Thursday, February 26, 2009

Colin O'Donohoe
Pangean Orchestra

This was taken from a viral musing over on face book. I put down some of the albums that were most formative to my own musical identity. I went back as far as age 7 for some of these. Enjoy, and feel free to comment, agree, or disagree about the quality of my choices.
This isn't my all time favorite albums, just the ones that at some point in my development really did something for me.
Take care and God Bless,
Colin
There in no particular order either -


1. John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”
2. Enigma MCMXC A.D
3. Dirty Dozen Brass Band “Medicated Magic”
4. Brooklyn Funk Essentials “In the Buzzbag”
5. U2 “Achtung Baby”
6. Sting “Ten Summoners Tales”
7. The Roots “Do you want more?”
8. Beastie Boys “Licensed to Ill”
9. Bon Jovi “Slippery When Wet”
10. Various “Judgement Night Soundtrack”
11. Various “Rogues Gallery”
12. Misirli Ahmet “Mel de Cabra”
13. Paddy Reilly “Paddy Reilly Live”
14. Makem and Clancy - “Makem and Clancy collection”
15. Bob Marley “Legend”
16. Clifford Brown “Clifford Brown and Max Roach”
17. Toumani Diabate “Djelika”
18. Sergio Mendes “Brasileiro”

19. Schumann “Concerto for Cello in A minor” some random cd in the ASU music library, don’t remember the cellist or the orchestra, but wow, few recordings shaped me more! I know that the Dvorak concerto was also on there too, but that one didn’t resonate with me.

20. Stevie Ray Vaughan “The Sky is Crying”
20a. Buena Vista Social Club “Buena Vista Social Club”
20b Pat Matheny "First Circle"

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Judgement night, collaboration, special thank you's

Colin O’Donohoe
Pangean Orchestra


What’s New?
Look for my new “Special Shout out” section thanking wonderful podcasters and bloggers who play and talk about my music. I’m deeply grateful to them and hope that you can check out their sites/podcasts.

From facebook it seems that there are a lot of self reflection exercises floating around right now. Some of them have to do with either random albums that come to mind, or your favorite albums, or the ones that shaped the most either positive or negative.

It lead me to remember back in 9th grade when I listened to the album “Judgement Night” which was a soundtrack. For each track they brought one hip hop group and one hard rock group together. It was back when the grunge scene was still pretty popular. I really loved some of the music on that cd. I thought it was one of the coolest ideas I had heard. I think it was then that the seed for intercultural collaboration was planted in me.

Many years later I heard a wonderful album called “In the buzzbag” by Brooklyn funk Essentials with a Turkish group Laco Tyfa. This was the next album that really helped me in my journey towards forming my own group that could balance funk and world traditional music together.

I had always thought that I could cling to more lofty ideas about how I decided to go into music. I’m humbled by the fact that it was probably just a movie soundtrack that did it. The movie btw was one of the worst I had ever seen. I fell asleep during it and am not sure how it ends, though I don’t really care either.


Songs that I adore: Soundtrack to “Muppets from Space”


This is a seriously great collection of 70’s funk tunes. I can’t listen to this album without wanting to dance. I guarantee listening to this cd will make you smile. If you haven’t seen the movie, go rent it, it is great. Whether you have kids or not you’ll still enjoy it. Though, I think it probably is more fun watching it with some little ones around.

Special shout outs - -
I would like to take a moment to thank the following people who have featured me on their podcasts and blogs. I am very grateful that they genuinely like my music and wanted to share it with their audiences. Please take a moment to check out what they are doing -

Magical Mystical music - really great music!
http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?searchdesc=%22Colin+O%27Donohoe%22&I1.x=0&I1.y=0

Jason Tippit’s “Pod across America” - very cool, I must say!
http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?searchdesc=%22Colin+O%27Donohoe%22&I1.x=0&I1.y=0

Luver Radio - independent music, you’ll hear new stuff all the time
http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?searchdesc=%22Colin+O%27Donohoe%22&I1.x=0&I1.y=0

www.luver.org

CHMR 93.5 FM
web link wasn’t working when I tried it.

Radio Clandestino
http://www.live365.com/stations/splinkster

Music for Midnight - cool music!
http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/381-music-for-midnight

New Age Stars - cool site/music
http://www.newagemusic.nu/

Dust my broom podcast - check it out

Jason Tippit’s Mental Nomad Podcast- He always seems to find good stuff
http://mentalnomadshow.blogspot.com/2009/01/artist-interview-world-musician-colin.html

More shout outs to come, I promise!

Until next weeek
Colin

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Colin O’Donohoe
Pangean Orchestra

What’s New?
I’m so excited to tell you that the website for my new ensemble is finally up. www.pangeanorchestra.com
My mission with the group is to create a modern ensemble that celebrates the common bonds within all cultures through celebrating our music. I believe that if we spend more time jamming with each other and talking to each other, we’ll spend less time bombing each other.

I remember being in a mail store waiting to ship out a package during the first couple days of our war in Iraq (remember those “shock and awe” days?) The man behind me in line was talking loudly on his cell phone. I don’t remember his full conversation, but a few words that he spoke will never leave me.
“Yeah, why don’t you come over later, we’ll have a few beers and watch the bombs drop”. I felt physically ill and almost threw up in the store. I had never heard such callas indifference to human life. I thought, this is a tragedy, families, kids, are dying and Americans are going to watch it like a football game over beer and chips. I knew then I had to do something to prevent more events and thoughts like this. Now, I have this group that can hopefully begin to bridge Americans understanding of our place on the planet as well as our neighbors.

We’ll perform modern tunes, ancient songs, and everything in between.
A lot of people have expressed some skepticism towards the idea of having such diverse instruments on one stage at the same time. I know that it may take a few rehearsals to find a good balance between the instruments and players, but I know it can be achieved. I have to take a page from our President as the “eternal optimist” as he refers to himself and believe that this orchestra can have an incredible sound that blends well and doesn’t sound like a terradactyl choking on a bicycle.

When you visit the site you’ll see examples of some of the instruments featured in the group. We don’t have all of our musicians yet, so if you know anyone in Phoenix AZ that wants to join, please tell them to contact me. I tried very hard to find video’s that had good sound quality and a good video that showed you what the instrument looked like. Enjoy, and let me know what you think of the group and the site.

Songs that I adore: Schumann Cello concerto in A minor

I first heard this piece of music when I was beginning my undergraduate music studies. I fell in love with the Cello from this piece. I was so amazed at how beautiful and expressive the sound was. I had never really heard such an incredible display of artistic beauty before hearing that piece of music.

I remember sitting in a library one afternoon determined to take advantage of the recordings in the music library. I sat with the earphones on and a notebook to write down my thoughts. I don’t know why I chose that recording but I’m so glad that I did. I don’t remember the cellist unfortunately though. I do remember sitting through the Dvorak concerto first and not being excited by it (sorry).

The music just completely captivated me as I dropped my pen and listened. I couldn’t spoil the moment by analyzing it, I just had to listen. It was similar to when I heard “A Love Supreme” (John Coltrane) for the first time and realized how music could be a truly religious/spiritual experience. This is one piece of music that has really shaped me as an artist.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

work on sutra album, one million roses

Colin O’Donohoe
Pangean Orchestra

What’s new?
I’ve been writing a lot of new music lately. Much of it for my new album with the working title “Lyrical Sutra’s”. I’ve been studying a lot of the Buddhist sutra’s and trying to find away to set them to music.

I had this crazy thought that I wrote down a while ago where I said “this will not be my masterpiece” For some reason, this has really been a tremendous way to unburden myself with the project. I have been paralyzed before in trying to move forward with my musical endeavors in an effort to make them perfect. In the effort to try to make them perfect I in many times didn’t create anything.

So, now that I’ve given myself permission to just write and play, the project is speeding ahead. It has been like a flood of inspiration pouring down from above. I’ve really enjoyed getting deep into the spirit and feeling of the various sutra’s. To name a few:
Heart Sutra
Diamond Sutra
Lotus Sutra
Boddhisatva’s vow
Pure land Sutra (short version)

I’d be happy to share a work in progress if you’d like to drop me an email and I’ll send something your way.

Also, I’m so close to having the website up for the Pangean Orchestra. It was very cool spending time looking for video’s for the site. While you look at them you may agree or disagree with the choices I used. Keep in mind that I was looking for video’s that not only showed what the various instruments could do, but that were also video taped well, and showed the instrument. You wouldn’t believe some of the amazing performances that were captured by a drunk blind man on stilts!! Not Cool! I don’t want to warn visitors to “close your eyes while we show you the rebab”

I know I’m late again with the blog, please don’t shoot me. I hope I didn’t disappoint my fan(s) - (the s is optimism in its truest sense :)

Songs I adore: One Million Roses - specifically by this Korean group



I’ve never heard this song in English, and so far that’s a good thing. I’m sure we could do a cool version in English but I just like the style and melody in this arrangement and how it is set against the traditional instruments.

I also like how this very performance embodies what I love about the planet we live on today. We can share music with each other from anywhere on the planet with no consideration for natural barriers. It no longer matters how close or far away musicians are, we can now learn from each other so quickly.

Pangean Orchestra will embrace music and the instruments of the world performing arrangements ot traditional pieces as well as contemporary pieces in dazzling new ways. I can’t wait to share it with you all.