The Music Banter Members' Journals Monthly Update Thread

[Trollheart]

Things have sort of settled down this week (no mad rush to the hospital in an ambulance, so that's progress as far as I'm concerned!) leaving me to present the usual weekly update without too much trouble. This week we have a new journal starting up and the return of an old favourite, but the big news is there is still no sign of the Batlord! Where are you man? Your people need you...

Before I get to the updates though, just a small and inadequate note of thanks to all of you who have read and commented in “The Couch Potato”, which this week reached the milestone of 10,000 views, pretty phenomenal for something that has only been going for slightly less than a year! Thanks for proving journals other than those exclusively centred on music would be interesting to people here too, and I hope and intend to make “The Couch Potato” even better in its second year.

Briks therefore kicks us off and down in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html he's getting all metalled up --- perhaps in an attempt to plug the gap left in our lives by the absence of the True Metalhead (Oh! How ironic! A self-confessed poseur saving your metal bacon, Batty!) --- with albums from Metallica, Death, Venom, Helloween and more!

On Goofle's list are Aesop Rock, Wild Moths and um, Barefoot Dance of the Sea, which was featured in a hilarious section last week by Urban. Catch these and more in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html

That new journal of which I spoke comes from GuitarBizarre, and seems to be for the moment concentrating on how music is made on the guitar (appropriately enough I guess) as http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...mportance.html

while Ki's two journals are, interestingly, lined up beneath each other. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html our workaholic friend is looking at Tool, Swans and Stray Cats, among others, while over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...le-albums.html he's considering the merits, or lack of, of Anathema's “Weather systems”. Not a big Anathema fan myself, surprise surprise!

Powerstars assures us he'll be back soon, laden down with CDs he got for his birthday recently. Keep checking http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html!

Roxy opens http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...doras-box.html again to expound on the delights of Exitmusic, see below for further...

and newcomer Silenzio talks about Wake Owl and Geographer in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...mix-music.html

which takes us to me. I've been trying to get more updates done this week to make up for the lack of same in the last two weeks, so in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html we have another Return to Childhood, a review of Balance of Power's “Heathen machine” as well as new section Trollheart's Singles Bar and a long-overdue visit to the Meat Grinder. Meanwhile big things continue to happen over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, with the penultimate episode of Mayday, the return of Spooks and Love/Hate, and my announcement that I will after all be covering Doctor Who, though only the newer series. And believe me there is still tons more to come.

Expecting everyone to jump to Ozzy's defence, Unknown Soldier seems somewhat bemused that we all more or less agree with him that the ex-Sabbath singer's solo career was pretty much a train wreck. Read all about what he has to say in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html

and don't forget to check out http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-stuff.html for more of his hilarious, unique album reviews and covers.

Finally (and aptly), in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html Zero asks “When is a phone not a phone?”

So who's this week's pick for

I thought long and hard about this one, and in the end I feel I have to award it to Roxy, whose journal is coming on really well. You won't mind honey if I delete the massive image will you? After all, it's the writing we're concerned with. Here we go...

Exitmusic: Passage ('12)

Nashville, Tennessee 2004: 2 hits of super clean lsd, neon, candles, and flowers everywhere, I spent a lifetime lost inside someone else's soul one night in July. Ten years later at 5:00 am on a Tuesday a "recommended" Spotify click sent me back to the future. What I mean by that is during this 5 minute and 40 second long journey, I had the most vivid memory I think I have ever experienced in my life. I wish I could say I was being dramatic, and writing that just for the sake of sounding cool, but I am not, those are my deepest feelings. And every sense I had that evening back in 2004 hit me like a ton of bricks. Overwhelming happiness, laughter, the feel of skin on skin, teeth on flesh, anticipation, joy, sadness, loss, peace,and the feeling of being completely stripped bare in front of someone else and it being ok! Is the only real peace in this life I have ever known to be truthful with you. To know someone else, and have them know me. Introverts, no matter how introverted still desire to be seen by others, just not by the masses but by the right few. Songs can embody heaven, heaven can be felt through a connection with someone, and music can connect you to someone, even when they are gone. Passage is perfectly tailored to the dream pop lover, the shoegaze fanatic, and the hopeless romantic that I know is in there, even if you don't admit it I have a thing for the wall of sound, and the build up to it. I have a thing for shaky vocals. But what the hell do I know anyway right? I just know how music makes me feel, I know the experiences that have impacted and shaped me for the better, and I know a memory with a soundtrack is better then a silent one. So my darlings I leave you with Exitmusic.....

(Video not shown as per standard rules for this thread, but you can of course hear it if you go to Roxy's journal, which would probably be one of the smartest moves you could make this week).

So as things begin to get somewhat back on track, there aren't a huge amount of updates this week but what there are are definitely worth reading. Don't forget, if you'd like to try your hand at journal writing it's as easy as starting a thread in the journals section and once it's approved you're part of our community here in Journaltown, and will feature in each weekly update post.

Until next week,
Toodles!

[Isbjørn]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Briks therefore kicks us off and down in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html he's getting all metalled up --- perhaps in an attempt to plug the gap left in our lives by the absence of the True Metalhead (Oh! How ironic! A self-confessed poseur saving your metal bacon, Batty!)

Actually it's just part of my plan to bring down the fellowship of True Metal that has been growing for the last forty-four years. The first step is gaining the metalheads' trust before I lure them into the hell that is false metal. Please don't tell anyone.

[RoxyRollah]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Things have sort of settled down this week (no mad rush to the hospital in an ambulance, so that's progress as far as I'm concerned!) leaving me to present the usual weekly update without too much trouble. This week we have a new journal starting up and the return of an old favourite, but the big news is there is still no sign of the Batlord! Where are you man? Your people need you...

Before I get to the updates though, just a small and inadequate note of thanks to all of you who have read and commented in “The Couch Potato”, which this week reached the milestone of 10,000 views, pretty phenomenal for something that has only been going for slightly less than a year! Thanks for proving journals other than those exclusively centred on music would be interesting to people here too, and I hope and intend to make “The Couch Potato” even better in its second year.

Briks therefore kicks us off and down in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html he's getting all metalled up --- perhaps in an attempt to plug the gap left in our lives by the absence of the True Metalhead (Oh! How ironic! A self-confessed poseur saving your metal bacon, Batty!) --- with albums from Metallica, Death, Venom, Helloween and more!

On Goofle's list are Aesop Rock, Wild Moths and um, Barefoot Dance of the Sea, which was featured in a hilarious section last week by Urban. Catch these and more in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html

That new journal of which I spoke comes from GuitarBizarre, and seems to be for the moment concentrating on how music is made on the guitar (appropriately enough I guess) as http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...mportance.html

while Ki's two journals are, interestingly, lined up beneath each other. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html our workaholic friend is looking at Tool, Swans and Stray Cats, among others, while over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...le-albums.html he's considering the merits, or lack of, of Anathema's “Weather systems”. Not a big Anathema fan myself, surprise surprise!

Powerstars assures us he'll be back soon, laden down with CDs he got for his birthday recently. Keep checking http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html!

Roxy opens http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...doras-box.html again to expound on the delights of Exitmusic, see below for further...

and newcomer Silenzio talks about Wake Owl and Geographer in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...mix-music.html

which takes us to me. I've been trying to get more updates done this week to make up for the lack of same in the last two weeks, so in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html we have another Return to Childhood, a review of Balance of Power's “Heathen machine” as well as new section Trollheart's Singles Bar and a long-overdue visit to the Meat Grinder. Meanwhile big things continue to happen over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, with the penultimate episode of Mayday, the return of Spooks and Love/Hate, and my announcement that I will after all be covering Doctor Who, though only the newer series. And believe me there is still tons more to come.

Expecting everyone to jump to Ozzy's defence, Unknown Soldier seems somewhat bemused that we all more or less agree with him that the ex-Sabbath singer's solo career was pretty much a train wreck. Read all about what he has to say in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html

and don't forget to check out http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-stuff.html for more of his hilarious, unique album reviews and covers.

Finally (and aptly), in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html Zero asks “When is a phone not a phone?”

So who's this week's pick for

I thought long and hard about this one, and in the end I feel I have to award it to Roxy, whose journal is coming on really well. You won't mind honey if I delete the massive image will you? After all, it's the writing we're concerned with. Here we go...

(Video not shown as per standard rules for this thread, but you can of course hear it if you go to Roxy's journal, which would probably be one of the smartest moves you could make this week).

So as things begin to get somewhat back on track, there aren't a huge amount of updates this week but what there are are definitely worth reading. Don't forget, if you'd like to try your hand at journal writing it's as easy as starting a thread in the journals section and once it's approved you're part of our community here in Journaltown, and will feature in each weekly update post.

Until next week,
Toodles!

Thank you doll! I'm glad you liked it!

[Trollheart]

Like to just express my delight at how quickly all my journal posts are getting approved in recent days. I mean literally, lightning speed! Thanks to whomever is doing this, if one person, or you all if that's the case. Really appreciated. I'm quick to moan when there's a delay so think it's only fair I should give credit when and where it's due.

Great job, guys!

[Trollheart]

Jesus Holy ****ing Christ on a unicycle going backwards down the Jersey Tunnel whistling Dixie while reading aloud from Marx's “Das Kapital” in heavily-accented Greek and juggling live porcupines! Hospital AGAIN! I am so sick of that place! Gaaahhhh!

Anyway, having got that off my chest, taken my pills and calmed down a little now, this did happen on Thursday so I had some time to put up a few updates of my own. Let's see what everyone else has been up to here, shall we?

Anteater is talking about some of my favourite artistes, including the late Dan Fogelberg and The Alan Parsons Project, as well as a lot more music from his childhood in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...n-dollars.html

Briks, meanwhile, has been skiing (well, not really, but he is Norwegian!) but still found time to review albums by Green Day, Pantera and Mercyful Fate. Oh, and ... Coldplay?

Butthead is a little more interested in talking about women, strippers and, er, women strippers than music this week in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...therapy-s.html. Hey man! Need some good emo recs, y'know?

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html has the likes of Food For Animals, Thou, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks and that Babymetal album in it. And he's also giving a good listen to Junkyard Donner's band's new single, of which more shortly.

Like now. Yeah, her band have released their first single, with more tracks from their debut album to follow. Not my thing but well executed and everyone except me seems to like it. Catch the sample at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-tripping.html then head to their Bandcamp page and download it. If you like it. Which you probably will. Since everyone seems to. Except me. I'm weird.

Ki has been giving Owl City a good listen in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html

Another new journal opens as Pet Sounds introduces us to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ly-review.html --- now this one sounds interesting!

As promised last week, the mighty Powerstars is back and he's looking at the Killers' “Sam's Town”, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html

Queen of the unfeasibly large image as she's becoming, Roxy has reviews of music from Pomegranates and Lower Dens in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...doras-box.html

Silenzio, on the other hand, is getting all cultured and classical with cello music by Bach as played by Yo-Yo Ma and, er, Avro Part? Big in Estonia, apparently. Read all about it in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...mix-music.html. She's also looking at Wild Nothing...

So what have I been up to, you say, other than watching the world from the back of an ambulance and getting a sore behind from sitting on hospital waiting room seats, watching a clock tick off the hours from night time to morning to afternoon to evening and back to night ....? Well, there's a review of the Alan Parsons Project's “The turn of a friendly card” in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html, as well as The French Revolution revisited in “Great moments in history set to music”, while http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html has the return of Alan B'Stard as The New Statesman as well as more Babylon 5, and we draw close to the end of the first season of Les Revenants. Don't expect any answers though. And did someone say “Edgar Allan Poe”? Watch this space! Oh yeah: preview of the coverage of the BBC version of “The Hitch-hiker's guide to the Galaxy” too...

Having thoroughly pounded 1980, Unknown Soldier moves on from the initial rush of the NWOBHM into a slightly more settled 1981, with albums first up from Cirith Ungol and UFO.

I haven't had the time until now to read http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...who-thing.html this week, but hell, who needs to read it really, to know it's going to be great? Everything this guy writes turns to gold. Now that I do look at it, It's only a tiny entry (ooeer!) this week but once again it's comedy paydirt, so go on and treat yourself. He says he's working on the TV movie: can't wait to see the result of that one! And let's not forget http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-stuff.html where he has another “WTF?” moment in music.

YorkeDaddy plays us out this week with a chance to listen to some of his own ambient music --- and by that I mean composed and played by him, not his favourite by another artiste --- which certainly fulfils the brief of http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-personal.html, so get on there and have a listen!

The older members may grumble (us older people always do; there's so much to grumble about these days!) that I'm awarding best post in the last few weeks to the young whippersnappers, but firstly I think they deserve to be exterminated, sorry encouraged (still working on my Doctor Who entries) and secondly, they're coming up with some really good, insightful and thoughtful posts. So I hope all you crusty old journal authors out there will forgive me if I throw down the red carpet and award the bouquet of flowers to the lovely Silenzio, who is this week's

The main reason is that I think she's stepping beyond the usual boundaries here. I know I've featured the odd classical album and have even got an occasional section on the genre, but this entry brings a real sense of personal love and interest to classical music, and I think it deserves to be read. As does her entire journal, so far.

Originally Posted by Silenzio

One of the most famous composers of the Baroque era is Johann Sebastian Bach. He is well-known for his revolutionary compositions.
Works like the Brandenburg Concertos, the The Well-Tempered Clavier and a loads of cantatas are still very popular in the 21st century.
I wonder if any of our Pop-stars will be appreciated the same way in 400 years from now!

The Cello Suites: Inspired By Bach - Yo-Yo Ma



In my opinion, the Six suites for unaccompanied cello are one of the most interesting chamber compositions of Bach. I personally like them a lot, since the cello has such a warm sound.
I as well enjoyed the rich tone that Yo-Yo Ma creates, although I don't know extremely much about chello playing techniques, I think he does that really well. The arpeggiated patterns sound at least perfect!
The album was released in 1997, quite some time back.

Track list

Suite No. 1 in G Major -- BWV 1007
(Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Menuett, Gigue)

Suite No. 2 in D Minor -- BWV 1008
(Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Menuett, Gigue)

Suite No. 3 in C Major -- BWV 1009
(Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Bourrée, Gigue)

Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major -- BWV 1010
(Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Bourrée, Gigue)

Suite No. 5 in C Minor -- BWV 1011
(Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gavotte, Gigue)

Suite No. 6 in D Major -- BWV 1012
(Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gavotte, Gigue)

Structure of the suites
Basically, all have 6 movements:

Prelude: most literal it means introduction, a brief yet improvisatory piece of music
Allemande: In French it means "German", must-have of a suite, a serious dance
Courante: literally means running, it's a passionate piece with a clear melody
Sarabande: A dance in triple metre, originally a slow, stately Spanish dance
Galanteries: movements that initiate a change of style, after that follow mostly non-familiar pieces;
(Bach used Minuets, Bourrées and Gavottes in his chello suites)
Gigue: Final dance of a suite. It seems a bit lively since it often has accents on the third beats in the bar.

To me it was important to listen to the full work to inhale the complete flair of the baroque style. Usually I just listen to a prelude and the melody gets stuck in my head.
As I know from practicing baroque pieces, it's maybe even better to be considerate and keep an overview. Although, it's really lovely to get lost in music!
Luckily I convinced myself to listen to the other suites. I must admit - I actually only ever heard the first one.
I'm sure you all know the prelude of the first suite very well. It's used for many TV ads!

(Video removed as per: check her journal for the YouTube)

The 1st prelude is a reminder of the Prelude in C major of the Well-Tempered Clavier. That is the technique characterizes Bach! To tell the truth, I never expected the other suites to be that interesting.
The highlight of the 2nd suite is maybe the Sarabande, it's deep. In contrast, the following suite seems to be really sunny. The 4th suite sounds pretty complex in general. The 5th seems to rely on feelings.
Last but not least - the 6th suite to be so dramatic and ambitious. The final Gigue is a duo for a solo instrument. Incredible!

I can imagine it must takes months to be able to play any of these suites, stunning! Truly it is admirable, with what kind of ambition and feeling people play their instrument and create such wonderful sounds.
It may sounds funny, but it's worth taking time, sitting down and just listen closely.

Thanks for that, Silenzio! Nice way to end this week's update, and cross your fingers that this is the last we've seen of Beaumont Hospital! If things go to plan (do they ever?) I hope to have a lot of new material for my two main journals next week, and maybe even squeeze in an update or two on the ones that have been neglected for most of this year. We'll see. Either way, those of you who are writing, keep up the good work. Those of you who are reading, hope you're continuing to enjoy it. Those of you who are thinking of trying this, come and have a go if you think you're hard enough! Seriously, just try it: I won't say it's easy but it sure is fun.

Till next week, Journalads and Journalettes,
Toodles!

[Silenzio]

Thanks so much, Trollheart. I would have never expected anything like this!
I consider it an honor to get lauded for my journal entry, I really appreciate your encouraging words and hope to keep up the work.
Thanks so much, you've made my day!

[Isbjørn]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Briks, meanwhile, has been skiing (well, not really, but he is Norwegian!) but still found time to review albums by Green Day, Pantera and Mercyful Fate. Oh, and ... Coldplay?

Actually, I have been skiing. And Coldplay will always have a place in my heart, even though Mylo Xyloto sucked.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Silenzio

Thanks so much, Trollheart. I would have never expected anything like this!
I consider it an honor to get lauded for my journal entry, I really appreciate your encouraging words and hope to keep up the work.
Thanks so much, you've made my day!

and you're quite welcome. It was a great piece.

Originally Posted by Briks

Actually, I have been skiing. And Coldplay will always have a place in my heart, even though Mylo Xyloto sucked.

Yep, I like 'em too. Parachutes, Rush of blood and X&Y are all great albums, though I really haven't listened to anything after X&Y...

[Isbjørn]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Yep, I like 'em too. Parachutes, Rush of blood and X&Y are all great albums, though I really haven't listened to anything after X&Y...

I like Viva la Vida, but the title track gets boring after the millionth time hearing it. Avoid Mylo Xyloto altogether, unless you want to relive JB week.

[butthead aka 216]

Trollheart I'm talkin bout pornstars n whores, nnot strippers. Gawd get it right!!

Excellent update as always