I've listened to this at least five times today. It came up in the Songza playlist of "Reddit's 100 Most Beautiful Songs". My sister played one of Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi's songs at her wedding last year, though I can't quite recall if this was one of them. P&G even used it during a commercial during last year's London Olympics.
It's strings and piano. That's it. And I will say without reservation that it is one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of music I have ever heard. I was at work, this song came up, and I was simply overwhelmed by the beauty for the full seven minutes. It honestly brought tears to my eyes.
The unresolved ending leaves much to the imagination, and the emotional power of this song reminds you, at least for a short while, that humanity is capable of truly wonderful things.
YouTube and Amazon MP3
Showing posts with label piano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label piano. Show all posts
Friday, October 18, 2013
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Hem - Leave Me Here
I'm still in love with the piano. In fact, this song is from the same album as "Half Acre" two posts below.
What a difference a year makes, no?
It's been at least that long since I've purchased a CD. In these days of iTunes and Amazon MP3, the economics of buying one or two good songs $15-20 just doesn't make sense anymore. It never really did, but what choice did we have? But that is a discussion for another day. And the calculation is quite different when you're dealing with an exceptional album.
So, what can you find here? Hauntingly beautiful melodies. Poetic lyrics. That oddball of the woodwind family, the oboe. And a song worth leaving on repeat.
What a difference a year makes, no?
It's been at least that long since I've purchased a CD. In these days of iTunes and Amazon MP3, the economics of buying one or two good songs $15-20 just doesn't make sense anymore. It never really did, but what choice did we have? But that is a discussion for another day. And the calculation is quite different when you're dealing with an exceptional album.
So, what can you find here? Hauntingly beautiful melodies. Poetic lyrics. That oddball of the woodwind family, the oboe. And a song worth leaving on repeat.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
The DJ on KBCO this evening said he "couldn't get enough of this song."
I concur.
It's been a good several months since I've heard something both new and good on the radio, so here's something new for you. It's a poetic, mournful, folk-sounding track, which almost reminds me of Cat Stevens. And there's that piano again!
The flow of the lyrics sounds a little rushed at times, but the poetry they've written here is delightful.
"That woman, she's got eyes that shine, like a pair of stolen, polished dimes."
Yes, dear reader. It's a hidden gem.
I concur.
It's been a good several months since I've heard something both new and good on the radio, so here's something new for you. It's a poetic, mournful, folk-sounding track, which almost reminds me of Cat Stevens. And there's that piano again!
The flow of the lyrics sounds a little rushed at times, but the poetry they've written here is delightful.
"That woman, she's got eyes that shine, like a pair of stolen, polished dimes."
Yes, dear reader. It's a hidden gem.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Hem - Half Acre
Hi there. It's been a while, hasn't it? Did you miss me?
The title of this song refers to a scrap of paper torn from a map, a comforting reminder of where the singer grew up. She knows that whatever tragedies or misfortunes befall her, she'll always have a piece of her childhood to hold on to. A place where innocence and comfort still reside, if only in her memories.
Of course, can't that be taken too far? Maybe that's my problem - I'm not content to be comforted by a small reminder of home. I prefer the real thing, to this day and for the foreseeable future. But why haven't I chosen to break free from my safe place? Is it complacency? A lack of confidence? A sense of obligation? Satisfaction with "good enough?"
Is there somewhere out there that is a better place for me?
The title of this song refers to a scrap of paper torn from a map, a comforting reminder of where the singer grew up. She knows that whatever tragedies or misfortunes befall her, she'll always have a piece of her childhood to hold on to. A place where innocence and comfort still reside, if only in her memories.
Of course, can't that be taken too far? Maybe that's my problem - I'm not content to be comforted by a small reminder of home. I prefer the real thing, to this day and for the foreseeable future. But why haven't I chosen to break free from my safe place? Is it complacency? A lack of confidence? A sense of obligation? Satisfaction with "good enough?"
Is there somewhere out there that is a better place for me?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Billy Joel - Miami 2017
It starts off with an electric guitar rendition of a 1940's European police siren, then an innocuous little piano intro, which ends up evolving into a post-apocalyptic tale of a future New York.
From the 1976 album Turnstiles, all one has to do is watch Taxi Driver (also a '76 release, just about the time my dad was living on the Lower East Side) to realize that this vision of a future New York wasn't so far-fetched. And the lyrics suggest that no one really notices some of what goes on in 2017.
Of course, since Giuliani took over in 1994 and helped clean the place up, this future seems a bit less likely. But I know the culture, and to someone living in Manhattan between circa 1970-1990, Billy Joel probably seemed a bit a New Yorker's Nostradamus.
From the 1976 album Turnstiles, all one has to do is watch Taxi Driver (also a '76 release, just about the time my dad was living on the Lower East Side) to realize that this vision of a future New York wasn't so far-fetched. And the lyrics suggest that no one really notices some of what goes on in 2017.
Of course, since Giuliani took over in 1994 and helped clean the place up, this future seems a bit less likely. But I know the culture, and to someone living in Manhattan between circa 1970-1990, Billy Joel probably seemed a bit a New Yorker's Nostradamus.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Van Morrison - So Quiet In Here
You readers all know that the title is a link to Amazon's album page or the artist's website, right? Good. Just checking.
Tonight, we have another track from Van Morrison. From his 1990 album Enlightenment, which I consider the pinnacle of his career, it's a pleasant, calm song that my father first heard in an art gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Unfortunately, it took him a while to figure out the artist, partially because Van can sound so different between songs and especially decades. In the days before Google, it was quite the challenge to pin down a song if you had nothing to go on but the lyrics. And if the main lyric wasn't the title, then heaven help you.
Anyway, the piano, violin, and bass guitar sound great in this song. I can see it fitting in really well when you have some close friends over for a dinner party. Picture the evening winding down as you enjoy "a glass of wine with some friends, talking into the wee hours of the dawn."
I'll tease Van's lyrics a little and suggest that individual glasses would be better.
Tonight, we have another track from Van Morrison. From his 1990 album Enlightenment, which I consider the pinnacle of his career, it's a pleasant, calm song that my father first heard in an art gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Unfortunately, it took him a while to figure out the artist, partially because Van can sound so different between songs and especially decades. In the days before Google, it was quite the challenge to pin down a song if you had nothing to go on but the lyrics. And if the main lyric wasn't the title, then heaven help you.
Anyway, the piano, violin, and bass guitar sound great in this song. I can see it fitting in really well when you have some close friends over for a dinner party. Picture the evening winding down as you enjoy "a glass of wine with some friends, talking into the wee hours of the dawn."
I'll tease Van's lyrics a little and suggest that individual glasses would be better.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Donna Lewis - Heaven Sent You
This is a hot song.
Written by Welsh vocalist Donna Lewis, "Heaven Sent You" is an ambient, atmospheric tune featuring an astonishing vocal performance. The background sound gives your subwoofer a workout, but in a good way.
Her ethereal voice would be perfect for one of those great trance mixes I've profiled before. Of course, it has a piano, which is played on the higher octaves. It would be perfect to play while you're kissing someone.
Presumably so, anyway.
And the topic of the song? A nice dream. But it sure does sound good.
Especially recommended if you like:
Written by Welsh vocalist Donna Lewis, "Heaven Sent You" is an ambient, atmospheric tune featuring an astonishing vocal performance. The background sound gives your subwoofer a workout, but in a good way.
Her ethereal voice would be perfect for one of those great trance mixes I've profiled before. Of course, it has a piano, which is played on the higher octaves. It would be perfect to play while you're kissing someone.
Presumably so, anyway.
And the topic of the song? A nice dream. But it sure does sound good.
Especially recommended if you like:
- Sophie B. Hawkins
- Leigh Nash
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Van Morrison - And The Healing Has Begun
This song seems appropriate to start 2008. Everyone's in that resolution/self-improvement frame of mind, so let's feature a musical illustration of that. From the 1979 album Into the Music, it marks a significant turning point in Van Morrison's career.
It's got a little of everything - piano, (very) high strings, drums - a characteristic Irish-influenced Van song. It really wouldn't be out of place on his first solo album, Astral Weeks.
Incidentally, this is the song the street performer (just credited as "Guy") is playing at the beginning of the film Once.
Especially recommended if you like:
It's got a little of everything - piano, (very) high strings, drums - a characteristic Irish-influenced Van song. It really wouldn't be out of place on his first solo album, Astral Weeks.
Incidentally, this is the song the street performer (just credited as "Guy") is playing at the beginning of the film Once.
Especially recommended if you like:
- 1967-1974 Van Morrison
- Wow, he has a pretty unique sound. I'm not sure what else.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Sara Bareilles - City
Sara Bareilles is an up-and-coming pianist, whose music goes something along the lines of my previous recommendations of Amy Seeley and Vienna Teng. Young female pianists with wonderful voices.
We're not getting tired of it, right?
She's still on her first album, (with the obligatory song entitled "Gravity"), but she's becoming noticed very quickly. She's already had a song featured in a movie, but people might, just might, be discovering music other than her highlight single entitled "Love Song."
"City" is among the quieter tracks from her album Little Voice (a hint of humility, no?), and is one of those wonderful, personal, reflective songs that truly seems to give you a glimpse into Sara's life.
This one should be the single.
We're not getting tired of it, right?
She's still on her first album, (with the obligatory song entitled "Gravity"), but she's becoming noticed very quickly. She's already had a song featured in a movie, but people might, just might, be discovering music other than her highlight single entitled "Love Song."
"City" is among the quieter tracks from her album Little Voice (a hint of humility, no?), and is one of those wonderful, personal, reflective songs that truly seems to give you a glimpse into Sara's life.
This one should be the single.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Vienna Teng - Between
Vienna Teng (not her birth name) is a Chinese-American artist. She has excellent songwriting talent, and she's one of those musicians whose performances just washes over you.
She appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman a few years back, who stated that "there isn't a dud on this album," referring to her debut effort, Waking Hour.
"Decade and One," and "Soon Love Soon" are other highlights, but I don't know what else I can really say. Her music is simply beautiful, and it grew on me very quickly. She has four free MP3s available at her website.
She appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman a few years back, who stated that "there isn't a dud on this album," referring to her debut effort, Waking Hour.
"Decade and One," and "Soon Love Soon" are other highlights, but I don't know what else I can really say. Her music is simply beautiful, and it grew on me very quickly. She has four free MP3s available at her website.
Friday, November 30, 2007
David Lanz & Michael Jones - Good King Wenceslas
Well, I suppose it's about that time to start thinking about the holidays. This particular track is a traditional holiday piece within my family.
Yes, it's a familiar song, and I still don't really know the words, but thanks to Wikipedia, I now know that the Czech ruler Wenceslas helped out a poor, cold peasant on the day after Christmas at some time during the early 10th century.
That's nice, isn't it? That's what the holidays are all about. I wonder what holiday songs they'll be singing a millennium hence, and if any of today's world leaders are capable of the same generosity.
Yes, it's a familiar song, and I still don't really know the words, but thanks to Wikipedia, I now know that the Czech ruler Wenceslas helped out a poor, cold peasant on the day after Christmas at some time during the early 10th century.
That's nice, isn't it? That's what the holidays are all about. I wonder what holiday songs they'll be singing a millennium hence, and if any of today's world leaders are capable of the same generosity.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Bruce Hornsby & The Range - The Road Not Taken
You've probably heard some of Bruce Hornsby's music. He's excellent on the piano, and has awe-inspiring songwriting abilities. He often sounds reminiscent of something.
He's especially reminiscent in "The Road Not Taken." It's a joy to just sit back, listen to him work his magic on the piano, and take in the stories he tells so eloquently.
If you know any of his songs from his popular album "The Way It Is," You'll love his more recent albums like "Harbor Lights" and "Scenes from the Southside," which contains tonight's featured song.
He's especially reminiscent in "The Road Not Taken." It's a joy to just sit back, listen to him work his magic on the piano, and take in the stories he tells so eloquently.
If you know any of his songs from his popular album "The Way It Is," You'll love his more recent albums like "Harbor Lights" and "Scenes from the Southside," which contains tonight's featured song.
Friday, November 2, 2007
J.S. Bach - Concerto in F Minor, II. Largo (BWV 1056)
I would hope that Johann Sebastian Bach doesn't need an introduction.
A central theme in two relatively unknown films, Slaughterhouse-Five and Raising Victor Vargas, this short piece was originally written for harpsichord, but is commonly played on the piano, which had only recently been invented.
It's less than three minutes long, but it reminds one how a beautiful piece of music doesn't lose its lustre after over three centuries. It is, however, a rather uncharacteristic piece compared to the work of Bach you are more likely familiar with.
Thanks to Matthew Ebel for his comment! I'm quite pleased to hear from the artists themselves. I would, however, be extremely concerned if I received an artist's comment on this one.
Happy November!
A central theme in two relatively unknown films, Slaughterhouse-Five and Raising Victor Vargas, this short piece was originally written for harpsichord, but is commonly played on the piano, which had only recently been invented.
It's less than three minutes long, but it reminds one how a beautiful piece of music doesn't lose its lustre after over three centuries. It is, however, a rather uncharacteristic piece compared to the work of Bach you are more likely familiar with.
Thanks to Matthew Ebel for his comment! I'm quite pleased to hear from the artists themselves. I would, however, be extremely concerned if I received an artist's comment on this one.
Happy November!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Regina Spektor - Samson
Regina Spektor is a Russian vocalist whose widely varying music style keeps you enthralled.
You may have heard her music before. She's far from a complete unknown; in fact, JCPenney just used one of her songs in a recent TV commercial. Her lyrics are whimsical, fun, angry, poetic, racy, and pretty much everywhere in between.
The whole album is worth listening to, but the song Samson is my highlight. Alluding to the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah, with a couple slices of Wonder Bread thrown in, I can't help but love this song. It does seem to have an unresolved ending, but it's starting to grow on me and sound more "right."
Finally, I just wanted to express my surprise and delight from the comment I received on my first post from Amy Seeley herself!
You may have heard her music before. She's far from a complete unknown; in fact, JCPenney just used one of her songs in a recent TV commercial. Her lyrics are whimsical, fun, angry, poetic, racy, and pretty much everywhere in between.
The whole album is worth listening to, but the song Samson is my highlight. Alluding to the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah, with a couple slices of Wonder Bread thrown in, I can't help but love this song. It does seem to have an unresolved ending, but it's starting to grow on me and sound more "right."
Finally, I just wanted to express my surprise and delight from the comment I received on my first post from Amy Seeley herself!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Amy Seeley - Gravel Lines
Good evening.
For the first edition of Channel AK, I'm bringing to your attention Amy Seeley, a talented pianist currently living in Canada.
I first ran across this song on a photographer's website, who had it as the background music within a slideshow. It's quiet; a tune that could be the soundtrack to a winter afternoon with a light snow falling. Poetic, I know. The pure, beautiful simplicity of a woman and her piano shines through in her music. Tell me, when was the last time you really heard a song with one instrument and one vocalist?
She has a few free tracks available at her website for download.
Especially recommended if you like:
For the first edition of Channel AK, I'm bringing to your attention Amy Seeley, a talented pianist currently living in Canada.
I first ran across this song on a photographer's website, who had it as the background music within a slideshow. It's quiet; a tune that could be the soundtrack to a winter afternoon with a light snow falling. Poetic, I know. The pure, beautiful simplicity of a woman and her piano shines through in her music. Tell me, when was the last time you really heard a song with one instrument and one vocalist?
She has a few free tracks available at her website for download.
Especially recommended if you like:
- Tori Amos
- Lisa Loeb
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