tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282322580708448752024-02-20T10:53:27.518-08:00Colin O'Donohoe, PangeaThis blog cover songs and musical styles from around the world. I need your help to learn more about the famous and popular songs and genre's from your heritage. I welcome your input to learn as much as I can about the wonderful sounds of the world. Thank you!Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-88897691810139960722009-02-26T10:54:00.000-08:002009-02-26T10:59:52.103-08:00Colin O'Donohoe<br />Pangean Orchestra<br /><br />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.<br />This isn't my all time favorite albums, just the ones that at some point in my development really did something for me.<br />Take care and God Bless,<br />Colin<br />There in no particular order either -<br /><br /><br />1. John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”<br />2. Enigma MCMXC A.D<br />3. Dirty Dozen Brass Band “Medicated Magic”<br />4. Brooklyn Funk Essentials “In the Buzzbag”<br />5. U2 “Achtung Baby”<br />6. Sting “Ten Summoners Tales”<br />7. The Roots “Do you want more?”<br />8. Beastie Boys “Licensed to Ill”<br />9. Bon Jovi “Slippery When Wet”<br />10. Various “Judgement Night Soundtrack”<br />11. Various “Rogues Gallery”<br />12. Misirli Ahmet “Mel de Cabra”<br />13. Paddy Reilly “Paddy Reilly Live”<br />14. Makem and Clancy - “Makem and Clancy collection”<br />15. Bob Marley “Legend”<br />16. Clifford Brown “Clifford Brown and Max Roach”<br />17. Toumani Diabate “Djelika”<br />18. Sergio Mendes “Brasileiro”<br /><br />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.<br /><br />20. Stevie Ray Vaughan “The Sky is Crying”<br />20a. Buena Vista Social Club “Buena Vista Social Club”<br />20b Pat Matheny "First Circle"Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-41292289432406806292009-02-18T12:06:00.000-08:002009-02-18T12:07:38.282-08:00Judgement night, collaboration, special thank you'sColin O’Donohoe<br />Pangean Orchestra<br /><br /><br />What’s New?<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />Songs that I adore: Soundtrack to “Muppets from Space”<br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />Special shout outs - -<br />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 -<br /><br />Magical Mystical music - really great music!<br />http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?searchdesc=%22Colin+O%27Donohoe%22&I1.x=0&I1.y=0<br /><br />Jason Tippit’s “Pod across America” - very cool, I must say!<br />http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?searchdesc=%22Colin+O%27Donohoe%22&I1.x=0&I1.y=0<br /><br />Luver Radio - independent music, you’ll hear new stuff all the time<br />http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?searchdesc=%22Colin+O%27Donohoe%22&I1.x=0&I1.y=0<br /><br />www.luver.org<br /><br />CHMR 93.5 FM<br />web link wasn’t working when I tried it.<br /><br />Radio Clandestino<br />http://www.live365.com/stations/splinkster<br /><br />Music for Midnight - cool music!<br />http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/381-music-for-midnight<br /><br />New Age Stars - cool site/music<br />http://www.newagemusic.nu/<br /><br />Dust my broom podcast - check it out<br /><br />Jason Tippit’s Mental Nomad Podcast- He always seems to find good stuff<br />http://mentalnomadshow.blogspot.com/2009/01/artist-interview-world-musician-colin.html<br /><br />More shout outs to come, I promise!<br /><br />Until next weeek<br />ColinColin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-79641255218479597482009-02-10T08:05:00.000-08:002009-02-10T08:07:49.456-08:00Colin O’Donohoe<br />Pangean Orchestra<br /><br />What’s New?<br />I’m so excited to tell you that the website for my new ensemble is finally up. www.pangeanorchestra.com<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold;">“Yeah, why don’t you come over later, we’ll have a few beers and watch the bombs drop”</span>. 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.<br /><br />We’ll perform modern tunes, ancient songs, and everything in between.<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Songs that I adore: Schumann Cello concerto in A minor</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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.Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-29819864624211874462009-02-04T21:37:00.001-08:002009-02-04T21:37:31.819-08:00work on sutra album, one million rosesColin O’Donohoe<br />Pangean Orchestra<br /><br />What’s new?<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br />Heart Sutra<br />Diamond Sutra<br />Lotus Sutra<br />Boddhisatva’s vow<br />Pure land Sutra (short version)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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”<br /><br />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 :)<br /><br />Songs I adore: One Million Roses - specifically by this Korean group<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ffvnj_RB1j4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ffvnj_RB1j4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-55419543231806751862009-01-27T21:11:00.000-08:002009-01-27T21:12:19.242-08:00Sergio Mendes, recent activitiesColin O’Donohoe<br />Pangean Orchestra<br /><br />What’s new?<br />I have been very busy lately on some great projects!<br />First, I wrote and recorded my very first Country song that I’m very proud of. It was a lot of fun, and I like it.<br />Second, the website for the Pangean Orchestra should be up very soon. I’ve had a lot of fun finding cool video’s/songs to put up on it. It will be a great representation of the music and things that you’ll find when you come to a show, or watch online.<br />Finally, I finished another song for my upcoming album. The new album isn’t titled yet but is based on Buddhist Sutra’s.<br /><br />I don’t think the whole multi-segment blog is working for me so well so I’m going to scratch it for now. I’ll still mention a song or band that I love though and write a little about it.<br /><br />If you’d like to hear the country song I wrote send me an email and I’ll see what I can do.<br />codonohoe72@gmail.com<br /><br />Songs I adore: Sergio Mendes Brasileiro<br />I especially love the first two songs.<br /><br />This album begins with an amazing array of percussion. The song then breaks into a great groove and a upbeat dance tune that will make you move, unless you are dead!<br />My favorite song on the album is the second one: Magalenha<br />There is this one part of the song where a male singer is rapping/singing very fast and rhythmical. The best part of the song occurs when the women singers come in. They come in with these very straight eighth notes that completely juxtapose what you just heard from the male singer. They then break into a unison rhythmic figure and repeat the straight eighth notes one more time. I listen to the song just for that part sometimes! It is so worth it. It’s like being a kid and watching an R rated movie in hopes to see “romance”, and when there is, it’s totally worth the boring parts you just sat through. Not that I ever did that, but I’ve heard it’s like that.Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-9452239580435422062009-01-18T20:31:00.000-08:002009-01-18T20:33:36.757-08:00MLK and Barack ObamaJanuary 19 2008<br />Pangean Orchestra<br />Colin O’Donohoe<br /><br />Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<br /><br />I’m a father. Every St. Paddy’s day we listen to a lot of Irish music. Every MLK day I sit with him and show him video’s of Dr. King’s speeches. Both are enjoyable, but lead to very different conversations.<br /><br />I don’t want people to think, feel, or say that the dream is realized on January 20 2008. It isn’t. It is far from realized. We take a beautiful step towards the realization, but nonetheless find many more mountains to climb after that foot is planted in the ground. Maybe we feel that Obama is the one that can lead us towards the realization, but don’t think that the game is over.<br /><br />I interpret Dr. King’s dream to be one where we can go about our days with “race” being nothing to be afraid of. We shouldn’t be afraid to acknowledge our differences or similarities. How can the dream be realized when there are still many people afraid that Obama is a “secret muslim”. Can the US have a Muslim president? Gay President?(openly that is). Can we have an openly gay, muslim, right to life, woman of Mexican decent president?<br /><br />Is President the only place where the dream can be realized? I feel like the entire country and its inhabitants (meaning us) have to work towards that realization. <br />Enjoy the festivities as I will. This is a historic event that I am so excited about. I feel that Barack Obama is an incredible man who will lead us out of this mess we are in. Just don’t let this moment allow you to disown your own responsibility towards making King’s dream a reality.<br /><br />If you love his message, love humans, and think the goal/dream is worth achieving; don’t quit now. The momentum just swung in our favor, but there is still a lot of time on the clock.<br /><br />ps -<br />Go Steelers!!Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-79632963745395191052009-01-12T08:03:00.000-08:002009-01-12T08:04:05.918-08:00Pangean Orchestra<br />Colin O’Donohoe<br />www.donohoemusic.com<br /><br />I want to thank a few places that have featured me in their podcasts/websites:<br />Bohemio Radio<br />http://www.live365.com/stations/ews<br /><br />Robkast Radio http://blog.robkast.nl/<br /><br /><br />What’s New: A few weeks ago in a blog I asked about music from Afghanistan and I was fortunate enough to get a few leads. Here is one musician that I was introduced to through the splendor of youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR8yUmzZPDM<br />I strongly recommend taking a listen, it is prety cool stuff.<br />I’ve been in Paris Texas now for about a week. I’ve taken in one of their most famous cites the Eiffel Tower (with cowboy hat that is :) I was inspired while here to write a country song. Who knows, maybe I’ll record it and be able to share it with “y’all”<br /><br />I’m also moving ahead as best I can with my plans to form the worlds first truly world orchestra with instruments from as many countries/continents as possible (the Antarticans have a wonderful icicle flute) As more information becomes solid I will definitely share it with ... “y’all”<br /><br />Region I’m looking for this week: Biwa and other gagaku music. The Biwa is such an incredibly cool instrument. It is like the Chinese Pipa except that the musician plays the strings with a hair comb. Does anyone know a Biwa player? Anyone play it? I’d LOVE to talk to a musician of this instrument!<br /><br />Region/Topic I can share: Here is a link to a Biwa video on youtube for anyone curious about what the instrument it: (just ignore the intro, it is a good video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnIQl5CZRr8<br /><br /><br />Songs that I adore:<br />Miles Davis: (Album) Kind of Blue - (Song) Blue in Green<br />I’m starting to forget the pieces that I’ve listed here. One song that I really love is Blue in Green. There is a radio station in Phoenix AZ called KjZZ which plays this album every night. I think they should just call themselves the “Kind of Blue” station. I know that this album is overplayed, but it still has amazing recordings on it.<br />My favorite track on the album is Blue in Green. The entrance of the trumpet by Miles Davis is amazing. His musicianship on this track is just heartbreaking and incredible. There really aren’t words for when a musician hits this level of mastery on his/her instrument. He transcends being a person playing an instrument and allows it to be the sound system of his soul.<br />I strongly recommend taking a listen to this song if you haven’t already heard it. If you have, listen again, and if you’re in Phoenix, just turn on KJZZ and I bet it is playing right now!<br />PS- I apologize for the sentence structure of that last sentence.<br />Have a great week!<br />ColinColin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-40081544664970961072009-01-05T08:20:00.000-08:002009-01-05T08:21:00.026-08:00Pangea, what's new, Persian music, Laos-khaen, 16 tonsColin O’Donohoe<br />Forming the Pangean Orchestra - reuniting the world through sound<br />Pangea<br /><br />What’s New:<br />I’ve been writing a lot of different music lately. I just had a song of mine recorded called “Burning Whiskey Blues” I’m also trying to move forward with plans for the Pangean Orchestra. Hopefully, I’ll have more to report on that front by February.<br />I’m thinking that 2009 will be an amazing year for all of us. I had a great time in ’08 and am even more optimistic for ’09. I’ve been taking some time to look back on my successes and failures of ’08 to see how I can do even better this year. I don’t like to dwell on the failures, but I’m trying to see what went wrong to change it for this year. The successes are much more fun to look at. It is like practicing music, it is always nice to play a song you know rather than practice the parts that kick your butt!<br /><br />Region I’d like to learn more about: music of Iran.<br /><br />Do I have any Persians in the house? Can you give me some names of some Persian master’s that I should check out? Any Persian songs that are famous and have survived numerous generations? I know I have to have at least one reader who knows about this stuff, so come enlighten me!<br /><br />Region I can share with you. Laos - Khaen<br /><br />Have you ever heard of a khaen? Have you ever heard of Laos? It’s ok, a lot of people haven’t.<br />This instrument is a lot like a harmonica. The weird thing that I find with it is, you don’t get any tone unless you cover a whole for a certain pitch. Most wind instruments that I’ve played give you a note regardless of where you put your fingers. The khaen only sounds once you put your finger on a hole. Also- you can play as many notes as the holes you cover. Each hole is a certain note, unlike the flute/sax/and other western wind instruments that only allow you to play one note depending on the comination of how you place the fingers, the khaen keeps adding notes as you add fingers allowing you to play chords.<br />I think it sounds a lot like a Casio keyboard from the 80’s, but that’s just me.<br />To check it out, go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egdC4HJpWJg<br />Enjoy something new :)<br /><br />Song I adore: 16 tons.<br />This is a pretty cool song. I like the lyrics and I like that it is a bit of oral hisory. It is one thing to learn about the company mining towns, it is another to hear a song about a miner who is explaining just how difficult it really must be to be a miner. Take a listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBkrAESUbyI<br />When you listen to it, see if you think it reminds you of the recording from the “pirates of the Carribean” ride. Remember, it’s a pirates life for me? They have a similar wind interlude. Besides that, it is a pretty cool sounding old school jazz/pop song.Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-20678823446475651072008-12-29T09:04:00.000-08:002008-12-29T09:06:19.137-08:00Pangea, Tommy Makem, Mouth harp/Jew's Harp, learn to drum,Pangea<br />Pangean Ocrhestra<br />Colin O’Donohoe<br />12/29/08<br /><br />What’s new:<br />I hope you have all had a nice holiday! I hope none of you are too upset about missing your weekly installment of your favorite blog (my blog!)<br />In my streak of being the last to find out about things, I just learned that Tommy Makem died (last august I believe ’07). Man, I am sad about that. I loved his music and concerts. I’ve seen him live twice and he was a great perormer. He had a wonderful ability to connect with the audience. I will make mention of him again later in the songs I adore section.<br /><br />What I want to learn about: Mouth Harp/Jew’s Harp<br />I love youtube! Are there any mouth harp players out there? Is it really Jewish? Forgive me but I always thought it came out of the Appalachians. I always heard it in American Folk music going twang twang twang, or boing, boioing, bioioioing :)<br />I’d love to know who the top artists are out there.<br /><br />What can I share:<br />Hmmm. I’m running out of idea’s. ok here’s one...<br />Ever want to know how to play the full drum set with your arms doing different things? Here is how you do it.<br />Count to 4. that’s all you really have to do.<br />On beat 1, tap your right foot and tap your right hand on your leg.<br />On beat 2, tap just your right hand on your leg<br />On beat 3, tap your right hand on your leg, your left hand on your tummy or some other surface, I use the tum tum drum.<br />On beat 4, tap your right hand only.<br /><br />That’s it. Count as slow as you’d like. Then speed it up. Good luck!<br /><br /><br />Songs I adore:<br />The “Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy” albums.<br /><br />As a kid I listened to a lot of music, mostly current rock/rap/ and yes “glam” bands. However, I also listened to a lot of Irish music. My favorite “band” of Irish music when I was little was the duo of Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem.<br />I loved how they wove poetry and history into the songs. I was very moved by “Willie McBride”, and “Patriot Game” as incredible anti-war songs. I also loved “Whiskey yer the divil” and “The Moonshiner”.<br /><br />For me and my family, “The Irish Rover” was a rite of passage. You had to learn the lyrics to it and sing it. It made long car rides much more tolerable in the days before portable dvd players, ipods, and even.... FM radio (yup, that’s not a typo kiddies, I mean FM, not XM, FM! Cars actually didn’t have that once)<br /><br />Anyway, This music is more than sound, it is life. It is a bridge that connects me to those who brought my DNA over the Atlantic. As an adult I really admire Tommy Makem’s attention to the details and history that made the songs so incredible. I will lift up my drink tonight for him, “A parting glass”<br /><br />For him, I hope that he entered the gates to a jam session already in progress, and an empty seat beside a snug turf fire!Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-10249335976558504422008-12-16T19:15:00.000-08:002008-12-16T19:20:41.009-08:00Pangea, Thank God I'm a Country Boy, Blues, Sally Goodin, FragileColin O’Donohoe<br />Pangea Orchestra<br /><br />What is new:<br />This week I rediscovered John Denver and the song “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and then from that I started listening to recordings of “Sally Goodin” on youtube. It made me realize that I was guilty of something I’ve seen from various people as I’ve been performing. When I perform traditional music from other countries I have always met people from that country who respond to me with such a perplexed look and ask “why are you interested in that?” They go on to say how ‘that’ music is so old and isn’t very popular any more, and even they themselves don’t know much about it.<br /><br />I always feel sad like they’re ignoring or denying such a beautiful heritage. With me being born and raised in the U.S., I never really spent much time at all listening to old American folk and traditional music. My dad would play it often but I never spent much time paying attention to it.<br /><br /> So, I met Sally Goodin. Not my Sally Goodin, but THE Sally Goodin. I’m amazed at how similar some of these songs are to traditional Irish jigs and reels. I’ve had fun listening to traditional American musicians and Southern all-stars such as Earl Scruggs and others. I ain’t a Country boy, but I do love the tunes!<br /><br />***I’ve had a few glitches with the email list sign up. I’m trying to get it fixed asap. In the meantime, email me at wmenyc at gmail.com and I’ll sign you up. Did I mention that I have an amazing new MP3 just waiting to be sent to you? I love my list, very much!! The music is yours if you are interested in getting on the list.<br /><br />Music I want to learn about: Traditional Southern music!! I want to know the names of people to check out, albums that are amazing, songs that I can’t live without. Please, if you know about traditional southern music from the USA, please send me an email or just post to the blog so the world can read about it! Thank you!!!<br /><br />Music I can share: Ever want to know what a real blues form was? Since I’ve been talking about American music I think I should try to let you in on the pieces of Americana that I do know about. While Blues today means a lot of music that isn’t really the blues form, I’ll let you in on what that form really is.<br /><br />The blues is a 12 bar (measure) form. This means that every 12 measures the song form starts over again, like a loop from the ice age (a reference for all the youngins out there who write loop based music)<br /><br />Anyway the form is broken into thirds and goes basically like this<br />Part one: the first four measures<br />One chord (literally the 1 or root chord) for 4 measures<br />Part II:<br />The four chord for 2 measures, the 1 chord for 2 measures<br />Part III<br />The five chord (1 measure)<br />The four chord (1 measure)<br />The one chord (2 measures)<br />You can also play the five chord at the end of this third part if you’d like.<br /><br />There are a zillion variations, but this is the basic form. As for the vocal arrangement it generally has one statement that is said twice and embellished the third time, I’ll write one right now<br />I’ll call it the “nobody reads my blog blues” No one touch this, I’m copyrighting this puppy!<br />Blues lyric form:<br /><br />“I checked my blog views, and it said there were none<br />Yeah, said I checked my blog views, and it said there were none<br />So I called up my brother, made him read it, and now it says 1”<br /><br />It basically goes like that. Now those lyrics are purely fictional as I don’t know any poor soul who writes week after week for no fans. Man, that would just be terrible!!<br /><br />Songs that I adore: Fragile<br />Sting<br />I know, I should be putting up an Earl Scruggs or John Denver tune for this post, but I had already written this one. I promise I’ll talk more about those good ol’ boys later.<br /><br />I could probably listen to this song infinite times and still not be sick of it. I love the melody, the words, the performance, it is all precious.<br />The lyrics of course are very creative, full of imagery, and pierce your soul (unless your Dick Cheney (he sold his soul for an extra chocolate milk in 4th grade *** little known fact***)<br />When I start rehearsing with the Pangea Orchestra, it is my hope that we can create a great arrangement of this song.Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-6924548909382883052008-12-08T15:02:00.000-08:002008-12-16T19:27:26.377-08:00Resonance, Toumani Diabete, U2, Anti-war songsColin O'Donohoe<br />Pangea<br /><br />What's New:<br />I was asked last week how I knew that I wanted to be a musician and focus on "World" music. It caused me to remember back to when I was taking an acoustics class. The teacher was talking about how each instrument has its own resonant frequency where the entire instrument will resonate the best at one certain pitch. I remember hating when people would play a b natural, especially the b on the middle line of the treble clef because it would make my snare drum rattle like crazy.<br />He talked about how you can blow over a bottle too fast and too slow with no sound forthcoming. Then, you blow the air at just the right speed and the entire bottle comes to life and sings. For me, being a musician and focusing on the genre's that I do, just makes my entire being resonate! It is what makes me feel most alive. When I am performing, composing, or even discussing music I feel more alive. All of us have something that makes us truly resonate, the trick is to make that your life's work.<br /><br />Region I’m looking for: Anyone have some great Anti-war songs? I’m looking to hear any songs from any culture that have anti-war/peace sentiments. Please send me an email or respond to the blog any songs that you think I need to hear!<br /><br />Region I can help with:<br />While I am not an expert on the Kora, Toumani Diabete is!<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOMZ6HWtvUs<br />Please check out Toumani Diabete, he is amazing!<br /><br /><br />Songs that I adore: Love is Blindness<br />U2 Achtung Baby (one of my favorite albums btw)<br />Cassandra Wilson (new moon daughter)<br /><br />Achtung baby changed my life when I was about 12/13. One thing that I love about U2 is that they create their songs like a vivid painting. They have such a rich soundscape that it really puts you in the setting of the song. Bono’s lyrics are the most striking thing in the song ofcourse, with lines like “you’re a dangerous idea, that almost makes sense”<br />Being Irish I always thought that Love was a glass of guiness, good music, and a pretty wench, man was I wrong...<br /><br />The song builds to a brilliant climax when the electric guitar takes a solo. It isn’t overly virtuosic, but perfect for the song. All parts of this piece are played from the heart and with great precision. I believe it is also in Bb minor which is kind of an odd key for a rock song.(throwing that out there for all you musicians)<br /><br />The Cassandra Wilson arrangement is nice and has more complex harmonic progressions, flat 9 chords and all, but I like the U2 version more. If you can, take a listen to both.Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-2349849204378698992008-12-03T23:23:00.000-08:002008-12-16T19:26:41.585-08:00Scandinavia, Tico Tico, Cipher NotationColin O'Donohoe<br />Pangea<br /><br />What's New:<br />Well, first, I hope that everyone had a great holiday and stayed away from too much wine!I was able to spend some time composing and have finished a few new pieces. One of them will be appearing on a new album of mine that should be out in '09. The album is about the Buddhist Sutra's. It will be my first "electronica" album. We'll see how it goes. I'm pretty excited about it. I've found using a computer as my palette of instruments to be exciting. It will never replace people...but, it is a lot of fun, and a great artistic outlet. I'm sure that once you get a chance to hear some of the things I'm creating you will enjoy it.I'll even send out a free mp3 of a track from the album if you join my email list. You can do so by visiting my website, or emailing me.<br />Check <a href="http://www.donohoemusic.com/">http://www.donohoemusic.com/</a> for my email or to add yourself to the list.<br /><br />Regions/styles I'm looking for:ScandinaviaI heard the song "Finlandia" on Mike Moore's new movie and realized something: I know next to nothing about the traditional and folk music from this area! Are you from Scandinavia? Do you know about the music? Play it? if so, please write in and let me know what songs I should be listening to, what are your native instruments, who are some of the greatest musicians in this region? Any info is always appreciated! Thank you :)<br /><br />Region/Topic that I can share: Cipher NotationPeople have asked me about the "Chinese" notation from my days with New Moon Orchestra as the conductor. This notation isn't only attributed to the Chinese but is found in several other countries as well.What this notation is, is the writing of numbers instead of notes. The numbers are the scale degree's which range from 1-7. There are dots that appear above or below the note to tell you whether the note is high or low. There is a bit more to it, but that is the basic info.<br /><br />Songs that I adore: Tico TicoI love playing this song. This is a happy, fun, bright piece of music. if you are in a bad mood you should listen to this. It is near impossible to listen to this song and not smile. Playing it is even better. If you are an instrumentalist, get a copy of this music and play it. Add it to your repertoire, you will not regret it!As always, thanks for reading! If you ever want to contact me you can always visit <a href="http://www.donohoemusic.com/">http://www.donohoemusic.com/</a>.Colin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528232258070844875.post-68980657538293564012008-11-24T07:06:00.000-08:002008-12-16T19:25:54.822-08:00Taking the first stepColin O'Donohoe<br />Pangea<br /><br />My previous experience conducting New Moon Orchestra has inspired me to move forward and begin the next project. The reasons for this and the following blogs is to find<br />great songs, players, suggestions, comments as to how best to form this group. The music that we'll be performing are pieces from all over the world.<br /><br />I will begin blogging today, and every week up to and through our opening performance. Some. Some songs we will likely perform:<br /><br />El Carretero<br />Tell me ma<br />Carrickfergus<br />Fields of Athenry<br />She moved through the fair<br />My funny valentine<br />Mama said knock you out<br />Sai Mah<br />Oyle Sarhos olsum kii<br />A mi Manera<br />Shenandoah<br />Sally Goodin<br />60 tons<br />No woman no cry<br />Finlandia<br />and so many more from so many other countries.<br /><br /><br /><br />Region of the week that I want to learn about:<br />Countries -<br />Iraq,Iran, Afghanistan<br />I don't know much about the repetoir from Iran, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Do you? Do you have music from that area? If so, please feel free to leave some comments and educate me and the readers about this music.<br /><br /><br />Topic of the week I can share with you<br />Doumbek/Darbuka<br />I attended a wonderful music convention last week "TAXI Road Rally" and played my doumbek for many people. I was surprised that a lot of the attendees hadn't seen the instrument before. I had a wonderful time playing at some open mic and jam sessions throughout the days of the convention.<br />The doumbek and darbuka are the same thing. There are multiple names for this instrument as it has traveled from the Middle East through North Africa. I'm actually not 100% sure if it originated in North Africa and traveled East, or if it began in the East and travel south west. I need some of you ethnomusicologists out there to set me straight on that.<br />What I love about the instrument and that you might as well, is that it is like a portable drum set. You have the bass drum, snare drum, and filler hi hat type sounds all in one small compact unit. To think this came out several thousand years before the iphone! Those musicians must have really been on to something. It had to be compact because the musicians were vagrants/Gypsies/Nomads. Music was an important part of the culture, but they traveled by foot, horseback, and needed something that they could bring with them easily.<br /><br />A few things that may confuse you about the instrument when you see it:<br />Some people play it sideways, others put the drum between their leg.<br />Some Doumbeks are metal, others are clay.<br /><br />In America i really think it is personal preference. I have seen Turks play it sideways, I've seen North Africans play it vertically. It has a lot to do with what country you are from and what the common traditional teaching is in that country. As the instrument moved around different people adapted different techniques to its performance.<br />You work with what you have. I remember the great and wise Donald Rumsfeld saying "you don't go to war with the army you want, you go with the one you have" :) Now for those of you offended or afraid that this might have hurt the morale of the troops, it is okay. I've seen his car and he has a yellow ribbon on the back. Consider the troops supported...<br /><br />Anyway, my point being that if you are in an area that is wooded, your drums will be made out of wood. If you live without trees then clay might be the only option....<br /><br />If you raise goats, your drum will be goat skin, raise cows? Than you'll have calf skin. What is use to make a doumbek doesn't make it a different instrument. It will drastically change the sound and weight of the instrument, but not the name.<br /><br /><br />Songs I adore: Carrickfergus<br /><br />Every blog will include me talking about at least one song that I just love. For my first blog I'll talk about the Irish ballad Carrickfergus. I especially love these recordings<br />Paddy reilly Paddy Reilly Live<br />Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem - Reunion<br />Van Morrison and the Chieftains Irish Heartbeat<br /><br />My fondest memory of this song is hearing my brother sing along with it the evening before I was to move away. I remember him singing "I'm drunk today.... and rarely sober" He was just messing around and we had a few beers in us. I loved the passion he had for the lyrics. It made me reexamine the words again.<br />The lyrics are pretty damn good.<br />It is about a lost love and father time taking us only after first turning us old. While the song title itself is about a specific town in Ireland, the words are universal. This song could easily be sung about Wichita Kansas, Bursa Turkey, or Faluja Iraq. The words are so true and so great. If you haven't heard the song, you need to. The melody will stay with you, and if you're a musician you'll quickly find yourself playing it on your instrument.<br /><br />If you want the lyrics I'll be happy to email them to you. Just email me at <a href="mailto:wmenyc@gmail.com">wmenyc@gmail.com</a>, I will add you to my email list and the lyrics will be yours. I'll be assembling a great newsletter with pictures of instruments from around the world as well as more song suggestions, funny stories and some inside info. Occasionally we'll also be able to send out some free mp3's to our mailing list.<br /><br />Thank you for reading,<br />ColinColin O'Donohoe Donohoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17556223874406520604noreply@blogger.com0