Human Again!

This past Saturday night, me and my friends got to go down to the Gateway mall and watch Beauty and the Beast 3D!

I actually thought that going to watch a classic Disney movie in 3D was just a cheap way to make me spend $10.25 on a movie, but there was that Tangled short before it, so I had to go. In reality, I loved it in 3D! All the lines and the songs were the same, but visually it felt like I was watching a completely different movie.

When Disney released the extended version of Beauty and the Beast, they included a song that had originally been cut from the first release. After watching the extend version, I fell in love with that song, and it is one of my favorites.

Here is Beauty and the Beast's "Human Again!"

Sonata 13 "Scherzo"

Beethoven evidently thought that 6/8 was a laughing matter, because so many of his 6/8-sounding movements are scherzos, which I think is Italian for "joke." I also find it amusing that a lot of these 6/8 movements don't seem very funny to me - they are beautiful and very serious and full of grandeur. This is one that is pretty dramatic in parts, so I hope that you enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Nikolai!

So we all know that little tune.

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Nikolai,

Happy Birthday to you! 

Admit it, you just sang that. 

Today is my little nephew's Birthday! My sister and fellow 6/8 society author had her little boy at 6:40 this morning, and they are currently doing very well at the hospital. I got to head over there and meet the little guy, and boy, is he cute.

In honor of his first day in the world, I found this lovely rendition of the old tune that we all know. Although this song is traditionally sung in 3/4, this rendition has a 6/8 version in it. 

Happy Birthday Nikolai! 

"But Technicolor Pachyderms are Really Too Much for Me!"

I'm sure you all remember the reason why the Disney production "Dumbo" should have been rated at least PG-13. About mid-way through the movie, after the scene set to "Baby Mine" in which Dumbo is only temporarily reunited with his quarantined mother, Dumbo and his mouse companion are subject to the most interesting hallucinations while under the influence of alcohol. The following sequence in 6/8 (which has been stuck in my head all day) reveals the effects of intoxication - they should really use this video in all the "TRUTH" anti-drug commercials:

Alas

Friends, I hate to say it, but I really wish I weren't posting today.  

I wish I were having a baby instead.

Our little boy is two days late and I have been going out of my mind trying to keep myself busy while I wait to go into labor! 

One thing I've done is played a whoooole lot of Mario Kart Wii.  

You can only guess how surprised I was as I was racing the Peach Gardens course, only to realize that the background music is in 6/8! It's everywhere! 

Have a listen:

And here's to hoping that next week I have a little baby in my arms! 

In short, My Process

So after picking out an amazing song to post about today, I'd though I'd like to tell you a little bit about my relationship with 6/8 outside of this bog.

So here, go ahead and listen to the song I have picked out, Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie.

By the way this is such an amazing music video.

I'd have to pinpoint my relationship with 6/8 when I first saw my sister and brother in law dance at their wedding reception. It can be found here. 

Later, as my friendship with the most darling Robyn grew, we decided that both of us would like to learn to waltz. So one evening we taught each other how to waltz in her home, listening to some amazing 3/4 and 6/8 music. We got as far as teaching our selves the 6 point turn, and enjoyed it so much. 

Alas, I could find no photo of me and Robyn, but here is myself with Ashley! 

After I moved to Utah, I suddenly discovered that ever one in my school already knew how to waltz. Feeling incredibly behind, I decided to join my school's swing dance club. It is tons of fun, even if I'm not terribly good at it. Well after I began writing for this blog, I suddenly became entranced by all music in 6/8. Because of this, I decided through the power of youtube instructional videos that I was going to teach myself the Viennese waltz. And eventually I did! With the help of my good friend Andrea, we became masters of that dance. 

Swing Club! (And I'm even in the background of this photo!) 

And I've been in love with 6/8 ever since! Even today, at swing club we played my play list of 6/8 songs so that I could help instruct people in the Viennese waltz. 

Ta ta you beautiful people!

"Red"

Here is a sad but pretty, little song called "Red" by the Okkervil River band. I don't know how my mother came across this band, but for a while, I would listen to "Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See" (the name of the only album of theirs that I've ever heard) every night to go to sleep. This is the first song on the album and, quite possibly, the only one in 6/8. Enjoy.

A day or so late..... Maybe it's not so bad.

Sorrrryyyy!! I had to work yesterday, and despite the fact that I have had my song for this week choose since last Wednesday, I forgot to post. Yowzas.

One of my particularly favorite memories from my Middle School years is oddly enough watching my sisters watch their chic flic movies. Honestly I find them rather drawn out and single subject oriented, but the are cute little movies.

One of them my sister and mom liked in particular was Amanda Bynes' What a Girl Wants.
It takes place in England, where she finds out she is the daughter of a British Lord, and she attends numerous fancy balls blady blady bla.

She is also in love with this British musician, who happens to play at or work at every single one of these events. What a coincidence. One of the songs he plays is called "Long time Coming" by Oliver James.

6/8, oh yes.

"I'm Just Sitting Here, Waiting for You"

I've only ever heard a few songs by Ms. Norah Jones, but this was the first one that I heard, in a slow dancing scene from "Love, Actually," which is an interesting film. The song itself has a very mellow, jazzy feel to it, and though the lyrics are a little cheesy, I like her voice quite a bit. Enjoy the 6/8 loveliness, everyone!

A new year and new experiences

Do you have any big new plans for this year? Are you graduating?  Are you planning a big trip? Getting married? Finally writing that novel? Trying something new?  

As for me, I'm going to become a mother.  Our little Nikolai is due almost any day now and to keep from getting anxious, I'm distracting myself with homework, crafting, and soothing music. 

Bon Iver is exactly my kind of soothing.  It's got a kind of husky, mellow voice and haunting accompaniment that fits perfectly with 6/8.  

Here's Michicant, friends.  Have a listen, and relax with me. 

In the night, where I live.

Currently, it is 41 degrees out side my window, and as you can imagine, I am craving summer heat. And humidity, but that is another story.

This is one of the least snowiest winters Utah has seen for a long time, and I have been very greatful for that. But gosh dang it, I miss summer!

One song that really reminds me of driving home from a friend's house on a warm Carolinian summer night is "I got" by Young the Giant. I listened to this song with my windows down, and the warm summer air flowing though my car, as the music blasted out of my speakers.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful 6/8 song of summer, I Got.