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Shuffle!
Post By: Alan
Sometimes I go through writers block on this blog. You can see there are times when I write lots of posts, then times when I don’t write for weeks. I think I found a solution: I shuffle all of the songs on my iPod, then I write about the first 3 albums that come up. If you can get them on vinyl, I’ll show you where…If you can’t, well, look for the CD, or buy it in a digital format online.
Ready? Here goes!
Album #1: Bo Diddley: His Best
Bo Diddley is the most underappreciated musician in rock and roll history. Why? Because he practically invented it, while Elvis took the credit. I don’t want to disrespect Elvis, because his accomplishments in music shadow pretty much everbody, but credit must be given where it’s due, and it is due with Bo Diddley. Bo Diddley was the first known musician that took the blues, gave it a harder edge and rhythm, and created what would be known as “Rock and Roll”. This sound has been deconstructed and imitated by thousands of musicians since.
Bo Diddley is great. This album that came up on my iPod is a collection of his most famous songs. It includes songs like “Who Do You Love” and “I’m a Man”. These songs all feature a fast-paced rhythm with hard-edged guitar parts. Some of the songs on the album have some humorous lyrics as well. There’s one with a percussive piano part with two guys just making fun of each other: The 1950’s version of the “snaps” we hear nowadays.
If you appreciate oldies, classic rock, and blues, you need to get some Bo Diddley in your collection. Pick up an album or two, and see where rock and roll began.
Album #2: Django Reinhardt: No Album
Well, I have a few tracks of Django Reinhardt on my iPod, but not from any particular album…I am not even sure they had albums back in his time! Anyway, Django Reinhardt is one of the world’s greatest guitar players. He was a gypsy from Belgium who learned to play stringed instruments from an early age. At age 18, he was injured in a fire which caused severe damage to his left hand. While many guitar players would have given up at this point, Django Reinhardt learned to play guitar again despite the injuries to his hand. His miraculous recovry has been an inspiration to guitar players ever since.
Django Reinhardt can swing, as they say. His playing is uptempo, skilled, and clean. His amazing talent has inspired people as varied as Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath), and Willie Nelson. Having discovered Django very recently, I was immediately impressed with his skill and style. If you love jazz or guitar playing, do your ears a favor and pick up some Django, you’ll be glad you did!
Album #3: Vivaldi: Four Seasons
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is one of the most famous musical pieces from the Baroque period (roughly beginning in 1600, and ending around 1760) of European classical music, and no doubt one of the most famous European classical music pieces ever composed. Most people with access to modern media have surely heard the famous introduction to the Spring movement.
The four seasons is a 4-concerto piece, each concerto containing 3 distinct movements. The opening and closing movements of each concerto are faster, with the middle movement being slower. Each concerto (or season) has its own distinct feel. Spring, Summer and Fall are more lively and bright, with Winter being more dark sounding.
This is one of the greatest classical music works ever produced. If you can appreciate classical music (Even if you rarely listen to it), you need to have this album in your collection.
Alright people, I hope you enjoyed these quick glimpses at some of my favorite artists, and that you are enjoying the music!
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