Category Archives: Music

How Surprisingly Profitable

Posted on 3 March 2014 by

Brian Pellot writes a weekly Monday blog for RNS on religious freedom. Since he writes from the UK, the post is up before most of us in the Americas wake. Today’s installment is here. Lots of angry Muslims lead off. And most prominently, … Continue reading →

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Paco

Posted on 26 February 2014 by

Guitar great Paco de Lucia has died. One of his more memorable recordings was his live album with Al DiMeola and John McLaughlin. It’s amazing fun. Super fast, but that doesn’t necessarily make for great art. Check the man’s recordings for … Continue reading →

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On My Bookshelf: Simple Dreams

Posted on 14 February 2014 by

I confess an indulgence for musician biographies. Especially rock artists. So I think I enjoyed Linda Ronstadt’s “musical memoir,” Simple Dreams, well enough. The writing early on caught me as highly thoughtful, and revealing of a deep intelligence and discerning heart. … Continue reading →

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Anniversary Week

Posted on 11 February 2014 by

While I was at Mass Sunday night, the family signaled me of the Beatles love-fest on network tv here at home. The music, naturally, was great. I had a laugh at all the aging celebrities in the seats. If he … Continue reading →

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Long Songs: “Bombshell”

Posted on 5 February 2014 by

Few musical genres express such a range as bluegrass. Maybe only the blues go deeper into human sorrow. But I can’t think of another style that gets human joy quite spot on. If you have some minutes today, check the … Continue reading →

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What Inspires?

Posted on 14 January 2014 by

Another illustrative thread at the CMAA here. First a citation to an editorial that seems to confuse the decades: In the 1960s, many of our church leaders were seminarians.  It was a time when Gregorian chant was forcibly submerged below … Continue reading →

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Does Romance Fit A Christian Christmas?

Posted on 12 December 2013 by

Jesus doesn’t seem to be faring well in my Christmas listening this week. One song out of eight today. I think it was some contemporary CW song. I didn’t catch the whole thing, but I heard ”Jesus” and “prayer” clearly enough. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Music | 2 Comments

WoC: The Saint Nicholas Perspective

Posted on 6 December 2013 by

It’s the 6th of December and it’s the feast day of one of our favorite seasonal saints. I listened to a few more holiday stations while transporting the young miss to school today. This week’s radio count now stands at … Continue reading →

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Checking Up On Secular Christmas

Posted on 4 December 2013 by

I haven’t been in the car much this week, but I did hear five Christmas songs on the way to lunch with my wife the other day. The Lord was mentioned explicitly in two of them. So the Jesus percentage … Continue reading →

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Advent Music: E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come

Posted on 30 November 2013 by

If I were still directing an active ensemble of musicians and singers, I’d really want to program E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come. When I first heard this piece arranged and performed by the Modern Mandolin Quartet, I assumed it … Continue reading →

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An Infusion of the Holy into Holiday Music

Posted on 29 November 2013 by

On the drive to Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, we tuned in to two of central Iowa’s “Christmas stations.” I told my wife about my plan to count mentions of Jesus in holidays music. I think she’s amused by little projects like … Continue reading →

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Happy “Ghastly” Thankgiving

Posted on 28 November 2013 by

Which is your favorite thanksgiving song? Perhaps this “ghastly” arrangement of NUN DANKET? It’s a guilty pleasure to link it because the commentary is just so … And it goes to show you that not all young people have abandoned … Continue reading →

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Seasonal Song Scorecard

Posted on 27 November 2013 by

My pastor preached well on Christ the King this past weekend. He spoke in passing of the vanishing mention of Jesus on his own holiday. I think that’s right. On the way home from pie and coffee tonight, we listened … Continue reading →

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Majnun and Layla

Posted on 15 November 2013 by

I’ve been finding some musical gems online, especially some obscure Alan Hovhaness symphonies. One that’s vaulted to near the top of my list is the 24th. It’s long for one of this composer’s symphonies (over forty-seven minutes), and rarely among … Continue reading →

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In Sterio

Posted on 1 November 2013 by

My wife and I enjoyed the flute duo In Sterio tonight in a concert on campus. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but quite enjoyable original music. One of the multimedia pieces we enjoyed is on YouTube here.

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