Here is one of the lesser known (but very enjoyable) original melodies of Andy McKee, played with his technically precise finger-style method. Nakagawa-san is from Andy’s Gates of Gnomeria CD, by CandyRat Records.  A recent reviewer said:

Andy McKee is currently one of the most critical talents in the world of guitar, combining his magical songwriting with refined technical skills and innovative techniques. His heart fills the music as he makes it all look so easy. Andy’s music is timeless and truly valuable to listen to for relaxation or just for the sake of beautiful music.

Earlier this year, we enjoyed looking at Andy McKee’s delicate and delightful use of harmonics in another video – the song named “Heather’s Song”.  Andy is probably most famous for his Guitar Drifting video, which has racked up an incredible 17 million views on YouTube.

I browned the sausage on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning I got up early; whipped the eggs, and grated the extra-sharp cheddar cheese. While it baked in the oven, I wrote a short article about Bono.

Priscilla made some fruit salad. We had breakfast a little after 8:00AM. Jane and the girls enjoyed the breakfast.

We got to church early, and the girls practiced Let All Things Now Living on the violin, viola, and cello. (It’s sung to the old Welsh tune of Ash Grove.) Ralph talked about letting the little children come to Jesus, and the blessings of God’s covenant faithfulness.

We had chicken, potatoes and vegies for lunch. Then we watched City of Joy. It’s a great movie about a shanty town in Calcutta — filled with gangsters, slum dwellers, and people with leprosy. (People I could relate to.) Do you know the happiest part of the movie? The wedding celebration.

That was yesterday. It’s only a memory now. Yesterday was also a Beatles’ song. But that was yesterday, and I want to talk about Tomorrow. Smashing Pumpkins wrote a song called Today (which I don’t recommend), so let’s talk about Tomorrow.

My mother grew up in Ogilvie, Minnesota — which is a really small town along highway 23, north of the Twin Cities. Seems like a lot of kids growing up in Ogilvie felt trapped in that tiny town, and could not wait to grow up and get out of that “2 traffic-light town”. There were only a couple stores in Ogilvie, so lot’s of folks went to other towns nearby to do their shopping. To the north-east was a town called Mora, and to the south was a little town called Day. Seems like the town called Day was even smaller than Ogilvie, so maybe they went there just to get away from Ogilvie.

People in Ogilvie had a saying that was kind of funny and really makes you think about yesterday, today, and tomorrow. They would say:

“Today I’m going to Mora, and tomorrow I’m going to Day.”

Bono wrote a song about his mother’s funeral, called Tomorrow. His mom died when he was only 14, and I think that was one of the big events that set a trajectory for his life, and shaped several of his songs.

Tomorrow also talks about Jesus coming back. [ Tomorrow Lyrics - song by Bono/U2]

“Open up to the Lamb of God… To the love of He who made the blind to see … He’s coming back, I believe it, Jesus coming… I’m gonna be there.”

I know the Great Wedding Feast is coming Tomorrow, and I’m gonna be there too. Just wanted to encourage you to think about yesterday, today, and tomorrow, while it’s still today.

It’s always daytime where I’m going. It’s called it the marriage supper of the Lamb. I’m not sure if we’ll eat breakfast since there won’t be any night, but I’m sure there will be joy and feasting. No darkness. No night. Only light. Only day.

Today I’m only talking about Tomorrow, but Tomorrow I’m going to Day.

This one is called Ruin of the Beast.   You can also check out Steven’s mySpace page and listen to more music. The video was created by Portland Studios.

Keely Noel reviewed Straightjacket and said:

“Delopoulos surprises the senses... he seems unafraid to expose vulnerability through his poetic, although sometimes cryptic, lyrics. His words leave vivid pictures that remain long after the song has ended, and the longer you find yourself simmering in the lyrics the better the reward.”

What do think is happening in the story/song/video – Ruin of the Beast? Please share your ideas and comments…

Andy is probably the most popular fingerstyle guitarist to emerge in recent years. There’s an interview of Andy on IntrumentalCase.com where he talks about his recent success:

“I had been teaching guitar for the last 10 years but recently stopped due to all of these gig opportunities. I was on the late night show Last Call with Carson Daly back in February. Someone there had seen the YouTube videos and emailed me…  I performed in England, Germany, and Austria a couple months ago, and will be in Portugal in June, Canada this summer, Japan in September… I’m really living my dream, making a decent living playing music! It’s all I’ve wanted to do since the age of about 14.”

See also: Andy McKee – Guitar Drifting His Way to Success

Blues harmonica done right! It’s fun to listen to. I love music with an aggressive attitude; played by a musician with an opinion of how it should sound. Bluesy music sounds better played by people with a ‘bad attitude’. What am I trying to say? What does that mean? It’s more than just bending a few notes, or adding more cowbell. At the heart of grooveology is improvisation; taking a risk.

I’ve been pondering the mysteries of musical creativity (innovation, improvisation) as it relates to creativity, and risk taking in other domains. This is a huge topic; it won’t fit in one article — but let’s get started and see where it leads.

“Musical improvisers often understand the idiom of one or more musical styles — e.g. blues, rock, folk, jazz — and work within the idiom to express ideas with creativity and originality. When done well, it often elicits gratifying emotional responses from the audience.” – from Improvisation, Wikipedia

When a skilled musician begins to improvise, the results can be amazing. Take a guitar drifting lesson from Andy McKee.

What do you think of Andy McKee’s style? Would you say Andy has an unconventional style? People are fascinated by his musical style because his methodology is new, unique, and innovative. He takes risks. He innovates. He improvises. He abuses the classical guitar methodology so badly, that one can barely recognize it. Andy has an amazing attitude, and a unique opinion about how the guitar should be played.

Leading film-makers are seeking to change the way we think about other countries. This is one of a powerful series of films to be shown on Pangea Day, May 10th, “the day the world comes together through film”. Set against the backdrops of Nairobi city and the beautiful landscape of Uhuru Park, a Kenyan choir sings the Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Credits…

Concept: JOHANNES LEONARDO / Produced by: Blue Sky Films (EPZ) Ltd
Producers: Mario Zvan, Jim Shamoon
Director: Bob Nyanja
Production Manager: Hemal Shah
Production Coordinator: Shiv Mandavia
Production Assistants: Consolata Karani, Phylis Andika
Production Accountant: Catherine Mumbua
Assistant Director: Tosh Gitonga
Location Manager: Yayha Chavanga
Director of Photography: Martin Munyua
Combined flags provided by conceptual artist: Mariano Favetto
Choir Coordinator: Maggie Kiundi
Camera Assistant: Kevin Ouma
Best Boy Lighting: Francis Ouma
Electrician: Ezekiel Andika
Key Grip: Jackie Tella
Crane Grip: Steve Obunde
Assistant Grip: Ken Omutimba
Sound Recordist: Lee Smith
Wardrobe Coordinator: Sophie Oprisanu
Wardrobe Assistant: Chris Kariuki
Unit Coordinator: Patrick Musyimi
Unit Assistants: Wycliff Obote, Joel Karo
Editor: Philip Murugi
Drivers: Lawrence Macharia, George Atsiaya, Ferdinand Yeswa, Mwangi D., and also Mbugwa D.

Choir: Geoffrey Mukoto, Esther Nyandia Kariuki, Violet Muhonjia Ingosi, Urbanus Kioko Octavy, Jane Wandi Wanjira Njeru, Mathew Muriuki Githinji, James Kagwimah, Brenda N. Munyasia, Marietta Mwamachi, Rosemary Nyongai, Stephan Okoth, Mary Mwende Mutua, Liboyi Paul Nganyi, Justus Mutua, David Mumanga, Dorcas Akinyi, Agatha Nafula, Abbyserah W. Kiruri, Scholastica Ngolanie

Wow! I’m never really one to watch American Idol. (I think I’ve seen 3 episodes in my life). But this video clip on YouTube caught my eye. I’ve heard this song by Darlene Zschech (bio-story) at my church (and on the radio) before, but did not expect to see it show up on American Idol, YouTube, and all over the blogosphere.

Josh Harris thought they watered down the lyrics, but maybe you have a new attitude, and it gives you something to shout about.

My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!

You can download an MP3 of the song from Amazon.

You might be a rock ‘n’ roll addict prancing on the stage,
You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage,
You may be a business man or some high degree thief,
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody…

Complete lyrics to the Bob Dylan song can be found on the BobDylan.com website.