The band Brisa Caribeña had the honor of playing host to a famous Flamenco guitar artist Sanchez Vajerro from Spain. Señor Vajerro agreed to play with the band on their last recording of the song Music Take Me Away with their soloist Sophia Johnson. The band and soloists blended so well that Sr. Vajerro extended his stay to make more recordings. He especially liked the way Ms. Johnson performed, and it was the thought of working with her again that kept him as much as anything else.
Regrettably, about half way through the rehearsal of their next song, Ms. Johnson became ill and had to leave the studio. But luckily, the recording could proceed, as the band and Ms. Johnson have been working with a young singer that may join the band, Ana Molina. Ms. Molina has rehearsed extensively with the band and could fill in for Ms. Johnson, who has been diagnosed with a stomach ailment and will be absent for a few weeks.
Everyone was very pleased with Ms. Molina's performance, and the band went on to record more songs with the two soloists before Sr. Vajerro leaves to return to Spain. Ms. Johnson expects to be back soon, and the band will then have two soloists to work with.
Now that it's done! I'm the lucky one! No more do I have to wonder You did your part! To break my heart! Like a violent storm with thunder!
You lied to my face! In utter disgrace! I spent too many nights crying. You can have fun! With the other one! Soon I'll will no longer be sighing!
Getting over you, you've made easy It was something I dreaded too long Made me feel restless and uneasy So for far too much I went along!
Fire in my belly! But no hate in my heart I begin to make myself anew Now that we'll be forever apart I'll remake my self shiny and new!
You lied to my face! In utter disgrace! I spent too many nights crying. You can have fun! With the other one! Soon I'll will no longer be sighing!
Fire in my belly! But no hate in my heart I begin to make myself anew Now that we'll be forever apart I'll remake my self shiny and new!
We were expecting The Noir Players to make an appearance about now. Haven't heard anything from them for a while, but with the coming of October comes the coming of Halloween, a holiday this group revels in. Don't let the title of this song fool you, All Hallows'Eve and Halloween are interchangeable names for the same thing. Halloween is a contraction for All Hallows' Eve, which refers to the eve before All Saints' Day, November 1st, which is still observed in the Catholic and many Protestant churches. All Hallows' Eve was originally a vigil held by the church, and as with other observances of the church was taken by the early church from pagan rites and rituals, perhaps to help acclimate the Christian converts from paganism to their new religion by using the same days for Christian observances. Now it has come full circle, as now it's turned into a largely secular celebration.
This mini-cantata is for orchestra, pipe organ, chorus, and an appropriately creaky sounding soloist. The history of Halloween is interesting, as the song relates the origins of the Jack O' Lantern was to ward off evil spirits as well as dressing up in costumes was to make someone invisible to the influence of evil spirits. Many of the traditions of the holiday were Celtic in origin and were brought over with immigrants.
Halloween is a much more popular holiday than years ago. Halloween merchandise has gotten more prevalent (and more expensive!) Many brands of candy have a Halloween version, and adult Halloween parties give adults an opportunity to dress up. From a time in ancient history that was full of suspicions and tales of the day, to a time of solemn vigil before a religious remembrance, to the gruesomeness becoming fun...how things change over times!
With dread, with horrible terror The day is approaching fast When the horrors begin again It's All Hallows’ Eve at last!
The spirits of the departed Trod the earth on this holiday Most know little history Of this most terrifying day
Jack O' Lanterns ward off spirits People wear costumes do the same, The veil 'tween the living and dead Is thinnest! It isn't a game!
Candy, treats, caramel apples! All make a blur of the dark night! We trick or treat with our children While spirits are free in the night! ] Those in olden days would travel At least those who were most brave To give prayers to their neighbors Try to help their souls to save! BECAUSE SPIRITS DON'T BEHAVE
The poor would knock on many doors To beg for food and assistance Some neighbors would give it to them WHILE SOME POSSESSED BY SPIRITS Keep to all the traditions Brought from the parent countries Just in case a kernel of truth Makes the spirits try to seize!
Do not lessen the meaning of The evil that lurks all hallows eve Have your fun, but do not forget... The spirits that tug at your sleeve!
Vestiges of evil sublime Swirl as an undead tornado Mist containing dead souls profound Creep from an eerie volcano
Bats and vermin impede your way If you dare to venture outside Knocking on doors for your candy May open up, drag you inside!
What might happen, if you are caught Is too terrible to relate Be forwarned!.. You've been advised! Don't suffer an eternal fate!
Do not lessen the meaning of The evil that lurks All Hallows’ Eve Have your fun, but do not forget... The spirits that tug at your sleeve! ] If you insist on going trick or treating Be vigilant...be wary... and if you trick because you got no treat... FOR THE TRICK MAY END UP ON YOU!!! HA HA HA HAAAAAAAA!
Forgotten Bob remains an enigma. He sings his latest song about being all about Rockabilly, and he certainly isn't the Punk Rock musician he used to be. But his loud clothes and piled up hair extends the usual image of a Rockabilly artist, such as Elvis Presley, or Carl Perkins. But as he says in this song, he's ditched all of his gaudy punk jewelry. We've been told by people that knew him back then that he had the works, spikes in his ear, nose rings, chain going from the nose ring to an earring, and some piercings of some very private areas we'll not mention. He has changed, but he's still out there, especially some of the songs he's writing for his favorite blues man, Hambone Riley.
His manager texted us and said that Bob's interest in politics has waned, probably take a break from it which is okay by us. We're interested in seeing where he goes next!
Way long ago in the day Now to me it sounds so silly I had somethin' diff'rent to say Playin' loud, screamin' and shrilly
Thank God it was long time ago Hate stuff played so willy nilly I growed up and sing better stuff Now I'm about ROCKABILLY!
Gotta gimme Rock a billy! Combo of country and rock That's become my musical role Sure ain't no Mozart or Bach!
Got rid most of my jewelry Still got the holes in my face it went Studs, rings, chains and the works Sold it to help pay my rent
Can't say I fully repent Still like my high greasy hair My clothes are on the wild side But now I wear underwear (tighty whiteys!)
Gotta gimme Rock a billy! Combo of country and rock That's become my musical role Sure ain't no Mozart or Bach!
Closed the door, ain't goin' back Ain't playin' nothin' frilly The past is just what it is The present is ROCKABILLY!
Gotta gimme Rock a billy! Combo of country and rock That's become my musical role Sure ain't no Mozart or Bach!
Way long ago in the day Now to me it sounds so silly I had somethin' diff'rent to say Playin' loud, screamin' and shrilly
Thank God it was long time ago Hate stuff played so willy nilly I growed up and sing better stuff Now I'm about ROCKABILLY!
Gotta gimme Rock a billy! Combo of country and rock That's become my musical role Sure ain't no Mozart or Bach!
The latest from our south of the border artists the mariachi band Un Grupo de Mexicali, this time a touching tribute to mothers everywhere. The group is joined by a string orchestra that lends a sweet richness to the tribute.
Tus manos son mi refugio de paz En su calor siempre quiero estar Cantan los cielos al verte reír Eres la estrella que guía mi vivir
Madre querida madre adorada Tu amor es luz que nunca se apaga En cada abrazo siento tu alma Eres mi vida mi calma mi hogar
Los años pasan y aquí sigo fiel A tus consejos que saben tan bien Tus ojos guardan un mundo de amor Son mi fortuna mi mayor valor
Dear mother, beloved mother Your love is a light that never goes out In every hug I feel your soul You are my life, my calm, my home
If time tries to erase your voice My heart sings it in its song Even if I walk away, I will never forget That in your lap I found my peace
Si el tiempo intenta borrar tu voz Mi corazón la canta en su canción Aunque me aleje no olvido jamás Que en tu regazo encontré mi paz
Madre querida madre adorada Tu amor es luz que nunca se apaga En cada abrazo siento tu alma Eres mi vida mi calma mi hogar
Your hands are my refuge of peace I always want to be in their warmth The heavens sing when they see you laugh You are the star that guides my life
Madre querida madre adorada Tu amor es luz que nunca se apaga En cada abrazo siento tu alma Eres mi vida mi calma mi hogar
We got a call from Forgotten Bob's manager Bodacious Marlin and asked us to listen to a song cover from a new artist that just signed on with him. Sami Omar Bawani performs his version of the song Get Yer Finger Out My Butt recently recorded by another of our artists, Hambone Riley. We listened to the sound file sent to us, and it's kind of a head scratcher. Of all songs to do a cover of, this one? And by an artist the plays in a style that's supposedly reflects his Arab heritage? Let's say we're skeptical to say the least.
Anything to do with Forgotten Bob ends up being a little off. And his manager calling with a new artist is suspicious as well. We called the manager back to check the Bob knows about the cover and approves. It was written by him after all. Marlin told us Bob signed off on it, and faxed the paperwork to us, so it's legit. But we don't think the artist is! Forgotten Bob is a known trickster, and we wouldn't put it past him to impersonate an Arab musician and record one of his own songs. The fact that the song starts out with what sounds like a camel grunt also makes us think twice. Could be Bob having fun and promoting one of his songs at the same time. In any case, we decided to release it and let the camel chips fall where they may!
Me and my ol' lady been together many years Our love for each other has continued to grow We get along well, never squabble or fight But part of our relationship isn't good though...
Our sex life sure is a big bore We decided to try some things That could give our sex some wings But I didn't know what was in store...
Woman, get yer finger out my butt! What in hell is wrong with you You're into it, ain't a good fit What in hell am I gonna do?
Woman, get yer finger out my butt! When I did the same to you You had a fit, told me to quit You keep it up with me, it's true! We tried all kinds of different stuff, toys and such Fancy frilly underwear, dildos Viagra too Role playing, slippery stuff, books and videos as well We found some techniques we both like, but all you wanna do...
Jab yer finger in my ass What in hell's it do for you? You've got a hidden kink Who knew what you'd get into?
Woman, get yer finger out my butt! I don't think you're very well! Finger's in it, covered with shit My bung hole is starting to swell!
Woman, get yer finger out my butt! What is your obsession? You take delight, don't treat me right Every single sexual session!
One afternoon after a meeting in our conference room here at Big And Tall Records, a group of us walked down the hall next to the recording studio and we heard the sound of someone playing the piano. We looked in the big window of the studio and saw Big Marv and his wife Sheila Jonsmithe sitting next to each other on the bench playing 4 hand piano music. Now we had no idea that Sheila played the piano, so we knocked on the door and let ourselves in the studio. They quickly stopped playing, but after some urging they continued. They were playing from a book of classical music arranged for 4 hand piano. We pulled up chairs and listened as they ran through pieces by Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, and Beethoven. It was interesting to see, as Sheila had took the Primo part, that is the upper part of the arrangements where most of the melody is. Big Marv was handling the accompaniment with his usual skill, and all of us there had the same thing in mind without saying a word we discovered later. We need to record some of these things for release!
We were especially impressed with the Scherzo from Symphony No.2 by Ludwig van Beethoven. The interplay between the performers was impressive, and it was this piece we decided to release. We don't know how well this will do, as we've never released a so-called classical music piece before, but we're willing to try. Big Marv tells us about the piece and their playing together:
Sheila and I have been playing piano 4 hand music since we first met. She's a classically trained pianist as well as singer, can sight-read anything you put in front of her and play it well the first time. She was in church choirs in her youth, and sometimes would work choir rehearsals as the pianist. Her main interest is cooking, preparing and the history of Cajun food specifically. She chose to not pursue music as a profession, but kept up her technique and singing abilities for her own pleasure. We change who plays the main part and who plays the accompaniment, and we like pieces like the Beethoven Scherzo because both players are involved in playing the themes of the music.
Beethoven wrote the 2nd. Symphony in D Major in 1801-1802, and it was one of the final works from his first period. In earlier symphonies as in Mozart and Haydn, one of the 4 movements of a symphony was a minuet. But sometimes it was a minuet in name only, as both composers wrote movements that could have been called scherzos. Scherzo is Italian for joke, so a scherzo is markedly different from the original minuet, which was a slow, rather dignified dance. Beethoven did much to promote the change to scherzo in many of his works, even though sometimes he still labeled them as minuet.
We have also embedded an orchestral performance of the Scherzo so the listener can hear the orchestral version as Beethoven wrote it. 4 hand piano music was very popular in the times before commercial recordings. Many homes had a piano with at least one person in the family that could play it.
We've got it on good authority from our associate in Britain that knows the band members of The Widow Makers that they are a laid back group, pretty much home bodies when not touring or playing a gig. Somehow that doesn't jive with their seeming obsession with death centering in the songs they've sent to us. Make no mistake, they're fine musicians, some of them classically trained. So why heavy metal, why so many songs about death? We're not sure, but they're not the only ones to be obsessed with the end of us all. Philosophies and religions of the world have been trying to make sense out of death as long as there has been humans with the brain capacity to contemplate it. Some are afraid of it, which to our minds makes no sense. Of course fear of the unknown in general is a human trait, but the inevitable is what it is: The End. Period. Whether you believe in anything after death, that is your decision. To our minds, there's but two possibilities; Either there is some form of awareness after death, or there is not. If there awareness, we'll have to deal with that when it happens. If there is no awareness, then it doesn't matter because you won't know it any way. So maybe the band's attitude is the healthy one to take. Explore it, don't deny it, roll with it, create because of it. Death really is life's last great adventure.
The swirling, evil maelstrom Spins over all of your heads You think you are immune from it But sooner or later you're dead!
Realize your mortality No one gets out of this alive No matter what you may believe No matter how hard you strive!
Boogie on, pathetic human The scythe wielder Has your number and address He is a perfect yielder
Come to terms, ignorant human Come to terms with your death Come to terms, with your passing Come to terms with your last breath!
Realize your mortality (Come to terms!) No one gets out of this alive (Come to terms!) No matter what you may believe (Come to terms!) No matter how hard you strive! (Come to terms!)
The swirling, evil maelstrom Spins over all of your heads You think you are immune from it But sooner or later you're dead!
