Weekly Review (Oct 15- 21) Plus the Sanity Sunday Musical Break

by Nomad

Weekly Review
The main story this week was, of course, the same one as last week- the appalling and gruesome murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
A timeline of statements from the Saudi authorities show repeated changes to their narrative- meaning, lies- ever since Mr. Khashoggi walked into the consulate and mysteriously disappeared.

Sanity Sunday Musical Break - Pat Metheny

by Nomad

With permission, I decided to forgo the usual weekly review for this week. The news was dominated by one major story and as important as that might be, it was covered ad nauseam by every newspaper, radio, and TV news outlet. Ultimately, the Kavanaugh confirmation fiasco is still in limbo so I will pick up the thread next week.

Sanity Sunday - Weekly Highlights and Nomadic Playlist 1

by Nomad

The Week in Review

Last week, the world witnessed a happy ending when 12 Thai boys and their coach were successfully rescued after being trapped in the Tham Luang cave complex.
The boys, aged between 11 to 16, spent over two weeks in the cave after the passageways unexpectedly flooded. As Navy SEALS and teams of international experts raced against time, people around the world were riveted by the rescue.
By10 pm Tuesday local time, all thirteen had been led out of the cave.

In less heart-warming news, Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh, as his replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. If confirmed, he is expected to tilt the court to the right for the foreseeable future.

Sanity Sunday- The Lullabies and Ballads of Jackie Oates

by Nomad

English folk singer and fiddle player, Jackie Oates hails from Staffordshire. Since her debut in 2006, Oates has released 6 albums. According to her bio, she was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 2003 and has performed extensively at festivals and venues across the country and beyond. 

Sanity Sunday- Piano Music by Tristan Eckerson

by Nomad

According to his biography, since his teenage years, musician Tristan Eckerson has lived the life of a nomad. His musical career has taken him to a range of places like Charleston, South Carolina, San Sebastian, Spain, San Francisco, California, Seattle, Washington, and Asheville, North Carolina.

Throughout his travels he has written music and performed in multiple groups on both U.S. Coasts, Canada, and Europe, recording with members of the Ray Charles Orchestra, writing string arrangements for the Magik*Magik Orchestra, receiving his Master's degree in Music Production and Sound Design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and writing original music for multiple award-winning films, commercials, and animation projects.

Sanity Sunday - A Selection of Dream Pop Songs

by Nomad  

I've long ago given up trying to follow musical genres and sub-genres. It just seemed impossible but it does help you find the type of music you like.
After listening to some music I enjoyed this week, I learned that alternative rock and neo-psychedelia (another unknown genre) hooked up sometime in the 80s and had a love child called Dream Pop.
As a subgenre, Dream Pop is all about atmosphere and often features "breathy vocals and processed, echo-laden guitars and synthesizers." The lyrics tend to be short poems.
I think you will find this style soothing on the nerves.

Sanity Sunday- Dulcimer Music by Ted Yoder

by Nomad

Goshen, Indiana resident Ted Yoder has been called "the master of the hammer dulcimer." Although Yoder grew up in a musical family, he received his first dulcimer as a wedding gift only 13 years ago. Yet the talented musician has since grown to become the 2010 National Hammer Dulcimer Champion.

Here are a few of his covers of familiar tunes.

Sanity Sunday - The Music of Camera Obscura

by Nomad

The group, Camera Obscura, has been around for awhile. This  Scottish indie pop band from Glasgow was formed back in 1996. I have my own association with the group. Their songs offered me a good deal of comfort when I was exiled to New York City during a time of apprehension and anxiety.
But that's another story.

The band has shape-shifted somewhat over the years. It is currently comprised of Tracyanne Campbell (guitar, vocals), Kenny McKeeve ( guitar, vocals), Gavin Dunbar (bass), and Lee Thomson  (drums). If you would like to learn more about the group, click here.

Sanity Sunday- First Aid Kit

by Nomad

Sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg from  Stockholm, Sweden perform under the name First Aid Kit. They first came to the world's attention back in 2008 when they posted a YouTube video cover of the Fleet Foxes's song "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song." (In fact,  the pair were already well-known in their home country.)

Sanity Sunday- Music by The Secret Trio

by Nomad

For this Sanity Sunday, I want to introduce you to three artists, each of them can be considered esteemed artists in their own right.

Sanity Sunday- The Classical Ukulele of Samantha Muir

by Nomad

Whenever I think of the ukulele, I see visions of Hawaiian dancers in grass skirts and hibiscus flowers in their hair. If I think a bit harder, there's image of a 1920s Princeton student with a pennant and a straw hat, wearing a raccoon coat.
After that, I draw blanks.

Musician Samantha Muir has opened my mind to the possibilities of the ukulele. Born in England, Samantha moved to Australia with her family at the age of seven.  Muir has studied at prestigious schools such as Sydney Conservatorium, the Victorian College of the Arts and the Royal College of Music in London. She has given solo recitals in England, Wales, Australia, and Spain.(You can find her complete biography here.)

Sanity Sunday - The Songs of Stephen Chalk

by Nomad

After the last post, consider this Sanity Sunday post a bit of a palate cleanser for the soul.

Chorister Stephen Chalk is a teenage Scottish soprano with an enchanting treble voice.
Since the age of six, he has performed at the renowned Paisley Abbey of the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, west of Glasgow, in Scotland.
He explains:

"Singing makes me feel happier and uplifts my spirit. I want to share my music with other people and hopefully make them happy too."

He also adds:

"I am passionate about singing because it helps me express myself in ways I do not know very many others can." 

Sanity Sunday - The Pretenders

by Nomad

Before the music, a few notes on the band and its members.

English-American rock band, The Pretenders, was formed in England in March 1978. The band initially consisted of Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Farndon (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Martin Chambers (drums, backing vocals, percussion).

Sanity Sunday- Enchanting Songs by Aikyo

by Nomad

The group, Aikyo, from Cataluña, Spain is something of a mystery. I really couldn't find out too much about the group. I can tell you that the band members include Ruben LLorach, Kampah, Marta Gonzalez, María Prado, and Joan Orench.

I hope you find the selection both enjoyable and relaxing. Have a soothing Sunday, my friends.

Sanity Sunday- The Music of Cat Stevens

by Nomad

For anybody who came of age around the early 1970s, the name Cat Stevens is bound to be wrapped up with quite a few personal memories. (The same is true for singer/songwriters like James Taylor, Carole King and many others.)

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his religious or political opinions, his music still sounds as fresh as it did back in that time.

Sanity Sunday- The Music of Zach Winters

 by Nomad

Norman, Oklahoma-based artist Zach Winters has been described as "a multi-instrumentalist, a reader, a man of faith, a writer and a dedicated husband and father." According to his bio, Winters has had the honor to sing for Syrian refugees, laboring mothers, orphans in Mexico, and his friends, neighbors and family.

Sanity Sunday- The Temptations by Request

by Nomad

This week, a lead singer of The Temptations, Dennis Edwards, passed on at his home in Chicago. They did not disclose the cause of death but he had apparently been ill for some time.

Having joined The Temptations in 1968, Edwards was the voice behind such Grammy-winning hits as Papa Was a Rollin' Stone and Cloud Nine.

Edwards was not one of the original band members. (He replaced David Ruffin after contractual disputes with Motown label.) Edwards sang with the group from 1968 to 1976, 1980 to 1984 and 1987 to 1989.

In 1989, Edwards was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Temptations. Edwards was also inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame with The Temptations in 2013.

Sanity Sunday- The Folk Music of Jim Ghedi

by Nomad

Six and twelve string guitarist Jim Ghedi lives in Moss Valley, just south of Sheffield, England. The 27-year-old Ghedi clearly feels a connection between his music and the land.

"I discovered a sense of place from exploring the natural environments and rich wildlife around the area. It was through gentle movement and close observation which brought an understanding, a connection, a stillness and a rooted sense of belonging.”

Sanity Sunday - Luna Lee and the Gayageum

by Nomad

The word "gayageum" might sound like a senior LGBT organization but in fact, it is a traditional 12- string Korean musical instrument. The Gayageum was probably manufactured around the 6th century, in the time of King Kasil in the Kaya Kingdom.

One musician who plays contemporary music on the gayageum is Luna Lee. She has performed covers songs by such groups as
Rolling Stones, Queen, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. 

"The gayageum has a beautiful sound and amazing potential so I wanted to share my music with many people."

Sanity Sunday- Mathieu Terrade on the Harpejji

by Nomad

It must be one of life's greatest rewards to be acclaimed as a master at something. When it comes to playing the harpejji, French musician Mathieu Terrade is probably the most celebrated.
A few "notes" about this unique instrument:

• Developed in 2007 by Tim Meeks, founder of Marcodi Musical Products.
• The instrument aims to bridge the gap in sound and technique between the guitar, bass guitar, and piano.
• Stevie Wonder features the instrument in his stage performance
• There are no formal rules on how to play the instrument and new techniques are emerging all the time.