Soundtrack of My Life – Cracklin’ Rosie

July 13, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

SoundtrackLife

I don’t know quite what it is about Neil Diamond’s 1970 hit that does it but … Cracklin’ Rosie makes me smile.

From the opening seconds this song can change my mood from whatever it might be at the time to ‘happy’. There’s a sense of nostalgia in it that I don’t quite understand. It takes me back but not to a specific place or time, it just takes me back. It reminds me of years gone by, but again, nothing specific, just a sense that there was a simpler time, a time when I was younger, when it didn’t matter that it was a song about cheap wine, it was just a great song.

Cracklin’ Rosie is a type of wine drunk by a native Canadian tribe. Diamond heard a story about that tribe while doing an interview in Toronto, Canada and the story subsequently inspired him to write this song. Apparently the tribe had more men than women and Cracklin’ Rosie was the nickname they used for their homemade alcoholic brew, which the single men, who did not have dates, would sit around the fire and drink together. – wiki



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Soundtrack of My Life – Cracklin’ Rosie? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

John Lennon on The Voice

June 26, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

When I saw this video earlier today I couldn’t wait to share it with you. I’ve often wondered how some of the greats of the music world would be received if they tried to turn a chair or two.

I love the fact that shows like Idol, The Voice, and others give talented performers a platform to perform for a far wider audience and I’m glad that we’ve discovered some great artists through those shows, but it’s always concerned me that the unique and different can get lost.

Obviously any such program can only give us a small window into the lives of the people involved and their music and so it becomes a popularity contest, but what about some of the acts that have built up massive followings and have remained popular over many years? Would they have found a following on those programs?

I think of artists like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and many others who have continued to draw audiences for decades. I’m not sure that many would get past the auditions which is why I’m thankful that there are several ways to enter the music industry. I just hope we keep providing a variety of avenues for those with something to say through music to reach their audience.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading John Lennon on The Voice? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Jersey Boys in Perth

April 25, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

JerseyBoys

If you have young children who enjoy the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, buy them an album or DVD, but don’t take them to see Jersey Boys. If you have a friend or family member who is offended by frequent coarse language, don’t take them to Jersey Boys. (Unless you think you can convince them the cast is just saying ‘fudge’ or ‘funk’ an awful lot.)

If, however, you’re prepared for a fair bit of language and some occasional sexual themes, you’ll have a %#$&#@# good night out. The show’s website warns that it’s not recommended for children under 12 due to strong “authentic Jersey” language. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone not prepared for the strong content.

JERSEY BOYS is the story of how four boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.

Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, The Four Seasons, wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were thirty.

JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs
“Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Rag Doll”, “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, among others.

Having sounded that warning, I need to say that the show is amazing. Pauline and I were at the opening night show and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. It tells the story of the band well and had me searching details online when I got home. I wanted to know even more about their rise to fame.

One of the things I found in my search is that Frankie Valli himself believes the show to be about 95% accurate. Not a bad endorsement.

The music is stunning and the band members work well together to provide the harmonies that you’d expect from a show about The Four Seasons. I’m sure that the original band members have seen a rise in royalty cheques since Jersey Boys started on Broadway back in 2005. As the show continues you hear hit after hit and you’re reminded what great songs the band produced before they called it a day.

Jersey Boys is structured as four “seasons” with each season each narrated by a different band member giving different perspectives on the group’s history and music.

Jersey Boys is playing at the Crown Theatre until the 9th of June.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Jersey Boys in Perth? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Farewell George Beverly Shea

April 17, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
4 Comments

GBSCanadian born American gospel singer and hymn composer George Beverly Shea has passed away at the age of 104 after a brief ilness. He leaves behind his wife, Karlene, and his children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine. His first wife, Erma, died in 1976.

Shea was taught to play the violin by his father, and the piano and organ by his mother. Shea’s deep resonant baritone voice brought early recognition and provided many opportunities for him to sing in his father’s church. He began singing at religious meetings in the Ottawa Valley. – Wiki

He was well known for singing to millions of people as part of Billy Graham’s worldwide evangelistic campaigns.

Shea sang at the unofficial launching of Graham’s crusades in the old Armory in Charlotte, North Carolina in November 1947. His first song was “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story.” In the early days of his association with Graham, Shea earned a wage for each meeting.

Since the beginning of Graham’s crusade ministry Shea and Cliff Barrows have been the nucleus of the crusade musical team. Barrows is choir director, platform emcee and radio-television program director. They were joined in 1950 by pianist Tedd Smith, and through the years organists Don Hustad and John Innes have provided additional accompaniment.

As the musical mainstay in Graham’s crusades, Shea is often called “America’s beloved Gospel singer.” – Wiki

Much of his music is still available today.

The hymn that proved to be a favourite by many was his rendition of How Great Thou Art. Here’s a video of him performing at a Billy Graham crusade back in 1969.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Farewell George Beverly Shea? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Benny Prasad brings his ‘Bentar’ to Perth

January 31, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

BennyPrasad

I had the privilege of chatting with Benny Prasad a couple of days ago. He’s a man who went from being a sick, depressed 16 year old, shunned by his family and considering suicide, to a musician who has performed at events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. He also holds the world record by becoming the fastest person to travel to every nation on the globe. That includes 245 nations, including Antarctica, visited in 6 years, 6 months and 22 days.

Benny Prasad is an instrumental guitarist from India. He is well known for designing the Bentar which is the World’s First Bongo Guitar. Today, through his music, Benny brings the Hope in God to thousands of people, traveling to 40-50 countries every year. – Wiki

Benny’s guitar, or bentar, is quite an amazing instrument.

Benny designed this 20 String Harp/Bongo Guitar in October 2006. The building of the guitar was completed on May 14, 2007. It was built by Tulsi Guitars – (Chennai, India). It has 6 strings, 2 Bongos and a 14 String Harp.

If you want to hear my chat with Benny about his incredible life, and hear him play, click the play button on the audio player below.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Benny Prasad brings his ‘Bentar’ to Perth? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.