tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15496953662913483562024-03-05T12:08:16.344-06:00Now Whatcha Playin?A hand-picked selection of great and interesting music, videos, and hot information. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-21011764005358715582015-12-19T08:26:00.001-06:002015-12-19T08:30:34.143-06:00The Biggest Selling and Most Popular Song of All Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCm8HXNcdfWGVAWpVNov9j0DEk4RhwXgtfHx1fAhXx2P8jEv9js3tjGW101gGGdNSbewZ-MWNFUYujodOn7dWp7GxoN3HqXnfslkvZ1yKYZcMfP0utlB93seotyozerd0ANNSOjMYZbH-2/s1600/Christmas+Fun+200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCm8HXNcdfWGVAWpVNov9j0DEk4RhwXgtfHx1fAhXx2P8jEv9js3tjGW101gGGdNSbewZ-MWNFUYujodOn7dWp7GxoN3HqXnfslkvZ1yKYZcMfP0utlB93seotyozerd0ANNSOjMYZbH-2/s320/Christmas+Fun+200.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The Biggest Selling and Most Popular Song of All Time.</span></i></b><br />
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It's amazing to see what The Biggest Selling and Most Popular Song of All Time was. Was it a love song? Sort of. Was it a sad song? Not really. Was it a fast song? No way, Jose. Was it a hip hop song? Thankfully not.<br />
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As a matter of fact the song writer and the artist that sang it may not even been knowon to anyone born after the year 2000 yet they hear this song all the time EVERY YEAR.<br />
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The best selling song sold over 50 million copies - and we're not including digital downloads - by an artist born in the early twentieth century who sold over 1.5 billion records. He sold more than Elvis and the Beatles combined and he was not a rock n roller.<br />
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He is Bing Crosby and the song is "<i><b>White Christmas</b></i>". The composer was the great Irving Berlin, himself Jewish and not Christian.<br />
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Yes, the all time best selling song of all time is a Christmas song and it is doubtful any song would ever topple it. Interestingly enough, the number 3 song is "<i><b>Silent Night</b></i>" by Bing as well.<br />
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There's no need to go into the enough power of either of theses two songs, or the artistry or the ingenuity or the lyrics or images the songs conjure up.<br />
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But because it is Christmas, I want to further share these two wonderful songs.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KtNv1EihVB0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KtNv1EihVB0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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I love the choral singers as well as Bing's beautiful whistling. May all your Christmases be white!</div>
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More on this song: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Christmas_(song)" target="_blank">White Christmas.</a> Be sure to support Wikipedia.</div>
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Here is Silent Night - the most popular religious song about the Birth of Our Lord. This song was not written by Irving Berlin, BTW, but by a Catholic priest. This recording of "Silent Night" is not the complete song as it was written but the version bought by most people around the globe.</div>
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More about this song <a href="http://silentnight.web.za/history/" target="_blank">Silent Night</a>.</div>
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<b>THANK YOU all for a wonderful year. </b></div>
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<b>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwrN13dm9r3XEDP0r-wk6U2EpgI_N0G2CeEWtnn5jzZcHCZYG4pEF55ZUUwTXOw9O47gxlZ-8VVUbJDxh6bycxDA0c1oPsK5rCRd6fKWHMXwq1Kz0bLygmzogX8UYlkoBRnq372gsJun6/s1600/Merry+Christmas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwrN13dm9r3XEDP0r-wk6U2EpgI_N0G2CeEWtnn5jzZcHCZYG4pEF55ZUUwTXOw9O47gxlZ-8VVUbJDxh6bycxDA0c1oPsK5rCRd6fKWHMXwq1Kz0bLygmzogX8UYlkoBRnq372gsJun6/s400/Merry+Christmas+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Aachen_Domschatz_Bueste1.jpg/220px-Aachen_Domschatz_Bueste1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Aachen_Domschatz_Bueste1.jpg/220px-Aachen_Domschatz_Bueste1.jpg" title="Mask reliquary of King Charlemagne" width="219" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">A Classic 80's Pop Rock Song</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Adapted for an Action hero of the 8th Century</span></b><br />
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Hey kids! I want to share with you a classic 80's rock song about an historical figure you public school students <i>ain't never learnt about</i>: Charlemagne (king of the Holy Roman Empire).<br />
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If you want to learn more about this great man, go to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> or something.<br />
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Now I bet you Steely Dan fans thought I was talking about "<b>Kid Charlemagne</b>". Sorry, although I love the Dan's song, this song is about a real action hero of the 8th Century.
And yes, it's really a take on Blondie's "<b>Call Me</b>." Her music is good enough to be used for this monumental figure of human history.<br />
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Check it out and listen to the lyrics and learn something about history.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cTTaVnZyG2g/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cTTaVnZyG2g?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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I got a hold of the video through <a href="http://the-american-catholic.com/2015/11/13/charles-martel-aid-us/" target="_blank">American Catholic</a> reading about Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and one of my dear ancestors.<br />
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Another song about an historical figure by yours truly: <b><a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/roblattinmusic/song/24251053-cortez-2015-remix" target="_blank">Cortez</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's the "Age of Heroes</b>."<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaXPZgMoJNknBua1gjTX3PkZ6mpWI8VdsX1vg7griKRI4bWUxR_lTYY52WejeLtQlOa3WZyH9S_Ed6D34b6yImp9one6kAwbNh4jspj_074LAqH8vZ9hBKAovvZNNQdEYyd7NgdKYS_do/s1600/meerkat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mirrorkats profile page https://www.reverbnation.com/mirrorkats" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaXPZgMoJNknBua1gjTX3PkZ6mpWI8VdsX1vg7griKRI4bWUxR_lTYY52WejeLtQlOa3WZyH9S_Ed6D34b6yImp9one6kAwbNh4jspj_074LAqH8vZ9hBKAovvZNNQdEYyd7NgdKYS_do/s320/meerkat2.jpg" title="Age of Heroes at https://www.reverbnation.com/mirrorkats" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>These 2 Mirrorkats play a mean guitar</b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I come across so much music that it spins my head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah, but every now and then I find a gem, something fresh, and something surprising.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This post is different. Instead of me yammering about a group of young talented musicians, I'll just get out of the way and let you tune in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you like them, support them and become a fan and perhaps leave a kind message on their Reverbnation page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the <b>Mirrorkats</b>, direct from Chicago, with their first hit, <b>Age of Heroes</b>.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="390" scrolling="no" src="https://www.reverbnation.com/widget_code/html_widget/artist_3418417?widget_id=55&pwc[included_songs]=1&context_type=page_object&id_unique=artist_3418417&spoid=artist_3377912&pwc[color]=blackwhite&pwc[branded]=1" style="max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 0px;" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Influenced by</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.davidbowie.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">David Bowie</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ledzeppelin" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Led Zeppelin</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thirtysecondstomars/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">30 Seconds to Mars</span></a><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Red Hot Chili Peppers</span></a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/butterflyb" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Butterfly Boucher</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Check them out at <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/mirrorkats#" target="_blank">The Mirrorkats on Reverbnation</a></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-41467049371223059712015-07-31T13:30:00.000-05:002015-07-31T18:43:23.488-05:00TOP 5 Song Hits July 31, 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kKXU7auZOUxoh9Bg3ijRyoe2gxCdup88jcHBNKB42kGuNHkCdLQQH7XjTSTgfScZYj3F4jFJTJgOZPspPaBapbNfqlNEjIychgbz9SpMbuL9QTIEVxJEBdNK9drtBAFHqLegb_wF_25U/s1600/Top+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top 5 Hit Songs ending week of July 31, 2015" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kKXU7auZOUxoh9Bg3ijRyoe2gxCdup88jcHBNKB42kGuNHkCdLQQH7XjTSTgfScZYj3F4jFJTJgOZPspPaBapbNfqlNEjIychgbz9SpMbuL9QTIEVxJEBdNK9drtBAFHqLegb_wF_25U/s200/Top+5.JPG" title="Top 5 Song Hits for Week of July 31, 2015" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>TOP 5 Song Hits<br />July 31, 2015</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>For the week ending Friday July 31, 2015</b><br />
By Rob Lattin<br />
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Yes there were some glitches such as slow loading of Reverb songs. I am working on a way to make it faster so you can hear the <b>Top 5 Songs</b> that currently are not on the radio but well loved by music followers worldwide.<br />
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A would first like to note that ever since AM radio had Top 40 hits and Billboards Top 100 that everyone wanted to get on the list as it increased exposure and revenue, not just for the artists but also for the record companies, and ancilarily, to radio stations.<br />
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What I like about the old top 40 layout back in the day was that it was not limited to one single genre. What I hear on radio of "top hits" is generally all the same genre and aimed at girls between the ages of 14 and 24.<br />
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In olden tymes, AM top 40 had crossover music. For instance at <i>Super CFL</i> or old <b><i>WLS</i></b> in Chicago, you would have Billy Preston's "<b>Outta Space</b>" an instrumental fighting its way to the top with Emerson Lake and Palmer's "<b>From the Beginning</b>". Then you had Chicago's "<b>Saturday in the Park"</b> going up against such songs as Vicki Lawrence's "<b>Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia"</b>, Glen Campbell's "<b>Rhinestone Cowbo</b>y", Deep Purples "<b>Smoke on the Water"</b>, Grand Funk's "<b>Rock N Roll Soul</b>", "<b>Motorcycle Mama</b>" by Sailcat,<b> "Rocket Man"</b> by Elton John, Michael Jackson doing "<b>I Wanna Be Where You Are</b>", The Temptations epic song "<b>Papa Was A Rollin Stone</b>", and Rick Springfield's "<b>Speak to the Sky</b>".<br />
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Talk about variety!<br />
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So what's your point Robert?? Well, dear grasshopper, my <b>Top 5 Hits</b> (or aptly, should be hits) run the gamut of genres. I will include instrumentals, live tracks, alternate versions, metal, rock, blues, pop, folk. But being the man who edits this I will not allow anything objectionable.<br />
By the way, I do not get paid for selecting any of these songs so if you find a song completely repulsive, let me know and I will handle it with utmost care.<br />
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Between my staff and others who rated last weeks five songs, as well as based on their fans comments the following song has become this weeks number 1:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">TOP 5 Songs for Week 1 July 31, 2015</span></b> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">#1</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></span><span style="color: yellow;">From London Suzanne Cooke’s “My Dream”</span></b></div>
<div class="widget_iframe" style="border: 0; display: inline-block; height: 104px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%;">
<iframe class="widget_iframe" frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.reverbnation.com/widget_code/html_widget/artist_2336315?widget_id=50&posted_by=artist_3377912&pwc[design]=default&pwc[background_color]=%23333333&pwc[included_songs]=0&pwc[song_ids]=13751750&pwc[photo]=0%2C1&pwc[size]=fit" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">Here are the next four songs and a runner up.</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">#2</span><span style="color: yellow;"> Standby from Danbury Ct with “Watch Your Step"</span></b><span style="color: red;">”
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<iframe class="widget_iframe" frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.reverbnation.com/widget_code/html_widget/artist_624489?widget_id=50&posted_by=artist_3377912&pwc[design]=default&pwc[background_color]=%23333333&pwc[included_songs]=0&pwc[song_ids]=17065046&pwc[photo]=0%2C1&pwc[size]=fit" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">#3</span> </b><b><span style="color: yellow;">Noise Floor from Hamilton Ontario with “In Waiting"</span></b><br />
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<iframe class="widget_iframe" frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.reverbnation.com/widget_code/html_widget/artist_3216825?widget_id=50&posted_by=artist_3377912&pwc[design]=default&pwc[background_color]=%23333333&pwc[included_songs]=0&pwc[song_ids]=22227113&pwc[photo]=0%2C1&pwc[size]=fit" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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<i><b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Here are the links for #4, #5 and the runner up:</span></u></b></i><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">#4</span> </b><b><span style="color: yellow;">From Palm Springs CA - Wild Sons crowd pick</span></b><b style="color: red;"> <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/wearewildsons/song/23483472-supernova" target="_blank">Super Nova </a></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">#5</span> </b><b><span style="color: yellow;">Ashlynne Vince from Ontario</span></b><b style="color: red;"> <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/ashlynnevince5/song/23503284-hold-on-to-love" target="_blank">Hold On To Love</a></b><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">#6 Runner Up</span> </b><b><span style="color: yellow;">from Chatanooga Tenessee is Plvnet</span></b><b style="color: red;"> <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/plvnet/song/23546683-street-lights-single" target="_blank">Street Lights</a></b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-30300746943212942512015-07-24T17:42:00.001-05:002015-07-24T17:42:31.623-05:00Top 5 Hits July 24, 2015 by Rob Lattin<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kKXU7auZOUxoh9Bg3ijRyoe2gxCdup88jcHBNKB42kGuNHkCdLQQH7XjTSTgfScZYj3F4jFJTJgOZPspPaBapbNfqlNEjIychgbz9SpMbuL9QTIEVxJEBdNK9drtBAFHqLegb_wF_25U/s1600/Top+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top 5 Hit Songs ending week of July 24, 2015" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kKXU7auZOUxoh9Bg3ijRyoe2gxCdup88jcHBNKB42kGuNHkCdLQQH7XjTSTgfScZYj3F4jFJTJgOZPspPaBapbNfqlNEjIychgbz9SpMbuL9QTIEVxJEBdNK9drtBAFHqLegb_wF_25U/s200/Top+5.JPG" title="Top 5 Song Hits for Week of July 24, 2015" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>TOP 5 Song Hits<br />July 24, 2015</b></span></td></tr>
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For the week ending Friday July 24, 2015<br />
By Rob Lattin<br />
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Every now and then I write about classic rock bands I love or share links about them such as <a href="http://whatcha-playin.blogspot.com/2015/05/pioneer-of-rap-music-obscure-rap-song.html" target="_blank">Paul Revere,</a> Robert Lamm, the Ides of March, etc. Then I also write a bit about talent on the rise such as Bat Eats Moth (upcoming article) and <a href="http://whatcha-playin.blogspot.com/2015/07/great-prog-rock-for-new-millenium-noise.html" target="_blank">Noise Floor</a> and others.<br />
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Well, I thought it high time to post a list of my TOP 5 songs from different musicians around the world. These are songs I feel worthy of radio and TV airplay and a lot better than junk like Lady Gaga, Megan Trainer, One Direction, and (yuck) Miley Cyrus.<br />
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I post these in no particular order but I need your input. Tell me just which one you like best and that will become the official number one. I will also be gathering tallies from people I run into at clubs downtown when given the chance as well as my staff.
If no one gives a suggestion, I will select the official number 1 and add 5 new songs next week.
There will then be 6 songs posted, with number 6 considered a runner up in the Top 5. We'll see how long this experiment, if you would, lasts.<br />
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Comment below on your favorite one below.<br />
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So without further ado, here are my<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">TOP 5 Songs for Week 1 July 24, 2015</span></b> </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">From the UK
“One Last Time” by Feud</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">From London Suzanne Cooke’s “My Dream”
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Standby from Danbury Ct with “Watch Your Step"</b>”
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<b><span style="color: red;">"Power" from the Memphis Rain Band of Bellingham WA
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<b><span style="color: red;">And finally a nice modern psychedelic ditty by Jeff the "Woodsman" of Dearborn Heights Michigan with lovely and tasty ‘Green Ice Cream”.
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Let's see who survives to next week!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtnay2j34TEstowaQQ6D_-Mf2g1ZTPnOTgZU169c9I3zHDdnRK_etNh1c0Pahwn9P8Fwh_uGwddNg0x-1QZMrua76VcX-4Q_LqrJEboGs5ttVGEuv-Rnu4EqeZes6t6sumfPIo_8HYFUN/s1600/blues+man+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtnay2j34TEstowaQQ6D_-Mf2g1ZTPnOTgZU169c9I3zHDdnRK_etNh1c0Pahwn9P8Fwh_uGwddNg0x-1QZMrua76VcX-4Q_LqrJEboGs5ttVGEuv-Rnu4EqeZes6t6sumfPIo_8HYFUN/s1600/blues+man+2.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Obscure Rap Song on a 1967 Christmas Album?</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wow, Rap Music Inspired by a White 60's Rock Band, or Rap Formula Created on a Christmas Album?</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As many of my friends and family know, the four types of music I generally do not care for are Country Music, Pop (like Meghan Trainor, Miley Cyrus etc), Death Metal/Screamo, and of course rap music (most, not all.). <i>We all have a disdain for various types of music, don't we?</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Well, to my surprise, while searching for some old music to listen to, I came across a song on a Christmas album from 1967 from one of my favorite 60's bands. This was an obscure album I did not possess. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I was an avid record collector for mucho years and have an extensive library of rock, blues and other music albums. This Christmas album was hard to find so I more or less gave up searching for it. After all, I had been too busy with my own msic and family life and had ceased collecting vinyl years ago.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiLNsDzFz4nptwJ0dEiJJiqVjSffXAc9WEYA5tY_YS-BXe6zjZaV9NZ6a2H2vBaHkm1qU8-ZZyzL9I35y1nqPPmz8OxC8CxFmY0k44kMsxwmDtetesd0bFOEBgJSfaI2ewMQH4Vr5qDcj/s1600/Rap+Text.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiLNsDzFz4nptwJ0dEiJJiqVjSffXAc9WEYA5tY_YS-BXe6zjZaV9NZ6a2H2vBaHkm1qU8-ZZyzL9I35y1nqPPmz8OxC8CxFmY0k44kMsxwmDtetesd0bFOEBgJSfaI2ewMQH4Vr5qDcj/s320/Rap+Text.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When I first listened to this song: "</span><b><i><span style="color: lime;">Rain Sleet or Snow</span></i></b><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">" from the album "</span><span style="color: lime;"><b>A Christmas Present . . . and Past</b></span>" <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I was expecting a <i>Christmas</i> message. Not so much. But I was absolutely floored when I heard this. Here we are in 2015 and the rap formula was being pioneered in 1967 by the legendary 60's rock group</span> <b><span style="color: lime;">Paul Revere and the Raiders</span></b>!<br />
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<i><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">(Hear the song below)</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now, if you never heard of them, you need to go to Wikipedia. Here is the link:</span> <b><span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere_%26_the_Raiders" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">About Paul Revere and The Raiders</span></a>,</span></b> <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">one of the few groups to have several TV shows and a boatload of "pop" hits in the 60's and 70's. Their number one hit </span>"<i><b><span style="color: lime;">Indian Reservation</span></b></i>" <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">1970 outsold any and every single release up to that time and that record was not broken until 1983 with</span><b> <span style="color: lime;">Michael Jackson's "<i>Beat It</i>"</span></b>. <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Paul Revere and the Raiders were the one long-term band that always gave the</span> <span style="color: lime;"><b>Beatle</b>s</span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> and the </span><span style="color: lime;"><b>Beach Boy</b>s</span> <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">a run for their money. But, somehow I digress.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Listen to "</span><b><span style="color: lime;">Rain Sleet or Snow</span></b>" <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">by Paul Revere and the Raiders, featuring</span> <span style="color: lime;"><b>Mark Lindsay</b></span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">. The rap formula we are so used to started here and fell into obscurity.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Note -</b> as a recording artist and composer myself, I immediately knew the secret to Mark Lindsay's compressed vocals. (They did not use excessive compression back in the day, yo.) He sang with a mike pumped through a guitar amp. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Because of this song, I my admiration increased for Paul Revere and the Raiders, and now, MAYBE, I will open up a little to listen to some good rap music - but it has to have a <i>melody</i>, <i>be not angry</i>, and <i>be not vulgar</i>.</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: lime;"><b>Now if you have suggestions for rap songs I need to hear that I MAY like, please leave them in the comments box.</b></span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: lime; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ROCK ON - RAPPERS!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Related Links:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere_%26_the_Raiders" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Paul Revere and the Raiders</span></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Lindsay" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Mark Lindsay</span></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop_music" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Rap and Hip Hop History</span></a></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: lime;">Michael Jackson</span></b></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Thanks to</span> <span style="color: lime;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsrsIUqs8i1Reja-P7nsJw" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">60s70sVintageRock You Tube Channel</span></a> </span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">for posting this awesome song.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: large;">RIP Paul Revere, 1938 - 2014. You were an inspiration!</span></div>
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Being a musician, I come across many types and flavors of bands over the years. Well, folks, I just discovered <b>Great Prog Rock for the New Millenium:</b> <b><i>Noise Floor</i></b>.</div>
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Not screamers, not teeny bopper pop, or little girl fantasy-songs, here's real musicianship. Not sure who their influences are but I hear touches of <b>Yes</b> and <b>Chilliwack</b>.</div>
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The lead singer is <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stewart Turcan who also plays lead guitar. Stewarts voice shows true emotion and sensitivity about what he sings. His voice is a pure blend for some of the guitar fingering with </span><span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dakota Allemang's jazz-tinged bass playing. And drummer Quincy Johnson, keeps a perfect beat </span>without trying to ham it up like John Bonham (RIP). The first tune I heard was "Lilt". What a relief it is to hear this rare kind of music.</div>
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This is from their bio on <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/noisefloorproduction" target="_blank">Reverbnation</a>:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.9999990463257px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">. . . from Hamilton, ON. The trio that makes the band consists of three audio technicians who met during their time perusing higher learning. In the last year they have recorded and mixed their very own first full length album titled, "...And So It Begins". . . .</span><span style="background-color: white;">With dynamic tonal and structural writing styles, Noise Floor seeks to maintain the attention of the audience throughout each song. Their ability to seamlessly interchange between various time signatures while still providing the listener a rhythm they can tap their foot to. Their chemistry on stage gives the audience a sense of how close the three of truly area not only as musicians but the true roots of very close friends.</span></span></div>
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"Time signatures", how many new groups know what that even is? Shows how serious Noise Floor takes their music.<br />
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I then saw their video of a live performance and although the initial acoustics were of the club where they were performing a little irritating (it's live so what do you expect?) the music was clear and moving. The guitar had that retro sound of Emerson Lake and Palmer and other similar monumental bands of the prog rock era. Yet, this stuff is fresh.<br />
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I also noticed Dakota playing an eight string bass. Yeah! His playing is very clean and precise, on not overbearing.<br />
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Here's that live video of their song Sonar:<br />
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Hey it's good, isn't it?<br />
Visit them online and show your support.<br />
Peace.<br />
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<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,ajs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/share-button.js";ajs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,ajs);}}(document, "script", "tumblr-js");</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-53533262932110783442015-07-05T16:02:00.000-05:002015-07-24T13:59:54.368-05:00Blogger VS WordPress Death Match<div style="background-color: #030303; padding: 5px 8px 5px 8px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_Tezciu7DXKpSIjjpIV34T-PSQS5Mvk05pSCrMtkUmGN7H6j_aumkPVjfy3XRQasvVkR9VaueJJxe7CQXHq1qQsl2BTfmQLnXAy4IdGfxn5NnEsFCVbakrv1nk5dLcROreQWRKtyPGUi/s1600/Building+Blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Building a Blog Should be Easier Than This" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_Tezciu7DXKpSIjjpIV34T-PSQS5Mvk05pSCrMtkUmGN7H6j_aumkPVjfy3XRQasvVkR9VaueJJxe7CQXHq1qQsl2BTfmQLnXAy4IdGfxn5NnEsFCVbakrv1nk5dLcROreQWRKtyPGUi/s320/Building+Blog.JPG" title="Blogger VS WordPress Death Match" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Building a blog should be a <br />little easier than this</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Blogger VS WordPress </b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Death Match</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b></b><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">I spent most of my life doing artistic things, actually working as a professional cartoonist, doing design and layout and even drawing charcoal portraits of children. Like many visual artists, I also have a talent for composing music.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">When music and art meet, a true marriage (artistically speaking, of course) occurs. Obviously not all artists are great musicians and not all musicians are great artists. But one does help the other, just like in a marriage.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Yes I've designed album covers before, for local bands as well as my own which shows a kind of conjugal union between art and music. However, I see that there is another medium that joins the two together, and that is blogging.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Many bands use blogs basically for disseminating information. MOST of the time it is dry and boring and many times unnoticed. This is especially from blogs posted on a service site such as <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/" target="_blank">Reverbnation</a> (this is not to dis RN because their site and services are awesome), or blogs connected to band's website. (I'm not going to divulge any names here.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Most musicians see blogs as info setting (like a text or email) or even perhaps as a marketing tool. That's fine and dandy but I want candy! I like to see, beyond information, eye appealing text, illustrations, photos, music players. I want to see color or for emphasis black and white or sepia. I want cake but don't give me stale cake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">I want to see original art, modified art, and borrowed art. I want to see and sense that some thought was put into DESIGNING the blog as well as each and every post.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Listen, how many times do you click on a link for some information and you're whisked away to either a landing page or a blog?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Landing pages are getting old. Most of the information blogs are dry and there's too much pastel. (I can't stand it!!). Boring design makes me bored and then I feel ho-hum about the information.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Nothing exciting there, folks. Off to the next site, or a nap.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">So some add pod casts or a million pictures or way too many links and ad words and ads on top of ads. No concept of design, no experimentation, no real feeling for the reader (or listener).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Give me something that will make the cones and rods in my eyes stand up and take notice. I have done this with color on my <a href="http://fantomphactory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fantom Phactory</b></a> cover (both versions) where the red or blue gyrates naturally in your eyes and even create a sense a 3 D. Don't stare too long or you may start to see things.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>Let's Get Specific</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Now I have to hone in more on blogs, not generally, but at the provider level. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Although many bloggers use <a href="https://wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WordPress</a> and provide some valuable information, the blogs are drab.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">And many who use <a href="https://www.blogger.com/features" target="_blank">Blogger</a> tend to seem either simplistic or non-professional.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">So we know there is ugly on both sides, and there is without a doubt a lot of good information or things valuable on both as well. However, I am tired of getting bored. I am tired of getting hit with paragraphs of keywords. I am tired of ads interfering in the middle of an article I read.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">And I hate pop-ups. These annoying little redheads show their freckled faces just when I was ready to get interested in the post. What a turn off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Enough of my rant. You say that WordPress free does not have ads and that is true. But the dang thing is so boring, no matter what you do to it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Blogger, you can have ads, and that is fine, and Blogger too, because of the writer/creator, can be boring as well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">So let's get to the fight.</span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A Death Match</span></b><span style="color: white;">, if you will. In one corner is free WordPress and in the other corner is free Blogger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: lime;">Round 1. Which is easier?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">for me, hands down, Blogger is easier. Although I have a degree in computer programming, I don't need to jump through hoops to make a well designed. WordPress was a pain in the neck, but Blogger jumps keeps making things easier for me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: lime;">Round 2. Which is more flexible?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">again, WordPress seemed to restricted and restrictive. There's a lot of things you can do on Blogger that would frustrate me if I had to use WordPress. Blogger's connection to You Tube and integration for music is a big plus. Also, I can easily change the blog design, structure, and tone without hassle. I especially like that I can add tabs, modify them and make the blog look like a web page.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: lime;">Round 3. Which offers more?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Since blogger is a part of Google, Blogger has more. Easily integrate charts and forms, and other blogs and gifs and videos and sound and special effects as well as cool apps. Again, maybe you can do that with a paid WordPress, but free WordPress is a times-consuming headache (I don't mean this to hurt anyone's feelings. If you can convince me otherwise, let me know and if true I will retract these words. Amen.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: lime;">Round 4. What about Art and Design?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Ah yes, that brings us full circle, the reason I wrote this. If I want to have a blue pastel site like everyone else, on Blogger I can. Then I can add blood dripping from the top. And I can add a woman's scream to play every 10 seconds. I can turn this drab blog into a slasher-film type blog to make your skin crawl. WordPress, sorry - I don't see that happening. Text, images, sounds, movement, and <span style="background-color: red;"><b>COLOR</b></span>. This is what I enjoy using and Blogger makes it possible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgXzDdqtlLsBGnPW-kWimqcMSm1Zw5LVy9CGF29sgk_EztkEoSqqgkBGiKfWY1uoltjatyi9DbBBBOeMI9MAWkCAwlLhOmq7QVnrWngUp0fk4PHrBrw-V03r9dLjIV_maJA_0rGRVSOIT/s1600/Blogger+Wins+It.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blogger Wins the Design and Ease Death Match with Word Press" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgXzDdqtlLsBGnPW-kWimqcMSm1Zw5LVy9CGF29sgk_EztkEoSqqgkBGiKfWY1uoltjatyi9DbBBBOeMI9MAWkCAwlLhOmq7QVnrWngUp0fk4PHrBrw-V03r9dLjIV_maJA_0rGRVSOIT/s320/Blogger+Wins+It.JPG" title="Blog Death Match Winner Between Blogger and Word Press" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: small;">'Twas a tough battle</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: lime;">Ding Ding Ding</span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: lime;">The Winner is . . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Blogger.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">When you do research on blogs take note of the best and most creative ones. Skip raw information for now (Remember there is a lot of good data out there and ugly blogs and websites). Make note of the cool ones. Comment to the owner that the art or design is excellent and ask them what platform they use. Most would be from Blogger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">Not all of you are artists, so if your blog looks like whatever, that's OK. I am also not saying that Blogger is perfect because there are areas that do need improvement, but right now when it comes down to choosing Blogger VS WordPress, I continue to choose Blogger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">To be fair, here are other reviews on Blogger versus WordPress. Remember, my opinion is that of an artist and musician, not a dispenser of dry information.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><b>Related links:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/blogger-vs-%20%20wordpress-comparision/" target="_blank">Blogger VS WordPress</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.wpbeginner.com/opinion/wordpres%20%20s-vs-blogger-which-one-is-better-pros-%20%20and-cons/" target="_blank">WordPress vs. Blogger – Which one is Better? (Pros and Cons)</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/resource%20%20s/wordpress-vs-blogger" target="_blank">WordPress vs. Blogger — The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">This blog was an experimental blog and it changes frequently, but if you want to see my Super Blog then click</span> <a href="http://roblattinmusic.blogspot.com/2015/05/new-song-release-day-of-dark-shadows.html" target="_blank">Rob Lattin Music</a> <span style="color: white;">just to see a simple heading but some excellent use of color and design. Check out some of the tune as well. I used to have fireworks as well as snowflakes in the background just for fun. I decided that the fireworks made the blog TOO EXCITING, and settled on the snowflakes to give an interesting appeal to the overall blog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">If you are reading this a year from now past the original post, my Super Blog may have changed - check it out any way. (It's like I'm speaking in a time machine - Wow!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">I am not against simple, btw. My new site </span><a href="http://songsaboutlovelifedeath.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Songs About</a> <span style="color: white;">thrives on simplicity and the purpose is to drive the reader to become a listener to the tune. We must all keep our purposes in mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><i>Other blogs to discover and get ideas*:</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/" target="_blank">Dark Roasted Blend</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/" target="_blank">Creative Minority Report</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://darkshadowsnews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dark Shadows Newspage</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://livingwithatoycollector.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Living With A Toy Collector</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://urbansketchers-chicago.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Urban Sketchers</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://southportcorridorchicago.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Southport Corridor Chicago</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://crimeinchicago.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crime In Chicago</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://illustrationart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Illustration Art</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://my-museum-of-art.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Art Blog</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://iamafoodblog.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Food Blog</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://siriouslydelicious.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Siriously Delicious</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://musicformaniacs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Music for Maniacs</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://music-favourites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Music Favourites</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://musicofsixties.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Music Archive</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://musicaggregator.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Music Blogtrotter</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://womenofhistory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Women of History</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://ghostnotes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ghost Notes</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: white;">* If you want to know why I chose these samples, contact me.</span></i><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
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<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,ajs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/share-button.js";ajs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,ajs);}}(document, "script", "tumblr-js");</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-30254227780860937302015-05-16T10:51:00.001-05:002015-07-24T14:00:37.337-05:00Recommended Musix: Hard Life by Danny Vash and Nite Wolf<a href="http://gp1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/802892/production_public/Artist/1555153/image/small/1428224643_wolfcov2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gp1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/802892/production_public/Artist/1555153/image/small/1428224643_wolfcov2.jpg" /></a><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b>It's a Hard Life, Baby</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: yellow;">Hey, as an avid music collector, I am in search of new music that doesn't follow the "American Idol" or pop radio trend. </span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: yellow;">I look for great hard rock and roll and it's tough to find. However, I found a gem on <b><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/dannyvashandnitewolf" target="_blank">Reverbnation</a>.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: yellow;">It's "<b>Hard Life</b>" by Danny Vash and Nite Wolf.</span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: yellow;">Great vocals - great bass, </span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;">great guitar </span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;">and great drums. </span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: yellow;">And it's an especially good recording, too. </span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;">The video is below. Check them out on <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/dannyvashandnitewolf" target="_blank"><b>Reverbnation</b></a> and become a fan - I did.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B6CNr0g7bWU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B6CNr0g7bWU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><i><b>Thanks to Danny Mike and Bill!</b></i></span></div>
<br />
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<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,ajs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/share-button.js";ajs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,ajs);}}(document, "script", "tumblr-js");</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-30899152135603974172014-12-15T15:00:00.000-06:002015-07-24T14:01:56.390-05:00My Three Monster Rockin' Harley Cruisin' Songs<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/dam/h-d/images/h-d1-customization/img-landing-article-feature-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/dam/h-d/images/h-d1-customization/img-landing-article-feature-2.jpg" height="109" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Heavy Metal Harley!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>Now Whatcha RIDIN'? and Now Whatcha Playin'?</b> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;">I'm playing three of my favorite songs which are PERFECT for cruising on a Harley. Before I get into it, I want to mention that the following songs can and shold be adapted for bikers:</span></span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><i>No Holds Barred</i> - Ted Nugent</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><i>Highway Star</i> - Deep Purple</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><i>Low Rider</i> - War</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><i>Legs</i> - Z Z Topp</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><i>Movin' On</i> - Bad Company</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Just adjust the lyrics a bit to appeal to bikers worldwide, that's all.</span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>Number One</b>, never to be topped is . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Yes, <b>Steppenwolf</b>'s MONSTER anthem:<b><i> Born To Be Wild.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">And second on my list is this song which is so exhilirating that you have drive or fly! Perfect for Hog owners!</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>Number Two . . . </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Maybe their music is more for musle cars but <b>Deep Purple's</b> <i><b>Space Truckin'</b></i> seems to fit the feeling of flying on a Harley through the Milky Way. (If only . . . ahhh)</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VmB1b087qVQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>Number Three . . . </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Then I made my own Harley tune and I can't stop listening to it either. </span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b><i>Heavy Metal Harley</i></b> by Rob Lattin Music - YEAH!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Here it is:</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;"><iframe frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/181621281&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="48%"></iframe>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>ENJOY!</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_medium/10/108995/2181893-the_robot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_medium/10/108995/2181893-the_robot.jpg" height="200" width="122" /></a><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a great video I discovered on You Tube from a tribute to the late Bob May (the Robot from TV's classic show <b>Lost In Space</b>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: lime;">I like this very much as you get to see Bob May and the Robot. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In this tribute, the Robot sings and engages in banter with Bob.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: lime;">There is also a little show at the end of this video. The dialogue is between a robotic Dr Smith and the Robot and it is excellent. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The voice impersonations are excellent and the adding of the music just tops it off.</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;"> related links: </span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://fantomphactory.blogspot.com/2015/07/revenge-of-robot-son-of-robot-released.html" target="_blank">Revenge of the Robot</a></span><br />
<a href="http://whatcha-playin.blogspot.com/2009/08/scary-hip-dance-music.html" target="_blank">Can You Robot Dance?</a><br />
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<b>I Robot, You Robot We All Robot</b>
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Although this is not music based I just had to share it.
<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=351095728377452" data-width="466"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=351095728377452">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/latierraysuscuriosidades">Mis Curiosidades</a>.</div></div>
That is unreal, isn't it?
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With this one you can hear the full songs, not just 30 second clips.
The songs are awesome, are they not?!!!!
Play them and SHARE them.
<iframe name="full" style="width:100%;height:520px;border:0px;" src="http://widget.cdbaby.com/db49da28-182b-4bab-ba22-61e16ca871eb/full/dark/opaque"></iframe>
I've added a tab at the top so you click on it and you can pick and listen to whichever song you like. I bet I know which one the girls love!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-86518732728060421752014-11-29T21:50:00.000-06:002015-07-24T14:03:36.832-05:00Cannibal Bar-B-Que<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewtTyO1sV5P1GsOazKsKPlcut7fTB5qVCD9EfpTWpDY9dJsJdc_9ku2Z8SvcQkfkpoxI3nApytw9ncXoGediEDCppu9H33BfUG0DvcTilHXp_wlnutUA-RXIF3x__dPGoIcrBbMS3e2Ov/s1600/Cannibals+bw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewtTyO1sV5P1GsOazKsKPlcut7fTB5qVCD9EfpTWpDY9dJsJdc_9ku2Z8SvcQkfkpoxI3nApytw9ncXoGediEDCppu9H33BfUG0DvcTilHXp_wlnutUA-RXIF3x__dPGoIcrBbMS3e2Ov/s1600/Cannibals+bw.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Has anyone seen my wife???!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's an oldie from 2009. Yes my wife and I were invited to a bar-b-que at the Kennibles. Naw, not really, just joking around. So Listen to this song.</span><br />
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Dinner At-The Kannibles
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/94070727&color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLm97Lwif7PBqib5suu53I5SHDTWlj4QlEerEVQ2gRrd65yrqOROtzNSAPpUF1p1T6Z1JE9FpTa1jEotjSMuT7w4pj8d3G0ju71VukaEqrJYdxxZ6s_pYt5XtcFJ8s4UkPC4chBuepfvt/s1600/Birth+Cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLm97Lwif7PBqib5suu53I5SHDTWlj4QlEerEVQ2gRrd65yrqOROtzNSAPpUF1p1T6Z1JE9FpTa1jEotjSMuT7w4pj8d3G0ju71VukaEqrJYdxxZ6s_pYt5XtcFJ8s4UkPC4chBuepfvt/s1600/Birth+Cover.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><b>Here's what I've been playing (recording and mixing) for the past week</b></i>.<br />
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<span style="color: #d9ead3;">Last year I posted a demo version of one of my Chrstmas songs, "This Is The Birth" to see what people thought. I was shared a little late in the season so I didn't get much feedback. The feedback I did get was pretty good so I decided to finish the song and round it out.</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">It will be officially released December 2 on CD Baby as MP.3. IN the meantime I want to give you a preview of it. The offical CD Baby description of the song stats as follows:</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Here is a simple song about the birth of Christ, described simply from almost a child's point of view. This song can be considered an "unfolding" of the life of Christ and his mission. Musically it's a folk/jazz backdrop with some rock-ish guitar solo. Not melancholy, but moody, almost like feeling the awe of first seeing the child and his mother. </span></i></blockquote>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Well, you know Christmas songs are usually meant to explain the Nativity narrative of Jesus Christ in song. One thing that is common with most Chrstmas songs is that they are written in major key. (most, but not all.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">This song is not in a traditional major key. The chords are mostly major sevenths because they have that bell-like quality. I puposely avoided using the over-used Christmas or jingle bell sound. Something can sound like Chrstmas without jingle bells. Refer to Frank Sinatra songs for proof, who was a master at singing a song and emoting it to sound like Christmas.</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">My vocal style is a little subdued and the original had a Rod Stewart type quality to it. This final version has new vocals which is my unique sound. I had to refrain from singing too deep and tried to get a nice mid range quality to it. It's not perfect, but hey, I'm a composer not a full-fledged Amercian Idol singer. Duh!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I listened to the final just a few minutes ago and yes, now I see my Robin Trower influence. I'm more or less referring to his acoustic and light electric styles, as well as tempo. The man is phenominal and I've learned a lot from his songs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Enough talk!</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Here is This Is The Birth . . .</span><br />
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<a href="https://soundcloud.com/rob-lattin-music/this-is-%20%20the-birth-20141128mp3" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">This Is The Birth . . . by Rob Lattin Music</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-2880614959330207112014-11-21T00:08:00.000-06:002015-07-24T14:04:20.238-05:00Fire of Love Available on CD Baby NOW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3t2xPzHx0cIm-srf6q7qfX4qTemV3Ap1uW-JY-8NyXo4VmK9-Dgi266aFBDfmI-Pj-Rt3Anv9Y49-MJ2bPjHaV74h_6G4icAUQjcdiBfatpX-wdKayvQOuKaFen_hvXjq0h99HAo9Kc/s1600/face+sonic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3t2xPzHx0cIm-srf6q7qfX4qTemV3Ap1uW-JY-8NyXo4VmK9-Dgi266aFBDfmI-Pj-Rt3Anv9Y49-MJ2bPjHaV74h_6G4icAUQjcdiBfatpX-wdKayvQOuKaFen_hvXjq0h99HAo9Kc/s1600/face+sonic.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rock N Roll Baby! FINALLY!</span></b><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The album I've been telling you about is available NOW at CD Baby and soon at iTunes and elsewhere. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's entitled "<b>Fire of Love</b>" and has many of the songs I let you preview in their demo forms now complete and ready to bring you into pure listening pleasure.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enough of the hype! What's on this album?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This 9 song work of love opens with 'The Gate To The Sonic Dimension" Classic rock and progressive rock meets on this song. Press play and close your eyes and you will soon visualize yourself travelling through time and space and quickly break through the gate-barrier of this reality into a groovy dimension. The Sonic Dimension.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, next comes my "<b>Happy Dude</b>" song. Crank it up, be positive, and rock on. I has that Detroit edginess and some nice fingerwork to dazzle you.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enough of the hype already! (Sorry, I'm just too excited about this.)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Other songs include<b> Heavy Metal Harley</b>, <b>The Rescue</b> (an instrumental), <b>Cortez</b>, and the title track <b>Fire of Love </b>(9 minutes of sound starting in the jungle through searing guitar leads, ethereal vocals, and bass interludes.)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To hear snippets and to order go to<b> <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/roblattinmusic" target="_blank">CD Baby</a></b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't forget to check out <b>Shenanigans</b> (also on <b>Fire of Love</b>) my tribute to the <u>Three Stooges</u> on <a href="http://youtu.be/tIr7rJEPdz0" target="_blank"><b>You Tube</b></a>.</span></span><br />
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<b>Guest Bloggers Wanted - Blues, Jazz, Rock, And More</b></h2>
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Getting very busy with so many things on the table that I must resort to looking outside the box to find quality writers for my blogs.<br />
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If you know anything about the blues, then go to<b> <a href="http://guest%20bloggers%20wanted%20-%20blues%2C%20jazz%2C%20rock%2C%20and%20more/" target="_blank">Chicago Blues Blog A Zine</a></b> and read about article submission and conditions. The pay-off is in marketing exposure and the ability to sell your wares or generate a social buzz. You need not be a musician, but most definitely a lover of music.<br />
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You can write about "how to play the blues", what is the best blues harmonica or organ. Here are more suggestions:<br />
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Biography of great bluesmen, British Bluesman like Alexis Korner, the early blues of Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, acoustic or delta blues, Joe Bonamossa, Hendrix, Catfish Hodge, Elvin Bishop, early Steve Miller, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Big Joe Williams.<br />
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I need articles to be ready monthly so I appreciate the help.<br />
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NOW, if you know anything about jazz, then go to<b> <a href="http://anythingjazzblogazine.blogspot.com/p/guest-bloggers-wanted.html" target="_blank">Anything Jazz</a> Blog-A-Zine</b>.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />
The first article will appear within the week, but I'm looking for some real jazz enthusiasts to contribute.<br />
If you are a musician and want to show off your music or video and talk about it - let's just say that that would be a jazzy idea. I would also write an intro to your piece. We both push it into social media. I get a quality article and you get all the glory.<br />
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If you are not a musician, but you understand jazz (if that's possible), then we'd love to hear from.<br />
These blogs are a labor of love and in my world, the music comes first. But you may be a writer and writing comes first in your life followed by love of jazz.<br />
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You can blog about "piano jazz vs brass jazz", or jazz crossovers, or jazz rock, or jazz rap. How about an original biography (short) about Benny Goodman, or how to play "Take Five". How about "Elephants Memory - Jazz or trash pop", Pat Metheny or Automatic Man or the styles of Steely Dan.<br />
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Endless<br />
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And that's not all folks! Now Whatcha Playin' can use a few good writers. This blog is a potpourri of music: pop, instrumental, Christmas, classic rock, old Heavy Metal everything but country and rap.<br />
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Just email me and we'll take it from there.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg75cUDAeLXafIr1th6H1X6L5kBBERIDKfeqS9h99joSLmj7r6UHeDW_qQBRC32Q9Rz8JffQLefd1prZ2XLr2ZWBE33hfrFr2hZhyC2EX8Qdcbl055EUEMtewEgfYlM4kCAqVkqQL1sj2/s1600/Photo253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg75cUDAeLXafIr1th6H1X6L5kBBERIDKfeqS9h99joSLmj7r6UHeDW_qQBRC32Q9Rz8JffQLefd1prZ2XLr2ZWBE33hfrFr2hZhyC2EX8Qdcbl055EUEMtewEgfYlM4kCAqVkqQL1sj2/s1600/Photo253.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since the Cubbies aren't doing too well this year,<br />as usual, it's time to get down to some serious work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Again, for budding writes or experienced bloggers, musicians and others, this can be a great boost for you, or just a fun thing to do. So think about it and contact me.<br />
<br />
Thanks<br />
<br />
Rob LattinUnknownnoreply@blogger.comRock Island, IL, USA41.5094771 -90.57874759999998641.4142851 -90.740109099999984 41.604669099999995 -90.417386099999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-42625779091331536692014-05-14T22:07:00.000-05:002014-11-29T20:39:19.831-06:00Going Under ConstructionHowdy you all! My page and my Reverbnation profile is currently under construction.<br /><br />Although you can still purchase my songs on Reverbnation, I've taken the full streaming versions off for now as I wanted to tweak some of the songs. I am busy working on my "Sonic Dimension" music as well as Mad Experiment.<br /><br />In the meantime go to <span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><a href="http://chicagobluesblogazine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chicago Blues Blog-A-Zine</a> </span>to read the first issue I just publishedUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-44969155022655440762014-05-14T20:26:00.000-05:002014-05-14T20:26:50.968-05:00Introducing: Chicago Blues Blog A ZineOn Rob Lattin Music blog I updated you guys about how much time I spent recording, mixing, re-mixing my new album. I lamented the fact that I spent more time doing music that I could not do as much blogging or social media stuff. Just ask my Facebook friends.<br />
<br />
Well, earlier this year I designed 2 new blog-a-zines that I had hoped to put out once a month. I wrote 2 articles, one for each blog. The first blog deals with Chicago Blues and the second one deals with Jazz.<br />
<br />
I am publishing the first article today about my meeting Albert King.<br />
<br />
Click on the Chicago Blues tab above and go directly there.<br />
<br />
PSSST: I am also looking for guest bloggers for both sites, just fill out the forms or contact me if you are interested.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-55388087436635315072014-02-19T17:55:00.000-06:002014-03-18T18:51:03.227-05:00In The Dead of Winter. More Snow!<b>Mid February . . . In The Dead of Winter<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuJHUWtSkRTjqjr0dgHKWprXqgnKWhEjHJWnBMvSiGBog39Z6oQPjmL0I5ilSvoBuMDGC5K8Z-u0iKRMzKsG70voQwCYx1m0SbOyxHVJzjt_11AkAn2YseepwvpuT55VxcpYRBTObhHnI/s1600/small__3119122666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuJHUWtSkRTjqjr0dgHKWprXqgnKWhEjHJWnBMvSiGBog39Z6oQPjmL0I5ilSvoBuMDGC5K8Z-u0iKRMzKsG70voQwCYx1m0SbOyxHVJzjt_11AkAn2YseepwvpuT55VxcpYRBTObhHnI/s1600/small__3119122666.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: small;"><b>Got the Winter Blues? <br /> Get Over It!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">One of the coldest and snowiest winters ever and it is not done. <i>(Thanks to reverse global warming, btw!)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The South has been bombarded with so much white stuff and had traffic nightmares which usually only happen in Buffalo NY. Unprepared, and frightened, the Democrats were advising the townsfolk to blame it on Bush.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Chicago winter - same as always: below zero, cold, dreary, and dirty snow along the main streets. The Dan Ryan is as slow as ever, the only difference is that pot holes are filling up fast with snow, slush and an occasional Chevy Volt.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Iowa - most snow in 100 years, records broken for deep freeze. The school kids had so many snow days off that they'll be doing class double time in August.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Alaska - a mild season (ha!). There's been plenty of tailgating (on whale tale that is), seal barbeques, and a big thaw revealed 100 kegs of Hamm's Beer that was lost in a blizzard in 1979. Par-tay!!</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Mid Missouri - many occasions of Ice Quakes - sonic booms caused by cold ground and ice due to sub zero temps. I've witnessed these phenomena. Everytime an ice quake occurred, my neighbor yelled "Get off my roof before I send my bloodhound up there! He thought he had a raccoon problem - we just sit back, sip hot apple cider and laugh.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Minnesota - well on my way to Rochester I was stopped the Abominable Snowman, so forget about it!</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What's a non-Eskimo to do - but to listen to music. And watch some cool videos . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">So here we have a song to warm your heart - Snowblind by Styx. Being a Chicago band qualifies them to sing about snow. Although Mr. Shaw is not a native, the city adopted him. J Y Young sings the intro to this unusual song: Snowblind. Tommy Shaw of course nails this song with his tenor storytelling.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/aUoBETx_zAE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/aUoBETx_zAE&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/aUoBETx_zAE&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Yeah Black Sabbath did Snowblind but I don't like Black Sabbath (go ahead call corporate, hire a lawyer, I got the Freedom of Speech and no bat-eating moron can't stop me.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">You know, when you're feeling down and you got those winter blues, there's nothing better to beat those blues than to hear something a little depressing to cheer us up and help us realize "Hey, it's only the weather, at least I ain't no drug addict wandering the streets without a coat looking for something to snort."</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">So, let's look for some other wintry song, like Snowblind Friend about the tragedy of another type of snow performed by John Kay and Steppenwolf.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OMxCi3ljWEg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Well to beat those winter blues, let's think summer! And who best represents summer other than Brian Wilson and the Boys! Well,for those young at heart who love good vibrations, here are the Beach Boys singing an old favorite. Even when they sing about something cold it just warms my heart!</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Love it! Let's pray for tons of snow for California - they need it more than we do!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/o4yAsJIKNOA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">If any of you guys know a nice wintry song, let me know about it in the combox and I may add another song to an updated <b><u>"In the Dead of Winter"</u></b> with gratitude.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">In closing, remember to stay safe this winter, don't drink and drive, don't do drugs, and be kind - rewind.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">____________________________________________________________________________</span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pocolover1957/3119122666/">pocolover1957</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comKeokuk, IA, USA40.4044731 -91.396396640.3077511 -91.5577581 40.5011951 -91.2350351tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-24633606722634951672014-01-10T16:03:00.000-06:002014-11-29T20:39:19.845-06:00Christmas All Year Long!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNvRAOR51RpvjrJT-2vT2IXoMRBJdC6ET2rxGa5sl3tETBZA_oKVwRYAYh1AzTE9pGKL22YOl7aeaJOSAARfZOIwbnB1LpVU-cCIrc8umsyIuIRH0bfn-bPTV8QB-JkpJptPhEwmCUYLp/s1600/spray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNvRAOR51RpvjrJT-2vT2IXoMRBJdC6ET2rxGa5sl3tETBZA_oKVwRYAYh1AzTE9pGKL22YOl7aeaJOSAARfZOIwbnB1LpVU-cCIrc8umsyIuIRH0bfn-bPTV8QB-JkpJptPhEwmCUYLp/s1600/spray.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">CHRISTMAS ALL YEAR LONG!</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="color: red;">Wouldn't It Be Nice?</span></b><br /><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><span style="color: lime;">Wouldn't it be nice if we could spread cheer and good tidings every day of the year?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: lime;">Wouldn't it be nice if Christmas lasted all year long?</span><br /><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><span style="color: lime;">In a way it can. Be generous and caring to others. Worship and love your God. Turn the other cheek and go the extra mile!</span><br /><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Good News Bad News</span></b><br /><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><span style="color: lime;">I've got good news and bad people. First the Good News (usually we get the bad first, but bad is not really that bad). I have taken my two Christmas songs and have decided to keep them on this page indefintely. They are now below my posts and you can listen to them anytime you want.</span><br /><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><span style="color: lime;">Now the bad News . . . the FREE download period has expired. I even let the free period go 4 days longer than it should. Some people did the songs free and I thank all of you. Many have heard the songs and I got great reviews. NOW - you have to buy the songs direct from from me if you want them. 99 cents for the two - not bad ay? </span><br /><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><b><span style="color: red;">Potential Good News</span></b><br /><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><span style="color: lime;">Me and the little woman (with a voice like an angel) may get around to recording a Christmas CD this summer, hopefully in time for Christmas 2014. These two song may or may not be included on the album but we're hoping for something new and exciting. We need some financial backing on this as we may need to go to Nashville to record it. This is all a big "IF". </span><br /><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><span style="color: lime;">Right now we're finishing up with the new Sonic Dimension album (these are not Christmas songs) so we'll see how things go.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God Bless You and Merry Christmas All Year Long!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">_____________</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><span style="color: lime;">This is from a poem I wrote two years ago which has turned into a song - the first part only</span></i><br /><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christmas All Year Long!</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">(C)MMXIV Robert Lattin. All Rights Reserved</span></b><br /><span style="color: red;"><br /></span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you see a neighbor could you spread some cheer</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or greet a stranger without some fear</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or help a small child to cross the street</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and smile at everyone you meet</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can do these things, you can't go wrong</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for it's like Christmas all year long!</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So can you try these things and sing this song</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so it's like Christmas all year long?</span></b><br /><br /><i><span style="color: lime;">Pretty spiffy so far, huh?</span></i><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="color: lime;">Check out my Super Blog page</span> <a href="http://roblattinmusic.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: yellow;">Rob Lattin Music Super Blog</span></b></a> <span style="color: lime;">and click on the Licensing tab. Just added it - in case you want to collaborate or get license or just drop me a line.</span></li></ul><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-1892894482878030332013-12-22T00:32:00.000-06:002014-03-18T18:50:34.436-05:00Christmas Time Is Here!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGsIi-KqoyN_w166V22-5vuu9_2SWsHLBLe0Wmg8IhE2p0JMzkpIKpe5CBip7JiS8NUyjSvliAJ36Gr9pO3P3BbEG3ELdxsmW2EeVL1aef0couCI2wjzHWIzGupyfVPIGJ7F4ImWMkx34/s1600/Chicago+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGsIi-KqoyN_w166V22-5vuu9_2SWsHLBLe0Wmg8IhE2p0JMzkpIKpe5CBip7JiS8NUyjSvliAJ36Gr9pO3P3BbEG3ELdxsmW2EeVL1aef0couCI2wjzHWIzGupyfVPIGJ7F4ImWMkx34/s200/Chicago+25.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Chicago put out 2 Christmas albums</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;"><b><i></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;"><b><i>Christmas day is the celebration of the birth of the Savior.</i></b> Christmas is also a <i>season</i>. In the Church, Christmas is a liturgical calendar season lasting 14 days following Advent. In the secular world, Christmas time is a season usually coinciding with the liturgical season, though it seems to end on New years Day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;"></span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;">The love and grace from the holy time of year spreads into the secular world. There is no way around it - it is about sharing and love and doing good for others - those you know and those you don't.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Well, this all brings me to the song "</span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Christmas Time Is Here</b><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">" written by Vince Guarldi. You remember Vince? He's the jazz pianist who wrote and performed that great music for </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Charles Shultz's </span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Charlie Brown Christmas.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;">That song, whether by the Trio or sung by the children's choir (all on "<b>A Charlie Brown Christmas</b>"), is such a wonderful piece and that music simply added more depth to the original 1965 cartoon classic. The cartoon, one of a few cartoons that is played today on network television without religious censorship, had a meaning and a lesson for kids of all ages. And although it is less than a half hour cartoon, it remains a favorite Christmas theme video right next to Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol" or "Scrooge".</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;">Well, in 2003, the group Chicago, recorded their first Christmas CD. Here we have the modern Frank Sinatra - Robert Lamm - singing a Charlie Brown classic. What a delivery! The band plays a wonderful adaptation and the spicy Hammond B3 organ playing of former band mate Bill Champlin makes this version a classic unto itself. Because of the popularity of this smooth progressive jazz rendition, other have tried to emulate what Mr. Lamm and Chicago have done, but Chicago's 21st century version is by far the best version.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">There are always songs which have a special unique version by a particular artist that you have to have it on a mix CD or mp3. Frank Sinatra has a unique version of </span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Jingle Bells</b><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme have a great </span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Sleigh Ride</b><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">, Hall and Oats have </span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Rockin Around the Christmas Tree</b><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;"> and the Beach Boys have </span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Little St Nick</b><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;"> (and Chicago has a Lamm-sung version of </span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Feliz Navidad</b><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">!) Well, not only do I love Lamm's </span><b style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">Christmas Time Is Here</b><span style="color: lime; text-align: justify;">!, but I still also play Vince Guaraldi Trio's original version as well. They're the same song yet they are not and that's why I love them both.</span></div>
<span style="color: lime;">So listen to Chicago and then Charlie Brown! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</i></span></b></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-24653405393868752182013-12-21T22:49:00.000-06:002014-11-29T20:39:19.899-06:00What Does Christmas Mean To You? Take The Poll.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtYfm9IO0VTaGBbPWypWL02oHhoowuqvqKqdm8HQm-sIDmdcgGFjfIAvUOXW0GM8sm0e-uCwi7XcBSgiempCHPKnSqjngirgO3-MoRovUFLbIVrbEmjWX1WDPGjoyFfPnUsy2CAAix2dn/s1600/tree+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtYfm9IO0VTaGBbPWypWL02oHhoowuqvqKqdm8HQm-sIDmdcgGFjfIAvUOXW0GM8sm0e-uCwi7XcBSgiempCHPKnSqjngirgO3-MoRovUFLbIVrbEmjWX1WDPGjoyFfPnUsy2CAAix2dn/s320/tree+fireplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">What does Christmas mean to YOU?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><i><span style="color: lime;">Ah . . . Christmas!</span> </i></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: cyan;">Christmas is a BIG holiday around the world. To some, it means material things. To a few, it means spiritual things. To activist atheists, it is a battle cry. To fundamental Muslims, it is a distraction. To others, it is the proverbial "Bah Humbug!"</span></div><span style="color: cyan;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's hone in a little on the concept of the word Christmas. When I say the word "blue", what word do you say immediately? Most people say red. If I say hot you say cold. If I say yes you say no. Well, if I say "Christmas", what do you say? Some may say Easter, others winters, other, still, perhaps, Hanukuk.</div></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: lime;">Well, if I say "Christmas", what are the first images you think of?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">In our sad world, many would say "cars lined up at the mall". Here are some more images:</span></div><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkxzd4RBN_F7vf3WN6MRhnzxk25oix_TEOyqKeYIS4Htvri2HcpuAC5Z4hwrfb1tf0xzZzCTQEbdNfmMBTsGprSV8RXlNgMkeN33wNt7ZbVs0HikuxaGQ859jOjFO7SKeUwpfD9LMDrRr/s1600/tree+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkxzd4RBN_F7vf3WN6MRhnzxk25oix_TEOyqKeYIS4Htvri2HcpuAC5Z4hwrfb1tf0xzZzCTQEbdNfmMBTsGprSV8RXlNgMkeN33wNt7ZbVs0HikuxaGQ859jOjFO7SKeUwpfD9LMDrRr/s200/tree+3.jpg" width="132" /></a><li><span style="color: orange;">"It's A Wonderful Life film"</span></li><li><span style="color: orange;">"Scrooge or Mr. Grinch"</span></li><li><span style="color: orange;">"Christmas Trees"</span></li><li><span style="color: orange;">"Family meal or visiting relatives"</span></li></ul><span style="color: cyan;">Others may get these images:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="color: orange;">"Loneliness"</span></li><li><span style="color: orange;">"Loss of a Loved One"</span></li><li><span style="color: orange;">"No Money - No Friends - No Love"</span></li><li><span style="color: orange;">"Holiday Bonus" or "Day off from work"</span></li></ul><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYTpNwKZYpqJiSMb6_Qm_gDG4pH_xMrFgC2IfyadCquZxm85FKJkyh2ADJXoD37iPsMsze_3owJrydbQ-OX8tuJgrBbBX9U7D4NeeSr6pGgdfxmWQCK9uhq9Gv3ApvG1hg9erh_tyvbA5/s1600/ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYTpNwKZYpqJiSMb6_Qm_gDG4pH_xMrFgC2IfyadCquZxm85FKJkyh2ADJXoD37iPsMsze_3owJrydbQ-OX8tuJgrBbBX9U7D4NeeSr6pGgdfxmWQCK9uhq9Gv3ApvG1hg9erh_tyvbA5/s1600/ornament.jpg" /></a><span style="color: cyan;">The word "<b>Christmas</b>" is a loaded word. It is a single words that evokes thousands of images from memories of the past to plans in the future. With such a volatile word that means so many things to so many people at so many different times in their lives and circumstances, that it's original and true meaning gets lost.</span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">Christmas is the celebratory Mass of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. How many people actually think of the image of the Holy Family looking for a place at an Inn, or the newborn lying in a manger? </span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSIm9bjIZwuusQ1wgmudHAC2IbQLYRPQAkPlJjrzv7ieRZ6tGGpeXpV2TgWcbx1iZFvx84RmWv6p0bd7_D0HHaK8_hSE7HEqvt27eWmoSTT_SwCyiPNupjdlYG1fB6gHJZEEsPKiZ03b7/s1600/holy+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSIm9bjIZwuusQ1wgmudHAC2IbQLYRPQAkPlJjrzv7ieRZ6tGGpeXpV2TgWcbx1iZFvx84RmWv6p0bd7_D0HHaK8_hSE7HEqvt27eWmoSTT_SwCyiPNupjdlYG1fB6gHJZEEsPKiZ03b7/s320/holy+family.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>Christmas is more than one day</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: cyan;">How many think beyond the baby that was born and actually see that Christmas image of God-become-man, let alone why he did what he did? </span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">Nevertheless, I am not making a sad commentary on the state of the world and people's thoughts about Christmas. I just wanted people to think a little about the word. Yes, it is buying gifts. Yes it is hectic and stressful time of the year. Yes it evokes plenty of memories, good and bad. Most of all, it is about the birth of Christ, first and foremost and although many may not share that same belief it is nevertheless true.</span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">So for fun, I have attached a poll on this page to the right. Kindly, but honestly, answer the question "<b><i><u>What does the word "Christmas" bring to mind?</u></i></b>" Don't feel bad about your answer, either. There's always time to put it all in perspective.</span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">So, will you have a "</span><b><span style="color: white;">White Christmas</span></b><span style="color: cyan;">" or a "</span><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blue Christmas</span></b><span style="color: cyan;">"? will the Grinch steal your Christmas or will Mr. Scrooge surprise you all? Will you remember that Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">MY GIFT TO YOU.</span></u></b></div><br /><span style="color: cyan;">To help you remember the true meaning of Christmas, I am giving you 2 FREE downloads:</span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">"This Christmas Tree's For You" and "This Is the Birth" (they can be downloaded for free - see above this blog entry.)</span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">As I mentioned in my two previous posts </span><a href="http://god-rules.blogspot.com/2013/12/alone-for-christmas.html"><span style="color: red;">Alone For Christmas?</span></a><span style="color: cyan;"> and </span><a href="http://god-rules.blogspot.com/2013/12/this-christmas-trees-for-you-for-free.html"><span style="color: red;">This Christmas Tree's For you</span></a><span style="color: cyan;">, these are two songs that are musically diametrically opposed to each other. One song is a jazz-singed R&B song and the other a simple acoustic guitar song. One song is about the birth of Christ and the other is about the symbolic Christmas tree.</span><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan;">The Christmas Tree song was recorded in 1996 (remixed this year), The music to the Birth song was written in 1996 as well, the lyrics this year and the song was newly recorded in November 2013. I really appreciate your comments on these songs and hope you do enjoy them. Download them and insert them into your mix of favorite Christmas songs.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-color: red; font-size: large;">MERRY CHRISTMAS!</span></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGb9Ryry-alBpBHUZHzQ7B-X_pEUCH3rxjuLAsAzKvAiO0A7pbjb0AD1Mzz6cz_chRDOi1ufaEI0BCnWiO_V4IPSYqGbcCn485K5WXfru7WDpK9qB1gHuuoM7TNo5g6d8i4Fm0OuOweD1/s1600/light+letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGb9Ryry-alBpBHUZHzQ7B-X_pEUCH3rxjuLAsAzKvAiO0A7pbjb0AD1Mzz6cz_chRDOi1ufaEI0BCnWiO_V4IPSYqGbcCn485K5WXfru7WDpK9qB1gHuuoM7TNo5g6d8i4Fm0OuOweD1/s320/light+letter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-53173359208502711532013-12-20T23:45:00.000-06:002014-11-29T20:39:19.913-06:00Alone For Christmas?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdpZEw6V8cJld28vgoN_azZGerUWazD_2PYLlTtj88iKbFQfR4MfjT9arCOHNInBreTjwowh1emYIgzpdybHer0P3qTJtp_5dsesKqQzIWE9JsUuWBSTkPe37mUNg-5dtojlQg2gYiZPa/s1600/This+Is+The+Birth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdpZEw6V8cJld28vgoN_azZGerUWazD_2PYLlTtj88iKbFQfR4MfjT9arCOHNInBreTjwowh1emYIgzpdybHer0P3qTJtp_5dsesKqQzIWE9JsUuWBSTkPe37mUNg-5dtojlQg2gYiZPa/s320/This+Is+The+Birth.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="color: lime;">Will you be alone this Christmas? Not many visitors or feeling left out?</span><span style="color: #ead1dc;"> </span></b><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">Well, the Holy Family may have felt the same way over 2000 years ago. Left out, perhaps alone even though they had each other.</span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">But the undercurrent is utter</span><span style="color: red;"> JOY!</span><span style="color: #ead1dc;"> Surrounded by unseen angels and watched over by God, Mary and Joseph, wait in anticipation of the birth of the Son of God, Savior to mankind. This fact alone should comfort anyone who is alone this Christmas for your angel watches over you and God is with you.</span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">You see, Christmas is not about shopping or decorations or parties or the hustle and bustle. It is not what the world wants you to think it is. It is not about you or me or gift giving or that "special time of the year". It is about the birth of our Lord who came to save you from sin and bring you to eternal happiness.</span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><b><i>Take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and thank God for giving you a second chance to holiness and happiness. You are not alone.</i></b></span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: lime;">About "<b><i>This Is The Birth</i></b>"</span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">The music to this song was written 1996 and the current lyrics went through five different renditions. The final words written in November 2013. I originally anticipated the song to be more jazz (with organ and bass and a choir) than its current form. I opted for a simple acoustic number with vocals and some additional electric mood guitar. The loneliness of the guitar seemed to matched the mood for a "Christmas Alone" type of message.</span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">There are three verses to the song. The first verse concerns the three wise men on their journey - can you relate to a journey you may be on? The second verse concerns an ordinary place and ordinary day, yet here is the Virgin Mary - a miracle and the child who is the King of Kings. The final verse expounds more on the mystery of what happened because Mary said 'yes' and the Creator became a baby to save the world.</span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">This song is available as a</span><b><span style="color: red;"> FREE DOWNLOAD</span></b><span style="color: #ead1dc;"> on the page for a limited time. It was delayed because I had other obligations so you should be able to download it through January 6, 2014 gratis.</span><br /><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">For contrast, listen to my "This Christmas Tree's For You", also available as a free download for a limited time through this page or </span><span style="color: lime;">Soundcloud.</span><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549695366291348356.post-19483794534769023332013-12-12T21:38:00.002-06:002013-12-12T21:43:56.783-06:00Steve & Eydie Christmas Music - That Holiday FeelingNOTE: <i>It was sad to see the loss of Eydie Gorme. A big pop star of her own, she was the wife of pop star Steve Lawrence. Eydie passed away in August 2013 and if you go here, you can listen to Steve sing about his wife and also see a photo tribute :</i> <a href="http://steve-eydie.com/">http://steve-eydie.com/</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF5LPrKzqpLckDyZ9rVWgcPZugiICgPWIPaAlQgFemue_QpUeIObLVHvMsa0sM6wt60t7mnS_zRUBUaOjBlZtgcjs2pZqR5o-Np_1ZK2bA0D6xz_Soui1JZPYcJU39F6cLqIwPd1EXXCc/s1600/Holiday+feeling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF5LPrKzqpLckDyZ9rVWgcPZugiICgPWIPaAlQgFemue_QpUeIObLVHvMsa0sM6wt60t7mnS_zRUBUaOjBlZtgcjs2pZqR5o-Np_1ZK2bA0D6xz_Soui1JZPYcJU39F6cLqIwPd1EXXCc/s320/Holiday+feeling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MERRY CHRISTMAS</td></tr>
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Now this Christmas, we won't have Eydie, but we do have their legacy - their music.<br />
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Although Steve was not a Christian, his wife was and so back in 1964 they released a Christmas album which features them singing duets and solo. The album is called "<b>That Holiday Feeling</b>" and some years ago (90's?) the CD also included a bonus track (Baby, It's Cold Outside - the best version you will ever hear).<br />
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I loved listening to this record since I was a kid. The orchestration was great, Steve sings his heart out and Eydie pours out her more soulful vibes. Here is an album that not only delivered great Christmas season music but presented songs done deeply in love. Listening to the duets, you realize this is about two people in love and having a good time, sharing a life together. Is it no wonder why my wife and I always loved singing along and over-playing these songs. So, not only is this a Christmas album, it's a love song album.<br />
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Steve and Eydie were married for 55 years and this Christmas CD captures the bond that kept them together. Not many female singers come close to Eydie's prowess these days, and Steve's voice is unmatched, he in the league of Sinatra, Crosby and Como.<br />
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The album is nostalgic, yet rarely played on adult contemporary radio. That's too bad - I've got my CD and we play it every Christmas.<br />
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<b>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</b></h4>
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<b><br /></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0