Mid-Summer TV Line-Up

You gotta love Asylum who makes these "mock busters" of the real movies. They did this before when "Battle: LA" and they did "Battle: Los Angeles". This time they did "Almighty Thor" the day after the summer blockbuster "Thor" flick. People this movie is really bad but the trailer is funny when Thor uses an Uzi to take down Loki! I HAD to watch it just to see that!
The film is about Loki (Richard Grieco) who wants Thor's magic hammer to control Asgard and earth! Grieco didn't go over the top like I expected but it was still terrible performance. Thor (Cory Deal) is a new comer to the movies and he did audition for the theatrical movie. He is a big guy but needs a few more acting lessons. Wrestler Kevin Nash is Ordin and he is killed in the beginning. He does his best raspy Dark Knight impression. Special effects are good to poor! See it for a good laugh and on cable! People who are wondering why Syfy are doing Thor movies all the time is because Norse mythology has no copyright!
HAWAII 5-O--FINALE
I must tell you that the finale of this TV show was awesome. McGarrett (Alex O' Loughlin)is set up for killing the governor Pat Jameson (Jean Smart) Danno (Scott Caan) doesn't go home with his family, Chin Ho (Daniel Dae Kim) is now lieutenant and Kono (Grace Park) is arrested! Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos) makes a fatal guest appurtenance. I can't wait for the 2nd season!
SINBAD AND THE MINATOR
ORIGINAL SYFY MOVIE-MAY 21, 2011
ACTION/ADVENTURE/FANTASY
This movie is the usual low-budget for Syfy but it has a very handsome lead Manu Bennett (30 Days of Night and The Marine)who is very Australian. One day Hollywood will use an Arab-American to play Sinbad for this character is of Middle East decent! The two reasons to watch this is Steven Grives (Beastmaster) as Al-Jibar. He is good at being an over the top bad guy and Pacharo Mzembe is the black man is part of Sinbad's crew who lives through the ENTIRE movie!
SINGLE LADIES
ORIGINAL SERIES ON VH1-MONDAYS AT 9:00PM STARTING MAY 30, 2011
ROMANCE/COMEDY/DRAMA
The show should be on BET or TVOne! It is about two sexy, smart black women Stacey Dash and Lisa Raye McCoy living and loving in Atlanta. It is worth seeming at least the first episode for the one of the creators and producer is Queen Latifah! The other writer and producer is Stacey Littlejohn who is one of the few black female successful producers. She did All of Us, the Wanda Sykes show and Cedric the Entertainer Presents. It is only eight shows and it is the first scripted show on VH1 in history. It is good if you like soap operas with some 'flava.' I hope it stays on for awhile.

Movie Review: True Grit (2011)

The story of True Grit is an excellent source for a movie adaptation and the Coen Brothers retain the storytelling prowess they've always possessed with their vision of this epic tale of retribution. It still feels like a remake though, with every major event (as well as most of the minor ones) from the 1969 film finding its way into the script. Little has changed, save for the cast, and while the characters are handled well by the seasoned crew, it's unlikely their performances will hold up against the adoration of John Wayne and the original film. Even without comparing the leads between the two, this latest Rooster Cogburn is afflicted with such slurred speech and sonorous grumbling that intelligently written banter is lost to humorously unintelligible ramblings - this vocal setback plagues many of the other characters too. Hailee Steinfeld offers an entertaining precociousness and Matt Damon revels in his arrogant Texas Ranger, but it's nearly impossible not to recall the performances of Kim Darby and Glen Campbell. Perhaps the Coen Brothers' True Grit will find favor with those unfamiliar with the original - unfortunately those viewers have already missed out.
When her father is gunned down in cold blood by the treacherous Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) determines to see justice done no matter the cost. Searching out the meanest, orneriest Marshal she can find, Mattie hires Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to hunt down Chaney in the harsh wilderness of Indian territory. Much to the lawman's dismay, Mattie insists on accompanying him, as does cocky Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon), seeking out his own unrelated bounty on the man, leading the mismatched trio to begin a dangerous quest for vengeance.
The Coen Brothers' newest film is just begging for comparison to both the original novel by Charles Portis and the 1969 film adaptation. It's incredibly difficult to judge it on its own merits considering just about everything it accomplishes is immensely derivative. While this version follows the book closely, the changes aren't different enough from Henry Hathaway's earlier film, resulting in an attempt that for all intents and purposes, might as well have been a shot-for-shot remake. Many of the scenes are nearly identical, and much of the dialogue is the exact same, including the climactic showdown catchphrase which is cringe-worthy for fans of John Wayne's unforgettable delivery. It can't even top Strother Martin's minor supporting role, this time portrayed by Dakin Matthews.
Jeff Bridges' Rooster Cogburn isn't so much a new interpretation of the marshal from the book, but a variation on John Wayne's performance. This is unfortunate because while Bridges portrays a memorable, likeable character, he hasn't really displayed something creatively fresh for audiences. The language used is perhaps more authentic, but resultantly harder to understand, and the strained lack of spoken contractions doesn't flow well with the contemporary camerawork, lighting and effects. The only real improvements are the costumes and props, which were undoubtedly blessed with larger budgets and extensive attention to details.
True Grit is an exciting story with intriguing characters and therefore exceptional material for a screenplay. But it doesn't mean that it should be redone when it was already successfully adapted 41 years ago with an indelible actor that won an Oscar for his efforts. Especially when the filmmakers have nothing new to bring to the table, outside of an alternate cast and bringing back the bookending of familiar characters with detached, older versions of themselves, for the sake of following the novel - a trick that sadly distances viewers from the roles they're accustomed to.

Kung-Fu Panda's Journey to Inner Peace!

Possibly the most fantastic thing that happened this year. A Panda stole my heart! He's fun, he's cute, he's innocent, he's unassumingly adorable and boy! is he awesome at some serious ass-kicking Kung Fu!
In a quest to save Kung Fu, Po, the 'Dragon Warrior' Panda and the Furious Five make their journey to China but what lies ahead can change Po's life forever. The place not only is the land of Kung Fu Legends, but also holds the mystery to Po's identity. His arch enemy Lord Shen has a connection to Po's past that Po's unaware of. What starts as a mission for Po to save Kung Fu soon turns into a struggle to master Oogway's last lesson of Kung Fu- "Inner Peace".
Jack Black brings alive our favorite Panda with a renewed energy. His voice does for Po what nothing else does- makes him approachable to the audiences' heart. Jolie is fantastic as the Tigress along with Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, Jackie Chan as Monkey, Seth Rogen as Mantis, Lucy Liu as Wiper, David Cross as Crane and Gary Oldman as Lord Shen.
The movie has some awesome special effects and brilliant animation. There's never a dull moment. And, the best part about the animation is that it brings the element of comic virility alive. There are a lot of scenes of wonderful sequences and unpredictable comic timing in action that leaves the spectator filled with delight. The action sequences are full of awesome Kung fu moves and funny twists.
The scriptwriting is brilliant. There are dialogues that make beautiful sense for the sheer simplicity with which they've been written and used. The movie has a very positive note in that it includes spirituality and fun in a perfect blend of blissful awareness.
In the words of Po, "Let go off the past, because it just doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now." And, many more such moments of awareness that spring out of delightfully touching scenes. The movie is very moving in certain key moments that leaves the audience spellbound mostly due to the poignancy of the emotion combined with Po's innocence and truthfulness that's reflected in his face. Everyone can relate to the Panda in moments when his eyes shine with each new realization that brings him and with him the audience closer to 'Inner Peace'.
The Dragon Warrior's waiting for you. If you are at all into Kung Fu, animation, spirituality or just plain awesome fun, do watch it! And trust me when you do, you'll be saying in the words of our own very Panda,

Top TV and Movie Sidekicks of All Time

They add so much but never get nearly as much if any of the glory. Sidekicks don't necessarily like the term, "sidekick", but they really know what they are: the person behind the hero. They're not so much a love interest as usually a friend. Here are the brightest, the best, the coolest sidekicks behind the coolest heroes of all time. Lots of people like to do top ten lists and that's cool, but I'm going with fifteen this time.
15. Xander Harris from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Xander Harris is often the source of humor for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He has a heart of gold and when it really comes down to it, he will do anything he's capable of to protect the innocent and his friends from the forces of evil. He often comes up short in a physical fight, but more than makes up for it with his ongoing support and fierce loyalty. There are many sidekicks that are bigger, stronger and more powerful than Xander, but he beats them out with his willpower and heart alone. Xander lost his eye for the good fight and continues to fight evil.
14. Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski
Walter is another sidekick that doesn't necessarily have the goods when it comes to practical support. He makes a lot of mistakes and could possibly benefit from listening to The Dude a little bit. Walter is willing to do what he needs to do to help out. He is another sidekick who has an unquestionable loyalty to his friends. His experience in Vietnam is a constant source of inspiration for his actions in the present. The Dude could probably do better with a more stable sidekick but in the end, he wouldn't trade Walter for anyone. Walter jumped out of a speeding car on a bridge to help out The Dude.
13. Woodstock from Peanuts
I could have gone with Snoopy here as a great sidekick to Charlie Brown, but Snoopy seemed to be more of his own man than a sidekick. He always has Woodstock at his side to try to talk sense into him. While, no one knows exactly what Woodstock says, it's obvious whether Woodstock is trying to cheer Snoopy up, calm him down or chastise him for his mistakes. No other dog has a more loyal sidekick than Snoopy. Woodstock didn't even have a name for more than three years after appearing in the comic strip when Charles Schulz named him after the Music Festival. Woodstock has been a wrist wrestling partner, a mechanic, a secretary, a golfing partner and buddy to Snoopy.
12. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce from Angel
Wesley walked a hard road to get where he was meant to be. He had many failures and had to adapt his entire life to be the greatest asset to Angel. As a watcher, he was inept and lost control of two Slayers (Faith and Buffy) in Sunnydale before getting fired from the watchers council. He made his way to L.A. and Angel Investigations, where he eventually redefined himself as a versatile warrior, as well as extending his already amazing knowledge of the supernatural. Wesley actually betrays Angel at one point to protect Angel's son from Angel himself. This action opens a huge rift between Angel and Wesley but Angel eventually comes to understand why Wesley did it. Wesley fought to his death against evil, although he is brought back as a spirit. Wesley made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for Angel.
11. Sallah from Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones would not have made it out alive through Raiders of the Lost Ark without his good friend, Sallah. In Raiders, Indy tosses a date up to catch in his mouth but Sallah sees the dead monkey who had been eating them and quickly catches it before it reaches Indy's mouth. Sallah is a large boisterous Egyptian excavator. He's a family man with a wife and many, many children (who also saved Indy's life by surrounding him while Nazis were drawing down on him). He likes to sing when he's happy and he has a great sense of humor. The Indiana Jones movies would not have been the same without him. He helps Indy figure out the meaning behind the medallion, follows Indy into the Well of the Souls crawling with Snakes and gets Marion and Indy a boat ride with the Ark towards England. Sallah is the one who asks the question that causes Indy's dad to reveal his real name is Henry Jones Jr. and the dog was named Indiana.
10. Sgt. Al Powell from Die Hard
Al was the only friendly contact John McClane had in Die Hard. He really didn't appear to be in great physical condition, but that didn't matter. The guy stayed on the line, risking his job for McClane through the entire movie while insulting and fighting off his superiors to support him. The guy did get his cruiser obliterated by gunfire as well as by trying to avoid the gunfire while driving at high speeds in reverse through multiple levels of a parking lot. He also ends up saving John's life by shooting Karl while Karl is trying to shoot John. He makes a quick appearance in Die Hard 2 from across the country to help out McClane again.
9. Ed from Shaun of the Dead
Ed is the perfect sidekick to Shaun during the zombie apocalypse. He provides combat assistance, bumbling advice, comic relief and the perfect amount of video game playing. He is obviously not the perfect roommate but during undead infestations, it doesn't matter. He kind of gives away their location to the zombies on occasion but he more than makes up for it with his loyalty to Shaun. He makes the ultimate sacrifice by fending off the zombies while Shaun and his girlfriend escape. Ed is so loyal to Shaun that he stays in the shed and plays video games after his conversion to a zombie. How much more loyal can you be?
8. K9 from Doctor Who
K9 was actually a series of robot dogs but I had to include him here as he was on my Christmas list for years. You would have to be crazy to not want a K-9 for yourself. He takes man's best friend to a new level. He had his drawbacks like not being able to go up stairs but the laser in his nose helped the Doctor out of many dire situations. His advanced knowledge was extremely helpful on occasion as well. The K9 units were completely loyal to Doctor Who but three of them went on to accompany the Doctor's companions. Leela, Sarah Jane and Romana all were given a K9 unit to serve and protect them. I would still love a K9 unit if anyone wants to part with one.
7. Fritz from Frankenstein
Fritz is one of the earliest perfectly loyal sidekicks. Who is Fritz, you ask? He's the guy that many people mistakenly call Igor. The hunchbacked servant to Dr. Frankenstein is named Fritz in the 1931 film version of Frankenstein (which happens to be one of the best Universal horror movies from that time, as well as one of the best all-time films as well). Frankenstein seems to have a lot of name confusion as a lot of people seem to think that the monster's name is Frankenstein instead of the doctor. Heck, I called the monster Frankenstein many times by mistake. Fritz was willing to commit any crime for Dr. Frankenstein. He regularly robbed graves, stole brains and did whatever else was needed. Fritz helped create a tradition of mad scientists hiring (or enslaving) strange men to do their bidding often having a hunchback. Fritz was trying to scare Frankenstein's monster with a torch and whip and was paid the ultimate price during his service as a sidekick to the mad doctor.
6. Chewbacca from Star Wars
There doesn't seem like there could be a Han Solo without a Chewbacca. These two are a team unlike any other. Chewbacca has a growl and howl like no other. Maybe, we can't understand anything that Chewbacca says but we feel him. He has a fierce loyalty to Solo as Han once saved Chewie from being executed and they became smugglers together. Chewie always has Han's back like any great sidekick would.
5. Sheriff Harry Truman from Twin Peaks
Some of the sidekicks on this list are almost a shame to call sidekicks as they are close to being equals to their hero. Sheriff Harry Truman of Twin Peaks is a great man and a great lawman, but he is often confused and left behind Special Agent Dale Cooper. Cooper uses investigative techniques that leave Harry in the dust but Harry keeps moving, chasing after Cooper like a loyal hound. The investigative team searching for Laura Palmer's killer are one of the best in film and television history. I can't express the respect I have for this duo. FBI agents often get interference from local law enforcement but from the moment these two met, Harry threw his entire office's support right behind Cooper. The two seemed to become great friends as well as the perfect match of teammates.
4. Al from Quantum Leap
Al has a joke for every occasion but deep down he always worried and concerned about Sam's well-being and the possibility of getting him home. Sam and Al were a team that never lost. There's no way Sam could have done it alone. Sam worked day and night exhaustively trying to support Sam with his missions. The bond between these two is so strong, I don't think either of them could have existed without the other. Al would have done anything for Sam.
3. Short Round from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Some people feel Short Round was nothing more than comedy relief. These people don't know. They don't know at all. Short Round was a get-away driver like none. He had blocks on feet to be able to drive. If Short Round wasn't around during Temple of Doom, Willie Scott would have ruined the movie. Short Round saved that movie. Short Round saved Indiana's life several times during Temple. Short Round was also the one responsible for snapping Indy out of Mola Ram's spell. For a kid his age, he's the youngest on this list but greatly deserves his spot here for his loyalty.
2. Sarah Jane Smith from Doctor Who
Sarah Jane was the only companion to work alongside the third, fourth, fifth and tenth incarnation of the doctor. She was an investigative journalist with the guts to travel through time and space. Doctor Who has traveled to places and times, met heroes and villains, worked alongside artists and scientist that would literally blow our minds. Still, he loses his breath and thoughts when he bumps into Sarah Jane Smith. Elisabeth Sladen recently passed away and that broke my heart. Not just my heart as it is today, but my childhood heart. The heart that holds all the emotions from when I was growing up. Sladen and Tom Baker were my favorite Doctor/companion team. I'd like to say that Sladen's recent passing didn't affect my judgement of her in respect to this list. I thought way harder on this than I should have and decided that Sarah Jane deserved to have this spot by all means. New appearances of Sarah Jane will be missed but she will continue to be one of the best sidekicks of all time.
1. Watson from Sherlock Holmes
This is a no-brainer. What's the first sidekick you think of? Who is listed in the dictionary under sidekick? There is a huge belief that Holmes should have been the sidekick to Watson. I find that debate to be very interesting. Watson may have been the master to Holmes sidekick but he cared for Holmes too much to even bring up that issue. He could have been world famous as a master detective and he traded that to be Holmes sidekick. That is loyalty. That is why Watson is number one.
Other sidekicks that didn't make it:
Patrick Starfish from Spongebob Squarepants
Tonto from The Lone Ranger
Robin from Batman
Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story
Goose from Top Gun
Gromit from Wallace and Gromit
Willow Rosenberg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Ron Weasley from Harry Potter
Arthur from The Tick
Jimmy Olsen from Superman
Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Tattoo from Fantasy Island
Duckie from Pretty In Pink
Bender from Futurama
Dwight Shrute from The Office
The Frog Brothers from Lost Boys
Pinky from Pinky and the Brain
Bubo from the original Clash Of the Titans
The gyro captain from The Road Warrior
Wang Chi from Big Trouble in Little China
Percy from Open Range
Dory from Finding Nemo
Garth Algar from Wayne's World
Samwise Gangee from The Lord of the Rings
Sloth from The Goonies
Doc Brown from Back To the Future
Ookla the Mok from Thundarr the Barbarian
Little John from Robin Hood

3 Easy Tips for Buying Studio Monitors

Whether you are upgrading a current pair of studio monitors or are preparing to purchase your first set, determining which monitors are best for you can be a confusing and cumbersome task. Often times, people search for the best value for their money, but are unsure what monitors they should choose. The following will provide you with some practical advice to use when choosing your pair.
1. Know Your Music
The first thing you need to establish is what you will be using your monitors for. Will you be producing hip hop beats, pop beats, or R&b beats on the monitors? Will you be using your monitors for songwriting or recording demos? What genre(s) of music will you be working with primarily? Knowing this information is critical when choosing a set of monitors. There are a multitude of monitors to choose from each with their own unique equalization. Some monitors are more pleasing to the ear than others depending on what type of music or sounds will come through them. People who work with a lot of hip hop beats have different monitor needs than people who work with classical music. Knowing what you will use your studio equipment for will be beneficial to you in the long run.
2. Listen
This is probably one of the most obvious pieces of advice but it is often overlooked. Take the time to go to a music store and listen to monitors you are potentially looking to purchase. Great places to do this are Guitar Center and Sam Ash.
Create a mix CD of some music that you know well. Make sure it is professionally mixed and mastered. Take this CD to the store and play it over the monitors you are interested in. Do things sound too bassy or boomy? Do the vocals hurt your ears when you listen? How do the drums hit? Ask yourself these and others questions about how the mix of the music translates through the monitors. Look for detail in the low to mid range frequencies on the songs on your CD. Listen for definition in the fingering of various live instruments (if applicable) such as electric bass or cellos. Also, pay attention to definition in the high frequencies of the monitors. You don't want monitors that "color" the frequency spectrum and give you an inaccurate picture of what you're hearing. A "good" sounding monitor is not always the best monitor, but a "bad" sounding monitor can help make you competitive with the industry professionals. A prime example of a "bad" sounding set of monitors are the Yamaha NS10s. In the music industry, it is widely believed that if your music sounded good on these, then your mixes would translate well on just about any stereo system. Your CD may sound great at the first listen but don't be fooled! Listen Critically.
3. Work with Your Budget
Make sure you establish a budget for your purchase. No matter whether you're a seasoned engineer or just an amateur producer of pop beats, setting a budget for yourself will be extremely helpful. Establish how much you want to spend on your monitors as well as how much you are willing to invest in the acoustic treatment of your room. Having your room acoustically treated will ensure you are getting the most accurate sound out of your studio monitors. Be prepared to invest as much in your acoustic treatment as you do in your monitors. Many people fail to acoustically treat their rooms and consequently, end up getting used to inaccurate representations of sound. This can result in mixes that do not translate well to other speaker systems.

One company that can assist you in the acoustic treatment of your room is Auralex. They sell acoustic foam and sound control products. They offer a personalized sound analysis of your room for free on their . All you have to do is fill out a brief form and fill in some basic information about your room.
Ultimately, keep in mind that you will get what you pay for. If you need to save up a little more cash to get the best bang for your buck, then do it. It will be worth it!

Billboard Music Awards Background

Billboard is considered the creator of the most reliable music charts in the world, compiling its charts each week from sales data collected by Nielsen Soundscan and airplay data collected by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems.
From 1990-2006, Billboard Magazine sponsored the Billboard Awards each year in December to honor the past year's successes within the music industry, based on its year-end music charts, and therefore, on popularity. From the outset, awards included Top Album, Top Artist, and Top Single in every genre. A Billboard Century Award was added in 1992, to honor the artist with the most exceptional creative contributions to the music industry. During its seventeen years, the Billboard Awards show was broadcast on the Fox network; but in 2007, circumstances including the expiration of contacts led to the cancellation of the awards ceremony that year, and it has not resumed since despite efforts to revive the program. Instead, in the absence of the ceremony, Billboard has continued announcing the winners in each category as a part of each year's final Billboard Magazine issue. Although the American Billboard Awards have faded, Billboard Latin America still presents its ceremony each year to honor the greatest of the past year's Latin Music artists.
Janet Jackson holds the record for recipient of the most Billboard Awards in the show's history, with thirty-three awards. In 1999, Mariah Carey was honored as Billboard's Artist of the Decade. In 2009, Eminem received the honor. Whitney Houston follows closely with 30, Michael Jackson ranks third with 29, and Mariah Carey trails right behind him with 28.
The first hosts were Paul Shaffer and Morris Day, along with Jerome Benton. Later hosts have included Phil Collins, Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, Kathy Griffin, Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, and Ryan Seacrest. Kathy Griffin is the most frequent host at three times, in 1998 with Andy Dick, in 1999 with Adam Corolla, and in 2000 with N Sync.
The ceremonies in 1990 and 1991, the first two, were aired after taping. Since then they have aired live from 1992-2006 and have taken place in the Los Angeles area, New York, and Las Vegas.  presented honor achievements in the genres of R&B, Rap, Country, Modern Rock, Classical, and shed the spotlight on Independent artists & albums as well. Categories include Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, Duo/Group Album of the Year, Hot 100 Producer, Hot 100 Songwriter, Hot 100 Single of the Year, Best Touring Venue, Best Concert Venue, Best Soundtrack Single, Best Digital Track, Bestselling Single, and the Century Award and Artist of the Decade Award when appropriate.
Artist of the Year winners have included MC Hammer (the first year's winner), TLC, Alanis Morissette, Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, Chris Brown, LeAnn Rimes, and most recently Taylor Swift. Garth Brooks, Destiny's Child, Usher, 50 Cent, and Chris Brown have all received the honor twice. Century Award winners have included George Harrison, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Carlos Santana, Sting, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Annie Lennox, and Tony Bennett
Billboard's Latin Music Awards have also been presented each year since 1990 in recognition of the Latin music industry's top performers, albums, and songs based on their performance on the past year's Bill board charts reflecting airplay and sales. Its awards include the traditional musical categories, along with the Spirit of Hope Award (in honor of humanitarian contributions) and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards ceremony has been broadcast on the Telemundo television network since 1999, earning the highest ratings of any of the network's music specials.

The Newport Jazz Festival: RI's Historical Improvisation for Jazz Appreciation

Jazz has been an integral part of African-American culture for over one hundred years. Its strong rhythmic understructure, bit o' the blues, solos, call-and-response patterns, and melodic improvisation bequeath this musical genre with a built-in sexiness or sax appeal! No surprise, early jazzmen said "to jazz" was to fornicate. Trumpeting a higher note, many literary scholars argue the term originated with Chaucer and Shakespeare. However, musician and songwriter, Clarence Williams, declared he was the first to use the word "jazz" in a song.
Before Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Billie Holiday defined jazz on their own terms, the genre's roots can be traced back to slavery on southern plantations. According to "The History of Jazz": To keep up a productive rhythm in the fields, spiritual work songs were created in the style of "call-and-response" where a song leader would call out a line, and the workers would respond to the call. At the turn of the 20th century, the spiciness of New Orleans homogenized blues, ragtime, and marching band to a style of music formally called "jazz." As African-Americans migrated to northern cities such as Chicago and New York during the Roaring Twenties, jazz took root and sprouted mightily through the 50s until rock n' roll ruled. The Civil Rights movement of the 60s influenced black jazz artists to take greater control over their music, predisposing the genre to reinvent itself which brings us to the origin of jazz appreciation in Rhode Island.
The state of Rhode Island's historical improvisation for jazz appreciation resulted in the establishment of the Newport Jazz Festival, a noteworthy event featuring famous artists from the jazz scene, currently held every August as a three day event at Fort Adams State Park in Newport. The Festival's coming to fruition as a cherished institution on Rhode Island soil is tinged with a bit o' the blues:
History of the Newport Jazz Festival
In 1954, socialite Elaine Lorillard and her husband established the Newport Jazz Festival, billed as the "First Annual American Jazz Festival," held at the Newport Casino of Newport, Rhode Island. The first event featured academic panel discussions and live musical entertainment on the lawns of the Casino, graced with performances by jazz greats. Over the course of two days 11,000 enthusiasts attended the event, whereby major newspapers hailed the festival as a success.
The following year the Casino opted not to host the festival because its lawn and other facilities did not hold up well to the magnitude of such an event. The Lorillards then purchased Belcourt, a large estate built during the Gilded Age, so the show could go on. The neighborhood wasn't too keen on the idea, foreseeing public disturbances. To put it bluntly, Newport's established upper crust opposed the festival for lack of jazz appreciation, whereas younger members of the elite participated in organizing it, attracting hordes of commoners to the city. Traffic congestion became a big concern. Sufficient lodging not forthcoming, many camped outdoors with or without tents. Since many of the musicians and fans were of African-American descent, racism also factored heavily in the denunciation of future jazz events. Nevertheless, with a little improvisation, the 1955 festival was held at Freebody Park, while workshops and receptions were held at Belcourt.
1956: Duke Ellington performed "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue."
1957: Performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Carmen McCrae were incorporated in an album released in 1958-- "Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday at Newport."
1958: Sets by Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, and Miles Davis appeared on subsequent albums-- "Newport 1958," "Ray Charles at Newport," and "At Newport 1958."
1960: Performances by Muddy Waters and Nina Simone were released as albums entitled--"At Newport 1960" and "Nina Simone at Newport." That same year the National Guard was called in to quell unruly spectators, so the Newport Jazz Festival was not allowed to happen in 1961. Improvisation procured a replacement billed as "Music at Newport," though it proved unsuccessful.
1962: The festival resumed at Freebody Park. George Wein, an astute businessman hitherto associated with fest ventures, took over the not-for-profit organizational venue, and incorporated the festival as an independent business venture of his own. This festival was documented in a film whose performers include Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan, the Oscar Peterson Trio, Roland Kirk, Duke Ellington, and the Count Basie Orchestra.
1964: Jazz appreciation had outgrown Freebody Park. Wein hosted the 1965 event at Festival Field where Old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, played the joint, causing attendance to soar. "Let's fly, let's fly."
1969: A year that will live in infamy, the fest was an experiment in fusing jazz, soul, and rock. Excess crowds with thousands unable to get tickets resulted in major disturbances. In 1971, more of the same ensued as the location could not accommodate all attendees.
1972: Jazz left Rhode Island when Wein decided to move the festival to New York City, renaming it, "Newport Jazz Festival-New York." This gala production consisted of 30 concerts with 62 performers such as Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, and Roberta Flack. Though successful, Wein missed the outdoor aspect.
1981: Wein brought the Newport Jazz Festival back to Newport, this time to Fort Adams State Park. Its seaside location afforded a free view of the event to yachtsmen. A daytime-only, alcohol-free format was adopted, and till this day--three stages are used.
Today, Newport trumpets a different tune from its earlier disdain, quite receptive to the continuance of the Newport Jazz Festival in its own backyard as a boost to tourism. In 2007, Wein sold his Festival Productions Company in a merge with producer, Shoreline Media. He took over the reins again in 2009.
"Come fly with me where there's a one man band to toot his flute for you" so to speak, and check the artist lineup of performers scheduled for three days each August at the Newport Jazz Festival website. Meanwhile, residential and out-of-state jazz enthusiasts can enjoy the musical genre of jazz and live performances all year round at the following establishments:
Aspire Restaurant(311 Westminster St., Providence): Considered the capital city's latest hot spot and A-bar, Aspire was the recipient of RI Monthly's 2008 "Best Restaurant and Lounge." Live jazz is featured every Friday night.
Bovi's Tavern (287 Taunton Ave., East Providence): Established in 1947, Bovi's has been the place to come and listen to jazz. Every Monday night, the John Allmark 16 piece jazz band is featured. Live bands perform every Friday and Saturday night.
Chan's Fine Oriental Dining (267 Main St., Woonsocket): "Home of Eggroll, Jazz, and Blues," Chan's has been a RI and national institution since 1905. Its 150 seat Four Seasons Jazz and Blues Club continues to host some of the finest local and international artists, earning a reputation as one of the premier jazz and blues clubs in the country.
Two Jerks Pub and Grill (336 Waterman Ave., East Providence): Every Wednesday night the pub hosts one of the area's best jazz jams.
Jazz continues to evolve and pulsate through its structural elements of rhythm, blues, solos, call-and-response patterns, and above all-melodic improvisation. Rhode Island's Newport Jazz Festival continues to evolve as a cherished institution through improvisational planning to attract great musicians, while accommodating an ever expanding fan base who dig all that jazz. From its inception in 1954 until the present, numerous masterpieces performed live at the Festival have been preserved in documentary films, albums, or CDs. Whether or not you're able to attend the three day event held annually at Fort Adams State Park-you can improvise by listening to Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie or perchance Ray Charles playing alto sax for "The Spirit-Feel"(1958), preserved as a Festival blues print, for enjoyment within the confines of home sweet home.

Gloss Drop By Battles

Saying that the band Battles is experimental doesn't really do them justice. It's like saying the gamma bomb that turned Dr. Bruce Banner into the Hulk was experimental. While it is an honest statement, it doesn't quite sum up the true scope of things. Although "Atlas," their first single from their debut album Mirrored, did find its way into a couple of ad campaigns as well as the hit video game Little Big Planet, for most people the band's disarrayed song structures are pretty out there.
Drummer John Stanier (Helmet), guitarist/keyboardist Ian Williams (Don Caballero) and guitarist David Konopka (Lynx), borrow elements of prog-rock, post-rock and math rock, and fuse them into an alien conglomeration of technical instrumentation and poly-rhythmic melodies. While other experimental rock acts feel it necessary to inject their sound with a large amount of brooding and solemn introspection, Battles sidesteps that pitfall. Their product is largely upbeat and downright catchy, albeit filled with a dissonant tunefulness and off-key harmonies. If Philip Glass, Frank Zappa and Chick Corea all co-wrote pop songs for Disney films, their final product would sound something like a Battles album.
The band's recently released LP, Gloss Drop, is their second full-length and the first recorded as a trio after the departure of member Tyondai Braxton in 2010. Braxton, an established solo musician and composer, was the band's keyboardist and an undeniable force in the group's creative process. Battles' remaining members hide the loss well, however, unleashing their brand of controlled chaos as skillfully as ever, and covering their bases with a few strong collaborations. The first track "Africastle" is an instrumental that sounds like it would have been right at home on Mirrored. Full of jangly guitar arpeggios and not quite real vocalizations, the opening track is strongly reminiscent of the band's earlier work, as if the trio is trying to assuage any fears the listener may be harboring about Braxton's departure. Later instrumentals vary a little further from previously tread areas: succeeding with tracks like my personal highlight "Inchworm," but occasionally falling flat, as in the case of "Toddler." Here the less is more approach reveals that, in this band's case, less is less.
While often Battles' earlier work had vocal elements, the collaborations on Gloss Drop see the vocals higher up in the mix than in any of their previous recordings, and most of them work quite well. "Ice Cream" with Chilean producer and vocalist Matias Aguayo is one of the more hook laden tracks on the album and has one of the best keyboard mini-breakdowns since the opening to the Beastie Boys' "So What'cha Want." "'My Machines" with Gary Numan is as close to ominous as Battles gets, with a low end guitar drone pulsating under Numan's wailing vocals. "Sweetie & Shag" with Blonde Redhead's Kazu Makino is a nearly straightforward indie rock affair, putting Makino's reedy, saccharine vocals on center stage. The only real disappointment here is "Sundome" with Yamantaka Eye. While the song in and of itself is all right, the vocal effect they used on Eye's caterwauling starts to grate a bit by the seven minute mark.

Bodily Responses to Music: Jazz and Genres Alike

Music's link with culture is apparent throughout history. Music plays a role in every civilization known to man and appears to be one of the basic actions of persons.
Evident in the lives of figures like Albert Einstein and Thomas Jefferson, it's obvious that music has an influence on society. The human response to music, both good and bad, are proven to be observed in the emotional, spiritual, and physical states with instantaneous and long-term effects. A person's perception and response can totally vary in different ways solely based on one's experience with the music.
A person who is a trained artist of music can perform a selection with such an enthusiasm that the listener can feel enlighten by the music. While someone who is a beginner could play the same selection and would not understand the passion between the notes and merely play the keys. Thus causing the listener to experience the music in an entirely different manner; simply acknowledging whether or not the music was played well.
When looking at responses to music, rhythm is also a significant feature of the music to observe. There are two typical reactions to rhythm. Hard to separate due to the fact that they are associated and one response cannot occur without the other response. These reactions are, one; the actual hearing of the rhythm and, two; the physical response to the rhythm. Rhythm systematizes physical actions and is in every way abundantly related to the human body. For example, the body is comprised of rhythms in the heartbeat, while walking, during breathing, etc. Another noted example of how rhythm displays movement is how an autistic boy who could not tie his shoes was able to learn how on the second time around when a song about the task of tying his shoes was created. The rhythm aided him in organizing his physical movements.
Studies show that a person's mood could be impacted by the style of music he or she listens to. A selection can uplift a funeral with up-beat tones; while a down-tempo could turn an atmosphere from chaos to calm.
Jazz was and still is any many ways a genre of music that can transform the aesthetics of a room. With subgenres like soul jazz, smooth jazz and cool jazz people could mellow their environment and create a mood that soothes the spirit and casts beautiful dreams. While free jazz, bebop, jazz funk or jazz fusion (which later branches to contemporary jazz) made the body want to move and created an up-beat tempo certainly suitable for dancing.
Following the baroque period, it was believed that classical music could cause the heart beat and pulse rate to relax as a result of the beat or rhythm of the music. As the body was able to relax and become alert, it was easier for the mind to concentrate.
On the hand, in jazz and associated melodic styles like contemporary jazz, the word swing is used to define the musical relations between the artists that created the sense of propulsive rhythmic "feel" or "groove", principally when the music created an "instinctual response" common to feet-tapping or head-nodding.
Richard Brown is a jazz flautist that embodies the ability to either calm the mind or get you out of your seat. This flautist has a gift to take a rhythmic groove and make you feel it in your dreams. His debut album "Dreams" is an example of this gift; his free flute style will take you on ride across the spectrum of emotions.

U2: Album History of an Irish Rock Band Pt 2

In May of 1985, U2 released what would be their second 'mini' LP, "Wide Awake in America". "Under a Blood-Red Sky", being their first mini LP. 'Wide Awake' only contained four tracks, three of which had already been released to the public. The first track 'Bad', a live performance by the band was the only song of the four that had not before been available. Another song, 'Sort of a Homecoming', was also a live performance by U2. Both songs had been recorded during their North American tour, which took place in 1984-85.
Honestly, I had never heard of this album. Upon it's initial release it had been available to audiences only in the U.S., but would later be released in the U.K. It was the first time the band-members themselves had taken part in some of the album's production. U2 produced two songs on 'Wide Awake', 'Bad' and 'Loves Comes Tumbling'. Once again, Brian Eno and Daniel Lanios, took part in the albums creation, assisting the group with 'Three Sunrises'. U2 had no input on just the one song, 'Sort of a Homecoming'.
In the autumn of 1986, U2 returned to Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin to record their seventh album. Producer, Brian Eno and engineer, Daniel Lanios also returned for a third time to work on the upcoming album. The album's recording was finished in January of 1987. Originally called "The Enduring Chill", after a trip to Death Valley, California, where they are plentiful, the band renamed the album to "The Joshua Tree". The mysterious desert surroundings inspired U2.
They felt the arid and near desolate area they traveled through, would be a perfect back-drop for the album's music. At the very beginning of 'Tree's' creation, some of the song's, such as 'With or Without You', came about very easily, while tunes like, 'Where the Streets Have No Name', took forever and a day to get right. Song's like 'Mother's of the Disappeared' and 'Bullet the Blue Sky', were inspired by a group of women known as 'madres' Bono had met on a trip to El Salvador. These women had lost their children, either by imprisonment or murder by the country's military regime. Bono was moved by these women, as they bravely campaigned for justice and hopefully the eventual release of their children from political prisons. This experience would lead to U2's vigorous support of 'Amnesty International'. The final three song's were called 'a suite about death', by Edge. One of these, 'One Tree Hill' was a tribute to one of U2's tour crewman named Greg Carroll, who was killed in a motorcycle accident. The title of the song comes from a hill with a lone tree on it, known locally as One Tree Hill, in Auckland, New Zealand, where the band had first met Greg. "The Joshua Tree" was dedicated to Greg Carroll's memory.
"The Joshua Tree" was released on March 9th, 1987. It became the fastest selling album in U.K. history. It hit #1 on the charts of 22 countries. By the end of 1987 'Tree' had sold over 12 million copies. To many critics and fans alike, "The Joshua Tree" was the pinnacle of U2's career and the album that raised their status from celebrities to superstars.

EVH Guitar Review

The Eddie Van Halen quality is something that many musicians treasure. For every EVH guitar, Eddie has put everything identical to the instruments that he used.
For many years, EVH has earned a distinguishing mark that only the brand deserves for its guitar lines, amps and musical products. Guitar reviews ratings have consistently put EVH guitars on top of the list. This is because of Van Halen's personal touch to every piece before it comes out in the market.
According to Eddie "The guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it". His evident connection to his own instrument brought a lot of people to ask if they can get the kind of guitar he had always used. This is the idea why he himself is involved with every piece because he wants followers to get what he exactly used in his early tours and performances.
The EVH Frankenstein Replica is one of the most glorious innovations in the history of guitars, which was well rated in many guitar reviews. The incredible musical power of Van Halen is phenomenally crafted in this piece of art. The replica of Van Halen's first incredible guitar features a Seymour Duncan Custom Shop EVH humbucking pickup, a single master volume knob (labeled "Tone") mounted on a partial black pickguard identical to the original. Completing the replica is a non-functional three-way switch and single-coil pickup that takes two of the three pickup cavities.
The Frankenstein Replica is another EVH guitar, which every musician aspires to play because it produces the sound that they perfectly want. It comes with a signed 8x10 photo, note from EVH, signed certificate, a making-of DVD, and limited-edition VH/EVH picks. All packed in a time-tested Anvil VH case.
Representing Eddie Van Halen's over 35 years of expertise in guitar design is the latest addition to EVH guitars- the EVH Wolfgang. The making of this new line is backed by over two years of extensive research and developments as well as actual concert testing during his 2007-2008 tour.
It has features identical to the Wolfgang guitars he records and performs with. The EVH Wolfgang has a unique double cutaway body with an arched AA maple top on a lightweight basswood back, a quartersawn single-piece AA bird's-eye maple neck fitted with stainless steel frets, double-potted custom wound pickups, five-piece binding on the matching body and headstock, custom-made signature tuning machines and Floyd Rose bridge with the patented EVH D-Tuna drop D tuning system and Bourns low-friction pots.

Life of Kanye West

The life of Kanye West was one of hardship during his childhood. The birth name of Kanye West was Kanye Omari West. This singer, record producer and rapper was born on 8th June in the year 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time when he was just 3 years old, his parents divorced and got separated. His mother, Donda West who was an English professor brought him up on Chicago's South Side. His father a great photographer and won many awards for his photography and later on became a church counselor. During his early childhood Kanye West stayed mostly with his father during the summers.
Kanye West did his schooling from the Polaris High School and graduated from there. From the Chicago State University he finished his 1 year of art school. There he worked with some local artistes and after that in search of real work and creative inspiration, in the year 2001, he came to New York to make his career in music. West was hired by rapper Jay-Z to make the songs for The Blueprint, Jay-Z's album. The album was so successful that in the first week itself, about 420,000 copies of The Blueprint was sold. Celebrities such as rapper Ludacris and singer Beyonce are some of the people for whom Kanye West has worked and produced their songs. In the year 2002, Kanye West started recording in the studio after signing a deal with Roc-A-Fella Records, Jay-Z's label. One day while he was returning home from Los Angeles after a session, he fell asleep and met with an accident which fractured his jaw. With the fractured jaw he completed the recording of his debut album named The College Dropout and released it in the year 2004. About 2.6 million copies of the album were sold out. West also got the Best Rap Album Grammy award for this album. Some of his other albums that were released later were Late Registration in 2005 and Graduation in the year 2007.
Kanye West won many awards for his work. His hits namely "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", "Jesus Walks," and "Good Life" earned him 3 Best Rap Song Grammys. In 2005, he got the Best Rap Solo Performance award for his hit song "Gold Digger". Kanye West also won a Grammy for his work in Alicia Keys' sung song "You Don't Know My Name," West also won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in the year 2007 after he collaborated with Common on "Southside".
On 10th of November, 2007 his mother died of cosmetic surgery complications after which Kanye West was emotionally disturbed. West's first performance after his mother's death "Hey Mama" was a tribute to his mother. Recovering from the tragedy, he started working and came out with another album in 2008 named 808s & Heartbreak. The album had several hits namely "Amazing" and "Heartless" that topped the charts. For his work in the same year, he won 2 Grammys. In the year 2009 and on the very same day he released 2 albums namely Good Morning Good Night: Dawn and Good Morning Good Night: Dusk. His songs are available in mp3 format and can be downloaded from various sites on the internet. Kanye West is also involved with several charitable activities.

Guitar Buying Tips for Your Second or Third Guitar

Your toughest decisions in buying a guitar may come not with your first instrument at all but with your second. Admit it - your first time out was probably a blur, but now that you know a little bit about guitar playing and what's available out there, you face perhaps an even more daunting prospect than before: What should you choose as your next guitar? If you're still undecided, then you need some guitar buying tips.
If you haven't already developed gear-lust for a certain model but are hankering for a new toy just the same, consider the following three common guitar buying tips to choosing another guitar:
The contrasting and complementary approach: If you own an acoustic, you may want to consider getting an electric (or vice versa), because having an array of different guitars in your arsenal is always nice. Diversity is very healthy for a person seeking to bolster a collection.
1. The clone approach: Some people just want to acquire as many, say, Les Pauls as they can in a lifetime: old ones, new ones, red ones, blue ones... hey - it's your money. Buy as many as you want (and can afford).
2. The upgrade approach: If all you ever want to do is master the Stratocaster, just get a better version of what you had before. That way, you can use the new guitar for important occasions, such as recording and performing, and the old ax for going to the beach.
How much should you spend on your second (or later) instrument? One guideline is to go into the next spending bracket from your old guitar. This way, you don't end up with many similar guitars. Plan on spending about $200 more than the current value (not what you paid) of the guitar you own. By doing so, you ensure that even if you stick with a certain model line, you're getting a guitar that's categorically different from your initial instrument.
When should you stop buying guitars? Actually, no hard-and-fast rules dictate how many guitars are "enough." These days, however, a reasonably well-appointed guitar arsenal includes a single-coil electric (such as a Fender Strat), a humbucker electric (such as a Gibson Les Paul), a semi-hollow-body electric, a hollow-body jazz (electric), an acoustic steel-string, an acoustic 12-string, and a nylon-string classical. Then maybe you can add one or two more guitars in a given specialty, such as a guitar set up especially for playing slide, a 12-string electric, or an electric bass. Just keep in mind the guitar buying tips mentioned above to help you in your selection.
Then, of course, you can start collecting non-guitar fretted instruments, such as mandolins, banjos, and Dobros (a type of guitar that is fretted and played with a slide)... but that's another story.

Alice in Chains: The Story of One of the Pillars of Grunge and Alternative Rock (Part 1)

Along with Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana, Alice in Chains was a very important piece of the puzzle that made a musical genre known as grunge critical and commercial success, which emerged in the early 90's. Just like the bands mentioned at the start of this article, Alice in Chains is also a band from Seattle, Washington. Layne Staley (vocals) and Jerry Cantrell (guitars) were the ones responsible for the conception of this band in the late 80's.
Staley had a metal cover band named Alice N' Chains prior to the conception of the group. The group soon broke up and Staley joined a funk group. He then met Cantrell during the time that the former was working at a rehearsal studio in Seattle. The two had chemistry and similar ideas that led them to put up their own rehearsal studio. Then, Cantrell asked Staley to join his band Diamond Lie and he agreed. They played at bars and clubs, which increased the number of their followers and fans. After several performances, the group decided to adapt the Alice in Chains name instead of Diamond Lie.
Their performances at clubs and bars paid off, as a promoter saw their potential and gave them the opportunity to have their own demo album. The demo was entitled 'Treehouse Tapes' and was released in 1988. Then, the management team that handles grunge rock band Soundgarden had the chance of hearing the demo. The team was impressed and sent it to a Columbia Records representative. Afterwards, Alice in Chains was signed to Columbia Records in 1989.
In 1990, the band was given the opportunity to record their first EP 'We Die Young' that is used as a preview of what Alice in Chains is - the sound, the attitude, and the intensity. The single off their first EP was an instant hit especially on radio stations that play heavy music. Due to the single's popularity, Columbia Records decided to give the band their first full-length album as soon as possible.
In the same year, 'Facelift' was released. It reached #42 on Billboard's Top 200 album charts and sold 400,000 copies six months after its debut. Afterwards, their single 'Man in the Box' was included to the daily playlist of MTV, a TV channel that plays music videos of different artists from different genres. It propelled the popularity of the band to greater heights and the single made its way to different rock charts across the country. In 1992, the band launched 'Dirt,' their follow up to their successful debut. It reached the sixth spot on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple platinum. Both albums received critical acclaim and nods from many music enthusiasts and columnists.

Guitar Lesson Teacher - How to Find the Right Guitar Teacher

Learning how to play the guitar can be extremely rewarding and it is a good idea to try and find ways to help you get started in the right direction. Getting on the right foot to learn how to play the guitar does not only require finding the right resource but also the right guitar teacher who will guide you in achieving your musical goal. However, with many guitar teachers offering their services, it can be hard to figure out who among them are truly exceptional. Exceptional in a sense that he/she would not only provide you the guidance you need but also one that would supply you the right information as well.
Here are some tips that can help you get started with your quest in finding the right guitar teacher.
How to Locate an Instructor
1. Ask for referrals.
You can hang out on your local music or guitar store and see if they have someone to recommend you that offer guitar lessons. These people often have connections to music instructors. Chances are they are music instructors themselves. You can also ask private music schools for further referrals.
2. Browse thru directories or your local newspaper for advertisement about guitar lessons available. It is important to take note of rates so you can compare each.
3. Determine how much time and money are you willing to spend to learn.
4. Determine your level of proficiency in order to asses which instructor is the right for you.
5. Negotiate with the fee. Most of the time, in-store music instructors may accept a higher fee compared to local musicians.
6. Inquire if the instructor offers a free introductory lesson.
7. You can also browse the internet because many video guitar lessons are being offered online. There are many existing sites that you can check out for great offers.
How to Choose the Right Guitar Teacher
The above mentioned are just prerequisites on how you can locate a music instructor that you may consider if you really want to pursue learning to play the guitar. You may already have the list of teachers to choose from. Still, finding the right guitar teacher can all come down to one important question, "Will he/she provide the right information?" and this will help you to further narrow down your search. The following questions can be your guide to find out if a certain music instructor can be the right guitar teacher for you.
1. How long have you been teaching guitar lessons? Credentials?
2. Does he/she offer a particular music style that you may want to learn?
3. How many students are you teaching right now?
4. What is the instructor's preferred schedule? Or better yet, can he/she accommodate your preferred schedule?
5. What is your payment policy? Do you offer discounts?
6. How about cancellation policies?
7. What specific instructional material do you use for each lesson?
8. If you don't have a guitar, you might also want to ask what type of guitar you should get.
Being laid out all these essential tips on how to find the right guitar teacher, you can now easily filter out mediocre music instructors from those that can offer a truly exceptional guitar learning experience.

Choosing a Great Band for Your Weddings Night

Choosing a band to perform at your wedding is a very important decision and it can be a little overwhelming. Some couples make the mistake of putting the decision off until the last minute but it should not be rushed or made hastily.
Before you were limited to the bands you could find in your local town or area but now with the internet you can dramatically widen your search.
Many wedding bands have their own websites where you can hear samples of their music. Carry out a search for wedding bands in you area. Read the bio data, look at the pictures, check the song listings and be sure to listen to the audio tracks provided.
You want to find a band who can perform a whole range of music which will appeal to most of the guests at your wedding. You want to look for a song list with a range of musical styles. Even though you and your partner might be country music fans it is important to include other styles so that everyone can enjoy the music and the dance floor isn't embarrassingly empty.
Narrow your search to four possible bands, depending on where you live this may be very easy. It is good to have four options you are happy with. If you live in a remote area and there are only two bands, you may have to pay a little extra to get a band to travel in. The extra cost may be worth it to have the right bad on your special day.
Contact your first choice and see if they are available on your wedding date. When contacting a band the best method is via phone as it is immediate. You don't want to miss out on the band you love because they didn't check their email that day.
If they are available, this is the time to discuss pricing. There will e no point continuing discussions if the band is well out of your price range. Ask for a guide to there pricing. The band shoud be able to give you a rough price based on your date, the hours needed and any travel involved.
Now is the tie to request a live viewing. Many wedding bands also perform in pubs and clubs. Ask if you can come to a show to see them perform. When at the show consider the bands performance, are you enjoying the music, are people dancing? Either during the break or after the show be sure to talk to the band and try to get a feeling if they will be difficult to work with.
When you decide on band be sure to sign a contract with them. The contract should include all the important details such as date, time, number of hours the band is required to play, the number of musicians required to play, the address of the reception and the price. If you require the band to wear certain clothes, travel or provide certain equipment, this should all be included in the contract. You should be sure to ask any questions before signing and paying your deposit.

The Bjork Tattoo of Self-Determination

Bjork has created a very unique and successful music career for herself, which she determined for herself with a special marking from her teenage years. At age 17, she went to a tattoo shop with her poet friend Didda, where they both got marked with a rune compass, known as a Vegvesir, which is over 1000 years old and consists of specific runes. The Icelandic word Vegvesir, means directional sign or guidepost. This very special Bjork tattoo was chosen so that she would always know where she is going, and that she'd never get lost in the fog. It is quite apparent that this special tattoo worked!
Even though it is associated with the Viking era, it is actually from 17th century Icelandic witchcraft called Galdrabok (meaning "magic book"). Traditionally, the Vesvesir would be drawn on the forehead with blood, coal, or saliva, or etched or drawn on the inside of a helmet to protect the person from getting lost. While Bjork wanted to retain the meaning of her chosen sacred marking, she clearly chose a much more present-day and tasteful place to put it, on her left upper arm. And it is obvious that she continues to march successfully down her own unique path, always innovative and on the cutting edge, and never lost.
She inspires her fans, who respect her for far more than her music. She has a beautiful unique voice and a wild imagination when it comes to not only her musical art, but also her visual art as well. This is evident in any of her music videos. She has always expressed herself in her own unique way, directed by her heart, rather than her fears. She has never allowed the mainstream's judgements of her to affect her negatively.
Many of her fans also wear the Vegvesir tattoo, not only to also never be lost, but also to have a piece of her with them. There are stories out there that those who discovered her and now even wear her Vegvesir tattoo as well originally struggled with a lack of direction and a good amount of emotional pain, but after they discovered Bjork, then even got the tattoo eventually, their lives changed for the better and they found purpose, healing, and a steady path to follow - just as the meaning of the marking intends. Not only is she seen as inspirational, but she is also seen as a healer, even though she may not even intend to be.

Piano Lesson - How to Play a Piano, Step-By-Step

The piano holds a high spot in music history. It is a rich and versatile instrument. The fundamentals of piano playing are structural and simple; however, it can take years of intense study and practice to become a master. The piano will become less of a mystery to you when you understand the way the notes fit with each other and follow this up by practicing melodies and chords. When you have studied sufficiently to understand the mechanics of music, you will be able to compose on your own. This is a very impressive skill to have.
Here's What You'll Need
1. Seat yourself at your piano. Look at the entire keyboard, and you will notice that the keys lie in the following combinations: Black keys fall in a pattern of 2 and then 3 keys. White keys fall between these keys with 3 white keys for each set of 2 black keys and 4 white keys for each set of 3 black keys. Locate a cluster of 2 black keys and play the white key that immediately precedes it. The name of this note is "C". In all, there are eight C keys on a standard piano, although if the piano is smaller, or you are using a keyboard, there may be less.
2. Use your right hand for the center C note. The name of this key is "middle C." Go up and down the piano, locating all of the "C" notes on the white keys, and play each one. There are eight notes between two C keys, including the C keys themselves. The first is note C, followed by D, E, F, G, A, B and C again. Practice this pattern on each octave (C to C) on the keyboard. Listen carefully to familiarize yourself with the sounds produced. Practice often to gain proficiency. Learn the names of the white keys by heart, from beginning to end.
3. Use your little finger, middle finger and thumb of your left hand to play C, E & G simultaneously on the lower end of the keyboard. This is where the notes have a lower tone. Playing these 3 notes simultaneously produces a C major chord. Practice playing C major chords at all points on the keyboard. After you have become familiar with this, you can play other chords (3 note combinations). Here are some examples: A minor = A, C, E. G minor = G, B, D. F major = F, A, C. E minor = E, G, B. D minor = D, F, A.
4. On the upper end of the keyboard (where the notes have a higher tone) use your right thumb to play a C. At the same time, using your left hand on the lower end of the keyboard, play a C major chord. This consists of C, E & G. Allow these 4 notes to ring strong and clear. Now try playing the C repeatedly with your right thumb while shifting chords using your left hand (e.g. A minor, F major, etc.) When you switch chords, listen carefully to discern the variety of harmonies and tones that are created.
5. Now use your left hand to play one of the 6 chords with which you are familiar - C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor. Now you should play a succession of the 8 notes - C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C - you know. Now improvise by using your left hand to play chords to your liking and your right hand to play notes to your liking. Imitate songs you enjoy and experiment with piecing together notes and chords that you like. There are many popular songs, such as Pachelbel's Canon, that have familiar chord combinations (C major, G major, A minor, E minor, F major, C major, F major, G major). You should learn these useful combinations. Play frequently and feel free to experiment as you practice so that you can truly enjoy the music you create.

Funny T Shirts Can State A Trillion Words

These days, modern living style affects a lot of folks, their career, every day problems etc. That's the reason why we must appreciate as many things as possible, modern people, should enjoy every wonderful thing we meet in our lives. And it is not only about amusement, but it also helps our health. Knowing that, why not trying to find things that we are joyful about? As an example, amusing t shirts are able of bringing some joy in our basic lives.
If you didn't know that yet, Funny T shirts are those shirts with an amusing print on them. The print might consist of expressions or cartoons.
Animated televisions series followers like most the cartoony funny t shirts. For example, you will find a lot of crazy T shirts with characters from Simpsons, Futurama, Futurama, Family guy etc. These are some of the most famous animated television series, as they count lots of fans. Folks will always buy funny t shirts with their preferred characters on them.
As mentioned, funny T shirts may as well contain expressions. These shirts are usually cheaper, due to the fact the print does not require to be as complicated as cartoon prints. This crazy t shirts' text message may well be a funny quote, or even improper expressions.
Most often, the greatest crazy t shirts fans are young adults. This is typical, young adults trying to relax and have as much fun as possible. Also, today's youngsters are really excited about tv shows, music and movies, so that's why you can see so many young adults wearing this kind of crazy t shirts. As an example, many teens are relating to lord of the rings or harry potter. From now on, when you see a kid wearing that kind of funny t shirts, you'll find out he is a fan of the print on his t shirt.
Crazy t shirts can make you stand out the crowd. Being unique in a group surely attracts quite a few looks and this can't be a bad thing when wearing a nice shirt. Indeed funny T shirts can say a thousand words, which is why some young people wear them when meeting a new girl, for instance. Do you know anyone who doesn't like crazy t shirts, anyway?
Men and women will realize you have a sense of humor if you wear funny t shirts even if you don't say anything at all. Not to mention that you feel a lot much better when realising that another person just smiled after studying the text or seeing the cartoon on your shirt.
In conclusion, make sure you add a few crazy T shirts to your current wardrobe. If lucky enough, according to the boss and occupation you have, depending on your boss' viewpoint about funny t shirts.

 offers a selection of funny

Avril Lavigne's "Goodbye Lullaby" Showcases Artist's Growth and Versatility

Since launching her career almost a decade ago, her fans have come to know Avril Lavigne as colorful punk princess. And, it has only been on a few rare occasions (like the songs "I'm With You" and "Slipped Away") in which we've had the chance to see another side to the pop superstar.
Well, since the early days of teenage, emotion-driven tracks like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi" back in the early part of the new millennium, she's had a great musical journey and her fans have been fortunate enough to be a part of it.
On "Goodbye Lullaby," Lavigne's fourth studio album, she presents a slightly different energy. Although there are still the pop-punk sounds that have been the staples of her CDs, she also showcases a different, more mature sound. Essentially, Lavigne shows a little more in terms of her softer side while somehow still maintaining the rock vibe she has become synonymous with.
"Goodbye Lullaby" features 13 tracks plus "Alice" which is listed as an additional bonus song. And, as is typical of her music, all of these have either been written or co-written by Lavigne herself.
Probably the best tracks on "Goodbye Lullaby" include:

• "What The Hell" - Her ode to letting loose and having fun.
• "Smile" - Features the classic punk-pop feel Lavigne has become known for over the years.
• "Push" - More vintage Avril with a catchy beat and very cool hook.
• "Not Enough" - A subtle yet powerful and emotionally driven ballad.
• "Darlin" - A lyrical joy written when she was just 14.

My least favorite tracks would have to be:

• "Wish You Where Here" - Not bad but doesn't seem to flow as nice as the others.
• "Stop Standing There" - A little too heavy on the pop vibe.
• "I Love You" - Feels a little cliché.

All in all, Lavigne should have yet another hit on her hands with "Goodbye Lullaby" as she continues to grow as an artist and entertainer.
I give "Goodbye Lullaby: a rating of 4 out of 5 starts or a B+ if you prefer the grading scale method. Of course, this album should go over very well with Lavigne's diehard fans. But, with its subtle side and differing style, I would fully expect her to pick up some new ones along the way.
In addition to current fans, I would recommend this CD to anyone interested in versatile artists with a major knack for lyrical creativity and song writing.