Do-Re-Mi in Belgium

This video is about one day in a train station where everybody felt like dancing to the same song...



I first heard about this video from one of my teachers, and then I went home to watch it. It's very original and I think the idea is revolutionary. It makes everyone think that a musical was actually happening. When you see movie musicals, and you see all of the citizens and townspeople join in the songs it sometimes doesn't fit. Those people sometimes don't seem to have a purpose dancing other than to just be a part of a musical. For example, in the movie and play Mary Poppins, every at the racetrack starts to sing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (and that's the real spelling, too). They don't really understand why they are singing except that it's a fun song and tune. They don't all personally know Mary Poppins, but they are just singing the song because it is fun. In this video, the same thing happened. People just joined in carelessly and did the choreography like it was a part of their daily life. A musical really happened. Everyone has a friend or two that break out into song randomly, but very few people have seen over a hundred people break out into song randomly at the same time and dance in unison. It was like a show choir but with real people.

I have two favorite parts of the video. The first part is when the kids start coming down the steps. At that moment the little ditty that the twenty or so people were doing becomes a big dance. It really makes the performance more gravitational as well. My second favorite part is the old lady dancing. The camera only shows her for a few seconds, but it is a very funny part of the video. The lady showed how much organization this performance took to rehearse everything. It must have taken hours to get everyone to move like that together and in unison.

I really like the idea of what these people have done. I decided that if I was ever to make a movie musical that I would film it in this manner. I'm not really sure of the specifics, but I think it would be really interesting for audiences to see a side of society that is almost not real.

"Uninvited"

One of Alanis Morissette's title songs is "Uninvited." It's a strange, eerie piece. She is telling someone that he is uninvited. My show choir performed this song last year, but I think her version is much more cool. First of all, I really enjoy the tune of the song. I could sing it all day. Of course, it sounds very odd when the soloist is not a female voice. Nonetheless, the song is very unique and appeals to the thinker. I also really like how the song is almost like a poem with music. Using lots of simile and metaphor, the words make you think. For example, "Must be strangely exciting to watch the stoic squirm." What does this mean? In context of the song, I think it means that it must be thrilling for her lover to watch her surrender and struggle against his love. In my mind, the song is about a struggle. The singer is trying to escape the love of someone. In this phrase, she was the stoic and the man took pleasure in making her struggle
She is telling the man that he is "uninvited" to her. He's not allowed to love her. And it's unfortunate that this had to happen. She loved him and was attracted to him- like any hot-blooded woman she's wanted an object to crave.

I really like the orchestral part of this song as well. It's almost poetic by itself. It's very strong, and it is nearly all minor until the very last chord when she begins to sing again. Also, the song is based off of the simple four note repetition first heard at the very beginning of the song.

Alanis Morissette promotes another discussion all by herself. Now I'm not a big Alanis Morissette fan, but in this song she does a great job. She gets the audience to feel her innocence and desires. Her body language and her voice inflection both promote her vulnerability and weakness to love. I do not think that what she does in this song with her voice and her body would be acceptable for any other song. "Uninvited" calls for a profound harshness, but it also calls for softness. It is about a contradiction of feelings, and I really like it.

Alegria- Cirque du Soleil

Some of the most powerful music can be found in the many shows of Cirque du Soleil. The music is modern, but has an ancient feel. It's some of my favorite music, and I know that its extraordinary feel adds a great deal to each show. My favorite of the Cirque du Soleil songs is the theme from Alegria.

Josh Groban- A New Genre, a New League

Josh Groban has one of the most amazing voices of our time. This post is basically a tribute to him, so if you feel differently go ahead and look at something else. Josh Groban has many qualities that all singers strive for: incredible vocal technique (precision for every note, complete vocal control, he sings "ligitly" or properly) and he puts his heart into every song- much like the other singers I have praised in this blog. One quality that is rather unique to Josh Groban is that he sings many of his songs in Italian. However, the songs that he sings do not sound like anything classical. Those songs sound more as if they are modern songs of another country. Many of Josh Groban's songs mix operatic style and text perfectly with the modern day, which is why his style is so appealing.

Before Josh Groban, most teens and young adults only listened to rap and hip hop, two types of music that didn't require highly trained singing. When Josh Groban entered the pop world, people couldn't get enough. His songs have a popular feel, and yet they show off excellent singing technique that make his songs even more powerful and influential than songs that don't involve proficient singers. I remember the first time I ever heard Josh Groban sing; it was at the Super Bowl about five years ago and he sang "You Raise Me Up," perhaps his most well-known song. I was so impressed, and I think he drew in many people to his genre through that performance.

I also think that the chord structure of all of Josh Groban's songs fit the music and text perfectly, and they are often very innovative, feeding off of classical and modern styles. As a result, it appeals both to young and old listeners, drawing in a wide range of ages to the music. Nearly all of his songs are also very catchy; the lyrics and the tune help do this.

Another strong point of Josh Groban is that all of his songs showcase his voice. For some artists, some songs don't show their high notes or their power. Some artists only have up beat songs while others can only have somber ballads. Some songs don't let the singer craft the music to make it more interesting, and some songs just aren't moving at all. Each and every one of Josh Groban's songs show his high notes, his power, his gentleness, his craft, his technique, his control, his energy, and his heart. Each of his songs actually means something. For me, even if the lyrics are all in Italian, I am still moved by his songs. The tunes just give themselves to me and they make me think of good times- or bad times. And whether his songs are in Italian or English, each builds and builds throughout the whole song until it reaches the climactic high note or phrase. However, the way up to that moment is just as interesting and moving.

All in all, Josh Groban has created a new type of singing. His songs colorfully blend music that appeals to the youth now with music that appeals to older generations. Many of the songs have a classical feel with new and present lyrics and melodies. They music is unlike any other, and Groban has created something truly extraordinary. Creating new music is always something artists strive for, and I think that Josh Groban will keep creating brilliant music that touches the hearts of millions, if not billions, of people.