So why am I overly obsessed with music? And why do I have the concise yet diverse taste I do? Let us explore into the music history of the girl that is Ruwi...if that even made any sense to you all.
I suppose the first direct influence in music i had was my dad. I grew up listening to all the stuff he likes and it kinda rubbed off on me. Stuff i still like today like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Santana, Simon and Garfunkel, Cold Chisel (not Elvis, that was the one exception). It was because of him that I decided to go and learn piano. By the time I was five, I had copied him already, but I was also already choosing my own stuff, like Michael Jackson (who i thought was a woman, but that's another story altogether), and Phil Collins and that, plus all them musicals like Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, the LOT.
Then came the crucial moment where I got my own, actual first CD. It was when I was in yr 2 and EVERYONE was mad about the Lion King, and my parents bought me the soundtrack because I sung "can you feel the love tonight" for them. Man how i was addicted to that ONE cd.
Here comes the moment in my life that makes me CRINGE: the pre-teen teeny-bopper phase. It was caused by this: i absolutely HATED the macerena, i thought i was a stupid excuse to dance and i was sooooo happy when one song knocked it off from it's no.1 spot. That song was Wannabe by the Spice Girls, and there began my obsession with them and similar teen pop artists like Britney, Mandy Moore and the Backstreet Boys. This unfortunate period lasted from yr4 till about yr7, when i realised how ridiculous the musicality of some of these songs were.
Following this period, I became a bit of a "rebel" in yr 8 and turned to hardcore punk rock and hip-hop/rap. I was listening to artists such as Ben Folds, Blink 182, Green Day, etc. The release of the Save The Last Dance soundtrack plunged me further into the world of rap and rn'b as I scammed CDs of TLC, Ja Rule, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and similar.
Still liking the world of rock, in yr10 i moved to a more Goth Rock/Metal phase, incited by the release of Evanescence's Fallen album. Spider got me listening to Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation, Nightwish and it was from there that i decided i wanted to learn to play guitar.
At the end of that year, the entire hype about Aussie Idol 2003 helped my generalise my taste and it was from there that I realised how diverse my taste in music was despite the fact i tended to be picky about the songs i liked; i obviously no longer appreciated such bubblegummy-pointless pop like Britney and Christina Aguilera, but I still liked the emo/punk rock from yr8, most of the rap and rn'b from yr9 and i was still mad for metal, and there was still all the stuff i would not give up from when i was little. I also realised my love for jazz after playing the double bass since yr7 and began checking out Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr.
By this time, I was going through a Guy Sebastian obsession, mixed with more general rock like John Mayer and Matchbox 20 (Cole's doing). Then late in yr10 i saw a young, funky british guy on tv at the Royal Gala Performance performing a jazzed-up version of one of my favourite songs from My Fair Lady - I Could Have Danced All Night. He was like a mix between Harry Connick Jr. and Ben Folds, yet he was different to them aswell. My dad and I were also quite impressed with his rendition of I Get A Kick Out Of You.
"Did you catch his name?" I asked my dad.
"Nope... dont worry, i'll check it out."
It wasn't long before I forgot about that energetic jazz piano player.
A couple of weeks later my dad came back from work and told me, "Hey, I looked up that guy, Jamie Cullum."
"...who the hell is that?" I asked, obviously not knowing what was in m future.
"You know, that jazzy guy we saw on tv the other night?"
"...oh HIM! yeah, what about him?"
"He's got this album, only released last week, called Thirtysomething, i think."
"Hm, ok, i'll check it out."
And the rest of that, well you know.
As of the last two years, apart from my Jamie-obsession and retaining my other favourites, I grew to like the more alternative artists such as Powderfinger, Eskimo Joe, Karnivool and countless others that maybe rather unknown to most people, because of my more recent initiative to teach myself guitar and attempt my own songwriting. I do not feel like i am going through any PHASES as such anymore, everyday i like different songs, for example two weeks ago i was listening tp Ghostface Killah, last week i was all hyped up about Ben Folds after hearing them on the radio after a long time, this week i'm back on my boys the Strokes, tis all very turbulent, ne?
But does this make me a music NERD?
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Am I a music nerd yet? (Part I)
Yes, i am on my quest to becoming a nusic nerd so i can be on one of them nerdy tv music quiz shows and answer all the questions and ahve drunk ppl praise me as their music guru... hummmmm, tis hard to know when u get there, u think you know something but then u find aNOTHER artist that has a whole 10000year history.
Let us assess my music brain. Firstly, I shall list all my favourite albums with reasoning:
1. Twentysomething - Jamie Cullum
I discovered this remarkably talented boy, at the end of year 10, on tv performing a terrific rendition of a My Fair Lady song for the Queen (ppfff, like SHE appreciates good music), and me being a sucker for jazz and musicals, I went out and bought this newly released and relatively unknown album and the entire love affair began from there on. I drooled at his modern take on jazz standards such as Sinatra's "I Get a Kick Out of You", his jazzy takes on more modern songs like Pharrell William's "Frontin'" and his own lovable creations full of nostaligia like in "Next Year, Baby". If this album was experimental, he must've created GOLD!
2. Catching Tales - Jamie Cullum
The album, 2 years I had waited impatiently for, but it was worth the wait. Less of a take on jazz standards like his previous Twentysomething, this is more of an insight into WHO exactly Jamie is, with more and more of his own juicily ingenious songwriting. This time he takes a more rooty, alternative approach, in songs such as "London Skies" and "Photograph", and also shows a more seductive soul side with his trademark rough crooning in "Mind Trick" and "My Yard" and we do not miss the funny sarcasticness of his lyrics like in "7 Days"and "Nothing I Do". Yet he manages to maintain his jazz bases throughout, and he does not ignore standards completely, overall making a nice balance in utilising his talents.
3. Pointless Nostalgic - Jamie Cullum
This is more set on performing jazz standards than his other 2 CDs, but i still love the relative simpleness of his voice and his improvisational talents which only get later explored; this is like a preview of his music career.
4. Reviewing the Situation - Eran James
I cannot BELIEVE the guy that recorded this was only 15! Lainey got me into this soul standard CD, his voice is FLAWLESS! Only having written a couple of songs on here, it keeps us waiting for more of what this boy has in store for us.
5. Autumn Flow - Lior
I saw this guy singing a Stevie Wonder song on Spicks + Specks and he had a really nice timbre to his voice, so I went and got this CD and feel in love with it straight away. He has that Middle-Eastern element to it, but he cleverly incorporates it with blues, roots and soul with his guitar work.
6. Both Sides of the Gun - Ben Harper
I am currently trying to get a hold of all Ben Harper's CDs because he is so diverse when it comes to style, yet he doesn't go overboard with his diversity like some artists (hint, hint: Robbie Williams). This CD has songs ranging from soul to roots to rock to even jazz, but he maintains it with smooth transitions at the same level, not jumping from genre to genre, with his soulful, storytelling songwriting.
7. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill
I remember wanting to get this CD waaaay back when it was first released, but with my overly paranoid parents i wasnt allowed to bcos of the goddamn "explicit lyrics" label on it. But once i got it a few years later, i realised Lauryn Hill had my favourite rn'b/soul voice, and we all know i'm not much of an rn'b girl (too Curry for me). I love the way she maintains a sense of tough femininity in her lyrics and I appreciate that she can rap well about meaningful stuff, not about getting high and getting laid at parties, u know.
8. Vulture Street - Powderfinger
Yes, I have a thing particularly for Aussie bands, especially these guys! Bernard Fanning has SUCH a nice yet rock-ful voice, it suits every song they've ever done. This CD is just good ol' plain rock n' roll, no frilly lace or extra sweet icing.
9. Comalies - Lacuna Coil
From year 10, thanks to Spider, got me into the whole Goth rock phase i when through... well just because it was a phase, i doesn't mean i still dont like it cos i do, especially this album because of the real Italiano flavour added to it.
10. Careless Love - Madeleiene Peyroux
I love the muffled quality of her voice and this Paris-jazzy album really satisfies my francophilia, eventhough only a couple of tracks are actually in French
11. The Best of Chisel - Cold Chisel
One of the bands I grew up listening to bcos of my dad, but this cd i kinda stole from him and put it in my pile, u know! But this just sums Chisel up, and since when can u get enuff of that ol' legend Barnesy, huh?
12. It This It? - The Strokes
I like all of the Strokes' CDs the same, but this one might JUST take the cake because of their hits like "Last Night" which i have heard certain really good covers of recently (like that reggae one by the Resurrectors), but it just goes to show that sometimes no-one can do it like the original ppl. (And I think Julian Casablancas is cute!)
13. Le Fil - Camille
My new favourite album, full of experimental rhythms and acappella vocals. Despite the fact that it is virtually all in french, this is a cd you can actually sit down and listen to bcos it is soooo interesting. I'm also guessing Camille had jazz voice training if any.
14. Alright, Still - Lily Allen
A lot of people can't really believe when i say i like this album, but i DO! It's so upbeat and funky, but not in that usual, chart-topping way, this has a more jazzy, reggae, ska sort of feel to it. I absolutely LOVE the blunt, frankness of Lily Allen's lyrics, and she's also got that nice voice that is not trying to be too powerful (yes i am bloody SICK of every girl i see trying to copy Whitney Houston or Kelly Clarkson!).
Other random albums i might recommend if this 14 aint enuff for ya:
Muse - Black Holes and Revelations: fantastic use of guitar and orchestra in that non-musical sort of way
Nizlopi - Half These Songs are About You: love the acoustic guitar and vocals of this British duo
Ben Folds Five - (self-titled): an ol' fave of mine, cant get any better piano rock than this. Me liking Ben Folds for a while is probably the basis for my Jamie-craze
The Cat Empire - (self-titled): my MELBOURNE BOYZ! omg, so funky, got that ethnic taste to it, makes you feel all high and jumpeeee!
Nevermind - Nirvana: then again, who DOESN'T like this album? 'nuff said.
Beautiful Life - Guy Sebastian: *blushes* I'm not such a die hard fan of his as I was back when he won, but i havent stopped liking him, he's got that irresistible voice, and that characteristic sweetness in his songwriting, and he's too adorable, hehe! *sigh* if only he did more soul...
Live at Blenheim Palace - Jamie Cullum: not really an album and more a DVD, but the only thing better than Jamie is Jamie LIVE! He is a TERRIFIC entertainer, nuthing is the same with him so you can go and see him as many times as you like and never get sick of him!
enuff blabber about my extensive cd collection, after putting my body to rest for a few hours, i shall explain my evolution in music taste.
Let us assess my music brain. Firstly, I shall list all my favourite albums with reasoning:
1. Twentysomething - Jamie Cullum
I discovered this remarkably talented boy, at the end of year 10, on tv performing a terrific rendition of a My Fair Lady song for the Queen (ppfff, like SHE appreciates good music), and me being a sucker for jazz and musicals, I went out and bought this newly released and relatively unknown album and the entire love affair began from there on. I drooled at his modern take on jazz standards such as Sinatra's "I Get a Kick Out of You", his jazzy takes on more modern songs like Pharrell William's "Frontin'" and his own lovable creations full of nostaligia like in "Next Year, Baby". If this album was experimental, he must've created GOLD!
2. Catching Tales - Jamie Cullum
The album, 2 years I had waited impatiently for, but it was worth the wait. Less of a take on jazz standards like his previous Twentysomething, this is more of an insight into WHO exactly Jamie is, with more and more of his own juicily ingenious songwriting. This time he takes a more rooty, alternative approach, in songs such as "London Skies" and "Photograph", and also shows a more seductive soul side with his trademark rough crooning in "Mind Trick" and "My Yard" and we do not miss the funny sarcasticness of his lyrics like in "7 Days"and "Nothing I Do". Yet he manages to maintain his jazz bases throughout, and he does not ignore standards completely, overall making a nice balance in utilising his talents.
3. Pointless Nostalgic - Jamie Cullum
This is more set on performing jazz standards than his other 2 CDs, but i still love the relative simpleness of his voice and his improvisational talents which only get later explored; this is like a preview of his music career.
4. Reviewing the Situation - Eran James
I cannot BELIEVE the guy that recorded this was only 15! Lainey got me into this soul standard CD, his voice is FLAWLESS! Only having written a couple of songs on here, it keeps us waiting for more of what this boy has in store for us.
5. Autumn Flow - Lior
I saw this guy singing a Stevie Wonder song on Spicks + Specks and he had a really nice timbre to his voice, so I went and got this CD and feel in love with it straight away. He has that Middle-Eastern element to it, but he cleverly incorporates it with blues, roots and soul with his guitar work.
6. Both Sides of the Gun - Ben Harper
I am currently trying to get a hold of all Ben Harper's CDs because he is so diverse when it comes to style, yet he doesn't go overboard with his diversity like some artists (hint, hint: Robbie Williams). This CD has songs ranging from soul to roots to rock to even jazz, but he maintains it with smooth transitions at the same level, not jumping from genre to genre, with his soulful, storytelling songwriting.
7. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill
I remember wanting to get this CD waaaay back when it was first released, but with my overly paranoid parents i wasnt allowed to bcos of the goddamn "explicit lyrics" label on it. But once i got it a few years later, i realised Lauryn Hill had my favourite rn'b/soul voice, and we all know i'm not much of an rn'b girl (too Curry for me). I love the way she maintains a sense of tough femininity in her lyrics and I appreciate that she can rap well about meaningful stuff, not about getting high and getting laid at parties, u know.
8. Vulture Street - Powderfinger
Yes, I have a thing particularly for Aussie bands, especially these guys! Bernard Fanning has SUCH a nice yet rock-ful voice, it suits every song they've ever done. This CD is just good ol' plain rock n' roll, no frilly lace or extra sweet icing.
9. Comalies - Lacuna Coil
From year 10, thanks to Spider, got me into the whole Goth rock phase i when through... well just because it was a phase, i doesn't mean i still dont like it cos i do, especially this album because of the real Italiano flavour added to it.
10. Careless Love - Madeleiene Peyroux
I love the muffled quality of her voice and this Paris-jazzy album really satisfies my francophilia, eventhough only a couple of tracks are actually in French
11. The Best of Chisel - Cold Chisel
One of the bands I grew up listening to bcos of my dad, but this cd i kinda stole from him and put it in my pile, u know! But this just sums Chisel up, and since when can u get enuff of that ol' legend Barnesy, huh?
12. It This It? - The Strokes
I like all of the Strokes' CDs the same, but this one might JUST take the cake because of their hits like "Last Night" which i have heard certain really good covers of recently (like that reggae one by the Resurrectors), but it just goes to show that sometimes no-one can do it like the original ppl. (And I think Julian Casablancas is cute!)
13. Le Fil - Camille
My new favourite album, full of experimental rhythms and acappella vocals. Despite the fact that it is virtually all in french, this is a cd you can actually sit down and listen to bcos it is soooo interesting. I'm also guessing Camille had jazz voice training if any.
14. Alright, Still - Lily Allen
A lot of people can't really believe when i say i like this album, but i DO! It's so upbeat and funky, but not in that usual, chart-topping way, this has a more jazzy, reggae, ska sort of feel to it. I absolutely LOVE the blunt, frankness of Lily Allen's lyrics, and she's also got that nice voice that is not trying to be too powerful (yes i am bloody SICK of every girl i see trying to copy Whitney Houston or Kelly Clarkson!).
Other random albums i might recommend if this 14 aint enuff for ya:
Muse - Black Holes and Revelations: fantastic use of guitar and orchestra in that non-musical sort of way
Nizlopi - Half These Songs are About You: love the acoustic guitar and vocals of this British duo
Ben Folds Five - (self-titled): an ol' fave of mine, cant get any better piano rock than this. Me liking Ben Folds for a while is probably the basis for my Jamie-craze
The Cat Empire - (self-titled): my MELBOURNE BOYZ! omg, so funky, got that ethnic taste to it, makes you feel all high and jumpeeee!
Nevermind - Nirvana: then again, who DOESN'T like this album? 'nuff said.
Beautiful Life - Guy Sebastian: *blushes* I'm not such a die hard fan of his as I was back when he won, but i havent stopped liking him, he's got that irresistible voice, and that characteristic sweetness in his songwriting, and he's too adorable, hehe! *sigh* if only he did more soul...
Live at Blenheim Palace - Jamie Cullum: not really an album and more a DVD, but the only thing better than Jamie is Jamie LIVE! He is a TERRIFIC entertainer, nuthing is the same with him so you can go and see him as many times as you like and never get sick of him!
enuff blabber about my extensive cd collection, after putting my body to rest for a few hours, i shall explain my evolution in music taste.
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