS!!! If a guy released this song, not only would he be in jail, but he’d also never get a date again (sorry, Joe!)

“Ticks” Brad Paisley- EWW. EWW. EWW. Does he think that’s attractive? I’d like to hear some girl say, “I’d like you to check me for ticks!” Totally repulsive. 

“Fergalicious” Fergie- WHAT IS THE POINT, FERGIE? Okay, I am a Fergie-hater, but with good reason- she’s crazy inappropriate, and isn’t really setting a great example for the kids (unlike Trick Daddy.) Um, Fergie, talk about vanity.

“See You Again” Miley Cyrus- First of all, I’m tired of Disney’s blatant child exploitation. Second of all, this song is not only a rip-off of “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart, but it’s also pretty immature, along with all other “Miley-Cyrus-Hannah-Montana-any-other-personalities-no-one-even-knows-about” songs. I’m tired of it. I’ll give the 10 and under, no musical perspective population a break, but if you’re older, listen to a little bit of jazz or something. Just, really, America. Get it together.

Whoop, there it is. 

LISTEN TO THIS: Duffy

Duffy is a U.K. artist, though comparable to Amy Winehouse (minus the drugs, alcohol, and bad boyfriend, with 5 times the soul), has a voice that will blow you away. Her newest hit, “Mercy”, has managed to reach the #1 spot in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ireland, The Netherlands, and on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles chart! A modern VH1 “You Oughta Know” artist, Duffy has a voice that will take you back in time, and has a quirky disposition as an artist.

LISTEN TO THIS: Madeline Peyroux

Madeline Peyroux is a French-American Jazz artist, who continuously puts imagination and soul into her music. Her songs can be recognised from past Old Navy commercials and by avid listeners of A Prarie Home Companion. The 22-year-old artist has a soft voice, comprable to that of Billie Holiday’s. Her latest album, Half the Perfect World, includes sublime tracks that will undoubtedly sweeten your soul.

LISTEN TO THIS: Aaron Diehl

In keeping with my whole “jazz-fanatic” vibe, I have to advert my favorite jazz musician, Aaron Diehl. When I was little, my mom worked at a funeral home, and my baby sitter lived right down the street. Accordingly, I would randomly be in the funeral home with my mom, for whatever reason. Aaron was usually there since his dad owned the funeral home, and he could be found playing the piano in his spare time. Even as a student at St. Charles, he was an amazing pianist. Since then, Aaron, a Juilliard alum and Wynton Marsalis discovery, is a professional jazz pianist, and inspired me to listen to Jazz through my heart. He is a truly breathtaking pianist, with perfect dynamics, and is the current musical director of St. Joseph of the Holy Family Church in Central Harlem. Listen to him!

Normal Concerts vs Jazz Concerts

My Pick: Jazz concerts. Now, before you go stoning my house, I have a bit of explaining to do. The thing is, growing up, I listened to more smooth jazz than anything else, which is part of the reason why I listen to a large variety of music. Though there is absolutely no way to talk about Jazz without seeming pretentious, Jazz music is one of the best genres of music, because it provokes so much imagination. With normal concerts, you’ll listen to the songs over and over, buy tickets, hear the same songs you’ve listened to billions of times, preformed live, and either be totally shocked by how great the band is live, or be disappointed by how bad they are live. Either that, or someone tries to drag you to this concert you really don’t want to go to, get there, and sulk the whole time because of all of the sweat and loudness, then go home tired and stinky. Usually, jazz concerts are either really expensive or really free. My favorite jazz concerts are in the summertime, when they have the free gatherings at the park. The music is all great, and it doesn’t matter if you’re by yourself, or with a group; the music is 99% of the times perfect. Jazz concerts win by a landslide, but don’t stop going to regular concerts! All concerts are great!!!