Postmodern Hymn: If It's Magic

Here's a little Stevie Wonder for you.

"If it's special 

Then with it why aren't we as careful 

As making sure we dress in style 

Posing pictures with a smile 

Keeping danger from a child."

Just a gentle reminder to take care of your life, dear friends.

Song of the Day: In Praise of Tears

I went to a great concert at a local college last week, with all music by Franz Lizst. He arranged some beautiful music for the piano. (If you've ever watched Tom & Jerry, you've probably heard one of his arrangements.) One of the most beautiful pieces of the evening was Lizst's arrangement of a Schubert song. 

This recording is of Schubert's original voice and piano arrangement, but with just the first two stanzas. It's all I could find.

What I love about the song is the wistful, high piano notes, which seem to evoke tears pretty well. I also love  the message, because while it partakes of some senses-versus-soul dualism, it's true that tears can be magically unifying. Recognizing our tender disappointments connects us with every other living thing.

And, perhaps most of all, I love the general Romantic, slightly overwrought tone of the piece. Was this the eighteenth-century version of Bright Eyes?

Laue Lüfte, Blumendüfte, Alle Lenz- und Jugendlust, Frischer Lippen Küsse nippen, Sanft gewiegt an zarter Brust; Dann der Trauben Nektar rauben, Reihentanz und Spiel und Scherz: Was die Sinnen Nur gewinnen: Ach, erfüllt es je das Herz? Wenn die feuchten Augen leuchten Von der Wehmut lindem Tau, Dann entsiegelt, Drin gespiegelt, Sich dem Blick die Himmels-Au. Wie erquicklich Augenblicklich Löscht es jede wilde Glut; Wie vom Regen  Blumen pflegen, Hebet sich der matte Mut. Nicht mit süßen Wasserflüßen Zwang Prometheus unsern Leim. Nein, mit Tränen; Drum im Sehnen Und im Schmerz sind wir daheim. Bitter schwellen Diese Quellen Für den erdumfangnen Sinn, Doch sie drängen  Aus den Engen In das Meer der Liebe hin. Ew'ges Sehnen Floß in Tränen, Und umgab die starre Welt, Die in Armen Sein Erbarmen Immerdar umflutend hält. Soll dein Wesen Denn genesen, Von dem Erdenstaube los, Mußt im Weinen Dich vereinen Jener Wasser heil'gem Schooß.

Brisk winds, Scent of flowers, All Spring and youthful joy, Fresh lips Stolen kisses,  softly pressed on tender breast; Then the grape's nectar stolen, Round dances and games and jokes: Whatever the senses can achieve: Ah, does it ever fulfil the heart? When the moist eyes shine from the dew of melancholy limes, then unsealed, therein mirrored, the sight of Heaven's meadow. Then suddenly in the twinkling of an eye every wild gleam is extinguished; as from the rain flowers are nurtured, dull spirits are raised. Not with sweet floods of water did Prometheus mix our lime. No, with tears; Thereby in longing and in pain have we come home. A bitter threshold these springs for the birth of our earthly senses, as they pressed out of the narrows into the sea of life. Eternal yearnings float in tears and surround the stark world, In their arms it's salvation they evermore uphold. Shall your nature then be purged free from the dross of Earth, You must in weeping unite yourself with yonder water's holy shoots.

Lyrics via the Lied, Art Song, and Choral Texts Archive

Song of the Day: "Keymaster"

"Keymaster," by Caleb Burhans and performed by Janus trio, is the perfect music to listen to while being creative. The gentle sounds of the flute and harp combined with the more rich tones of the viola make a gorgeous, magical combination.

Whenever I listen to Janus's CD, i am not, I always feel like I've been transported into a beautiful world, or rather, I see the world I'm living in as a little more wonder-ful.

What music do you listen to when you want to be inspired?

Song of the Day: End of the Line

I heard the Traveling Wilburys singing "End of the Line" the other day, and it instantly made me feel like I was ready for whatever the day brought. No matter what, it was going to be all right.

"Well it's all right, even if they say you're wrong
Well it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it's all right, as long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it's all right, everyday is judgement day"

(You know the Traveling Wilburys, right? They're the Avengers-like group of music superheros: Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. Awesome.)

Song of the Day: Love My Blues Away

Sometimes, when you've got the blues, you gotta just sing it out. I love how Rory Block lets the music flow through her whole body. I got to see her live at the Mucky Duck in Houston, and she's so captivating in person. She knows how to keep it real!

Song of the Day: Be Here Now

"Be Here Now," by Mason Jennings, is one of my favorite songs; it's one of those songs that you can play whether the day is going well or not—the message that is always relevant and inspiring.

Whatever life is presenting you with, can you be present in the moment? When life starts moving too quickly, when the day gets overwhelming, what else can you do but take each moment as it comes, and share it with those around you.

"This whole world keeps changing, come change with me."