Advent Meme - Music

My friend Shanna suggested, "How about on December 13, you write about the role that music has played in your life? :-)?

And I forgot yesterday. Sorry!

So. Music. I love music, actually. I'm one of those people who can be captivated by a song and listen to it over and over. Here is a screencap of my Top 25 Most Played in iTunes:

A few notes:

• It's not just that "More Than A Feeling" is a classic rock song. It's got that killer glory note in it. And in my Walter-Mitty daydreams, I can nail that note to great applause. When in real life, I'm tone deaf and karaoke is not for me.
• My love for ABBA is no secret. During the dark and rough years of living in Moscow, ABBA was something that made me happy. And still does.
• Most of these songs are on my "Magic Beans" playlist. I turn to this playlist when I need a pick me up or just want to rock out.
• Some of these songs have very specific meanings. I find "May It Be" to be a good song when I'm in a meditative or contemplative mood. I interpret it to be a song about letting go and having faith that you are on the journey you were meant to take.
• During a rough bit of turbulence on a flight, "Orinoco Flow" popped up on my iPod, and I was able to visualize a ship breaking through the waves, much like the plane was breaking through air streams, and it calmed me.
• This version of "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" has a great drum battle in it. I was thrilled to hear it in person when I saw Celtic Thunder in concert.

Sometimes I associate certain memories with the music playing at the time. I can not listen to "Caribbean Queen" because it was playing on the radio when I had an automobile accident. When my university boyfriend was coming over because we "had to talk", I turned off my music because I didn't want to associate Corey Hart with being dumped. And yes, he broke up with me.

Despite being tone deaf, I was in two musicals in university. In the chorus, because I can manage to sing in tune when singing with others. I was in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" and "Godspell". "Godspell" wasn't written with a chorus, but there were a lot of people who wanted to be in the show so artistic license was used. Both experiences were fantastic.

I listen to music on public transit when I want to drown out the people around me having TMI conversations.

My favourite era for music is the 1980's, when I was a teenager. My two favourite radio stations both feature '80s music.

Concerts I have attended:

• Kris Kistofferson
• Gowan/Supertramp
• Gowan
• Corey Hart
• Platinum Blonde
• Doug and the Slugs
• Celtic Thunder
• Star Wars in Concert
• Straight No Chaser
• Paul McCartney

So that is a brief look into how music has influenced me. I could write posts on my different iTunes playlists alone. :-)

Read More

Paul McCartney Concert

When it came to purchase a seat, I decided to go with ergonomics. I chose a seat directly facing the stage, on the other side of the stadium. I figured there would be huge video screens and I was right. So it didn't matter that Paul was actually two inches tall. The video and audio were superb.

By the way, I had no idea that the concert would be in an outdoors stadium until a couple of days before. I'm not from Winnipeg, I flew in for the concert.

 I chose not to bring my Jedi camera with me - I figured that with a removable lens, I wouldn't be allowed to use it. Good call - as my backpack was being searched by security, a woman who did bring a camera with a removable lens was told to take it back to her car (which wasn't with her) or leave it with security. She was arguing that point when I was allowed to enter.

 So I brought my Lumix - and I must say, it outperformed my expectations. I switched between the automatic setting or the "night scenery" mode.

As we entered the stadium, there were cover versions of Paul's work playing. At 8, when the show was scheduled to start, the video screens lit up with many photos of Paul's life, from a child all the way to present day. Without much ado, Sir Paul McCartney came out and started to play. There was no opening act, he didn't need one. This picture is of one of the giant video screens, and teeny tiny Paul.

I stretched the limits of how much the Lumix can zoom in. Here's Paul. Through scaffolding, because of my seat.

A shot of a video screen. He removed his jacket about three songs in and said that it would be the only wardrobe change of the night. A kind of cheeky way of saying he didn't need costume changes to put on a good show.
 

 Paul spoke a bit about John Lennon and sang "Here Today" in tribute. I couldn't get a good photo of the digital waterfall behind him. This shot is zoomed in on actual Paul.

And another shot from a video screen.

 There were two giant video screens.

This ukulele belonged to George Harrison, who gave it to Paul. He used it to start playing "Something In The Way She Moves", and then rocked out the rest of the song, as pictures of George appeared in tribute.




The graphics and video clips were very good and enjoyable to watch. This is "Back in the USSR".

Sitting at one of two pianos. (Video screen shot).

As the tempo changed during "Live and Let Die", flames shot up on stage. As I readied my camera to photograph the flames. fireworks shot up. Well played.

This piano was for the more whimsical numbers. (video screen shot)

 I went to the concert for many reasons - I love his music, I love Paul, I'd never seen a Beatle in concert, this may be my last opportunity to see Paul McCartney - and because I wanted to sing "Hey Jude" in the audience, like the audience does in the "Good Evening New York" CD. It happened and it was wonderful. I and a stadium full of happy people sang together with Paul and for Paul. I smiled the whole way through.

For the first encore, Paul brought out a Canadian flag, and one of his bandmates carried the British flag.

As part of the second encore, during "Mull of Kintyre", the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band marched onstage and accompanied Paul.

Another shot of a video screen.



I believe this was the last song, "The End".

Red and white fireworks exploded in the sky, as a nod to Canada.

 And then red and white confetti.

A few people have asked if Paul was showing his age (71). I would say "no". He moved around the stage comfortably, standing and playing guitar for long periods of time, and also playing on two different pianos. He rocked it with his bandmates, and put on every appearance of enjoying himself.

Early in the show, he took a minute to "take it all in", staring all around the crowded stadium. He was chatty, funny, and very friendly. I am so glad that I took this opportunity to see Paul in concert. I went in with hopes of hearing certain songs. He sang them all - except "Silly Love Songs". But that's okay, because what he did sing, he sang well. :-)

Read More

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney, a photo by angelamermaid on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
When I first heard the rendition of "Hey Jude" on the "Good Evening New York" album, I got goosebumps as he got the audience to sing for him. I thought, "how incredible it would be to sing "Hey Jude" to Paul McCartney. Tonight, I know what that feels like. It was a joyful thing.

Read More

Photo of the Day - March 8 2012

Photo of the Day - March 8 2012, a photo by angelamermaid on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Straight No Chaser in concert! They were awesome.

Read More