Asking the musical questions

[theoriginalblurker]

My mother just received her copy of Band Gap, Lager Rhythms' new CD, and sent me email saying how much she likes it.  However, her comment about Love the One You're With was, "Is that really you?"

What does this mean?  Was it so good that she can't believe I have such an amazing set of lungs?  Or was it so bad that she's embarrased to tell people that that is her daughter?  Inquiring minds (and egos) want to know!


Also, for those of you who have been requesting that LR arrange/perform a particular song, now is the time to get in your votes.  We are actively searching for new music, so we'd like to know what some of the fans are interested in hearing.  Vote early and often!

Comments

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

Just one girl's opinion here, but I thought you sounded GREAT on that song. I was particularly impressed with that. But it's also the kind of music I like to sing, and the kind of thing I would have noticed - a belty, folksy kind of sound. It's also one of my favorite songs. :)

I thought you sounded great. And I'm sure that's what she meant.

[greeneyes-rpi.livejournal.com]

Well, thanks, but you never know with my mother. She has a very different opinion than I do when it comes to music.

Personally, I think the best thing about LTOYW is the organ solo by Laurie and Mary Kay. They make that song!

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

The organ solo is pretty cool. But the guitar riffing in the verses is even cooler. They sound so cute and twangy. :)

Whatever happened...

[kcarp.livejournal.com]

Whatever happened with the Bus Stop arrangement?

I'll think on songs--I usually have six or eight ideas in my head, but I'm catching up on sleep... (EIGHT HOURS last night!!)

And beware--if Josh reads your post, you'll have all his ideas. Especially now that you've done Taco Bell Canon.

K

[mcroft.livejournal.com]

Renegade by Styx It goes from whisper to rock with all sorts of neat sounds, plus it almost totally avoids Dennis DeYoung, (aka Smaltz-Master Flash) and his repertoire of songs that prove that Viagra isn't just for aging Republican Senators.

[paracoon.livejournal.com]

Not *all* my ideas. It's late. And I'm in Florida.

How's these for starters?

"Five O'Clock World" by the Vogues

"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry

-Josh

[greeneyes-rpi.livejournal.com]

This is just for me as a possible reference:
Summer Time (http://www.matrixm.com/asp/media/ringers/default.asp?genreid=29&mediatype=9&sortid=3)


And when do you get back from Florida?

HWRNMNBSOL's contribution

[(Anonymous)]

Every once in a while I spot my wife's music theory text on the shelves, pick it up, read a few chapters, and think "Aw crap, I can arrange music, this is a friggin' snap." And I get a few bars in and get distracted, probably because I'm a crack baby, and never finish anything.

Invariably the tune I try to arrange for four part a capella is the "Goodbye Song" from the children's TV show "Bear in the Big Blue House". I like it because it's conventionally melodic, the various lines are very distinct, and because of its clean structure it is highly subject to creative riffing.

I would think this would be a decent end-of-set song for LR, except that it mentions, uh, the bear and, um, the big blue house. Which wouldn't make any sense. Like, to anybody. So nevermind.

I do think a number of Styx tunes would be brilliant, even the uber-cheesy ones. One thing Styx does very well is drilling very tight three-part chorale bits by making good use of Shaw's high and clear voice; an excellent example is on "You, Babe". That would probably convert over nicely to a capella.

Somebody should do Bohemian Rhapsody for a capella. I'm not saying it has to be you. I just think it would be a scream to see Mikey in full Faustian horns regalia shouting "NO! WE WILL NOT LET YOU GO!"

Okay, imagine this: LR launches into a nice madrigal-type song, staccato rhythms, mostly featuring the altos and sopranos, and then suddenly Angelo starts yelling something, and only then do you realize that they're doing "(He's Going) The Distance" by Cake. That would be a fairly hard arrangement, but the coolness would be intense, especially if you can work in audience participation (ie. "...she's all alone (ALL ALONE!) all alone in her time of need....")

I would enjoy a return to the older musical forms. Probably my favorite Lager Rhythms piece is the Gaudete. I like the novelty songs, but one of LR's best characteristics is that you're excellent musicians as well as goofy people. I like the songs that showcase your versatility of form.