Mestizaje

1. Beethoven in "1, 2 Ultraviolento" by Los Violadores (Argentina, 1985) "1, 2 Ultraviolento" is directly inspired by the fantastic A Clockwork Orange  movie, whose main character, as we should all know, is a big fan of Ludwig Van. The beginning of this Los Violadores song plays off Beethoven's Ode to Joy  from his 9th Symphony. A sample of Beethoven's genius: The movie music from A Clockwork Orange  (by Wendy Carlos) "1, 2 Ultraviolento" by Los Violadores. The lyrics use language from the book, as spoken by the droogs, for example. Knowing the influence of the song and the year of its release makes it a rather perfect sound from an Argentinian punk band from that time, no? 2. Also sprach Zarathustra (Strauss) in "Cromagnon" by Korroskada (Basque Country, 1980's) A song featuring the opening minute from Also sprach being used in a song "Cromagnon" immediately makes me think that the band was inspired b...

This came in today: I have been silently (ok, maybe also aloud) squealing in excitement since. I LOVE HARRYHAUSEN! I grew up loving The Clash of the Titans (which I also own) and Jason and the Argonauts--not surprisingly because of my deep love for Greek mythology--and I have always loved the Harryhausen monsters from the Sinbad films. There's something so beautiful about these creatures; I am partial to Medusa, but the scene that never fails to excite me is the skeleton fight at the end of Jason and the Argonauts. Here's a handy and awesome list of The 11 Greatest Harryhausen monsters. While reading the description of the films on each DVD, I got stuck on the theme/character of Sinbad. I get stuck easily, I know, but when there's a fire in my eyes I gotta add fuel, ya know? Sinbad. What kind of name is that? Sinbad the Sailor. What is his origin? What was his original story? How many films were made? How have the tales of Sinbad into the present deviat...

I am working on a few projects right now--the search for employment also involves mountains of free time. Having finished Aladdin's Lamp: How Greek Science Came to Europe Through the Islamic World --I took notes and asked and answered questions of what I learned and already knew--I started on The Inheritance of Rome: Illuminating the Dark Ages, 400-1000 , again using the same note-taking process. It's the only way I can process information.  I have also started reading Age of Aztec , having finished the others in the Pan the on .  I began a project involving reading Jane Eyre  and watching the films, I read twitter updates from the futbol world, my dad and I have taken to watching one or two episodes of Star Trek Enterprise  every night for a month now, I play soccer on three teams, volunteer at the local museum, take care of the doggies...Needless to say, Reader, I am making my way quite slowly through my projects.  Tonight I finished watching Sev...

Saw this movie for the first time a few months ago, and it was perfect. I love Toshiro Mifune, I love samurai films-particularly those of Kurosawa-I love Charles Bronson, and I love when Westerns can be connected to the samurai ideal, like with The Magnificent Seven , plus I love how friggin' diverse Red Sun  is. ( Google Images ) Now to the music... (again, all songs I discovered this year) 21. Los Caminantes - "Entre mas lejos me vaya" It ain't the suits, if you're wondering, the hair--the video, in all--that drew me to this song. I can't put my finger on why it touched me so, but.. I love this song. I sing it loudly at a local Mexican bar when it comes on. 22. Chencha Berrinches - "Esperando la muerte" I have been looking for Chencha songs since I heard, and fell in love with, " Murcielaga ", which I'd heard on a compilation. Thanks to YouTube, there are now a few more songs, but this one I loved ...

I am currently wearing this hat *the list is rather long, so I'm making it a two-parter. Remember, these are songs I discovered this year, not just songs I listened to all year long. 1. Spinetta - "Bajan" I wish I could remember how I found this song, but I can remember how it made me feel because I still feel the same when I listen to it: his voice is so beautiful and I feel like I am in mourning, despite the beauty. 2. Los Jaivas - "Si tu no estas" It's no secret the love I have for Los Jaivas; one of their songs inspired a tattoo, and many of their songs inspire great hope and nostalgia in me. This song, "Si tu no estas", I find sweet, mesmerizing, and melancholy. 3. Los Tres - "Quien es la que viene alli" Again, I do not remember how I encountered this beauty, but it is cute. I love the guitar, the harmonies, and it is easy to sing along to. - Los Tres - "La torre de Babel" Everything, plus the message.. 5. Goran Brego...

Some dueling musicians and their instruments from movies, inspired by watching the 1977 Scott Joplin bio-pic starring Billy Dee Williams as the great composer himself. I loves me some ragtime, I really do: dueling pianists from the Scott Joplin movie from the one everyone should know, Deliverance , banjo vs guitar: from Crossroads , guitar duel, or Ralph Macchio vs Steve Vai: oh sweet sweet guitar and finally, another piano duel, perhaps my favorite from The Legend of 1900 , with Jelly Roll Morton against the titular character, 1900: gimme a fuckin' cigarette, will ya

musica y futbol -two views of the beautiful game- I'm going to let the lyrics speak for themselves: LA POLLA RECORDS (Spain) -Gol en el Campo- Gol en el campo, paz en la tierra // goal on the field, peace in the land que bonito es el futbol, que pasiones despierta // how beautiful is football, what passion it awakes defiende tu colores, sudar la camiseta // defend your colors, sweat for the shirt que bonito es el futbol para los que gobiernan //how beautiful is football for those who govern estan pegando el palo sin partido de vuelta // they are hitting the post without a return leg Gol en el campo, paz en la tierra Justicia corrompida arbitra la contienda // corrupted justice arbitrates contention patron enloquecido despide libremente // crazed patron takes leave freely y roban la pelota por la extrema derecha // and robs the ball for the extreme right atentos al remate que directa a puerta // look out for the rebound that goes straight at goal Gol en el campo, paz en la tierra Qu...