Trashy Pearls | My Music Blog

Archive for June, 2009

Apparently being the runner up in Kenny Chesney’s “Next Big Star Competition” in May of 2008 is just the springboard that Country Music’s next star needed, as Laura Roppe’s debut CD can attest to. The CD “Girl Like This” will soon take the country music scene by storm, as this engaging singer/songwriter is more than just country music ear candy.

For many years, her career in music had taken a back seat to a legal career, marriage and being a mother, but when the ‘music itch’ became too strong, she resumed her career in music. In 2006, Laura was the lead singer of the popular Southern California cover band CoolBandLuke, belting out cover tunes from artists such as Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Blondie, Lucinda Williams, and Kelly Clarkson. Combining an eclectic mix of influences (such as the Indigo Girls, Carly Simon, Shania Twain among many others) and Laura’s unique voice and fresh style, the debut CD is a compelling array of edgy country girl sounds and rare, intoxicating country flavors. Let’s explore the music:

The single, “Mama Needs A Girls Night Out,” is certain to top mainstream Country Radio and is full of fun country music, memorable lyrics (“babies on the brain” and “put your skinny jeans on”) and a “Mom’s Gone Wild” chorus that every mother who hears the cut can identify with. And when you add inventive guitar work, titillating fiddle work and stellar musicianship-you have a recipe for success. The title cut, “Girl Like This,” combines a Shania Twain-like sassiness with an infectious melody and will be right at home on the Country Music Charts.

“Fly Fly Fly,” with Edie Brickel-like vocals, is a fun, country ditty and just makes you tap your foot with anticipation and sing along. “Float Away” may remind some of Jodie Messina, but others may hear vintage Carly Simon and the song is sung with angelic precision and passion. The cut “Little Daughter” may be her signature ballad, with poignant, emotional lyrics that is sung and played with tenderness and warmth that shows you that it is sincere.

Other songs include the sashaying cut “Ooh La La,” with great guitar licks adeptly mixed with her unique country growl and spicy solos. “Come To Me” is another fantastic country number, with dreamy lyrics and achingly tender acoustics. “Sing A Love Song” is full of inventive harmonies and an irresistible chorus. And the cut, “Crazy About You And Me,” just may be a new look at love gone wrong and has a delicious catchiness to it.

All in all, there is not a weak cut on Laura Roppe’s debut CD, “Girl Like This.” The music transcends typical country music boundaries and is full of expressive vocals, polished country pop and well-crafted instrumental sections and will certainly take the country music scene by storm. This stunning debut is just what country music has been looking for and I, for one, can’t wait to hear more!

Laura Roppé Band:

Laura Roppé- vocals

Albert Margolis- hammond organ

Jann Hoff- bass

Jennifer Argenti- violin/fiddle

Crystal Keith- vocalist

Ricky Lewis- lead guitar

Alex Fuller- drums

Brian Rogers- lap steel guitar

Visit Laura and hear the music:

http://www.ilike2rock.net/members/193/

www.lauraroppe.com

http://www.myspace.com/lauraroppe

Unlimited music downloads are everywhere nowadays. There is always an old saying that money does not grow on trees to imply its severe shortage. Unlike money, music downloads can be found practically at thousands of websites. It can be pretty confusing for folks who never had any prior experience in downloading music from the internet when they are presented with so many choices. We are funny creatures. When we have only one choice for music downloads, we mumble about the lack of choice. But when we have too many, we grumble again. This article will provide useful educational details on some of the more popular sites that can offer almost unlimited music downloads to you. The list is not exhaustive as there are other similar websites.

1. AOL Music Now

This site is packed with close to 2 million songs and unlike many unlimited music downloads sites, you can download music directly without installing any software on your personal computer. By adding an extra $5 per month, you get to download unlimited music to your digital portable player.

2. Napster

The new revamped Napster gives you millions of songs, equivalent to unlimited music downloads. Before you can tap into their play list, you need to install their client application on your PC. The add-on feature To Go service provided allows you to download close to 90% of their songs to your MP3 player.

3. Rhapsody

One of the most established online digital music services around, this site is like a granddaddy in the online music arena. It is also one of the pioneer sites that coined the term unlimited music downloads when they decided to offer customers access to their entire play list. Recently, there is another option for you to download music directly onto your PC without any software installation. Customers can listen up to 25 free songs every month.

There are many other download sites where you also can download music videos on top of sound tracks and songs. Some of them follow a pay per download model, while others offer a monthly subscription service. There is a third group that runs on lifetime memberships that allow you to download unlimited music for a flat rate. Discover more about where to find quality music at my blog and read up the latest news on sites that offer unlimited music downloads for prices affordable to all.

The system of Indian classical music known as Raga Sangeet can be traced back nearly two thousand years to its origin in the Vedic hymns of the Hindu temples. Unlike Western classical music which has written scores, an Indian classical performance is based on improvisation, and anywhere from 10% to 90% of the performance could be extempore, depending on the creative imagination of the artist. The music is rendered orally to the disciple by his guru, popularly known as guru-shishya (teacher-student) parampara (tradition).

The very heart of Indian music is the raga, the melodic form upon which the artist improvises his performance. A raga is a scientific, precise, subtle and aesthetic melodic form with its own ascending and descending movement consisting of either a full seven-note octave or a series of six or five notes.

Every raga is characterized by its own particular mood. The acknowledged order of these nine sentiments, or emotions, is as follows: romantic and erotic, humorous, pathetic, anger, heroic, fearful, disgust, amazement and peaceful. Each raga, in addition to being associated with a particular mood, is also closely connected to a particular time of day or a season of the year. Thus through the rich melodies and rhythm of Indian music, every human emotion, every subtle feeling in man and nature, can be musically expressed and experienced.

In terms of aesthetics, a raga is the projection of the artist’s inner spirit: a manifestation of his most profound feelings and sensibilities. The musician breathes life into each raga as he unfolds and expands it so that each note shimmers and pulsates with life and the raga is revealed vibrant and incandescent with beauty.

The tala, or rhythmic cycle of a raga, plays an equally important role in expressing the mood. There is a unique relationship between melody and rhythm. The intricacies depict the complexities and sophistication with which they are woven together. The division in a taal and the stress on the first beat, called sum, are the most important feature. The most exciting moment for a seasoned listener is when both the musicians, after their individual improvisations, come back together on the sum.

Today, Indian classical music is a permanent part of Western culture. Many composers and musicians have been influenced by our music. The openness, will to learn, and sincere enthusiasm of Western audiences are a continuing source of inspiration and delight. Indian music is one of the highest forms of music existing and nourished through its rich cultural heritage.