Monday is winding down to a close and I've wanted to write this post for a few days.

I begin with a poem.

Time Machine (a working title)

Musical mechanisms are mysteries
Scales and dissonance are data
Machines slurp it in like gelatin
The whir and the needle are relics
The spin and crackle of vinyl
Isn't just music playing, for
A turnstile is a time machine now.

-----
I love songs that tell stories. I've had several of this type flitting through my (more cleared) head lately and I noticed they had something in common. The titles of the songs were women's names. Naming a song after a person means you've got a guaranteed story song (even if it's hidden in the background, written in the liner notes). Below is a list of some of my favorite women songs. Have a listen to a few. :)

Isabel by Unrest

Jolene (written and performed originally by Dolly Parton) by The White Stripes

Eleanore by The Turtles (My mom and my sister love this song and we sing it loud)

Katy Song by Red House Painters (so emotionally charged and sad, one of those "back story is the best part" songs)

Veronica by Elvis Costello

Valerie Loves Me by Material Issue

Selfish Jean by Travis (I think the video [unofficial] is hilarious. It's done by a comedian who has layer after layer of t-shirts with the lyrics written on them. He removes the layers with great timing, completely deadpan. It ends with one t-shirt remaining, thank goodness)

These are just a few, but I think immortalizing a person in a song is a grand thing.

I'm not sure how to talk, really talk, about how much this concert meant to me.

Back in high school, my ears were opened to a whole new level of music. I've written about it a lot in the past, but it changed my life. I already liked alternative music a lot, but my life-long friend Ben had discovered some amazing sound, thanks as always, to the British.

Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, Bauhaus, This Mortal Coil and Dead Can Dance.

Dead Can Dance's Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard. Photo: Jay Brooks / Sacks & Co.

I thought they'd broken up back in 1999. They've both put out solo albums, etc. Dead Can Dance was done, right?

Imagine knowing a band/musician that had moved you in amazing ways. Imagine that band/musician was never going to produce any more of that soul satisfying sound again. Terrible.

All the credit for knowing about the return and world tour of Dead Can Dance goes to my husband. He found out about it and said we could go together. What an offer! But...

But this music belongs to me and someone else I am eternally entwined with...my sister-in-law Alesha. I told Cameron that his offer was wonderful, more than generous, but I really had to go with Alesha.

And I did. We had to go together to experience something long hoped for and never to be realized, except now it could be realized.

The venue was the Red Butte Garden amphitheater and the concert was last Saturday. I thought a lot of my friend Ben, now passed away these eight years, and how he was the catalyst for my love for all this music that I still love so much  (going on nineteen years).

It was a beautiful, dream-like concert, so much more about sound than noise, an amplification of the senses rather than the volume of an electric guitar (though that's awfully fun, too). Dead Can Dance are classified as "world music." Fair enough. They are Gothic cathedrals, rural Turkish villages, Greek churches and Irish fields.

Brendan Perry's voice is a rich, elevated baritone and Lisa Gerrard reminded me of a graceful marble statue that could sing like an angel.

I wished Ben could have see this concert. I wanted him to be there. Dead Can Dance have never made it to Salt Lake City before. At the third encore, an unfamiliar song introduction began and I puzzled it out in my brain and then came the utterly unexpected "Song to the Siren." Originally written by Tim Buckley, recorded by Pat Boone, then Tim Buckley, then This Mortal Coil (sung by Elizabeth Fraser from The Cocteau Twins). This Mortal Coil's version is the one I know best and when I was in high school with Ben, he expressed that he'd like me to sing it at his funeral.



When Ben's mom called to tell me that he had passed away, she said wanted me to sing but that she wasn't sure what yet. I related what Ben had told me ten years earlier and she said that's what she wanted me to do.

So here I am. Standing at this concert, with my sister-in-law and friend, who accompanied my singing at Ben's funeral, listening to the very song I sang that day, all the while thinking of him, wishing he could be there. Of course, I cried, but it was so awesome. Alesha and I clung to each other.



These musicians move me. I am so grateful for the effort they put into beauty and ethereal elevation.

I want to know what the secret is. Redheads know how to write, how to sing, how to bring it all together to make amazing music.


I absolutely love Florence + the Machine. (really cool website, BTW) She had an amazing debut album: Lungs. She is an amazing combination of the vocal power of this redhead, the quirkiness of Kate Bush and the artistry of Siouxsie and the Banshees (Cameron came up with this combo and I totally agree). I love her lyrics, the whole sound, so rich.

Lately, I've really enjoyed getting re-enamoured with Tori Amos. In her words, I see so much of me. I've been listening to Little Earthquakes again and live recordings. She is the lyricist that blows my mind more than any other female lyricist. Love to Tori, here.
Hayley Williams (of Paramore) writes great rock and sings it with her heart.

Miki Berenyi (of Lush. Please, please come back) was incredible. I miss hearing more from this awesome band and Miki is just gorgeous. Lush stopped making music together right as their sound was evolving and the sassiness increasing. Pity.
On the home front, I have two redhead writers whose work I really love: my friend Rachel and webfriend Terresa (and they have real red hair and amazing talent).

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club--Am I Only
Why I like this: The sound of this song takes me back to Love & Rockets. It's melancholic without being too dark. Great lyrics.

The Strokes feat. Regina Spektor--Modern Girls and Old-Fashioned Men
Why I like this: Regina Spektor is like the new, hot voice you want singing along on your latest single. Like Sting (Dire Straits: Money for Nothing) and Michael Jackson (Rockwell: Somebody's Watching Me)before her, she brings more to the song than the artist she's helping out...


"Weird Al" Yankovic--White and Nerdy
Why I like it: Too many truths divided between myself, Cameron and various folks in our acquaintance are listed in this song. White, nerdy and proud. The cameo of Donny Osmond dancing is especially sweet.


Mumford and Sons--I Gave You All
Why I like it: I love the beginning. It's tender and personal. Slowly it builds and then erupts into banjo, mandolin, stronger vocals. I love the lyrics and am pretty impressed all around with their whole album: Sigh No More


Muse--Please Please Please, Let Me Get What I Want
Why I like it: First, it's a cover of the original Smiths song. I like that it's a bit whiney and I love how Muse's awesome guitaring makes it modern and wonderful.

I loved watching The Grammys when I was in high school. I always hoped to see my favorite bands in the audience and to revel in their winning some award.
Problem: I was raised on Motown and only listened to alternative music. **

Then in 1992 R.E.M. won Best Alternative Album (the second recipient ever) and I was so thrilled!

This year The Black Keys won for Brothers. An awesome album! Yay!


I really don't watch the Grammys anymore, but then I found a list of why I should this year. It didn't matter what the list said other than that Florence + the Machine would be participating in an Aretha Franklin Tribute. Unfortunately, I missed it (the kids do need to go to sleep AND miss the Grammys), but here is an interview of the performers. Florence shows up at 1:34.

This is a red carpet interview with Florence who was nominated for Best New Artist (she lost).

After I hurriedly tucked in my kids, I ran down to our TV and turned it on.
Who was there? On the screen, right there?
Why, MUSE!!! They sang Uprising on a set mimicking their awesome concert set.
YAY!!!


It was a pretty awesome night. I liked the acts that performed with Bob Dylan. I was sad to see that Barbara Streisand really can't sing like she used to and it was nice to see Lady Antebellum win so much and so graciously. (I could've been spared glimpses of Lady Gaga and her extra shoulder bones)
Even Eminem was impressive in his angry white man energy. I do not know how rappers remember all those words (meaning lyrics are easier to remember when set to music)!
The best part was just watching it all with my husband, relaxing at the end of a nice weekend.
**When I was watching the Grammys Motown was long gone and the Best Alternative Album category wasn't created until 1991

This is Muse:
Drummer Dom is dressed as Santa.
It counts for Christmas.

I love opera. It moves me so that I become a jiggly mass of Jello.
I love those soprano arias and long to do it myself. I'm ready to take on voice lessons everytime I hear Renee Flemming and her ilk raise soaring notes to the heavens.
I've been listening to an opera-based station on Pandora and I have learned a few minor things...

• Pavarotti really is amazing. Not just a parody of the typical tenor, he is the tenor.

• Puccini is quite recognizable the more you get to know his work. It begins to stand out in a crowd (La Boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly)


• Turandot is an opera I have to see. I heard of it first from reading a children's book of the same title. Nessun Dorma (lyrics translation following) should be listened to after reading the book. It floors me.

Nobody shall sleep!...
Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, o Princess,
in your cold room,
watch the stars,
that tremble with love and with hope.
But my secret is hidden within me,
my name no one shall know...
No!...No!...
On your mouth I will tell it when the light shines.
And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!...
(No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.)
Vanish, o night!
Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!

Did you know that you can get free MP3 downloads on Amazon.com?

Just choose the MP3 downloads category and type in free downloads and voila!

The choices aren't completely stellar, but you just might find something good and if you're interested in classical music, there is an abundance.

You're welcome.

This is from Parenting Magazine and I thought it was really funny. Perfect for a Music Monday post.

Signs You're a Tuned-Out Mom

1. Gaga still makes you think of a toddler instead of a woman with a zipper eye patch urging you to dance.


2. Pink reminds you of nurseries and tutus, not nose rings and tattoos.


3. Coldplay is how your kid learns to stop forgetting his gloves every time he leaves the house.


4. Black Eyed Peas are, alas, tragically unpopular with tweens.


5. The Pussycat Dolls sound like the perfect holiday presents for your 5-year-old niece.


6. Eminem? A sheer delight, proven to inspire kids to act more politely.


7. Vampire Weekend was that time your 12-year-old saw Twilight, then spent all her waking hours pining for Robert Pattinson (and all her bedtime hours afraid to go to sleep).


8. Nickelback is the cry you hear after the supermarket gumball machine fails to dispense the Mike and Ike candies to your preschooler.


9. Maroon 5 must be that crayon that replaced Burnt Sienna.


10. Linkin Park sounds like an educational family field trip. Why isn't it in the GPS?

Florence + the Machine
I'm stuck on this whole album, the first from this band.

I finally re-bought Sugar Tax by OMD. Their best complete album, IMO.

Revisiting Tori Amos a lot. A great B-Side

Revisiting Cocteau Twins as well.

I'm listening to anything by Jason Mraz, so if you have a toddler in your lap. This one's for them.

I love opera.

Although, I am not too familiar with whole operas, I am in love with soprano arias. They move me to trembling.


This one is from Madame Butterfly. Butterfly is telling her servant that her American lover will return to her and this is how she imagines it will happen. Of course, she is very wrong.

One good day, we will see
Arising a strand of smoke
Over the far horizon on the sea
And then the ship appears
And then the ship is white
It enters into the port, it rumbles its salute.
Do you see it? He is coming!
I don't go down to meet him, not I.
I stay upon the edge of the hill
And I wait a long time
but I do not grow weary of the long wait.

And leaving from the crowded city,
A man, a little speck
Climbing the hill.
Who is it? Who is it?
And as he arrives
What will he say? What will he say?
He will call Butterfly from the distance
I without answering
Stay hidden
A little to tease him,
A little as to not die.
At the first meeting,
And then a little troubled
He will call, he will call
"Little one, dear wife
Blossom of orange"
The names he called me at his last coming.
All this will happen,
I promise you this
Hold back your fears -
I with secure faith wait for him.


This is from the opera Gianni Schicchi. I don't know much about it, but this is a fairly well-known song in it's own right. I think the daughter/soprano is trying to convince her father to make a choice that others could not persuade him to do. He sends her away so she won't know what choice he makes.

Oh dear daddy
Oh dear daddy
I love him, he is so handsome
I want to go to Porta Rossa
to buy the ring
Yes, yes, I want to go there
And if my love were in vain
I would go to Ponte Vecchio
and throw myself in the Arno
I fret and suffer torments
Oh God, I would rather die
Daddy, have pity, have pity

Musically, divas (ie Cher, Mariah, Celine, etc) are not my style at all, but when they knock one out of the ball park, I can't stay away.

I'm quite fond on Beyoncé right now. I cannot watch most of her videos (too much Michael Jackson with too much Janet/wardrobe possibilities) but love these songs and the videos are decent enough.





A suspicious package arrived today from Amazon. It was small and heavy and sounded a lot like a book...I love birthday week!

I have so many great things to say about General Conference, but I do have to interrupt with a bit of the world...

MUSE TONIGHT!!!



Have a great day everybody!

One week from tonight is, for me, the concert event of, quite possibly, the decade. I am so very extremely excited!!!Geniuses need their sleep.

My mom kindly wished that they would live up to all my hopes for the concert.

Oh Mom...I think I've had proof a plenty that they will. Woo-hoo!!!

Since I get to see Muse in three weeks from today, I thought I'd post what I'm pretty sure is my favorite song of theirs: Sing for Absolution



And here is the link to the official video (which doesn't allow embedding) and it's pretty dang cool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ck6Hcg2cjk

A tragic love song by one of the greatest and most unique vocalists of the Jazz era.



You don't know what love is
Til you’ve learned the meaning of the blues
Until you’ve loved a love you've had to lose
You don't know what love is
You don't know how lips hurt
Until you've kissed and had to pay the cost
Until you've flipped your heart and you have lost
You don't know what love is

Do you know how a lost heart fears
/The thought of reminiscing
And how lips that taste of tears
Lose their taste for kissing

You don't know how hearts burn
For love that cannot live yet never dies
Until you've faced each dawn with sleepless eyes
You don't know what love is

You don't know how hearts burn
For love that cannot live yet never dies
Until you've faced each dawn with sleepless eyes
You don't know what love is
-------------
And for a little contrast...


In some respects
I suspect you've got a respectable side
When pushed and pulled and pressured
You seldom run and hide
But it's for someone elses benefit
Not for what you wanna do
Until I realize that you've realized
I'm gonna say these words to you

You don't know what love is
You do as you're told
Just as a child at ten might act
But you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless
And I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is...
You just do as you're told

I can see your man
Cant help but win
Any problems that may arise
But in his mind there can be no sin
If you never criticize
You just keep on repeating
All those empty "I love you's"
Until you say you deserve better
I'm gonna lay right into you

You don't know what love is
You just do as you're told
Just as a child of ten might act
But you're far too old
Your not hopeless or helpless
And I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is
No you don't know what love is
No you don't know what love is

You just do as you're told
You do as you're told
Yeah

Well, here's another day...

Everyone is feeling better.

Dane's gone to school.

My little sister is coming tomorrow with

THIS BOY!!!

I hope you're having a happy monday and if not then here are the Happy Mondays for your listening pleasure.

I was going to write about one of my favorite bands of the last 15 years, but realized that before I really write about the strongest musical influences of my life, then I need to introduce the record label that spawned nearly all of them. Seriously, their website is like going on a field trip to music museum and this is the interactive display you have to wait the longest to play with...meaning it's worth the wait, but I am having much too much fun here today. You can look bands up by year, alphabetically or even better, by "pulling" a lever and hitting a random name.
A GREAT place to find new and old music, the 4AD independent label was started 1980 by Ivo Watts-Russell. Artists signed this year include: Bauhaus, Gilbert And Lewis, In Camera, Last Dance, Modern English, Spasmodic Caress, The Birthday Party, The The

4AD brought me Dead Can Dance, Bauhaus, Red House Painters, Heidi Berry, Cocteau Twins, His Name is Alive, This Mortal Coil, Lush, Pale Saints, Throwing Muses, The Breeders, Unrest, The Pixies...

I've been listening to these bands for nigh on eighteen years now (no wonder I've been exploring so much new music lately. Ha! but of course, 4AD has that, too).

Anyway, fun website and beautiful thanks to v23.