Monday, November 24, 2008

Song Share: Sally's Song

by Todd Hamilton

I chose a cover of a song this week. The song is "Sally's Song" from The Nightmare Before Christmas, performed by Amy Lee, found on the album Nightmare Revisited. I felt this song fit this season, the time between Halloween and Christmas and I feel Amy's interpretation gives this song a little more depth than the film version. Plus, as socially inept girls are to the Twilight series, I am to Amy Lee's voice.



Lyrics:
I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand
And though I'd like to stand by him
Can't shake this feeling that I have
The worst is just around the bend

And does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see how much he means to me?
I think it's not to be

What will become of my dear friend?
Where will his actions lead us then?
Although I'd like to join the crowd
In their enthusiastic cloud
Try as I may, it doesn't last

And will we ever end up together?
no, I think not, it's never to become
For I am not the one

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Song Share: Lightning Crashes

by Angus McKay

A few months back, I was singing to myself at work. I do this mostly to get the annoying songs that they play at work out of my head. Anyway, on this particular day I decided to dig a little deeper in my song memory bank for something I hadn't heard in a while. I found a place that had been locked and hidden away for many years. It was the music of my high school years. As I played through these long-forgotten songs in my mind, I found that I still loved them like I did before. Pearl Jam, Spin Doctors, Collective Soul, Tonic, Nirvana, and others all came flooding back to me. It was great.

One song in particular stood out to me. I kind of consider it the anthem of my high school class (whether the others of the class of 97 will agree may be questionable). Anyway, for those of you who know it: I hope it brings back good feelings the same way it did for me. For those who are hearing it for the first time: welcome to my world.

This is Live: Lightning Crashes.



Lyrics:
lightning crashes, a new mother cries
her placenta falls to the floor
the angel opens her eyes
the confusion sets in
before the doctor can even close the door

lightning crashes, an old mother dies
her intentions fall to the floor
the angel closes her eyes
the confusion that was hers
belongs now, to the baby down the hall

oh now feel it comin' back again
like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind
forces pullin' from the center of the earth again
I can feel it.

lightning crashes, a new mother cries
this moment she's been waiting for
the angel opens her eyes
pale blue colored eyes,
presents the circle
and puts the glory out to hide, hide

Monday, November 10, 2008

Song Share: One Beat

By Martin Gonzalez

One Beat by Sleater-Kinney. Girls Rock, game over!
Yeah sometimes I really enjoy just rocking out and these fine ladies can throw down some serious rock love.
With this track in particular I have many a fond memory of turning around to find I have an audience. A laughing audience.
Oh and for you science freaks this song is about fusion! The power of the future!



Lyrics:
I'm a bubble in a sound wave
A sonic push for energy
Exploding like the sun
A flash of clean light hope
All you scientists can hold your breath
Shall I decide to show myself? Oh oh
If you think like Thomas Edison
Could you invent a world for me
Now all that's on the surface
Are bloody arms and oil fields
Could I turn this place upside down
And shake you and your fossils out? Oh oh
Should I come outside and run your cars
Should I run your rockets to the stars
Could you invent a world for me
I need to hear a symphony
If I'm to run the future
You've got to let the old world go Oh oh
Your word for me is fusion
But is real change an illusion
Could I turn this place all upside down
And shake you and your fossils out
If I'm to run the future
You've got to let the old world go
Could you invent a world for me
I need to hear a symphony Oh oh

Friday, November 7, 2008

Concert: Crooked Fingers

I've never shared a Cooked Fingers song at Music Night before, and neither has any of my siblings, despite us all being huge fans . . . but I'm sure it's bound to happen eventually. Regardless, Crooked Fingers is coming in concert to Tucson AZ Friday, Nov 14, 2008 9:30 PM MST (9:00 PM Doors) at Plush. A bunch of us are planning on going down, and I wanted to invite any and all who are interested to come with us. All you have to do is let me know via email, blog comments, or phone call. Crooked Fingers is some of the best concerts I've ever been too. If you are lukewarm on their music, concert attendance will change all that.

So come! You won't regret it.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Song Share: Wise Up

By Marcus Howard

Wise Up by Aimee Mann
. Almost word-for-word how I've been feeling over the past year..... Not much more to say than that.


Lyrics:

It's not
What you thought
When you first began it
You got
What you want
Now you can hardly stand it though,
By now you know
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up
You're sure
There's a cure
And you have finally found it
You think
One drink
Will shrink you 'til you're underground
And living down
But it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up
Prepare a list of what you need
Before you sign away the deed
'Cause it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up
No, it's not going to stop
'Til you wise up
No, it's not going to stop
So just...give up

Monday, October 27, 2008

Song Share: Heart of Steel

by Jake Parker

This song is called Heart of Steel by ManOwaR on their album Kings of Steel (1988). It tells of a lone warrior coming home from a long battle. Though the battle was hard, he prevailed and is returning triumphantly. Heart of Steel is about more than just that. It's about standing up for your beliefs, for what you know is right, even in the face of ridicule and scorn. And though the forces that rise up against you may be powerful, and all you want to do is give up, throw in the towel and quit, ManOwaR reminds you that you were born with a heart of steel. That if you live by your heart there is always one more try. And in doing so you will prevail.

What about the band itself? I think this quote from founding band member says it all: "I believe in the fans. I believe in metal more than anybody you've ever met. And another thing, I'm prepared to die for metal. Are you?"



Lyrics:
Build a fire a thousand miles away
To light my long way home
I ride a comet
My trail is long to stay
Silence is a heavy stone
I fight the world and take all they can give
There are times my heart hangs low
Born to walk against the wind
Born to hear my name
No matter where I stand Im alone

Stand and fight
Live by your heart
Always one more try
Im not afraid to die
Stand and fight
Say what you feel
Born with a heart of steel

Burn the bridge behind you
Leave no retreat
Theres only one way home
Those who laugh and crowd the path
And cut each others throats
Will fall like melting snow
Theyll watch us rise with fire in our eyes
Theyll bow their heads
Their hearts will hang low
Then well laugh and they will kneel
And know this heart of steel was
Too hard to break
Too hard to hold

Stand and fight
Live by your heart
Always one more try
Im not afraid to die
Stand and fight
Say what you feel
Born with a heart of steel

Song Share

We are going to try something new with the Music Night Blog, something we're calling Song Share. It will work like this: One person will be chosen to share a song. That person will write a short summary about the song and why they selected it. Then using the comments we can have a discussion about the song . . . just like a real Music Night. I am hoping we can do a new Song Share every week. I'm also hoping it is going to be an awesome supplement to Music Night.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Friday, October 3, 2008

Music Night: April 2007

Time: April 2007
Location: Angus and Amy McKay's House

Chris Glass - Kyrie (Voice) from Illumination
Kohl Glass - Cold Cold Water by Mirah
Angus McKay - Another Galaxy by Paul Simon
J.C Glass - Chicago by Sufjan Stevens
Amy McKay - Great Expectations by Elbow
Heather Glass - Bowl Of Oranges by Bright Eyes

Back in the Early Days

Back in the early days of Music Night we didn't make CDs and no one thought to keep a record of who was in attendance and what songs were shared.

As far as we know there have been at least 11 Music Nights (10 of which we have some record of attendees and songs), though it is possible there have been 13 or more.

The first Music Night was documented, but the following Nights, between March 2006 and April 2007, were lost to history . . . so far. We're working to piece things together, if at all possible.

That said, even the Music Nights we do have record of are susceptible to error and memory loss. Not everything is going to be 100%, but we're working on that one too.

If there are mistakes, please speak up and let us know. We want to have this "Archive of Music Nights" be as correct as possible.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Music Night: March 2006

The Very First Music Night
Time: Saturday, March 25 2006, 7:00 pm
Location: Angus and Amy McKay's House

Kohl - Stars by Charley Marlowe
Chris - Touched by Vast
Marcus - How It feels To Be Something On by Sunny Day Real Estate
Mandi - Marvelous Things by Eisley
Amy - The Night Time Is the Right Time by Ray Charles
Angus - Stranded in a Limousine by Paul Simon
Caleb - Prelude to Cello Suite #1 by Bach, performed by Yoyo Ma

These songs are not in the order they were presented. That info has been lost to the ages.

Also no CD was made of this Music Night. Maybe someday.

How Music Night Goes Down.

1. Each person brings one song to share.
2. The person presenting the song may choose to give a short introduction (historical or personal) of the song.
3. After a song is shared a discussion of the song follows.
4. At the end of Music Night a CD compilation is made of all the songs shared that eventing.