The Sun & the Moon

A couple of weeks ago, Yorkshire lass Kate Rusby came out with her new album, "Life in a Paper Boat". And, oh, it's been wonderful. My absolute favorite--the one that just matches my whimsy so well--is a song about the Moon in love with the shining Sun.
Take a listen:)

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David Archuleta: GLORIOUS

I haven't posted something since February 2013. The thing is, I just finished listening to this beautiful song, and I thought to myself, This just deserves to be shared.

"It's like a symphony,

Just keep listening

And pretty soon you'll start

To figure out your part.

Everyone plays a piece

And there are melodies

In each one of us.

It's glorious."

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Merry Christmas

Picture by Walter Rane

 Veni, veni, Emmanuel, 

 Captivum solve Israel, 

Qui gemit in exilio, 

 Privatus Dei Filio. 

 Gaude! Gaude! Emanuel 

 Nascetur pro te, Israel.

O come, O come Emmanuel 

To free your captive Israel 

 That mourns in lonely exile here 

Until the Son of God appear. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, 

 To you shall come Emmanuel. 

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Beautiful Heartbreak

Watch this video.
It will change your life.

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Songs That Everyone Must Hear

And the best news is, they're all clean!
(I wanted to mention Beethoven, or Tim McGraw, but it was difficult to chose just one of thier songs. So I reccomend all that they have.)

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
The best song ever written. That is all.

Forbidden Friendship by John Powell
Undoubtedly the best song to be written for a soundtrack.

Life Left to Go by Safetysuit
Atmostpheric and beautiful.

Love is Here by Tenth Avenue North

Dare to Believe by Boyce Avenue

Requiem for a Dream (Remix) by Clint Mansell
Epic.

You and Me by Lifehouse

Adiemus by Carl Jenkins

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

You are Loved by Josh Groban

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice
Go to work,
do your best,
don't outsmart your common sense...

World Spins Madly On by The Weepies

Other Ways by Trevor Hall
One of those songs that make you feel like everything's gonna be fine.

The Blood of Cu Cuchlain by Mychael and Jeff Danna

Minstrel's Prayr by Cartel

Sumiregusa by Enya

Caliope Meets Frank by Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

I Am His Daughter by Nicole Sheahan
He loves me the way I am,
he's my strength when I stand.
He is my king and my father,
I am his daughter. 

Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin

Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
Every time I listen to this the world suddenly looks beautiful...

Baba Yetu by Unknown (all I know is that it's not the Christopher Tin version)
The Lord's Prayer in Swahili. Have a link.

Eagle Eye End Title by Brian Tyler

Pana Po by Hans Zimmer and John Powell

Reverie by Ludovico Einaudi
Gorgeous and relaxing.

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Score, Anyone?

I love the Tangled soundtrack.
There's no getting past it--Alan Menken is a genius at coming up with catchy tunes with clever twists.
But the main reason I adore the soundtrack is the score. I can't help but feel that Mr. Menken is underappreciated in that department.
I mean, I absolutely adore the songs that the characters sing. But my main loves are the the instrumental ones on the soundtrack. Because who doesn't love "Kingdom Dance"? It was actually the song that--when I saw a clip for it--made me decide that "Hey, this movie might not be so bad. I may actually go see it."
And "Waiting for the Lights" is stunning, and "The Tear Heals" is utterly climatic.
My absolute favorite, however, has to be "Campfire". It's so beautiful, so romantic, and reminds me slightly of the works of James Newton Howard.

So, I just thought I'd get a little love for the score out there. It really is splendid.

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Take It In

It was a normal morning at the L'Enfant Plaza Station in Washington. People scurried through on thier way to work, almost totally oblivious to the violinist playing with his case open for donations.
He looked like any other street musician--jeans, t-shirt, and a baseball cap.

What they didn't know was that it was the world-famous violinist Joshua Bell.

He had been approached and asked to do an experiment: If a famous classical musician played like any other street musician, would anyone notice his music? Would people stop and listen to what they thought was a random musician, which was in reality a world-class violinist whose concerts cost some thousand dollars just to get in?
Or would he be ignored?

As Joshua Bell played Bach and Schubert in a tiny little station, most people ignored him. When interviewed later, most of the commuters simply said that they didn't even notice he was there. The reason? They were listening to thier ipods.
Some people actually were irritated by the music and talked louder on thier cell phones as they passed by to try and drown it out.

But some people did stop and listen. Very few people, but they did it just the same. They decided to stand there and take it all in.

When I heard this story, I couldn't help but wonder: Would I have noticed? Would I have listened? Or would I have been "too busy"?

Maybe sometimes we just need to slow down and take in every beautiful detail that life has to offer. The world could be filled with wonder if we just let it. Maybe I'm waxing a little too philosophical, but this story makes me want to slow down a bit more, smell the roses, y'know?

So here's a question:

Would you have stopped to listen?

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An Amazing Song

All About Us by He is We feat. Owl City

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Cello Wars

This is awesome.
My geek nerves are all a-tingling.

 

(Don't forget to check out The Piano Guys' more...er...serious videos.)

 

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Classical Viva La Vida

This is a beautiful video that is sure to brighten up any day. Made me happy just watching it.

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The Best of Celtic Music

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Let's celebrate with a bit of music, shall we?

Altan

A legendary band, and arguably Ireland's best traditional one.

Hayley Westenra

She has the most gorgeous voice I've ever heard.

Julie Fowlis

The only artist who sings in native Scottish Gaelic.

Natalie MacMaster

She does things with a fiddle I never thought possible.

Cherish the Ladies

A fantastic band full of the lovliest voices you'll ever hear.

Déanta

The band that introduced me to Celtic music.

Loreena McKennitt

She sings/composes both World and Celtic music in

her stunning voice.

Enya

Even though she doesn't do Celtic music,

there's no denying that Enya is the absolute best

thing to ever come out of Ireland.

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Wanted: Fresh Ideas

It's true.

Hollywood has officially run out of ideas.

All we can expect now are

remakes, sequels,

book-adaptations, fairy tales

and mindless action movies.

Gnomeo & Juliet?
Cowboys & Aliens?
The Smurfs?
Yogi Bear?
Are you kidding me?

They may be good.

They may even be great.

But, seriously, can we get some fresh ideas here?

And look--Even Michael Bublé agrees with me.↓

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Another Tag

I was tagged by Sananora.
Thanks!
The rules are as follow:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 20 friends.
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?

Marble Halls-Enya

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Around Us-Jonsi
Perfect.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Only Time-Enya
Kinda works.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Tonight-The Afters
Not really…

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Only If…-Enya
Yep.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Upular-Pogo
Absolutely.

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
Let Me Fall-Josh Groban

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I’d Rather Be With You-Joshua Radin

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
The Lord Bless You and Keep You-Mormon Tabernacle Choir

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Outside looking In-Jordan Pruit
Actually, yes.

WHAT IS 2+2?
Shine On-Needtobreathe

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
No One-Aly & AJ
Ah, this works so well.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Blood of Cu Chulainn-Mychael & Jeff Danna

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
If I Had No Songs-Mindy Gledhill

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Requiem For a Dream-Clint Mansell

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Hill of Thieves-Cara Dillon

WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Forbidden Friendship-John Powell
Awww…

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Fields of Pelennor-Howard Shore


WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
This Time For Sure-John Powell
How to Train Your Dragon is definitely an interest.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Three Black feathers-Jim Moray

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
The English Ladye and the Knight-Loreena Mckennitt

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
The Sancity of Days-Sam Cardon

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
You Are More-Tenth Avenue North

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Ocean Wide-The Afters

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Hanging By a Moment-Lifehouse

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
River Flows in You-Yiruma

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Vision Quest-Tempest
Er, that doesn’t really fit.

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
So Contagious-Acceptance
Whoa, perfect answer.

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Ladders-Brian Tyler
It works.

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
I Want Tomorrow-Enya

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Whatever it Takes-Lifehouse

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Anywhere but Here-Safetysuit

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?
Something Beautiful-Needtobreathe

WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?
Breathe Me-Sia


Now I tag:
Any of my followers to want to do this.
PS-These are free song recommendations.

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Let Me Rant

I love the movie Glory Road, but more than that I love the musical score in the movie.
It's breath-taking, emotional, and full of soul...

And I can't find it anywhere!

(I'm gritting my teeth as I write this.)
It annoys me to absolutely no end! I found the soundtrack, but all it has is the non-instrumental songs on it. I heard that Disney had the score on it, but switched it a few days after the soundtrack's release.
Why? WHY?!?! WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!

ahem.

I'm done ranting now.

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Best Movie Soundtracks EVER

I love soundtracks. And, randomly enough, here are some of my favorites.

9-Debroah Lurie and Danny Elfman

The Chronicles of Narnia-Harry Gregson Williams

How to Train Your Dragon-John Powell

Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration-Rob Gardner

Kung Fu Panda-Hans Zimmer and John Powell

The Lord of the Rings-Howard Shore

National Treasure-Trevor Rabin

Nicholas Nickleby-Rachel Portman

Pirates of the Carribean-Hans Zimmer

Planet Earth-George Fenton

The Secret-Rhonda Byrne

Treasure Planet-James Newton Howard

The Work and the Glory II: American Zion-Sam Cardon

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La Musique II

Songs that got stuck in my head. You've never heard them but I love them!

May I-Trading Yesterday





Arizona-Hey Monday




River Flows Through You-Yiruma



Nothing Left to Lose-Needtobreathe
(You may recognize this song from the Extraordinary Measures trailer)




The Blood of Cu Cuchulainn-Mychael & Jeff Danna

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La Musique

Just thought I might do something fun and give y'all a tour of my CD pile.

These are also free recamondations.

Planet Earth Soundtrack-George Fenton

Got it for my Birthday & I love it! Fenton is a genius. Beautiful.

Watermark-Enya

For my melancholy, deep moods.

A Day Without Rain-Enya

Despite the title, PERFECT for rainy days.

And Winter Came-Enya

Got this for Christmas last year. It's gorgeous & one of her best.

Shepherd Moons-Enya

Makes me wanna fly.

The Return of the King Soundtrack-Howard Shore

Absolutely breathtaking. It sets my heart racing everytime.

Noel-Josh Groban

I know it's a Christmas CD, but I still listen to it year-round. His voice is AMAZING.

Celtic Wonder-Various

Got it for Christmas about two years ago. First CD I ever owned. Stunningly bittersweet.

Piper's Dance-Ballycastle

2nd CD I ever got. These bagpipes have soul.

With You-Josh Groban

Did I mention his voice was amazing?

The Ultimate Relaxation Album III

Used to fall asleep to this.

The Fellowship of the Ring Soundtrack-Howard Shore

Makes me laugh & cry.

Yanni Live at the Acropolis

Really good to listen to when writing.

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When Christmas Comes to Town

Gosh, I love this song.

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Here We Come A Wassailing

My favorite Christmas song of the season!
Best ever.

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Tommy Coen's Christmas Eve

I fell in love with this song when I first heard it.
Best ever!

Tommy Coen's Christmas Eve - Frankie Gavin

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