Why music sings... well at least one reason

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of music to me is its ability to transcend language, time, and faith. For instance, personally in music I see God. I see his power, his beauty, his grace and his truth. It breathes life into me when I am weak, it meets me wherever I am. Which is just very cool.

To illustrate why I find music so profound, I have attached an article written by Nick Hornby. It pretty much sums up why I find music so powerful. Start by playing this video, its the best version of the recording of "One Man Guy" I could find on YouTube. The actual video is irrelevant, so just start it and read on. I hope you enjoy it.

"One Man Guy"

And here is the article:

Nick Hornby, a self professed atheist, listens to a Rufus Wainwright song and he begins to question his belief in God not existing - awesome. To me that is the coolest thing I have ever heard. It is just too awesome. Now that is something that is truly beautiful in my mind.

If these were silent, the very stones would cry out.

- Luke 19:40

Spoon: "Don't You Evah" & "The Ghost of You Still Lingers"

I give you Spoon, a band out of Austin, Texas that has been around for longer than you would think, like 1994.  Their album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" was highly reviewed last year and I have to admit it has it's sweet moments.  

Here are two of my favorite songs from that album.  Somehow they are refreshing to my musical pallet.  Somehow different.  Often I get Elvis Costello vibes from their music, but that could just be me.    

"Don't You Evah"

& "The Ghost of You Still Lingers" 

Wojciecha Kilara: Orawa

Imagine yourself standing on the edge of a vast space. The wind running through gently your hair and then you are slowly lifted off your feet high into the air.  Then you begin to soar through the air as if you are on the wings of eagles. 

This is a minimalist piece of music, give it chance.  Like my last entry you really need to engage yourself in the music.  Shut your eyes and let it take you on its wings into the air.  This piece is one wild ride.  It is one of those pieces that got me into classical music for the first time.  In many ways its my first love of classical music, but certainly not my last.  I once listened to this piece eight times in a row, slowly digging deeper into the piece - each time peeling away a layer, and each time finding more.  It's simply amazing. 

"Orawa"

From Amelie: Comptine d'un autre ete - L'apres midi

The song moves me from darkness into the light.

Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha - Fiery Crash

Andrew Bird is one of those musicians that has been on my radar for a while now.  However, until recently I had never really taken the time to really listen to his music. After purchasing his album Armchair Apocrypha a few weeks ago I feel in love with his music. Here is a live version of one of my favorites - Fiery Crash.