alicia keys - butterflyz

Lately when I look into your eyes I realise
You're the only one I need in my life
Baby I just don't know how to describe
How lovely you made me feel inside

You give me butterflyz
Got me flying so high in the sky
I can't control the butterflyz

You give me butterflyz
Got me flying so high in the sky
I can't control the butterflyz

It seems like the light you give
From the start you told me I would be your queen
But never had I imagined such a feeling
Joy is what you bring
I want to give you everything

You give me butterflyz
Got me flying so high in the sky
I can't control the butterflyz

You give me butterflyz
Got me flying so high in the sky
I can't control these butterflyz

You and I are destiny
I know now you were made for me**

Oh oh ooh
I can't control it
It's driving me
Taking me over

You give me butterflyz
Got me flying so high in the sky
I can't control the butterflyz

You give me butterflyz
Got me flying so high in the sky
I can't control the butterflyz

**This is the most beautiful part in the song. The words reach out and stretch across space with pure ecstasy.

last night..

..I couldn't sleep, so I plugged myself into some Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds on my phone's Walkman.

As a result I kept waking up periodically throughout the night to random songs from the Live at Radio City album. I also woke up earlier than what has been usual recently. (Apologies for terrible grammar of previous sentence.)

Despite this, I appear to have slept well. No dreams to tire me out, and I don't feel tired right now. That said, I am also enjoying the relative silence of my room after a night's worth of music.

On a musical tangent, towards the end of last night I was listening to Tiken Jah Fakoly. What a great band! I recommend them if you're into the ska/reggae style of sound.

take me home, country roads..

I have an album. It's called "John Denver's Greatest Hits". It was one of the few albums I listened to while growing up (some others included two Girlfriend albums).

I don't know what it is about the music, but this album really makes me feel so warm and beautifully happy from the inside. I feel as though I'm glowing with happiness and no amount of wide grinning can accurately reflect it.

The songs on this album are generally peaceful and soothing. The slight country twang in the background makes me think of golden pastures in the American outback, and there's a hint of homesickness in the songs, a wistfulness that brings out a reminiscent frame of mind in me.

Looks like I'll have to dig out my Simon & Garfunkel, and The Carpenters too..

This is one of the happiest, loving songs on the album in my opinion:

John Denver - For Baby (For Bobbie)

I'll walk in the rain by your side,
I'll cling to the warmth of your hand,
I'll do anything to keep you satisfied
I'll love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me
little birds will sing along in time,
leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.

I'll be there when you're feelin down
to kiss away the tears that you cry,
I'll share whith you all the happiness I've found
a reflection of the love in your eyes.

And I'll sing you the songs of the rainbow,
I'll whisper of the joy that is mine
and leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.

I'll walk in the rain by your side,
I'll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand,
I'll do anything to help you understand
I love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me
little birds will sing along in time,
leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.

a brief catch-up.

Referring to my previous post, I remember the incident but I have no recollection of the dream I had. Must have been a good one.

Some things that have happened since I last wrote:

- I vowed to cease all attempts at communication with a person who once used to be my closest confidant. I'm so detached now that it doesn't bother me at all, and I prefer not to think about it. Previously this would not have been in my character - I hate losing contact with people and I don't like to hate people either. But life changes, and so do you, and decisions must be made. So I'm not going to bother with trying to contact him ever again. The day for change will be if he ever tries to get in touch with me first. I doubt he'll ever bother.

- On the bright side, I made a new friend recently who I really enjoy talking to. We seem to have a lot in common, but we also have different interests which keeps the conversations filled with variety. I think the best thing is that he writes as much as I do.. I don't know anybody else that can do that on a regular basis!

- I've started talking to an old friend more often than I have in the last couple of years. Ironically while he's overseas! But it's good. Things can only get better from here.

- I turned 21. I still don't think of myself as being 21 - I don't attribute myself with any particular age. I just am. Yes it all sounds very philosophical and what-not, but I feel like I'm constantly doing something, and I haven't had the time (or maybe I just haven't given myself the time) to think about being 21 and what that means. Apparently I'm now well and truly an adult - that's scary.

- I feel secure and happy in my relationship. I've never felt so content and at ease about this before. But these days I feel love, and yet I feel so helpless at the same time. My boyfriend seems to be going through a rough patch.. and it feels like it's lasted for months. It bothers me that I can't seem to cheer him up enough for him to try and take a more positive approach to it all. Strangely it reminds me of the person I think I used to be, and the reason I've changed now is because I don't give myself time to dwell on the bad stuff. Either that or I contemplate it so much that I desensitize myself and am able handle the problem better.

- I've started reading on a regular basis again. I can't express how this makes me feel, but it's a lovely feeling to lose yourself in a book that you really enjoy.


Emotions are confusing sometimes, and love can be trying. But when you're loyal, you're loyal. You block out everything else, for better or for worse, and you're in it for the long haul. Perhaps an unromantic way of saying "I love you", but there, I said it.

yesterday's epiphany

Dreams are really beautiful. Sometimes they're so vivid and real that I can keep them, and hold them close to my heart and let them lift me up emotionally and spiritually*.

I don't remember all the dreams that I enjoy. Sometimes they disappear as I'm getting ready to go out in the morning. Sometimes I can think about them for most of the day, and then I forget them. But the best part is when they suddenly come back to you, out of nowhere, and you can enjoy the moment and smile to yourself, because the thought is all your own, and nobody else can touch it.

I'm really glad I have dreams.


*Being spiritual is different to being religious.

note to self:

Stop buying things I don't need. I was doing pretty well lately, just spending money on transport and virtually nothing else. I still have to pay off my personal credit card - waiting for my next paycheck to come through. Savings are starting to drop, which isn't a good sign. And then I'll be spending money on my birthday thing which is going to burn a hole in my already small pocket. I will be content if everybody has a good time. That's all I really want. Lots of smiles and lots of laughs.. happy faces are a real treat.

Album Review: Paul Winn Band - "Nothing's New"

Firstly, forgive me if I sound ridiculously scientific and analytical in this post - I attribute it to the fact that I'm reading a neurologically-focused book that talks about how people's hearing and perceptions of music are affected by changes in/damage to the brain.

As a result, this isn't your typical album review, but more an analysis of each of the songs on the album, and my attempt at explaining the images and emotions I feel when I hear each track.

---

Musicians listen to and admire the craftsmanship of other musicians all the time, and it's only natural that one artist will remind you of another, and vice versa, etc. So when I listen to the Paul Winn Band's latest album I'm reminded of the truth behind the album's title, "Nothing's New". I feel that the overall style of this recording is inspired by Sting, the rhythms are influenced by the Dave Matthews Band, and there are certain musical passages that evoke memories of John Mayer's blues performances. Ironically, it's the unique combination of these factors that help establish the original sound that is the Paul Winn Band.

Strangely enough, during my initial listening of the album Paul's voice also reminded me a bit of Pearl Jam. My boyfriend summarised my comments as "Pearl Jam, without Eddie Vedder". But now that I've listened to the album many times, I don't really feel the Pearl Jam link anymore. (An aside: I love how music transforms in your brain even though the recording itself hasn't changed! It's so fascinating and keeps the music feeling fresh.)

I really enjoy the album as a whole, but I have some distinct favourites, and I've marked them with **. Going through the tracklisting..

"The phone dried up but nothing's new / I took a chance, a bet with you / Don't say those words I've heard before / They only make me want you more.."

Nothing's New** is a catchy song that generates a sense of anticipation for the rest of the album. I love how the upbeat, staccato beats of the verse slide easily into a flowing melody that rings out during the chorus. Having listened to the album a few times now I think this is my standout favourite!


"What in the world did I do / To make you go insane.."

I totally dig the percussive phrases in Take It Back**! 'Phrases' is not the word I'm looking for, but it'll have to do for now. During this song my boyfriend asked me whether Paul is a fan of the Dave Matthews Band - and my boyfriend barely listens to DMB, so it must sound as though it's heavily influenced by DMB. I mention this because I'm so used to DMB's sound that I don't notice if somebody else sounds like them. Upon reflection, this is possibly one of the reasons why I like the Paul Winn Band so much ;)


"Then you came and I saw you / The glare's in my eyes, but I don't care.."

Then You Came** is a lovely 'rock ballad' (I use the term tenatively because I hate genre-categorising) that opens up to a sweeping soundscape in the chorus.. I would love to fall asleep listening to this song. Not much else to say because I'm too caught up in the music's beauty.


Lamington
Firstly, the song reminds me of Paul's previous self-titled album (particularly the song "Sinking Down"); and secondly, it reminds me of Sting. It's not that it sounds the same, but more that it conjures up a similar image in my mind, like when I listen to one of Sting's songs. I can't remember the tune, but I think it's to do with dock workers, because I hear the song and I see a misty British morning, workers down at the docks, not many people about, and the sound of the waves gently slapping against the walls..


"Strawberry romance.. a bed of chocolate, full of lust.."

Expiry Date is a fun upbeat track, and I especially love the sudden melody jump halfway through this song. It transports you to a different state of mind, a temporary musical anti-gravity.. and then the chorus brings you back into the song with a renewed energy.


Sleeping Satellite
Great cover of the original! Not sure who the original artists are unfortunately, but I do recognise the song. (Update: the original was sung by Tasmin Archer.) The coolest part of this cover is the guitar at "..the dream that died with the eagle's flight" - definitely an air guitar moment! And the guitar solo, which uses the same 'rough and dirty guitar' effect to add extra bite to the sound.


Rescue Me**
I love, love, LOVE how the song slowly turns and turns again in a lost-love waltz across an empty room of nostalgia and vintage sounds. As the song progresses, the strings that yawn their way into the music subtly hint at a sound reminiscent of Damien Rice, and the bartender reference is (to me) a strong reminder of a Dave Matthews Band song titled - wait for it - "Bartender". Apart from that one line, the evocative and mysterious nature of Rescue Me has me totally hooked.


Trouble Is
The Middle-Eastern flavour towards the end of the track is what really seals it for me on this one. Reminds me of Sting's "Desert Rose" and DMB's "The Last Stop".


Long Way Home**
I hear the first couple of seconds and I can't help but sigh "Ohhh yeahhhh...!" Long Way Home is a really funky track with the kind of groove that will have you tapping your foot or nodding your head (or both!) along with the beat. Strangely, it feels like Jimi Hendrix meets Red Hot Chili Peppers meets Eric Clapton & BB King!


Those Days
The guitar in this song, when it rings out between the verse/chorus, reminds me a little of John Mayer during his Contiuum album phase. I dig the Metallica(?)-style rock interlude halfway through, and the way the strings add an extra flavour to the chorus.


"Taylor sits drawing as her friends play out in the street.. She's mapping out her future in crayons and HB.."

Previously featured on Paul's earlier self-titled album, the band plays a different version of Taylor on this recording. The song has a very Mayer-eqsue bluesy swing to it (especially in the intro), and it also reminds me of The Badloves "Memphis" (I think it's because of the organ in the background, which I love!). This is a really nice take two, and a loving finish to the album.

All in all, "Nothing's New" is a great album by Paul Winn Band, well-presented both musically and visually, and definitely worth listening to!

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Available for digital purchase on iTunes; or if you're like me and you enjoy holding the cd in your hands, visit their MySpace page for details on buying the physical album. I highly recommend it, as the album art is really great (kudos to the artist/s)!

Changes

I'm one of those people who like to write new year's resolutions occasionally and then promptly forget about them within the first couple of weeks. Not because I want to, it's just that I go through so much self-reflection most days of the year that I have plenty of other self-improvements to think about.

Lately I've noticed a few changes to my daily or weekly habits though, which has been interesting and quite pleasing too. The biggest change is that I've started reading books again, and on a regular basis. Last year I would pick up a book, read it a few times, and then leave it on the shelf for a month or more. Then I got really stuck into Nelson Mandela's "A Long Walk To Freedom" - I read it at every opportunity and managed to finish it before the new year - and I also finished off Ernesto (a.k.a. "Che") Guevara's "The Motorcycle Diaries". Both books made me realise that if I ever want to change the world, I will need to have a good knowledge of law, and a great understanding of the people - and it made me seriously consider the option of pursuing a post-graduate degree in law. For someone who's been trying to get rid of all their legal subjects at uni as painlessly as possible, this is a complete turnaround! But the consideration of a post-grad law degree is another story altogether.

I digress! Now I am currently reading another two books - "Swahili for the Broken-Hearted" by Peter Moore, and "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brian" by Oliver Sacks. The first is a humorous travel diary of sorts - the author starts in South Africa and ends in Cairo, and the narration has an Aussie taste to it (I enjoy the references to Darling Harbour et al, it makes me feel like I'm sharing an in-joke with the author where foreign readers might not). The latter is completely different, focusing on neuroscience and relating tales and cases of people with neurological conditions I've never heard of, with prescriptions of medications that only a Med student might know of. Some of it's over my head, but the stories themselves are quite fascinating and make you wonder at the kind of influence music has on the human brain and perceptions, etc. Once I've finished these two books (I hope to be done by the end of the month at the latest), I'll continue to go through the rest of the books on my shelf that I bought years ago and still haven't read.

Realising that I was reading more frequently has also made me notice just how much reading of other material I've been doing, notably through Google Reader. I've recently signed up to a bundle of psychology blogs, I follow a number of preferred music blogs, and I also read a few friends' blogs - this probably takes up a good chunk of my time during the week.

However I've also noted a distinct lack or decline in an area of my life that used to be all-consuming - musical performance. I no longer play the piano every couple of days - it might be once a week if I'm lucky - and I probably sing even less than that. I truly believe that the quality of my singing and my singing voice is probably now at maybe 40-50% of what it used to be in high school, and it's such a depressing thought that I don't think about it at all if I can help it. But I had this epiphany in the shower last night, and I am hoping to make amends. The irony of it all is that I have more instruments in my house than I've ever had, with Lex lending me his alto sax and his bass guitar!

So if I have a new year's resolution this year - and let's just make it one, because I'd forget any more - it will be to get back into playing music, not just listening to it. How do I propose to change this? Perhaps a bit less blog reading. Definitely devoting more time to myself, i.e. spending less time trying to call the boy when he's busy playing PS3/pool/poker because I'm just disturbing him anyway. Less FB-ing.

Writing all this has brought me to another realisation - I'm not sporty anymore - and most likely becoming quite unfit! I haven't gained any additional weight as a result, but I'm sure a lot of my muscle (not that I had much to begin with) has relaxed into fat. I have great plans in my head that this will all change once the uni semester begins again and I buy a gym membership at Unigym. But until then, I should at least be stretching in my room on a regular basis! I used to do it a lot but then something changed and the routine was lost. Funny how habits fade in and fade out like that.

So - in summary?
More reading. More music playing. More exercise!