It has long been said that "music calms the savage beast."
And it has definitely helped me to relax on more than one occasion.
But does music really have healing properties?
For many, there's not any question.
The field of music therapy has been around for over 60 years, but it has gained more popularity in the last 10 years.
Whether it is for chronic illness, such as Alzheimer's or autism, or recovery from a stroke, or times of acute stress, music therapy is an effective balm for many afflictions.
Most music therapists are primarily active in hospitals, nursing homes, special needs classrooms, and rehab centers.
"Music might provide an alternative entry point to the brain, because it can unlock so many different doors into an injured or ill brain," said Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, a Harvard University neurologist.
Steven Halpern has been a proponent of theories which emphasize the healing properties of music.
In fact, he has released over 50 albums since 1975.
This is from his 2003 recording, "Music For Healing Mind, Body, & Spirit".
Sit back, relax, and be healthy.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Artur Rubinstein-Chopin-Nocturnes, Op. 27, No. 2 in D Flat
I love hearing stories of child prodigies.
And Artur Rubinstein was just that.
Rubinstein was born in Poland in 1887, the youngest of eight kids to a well-to-do Polish-Jewish family.
It has been said that at the age of two, he became fascinated with the piano while watching his elder sister's piano lessons.
He also demonstrated perfect pitch at age 2.
Really?
At the age of four, the great Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, heard him play and began mentoring him.
At the age of 10, he moved to Berlin to continue his studies, and at 13 he made his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic.
He then began studying with Karl Heinrich Barth, an associate of Brahms (think the lullaby dude).
So get this.
Barth was a pupil of a guy named Franz Liszt.
Liszt studied under Carl Czerny.
And Carl Czerny had been taught by none other than Beethoven.
Not a bad lineage.
But this Rubinstein was a player in every sense of the word.
He once stated: "It is said of me that when I was young I divided my time impartially among wine, women and song. I deny this categorically. Ninety percent of my interests were women."
Nonetheless, he continued performing up until the age of 89 when his eyesight got the best of him.
He died in 1982 at the age of 95.
Watch him play.
Not a single piece of sheet music.
Effortless. Incredible. Beautiful.
And Artur Rubinstein was just that.
Rubinstein was born in Poland in 1887, the youngest of eight kids to a well-to-do Polish-Jewish family.
It has been said that at the age of two, he became fascinated with the piano while watching his elder sister's piano lessons.
He also demonstrated perfect pitch at age 2.
Really?
At the age of four, the great Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, heard him play and began mentoring him.
At the age of 10, he moved to Berlin to continue his studies, and at 13 he made his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic.
He then began studying with Karl Heinrich Barth, an associate of Brahms (think the lullaby dude).
So get this.
Barth was a pupil of a guy named Franz Liszt.
Liszt studied under Carl Czerny.
And Carl Czerny had been taught by none other than Beethoven.
Not a bad lineage.
But this Rubinstein was a player in every sense of the word.
He once stated: "It is said of me that when I was young I divided my time impartially among wine, women and song. I deny this categorically. Ninety percent of my interests were women."
Nonetheless, he continued performing up until the age of 89 when his eyesight got the best of him.
He died in 1982 at the age of 95.
Watch him play.
Not a single piece of sheet music.
Effortless. Incredible. Beautiful.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Trono de Mexico-Te Recordare'
I used to wonder why many people from Mexico enjoy wearing cowboy hats and boots.
Then it dawned on me.
Duh!!!
They come from some of the original "cowboy" land.
So they should be able to get away with it more than the average Joe.
I'm still not so sure about these suits, though.
I guess if it worked for Liberace.
Wait...did it work for Liberace?
By the way, I hear they are making a movie on the life of Liberace.
I think I just set the world record for having the most Liberaces in one blog post.
Back to our friends from Durango.
The lead singer actually wears a sweater and some jeans in a couple of scenes in this video.
My Spanish isn't great but I think she's telling him, "I liked you better in that suit."
Some chicas, ya know?
So superficial.
I guess she gets to him, cause he's back in cowboy gear by the end of the video.
You wuss.
Then it dawned on me.
Duh!!!
They come from some of the original "cowboy" land.
So they should be able to get away with it more than the average Joe.
I'm still not so sure about these suits, though.
I guess if it worked for Liberace.
Wait...did it work for Liberace?
By the way, I hear they are making a movie on the life of Liberace.
I think I just set the world record for having the most Liberaces in one blog post.
Back to our friends from Durango.
The lead singer actually wears a sweater and some jeans in a couple of scenes in this video.
My Spanish isn't great but I think she's telling him, "I liked you better in that suit."
Some chicas, ya know?
So superficial.
I guess she gets to him, cause he's back in cowboy gear by the end of the video.
You wuss.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Zero 7- In The Waiting Line
Wifey and I teach kindergarten Sunday School.
I've been doing it for five years now. Wifey joined me last year.
Thank God she did.
She totally balances me and helps me to realize and appreciate the simple things in life, oh such as, you will probably go to jail if you spank that child.
Apparently, a demonstration on stoning is not on our curriculum.
I'm way kidding...for the most part.
There is usually only one or two kids a year that you spend the entire hour and a half calling their name.
Two weeks ago, I was trying to get this one kid's attention, and so I called his name five times. This little dude was straight ignoring me.
So, I got everyone's attention.
"I'm going to give you all a life lesson. If someone calls your name, turn around and see where the voice is. They may be trying to tell you that there is a giant boulder about to fall on your head."
Of course, now all of the kids are looking up at the ceiling, and John the Baptist has no chance.
Anyway, once a month, our church puts on Kidzplace during Sunday School.
This is where grades K-4 gather together in one place, and some of the older elementary school kids and some of the middle school kids , teach a lesson through a skit, song and dance.
This month's virtue was "patience".
In the beginning, someone noted that patience is harder for adults than it is for kids.
I think they're on to something.
Whether it's trying to lose weight, pay off debts, or wait for vacation, it just never seems to happen fast enough.
But patience is a discipline that leads to victory. Get-rich-quick doesn't work. Body re-shaping doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey.
But it's a journey that is worth the effort...and the patience.
Here's something to listen to to help pass the time.
I've been doing it for five years now. Wifey joined me last year.
Thank God she did.
She totally balances me and helps me to realize and appreciate the simple things in life, oh such as, you will probably go to jail if you spank that child.
Apparently, a demonstration on stoning is not on our curriculum.
I'm way kidding...for the most part.
There is usually only one or two kids a year that you spend the entire hour and a half calling their name.
Two weeks ago, I was trying to get this one kid's attention, and so I called his name five times. This little dude was straight ignoring me.
So, I got everyone's attention.
"I'm going to give you all a life lesson. If someone calls your name, turn around and see where the voice is. They may be trying to tell you that there is a giant boulder about to fall on your head."
Of course, now all of the kids are looking up at the ceiling, and John the Baptist has no chance.
Anyway, once a month, our church puts on Kidzplace during Sunday School.
This is where grades K-4 gather together in one place, and some of the older elementary school kids and some of the middle school kids , teach a lesson through a skit, song and dance.
This month's virtue was "patience".
In the beginning, someone noted that patience is harder for adults than it is for kids.
I think they're on to something.
Whether it's trying to lose weight, pay off debts, or wait for vacation, it just never seems to happen fast enough.
But patience is a discipline that leads to victory. Get-rich-quick doesn't work. Body re-shaping doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey.
But it's a journey that is worth the effort...and the patience.
Here's something to listen to to help pass the time.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tennessee Ernie Ford- How Great Thou Art
Oh Lord.
My God.
When i in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
i see the stars.
i hear the rolling thunder.
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God, to Thee.
"How great Thou art!"
My God.
When i in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
i see the stars.
i hear the rolling thunder.
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God, to Thee.
"How great Thou art!"
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Avenged Sevenfold-Unholy Confessions
I mentioned on my last post that many times these days, I find the sacred amidst the secular.
Here's a good example...from an unlikely place.
The realm of death metal.
The band "Avenged Sevenfold" is not a Christian band. I'm sorry...the bio says that they're not "religious", so maybe there's hope, right?
Anyway...on to the story.
The name, "Avenged Sevenfold", does have Biblical roots.
In the Genesis 4 account of Cain and Abel, we have two brothers, children of Adam and Eve, bringing an offering to God.
One brother, Abel, has his offering accepted and God is pleased.
The other brother, Cain, had his offering "disrespected" by God.
We are not given a particular reason for this.
But based on character, we can suppose that it was probably in the attitude that it was brought.
At any rate, Cain gets jealous, lures his brother out in the field, and kills him.
This is the first murder in history, and it was performed by his own brother.
We shouldn't be surprised, therefore, when we hear that a gunmen has slain innocent people.
Cain lost the war against his flesh, and the enemy had him.
God curses Cain and makes him a fugitive of the land.
He complains to God that being a vagabond will make him an open target for someone.
Gen 4:15 "And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, he will be avenged sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him."
And there you have it.
Here's a good example...from an unlikely place.
The realm of death metal.
The band "Avenged Sevenfold" is not a Christian band. I'm sorry...the bio says that they're not "religious", so maybe there's hope, right?
Anyway...on to the story.
The name, "Avenged Sevenfold", does have Biblical roots.
In the Genesis 4 account of Cain and Abel, we have two brothers, children of Adam and Eve, bringing an offering to God.
One brother, Abel, has his offering accepted and God is pleased.
The other brother, Cain, had his offering "disrespected" by God.
We are not given a particular reason for this.
But based on character, we can suppose that it was probably in the attitude that it was brought.
At any rate, Cain gets jealous, lures his brother out in the field, and kills him.
This is the first murder in history, and it was performed by his own brother.
We shouldn't be surprised, therefore, when we hear that a gunmen has slain innocent people.
Cain lost the war against his flesh, and the enemy had him.
God curses Cain and makes him a fugitive of the land.
He complains to God that being a vagabond will make him an open target for someone.
Gen 4:15 "And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, he will be avenged sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him."
And there you have it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Lecrae-Overdose
I grew up on rap music.
I remember the first time that I heard Run-DMC's first album.
I hadn't heard anything like it before.
You can ask anybody that I went to high school or hung out with then, I knew of just about everybody that was in the rap game at that time.
And that was all I listened to.
The madre and padre listened to country (which I used to call "anti-music" but lately have begun to appreciate much of the genre).
But after I gave my life back to Christ in the early 90's, I went through a period of time where I only listened to Christian music.
I feel like I needed some time to simply focus on Him...to recenter.
During that time I also abstained from any alcoholic beverages and R-rated movies. It was a healing process.
This took about 10 years.
So one day at Lifeway, after purchasing a book or CD or something, they gave me a compilation CD for free.
There was an artist named T-Bone with a song on it called "Psychowestcoastridermuzic".
Gospel rap.
I never knew such a thing existed.
Over the next few years, artists like T-Bone, Ill Harmonics, KJ-52, Pigeon John, and John Reuben gave me what I needed for my hip-hop fix.
Obviously, since then, I have lifted my ban.
I feel like I am in a stronger place of self-control and have realized that evidences of the sacred can be found many times in the "secular".
I still love me some Christian hip-hop, though.
And Lecrae's latest release, "Rehab:The Overdose" does not disappoint.
I remember the first time that I heard Run-DMC's first album.
I hadn't heard anything like it before.
You can ask anybody that I went to high school or hung out with then, I knew of just about everybody that was in the rap game at that time.
And that was all I listened to.
The madre and padre listened to country (which I used to call "anti-music" but lately have begun to appreciate much of the genre).
But after I gave my life back to Christ in the early 90's, I went through a period of time where I only listened to Christian music.
I feel like I needed some time to simply focus on Him...to recenter.
During that time I also abstained from any alcoholic beverages and R-rated movies. It was a healing process.
This took about 10 years.
So one day at Lifeway, after purchasing a book or CD or something, they gave me a compilation CD for free.
There was an artist named T-Bone with a song on it called "Psychowestcoastridermuzic".
Gospel rap.
I never knew such a thing existed.
Over the next few years, artists like T-Bone, Ill Harmonics, KJ-52, Pigeon John, and John Reuben gave me what I needed for my hip-hop fix.
Obviously, since then, I have lifted my ban.
I feel like I am in a stronger place of self-control and have realized that evidences of the sacred can be found many times in the "secular".
I still love me some Christian hip-hop, though.
And Lecrae's latest release, "Rehab:The Overdose" does not disappoint.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs- Beg Steal or Borrow
"What would you dare to dream for your life if you knew that you could not fail?"
I listened to this question again recently as I was contemplating the new year.
The question came from Brian Tracy, a time management and success "guru".
It was during a lesson that he was teaching on goal-setting.
Why do so many people drift through life, without purpose or intention?
Tracy says, "If you are not working toward your own set of goals, you are doomed forever to be working toward the goals of someone else."
He says that everyone is working on goals. But sometimes the goals you are working on are not your own.
I sat down before the new year started and followed his advice.
I wrote down on a sheet of paper everything that I would like to do, have, or be in the next 5 years.
Then, I broke them down into A, B, and C goals, with A goals being the most important.
I then listed all the A goals on a separate sheet of paper and listed them in the order of priority.
The A1 goal is your "major definite purpose" for the year.
Finally, I wrote down several action steps under my A1 goal that would lead me to completion.
Then, I review my goal sheet every day and ask myself, "What are you going to do today to help you reach your goal?"
It's not too late.
January is not even half over.
Write down some goals and get after them.
"Young man, full of big plans,
You thinkin' about tomorrow."
I listened to this question again recently as I was contemplating the new year.
The question came from Brian Tracy, a time management and success "guru".
It was during a lesson that he was teaching on goal-setting.
Why do so many people drift through life, without purpose or intention?
Tracy says, "If you are not working toward your own set of goals, you are doomed forever to be working toward the goals of someone else."
He says that everyone is working on goals. But sometimes the goals you are working on are not your own.
I sat down before the new year started and followed his advice.
I wrote down on a sheet of paper everything that I would like to do, have, or be in the next 5 years.
Then, I broke them down into A, B, and C goals, with A goals being the most important.
I then listed all the A goals on a separate sheet of paper and listed them in the order of priority.
The A1 goal is your "major definite purpose" for the year.
Finally, I wrote down several action steps under my A1 goal that would lead me to completion.
Then, I review my goal sheet every day and ask myself, "What are you going to do today to help you reach your goal?"
It's not too late.
January is not even half over.
Write down some goals and get after them.
"Young man, full of big plans,
You thinkin' about tomorrow."
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Brian Eno-Emerald and Lime
My morning started off like an improvised episode of Hee-Haw when all the characters are talking at once.
Not that my kids are the least bit country but that is the first loud and obnoxious show I thought of.
Wifey has the weekend off, and boy does she deserve it.
The last month of the year for her was spent following behind the kids with a puke bucket, or washing puke sheets, or scrubbing puke floors.
Not necessarily the most memorable of holidays this year.
Although the snow we got on Christmas was nice; and everybody, at least at some point, felt well enough to go out and play in it.
That was short-lived because as soon as we thought it was over, it returned and we canceled our New Year's Disney trip.
So...to say that my wife needs some time off is an understatement.
At this point, I'm just hoping she comes back.
I've mentioned our weekends off before, but I've got to say again how healthy this is for our relationship and our family life.
It's great to be able to sleep when you want, eat when and what you want, and do whatever the heck you want.
I know she will come back refreshed and be able to give from a full tank instead of a physically and emotionally drained one.
But for now, it's me and the kiddos.
Which is cool. I don't get this time very often.
I just wished kids eased into morning instead of being human roosters that all need something first thing in the morning.
In a perfect world, they would quietly float downstairs at about 10:30 to the sounds of Brian Eno's "Emerald and Lime".
But, I'll be OK.
There's coffee made.
Not that my kids are the least bit country but that is the first loud and obnoxious show I thought of.
Wifey has the weekend off, and boy does she deserve it.
The last month of the year for her was spent following behind the kids with a puke bucket, or washing puke sheets, or scrubbing puke floors.
Not necessarily the most memorable of holidays this year.
Although the snow we got on Christmas was nice; and everybody, at least at some point, felt well enough to go out and play in it.
That was short-lived because as soon as we thought it was over, it returned and we canceled our New Year's Disney trip.
So...to say that my wife needs some time off is an understatement.
At this point, I'm just hoping she comes back.
I've mentioned our weekends off before, but I've got to say again how healthy this is for our relationship and our family life.
It's great to be able to sleep when you want, eat when and what you want, and do whatever the heck you want.
I know she will come back refreshed and be able to give from a full tank instead of a physically and emotionally drained one.
But for now, it's me and the kiddos.
Which is cool. I don't get this time very often.
I just wished kids eased into morning instead of being human roosters that all need something first thing in the morning.
In a perfect world, they would quietly float downstairs at about 10:30 to the sounds of Brian Eno's "Emerald and Lime".
But, I'll be OK.
There's coffee made.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Steve Martin-Pretty Flowers
Wifey (I'm taking suggestions for a more endearing title for the queen) and I are going on a date tomorrow night. Yee-hah!!!
Actually, she is taking the weekend off and she invited me to be a small part of it and thankfully her mom hasn't started back to school yet so she can watch the kiddos.
So, after work I'm going to meet her for dinner at Maggiano's and then later on we're going to The Punchline.
The Punchline is a comedy club in Sandy Springs, just outside the Atlanta perimeter.
"Last Comic Standing" winner from a few years back, John Heffron is performing.
This dude is a riot.
One year for her birthday, I gave Wifey a "comedy weekend". We went to see John one night, and then we saw Bill Cosby the next night.
She married me so she must like funny.
Anyways, we're both looking forward to the night out tomorrow sans chirdren.
Speaking of funny, I never would have guessed that funnyman Steve Martin would ever have a number one album anywhere except the comedy charts.
But his album, "The Crow: New Songs For The Five-String Banjo" has topped the US Bluegrass charts.
Martin used to play the banjo in some of his comedic routines, so I guess it shouldn't be a far stretch.
It just kind of caught me off guard.
I mean, I would dance around and sing to "King Tut" when I was a kid.
"When I die, now don't think I'm a nut,
Don't want no fancy funeral, just one like old King Tut."
Best wishes to an obviously, very talented individual.
Actually, she is taking the weekend off and she invited me to be a small part of it and thankfully her mom hasn't started back to school yet so she can watch the kiddos.
So, after work I'm going to meet her for dinner at Maggiano's and then later on we're going to The Punchline.
The Punchline is a comedy club in Sandy Springs, just outside the Atlanta perimeter.
"Last Comic Standing" winner from a few years back, John Heffron is performing.
This dude is a riot.
One year for her birthday, I gave Wifey a "comedy weekend". We went to see John one night, and then we saw Bill Cosby the next night.
She married me so she must like funny.
Anyways, we're both looking forward to the night out tomorrow sans chirdren.
Speaking of funny, I never would have guessed that funnyman Steve Martin would ever have a number one album anywhere except the comedy charts.
But his album, "The Crow: New Songs For The Five-String Banjo" has topped the US Bluegrass charts.
Martin used to play the banjo in some of his comedic routines, so I guess it shouldn't be a far stretch.
It just kind of caught me off guard.
I mean, I would dance around and sing to "King Tut" when I was a kid.
"When I die, now don't think I'm a nut,
Don't want no fancy funeral, just one like old King Tut."
Best wishes to an obviously, very talented individual.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Bruce Springsteen- Because The Night
In 1989 MTV aired the very first MTV Unplugged show.
The first show featured the group Squeeze, singer-songwriter Syd Straw, and former lead guitarist for The Cars, Elliot Easton.
Since then, anybody that's somebody has been featured on the popular show.
It has been said that the inspiration for the show came from the popularity informal musical performances as was documented on The Beatles' "Let it Be" film as well as Elvis Presley's televised 1968 Comeback Special.
Over 100 performances have been filmed and, unfortunately, I have seen only a few.
My most memorable are Eric Clapton, Nirvana, and 10,000 Maniacs. The 10K Maniacs version of "Because the Night" reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was the first time the group broke the top forty.
This song, however, was first written by Bruce Springsteen (another Unplugged alumnus).
In 1977 and 1978 he was writing material for his album, "Darkness on the Edge of Town". There were several songs that was written during that time that didn't make the album..."Because the Night" being one of them.
The Patti Smith group was in the studio next door and engineer/producer Jimmy Iovine was working on both albums. He gave her a tape of the song and it ended up becoming the first single released on their "Easter" album.
Although the song was never released on any of Springsteen's studio albums, he would perform it live, even during the "Darkness" tour in the late 70's.
Until the recent release of "The Promise" box set, the only commercially-released Springsteen version was found on the "Live 1975-1985" album.
The first show featured the group Squeeze, singer-songwriter Syd Straw, and former lead guitarist for The Cars, Elliot Easton.
Since then, anybody that's somebody has been featured on the popular show.
It has been said that the inspiration for the show came from the popularity informal musical performances as was documented on The Beatles' "Let it Be" film as well as Elvis Presley's televised 1968 Comeback Special.
Over 100 performances have been filmed and, unfortunately, I have seen only a few.
My most memorable are Eric Clapton, Nirvana, and 10,000 Maniacs. The 10K Maniacs version of "Because the Night" reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was the first time the group broke the top forty.
This song, however, was first written by Bruce Springsteen (another Unplugged alumnus).
In 1977 and 1978 he was writing material for his album, "Darkness on the Edge of Town". There were several songs that was written during that time that didn't make the album..."Because the Night" being one of them.
The Patti Smith group was in the studio next door and engineer/producer Jimmy Iovine was working on both albums. He gave her a tape of the song and it ended up becoming the first single released on their "Easter" album.
Although the song was never released on any of Springsteen's studio albums, he would perform it live, even during the "Darkness" tour in the late 70's.
Until the recent release of "The Promise" box set, the only commercially-released Springsteen version was found on the "Live 1975-1985" album.
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