Beatles cross-national music ready for a 'Happy Christmas' on Fandalism

Richard Trudeau, one of the major producers of upcoming 'Happy Christmas'

Carol Forsloff---Fandalism is a place where music that can make a difference, as the "Beatles"remains a major interest of many, with fans and music who have grown up with it now older and refined musically by their years of practice.  Like the Beatles group musicians admire, those on Fandalism have the originality, creativity and talent that brings the world music that lasts and that music is made contemporary with an extravaganza soon to be released in anticipation of Christmas

Some months ago three musicians from Fandalism, Remco, Yvalain and Glenn,  were able to fuse their talents in such a way that it brought out the abilities of each one of them. Their album, like that of the Beatles, has diversity of theme, beat, and messages, the kind of music that crosses over to a wide audience because of that. The music is reminiscent of some of the more famous groups, like the Beatles, the Everly Brothers and others throughout music history. That's because there is an accent on originality that makes the difference between a group that will be listened to for decades vs one that is forgotten.  The Beatles, however, remains a particularly favorite group because they represent the decades of music.

But the value of the Internet, and the enduring power of the music of the Beatles, combined with many talents is bringing an even greater mix of music in the coming days with an arrangement inspired by Mark Taylor of the United States and Richard Trudeau of Canada respectively.

The value of the Internet can be witnessed in seeing and hearing people from diverse backgrounds working together as some of the best groups have throughout history.  But those groups we have enjoyed over the years, like the Temptations, the Beatles, the Beachboys, the Everly Brothers and many others were able to meet personally and practice.  With the advent of the digital era, however, people from across the world can join talents and create something wonderful in combination with one another.  

That's the case with the musicians on Fandalism.  Many of the performers have formed collaborations, as Remco, Yvalain and Glenn did some months ago with their music, representing as they did the Netherlands, the United States and France.  Now with the broader range of talent present for the Christmas project, the Beatles music for Christmas is likely to be an exciting event. That type of collaboration of skill and quality of music is enjoyed by a wide audience, with collaboration the key to the success of the site.

The greatest collaboration Fandalism has had will be its Christmas special, now just days away.  For fans of the site, and fans of individual musicians, it is important keep abreast of the activities to come, for a "Happy Christmas" will be soon. The music will be at your door of the Internet on November 27 with a cast of some of the best musicians from around the world.  Join the cast and all their fans as they celebrate the Beatles song of generations and more and wish the world the best of the holiday season.

The most poignant example of a Hollywood life at closure: Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier

Carol Forsloff---A woman known for her humanitarian virtues walked out on stage with a man known for his gentleness, acting skills and his being a "first" in many ways in the movie business, and Sidney Poitier's presence offered the most poignant moment of the Academy Awards, a moment that made folks recognize the value of a good life of a good actor as it nears its closure.  It stands in stark contrast in recalling that moment, then reflecting on the life of another African American man, Bill Cosby, who became synonymous with success following the tumultuous period of the 1960's and the struggle for African Americans to have new opportunities in entertainment.

Poitier was born in Miami, Florida in 1925, grew up poor, was a delinquent in his youth, then spent sometime in the military before moving to Hollywood with the ambition to become an actor.

Sidney Poitier's films were memorable when they were made for many reasons.  He performed with Tony Curtis in the Defiant Ones, a film that was made in 1958 before the civil rights movement that propelled him even further in filmdom, as opportunities increased with the times.  But that performance with Curtis allowed both black and white audiences to see the conflict that existed between the races and yet the coming together in friendship during the escape from prison until capture.

Poitier's early performances type-cast him in films that had previously been made with African Americans, including Porgy and Bess.  He was, however, an actor beyond the stereotypes.  Although his character was strongly identified as having struggles related to race, he stepped out of the stereotypes in ways that endeared him to audiences of all complexions.  And some of the films were considered particularly daring and controversial, as he acquired status as one of America's great actors.

A Patch of Blue brought Poitier as the romantic interest of a white girl.  The girl was, however, blind and Poitier the hands-off benefactor who brought the young woman from the psychological bleakness of abuse by her mother to the realization of her own self worth.  Poitier was the hero who never kissed the girl, and therefore his character proclaimed the African American as rising above the ordinary and becoming value as an intimate friend.  As with his previous film, the Defiant Ones, the trusted friend became one through the adversity of the other characters who found the Poitier character with the strength and moral strength to love beyond race and therefore show others that the racial divide is an artificial one.

To Sir with Love found Poitier cast again as a loving teacher, someone with the courage to take on some of the delinquent youth of the town, then turn them around with his captivating yet down-to-earth teaching style that allowed the young people to be themselves and actualize their talents in a good way.  He was the teacher as hero, and once again his character was revealed as a special and gifted individual, where race was less an issue that the difference in culture between the Poitier character and the young people.

Poitier's role as the carpenter who helped a group of nuns moved him beyond racial stereotyping and won him an Academy Award for his leading role in the film Lilies of the Field.

It was, however, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner that made Poitier's star particularly bright, as audiences flocked to see a new film with a black man and white woman not just in love but engaged to be married.  Poitier's character, a Ph.D scientist, was again a superman of sorts, with superlative manners and diction, values that required him to obtain parental permission for marriage, and who rose above the mundane in an extraordinary film that starred Kathryn Hepburn and Spencer Tracey as the girl's parents.  The central thesis of the film had to do with prejudice, but how a liberal man, Tracey's character, had to sift through his own conscience and stereotypes about race in order to offer his blessing on the marriage between his white daughter and the black man, Sidney Poitier.

Poitier went on to be cast in other films, with In the Heat of the Night one of his most notable, as the film became so popular it was made into a television series.  Over the years Poitier would play in the movies, but less so as time past.

The Academy Awards is one of those special nights when many people turn off their Internet and telephone devices and fix on the television show that highlights the best of the movies made all over the world.  While the Oscar winners were announced one by one, the most emotional moment for many in the audience was likely Sidney Poitier, no longer the young man of his brilliant films, standing beside Angelina Jolie as he read very slowly from the prompts a few short words before making an Oscar announcement near the end of the more than 3 1/2 hour extravaganza.

He faltered on the words.  He moved slowly on the arm of  Jolie.  But as he walked, then spoke those few words, there was a special feeling in those moments.  Here was a man whose films had captured America's struggles racially, who was identified as the country's best African American actor, who had lived through the hard times when the casting of men of color meant limited roles.  And his presence brought the appreciative applause from the Hollywood audience that a man of his acting stature deserves.  Yet at the same time, his faltered and failing steps were a reminder of his age and age-related issues, and that the time to savor his presence on film may be forever but his real presence in such a formal way will likely lessen even more in the next few years.

The contrast with Cosby is remarkable.  Cosby's life has been surrounded with controversy over allegations that he raped a number of women, using sedatives to make them drowsy or sleeping in order to take advantage of them.  These allegations have made it difficult for Cosby to maintain an image of one of America's best-known television fathers.  For Poitier, however, the good guy image remains, cemented once again by Hollywood peers.

The salute to Poitier goes beyond film-making to the history of the movie-making business and its rise from a community that reflected the racial divisions of the day to a community where leading actresses and actors of color are celebrated every year.  The poignant moment of Poitier at the Academy Awards allows the view of movie's history and captures the real man as well, but a man who offered many people a beautiful actor whose films will continue to teach and entertain.

Peter Evans brings example of humanitarian and historical benefits of music

[caption id="attachment_22462" align="alignleft" width="336"] Peter Evans[/caption]

Carol Forsloff------Among some of the unsung heroes in any culture are many musicians who write original music and offer their work freely, in dedication to helping others.  In a world where music is sometimes treated with cynicism, and where competition and focus is much on the young and often the transient, older performers who have tasted life in its abundance can convey feelings and bring attention to social needs.  That's the initial summary of the music of Peter Evans.

Evans steps out of the ordinary and the mundane to speak about the needs of the homeless.  In that way he joins the seasoned troopers like Willie Nelson, Barbra Streisand, Herb Alpert, and Bono from U-2 fame in being generous with this time, as they are generous with large sums of money.  To offer music is a step up to help others, for music carries a message in a different way than advertisements and speeches.

In addition to using music to call attention to social problems, like homelessness, those who bring this type of music elevate the music itself and become part of the history of it that reflects how it has been used to call attention to issues, to relate events and to become the repository of what happens today that people can learn about for all time.  Like books that stay with us, music that is part of that history, stays with us as well.

Honoring people who care for others through music is a reminder that service is important, and that every person has a role to play in service.  Some may work in the soup kitchen, others go out on the streets and render aid to the poor and the homeless.  Others, like Peter Evans, shine a light like a beacon of attention and hope that can raise our consciousness while offering the beauty of music itself.

Evans is a popular musician on a site called Fandalism, a man respected for his kindness and support of others and for his charitable giving by way of his original music.

Phil Everly and the Oregon Centennial summer of 1959

Everly Brothers

Carol Forsloff---Phil Everly died on January 3,2014, but in an Oregon summer of 1959, despite his rising fame as one of two brothers who were new country rock sensations, he was just a young man wandering through a fairground at the Oregon Centennial that year.  And in retrospect he was one of the people and events that transformed a recent graduate of an all-girl high school from an impoverished blue collar family with a provincial view of the world to someone whose dreams were unlimited.

I was 18 years old that summer with the self- satisfied arrogance that came from high school successes that included being on the school's May Court, a student body officer and a scholarship winner and a winner of a number of state speaking and writing awards in a graduating class of 76 girls.  I had been hired that summer to be one of a number of young people to work at one of the booths at the Oregon Centennial fairgrounds.  The booth where I worked represented a hearing aid company whose mission for us was to get hearing aid prospects by having folks sign up for a free television set.  But the crowds early on at the exposition were far lower than expected, so entertainers were able to walk around without being mobbed by fans.  In fact it was so casual big name stars like George Liberace could be seen in casual conversations with those folks who worked as sales people, guides or represented one of a number of countries at the International Trade Fair.

And the Everly Brothers, although popular with teens at the time, did not draw the big crowds in a family oriented atmosphere and with audiences who were more fascinated with older headliners like Harry Belafonte whose calypso music was particularly popular that summer.  In fact newspapers observed one of the officials announcing that to get better crowds they were bringing in the big names of country like Ferlin Husky and Marty Robbins as opposed to teen music idols, given the fact the Everly Brothers were not drawing the hoped-for crowds.

I was not a fan of the Everly Brothers then.  They seemed to appeal to teens still in high school.  My personal music tastes remained with standards, old country, semi classical with a lingering touch of Elvis.

So I did not recognize the young man next to me in front of the Ferris wheel, where I stood chatting with the male attendant whose muscular arms and well-built frame drew a girl's attention.  I had been there almost every day at lunch time, refusing entreaties to take a ride since business was slow.  Besides that I had developed a fear of riding on Ferris wheels because a young cousin in my early childhood would ride with me on the the big wheels, then shake and swing the seat when it got to the top, which frightened me.

When asked to ride that day, again I had refused; and then the young man next to me said, "I`ll ride with you, and I promise not to rock the seat."

The ride was uneventful with none of the seductive, tantalizing details that a reader might wish to find in an article.  There was no follow-up romance, nor did I become a fan at the time; but the memory of a sweet, young man who rode a ferris wheel, with conversations confined to Portland events, and who by taking an amusement ride with a girl erased a fear that represented a barrier to change and taking chances.  That was Phil Everly in a summer of 1959, with a vision of the day returned clearly with the news of his death just two days ago.

A smile is a guitar in the hands of Franck Szypura

[caption id="attachment_21842" align="alignleft" width="300"] Franck Szypura[/caption]

Carol Forsloff---The smile draws you in.  The music keeps you.  It's Frank Szypura, a Frenchman of the singular skill of making everyone feel good the instant his face appears, along with the trusty guitar that makes blues the king of music wherever he plays.  An interview with this fine musician gives us some insight on how he came to be the delight he is to fellow musicians and fans alike.

Szypura is French and says he struggles a bit with English.  But his answers in this interview offer the flavor of the man, the tasty flavor that can only come from his own style, so it is left here as he writes in his own English.  That smile remains part of the flow of his language, in the way it spreads to everything he does, including the notes of the guitar.

1. When did you begin to perform music? At what age did you start singing or playing an instrument?

I start to play a guitar in 1997.

2. Did you learn music by having lessons or did you learn on your own?

I learn by myself

3. Who encouraged you the most in learning and performing music?

A friend of mine who took her guitar lessons, encouraged me and showed me one thing,
the pentatonic scale, from here everything is open for me.

4. Have you been primarily a soloist or member of a band?

I Never play in band or made a gig, Hard to find a band to play only improvisations.  LOL

5. Are you a fan of some of the television programs like “The Voice” or “America's (or your country)
Got Talent”or American Idol or any of the other programs that present contests

I like "The Voice" because, is good to judge by the voice that the look of the person!
Voice make the music, not the Look.

6. What motivated you initially to be involved in music?

Maybe the fact to create something artistic without wanting to copy.

7. What are your personal favorite music genres? Who are some of your favorite performers?

Big question.   I'll try to be brief, I love much style of music, Rock, Pop, Funk (old school), Soul, some Few Rap, Classical music, Hard rock, and many others.  But he who rises above all is unquestionably the Blues, it was like a revelation for me.

Before I was listening without really paying attention, as you listen to a song that comes on the radio while doing something else.  Then this friend who was taking guitar lessons and showed me the pentatonic scale, was a fan of Blues, he has made me listen Blues song, Classical Tittles and made ​​me love him as I love him and now even more.

The Blues grabbed me and never let go of me.  everything was said about the Blues for sure! For me, the Blues is more than music, it is a second language. The Blues and guitar are Married, make one! In the Blues The guitar is like a voice. For sure much Music use Guitar but it is often there to support, to the rhythm and let the place to the singer. Sure great rock solo part too!! But he's not like the Blues! A Blues Solo is really Different that a Rock Solo! In how to make and play. It's what I think.

When I take a guitar, and when I play a Blues Impro, often I don't know the backing where I play on.  Or in just  20 seconds, I discover it along the time that I play on it.

Like that the Feel is pure, you see, nothing previous before. I always play like that, and I like to play like that. With a free spirit, free mind.

It's important for improvisation.

I think about nothing, and I play, just play! and nothing else. And let the feel make what he want!
The Blues permits that! As I saw in a comment on my Song "Directly from your heart to your fingers, to our Ears!" and it's so true.

It's why I love the Blues, Don't Follow the standard musical code, or just a little, get on track, but occasionally do not take, without lose them views.
Is like that, that iIdon't like to make cover, just to say "hey you see, I know to play this song"   Because it's not yours.   Ok,  you play on it, but is not yours.

My favourite performer is Stevie Ray Vaughan. He's my maestro! My guitar god! If I play guitar it's because of Him.  The first time I listened to him it was like a slap, that got my attention.  So I said to myself, "Wow!! Ok we can do that with a guitar."

And it was more exciting when I saw Stevie Vaughan  in a video, for the first time. One of my big musical "slap" that I ever had.  It really got my attention.

After Stevie Vaughan my favorites are Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Freddie King, David Gilmour and many other blues guitarists . Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa in the young generations guitarists are among my favorites.

Mark Knopfler is another favorite.  I discover the guitar world with him when I listen to "Private Investigation of Dire Straits.  It was like a spark in my imagination.

8. Do you compose music?

No, because my musicals knowledges is really limited.
I composed some instrumental songs but nothing extraordinary.

9. Do you have other family members who play music?

Yes.  My Father Played a Diatonic Bandoneon, like in the Argentine Tangos.
Astor Piazzola is his god!

10. Are you active in a music group of any kind?

No.

11. How often do you play music, including for your own recreation?

As often as I can. Every day at this time.

12. What barriers have you found in the music business? What do you think might improve the music business?

Now the music industry is based on the profit over the artistic statement. Let's say the two go together, but the first incentive has become the greatest.  I don't know exactly what can we do to improve the music business, may be post at the right place the good persons!
I am more of an artist than a banker.

13. Are you active in any music organizations such as ASCAP or BMI?

No.

14. Would you encourage a young person starting out to seek music as a career?

I don't know. I don't have the knowledge to do that. But if I could say something, I would tell him to open the right doors, and even if it is good, to be careful.  I would say not to hurry and rush head first into anything.

15. Where do you see the future of music?

I think music will always be present.  It will continue to evolve. Music has always been here, and I think it always will be.

I can't imagine a world without music.

And we can't imagine a world without Franck Szypura and his music.  And you can find him here, like many of his fans, and smile along with Franck.  (http://fandalism.com/skylismo)

 

Jackie Evancho's new song teaches us to believe

[caption id="attachment_21820" align="alignleft" width="300"] Jackie Evancho, November 2013[/caption]

Carol Forsloff----In a world of pain and suffering Jackie Evancho's music is teaching us to believe.

Evancho's song To Believe is creating a sensation for its message and also for the strength of the young girl's voice that carries it to great heights, both in tone, timbre and emotional delivery.  The words are inspiring; a song written by her uncle speaks of the needy and those who live in war, accenting especially the children.  The song is done in the form of a prayer, like a conversation with God, in a tender and sensitive manner, making the subject real through the music, lyrics and the sound of a human voice in a youth of great talent.

A sensation since America's Got Talent  when Jackie Evancho was 10 years old, three years ago, Evancho has produced many songs that have been memorable, from her Christmas album to an album of classics.  She made classical music a centerpiece in America following the surprise on the famous television program of a young girl with the voice of an angel, but a grown up angel's voice in the body of a child.

The song To Believe reflects the range of Jackie Evancho's voice but also speaks of the family values, accenting helping and service.

Learn to believe from the song To Believe that is here, a message that has this portion of wisdom as part of its whole:

"To believe in a day when hunger and war will pass away.  To have a hope amidst despair.  That every sparrow's counted.  That you hear the cries and listen to each prayer."

Musicians use their talents to advocate for human rights

[caption id="attachment_21662" align="alignleft" width="204"] Carly Simon[/caption]

Amnesty International is saluting a number of musicians for their contribution to human rights causes.  Musicians from different parts of the globe are often raising money for important causes with their music, either through recordings or live events.

76 new Bob Dylan songs in a 4 CD album have been contributed to benefit Amnesty International's human rights work.

50 artists have put together a collection of music also to raise money for human rights projects.  These artists include musicians like Carly Simon, Taj Mahal, Kris Kristofferson and Roseanne Cash among others.  The album is entitled Toast to Freedom.

“Amnesty should have their very own song to sing in happy times and in struggling times. To celebrate both small and monumental victories, to comfort loss and overcome pain, " says “Toast To Freedom” co-writer/co-producer Carl Carlton

 

 

Pentatonix offers magic of the human voice on 'Little Drummer Boy'

[caption id="attachment_21124" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pentatonix, the human voice prevails[/caption]

Carol Forsloff----You may be among those who have not yet heard the "Little Drummer Boy."  If you haven't seen the video and heard the singers whose voices are all the instruments, simply with their beautiful harmonies, then it's time indeed, as the young folks have proven that the human voice is the best instrument indeed.

Six million views and counting, and "Little Drummer Boy" is rapidly becoming an Internet sensation.  The young adults whose voices individually are wonderful bring even more wonder as they fuse them on this Christmas classic.  In a rendition that is sure to be its own classic, the Pentatonix has made with its Official Video that special something everyone would want in a Christmas stocking too.

Pentatonix is an a cappella group consisting of five vocalists who include Kirstie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying,  Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola, originating from Arlington, Texas. The group won the third season of The Sing-Off on NBC,

The original instrument for communicating in song has always been the human voice.  While David's harp is the first of the stringed instruments, nothing exudes more beauty in its range and variety than the voice itself, as these young people demonstrate with their singing.

Visit a Christmas Special and view it on YouTube, where the crowds are finding the wonder of Christmas early and the joy of singing that is part of the holiday tradition.

Nicole Eva Jones Tremblay: Find your vision of romance and beauty with her music

[caption id="attachment_21100" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nicole Eva Jones Tremblay[/caption]

Carol Forsloff----You are sitting in an elegant supper club in the middle of anywhere special. A strong, sensitive and sultry woman's voice and lyrical piano notes fill the room as you listen and let the music pour through you, while you peer through the windows into the moonlight's dancing with the night. You dream of love and all good things. That's an an evening with the music of Nicole Tremblay, and an evening you won't ever forget.

Nicole's is the beauty of voice, spirit, face and figure that women admire and men desire, with the character and personality that wraps all those wonderful qualities into a bundle for all to enjoy. I know this woman from Internet contacts, but more than that from a reaching out, conversing and getting to know the richness of this woman, a delight for any reporter to share, as memories of her music integrate with early morning chores.

I asked Nicole to tell me of her musical background, so all of us might learn the inside out of that elegant, supper club wonder, that often makes many of us curious when we hear a voice as hauntingly beautiful as hers. Her answers underline the richness of experience and the joys of music that can touch us in many ways, as her music touches us. This is her narrative of that music life, from a French-speaking woman whose English allows us to appreciate even more the language and musical skills we find in Nicole's masterpiece of work.

I started playing piano at age three, then had piano lessons at five years old until I was 16. At age 16, I was teaching piano and started playing in a rock band at the same age. But I was not singing as a soloist then, or even part of a band, as I was only singing in a church choir and playing the organ every Sunday.

in the band i was just playing piano and synthesizers, and I have never stopped since those early days..

My parents were my biggest fans, and they continued to support me when I performed in clubs. They followed me everywhere until they died. They paid for my music lessons, then became my greatest supporters throughout my music life until they passed away.

I have performed in bands for 15 years. After that I became part of a duo with my husband, who plays the keyboard, sings and is an amazing soundman. For the past 5 years, I have also had a parallel career as a jazz singer with jazz musicians well-known in Quebec and Montreal.

II have also been a solo performer in restaurants where I play piano and work with tracks. In addition I write songs, as I have been doing since I was 16 years old.

I am a big fan of music variety shows, as my biggest motivation and passion is my music. It has saved my life a few times, and at one time in my life it seemed that was all I had.

My favorite singer and musical performer is Carol Welsman. She's from Toronto, Canada. I also enjoy the music of Diana Krall, but earlier in my life I listened to some rock groups like Pink Floyd, King Cromson, Franck Zappa, and Jethro Tull. The first album I enjoyed was that of Oscar Peterson and also Dave Brubeck.

So I have a rockinfluence and i always loved jazz..

I am the only member in my family who plays and sings. I have three older sisters; none of them have any interest of what I'm doing . I'm the black sheep.

I am a member of the Fandalism family and my duo with my husband. We call ourselves “Nick of Time.”

i play, I sing, i breathe, I eat music all the time. It is always on my mind. I am obsessed with it. It's my life and virtually all I want or even think about. I have no other recreation. I painted a long time ago, but I don't any more. Music is really what I love the most.

Music is also business, but the problems in some ways have become overwhelming. There are so many videos that people don't listen anymore. They watch. Also there is too much exploitation of women in some of the videos that I simply abhor.

I' m member of the SOCAN here in CANADA, a musician's organization that allows me to protect my work and affords me opportunities to learn more about the business of music.

I would encourage young musicians and singers to be themselves and believe in their dreams.

My personal goal is to stay healthy enough so I can sing and play music until I am an old lady, and that won't be for another 99 years! And I will do my best with music until I die, as music has been good to me, a partner of my life since I was three years old, through the ups and downs and exigencies of life. Fame wasn't my goal; freedom has been, and music has given me my freedom.

I also have no children, so my legacy is my music, my songs; and those never die..

Find her here http://fandalism.com/evajones or look for her in that special place, that evening of delight in your dreams or in a club somewhere beautiful, that fits the sounds and charms of Nicole Eva Jones Tremblay.

Jason Yates brings the music dream past personal pain to achievement

Jason Yates, internationally popular musician

Carol Forsloff---For some people music is that arena of discovery, of making new journeys and developing pathways for improving performance and for achieving a level of excellence that brings fellow musicians to look at the achievement as a model for their own. Jason Yates is one of those who offers an example of the best, for that is the level of his skill.

This journalist has known Jason for more than a year, listened to many of his solitary performances, collaborations, original music and productions and has observed how he interacts with fellow performers in a musicians community known as Fandalism. Jason is one of the most respected musicians on the site for his talent and also for his interpersonal relationships. 

An interview with Jason allows that window to the mind and soul of a true artist, one who like many of exceptional talent, knows the meaning and price of the artistry. That price can sometimes be personal pain, the kind that allows a depth of understanding that is forged into the music to communicate to others the feelings many people share. It provides the avenue of communication that enlightens while entertains. Jason Yates is someone who shares his feelings through music and thereby embraces many people with his words and melodies in ways that others might not be able to do because of his life experiences.

The following narrative is a response to questions Jason has answered that allows us to understand the challenges he has faced along his music path and how he has managed to achieve and create great music in spite of early personal pain. It is the mark of the man that he extracts from his experiences the best of learning, that patience and perseverance can make a difference.

My first performance was at the age of 12 in a band of 4 lads, but I first picked a guitar up when I was 5 years old and got hooked. The lead guitarist in the band taught me some chords, and then I taught myself from then on, so I had a little instruction and then continued to teach myself the basics. 

In my early years as a musician I really had to be self motivated, no one seemed to be in the slightest bit interested in my music. Later in life the examples of long-time performers became an inspiration. Gordon Haskell, for example, who has been writing excellent music for years and who falls under the radar a lot has been one of those who has inspired me. 

I have been in various bands over the years as a bass guitarist, rhythm guitarist, lead guitarist and vocalist,.but in recent years I have been a solo performer, which I find very rewarding and far easier to arrange rehearsals. Presently I am rehearsing with my friend Alex for us to perform as a duo. 

With respect to music reality shows, I started watching these type of programs many years ago, but soon felt that it was a cattle market for singers. Most of my friends who are really into music have no time for it and neither do I. I can't help feel that it is more about promoting the presenters more than anything else. 

In childhood I had no natural bond with my mother. She suffered from schizophrenia and rejected me from birth, and I think music became my way to emotionally connect with myself and others. I soon fell in love with beautiful chords and sounds. They made me feel whole. 

I love acoustic music, soft rock, jazz, blues, and classical music genres. I also love Latin American music. In particular I enjoy listening to Justin Currie, a great songwriter who used to front the band, Del Amitri. He is solo now and writes meaningful songs with a passion. I am particularly fond of my songwriting partner, Darcy Jeavons and especially enjoy listening to her singing.

If I am not working on composing a new song, I get “withdrawal” symptoms. It's almost like a drug for me. My late Father and late step mother were both opera singers, so music is virtually in my blood. 

These days I am involved with several groups that involve music uploads, but because there are so many of them my time gets very limited. In fact I can I go through a set of guitar strings in a week. I listen to other music when I can, from some of the groups I am involved with and also a radio channel called AVR from Indiana who is one of my sponsors. 

In todays world of music I think one of the barriers is what I would call a type of “fashion police.” This is where we are told what you should be liking by way of music, and other forms of entertainment, instead of being allowed to make up our own minds. A song with a certain type of beat sells, so we get a proliferation of these types of songs. This might be changing soon, however, because of the many Indie internet radio stations appearing. 

I think the music business would benefit from appreciating the music first and foremost instead of a "package" including age and looks. When I was a kid, music was about the ears. With the ears you can appreciate all good music. With the package you are confined to the package. 

I am with PRS, Performing Rights Society to be part of the traditional music community and protect my work. I would also encourage people with their music but advise them not to pin all their hopes and dreams on it. It's important to be able to earn a living just in case those dreams don't come true. I would also tell them, 'There are some amazingly talented people who are never noticed, so don't think that that couldn't be you too. 

Music will always be here for all of us, and it will change as it has always done. No one can predict the future. We have gone from three generations listening to the same music to music changing every five years or so. Only time will tell where it takes us. 

My goals are simple. I want to get better at what I do. I want to perfect my craft to the best of my ability. I want to connect with people on an emotional, meaningful level, and just try to get my music heard and known. Then perhaps one day one of my music creations might be used for a film or some other great, creative venture. But no matter what,I love what I do.

Find Jason Yates on a variety of music sites like his page on Fandalism and his webpage at jasonmarkyates.com

How music impacts the brain, changes and reflects moods

[caption id="attachment_16914" align="alignleft" width="300"] Musicians from Fandalism perform a Perfect Day, an optimistic song[/caption]

Carol Forsloff---Parag Chordia is a musician and researcher who has examined the impact of music on those who perform it and those who listen. “Most of us are musicians or deeply touched by music,” he tells us, as he offers information on how music actually impacts the brain.

Chordia is the director and founder of the Music Intelligence Group at the Georgia Institute of Technology, which is partly funded by the National Science Foundation, that asks questions according to Chordia as: “How is sound pro­duced, how can it be manipulated—and, also, how is it perceived?” “How does the brain organize sound, and why does it elicit the types of responses and emotions that it does?”

“We said, okay, when a person is hap­py, their speech sounds different than when they’re sad,” he explained. A sad person speaks softly, slowly, often mumbles, and has a darker tone; a happy person speaks more quickly and brightly. “We started to wonder, is music bootstrapping off of the same processes? In other words, are those fundamental acoustic cues being used to signify happiness and sadness in music?”

His research has established that people do perceive music differently according to its pitch. Pitch does assist in establishing the emotion one feels in music, so the lower pitch is identified as sad and the higher pitch as happy. Chordia says, “I think what’s really interesting about music is that it plays off of both these things,” said Chordia, who has studied this phenomenon through computational and statistical modeling of music’s structure. “One of the ways that we describe music is ‘safe thrills.’ It’s like a roller coaster. On the one hand, you know nothing really bad is going to happen, but there are all these pleasant surprises along the way. A lot of music is like that: you set up a pattern and expectation, and then you play with it.” That might mean slightly varying the drumbeat, changing the chord pattern, or add­ing or removing instruments. “Those little surprises, it turns out, can be very pleasurable.” 

In Chordia's research the type and pitch of the music was selected for the subjects. Psychologists have found that when people select their music they also do so according to their moods. So the happy person will select a song that is upbeat, and the depressed person will select music that is sad.

Music is also a way for people to cope with their surroundings or to achieve a desired emotion. We often will pick a song that brings about the emotions we want to have at any given time, so those who want to feel energetic will select music with a strong and lively beat. And it can calm an individual who is stressed or angry. Music indeed soothes the savage beast.

Pro musician Sian Pearce offers advice for the music industry, its performers

Sian Pearce

These days it's tough to be an entertainer, especially with the passing of time in one's own life, the changes in music styles,the demands of show business and the lessening opportunities and financial rewards, but Sian Pearce manages to stay a full-time professional musician. How does this happen? Because she knows the business, and hers is a solid talent where people feel they get their time and money's worth when they listen to that something wonderful that is her music.

I spent some time with Sian recently online, chatting about music in general and her perspective on it. Here is a woman in those boots that have kept on walking, although she doesn't use them to walk all over others to get ahead. She shows in her interactions that good match between wanting to get ahead and doing the right thing to do it.

I asked Sian to relate some of her music background for those good insights that can help others. She shared this in an interview recently and told me this:

I started out out playing the recorder at about the age of 6, then tenor recorder, which progressed to flute, then guitar, then singing. I had flute lessons free in school, and then my parents paid for private guitar lessons and then singing lessons. After that I went on to study classical singing and flute at Trinity College of Music, London.

My inspiration for continuing with music came from my music teacher in comprehensive school (ages 11-16) who gave me my first singing solo and then took time out to give me extra (free) lessons outside of school, without anyone knowing, going the extra mile to encourage me and give me every opportunity to gain musical experience. Without this teacher I wouldn't be where I am today, as a professional musician.

My experience came initially from singing in a choir, but then I would be asked to sing the solos. From there I learned to perform in a variety of venues, although the choir community remains a strong and continuing interest, where I remain involved.

Many musicians enjoy those reality music shows, but I don't. I am really strongly against these programs.. I feel that they have watered down standards within music and people's attitude about performing and perfecting an art form. Everyone now seems to be an expert in music, as a result. Musicians who try out for the competition are judged by people in the music industry but not necessarily people who know anything about singing techniques or even those who know how to spot whether someone is singing in a healthy way. The programs are heavily produced to play on our emotions, and a lot of emphasis is placed being physically appealing.

In my opinion music should not be treated differently than any other profession, where people are encouraged to train, put to the test to prove that they can do the job fully and apply for jobs that are based on skills, experience and training. The singers on reality shows usually haven't performed before, so they may not be able to handle a performing situation outside of the clinical and manufactured structure of a TV program. These programs don't seem to offer longevity to the singer either, as the next years' winner always takes precedence. 

I have always found that music has a magical quality for me; it invades me, encapsulates me and takes over me in a way that I can't escape. I come alive when speaking about or performing music, it excites me still today as much as it did when I was first asked to perform solo as an 11 year old singer. 

For me music has no boundaries or labels, only good or bad quality, although I must admit to not liking heavy rock/punk music much. I listen to all kinds of quality music; as long as it's good it gets my ears! If I were to lean towards any particular genre it would be jazz or acoustic music, although where would you pigeonhole the diversity throughout their musical career of artist such as Joni Mitchell or Sting. Favourite artists tend to be older, just because I feel the standards were better then so I look up to artists such as Tony Bennett, Ella, Nina Simone, Kathleen Ferrier, Barbra Streisand, Dame Shirley Bassey, Diana Krall, Pink Floyd, Adele, Regina Specktor, Martin Taylor, The Civil Wars, Gregory Porter....oh the list goes on.

I do compose songs but never really have the confidence to let others hear them. I have also found that audiences are more prone to wanting to hear something they're familiar with. I do a lot of arranging music for my various choirs.

 I have the wonderful privilege of having my parents who both performed in choirs. Neither have ever performed much previously, but have lovely voices. As I was growing up everyone always said "I wonder where you get your musical talent from" but then a family member looked back over our family tree and it turns out that something like my great, great, great grandfathers were professional musicians - one an organist and another a conductor, quite something in those times! So I guess what's in the roots, is in the branches.

I have four choirs that I've started up from scratch, and I work at music daily, as I am a full-time professional musician.

The principle barriers I have found in music have to do with gender and age. As the first female conductor of a major male voice choir, I came across many barriers in just being a woman. Asking is interpreted as nagging, if you are a woman. And when I was introduced as the person in charge, and folks would still direct their questions to the men in my group, who may not have had the answers to the questions rather than asking me when I had those answers. Those attitudes likely pervade other organizations and groups as well.

Age is a major barrier within the music industry. I find students who are only in their mid 20s are being given the impression that they've missed the boat as far as making it in music is concerned. There are older people in the music industry, but these individuals are already famous. They found their fame as young people and have lasted the test of time or have made a comeback. But no older people are ever taken on as new artists. I believe this is ludicrous, as quality singers can often perform for decades.

Am I disillusioned? I admit to some concerns, yet I have great support when I make home demos or put on my own concerts. Yet no record company or agent will follow up with a response when contacted. I try to stay fresh in music, am a member of the Musician's Union, and keep practicing and performing to stay current.

For those young people starting out in the music industry, I would tell them to train in another profession first and get training and gigs in spare time. The music industry is such a tough and fickle business in which to make a living, so having other work to help earn a living is important. Those who are good enough will command a fee for performances, which may allow the musician to quit that “day job.” 

I have interests and concern for the future of music. The art of reading music and training and studying an instrument has to come back into vogue at some point, as people start noticing the performance standards are dropping. I believe the music industry needs some introspection because of the Internet has changed the way people listen to music. The industry needs to support how its workers can be paid, as income is lost from lack of CD sales and a slow response to downloads and streaming has meant many artists are giving away their music as a result. Musicians and those bodies that represent them need to concentrate on ways to claw back lost revenue from the companies responsible for digital recordings. 

My goal is to keep making a full-time living as a professional musician. Part of that goal is oriented towards making my choirs successful and giving individuals a chance to explore the joys of music through singing together or learning to train as better singers. I have conducted at the Sydney Opera House, so my next goal is to perform in the Royal Albert Hall in London and hope that these goals, and my desire to keep performing as a musician will be fulfilled.

Here are the links to my work on my webpage at www.sianpearce.com and my choirs - www.thephoenixchoir.co.uk and www.singersrock.com

It's likely Sian will realize those goals, with the energy and enthusiasm she brings to music, so that good advice for all those who want to make music a full-time career will find a path to success by following some of her lead.

Listen to the 'Songbird' of music to a voice you won't forget

[caption id="attachment_20819" align="alignleft" width="160"] Kathy Songbird[/caption]

Carol Forsloff-----In a world of competition for who’s the best, there are those yet undiscovered major talents that provoke many of us to say to ourselves, “That person is so talented she should be on a national stage.”  This is often said about Kathy Songbird, a vocalist whose singing soars above almost anyone and who surely should be among those who have attained great fame.

Kathy Songbird is the stage name for Jan Jackson who combines physical attractiveness with a voice that stuns her listeners.  She is one of the outstanding performers on a site called Fandalism, where she has numerous fans.  Along with musical talent, Kathy is also known for her kindness and sensitivity for the welfare of others that she often expresses in friendly mail and chats with friends.

An interview with this could-be, should-be Broadway talent brought additional insight into the musical background, interests and musical attitudes that go with being the kind of woman anyone would want as a friend and the kind of musical skill that any producer would embrace.

1.       When did you begin to perform music? At what age did you start singing or playing an instrument?

I started singing in church at age 7. I have been singing since I was 4 according to my Mom

2.       Did you learn music by having lessons or did you learn on your own?

I took piano lessons from my grandmother and took voice lessons at the Conservatory of Music   in Kansas City for a time.

3.       Who encouraged you the most in learning and performing music?

My grandmother loved to hear me sing and she would play piano while I did. She felt I had a gift and I am thankful to her for her support as well as my family.

4.      Have you been primarily a soloist or member of a band?

I sang with the Rocky Rockwell Band as lead singer and also with the Bill Woody Combo band as lead singer. I also did many gigs by myself playing keyboard and singing.        

5. Are you a fan of some of the television programs like “The Voice” or “America's (or your country) Got Talent”or American Idol or any of the other programs that present contests?

I do enjoy watching the Voice and American Idol...love to see the talent that is out there.

6.  What motivated you initially to be involved in music?

I have loved music from as long as I can remember. Singing along with music on the radio from a very early age. Music is my love.

7. What are your personal favorite music genres? Who are some of your favorite performers?

I love blues, ballads, Broadway, the classics from days gone by...even country Barbra Streisand is my all-time favorite vocalist.

8.  Do you compose music?

I have tried writing some songs...I hear the melody in my head but have never done it seriously.

9.  Do you have other family members who play music?

My father played piano by ear, my grandmother on the piano, and my brother plays guitar. 

10.  Are you active in a music group of any kind?

I presently am with KC Cabaret...a great group of talented singers.

11.   How often do you play music, including for your own recreation?

I am always singing, even if I don't post a song publicly. I play my keyboard often also. 

12.   What barriers have you found in the music business? What do you think might improve the music business?

It is very hard to find places to perform and so many places only want certain styles of music and people of a certain age. It would be wonderful if there were ways to find out what is available in the city you live in.

13.   Are you active in any music organizations such as ASCAP or BMI?

I am not active in any music organization at the present time. 

14. Would you encourage a young person starting out to seek music as a career?

I would strongly recommend any young person who has an ambition to put their music out in the world to find out where and how they can go about that. I hear young singers/musicians and I pray that someone will discover them. 

15.   Where do you see the future of music?

Music will be around forever....it is the one thing that can touch even the hardest heart. It makes us cry, laugh, feel emotions that we may have been hiding. Without music the world would be a very sad place

16.   What are your personal music goals?

I do wish I could get with someone and we could perform music for people, be it a band or maybe someone to just play piano for me. Love seeing the smiles on people's faces when I sing for them...money isn't important, it is just the love of music I have in my heart and I love spreading that joy around. God gave me a gift and I thank Him each day for it. 

And as Kathy thanks God for the gift of her voice there are many people who thank Him and Kathy as well for the voice of an angel many people love, that you will too, once you have a listen at the following sites:

http://www.youtube.com/user/songbird18MO?feature=watch

https://soundcloud.com/kathy-songbird

http://fandalism.com/kathysongbird

 

Earning money in the arts threatened by technology

[caption id="attachment_20704" align="alignleft" width="232"] Frank Sinatra. Could he make it now?[/caption]

Carol Forsloff------Elvis Presley finds his fame at Sun records, after walking in the door of a small studio in the South, as did Johnny Cash, both finding some rejections but also a direction and a world where opportunities were not clouded by massive numbers voting and getting friends to vote as well, which prevents many talented people from ever being heard. This is a problem for musicians that spills over into painting and writing and all the arts.

Earning money in art, writing books and articles and performing music is often thwarted by some of the abuses in technology. Add to this a continuing focus on youth with whole towns who concentrate specifically on “their” particular relative or friend who can vote people in or out of competition. The quality of the performances at times becomes reduced, even with the influx of those who claim talent simply to be part of the community of art. Add to this the reality show entertainment aspect where the ridiculous of someone dressed as a tree with a large megaphone is selected to present based upon the unusual disguise, not the talent of voice or instrument.

One woman said, when asked her interest in Jackie Evancho, whom the judges and audience had ruled especially talented, “She's too young to be that good, so I wouldn't vote for her.” So Evancho did not win first place, nor did Susan Boyle, because there were people who voted in opposition simply to thwart the more serious talents from winning.

Step in a room where, if you are a seasoned artist and someone asks what you do, and you answer you are an artist. You will rapidly learn that nearly everyone around also claims to paint, play music, or write. All of that is good, as these creative avenues are useful in building morale and interpersonal skills. But many of these same people find that with certain technology they can sound as professional as anyone, despite the fact their talent does not rise to the level of the professional who has trained for years. New music software can change the vocal key, timbre, quality of almost anyone, including those who have said they can't sing. Digital technology allows for copying and corrections of artistic work in ways that simulate serious painting, again with limited talent.   And programmed outlines and software can turn out a book in a few hours with all the grammar and spelling errors that could make an English teacher fret.

Writing has its own issues, along with those in art and music. Journalists are confronted with hundreds of thousands of bloggers, many untrained in writing, who have strong political opinions and ideas but lack the knowledge to do comprehensive research and don't look on all sides of an issue in order to write in a fair and balanced way. So the typical reader sees an article online in a format that looks just like their local paper (but often with no contact information) and uses the information as if it were the truth, not an opposing notion by the traditional media. Furthermore that traditional media is often so downgraded by the bloggers, that many people now don't trust anyone except a blogging friend.  So reputable and experienced journalists are losing jobs and income as a result.

The answer to these issues is actually quite simple. If you are ready to “buy”, look for a hands-on demonstration someone can sing or play music with a live performance, even if that's in a living room somewhere. Look at original paintings and the artist in a gallery working on a project. And with news and information, check the background of the writer and find the contact information as well, so you don't end up with the wrong information from a 16-year-old who just knows how to create a great-looking website with technology skills.

The abuses in art, music and writing are established by many people to be barriers for artists who have spent years honing their crafts. But it is the citizenry that supports the mundane, the artificial and the popular friend as opposed to the talented that brings the cultural aspect of the arts to levels of ordinary that do not elevate thinking or interest or abilities.

 

 

Hurricane Katrina survivor Chris Watts offers 'personal and engulfing' new music

[caption id="attachment_20652" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chris Watts[/caption]

Kelsey Trautman-Nashville, TN /GHN  – Central Louisiana native Chris Watts introduces his “Crescent City Country” to the world with the independent release of his debut album CENLA on September 10, 2013. Grammy Award-winning producer Jack Miele (Zac Brown Band, Cee Lo Green, Ani DiFranco) called Chris’ songwriting “so personal and engulfing that it’s almost impossible to not find yourself entrenched in his storytelling right from the first listen.”

CENLA was recorded at Fudge Recording Studio in New Orleans, LA, by Miele and funded through Watts’ successful Kickstarter campaign. “With a voice so natural and believable, anything that Chris sings will be eternally his,” Miele said.

With country music’s top superstars grabbing headlines over social media feuds, critics are calling CENLA a breath of fresh air. According to Gainesville Times’ Brent Holloway, CENLA “resurrects an ethos that is noticeably absent from the country charts of 2013.” Southern-fried in sincerity and grit, CENLA blends boot stompin’ country rock with ten small-town tales of beauty and heartache.

Whether it’s the Bonnie and Clyde police chase in the outlaw anthem “Cenla” or the soldier who never returned in “Fireworks Over Buhlow,” CENLA gives listeners the honesty they’ve been deprived of by many of today’s country albums.  “It is a hard-living, swaggering and bent-but-not-broken sound taken from equal parts Texas Outlaws and Neo-Traditionalists. This is the sound we've been missing,” Holloway said.

Chris describes his music as “Crescent City Country,” paying homage to New Orleans, the city he lived for years honing his craft. In 2005 Chris was shot in the New Orleans Superdome while on Louisiana National Guard duty for Hurricane Katrina. “New Orleans is inside me forever. Crescent City Country is my way of keeping her spirit alive everywhere I go,” Chris said.

Chris currently resides in Nashville, TN, and will begin touring in December with CD release parties in Alexandria, LA, and New Orleans, LA. CENLA is now available on CD copy and digital download.

For full biography, multimedia, and press:  http://www.chriswattsband.com

Stream the album CENLA:  http://chriswattsband.bandcamp.com

Official “Cenla” music video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwyr8Y31Bz0

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Editors Note:  Chris Watts' writing skills have been lauded by everyone from his University instructors to fellow professional writers and musicians.  His music is just one among many of his talents.

Iranian national poet offers art in language unmatched by modern English use

 

[caption id="attachment_20530" align="alignleft" width="300"] Landscape of Shadegan in Iran, a place of beauty like the Iranian poetry[/caption]

Carol Forsloff---As Iran continues to be central to American concerns in the Middle East, with its burgeoning populace and nuclear buildup, it is important to remember that the country once known as Persia, has always had eloquent poets, whose spiritual nature brings people everywhere to celebrate the beauty of the best in language and thought, as it happens with Iran's national poet, Hafiz Shirazi

During the period of the Dark Ages, when Europe's arts and literature were found largely in the church and the common man seldom shared the beauty of language and art in all its forms, the Arabian peninsula saw a flowering of science, art, music and invention. That joy of the language, and its poetry, remains a part of Iranian culture, despite political controversies and the clerics who come and go.

Iran's national poet is Hafiz Shiraz who writes the following in words that anyone can appreciate for the message it offers us all:

Don’t find fault with others, oh pious one;

God will not blame you for the sins of others;

If I am well behaved or not, you watch your own actions,

Each person will face the result of his own actions;

The alert and the drunk are both looking for the beloved;

The mosque and the temple are both the home of love;

Do not disappoint me in the history of eternity;

What do you know about the unseen and what is good or bad?

While the Western world writes and speaks in increasing abbreviations and slang and folks, including American teens,  worry about the degradation of the English language these days, one can't help but admire, even through translation from the Farsi of Iran to the English here, the beauty of the poet and the message of understanding it can bring. And one might wonder how that potential for eloquent English is being lost in our daily affairs.

 

Rare interview with master guitarist, James Burton, Elvis Presley's sidekick

James Burton

This is a major, and rare, interview, with James Burton. He has been a principal guitarist for Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnnie Ray and others. This is a don't miss opportunity, the first and only time this interview has been provided for the public.

Burton was not one of the "Memphis Mafia," or at least not one of the members who were closely associated with Elvis and may have participated in the drinking, gambling, women and drugs that often enter into the world of music.  This guitarist is a family man with the same wife he had when he worked with Elvis.  He is one of the people in the sense that despite his fame, he is delightfully accessible.

In front of the Music Hall of Fame in Shreveport, a statue of James Burton stands across one of Elvis. Burton's office is across the street in a modest building that offers the same down home style evidenced by this simple and simply wonderful musician.

Enjoy the experience of listening to Burton speak of his music experiences as he did in a live two-hour interview.  It was a heart-warming experience for this reporter to learn directly from someone who literally was at the right hand of Elvis Presley, but lacks the arrogance of many people who hang onto the memories in a way that brings them fame in a self-centered fashion.  Burton is the very definition of generous in manner, personality and character, and the interview where this character is displayed follows.








Butter, perfume and music: Sex doesn't always sell

Taylor Swift

Carol Forsloff — It’s a common belief that sex sells, but the experts don’t think so, at least if one wants consistent and positive response over time from anything from music to butter.

According to behavior experts, overt sex revealed too frequently can be a turnoff. People begin to wonder about motivation and see it as driven by less talent concerns than the desire for attention. The problem is the attention is short-lived.

An Iowa study found that people are likely more able to remember the advertising in advertisements when they are not surrounded by sex or violence. Many experts observe that the notion sex sells is a false one. In fact less is more is the dictum for “selling”. In other words, more modest, sexually-oriented material has more lasting appeal, and actually sells more products or services, than the overt, more blatant types.

Psychologists say this: “Sexually graphic, intensely violent television programs are selling only one thing: the message of excessive violence and sex.

It is a coarsening and degrading message. It is a message of hostility and misogyny. And it doesn't even work!”

Journal of Consumer Research, presented research by Janne van Doorn and Diederik A. Stapel of Tilburg University in the Netherlands that also concluded that too much sex has the reverse effect on sales, with folks less likely to have long term interest or memory of the product being sold.

Scientific research has also demonstrated that women do not respond favorably to flashy magazine advertisements with sexy women.  A University of Florida research study of 100 women of college age found that after being shown a number of advertisements with flashy, seductive photos, the young women expressed boredom and disinterest. Researchers concluded that male marketers miss the mark when putting out very seductive photos for advertising, with respect to how women feel.  Women tend to gravitate to an attractive woman, like Katie Homes, or in music someone like Taylor Swift, both of whom have that down-home, prettiness as opposed to the overtly sexy model from a Victoria Secret Ad.

So the next time you want to sell perfume, butter or music, it’s best to know what the facts are with respect to sex and advertising and getting the effect you want. The best approach is that less is more, substantiated not just by science, but the old adage we once learned as well, especially women, not to show it all and expect respect — or sales.

Here are some of the risks to creativity from bipolar illness and depression

Carol Forsloff — Mental health scientists have long known that there is a higher percentage of visual artists and musicians with bipolar disorder and depression than the normal population.  But is this just a tragedy for the social order and those who suffer from the illness or are there benefits that can teach us about ourselves and bring compassion , understanding and art appreciation as well?

Even great scientists and politicians, who brought high creativity to their endeavors, have also been categorized with bipolar disorder or depression. Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin looked at life out of unique life’s lenses. As a result  of Darwin’s perception, we have an understanding about how man and all nature evolved. And as a result of Lincoln’s deep feelings about himself, and his integration of those feelings with all humanity, the Great Emancipator forged the documents and the government strength to win a civil war over slavery and abolish the institution of slavery as an institution in the United States.

Experts tell us that creative people with bipolar disorder and depression may be drawn to the arts or other ventures where innovation is the mechanism for generating ideas that are outside what many would describe as the ordinary boundaries of performance.

The American Journal of Psychiatry from 1987 found that in 30 creative writers, there was a higher rate of bipolar disorder. They also were found to have higher IQs. A study in the  Journal of Affective Disorders in 2007 also found a higher percentage of creative skills in bipolar patients than those without a diagnosed mental disorder. Some mental health experts maintain that creative people are drawn to the arts and certain sciences because in looking for ways to ease their personal pain, or to understand themselves and their universe, they use their perceptions to uncover new pathways, new ideas and new ways to express their art. In doing so, they become leaders and often great contributors to the culture.

Those individuals with bipolar disorder have periods of both mania and depression. In their heightened states, great mood swings can occur; yet often it is within that uptick of mood that creativity can abound, as demonstrated by great works of art done during these episodes.  And while researchers continue to look for medications and cures for these episodes, some researchers wonder if in doing so we will eliminate that mechanism for creative advancement at the same time. In other words, our cure, or our need to make “them” like “us” may in fact reduce a level of creativity in our culture that brings value to our culture for generations.

 

 

 

Music the fruit of love, understanding from French musician

[caption id="attachment_18166" align="alignleft" width="180"] Yvalain[/caption]

Carol Forsloff — Music transcends borders and as Shakespeare once said, it is the fruit of love. It is also the vehicle for understanding and communication that can bring people together from many parts of the world, as is done by Yve Alain Debodinance, known as Yvalain by his friends and fans. Yvalain is one of many thousands of musicians on a site called Fandalism, sharing his music, most of which is original, with people around the world. I asked him a number of questions in order to highlight for others what he has done to elevate his own music as an example to others, improve his own performances, and how he developed his unique and special skills in music. The following are the questions and answers from the interview:

When did you start playing music and why?

I started to play guitar when I was 15. My best school friend was a huge Beatles fan. Thanks to him I discovered a magic universe of sounds, voices and instruments. The Beatles broke up one year ago. Until that moment I did not know too much music but some French hits and some classical music that my father sometimes played at home. I then requisitioned the family turntable and installed it in my bedroom. Little by little I listened to a wide range of pop-music from Jimi Hendrix to Pink Floyd, not forgetting Mike Oldfield, Queen, Supertramp and at least a thousand more…

What types of music genres do you favor?

I used to worry that I need two "legs to walk" and in the field f music I need pop-rock (in a very wide understanding) and classical music. I still love the Beatles and most of their solo works, I admire Paul McCartney who is still a fantastic creator despite his age. I still love everything I listened to in my teen years. John Lennon once said that our discoveries during our adolescence impregnate our spirit deeply. I agree with that. There is always some special magic when I listen today the stuff I enjoyed when I was young. The early Mike Oldfield is still great to my ears. All Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, The Who, the Kinks, Manfred Mann, Wishbone Ash but also Muse, American folk singers such as CSN&Y, Dylan, Hendrix of course, Randy Newman, Bruce Springsteen… On the classical side I can’t live without JS Bach, Sir Henry Purcell, Haendel and Vivaldi besides great other classical masters.

Where do you get your music inspiration?

I guess like many other composers I want to express myself through music: emotions, ideas, stories, good or bad experiences. My elder son told me that there are two races of musicians: the creators and the experts. I’m definitely among the first group. I like to play guitar and bass but my pleasure is not to practice hours everyday. Instead I use them as simple instruments to express my need to create. It could be pots or sticks…

What have been some of your special music experiences? Have you performed professionally and if so in what type of venues?

I started a band with my schoolfellows. Of course, our aim was to be as famous as the Beatles. Soon I played bass. That was my temperament at that time (express something but not too under the spotlight). We played several years, improving slowly But it happened that I realize we would never be good enough to earn our life with music, not speaking to be as good as the Beatles. So I had to keep my energy to have a good job and create a family. The dream was over. We made some disastrous public performance. Not a very good memory. Well, after nearly 30 years I started a new band with other musicians. That was a lot of fun. We made several great concerts (we were not too bad this time). But in 2008 I decided to keep my free time for composing and I left the band. Since then I made the equivalent of 10 albums with my small home studio.

What does it mean to be successful in music? What counts as success? Money? Fun?  Meeting new people? Self satisfaction? Creative outlet?

I guess the answer depends on what age we have. In my case my answer would be very different when I was a dreamy adolescent. Of course, now, I believe that the most important is to have fun and give pleasure to the audience. Personally my best pleasure is when I accomplish a new work and when I’m satisfied with the result. I never think of what other people will say of my song, if they’ll like it or not. It would be paralyzing to me to think that way. I started to make music on my own, playing all instruments and programming those that I can’t play. My experience of composing with my band was not very satisfying as I realized that my need to compose something original was not shared. The other members preferred to cover well-known hits. But soon I found it very agreeable to invite other musicians to play some parts of my songs, joining their talent to my ideas. That was certainly a good operation to have great singers and soloists with me. Thanks to the Internet I could play with people from various places in the world.  I shared my songs on Jamendo for nearly 4 years. Then I discovered Fandalism. The feedback of listeners was great,  and it surprised me a lot. Whether they are simple listeners of music experts, I have a great satisfaction in saying how my works are welcome.

Shakespeare once said music is the fruit of love. What does that mean to you?

I agree with that when it comes to the point of sharing my music with other people. In my case it’s always a gift. That happens to when some collaborators help me make some new song. When I receive their parts I always receive it as a great gift and I’m grateful for that. I respect what I’m given and all new ideas are very welcome. In my case I would like to add that music is made with our life, our emotions, our pains and our joys. I can’t make a music that means nothing to me.

What are your future ambitions when it comes to music?

I just want to continue to create new songs and I hope they will be better than everything I’ve already made. I often dream that I manage to break my own limits and create surprising original pieces in different styles than ordinary. I also have some ambition in the field of classical music. I have several baroque pieces that I hope I’ll be able to play in a better way that what I could do previously. Where do you see the future of music?

Sometimes I’m pessimistic when I state that in today’s world the music is slaved to profits at various times by the music industry. Fortunately sometimes a great original artist or band can appear despite the race to the bottom. Sometimes I’m rather optimistic considering the huge amount of original artists who expressed themselves in the domain of free music. Probably what we’ve known during the 20^th century will end: huge artists making a lot of money through disks and TV shows. We don’t have to wait that somebody tells us what to listen (unless we’re slave of commercial music industry and medias). We can find a lot of free music with an incredible quality. But I have no solution to the problem of how to allow an artist to live correctly with its creations; otherwise I would apply it to myself.

What advice would you give young people starting out with the idea of having a career in music?

So many young people want to become stars! I can understand that, as I was young too. I think the whole paradigm will change a lot, it’s already changing. I would not be the one to shower the heat. After all I did not succeed myself. And who knows, circumstances, meeting the right person, a great idea could bring fame… Obviously everything is done in the economic system to prevent new real talent to emerge. Of course there are exceptions… That feeds the dream...

You perform a lot with other musicians. What do you look for in collaborations? How can people learn from these and what are the value of them? The basis is humility: I don’t pretend to be a great musician, but I still want to do something that sounds good to my ears! Despite incredible tools that are given to amateur musicians I still favor the warmth and the richness to have real instruments and good vocals in my songs. When I started to ask for help I was very afraid that I would receive negative answers or laughs! But instead I had only good experiences and the results were always beyond my expectations. Well, sometimes singers are real divas, very hard to satisfy. Today I can’t imagine not asking for external contributions to make new song. I always learn from others. I’m often dazzled by their work and their ideas. Then I’m very happy to promote our common work and my best pleasure is to read a compliment for my partner(s).

Offer a few anecdotes about yourself. What makes you the musical you?

When I was a young boy I already created songs that I sung or myself, in my head. But I did not realize that. I remember that I used to go to the grocery store with a list of things to purchase for the family dinner, every evening after school. I watched the other boys screaming, playing soccer in a field. I thought to myself “what kind of boy am I, what makes me different than others?” I had only negative words with which to answer, the same that I heard at home. Now I know: I was preparing my future passion, that irrepressible need to express myself in the best way, I mean to show some beauty from inside me to those who did not believe in me.

Yvalain's music can be found here: http://fandalism.com/yvalain