I had just finished working out six part harmonies for the new vincents track, when I stuck my head into my new piano for about the millionth time. WOW. I sang "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" at the top of my voice, with the sustain pedal on, and it sounded great. Not only do I have my own real piano, but I also have my very own reverb chamber! Yay! =^-^= (meow)
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Miracle Elixir
I had just finished working out six part harmonies for the new vincents track, when I stuck my head into my new piano for about the millionth time. WOW. I sang "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" at the top of my voice, with the sustain pedal on, and it sounded great. Not only do I have my own real piano, but I also have my very own reverb chamber! Yay! =^-^= (meow)
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Axl Rose, Rain And A Grand Piano.
(That's me sorted for the rest of my life *giggle*)
So, many of you have taken my "how well do you know me" test on my myspace. And when I put, what is my favourite song, the answer is in fact Ice Dance. But maybe the constant battle in my head is now leaning over to November Rain as being my favourite song of all time. The lyrics mean so much to me. 
It's a hard song to sing, but I can actually sing it... I guess because I mean it and love it so much. Hopefully one day I'll get the chance to sing it in front of a crowd. I wish I could write a song like this one. One that'll mean something to someone else as much as this one means to me. I don't think I'll ever tire of playing it, humming it, singing it, listening to it. Ever. So if you ever have the chance, on a rainy day, or when you need something great to listen to, youtube this song.
When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
We've been through this such a long long time
Just tryin' to kill the pain
But lovers always come and lovers always go
And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today
Walking away
When you take the time to lay it on the line
I could rest my head
Just knowin' that you were mine
All mine
So if you want to love me
Then darlin' don't refrain
Or I'll just end up walkin'
In the cold November rain
Do you need some time...on your own
Do you need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone
I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you
Sometimes I need some time...on my own
Sometimes I need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone
And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain, ohhh yeahhh
I know that you can love me
When there's no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain
Monday, 26 May 2008
Come On, Brothers, Lets Go Down.
Many people think they know what music I listen to. Queen, Guns 'n' Roses, Film Music.
But they never actually listen to what music moves me. The music I truly love.
I have film soundtracks from Bernard Herrmann's Psycho, to Danny Elfman's Pee-Wee's Big Adventures, from Williams' Jaws to Marianelli's Attonement, from John Ottman's take on Superman Returns to Patrick Doyle's turn at Harry Potter. I've got Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, to Queen's Live at Wembley to Brian Eno's Music for Airports.
All of which I listen to with either fascination, incomprehensible feeling, emotion, awe, and a rising sense of pride (not quite sure if that's the right word). One day, just maybe one day, that'll be me. If I can move but one person in my whole career, through the music that I create, in the way that these composers (especially Danny Elfman) have moved me, I would have reached my ultimate.
I was listening to a track from the film "O Brother, Where art thou?" that I'm borrowing. The track is called "Down to the river to pray". The first time I heard the song, I got goose bumps all down my arms and spine. Just the amount of voices singing out that song, together, sounding like they mean every word.
At a Smokin' Vincents rehearsal, Ross asked us which on of the senses we'd be ok with losing. He said hearing. My chin dropped to the floor. He'd rather go deaf than blind. If I went deaf, I honestly don't think I could keep myself living. I know that sounds stupid, or selfish, or what ever. But music is honestly my life. If I couldn't hear, listen, anymore, I don't actually think I would be me any more. I wouldn't be able to play my piano, I wouldn't be able to hear the sound of an orchestra anymore. I wouldn't be able to hear your voice anymore. I always said that there's only a few people that actually listen to the music when they go to see a film. To them, the music is just there. Well, to me, the music is the most important part of the film. I was doing what we do in class whilst I was watching Indiana Jones last night for god's sake. "hmm, interesting that we haven't yet heard the main theme..." I then turned to Marina after those few notes that tell you that that's Jones' shadow and said
But they never actually listen to what music moves me. The music I truly love.
I have film soundtracks from Bernard Herrmann's Psycho, to Danny Elfman's Pee-Wee's Big Adventures, from Williams' Jaws to Marianelli's Attonement, from John Ottman's take on Superman Returns to Patrick Doyle's turn at Harry Potter. I've got Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, to Queen's Live at Wembley to Brian Eno's Music for Airports.
All of which I listen to with either fascination, incomprehensible feeling, emotion, awe, and a rising sense of pride (not quite sure if that's the right word). One day, just maybe one day, that'll be me. If I can move but one person in my whole career, through the music that I create, in the way that these composers (especially Danny Elfman) have moved me, I would have reached my ultimate.I was listening to a track from the film "O Brother, Where art thou?" that I'm borrowing. The track is called "Down to the river to pray". The first time I heard the song, I got goose bumps all down my arms and spine. Just the amount of voices singing out that song, together, sounding like they mean every word.
At a Smokin' Vincents rehearsal, Ross asked us which on of the senses we'd be ok with losing. He said hearing. My chin dropped to the floor. He'd rather go deaf than blind. If I went deaf, I honestly don't think I could keep myself living. I know that sounds stupid, or selfish, or what ever. But music is honestly my life. If I couldn't hear, listen, anymore, I don't actually think I would be me any more. I wouldn't be able to play my piano, I wouldn't be able to hear the sound of an orchestra anymore. I wouldn't be able to hear your voice anymore. I always said that there's only a few people that actually listen to the music when they go to see a film. To them, the music is just there. Well, to me, the music is the most important part of the film. I was doing what we do in class whilst I was watching Indiana Jones last night for god's sake. "hmm, interesting that we haven't yet heard the main theme..." I then turned to Marina after those few notes that tell you that that's Jones' shadow and said
"Isn't music clever."
Regenerate
As I was writing these quotes down, I realised how stupid it is to worry about learning them for some stupid exam, when these words were written by men who actually suffered their meaning.
Starting with some jingoistic quotes, onto quotes from poems that show the brim of what the "great" war must have been like. "The old lie: It is sweet and right to die for your country."
Shakespeare’s Henry V (c. 1599)
St. Crispin’s Day Speech:
“The fewer men, the greater share of honour…”
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.”
Rupert Brooke
Peace: (1914)
“And caught our youth, and weakened us from sleeping…”
“To turn, as swimmers into cleanness leaping…”
“Glad from a world grown cold and weary…”
“Nothing to shake the laughing heart’s long peace…”
“…and the enemy is but Death.”
The Soldier: (Pre Somme)
“If I should die, this only this of me…”
“Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam…”
In hearts at peace, under and English heaven.”
Jessie Pope
The Call:
"Who's for the trench -
Are you, my laddie?"
Who'll earn the Empire's thanks - "
"Will you, my laddie?"
Sir Henry Newbolt (1862 – 1938)
Vitai Lampada (They pass on the torch of life.)
“An hour to play and the last man in”
“Play up! Play up! And play the game!”
Siegfried Sassoon
They (1917)
“‘They will not be the same; for they’ll have fought’”
“‘On Anti-Christ; their comrades’ blood has bought… honourable race…”
A Soldier’s Declaration (July 1917)
“I am a soldier, convinced I am acting on behalf of soldiers.”
“…I may help to destroy the callous complacence… majority at home… have not sufficient imagination to realize.”
Wilfred Owen
Dulce Et Decorum Est (1917 written in Craiglockheart)
“bent double, like old beggars under sacks…”
“GAS! Gas! Quick, boys! An ecstasy of fumbling…”
“In all my dreams before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.”
“The old lie: Dulce et dcorum est
Pro patria mori.
Anthem For Doomed Youth (1917 written in Craiglockheart)
“What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?”
“Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle.”
Starting with some jingoistic quotes, onto quotes from poems that show the brim of what the "great" war must have been like. "The old lie: It is sweet and right to die for your country."
Shakespeare’s Henry V (c. 1599)
St. Crispin’s Day Speech:
“The fewer men, the greater share of honour…”
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.”
Rupert Brooke
Peace: (1914)
“And caught our youth, and weakened us from sleeping…”
“To turn, as swimmers into cleanness leaping…”
“Glad from a world grown cold and weary…”
“Nothing to shake the laughing heart’s long peace…”
“…and the enemy is but Death.”
The Soldier: (Pre Somme)
“If I should die, this only this of me…”
“Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam…”
In hearts at peace, under and English heaven.”
Jessie Pope
The Call:
"Who's for the trench -
Are you, my laddie?"
Who'll earn the Empire's thanks - "
"Will you, my laddie?"
Sir Henry Newbolt (1862 – 1938)
Vitai Lampada (They pass on the torch of life.)
“An hour to play and the last man in”
“Play up! Play up! And play the game!”
Siegfried Sassoon
They (1917)
“‘They will not be the same; for they’ll have fought’”
“‘On Anti-Christ; their comrades’ blood has bought… honourable race…”
A Soldier’s Declaration (July 1917)
“I am a soldier, convinced I am acting on behalf of soldiers.”
“…I may help to destroy the callous complacence… majority at home… have not sufficient imagination to realize.”
Wilfred Owen
Dulce Et Decorum Est (1917 written in Craiglockheart)
“bent double, like old beggars under sacks…”
“GAS! Gas! Quick, boys! An ecstasy of fumbling…”
“In all my dreams before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.”
“The old lie: Dulce et dcorum est
Pro patria mori.
Anthem For Doomed Youth (1917 written in Craiglockheart)
“What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?”
“Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle.”
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Smile! (you'll live longer)
I love the way things seem to travel, and get moved from one loving owner to the next. Take my piano, Ronald. He was once Beaulieu's piano, being loved by many a child, including my aunty who recognised it. "I used to sing next to a piano that looked just like that one at school" "That's because it IS that piano". Moving on... he then moved to a different home, where I'm sure he was loved again! He was then gonna be put into a dump, but somehow ended up in my dining room. heh. And so, Ronald is being loved some more. Same happened again today. Tis my uncle's birthday, and he lives next to a field where we do bbq's and huge bon fires. The piano stool that I used to sit on during Smokin' Vincents rehersals, that came along with Ronald, was going to be taken up to the next bonfire heap because my mum refuses to have it in the house. I was very sad at this point, because I do love that stool (very comfy). Anywho, my cousin Katie walked in and was like "ooh! I need a stool for my room, and it'll look nice there too!" And there we have it. It's off to another loving home =)
How lovely.
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Class of 2008
That's it. The last day ever of school. The last time I'm ever gonna have a whole week where I see my friends everyday. The last time I'm gonna be tirelessly following my structured timetable. The last time I'm ever gonna help to run an assembly. The last I'm ever gonna have to trudge up to U8 from the middle school half way through an eccentric English lesson. 
The last time I'm ever gonna complain about having to walk up that bloody hill to De La Salle RS lessons. The last time I'm gonna sneak down to the church during mentor time to play the grand piano. The last time I'm ever gonna walk down those steps to the dungeons (aka the studio) everyday. That's it. Over. I managed to hold my tears in yesterday quiet well. I somehow made everybody else cry, through the power of music, but it wasn't until that last "free" lesson that I let it out. I actually can't believe that I've finished at that school. I love the place so so much and my time there has just seemed to fly past, I guess because I've had so much fun there. 
I know it's now onwards to new horizons and a new life, with excitement and new people, and that I'm so lucky to have the opportunities to go to this new life, but to be honest, I really really don't want to leave this one behind. I can't even begin to describe to you how much I'm gonna miss everything. The people, the place, the lifestyle... everything.
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