Rio de Maio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWOxUG5ADWc

It's a song by Ivan Lins, who doesn't necessarily have the greatest voice in the history of all voices.  But it's beautiful nonetheles.  It's Bossa Nova/Brazilian jazz pop, so it's probably not everyone's taste.  Still, the words move me.

The chord progression from 2:26-3:12 in this particular version of the song... is beautiful.  It's also my favorite part lyrically of the song.  As far as I can garner, the translation of the words there is (roughly):

Close to are two wise people in love

Close to me two adolescents kiss

Close to me is the homesickness of you and I

And the kisses of our love

And if only our life were a film such as this

An immense kiss and the sea singing Jobim

A grand love that encompasses all of our lives  

For the lyrics:

http://letras.terra.com.br/ivan-lins/128237/

I also STRONGLY recommend hunting down the duet Ivan Lins did with Jane Monheit on this song.  That's actually the version of the song I heard first, and fell in love with.  The honesty of his words and voice matched with her incredibly sultry and sincere voice make for a perfect match that show the song's true potential. 

Twista

Say what you will about rapping and hip hop.  I know I will soon enough. 

I just want to say Twista has skill.  His lyrics reflect much of the same hackneyed stuff that most rap artists since the art became such a craft.  But his particular sense of rhythm and linguistic dexterity are such that the only way I could describe him to someone who had never heard of him before, was to say "it's like his mouth is tap dancing."

I find it impressive to say the least.  It's the same thrill I get from hearing Djavan sing "Irma de Neon," while still being entirely different.

Lead Singers

Here's something that gets to me.  Great bands that succeed in spite of lead singers with little or no real talent; only to play backseat to the lead singer because the lead singer's ego needs the fuel.  

First off, the ability to showboat and the ability to sing are two very different things that are far too often confused as being synonymous.  Being a vocalist, I can't handle poor singers being told they're stunning when they aren't.  Many "great singers" who have made it big are actually mediocre at best.

Don't get me wrong.  My general approach to all music to find an excuse to believe it's good until I simply get proven wrong one too many times.  As a lover of artistic expression, I like to give artists the benefit of the doubt.  I don't believe "different" is bad.  There are many singers out there who may not sound like the result of classical training or have the gift of a golden voice; singers who still move you and make you want to listen because they are unique or soulful or honest.  Top of my head right now at 10:12 pm on a Friday, I think of Jamie Cullum, James Blunt, Eddie Vedder, G. Love & Amy Winehouse. 

Let's get one thing out of the way now.  Macy Gray is horrible.  Belching, choking, gagging, coughing, and grumbling into a microphone only counts as singing when accompanied by some form of musical supplement.  I still haven't heard any music in what she does.  She can rock a pair of ridiculous bellbottoms like nobody's business and she has a solid rack if I am remembering her correctly in "Idlewild."  But I still haven't found the singing voice she allegedly has.  Maybe I will pencil in holding out hope if I find some spare time.

My top offender right now is Axl Rose.  Guns & Roses is a stellar band and a perfect example of a band succeeding in spite of its front-man's lack of talent.  He moans, screams & squawks with the best of them.  I will grant he's very charismatic, which is definitely of benefit when performing.  But each time I hear him try to since, he sounds like he's just screeching at different pitches hoping to hit a note in there somewhere.  But someone must like him if he's lasted this long in the business.

Alright... I've had enough on the issue for now.  Mostly because my arm is starting to get tired from the particular angle at which I am sitting and typing.  But it's likely the skills of a band's lead singer will be a common topic in many of my future posts.

Getting Started

Being a member of the modern media, I could claim it's wondrous that I've avoided being a blogger for so long.  But since having something to say seems to be the only prerequisite for being read, I figure this is no different than just talking someone's ear off.  Having to tell the same story to ALL my friends gets exhausting anyway.  Facts get skewed or forgotten.  Sometimes I even talk myself straight out of whatever mood I'm in.  Almost always dangerous.  Blogs are a magical medium for creating some forged sense of consistency or permanence.  

The topic of my blog will be mostly music and the things linked to it.  Music I love. Music I hate.  Music that has some value or another but on the whole might suck balls.  Music that sends the spirit into a state of metaphysical orgasm.  Music that makes you dance.  OH!  Dancing will likely also rear its head quite often in this blog.  

I'm not always careful with my language, as anyone who reads this will soon discover. 

Oh! If you want to comment and give me suggestions on artists to write about, I'm always down for some discovery.

Hope to see y'all on teh internetz.