Although Outkast might beg to differ, hip-hop doesn't exactly have a reputation for being "so fresh and so clean." The genre has long been accused of promoting the moral ills of sexism, violence, and promiscuity. Those accusations are hard to deny, but I must confess that I still listen to it. So when a hip-hop song comes along that pulls the rug out from under those critics who write hip-hop off as lewd and non-redeeming it is a big victory for those of us who love finding wonder in unlikely places.
On the seventh track of his album Kingdom Come, which served as Jay-Z's "un-retirement," HOVA* boasts of the maturing he has done over the years. The track, titled "30 Something," lets listeners know that Jay-Z isn't a kid anymore, and his goals are bigger than sex, drugs and Escalades. So it shouldn't be a shock when "Minority Report" goes right to the heart of the human condition in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Sure I ponied up a mil, but I didn't give my time so in reality I didn't give a dime, or a damn
You may have heard
Jeremy Lason's song "Today" on ABC's "What About Brian," but have you
seen it being put together? Just having something usually isn't enough
for us, we want to know how it came to be, how it was created, where it
came from. Take the evolution-creationism debate-it's all about how
things were made, how they came to be. Does the answer to that debate
change how we live? Maybe it does. Does seeing how a song is created
change how we hear it? I think so. Have you ever had a song that you
loved and then heard a previously unreleased version of the song and
had it change how you felt about the song (for better or for worse)?
Sufjan Stevens keeps it pretty traditional on his version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" from his album Songs For Christmas, Volume 1. Stevens recorded three separate versions of the song across his five volumes of Christmas songs; the only one with lyrics being on the first volume. For all his quirky playfulness Stevens delivers a hauntingly earnest performance with this version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel." The quiet sparseness of the song smacks of sincere emotion and intense subject matter.
No one is certain of the origins of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" but it's believed that the traditional music comes from the 15th Century French processional for Fansiscan nuns, but also may contain elements of 8th Century Gegorian chants.
If your ideas of what the first Christmas night looked like come mostly from dimly lit plastic nativity scenes in people’s lawns and Christmas pageants preformed by local churches, then you no doubt envision ‘three wise men’ presenting gifts to the baby Jesus while he lays in a manger full of hay. While a stable crowded with cows, shepherds, three kings, Mary, Joseph and a ‘no crying he makes’ baby is a great picture for the front of a Christmas card, it's not the story found in the Bible. The three wise men, three kings or The Magi—whatever you want to call them—never showed up that night. The fact is, they found Mary and Jesus in a house, not a barn. Some scholars even say it may have been a couple of years before they found where Jesus was.
Two years of wandering and wondering.
Are you wandering and wondering? How long have you been at it? What is your wandering like? Is it aimless or are you following something, seeking something, searching for something?
I found you Star of terrifying effigies When the night falls I carry myself to the fortress Of your glorious cost Oh, I may seek your fortress
As Matt pointed out, when you purchase Sufjan Steven’s box set, Songs for Christmas, you get a few additional goodies. One of the extras is a 23 panel Tom Eaton comic strip titled, It Was the Worst Christmas Ever. Under the title Eaton has drawn a malicious-looking fairy, who we learn is the Evil Sister Winter.
Our story begins as Evil Sister Winter is spotted flying over Santa’s Headquarters on wings of icicles. Her spell throws Santa’s chemical balance into disarray! He now wallows in self-pity and winter funk. Is Christmas ruined?!
It’s a quirky tale, appropriate for this collection of tunes. You can rest easy; Christmas is saved, though not by Sufjan who makes his appearance in the 7th panel. No, deliverance comes from an unexpected source, one that will not be revealed here.
When the name "Bono" is mentioned these days you are more likely to find yourself in a poverty conversation than a music one. Many have speculated the lead singer would soon be waning from the subject matter as often is the case for many celebrities/individuals and their various charitable interests. This said, you don't earn a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for a simple side hobby.
It should be no surprise then that U2's upcoming single finds its setting in Africa's landscape. In a video interview released on the band's website late last week, Bono not only performs the new single, he discusses its inspiration as he sings. What is fascinating about the new song is that it is actually an old one - originally written (at least partially) during the Joshua Tree recordings in the 80s. Bono had first visited Africa in 1984 as a result of Bob Geldof's Live Aid. And although Bono's participation in the relief effort was for the most part tabled until the late 90s, the interest and sorrow began during this first visit to Ethiopia - where he and his wife spent 6 weeks working at an orphanage.
I have a play list on my ipod where I dump songs that help me regain my perspective. I usually head for this oasis of sound when I am feeling like the darkness of life is looking stronger than I know it really is. I need things in my life to remind me that The Light is what drives out the darkness—Light is not the exception to the rule—Light is what cannot be overcome, despite the way it looks sometimes.
A new song has made its way onto my play list of hope this week: ‘Rise Up Singing’ by Daisy May
Hitchhiking her way across America with a guitar on her back, Daisy May [May Erlewine] forged her folk music writing style that she was destined to share with the world. The product of a family of musicians, May lives in the great state of Michigan where she plays many of her gigs.
Today is Halloween, which means a few obvious things. What is often overlooked is that Halloween is actually (in most places) an "eve" celebration. In the Catholic tradition, November 1st is known as "All Saints Day" or "All Hallows Day" making October 31st "All Hallows Eve". While the first of November has a variety of spiritual meanings throughout the world, in America - it is jointly recognized by all-that-is-commerce as the official beginning of the holiday season. (It's acceptable to put out the decorations and goods.)
So, in spirit of "All Saints Day" we thought it appropriate to highlight a favorite saint of our own: Annie Clark - a.k.a. "St. Vincent " (previously featured here ). And in alignment with this monumental day in our country's economy, Clark's "Jesus Saves, I Spend" could not be more appropriate.
The eighth track on In Rainbows is a warm and dreamy grove that draws you in with its melodious sounds but leaves you feeling the chill of naked vulnerability. This song is written about you, whether you like it or not. For Radiohead, it isn't an issue of if this is part of your story; it is simply a question of what part of your life is this song about. You can say that these words have no connection to your life, but they have a word for that:
If you have ever looked at the story of Cain and Abel in scripture (Bible and/or Quran), a "What the hell?" might be the most appropriate response. Humanity can't get out of the second generation before the first murder is on our hands. The story goes - Cain provides a token offering to God, Abel offers something a bit more robust. God finds favor in Abel's gesture, not-so-much with Cain's. Cain turns jealous and/or annoyed - invites Abel out for a little stroll. No more Abel. (Genesis 4)
