So as my title of this blog suggests, my favorite track on the record was "Organ Donor". I have a soft spot for the piano and the organ, as I play both. I grew up playing the piano, I played for 13 years, and I played only classical music. My teacher was a very gifted old woman who only let me play from her ancient sheets of Chopin, Beethoven, and Burgmuller. By the time I was 18, I had had enough classical music. I quite lessons and competing in the Certificate of Merit, simply so I could just play what I wanted to play. I don't regret this decision, but I don't regret my training as a classical artist as well. The track "Organ Donor" has some elements and timing of some of my favorite classical pieces, while using new and modern tech-no trends. The sound of the organ is very spooky and at the same time has a very old and ancient sound (primarily because it was the main instrument used for catholic churches).
I think that the entire album has a very unique and different sound to it. I love when artists mix their tracks, without making them repetitive and boring. I really enjoyed listening to his style. He reminds me of another artist that also does something similar, but not quite as broad. His name is GirlTalk. He is another DJ who mixes different types of music together to make new tracks (old hits with new ones/ classical with hip hop/ etc). I am posting a link to some of his music so anybody can hear him who never has, he is very fun to listen to. I also think it is interesting that DJ Shadow calls himself.. DJ Shadow. Considering we are really diving in Plato and the Cave... Coincidence?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6TuMhYg89E
this is a link to my favorite Girl Talk song...
Dear Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you about the song “Organ Donor.” It is one of my favorites songs as well, and I believe it is also one of DJ Shadow’s more popular songs also. I think that it’s great that you have a connection with the song since you played the piano for so long. Thirteen years is an extremely long time to play an instrument! Your background with classical music and pieces is great to be able to have because I think you are able to really appreciate music for much more than what the average person hears. Being able to understand the frame work of the music and the real story behind it helps you feel the music.
More so, I agree with you when you said that DJ Shadow’s music is unique and different. I appreciate that all of his pieces sound original and that none of them are repetitive. Since you said that girltalk is similar to DJ Shadow I’m interested in listening to some of their music. Thanks for posting the link!- great idea!
I like that you have been playing piano for almost your whole life and enjoy playing it. Relating to your story to a part of my life, I have played piano myself but have only been doing it for two years. I did enjoy piano because it allows me to express my feelings, happiness, sadness, anger, etc., as well as the things that goes on my life. But I do wish to learn classical music like you did since I want to explore other genres of music.
ReplyDeleteNow, for my words about the song, Organ Donor, this song does kind of remind me of music that plays in a scary film. I do like how the beats the beats used in the song, which reminds me of how he mixes the elements of hip-hop, horror, and classical. His style is different from other artists and I have a feeling that he named himself, DJ Shadow, to represent the darkness, such as anger and horror, within his music. Thanks for sharing your story!
I too can relate to your story. I was also a classically trained musician but I played the flute. I think that my classical training was valuable but I too grew tired of it. I switched to the saxophone because it was a more versatile instrument and more modern sheet music is written for it. I am glad that I was able to experience the music of the classic composers but was much happier playing modern music.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the girltalk link. This is my first exposure to his style of music and I am excited to hear more. I find it amazing how dj shadow can conjure up such vivid imagery using little or no lyrics. I enjoyed this song as well. His mixture of the organ with his modern beat is very thought provoking. I thought of it as a mixture of the old and the new in coexistence. I imagine that this is what they would play in an art studio filled with nuns. The nuns would be wildly splashing buckets of vividly colored paint on a large canvas without a care in the world.
Hey Chelsea! Hey sorry quick question..how do I insert pictures inside my blog? I took notes in class and I'm still not able to figure it out. Every time I try to add pics it changes my main profile pic! If you can show me some tips I would appreciate it! Thanks a bunch :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThere is a button you can click on when you insert your text into the blog box before you post it. It is a little icon that looks like a photo that is in the top right=ish corner of the blog box.. it will then prompt you to add a photo!
Karen-
Thanks for the response! I have learned to love classical music. Since we both grew up learning the timing and emotion that comes with playing the music I know you know what I mean when I say that I can hear it in just about anything! I loved your comment about the nuns as well! I am a studio artist (painting major) so I laughed out loud because I was listening to this song wile I was painting!!