Wednesday, June 06, 2007
glisten: son of tofu hut
Son of Tofu Hut is a collaboration with The King Open School of Cambridge, Massachusetts. King Open is a mix of races, ethnicities, social class and nationalities; a melting pot of opinions and perspectives. I've been sending discs of music to King Open to have them played to a class of seventh and eighth graders; the kids give them a listen once or twice and then write a brief critique of what they've heard. I'll be compiling their responses to present you with music, links (when available) and lightly edited (spelling and obvious typing errors are corrected, grammar and slang is not) teenagers' responses.
Jake Shimabukuro - 'Heartbeat / Dragon
John sez: In addition to being a grand virtuoso, Jake Shimabukuro is one of the nicest and most completely genuine people I've ever met. I've seen him play live three times now and he's absolutely floored me every time.
I was first exposed to Jake when I did a capsule review for his album, Dragon. I was struck by how much I wanted to listen to the man on the uke play solo and ditch the modern jazz production that mucked up his fascinating intricate fingering. You can imagine how overjoyed I was to discover that his readily available on the internet live shows generally consisted of Jake with an amplified uke and nothing but.
Gently Weeps, which Heartbeat/Dragon hails from, is an entirely acoustic album and, while it makes for an interesting listen, it simply can't compare to the exhilarating experience of seeing Jake live. If he ever comes to your town, don't miss him.
Student 1: Boring. The begining is too long and sounds like old fashioned chinese music. I dont like it. It is boring and... god, it is boring. Very asian-ish and very boring.
Student 2: The song sounds like some one is very sad. It makes me want to cry because it gets me into a really deep thinking point. I am happy this song has no singing in it because singers would mess up my train of thought. If i were really sad or was bored, I might actually listen to this song. I really like it. Wow, I can't believe this song is played on a ukulele, oh my god!!!!! But I still like this song.
Student 3: This sounds like a traditional Asian song. I would listen to it to relax. This guy is really talented. I like the sound of the heartbeat in the beginning.
VISIT
MYSPACE
LISTEN 2 A JAKE FULL-LENGTH LIVE SHOW
BUY 'Gently Weeps' direct from Jake
Student 4: The instrument in this song is lovely but it has too much of the same beat at the start. It's like a song that you would listen to if you wanted to cry because it sounds so sad.
Student 5: This sound like a person is going to a open mic stage to perform and that person is just bobbin' his head back and forth.
Student 6: At first it sounds like a heartbeat and then it sounds like an Asian beat, but then it gets more clear and has different kinds of beats to it. I think the beginning is just too long. Can't it just get to the singing part, like oh my god its wasting my time. Anyways it sounds kind of calming in one way then fun and move-y in another way. I like the different beats it has to it, like it's pulling one way then another. It seems like a song you would meditate to.
WATCH JAKE PLAY DRAGON LIVE
WATCH
WATCH MORE
Student 7: This song is very relaxing. I feel like I am in a life-sized zen garden. It sounds happy and remindes me of "A Princess Bride" (that movie is also great). It sounds as if fairies and elves are playing the harp (I know, that was cheesey, but it's true). The beginning of the song really does sound like a heartbeat. The ukulele is beautiful! I didn't know it could sound so relaxing!
Student 8: This song is very calming, something that you would listen to when you need to relax. I think that the maker of this song is trying to get you to come out of your shell and express yourself. It reminds me of rippling water.
Student 9: The beginning sounds like someone walking down a hall where they're not supposed to be at, maybe in a Chinese Garden. It's very repetitive and calming, but it's slow going. It needs some words. After awhile, it's getting boring and kind of giving me a headache. There are very few notes and then it goes into chords. I think this would be a nice song to go to bed to.
LISTEN 2 THE NPR INTERVIEW
LISTEN 2 MY INTERVIEW WITH JAKE
Student 10: VERY BORING. I NEED WORDS A.S.A.P. IT MAKES ME THINK OF WHY PEOPLE KILL THEMSELVES.
Student 11: I like the heartbeats in the beginning. The ukulele is nice and peaceful. It reminds me of some kind of Asian mixed with Western music. I like it, because it's not too happy and not too depressing. The music reminds me of music from this game on the web I played. It sounds like the kind of music used for foreign, graceful dances.
Student 12: I really like this song. At first it kind of sounds Asian, but then towards the middle it just sounds like cool acoustic "noodling", as some people call it. It makes me want to dance. It also makes me want to sing along, despite the fact that there are no words. It kind of reminds me of raindrops. At first it's light, but then towards the middle of the song/storm it gets heavy and frantic, but even with the frantic-ness, the song still sounds smooth. I wish I could play guitar like that. Kind of makes me think of that guy, I forget his name, but he was a gypsy and he only had two fingers but he was an amazing guitar player. It kind of sounds like that man mixed with Hawaii.
READ
READ MORE
JAKE PLAYS KAMAKA UKULELES
If you'd like to leave any questions or comments for me or for any of the students who are helping contribute to the Tofu Hut, feel free to do so in the comments section, but PLEASE keep the criticism constructive.
Labels: son of tofu hut
Thursday, May 31, 2007
glisten: son of tofu hut
Son of Tofu Hut is a collaboration with The King Open School of Cambridge, Massachusetts. King Open is a mix of races, ethnicities, social class and nationalities; a melting pot of opinions and perspectives. I've been sending discs of music to King Open to have them played to a class of seventh and eighth graders; the kids give them a listen once or twice and then write a brief critique of what they've heard. I'll be compiling their responses to present you with music, links (when available) and lightly edited (spelling and obvious typing errors are corrected, grammar and slang is not) teenagers' responses.
Afroman - Hush
John sez: Afroman's debut LP is generally somewhere between slept on and reviled, but it's something that I find myself coming back to every now and again. This oddly engaging and sweetly endearing take on the traditional spiritual is leavened with stoner humor, chicken squawks, Afroman's lengthy reminiscinces on his childhood visits to Mobile and a persistent elastic bassline.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the students pretty much all loved this one; who woulda thunk it? Certainly Afroman can only take so much of the credit; there's no denying that 'Hush' has withstood the test of time. Here's a few bonus tracks (that the kid's didn't get to hear) to give you a clearer ear with this song: a much more straight ahead mid-40's rendition by gospel legends Golden Gate Quartet and a funkier, dirtier cut by Hugh Masekela.
It's a helluva trifecta!
The Golden Gate Quartet - Hush
Hugh Masekela - Hush
Student 1: This song sounds like those songs you would hear when watching a LA gang movie and something good just happened and you would get out your movie seat and if you knew this song you would sing it. This song is like a dedication to the community. You would start having to help the community even if you didn't want to and then you ended up liking doing work alot. This man sounds like he was in a church choir. If I was growing up in a bad place, this song would really cheer me up.
Student 2: This song sounds like gospel music. They are singing about jesus. It has an R&B type of beat, like jazz but after u hear it for a while you can catch the beat. I like this song but in one part, the singer adds too much feeling.
Student 3: I like it because it's old school and I think it's really fresh. I need this song on my ipod for sure. I like the meaning of the song, how it's kind of new with a hip hop beat and then it sounds really old school. This song is good. I just really like how the song starts with the guys saying who they are.
VISIT
LISTEN 2 MORE
AMAZONG Afroman's 'The Good Times'
Student 4: This is something I can relate to a lot because I listen to a lot of songs like this at home. They are very calming and they make you want to get up and get your freak on. It's very cool. Just the name afroman is cool.
Student 5: I can't figure out what kind of music this is. It sounds like early hip hop and acapella and Gospel. I like this song because it makes me feel like I am at some kind of concert in New Orleans. I like the humming at the end as well. It also sounds kind of like a slavery song. I wonder when this song was written. i would be very interested to know where this band is from.
Student 6: It is very nice music. They want people to be quiet because somebody is calling their name and it is jesus. It has many melodies to it and the fact that it is about jesus connects to what they are saying. My teacher Lynn was just dancing to it and I think that she has the warmth to this music. This is just like gospel rap. Gospel rap is cool. I give this an A plus!!!!
MYSPACE
WATCH
Listen to this drivetime morning radio interview and this "marijuana radio exclusive".
Student 7: It sounds like something that would go on a gospel radio station. It has a slowish beat. It's like a mix of jazz and gospel. It has a R&B kind of beat. I'm not that fond of it, because I don't really like this kind of music. I don't like gospel. It's always about Jesus, God/The Lord, but I guess that's kind of obvious since it's called gospel music... but it sounds too slow for me.
Student 8: This song has a lot of different beats to it. The words are a little confusing because it talks about one thing then goes to something different. The song sounds like hip hop but it also sounds like it is a rap song. It kind of changes between the two.
Student 9: I like this. It has a good simple beat and a religious hip pop song. It also sounds like the other song: Because I Got High. This song moves me. It shows that religious songs could be fun too. It tells a good message and I think he's telling the bad people to hush so he can hear Jesus calling him.
TALKIN' GARBAGE
Student 10: Think of someone who knows you, yet you cannot see that person of guess who it is. Perhaps it is Jesus? Or are you you going crazy? But there is no one there and yet there is still someone calling you. That's what this song is about. As I listen to this right now, it reminds me about when someone dies or you miss someone and can't see them anymore you can see their reflection pop out of nowhere. Or.... you can hear them calling you. I remember feeling like this and my mother did too when my grandmother died. I can't explain why but this song reminds me of that feeling. This song is a yearning about someone dear and you can hear them.
If you'd like to leave any questions or comments for me or for any of the students who are helping contribute to the Tofu Hut, feel free to do so in the comments section, but PLEASE keep the criticism constructive.
Labels: son of tofu hut
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
glisten: son of tofu hut
Son of Tofu Hut is a collaboration with The King Open School of Cambridge, Massachusetts. King Open is a mix of races, ethnicities, social class and nationalities; a melting pot of opinions and perspectives. I've been sending discs of music to King Open to have them played to a class of seventh and eighth graders; the kids give them a listen once or twice and then write a brief critique of what they've heard. I'll be compiling their responses to present you with music, links (when available) and lightly edited (spelling and obvious typing errors are corrected, grammar and slang is not) teenagers' responses.
3 Inches of Blood - 'Destroy The Orcs'
John sez: I actually meant to send the kids the version of this song on Advance and Vanquish, not from 3 Inches earlier album Battlecry Under a Winter Sun; the Advance rendition is much cleaner and sharper. I'm posting the
3 Inches brand of D&D metal is Wonderful, silly fun; who couldn't get behind an orc killing rampage? Kitsch value aside, their songs are catchy and ramshackle fast. It's good stuff for running or lifting.
They're also a hella good time live; I enjoyed myself tremendously leaping and banging around to this song at the Knitting Factory last year. I'm definitely looking forward to catching them when they (presumably) make the rounds to support their upcoming album, Fire Up the Blades. Track titles like 'The Goatriders Horde', 'The Great Hall of Feasting' and 'Rejoice in the Fires of Man's Demise" suggest no great deviation from their sword and sorcery dork metal beginnings, which is all good by me.
VISIT
LISTEN 2 MORE BY 3 INCHES OF BLOOD: 'Deadly Sinners'
AMAZON 'Advance and Vanquish'
Student 1: The title of this song sounds like a song used in a video game. Once I heard the song, I loved it. I like rock and heavy metal, usually. I like this, because it's really energetic and beyond upbeat. I like some morbid things, mostly books. Very good. I also like the name of the band: Three Inches of Blood. I like most morbid things. Some morbid things are somewhat intriguing, because sometimes I find it easy to relate to. Like if you or a friend have experienced something morbid, like death or a terrible disease, you can understand what it feels like. I don't know if that was at least an okay explanation. I really enjoy this song. I would definitely put this on my iPod.
Student 2: ZZZZZZZZZZZ. This is so so so BORING it makes me want to fall to sleep on a pillow or take a nap and I hate taking naps so that's how boring it is. There are some things I like about it but its kind of weird. I like the screaming part and stuff like the "wwhhoooooaaaaa". Umm yeah, it sounds like a song some punk or rocker type chick/dude would listen too. Just not ME.
Student 3: THE ORCS ARE AFTER ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!! They are destroying their instruments. Get them a dictionary and teach them proper etiquette. I still dont know what they are saying.
PLAY ALONG
LISTEN 2 AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND
MYSPACE
Student 4: YAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROCK OUT MAN!!!!!!!!!! YA!!!!!!! I wouldn't put this on my i-pods, but it's a cool power metal song. It has an awesome beat and I find the screaming quite amusing. I hear the band's name is "Three Inches of Blood". SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! hee hee...
Student 5: Once our teacher read the lyrics to the group, I really liked them! That was so cool... Blood....
Student 6: The title sounds interesting, like a title from a movie or video game. I like this. It's heavy metal kind of cool, very energetic. The voice sounds like a cartoon character singing/yelling into the microphone. This is a cool band! I can't really understand the lyrics, but I don't mind.
READ MORE
WATCH 3 INCHES LIVE
Student 7: It is crazy. They have a name that could get them gunned down. They sound Asian. What are they saying?
Student 8: I'm not a really big rock fan, but I recommend this song to rockers. I think it will make you wanna scream and if you have a lot of hair you can shake it really hard and smash your things on the floor. It's a song to let out anger or a song to go kill someone.
Student 9: Starts out with the usual screaming dark guy. Of course, I can hear the constant pounding of the drums and loud melody of the guitar. The guy is trying to scare me but unfortunately all attempts fail. When I listen to the lyrics (which I can barely hear) "slay the whatever", the band reminds me of some depressed Lord of the Rings fans.
If you'd like to leave any questions or comments for me or for any of the students who are helping contribute to the Tofu Hut, feel free to do so in the comments section, but PLEASE keep the criticism constructive.
Labels: son of tofu hut
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
"a celebratory mountain of notes"
=================================================================
Son of Tofu Hut is a collaboration with The King Open School of Cambridge, Massachusetts. King Open is a mix of races, ethnicities, social class and nationalities; a melting pot of opinions and perspectives. I've been sending discs of music to King Open to have them played to a class of seventh and eighth graders; the kids give them a listen once or twice and then write a brief critique of what they've heard. I'll be compiling their responses to present you with music, links (when available) and lightly edited (spelling and obvious typing errors are corrected, grammar and slang is not) teenagers' responses.
Clifford Brown and Max Roach - 'Daahoud'
John sez: Man, you just forget when you listen to Cliff Brown how goldurned YOUNG this cat was. To believe that he was not twenty-four when he composed and performed 'Daahoud' is a straight-up mind boggler. The mastery of the horn and the impact that kid left behind after no more than four years playing is stunning; it's a terrible tragedy that we didn't get to hear him at forty, at sixty, at seventy...
'Daahoud' is a total standard now and, along with 'Joy Spring', one of Clifford's best known composition. The apple-tart quality of Brown's bright, slightly fuzzy intonation on his feather-soft and labyrinth-complex trumpet solos slays me every time. It's insanely deep and emotive as hell and purely joyful.
ANYONE reading this who has not yet had opportunity to fully ingest the wonder of the 'Clifford Brown and Max Roach' album really MUST go get it now; as much as any album has left a permanent footprint on my taste and love for music, that one has.
VISIT A CLIFF FAN PAGE
READ ABOUT CLIFF (1)
READ ABOUT CLIFF (2)
WATCH CLIFF LIVE
EXPLORE CLIFFORD'S DISCOGRAPHY
REMEMBERING CLIFF
READ MORE ABOUT IT (I liked this book, BTW)
LEARN 2 PLAY LIKE CLIFF (1)
LEARN 2 PLAY LIKE CLIFF (2)
GIVE BACK IN CLIFF'S NAME
Student 1: This song reminds me of the blues. I like the drum solo. I would like to learn how to drum real good. Do you know how to drum? Do you? If you do, then teach me.
Student 2: Oooooh! Very swingy! I like this a lot. The percussion is just perfect and the trumpet is great! I feel like I'm at a chic bar eating shrimp cocktail and sipping a martini from a fancy glass. I can almost see the waiters rushing by to serve Donald Trump and his wife their $10,000 food. I would definitely put this on on my iPod.
Student 3: This sounds like the blues and I have to tell you I dont like the blues when they are slow. I don't like this because I think this song will put me to sleep. When I listen to music, I want to dance to it and when I do I'm happy with that. WHEN MY TEACHER SNAPS HER FINGERS it is like my grandparents dancing to this. This is good for my mom and higher but not for me. Sorry!
READ ABOUT MAX
WATCH MAX WORK OUT
LISTEN to Cliff and Roach rip up 'Cherokee'
Student 4: At the begining of this, it sounds like you are at a very fancy rich party. I don't like jazzy music, because it's too slow. I'm all bout the fast music!! This song has no singer in it. It's the kind where you just hear a bunch of music and just meditate.
Student 5: Sounds like the kind of music I would hear at a jazz festival. I don't like jazz. It's too.... uneven? No. That's not the word I'm looking for. Hmm.... something like uneven, but not. I can't think of the right word. It's not coming to my head. This kind of song might also be heard at some kind of restaurant that has colorful lights and nice tables where you can eat or just have a drink and the people there are all dressed up in formal, fancy clothes.
Student 6: What a funny name for a jazz song. Why would the creators of this song name this piece with that name? I must say that I am a big fan of jazz, whether it is modern, smooth or back to the greats like Ray Charles. I feel jazz has that calming feeling and expresses emotion other than with words. Sometimes I think that jazz can be more POWERFUL than speech. [ Depends on the quality of the song though.] Amazing too that Jazz artists can play music without recording it down. Now for what I envision in the song. Hmmmmm.... I just see those college cafes that always have the young artists playing all the instruments like the saxophone, piano, you know....
AMAZON Clifford Brown and Max Roach
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWESOME CLIFF AND MAX ALBUM
LISTEN 2 MORE CLIFF AND MAX
Student 7: This song has no lyrics to it. It is a jazz. There is drums, trumpet and I think there is a piano. It feels like this is a good song to dance to and just have fun with it. I think this song has so much feeling that i can listen to it all day.
Student 8: I like the jazzy tune. I also like the saxophone, the piano and the drum solo. I think this is like something you would find in an underground jazz club in downtown Boston or New York. I really like this type of music.
Student 9: Jazzy time .......................oh well. I'm not that much of a fan. This song would be great to go with a troublesome scene in a bazaar movie. Oops... I mean bizarre.
If you'd like to leave any questions or comments for me or for any of the students who are helping contribute to the Tofu Hut, feel free to do so in the comments section, but PLEASE keep the criticism constructive and to a minimum; we're all just starting to write together and it's gonna take us a little while to get comfortable.
Labels: jazz, son of tofu hut
Monday, May 07, 2007
the main line
=================================================================glisten: son of tofu hut
Son of Tofu Hut is a collaboration with The King Open School of Cambridge, Massachusetts. King Open is a mix of races, ethnicities, social class and nationalities; a melting pot of opinions and perspectives. I've been sending discs of music to King Open to have them played to a class of seventh and eighth graders; the kids give them a listen once or twice and then write a brief critique of what they've heard. I'll be compiling their responses to present you with music, links (when available) and lightly edited (spelling and obvious typing errors are corrected, grammar and slang is not) teenagers' responses.
I commented in last Son of Tofu Hut that I would address some of the differences in the style of writing I brought to these entries. My nature is to take my time, anguish and pore over my entries on th' Hut. I'll continue doing that kind of work when I'm seeking auxilliary material to provide you with more background, but my commentary for the Son of Tofu Hut tracks is my attempt to level the playing field somewhat: my responses are formed over one or two listens to the track in question. It's the same constraints I'm forcing my collaborators to follow; so it only seems fair.
The Gospel Harmonettes of Demopolis, Alabama - Jesus Is On the Main Line
John sez: I wrote a lengthy post about the Harmonettes over two years ago (my god, that long?!?) which covers my astonishment at their vocal power and sadness that they appear to have split for good. It's one of my favorite things I've done with the space; I received more uniformly positive praise for the Harmonettes music than for any other songs I've posted before or since. It does my jaded ol' heart some good to see that the next generation of listeners (well, with one notable exception... "what flys eat", indeed!) seem equally flabbergasted by the sheer emotional epiphany that makes up the Harmonettes repertoire.
This song is one of the bands dozen professionally recorded tracks that I did NOT put up in that original post, which is not to say that it is not soul-scraping, achingly awesome. The ending, where the female soloist (I believe that's Annie Wilks) moves into the crowd and away from the microphone, culminates in one of the most joyful sounds I've ever heard.
Basically, every time I listen to this album I'm dumbfounded and I have to remind myself why I'm listening to anything else. It's something short of sinful NOT to share something this beautiful. As the album itself remains unavailable two years after my last stab at bringing this stuff a greater audience, I've come to the decision that it's time to throw this precious bread out onto the water.
Full album is here.
Read the first Gospel Harmonettes Hut post.
It's still the only link I can find with info about the band.
Student 1: OH MY GOD!!!! I LOVE THIS!!!! This sounds a lot like Sweet Honey in the Rock! So many young childhood memories are coming back! My moms used to play this kind of music to get me to sleep when i was sick. I remember them putting me to bed, tucking me in, and turning on my little tape player. This song makes me feel like i am sitting around a warm campfire, and singing with my loving family. When i heard this song, i almost started clapping along.
Student 2: It sounds too gospel for me. I think this would only be popular on a gospel radio channel or church. It's not really my kind of song, because It's too slow... Kind of.
Student 3: this is a very cool song and it sounds like the Temptations. Do u know who they are? They were once the bestest group ever but one of them got greedy with the money and tried to make himself the star leader when it was really a group thing. He got too drunk to sing anymore and cracked his voice and couldn't sing anything then he killed himself. The ones that lived got through their differences and got the group together again. That's the Temptations.
Student 4: In the beginning of the song and at the end it sounds like a church choir that has no instruments and uses no technology, just all singing voices. Yes I do like it. I like different types of church music.
Student 5: I'm not very religious, but I love gospel because it really sounds like it comes from deep inside. I love acapella music because I love the fact that it isn't necessary to have instruments in a song to make it sound whole. I really love harmonies too. The voice is such a powerful instrument itself and some people don't realise that, but acapella really brings that out. Acapella + gospel = perfection!!!!!!!!!!!
Student 6: oooooooooooohh!!!!! i like this song!!! this song is a religious one, but i still think that you can get stupid to something like this!! i like how this song also holds a message about jesus too. i also like how the songs beat and backround music is layered so that it sounds so good!! man, i just cant get over how good this song sounds. being a believer of jesus and a christian god may have something to do with my view of this song, but even if i weren't a christian i know that i would still be feelin' this song!! and thats for real!!!!
Student 7: Trash. Turn it off, it is blowing my ears off. It sounds so dumb. How long ago was this made? This stuff is what flys eat. Erase this from memory. Who could sing this? TRASH TRASH...............TRASH.
Student 8: Instantly, I'm transported to those Southern gospel churches. A fine example of how to show your devotion through music. I like how after a while people from the benches shout out to help emphasize the music. Now I don't know how southern churches look like so I'll describe a northern church. Wooden benches, a large organ and stained glass on windows.....
Student 9: This is a christian song? It sounds like a song you would hear right when you walk into a church. They start singing out loud to get the choir going. I would listen to this song without no worries.
Student 10: The beginning sounds kinda like something i wouldnt listen 2. this song doesnt have music itz just vocals & clapping. it soundz very religious 2 me. the people that sing this song must love god witta passion. this isnt something i would listen 2 cuz i dont listen 2 religious muzik (onli at church on sundai). the end is kinda hot tho like when they get more into it.
If you'd like to leave any questions or comments for me or for any of the students who are helping contribute to the Tofu Hut, feel free to do so in the comments section, but PLEASE keep the criticism constructive and to a minimum; we're all just starting to write together and it's gonna take us a little while to get comfortable.
Labels: gospel, son of tofu hut
Sunday, April 22, 2007
glisten: Son of Tofu Hut
Well, this certainly took a while. Son of Tofu Hut is a project that I've kept on the back burner for quite some time; I'm very happy it's finally getting to see the light of day.
This new song series represents a collaboration with The King Open School of Cambridge, Massachusetts. King Open is, according to the teacher I've arranged this project through, a salmagundi of races, ethnicities, social class and nationalities; a melting pot of opinions and perspectives. I've been sending discs of music to King Open to have them played to a class of seventh and eighth graders; the kids give them a listen once or twice and then write a brief critique of what they've heard. I'll be compiling their responses to present you, noble Hut reader, with fresh music, links and our only lightly edited (spelling and obvious typing errors are corrected, grammar and slang is not) teenagers responses.
I'll be talking about some of the reasons I'm taking on this project (and a slightly different authorial voice) as we go along, but now I'm anxious to just jump right on in.
(Oh, and respect due to Gaylord Fields, who coined the 'Son of Tofu Hut' moniker.)
4Hero with Jill Scott -'Another Day'
John sez: This was the first song I ever heard of 4Hero's and it made enough of an impact that I went out and found a copy of Creating Patterns (the now-out-of-print album that this song first appeared on) and listened to it for a week or so. It's a real shame that Creating is so hard to find; there's quite a few nice tracks on it, notably the duet with Alma Horton called 'Hold It Down'.
I haven't had a chance to listen to the new 4Hero album yet; it's on a long list of things I need to put on th' hi-fi.
Jill Scott is really perennially underrated; it's a shame that she's had to go abroad to get the attention that she deserves.
Obviously, the sentiment of this track hits home for me as well. I'd rather be playing Guitar Hero than typing this right now myself!
STAY HOME + PLAY VIDEO GAMES PLAY SOME MORE.
KEEP PLAYING. NOT TIRED YET? KEEP GOING.
Student 1: only part i don't like about this song is that it is telling you to get up and sometimes you don't want to get up. but i would if i could try to record the part of the song that says that you have to get up. but, yea, i like this song!
Student 2: It's so peaceful and relaxing, especially her voice. There's just something about it that makes you want to start singing it. When you're telling yourself to wake up constantly when your eyes just won't stay open. THIS SONG ROCKS and I love it.
Student 3: Wow ! I am impressed. I like this even if it is slow. It has a slow mellow to it and not many people do that anymore and that's y I like it that much. The words sound so real like she is right by my side and that is a great feeling. I wonder who this is. Yeah, who is singing? Anyway, she has a veeery nice voice and I give her my respect to that. The words "got to get up "makes me feel the same way as the girl who is singing because she seems lonely and needs to get up to search for a friend. This also has passion to it and I really like the beat. I think this song has many meanings to this song and it's good for little kids. No offense, but this song also can put people to sleep because it is slow and if it is just a baby. I give this baby a big thumbs up!!!! Cool like a pop star!
VISIT 4HERO 4HERO MYSPACE
LISTEN 2 MORE 4HERO READ ABOUT 4HERO (1)
READ ABOUT 4HERO (2) WATCH 4HERO
Student 4: Alright my fav ambient!!!!!!! I don't think this piece doesn't have any problems with me! When it started I immediately felt I was in one of the high-end lounges. The woman has a dreamy voice. I liked how the music started slow and went faster. Like you're slowly waking up and gaining your energy. Funny, as the lyrics say "I gotta get up" it reminds me of how we all are grumpy when we get up the morning. Smell the coffee!
Student 5: it's soft at first but after it gets a lil beat into it and it sounds like easy listening music. it sounds like chill music like if u just wanna sit and chill and relax than u pop this in and listen 2 it. there's a point in the song where it soundz bad but they turn it around. i think the girl in da song is 2 soft but w.e itz all good. i like how it sayz gotta get up cuz it remindz me of when i gotta get up 4 skool and yea. i like how it sayz i wanna stay home and play but i gotta get up. it reminds me of those dayz that u wanna stay home and chill but you have 2 get up and go. i think that a lot of people can relate to this song. i don't like the end of the song when it sayz got 2 get up. it sounds bad. the vocals are bad.
Student 6: Jill Scott changed this song completely because the beat to this song is kinda like elevator music. Jill's soft voice and the hint of raspyness really brought the song together and made it work and what she is talking about i can really relate to this song because this morning i really wanted to stay home but i had to get up. i really like this song. i would put this on my Myspace :-) because i really don't put a song that i don't like on Myspace. this song reminds me of something back in the day that Lauryn Hill would sing about. the song to me says that no matter what, u gotta get up..
AMAZON 4 Experience: Jill Scott Live JILL MYSPACE
VISIT JILL LISTEN 2 MORE JILL
READ ABOUT JILL (1) READ ABOUT JILL (2)
WATCH JILL GIVE BACK 2 JILL'S FOUNDATION
Student 7: i love Jill Scott. her voice is so peaceful and calming. it's something you just want to fall asleep to. it's kind of like modern jazz. the drums are perfect. you think it's some old jazzy tune but then again it's so modern. i like this. i also like this r&b twist. i feel this way in the morning when i have to go to school i don't wanna get up. but then my mom tells me i gotta get up. and i would rather stay home and play too.
Student 8: OMG!!!... Jill Scott IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGERS EVER. SMOOTH JAZZ WITH R&B. A SONG U HAVE TO LISTEN TO AND FEEL TO GET. VERY RELAXED TONE. THE BEAT IS RELAXING... I CAN IMAGINE THE WORDS COMING FROM HER SINGING WHILE I'M CLOSING MY EYES AND PICTURE WHAT SHE'S SAYING. IT REMINDS ME OF WHEN I WANT TO STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL BUT GOT TO GET UP ANYWAY. I KNOW HOW SHE FEELS. I BET A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY TOO.
Student 9: This song is kinda' like my life--always got to get up to go to school instead of playing video games but I just got to.
If you'd like to leave any questions or comments for me or for any of the students who are helping contribute to the Tofu Hut, feel free to do so in the comments section, but PLEASE keep the criticism constructive and to a minimum; we're all just starting to write together and it's gonna take us a little while to get comfortable.
Labels: jazz, rnb, son of tofu hut
