Keeping It Fresh

Today I have some music for you from a movie that was so incredibly well done. The Little Prince is a movie I recommend everyone to see. It doesn't matter how old you are, what you are doing in life, or where you are, this is a film that speaks to your inner child and your soul. While this movie is definitely social commentary on the status of society, it is such a beautiful message and a magically done movie. The film has different styles of animation that are tastefully done and structured in a way so that the stories that are told really do come to life in their own unique way. And because The Little Prince is based off a French novel, the soundtrack features a few French inspired pieces. This particular song is one of those adorable French songs, with a wonderfully comforting and warm atmosphere. It is a bubbly and lively song, full of happiness and an overall sense of contentment. This is a song that reminds me of kites flying high and bubbles floating through the air. This ...

Seems like we have a couple of exciting days this week, that I definitely wanted to make note of. Yesterday, we celebrated the official day of Star Wars. And today, Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo. This has always been such an interesting holiday and day of commemoration because of how misunderstood it is. For many people, Cinco de Mayo is also known as Cinco de Drinko. Now I don't know about you, but I'm not of Latin descent and I'm still offended. Quick summary for you, but Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's unlikely victory over the French in a battle called The Battle of Puebla. Well now look at that, we got a history lesson in and some fresh music! In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I wanted to discuss a little bit about Latin music. For starters, there are many different styles of Latin music. You've got reggaeton, bachata, salsa, soca, and merengue just to name a few. Nowadays Latin music has started to equate Latin pop and billboard songs. However, there is a wea...

Today I have some music for you from a movie that was so incredibly well done. The Little Prince is a movie I recommend everyone to see. It doesn't matter how old you are, what you are doing in life, or where you are, this is a film that speaks to your inner child and your soul. While this movie is definitely  social commentary on the status of society, it is such a beautiful message and a magically done movie. The film has different styles of animation that are tastefully done and structured in a way so that the stories that are told really do come to life in their own unique way. And because The Little Prince is based off a French novel, the soundtrack features a few French inspired pieces. This particular song is one of those adorable French songs, with a wonderfully comforting and warm atmosphere. It is a bubbly and lively song, full of happiness and an overall sense of contentment. This is a song that reminds me of kites flying high and bubbles floating through the air. This s...

Today I have music for you by a group of singers out of England who go by the name Collabro. They were actually a part of Britain's Got Talent, and did very well. What makes this group so different in comparison to every male group out there, is that they sing more broadway and theatre kinds of songs. They have powerful and large and strong vocals, the kind of vocals that you would hear as a part of a play or production. And I love that! I mean when is the last time you heard of an all male group who sings classical music? It is something we haven't heard in a very long time, and the resurgence of an older style of singing is very refreshing. This is the first song they ever performed together, and it honestly leaves you spell bound. It comes from the musical Les Miserables, also known as one of the most famous musicals of all time. It is a timeless classic, and needs that kind of a vocal performance to really capture the essence of the story. It is just so incredible to hear v...

Today I wanted to post some music that comes from one of the biggest festivals in Latin America- Dia de los Muertos. This is a version of what we call Halloween which I find to be really awesome. On this day, the dead are celebrated for the life they lived and the families all partake in feasting together and visiting the resting place of loved ones. I find this tradition to be really great because it shows this kind of appreciation that these people have for those who have passed along. It allows you to remember and rejoice in the life that loved ones lived, rather than focusing on their absence. It is a time for families to come together and really be one. So in honor of that, I have some music that is devoted to Dia de los Muertos. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment! 

Today I have music from a band out of Canada called Marianas Trench. This song is absolutely phenomenal! They skillfully and artfully combine a pop rock sound with older pop/swing music. This song is so fun to listen to and it always gets you up and dancing. It has that energy that will always pick you up and make you want to go out and go have fun! This band is one that I highly recommend delving deeper into, because they have incredible music and awesome vocals! The lead singer's vocal range is so impressive! Today's instrumental song is a version of a song by the always amazing Olly Murs. It is just as fun and energetic, and I love it! I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today I have some slower music for you, from the world of divine class and swoon worthy vocals. Nat King Cole is one of the greatest swing and jazz singers of all time. His daughter Natalie Cole is equally as spellbinding and captivating. The thing about Nat King Cole's music is that it is incredibly enchanting. His voice is so rich and smooth, with a beautiful touch of gentleness. Nat King Cole's music is that which captures the essence of what a true gentleman is supposed to be like. I know that is a little bit strange of me to say, but as someone who enjoys that older and more romantic era, songs like this are absolutely lovely to me. I can't help but want to listen to these songs under a beautiful moonlit sky, or with the soft glow of fairy tale lights against the dark backdrop of the sky. It is kind of funny because I went to a cafe today that is nestled on the edge of a lake, with beautiful trees around it and the wide expanse of a hill on the horizon. And naturally, ...

Today I have music for you by the singer known as George Ezra. This song is so charming in this slightly antique way. I kind of like that sound a lot because it is both soothing and warming. This song just has this coziness that rides the sound waves. George Ezra has a style that is extremely different from all other folk groups out there. He taps into the older and earlier forms of folk music. He even goes a little bit americana for this song. George Ezra seems to channel some Bob Dylan in both musical style and vocalization. George Ezra has this rich tone baritone voice that can only be described as something wonderfully manly but subtly gentle. His voice is perfect for that blusey guitar sound, that original blues-rock feel that came before people like John Mayer. There is this grace to the way George Ezra sings. The words are discernible but also kind of run together in a way that makes the end of one note the beginning of another. George Ezra has this soulful and old voice that yo...

Today is Christmas Eve. This is the night when everything about Christmas comes to a calm and tranquility. It is the night where everyone comes together to just be. Whether you go to church for service or remain at home, there is this peace and coziness and warmth that settles over you. This is the night that really reminds me of what Christmas means and the true spirit of the holidays. It is about community, family, and giving to all. For this night, I have music for you that reflects that beautiful calm and serenity. This first song is a rendition of the biggest Christian holiday song and is sung by Josh Groban. He lends his rich tone and warm voice to sing this song in its full beauty. Josh Groban sings this song with so much love and meaning and it seems to touch the heart and soul. Today's second song is an instrumental of another Christian song that is very popular during the holidays. This version was performed by the Percy Faith Orchestra. To me, there is something indescri...

Day 2 of the build up to Christmas! Today I have more conventional and popular Christmas songs. These are the kinds of songs you only associate with this time of year. These songs are iconic and classic when it comes to the holiday season. This first song has been re-created so many times and each time, it sounds very different. There have been many interpretations and takes on this song, all of which are beautiful in their own respect. This rendition which I have chosen has been done by Celtic Woman. I love this rendition so much because it is very traditional and more like the original. When I hear this song, I always think of the very orchestral and choir-ish sound that it has. That is what I like the most about this song. So in choosing the Celtic Woman version, we get to hear that powerful orchestral sound. In my eyes, this song is supposed to have this sense of power to it, and that kind of strength is only something you can hear in an orchestra. This song is so very popular but ...

Today, I hope you are all excited because I have some amazingly wonderful Christmas music for you! Yay! Today marks five days before Christmas, and I wanted to do something like a buildup to the fantastic holiday. Now with Christmas, there are so many ways in which people observe the holiday, understand the holiday, and celebrate it. So, with these next five days I am going to bring you music which explores the different kinds of Christmas that are seen. Today, I have the very romanticized view of Christmas. This is what everyone expects or wants out of Christmas. The roaring fire, cozy living room, hot chocolate, and a soft snowfall outside onto a blanket of puffy and cloudy white snow. This is truly about creating that Winter Wonderland and all the warm feelings that are associated with Christmas. Michael Buble has one of the most wonderful Christmas albums of all time, and this song is off that album. What makes Michael Buble's renditions so incredible phenomenal is that he keep...

Today I wanted to post some music that comes from one of the biggest festivals in Latin America- Dia de los Muertos. This is a version of what we call Halloween which I find to be really awesome. On this day, the dead are celebrated for the life they lived and the families all partake in feasting together and visiting the resting place of loved ones. I find this tradition to be really great because it shows this kind of appreciation that these people have for those who have passed along. So in honor of that, I have some music that is devoted to Dia de los Muertos. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment! 

Today I have a song for you that is one of my all time favorites. This song is an iconic song and is one that I know will stand the test of time. Frank Sinatra has the perfect voice for this romantic song and I will always love this song for the sheer beauty and romanticism that is woven into this song. You cannot have one without the other because then it wouldn't be the same song. I have yet to hear a song that meets this caliber of being simply romantic and wonderful. There is a sense of effortlessness to this song. Sinatra sings this song with passion alone and doesn't try to make it sound like anything else. It is one of those songs that he sings from the soul of himself and because he does so, we all feel the same goosebumps and excited shivers of love. This song has passion and love and romance thrust upon it that there is nothing else that can compare. There are so many elements to this song which make it the most absolutely perfect song. To begin with, music is just ph...

Today I have some Latin music after a long time of not posting anything that sounds traditionally Latin. I heard this song a completely fell in love with it. While the song meaning is melancholy, the song itself is so beautiful and romantic sounding because it has that sweet traditional guitar and rhythm of Latin music. Latin music is very lovely and the lyrics are always about love and are very romantic even in sad songs. The way that bachata makes everything sound so kind and warm is just amazing. What is great about bachata is that it can be something very energizing or it can be like this song, something so intimate and charming. This song is a brilliant collaboration done by Enrique Iglesias and Romeo Santos. Both of these artists are phenomenal singers and they sound so wonderful together. What is really cool about this is that Enrique Iglesias is a Spaniard and Romeo Santos's blood is from Central America. You can hear the different and distinct styles with which each singer...

Today is all about the FIFA World Cup 2014. Today's game was the finals and what a fantastic game it was. Today I am keeping this post kind of short so that those of you who have not seen the game yet can go watch the game a little bit sooner than having to read something too lengthy. Today's music features the national anthems of the two teams that played-Argentina and Germany. Don't worry, I won't tell you who won, although you may be able to tell from the all the buzz going around...FIFA 2014! I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today I have some music for you from a Hindi movie called Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Now I have never actually seen this movie, but from what I hear, it is a really good movie. Let's be honest, most people don't pay attention for the movies and the movie plots that are involved but are more pre-occupied with the songs that come with the movie. Not only is Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani a supposedly good movie, I can tell you for sure that the songs are awesome! I actually posted a song from this movie a while ago, and it was a great dance song. But today, I have a very beautiful love song for you. There are so many aspects of traditional and modern Indian sounds, accompanied with a Sufi style, while also being able to carry a Western sound to it. When I hear songs like this from Hindi movies, I feel like I have struck oil, gold, diamond, and platinum all at once. The capability of these songs to be as beautiful and heart warming as this one is just incredible because some of these movie...

Today I have some Bollywood music for you, mainly because I couldn't get this song out of my head. This song is actually from a rather popular but older Bollywood movie, featuring the most popular actress, Aishwariya Rai. I won't lie, this is definitely one of the better Bollywood movies out there. Now for this song, I have to warn you that the intro is kind of long, but I think it is well worth the wait. I love this song so much and it's one that you can listen to and not get tired of quickly. Its a great dance song too, so bonus! Today's instrumental song is by Michael McGoldrick. He is a master of many different wind instruments such as the flute and pipes. This is absolutely beautiful and absolutely stunning. I love this kind of music, with the soothing and dynamic melodies. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today's song is some wonderful swing music because frankly, I have gone way too long since posting a song like this. So, we are going to start with a little bit of Frank Sinatra. Why? Well because he is one of the greatest swing and jazz singers ever! Literally, everything Sinatra performs is perfection. I love everything he does, and especially when he teams up with other legends like Dean Martin. But this song is more of Sinatra's lovely, calm, and sweet songs. Today's instrumental song is by Red Norvo, a jazz big band. This song is great and energetic, one of those dancing songs that you wish you knew how to dance to but don't because you don't know how to swing. But that may just be me...I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

It has been such a long time since I have posted a cultural song. So today's song is a song by Luis Enrique, and I have to say, it is such a great song! This has a very Latin American feel with the trumpets, and that specific percussion beat. But it also has a very tropical feel to it, and that tropical feel mixed with a Latin American background makes quite a good combo. I really like this song, especially the chorus, and if you understand Spanish, you will hear how great the lyrics and how meaningful they are. Today's instrumental song is from the movie The Mask Of Zorro. This song is also a very typical Latin song, especially since it meant as a tango song. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today is Christmas! So to those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas! Otherwise, Happy Holidays! I thought it would be nice to keep in spirit of the holidays and especially this holiday. Michael Buble's album for the season is probably one of the best things he has because everything is so perfect. Just the right amount of big band, modernism, and holiday spirit. I found a link that has the entire album so if you are looking for a long music background, here you go! Today's second music session is wonderful music by the Rat Pack. These three men are legends beyond compare and their voices are what I always think about when I think Christmas music. I hope you enjoy all the music and please feel free to comment!