Musical Meme
I got tagged for this Meme by both Elly and Brittany, on the same day, so I figured it was fate that I play along. 🙂
I love music, music is something that stirs my soul almost as much as cooking. I just cannot live without it and there are very few times that I am not listening to it. I used to listen to it when I was going to sleep too, but it makes certain people (like the hubz) unable to fall asleep. Can you believe it?!?!?! Sheesh.
But in any case, I have very eclectic taste in music. Like Brittany, I think I am going to choose 7 songs that I love for all times – the challenge is picking only 7.
I have two favorite musicians of all time – one is Dougie MacLean a Scottish Folk singer who is awesome! I have had the opportunity to actually hang out and raise a few glasses with him. When I lived in Northampton, MA he used to play a club there called The Iron Horse every year and one year I just happened to bump into him outside the club door and he asked me if I knew a good place to grab a pint. So naturally he invited me (and a few other people) to go have one with him. Every year that he came back we (and several others) would get together and have a pint after the show. He is a great guy – very smart and deep. I listened to his music for months straight when I was writing my dissertation on the forced relocation of the Navajo that I worked with closely and his music was just so inspiring. It is hard for me to pick just ONE of his songs, but here goes:
The BoatBuilders – there is no video for this song, but I will post the Lyrics:
I was there on the cold Assynt hills
I heard the hunger cry and the tyrants laughing
I heard the young men say goodbye to the place where their young dreams were grown
CHORUS
There’s a land somewhere where we can build our freedom
There’s a land somewhere where our children will grow strong
And if our lives should be spared oh we’ll need no other reason to sail on, to sail on
On I stood on the shores at St Anne
And watched them building boats to trade the oceans
And saw the preacher raise his hand saying children it’s time to move on
CHORUS
Oh I watched from the white Waipu sands
Saw them drop their sails and throw their anchors
Saw the old men shake each other’s hand saying brothers now I think we are home
CHORUS
but here is a sampling of Dougie’s music:
My other all time favorite musical act is the Scottish band Capercaille. This is a trad music band, however they do delve into some popular music tunes as well. The singer, Karen Matheson has such an amazing voice and I just love not only the beauty of the music they make, but also the beauty of the words (even if I don’t understand what they are saying in 90% of their music):
Here is Four Stone Walls:
here is another bonus that is just fun!:
As most of you know, I love bellydancing. I used to do it all the time, but I took a little break this year after the death of my teacher. After that, I just didn’t have it in me for a little while. But now I think I am ready to find a new teacher and group here in Saint Augustine. I just love the music of the Middle East and North Africa. My favorite artists from this genre are Cheb Mami and Natacha Atlas:
Cheb Mami: Des 2 Cotes – (Can’t find a video for it!) or the music….argh!
But here is another song from that album that I enjoy!
Natacha Atlas: Eye Of The Duck
and I just LOVE this video:
Next is one of my favorite bands of all times – Sky Cries Mary, they hail from Seattle and there is just something about their music that is deeply stirring to my soul: My favorite has to be:
Sister
Click here for mp3 clip
Another favorite artist of mine is Loreena McKennitt – she is Canadian and has one of the most amazing music. It transcends time and space. One of my friends describes her music as so powerful that she has the ability to sing things to life, like the ancient bards and minstrels:
All Souls Night
Then there is Zucchero. His compilation album is one of my favorites. And this song Muoio Per Te the song he does with Sting is my favorite on the whole album:
(I am not really sure what is up with this video – but it was the best I could find on youtube).
Wow, this MEME took forever to compile – I have CDs all over the place in my living room and about 50 youtube windows open. But it sure was FUN! Thanks girls for asking me to play along! Consider you, all my lovely readers tagged for this baby!!!
Teresa - July 23, 2008 at 11:26 am
Great post Jenn. I like your choice in music. Me, well, I guess I’m just old school. (with emphasis on the word “old”) Old rock is fine for me. But I do favor Santana, War, Los Lonely Boys, and Los Lobos.
Wandering Coyote - July 23, 2008 at 11:32 am
Loreena McKennit is one of my all time favourites. I always automatically buy her CDs upon release without even listening to it first, because I know it’s going to be awesome. Her latest, An Ancient Muse, is IMO, her best so far!
Cris - July 23, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Jenn… there was a time I listened to Loreena all the time and I used to say that if I had a daugther I would name her Lorena (which is ok here, with just one e) and well, that did not happen, I had 3 boys, hehehe.
Michele - July 23, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Fantastic selections! It’s so refreshing to see someone enjoy music that is outside the “norm”. My grandmother belly danced for many, many years.She said it was the best exercise and made her feel 20 years younger. I’ll take you up on your tag…but it will have to wait until I get home from work…I’m all excited to figure out my 7 songs of all time! 🙂
Ivy - July 23, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Thanks for adding all the videos. I’ve listened to all of them your choices are great. First time I heard of Zuchero and Muio per te and I loved it.
Judy - July 23, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Great choice of music Jenn! Of course I have heard of none of them so the education on them and the exposure to something new was great! I seem to have developed an aversion to music as background noise. As you well know how loud my family is you probably know how much I savor silence!!!!
Kerry Dexter - July 23, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Jenn,
Capercaille is great, really liking their latest, Roses & Tears. My top favorites include Cathie Ryan, Carrie Newcomer, and a few others I wrote about in this post a while back. Music Road: ten songs.
brittany - July 23, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Oh those are awesome picks! Thatnks for helping me find new songs!
I can’t seem to find the time to do this meme, though it sounds super fun, so i will just live vicariously through yours:)
Peter G - July 23, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Quite an eclectic mix Jenn. From Scottish to belly dancing, you’ve got all bases covered.
Bellini Valli - July 24, 2008 at 8:23 am
I just love all kinds of music:D
jen of a2eatwrite - July 24, 2008 at 10:18 am
I really, really, really (did I mention, really?) miss the Iron Horse.
Capercaille is one of my all time fave bands, with Sidewaulks being one of my favorite CDs. On my birthday, the year after we were married, we arrived in Edinburgh via car to a huge downpour. We found some parking near a huge park. There was music playing. We wandered towards the music and we both remarked how much it sounded like Capercaille. It WAS Capercaille giving a free concert! Happy Birthday to ME. 😉
Elly - July 24, 2008 at 10:56 am
Great picks, Jenn! I always love learning more about my fellow blogger and I think it’s so interesting to hear the type of music they listen to. These are some great songs.
Arlene (MOM) - July 24, 2008 at 11:15 am
That was a fun “work” break!! I thought I could play them in the background. But, no, I had to put my pencil down – too bad there are windows…. I may have danced too. 🙂
Thanks.
Mom
Kat - July 24, 2008 at 12:44 pm
wow, you do have eclectic tastes. I bet you are a fan of my old record label, Six Degrees….
Nikki - July 24, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Oh goodie, thanks Jenn. I was jealous I didn’t get tagged with this meme. I was going to do it anyway.
Emiline - July 25, 2008 at 4:39 am
You have such a cool soul. I think you’re different than any person I’ve ever met.
I like Dougie MacLean’s music. I’ve never heard of him, but I could see myself playing that in the background.
I like Loreena McKennitt too.
dhanggit - July 25, 2008 at 9:51 am
this is indeed a great alternate for your delicious recipe posts!! people who loves good food normally loves good music too!!
The Leftover Queen - July 25, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Hey Teresa! I guess that is why there are so many different types of music – for all the different types of people! 🙂
I know, that is so true about her albums Wandering Coyote! I agree – I still have to get AAM – I tried downloading it from Amazon and it didn’t happen…thanks for the reminder.
LOL! That is so funny Cris! Maybe you could get a sweet girl kitty and name her Lorena? 🙂
Yay Michelle! I can’t wait to see what you come up with! 🙂 It is true about bellydancing. One of my teachers is in her 70’s now and she is still teaching – she has rheumatoid arthritis and still can shake it!
Thanks Ivy! I know I just love that song!!! Glad you enjoyed the music!
LOL! Judy you are too funny! I am glad you enjoyed the music anyway! But for me, I don’t know how I could live without it! It helps me tune out the world sometimes.
Thanks for your comment Kerry! I also need to get their latest! Too much good music out there!!!
No problem Britt! I am so glad that you enjoyed them – and it would be so cool to hear your faves too one day when you get around to it – say in about 10 years or so! 😉
Yep, Peter G., that’s me, Ms. Eclectic….if you only knew the half of it…
Me too Val! I liked your picks too!
Me too Jen! You know the Iron Horse? Amazing – this world gets smaller every day!
You are so lucky! That sounds like the best bday present ever! I have seen them live too and they just rock!!!
Thanks Elly! I am glad you tagged me, I really enjoyed doing the meme.
YAY Mom! That is so cool! I know you can kick it with the bellydancers. Hope no one saw you – there might be questions! 🙂
Well Kat, I am not sure I know about Six Degrees, but it sounds cool! Yeah, eclectic I am.
Oh cool! I can’t wait to see what you come up with Nikki! 🙂
Wow, Emiline, thank you so much. That may be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said – from one old soul to another. Dougie is the bomb! I love him.
Thanks dhanggit! I am glad you liked it – I had a great time pulling up all these songs!
Sylvia - July 25, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Nice selection Jenn, I love Zucchero tooIn fact I love all kind If had quality I like
Foodycat - July 27, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I did not know you were a bellydancer too! I guess bellydancing is so much more compatible with loving food than ballet is… What style do you do?
The Leftover Queen - July 28, 2008 at 11:24 am
Thanks Sylvia! Isn’t zucchero great?!
Yeah, Foodycat, I am a bellydancer although I haven’t been doing it since January. But it is one of the ways that makes me really grounded and focused. All of my teachers taught Egyptian, and I have also learned a bit of Turkish – which I just find so fun and freeing.
Foodycat - July 30, 2008 at 7:34 am
Totally agree about the focus! I love the feeling of getting centred at the end of a long cruddy day. I’ve done Egyptian/Turkish cabaret stuff mostly, but I am starting ATS classes next week.
Brittany - August 3, 2008 at 2:41 am
Awesome Jenn! I knew you would have some cool picks!