oh wowie

My term of music classes is coming to a close, but boy has it been an exciting end! This week in my Music and Literature class I was introduced to Mr. George Crumb. An avant-garde music composer who currently teaches at University of Pennsylvania. He's known for some pretty unusual techniques- like pouring marbles onto a piano. What really intrigued me was his "spoken flute" method, which is speaking into the flute while playing it. I was spending far too much time poking around on youtube being fascinated by his work, when I came across two other awesome musicians. (I'm hoping this first one is something my dad will try and incorporate with his harmonica.) I love seeing different music styles blended together, especially in unique ways like these. As unique as they may seem, after watching them (too many times) it begins to make perfect sense and I wonder why it's taken so long incorporate beat boxing with instruments. Perhaps more importantly- why is it I've been in the dark about it until now?

this guy i cant stop watching (plus he has a RAD stache!...) so here are a few more of my favorites, this time with other musicians.

hoomii and accordions

I'm taking several music classes this term, one of which is a world music class. It has been a great experience to be introduced to so many new and unique types of instruments and styles. one of my favorite things i've been exposed to is what is called Hoomii- a Mongolian style of throat singing. check it out, learn how to do it, then entertain me.




and now for a little history of the accordion... ( jug jacklin assignment #1)

---The accordion's basic form is believed to have been invented in Berlin in 1822 by Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann, although one instrument has been recently discovered that appears to have been built in 1816 or earlier by Friedrich Lohner of Nürnberg in the German State of Bavaria.
The accordion is one of several European inventions of the early 19th century that used free reeds driven by a bellows. An instrument called accordion was first patented in 1829 by Cyrill Demian in Vienna. Demian's instrument bore little resemblance to modern instruments; it only had a left hand buttonboard, with the right hand simply operating the bellows.---

so there you have it. the good ol germans are responsible for the accordion. Poor Friedrich Lohner though, being denied his credit all these years.

music of 08

i've never been much of a new years resolution list maker, however i always look forward to making The Best Of lists at the end of the year. here it is february, and i have yet to complete any of the lists i've started. my laziness is particularly disappointing, because i love turning my top ten albums of the year into a mix. having an entire weekend to do with it as i please, i am going to not only complete my list, but get the mix a mixin. and so, for all of you (who are probably highly disinterested) i present the best 11 albums of 2008!

dr. dog- fate

sigur ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

murder by death - red of tooth and claw

bon iver- for emma, forever ago
sam philips- dont do anything

tv on the radio - dear science

department of eagles- in ear park
my morning jacket – evil urges
ray lamontagne - gossip in the grain
son lux- at war with the walls and mazes

ratatat - lp3

almost made its (if my list were to extend to top 14)

okkervil river- the stand ins

frightened rabbit- the midnight organ flight

MGMT - oracular spectacular

what did i miss? what were your favorites, music or otherwise?

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lets do this: