YouTube - Video Game Pianist - Super Mario World Theme

YouTube - Video Game Pianist - Super Mario World Theme

Bravo! Bravo!

I never could play this well. This guy has a blind-folded version also. And does "Zelda."

No Mozart, no Liszt - but, this old nerd out-of-practice (!) piano player here appreciates it. Hope you do too.

Music therapy helps develop communication

Music therapy helps develop communication - Yahoo! News (AP)

From the article...

It's part of a session known as music therapy, which is used to help people with various medical conditions develop everything from language skills to motor coordination. It can provide a drug-free way to regulate moods in people with depression or foster socialization in those with limited means of communication.

(I do know my mother's love of music and singing played a big role in getting her through her recovery from a stroke.)

The Observer | Review | The 50 [Albums That Changed Music]

The Observer Review The 50 [The Guardian (UK)]

#2 is The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", not surprisingly.

Recording artists listed in this top ten are...

1. The Velvet Underground and Nico
2. The Beatles (see above album mention)
3. Kraftwerk
4. NWA
5. Robert Johnson
6. Marvin Gaye
7. Patti Smith
8. Bob Dylan
9. Elvis Presley
10. The Beach Boys

Bruce Springsteen's Latest Album, Also Pete Seeger

http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/BruceSpringsteen/news/index.html

Feeling neither here nor there about Bruce Springsteen over the years, liking his "Born in the U.S.A.", but being mostly indifferent to the man and his music, I'm surprised to find myself thoroughly enjoying some of his latest performances.

First, I saw Bruce perform on Conan O'Brien's "Late Show" and loved his "Bring Them Home" and the extended "Pay Me My Money Down" (which included Conan on guitar, BTW).

Then, I saw Bruce on a 4th of July TV special where he performed yet another version of "Pay Me My Money Down" (clearly a very versatle song, which can be expanded, contracted, varied in regard to length, instruments, number of performers, etc.) A great, fun, lively song, BTW - wonderfully performed by Bruce and his gang. (Not often you see a rock star backed by a sousaphone, BTW. Also a washboard player. But it definitely works for that song.)

Another song - in an entirely different mood - performed on the TV special was "We Shall Overcome." I've long heard (longer than I care to admit, frankly) this old gospel song sung as a belted-out song of determination, of protest, of "black power", of African-Americans hanging in there in order to assert and confirm their civil and equal rights as Americans. Great song sung that way.

But Bruce sung this old gospel song in a different way: as a prayer. More about faith and hope and trust in the Lord. A prayer about overcoming difficulties and looking toward a better tomorrow.

An interpretation which, I was surprised, works every bit as well as the "shout" of the old civil rights movement version in its own quiet, worshipful way. Perhaps it's closer to the original intent of the song? I wouldn't know, but it might be.

I've been thoroughly and pleasantly surprised at how much I've enjoyed all of Bruce's recent music - his best yet, as far as I'm considered.

And I'm so glad he's bringing back these old songs and bringing back this attitude from the '60s. This is something we sorely need now, frankly.

From one of the guys who started it all, and who Bruce is paying tribute to with this "We Shall Overcome" album: Pete Seeger. And, wow, listen to the Original "Seeger Sessions"

New (& Better!) Shipping Rates @ CafePress

$5 Flat Shipping is a shipping rate of $5 for up to 5 items for orders shipped within the US.

Rate excludes shipping for custom postage, posters and framed prints, which ship separately and incur an additional charge. Shipping for individual orders of custom postage, stickers, buttons and CDs may have lower shipping rates.

Think of it as 5 for $5.

In other news related to Music Stuff & More store, I've been working on store maintenance a lot this Summer, adding in new products, straightening things out (aka organizing better, as well as improving navigation), adding more text. There's a new Sunny Circle of Fifths for those who are into light yellow (certainly Summery, also could be considered more feminine/girly).