Melo-M: Great Cello Band with Perfect Covers

Wednesday, February 08, 2012 in Cello, Classical Music, Latvia, Pop, Rock

Recently, I write posts about violin performers. Today, I would like to talk about a cello band. I think I am in stringed instruments mood that I write more posts about this genre and performers. There are many cello bands. Absolutely, Apocalyptica is the most well-known cello band of the world. I heard many cello bands but, many of them have creativity and diversity problem. They make music in ordinary way. I discovered a cello band from Latvia, Riga. The band’s name is Melo-M. The band consists of three classically educated cellists. They rearrange and play well-known and reputed songs in rock music forms. I found them on YouTube first. I though it was an ordinary cello band until I heard their exciting music. It is very good to listen to songs I like in a unique form. The band’s name Melo-M name is derived from melomania. You could buy their album by clicking on the players.

Band members Kārlis Auzāns, Miķelis Dobičins, and Jānis Pauls are classically educated persons that they still continue their studies. Melo-M also shared the stage with Apocalyptica, Maizie Williams (Boney M), Robert Wells and some Latvian performers. I could say their live performance is as good as their performance in studio albums. I really appreciate their live shows. You could listen to such famous songs as: Mission Impossible Theme, Misirlou, The Final Countdown, Those Were the Days, Come Together, I Will Survive, Daddy Cool and more. Hearing rock and pop elements with great cello rhythms and solos is perfect.

Let us see Melo-M discography and my suggestions. You could buy their albums or songs, if you follow links in the player or website of the band.

• Melo-M (2005) is a successful debut album. Rock on the Ice, Dzimta Valoda, Dzejnieks are my favorites. I could say it is amazing and exciting album. Do not lose it!
• Singalongs (2007) is a perfect album that you could find many cover versions like Mission Impossible, Daddy Cool (with Maizie Williams), Take on Me, Ghost Busters, I Will Survive and more. I suggest the album extremely. Unique and exciting covers make you feel good.
• Around the World (2009) is another cover album that you will like. Misirlou, Zorba’s Dance, Hava Nagila, El Condor Pasa and Greensleeves are my favorite covers in the album. I suggest the album extremely.
• Phantasy of the Opera (2010) is the last album of the band. You could find some parts of famous classical music compositions from reputed composers. Barber of Rossini, Boogie Bumblebee, Diary of Carmen, Verdi (ct), and Gershwintime are my favorites. I also suggest the album extremely.

Melo-M is a cello band that talented musicians rearrange music with their uniqueness. I believe that you will enjoy every seconds of their music. You could visit their official website to watch their live performance videos and more information. You also could buy their songs or albums from their website. Support the young band so that they will make new exciting albums!

http://www.melo-m.lv

Bye for now!

Special Note: Songs have been placed here upon permission of the group. You could buy the album, if you click the player.

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Yothu Yindi: Aboriginal Rock and Pop from Australia

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 in Aboriginal Music, Australia, Oceania, Pop, Rock

Today, I would like to introduce an aboriginal rock group from Australia. Yothu Yindi is an Australian band formed with aborigine and non-aborigine members. The band combines aspect of aboriginal culture with contemporary rock elements. They use some typical aboriginal instruments like yidaki and bilma. Those traditional instruments make their music fascinating. They make songs about aboriginal culture that you could know more about aborigines. Yothu Yindi presents the strength of aboriginal culture, presenting the other people throughout the world to appreciate and enjoy aspects of that ancient aboriginal culture. They also adapted Yolngu dance to their music. Yothu Yindi is one of the best groups I discovered recently.

This video has been created with Creative Commons License. For more information www.yothuyindi.com

Yothu Yindi’s music is fascinating that it is possible to hear aspects of aboriginal music in contemporary music. Although the band performs rock, you also could hear some pop and dance music elements combined with cultural items. Translation of the band’s name is child and mother in local language. I really appreciate using yidaki and some traditional instruments in their music. Yidaki has an impressive sound that makes their sound authentic. Lyrics promote need for mutual respect and understanding in the coming together of different cultures. Many music authorities in Australia awarded the band in different nominations.

The band was formed in 1986 and they released some albums with different members. They still keep founder members Mandawuy Yunupingu and Stuart Kellaway. They could not play recently due to Yunupingu’s health problem. Let us see Yothu Yindi discography and my suggestions.

• Homeland Movement (1988) is a successful debut album that you could find many traditional influenced songs with rock elements.
• Tribal Voice (1991) is one of my favorites. I suggest Mainstream song extremely. Do not lose the song. It is perfect. Treaty, Gapirri, Dharta and Hope are my favorites. You also could hear some traditional songs from aboriginal culture.
• Freedom (1993) is my other favorite album that I suggest Yolngu Boy song extremely. I also suggest all songs in the album. This album will fascinate you.
• Birrkuta - Wild Honey (1996)
• One Blood (1998)
• Garma (2000) is the last album of Yothu Yindi. Although this album contains less aboriginal elements, I like many songs. You also could find more pop elements in the album. I suggest Good Medicine, Calling Every Nation, Community Life and Fire are my favorites. I really like the album’s sound and female vocals. I suggest the album highly.

 

Yothu Yindi is a perfect band from Australia. You will enjoy hearing aboriginal elements with contemporary rock and pop. Please visit the band’s website to buy their album and get to know more about the band. It will be a good discover for you.

http://www.yothuyindi.com

Bye for now!

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Oi Va Voi: Yiddish Music Meets Contemporary Elements

Friday, January 20, 2012 in British Music, Klezmer, Pop, Rock, Yiddish Music

Do you know the band Oi Va Voi from England? If you have never heard their music, it is time to know them. A London based band Oi Va Voi performs music that it cannot be described in only one genre. They build rock, Eastern Europe music, pop, electronic, Klezmer music, and jazz upon Yiddish music. The sound, excellent vocals, instrumental variety, harmony between combined genres and musicality make Oi Va Voi one of the best music groups still performing. The experimental band from London was founded in late 90’s. Although some musicians have left the band, they are still crowded band with new members. Oi Va Voi will be a band you cannot leave after you meet their charming music. I still cannot forget their song Refugee. You could some preview songs and videos on their MySpace profile. Just click here and meet with Oi Va Voi’s magical world. A special note that Oi Va Voi means Oh My God in Yiddish language. You would say this after you hear their music. Listen Refugee and Yuri first, and then watch the video named in Magic Carpet.

You could hear wide range of instruments like guitar, mandolin, drum, percussion, bass, clarinet, trumpet, violin, piano, and accordion. Female vocals are perfect that you will agree with me after you hear Refugee. Some of their songs are very funny, but some of their songs will take you to another world. Their music is magical. The band also worked with some musicians like Anna Phoebe, Earl Zinger, and Haylie Ecker. Anna Phoebe is a great violinist that I will write about her soon. She has a perfect rock album with her violin. Oi Va Voi’s music is mixture of modern music genres and eastern music elements like Yiddish music and Klezmer.

Although their studio performance is perfect, I suggest you to see their live performance. I am very lucky that they came to Istanbul many times, and I could see them several times. The band’s live performance is excellent. You could spend a good time, while you are listening to them. Check their tour dates from their website. If they come to your city, do not lose their concert. They will deserve what you pay!

Oi Va Voi has four studio albums. Let me give you some suggestions about their discography.

Digital Folklore (2002) is their debut album. It is successful debut album that some of the songs in the album rearranged in the next album. This album also contains more electronic elements that do not compare with the other albums. A Csitari Hegyek Alatt and Tatar Love Song are my favorites in the debut album.

Laughter Through Tears (2003) is the second album that the band improved their sound. They created professional sound in the album. Klezmer and Eastern Europe melodies will fascinate you. Refugee is the best song the album that it is also their well-known song. Ladino Song, Yesterday's Mistakes, Hora and D'Ror Yikra are my favorites. Do not lose the album!

 

Oi Va Voi (2007) is a self titled album. It is extremely suggested album that it is over genres. Yuri is my favorite song in the album. Balkanik, Black Sheep, Dissident and Look Down are my other favorite songs from the album.

Travelling the Face of the Globe (2009) is the last album of Oi Va Voi. You also could find songs take you to different world. Travelling the Face of the Globe, S’brent, Magic Carpet, and Long Way from Home are my favorites.

You will enjoy hearing Oi Va Voi’s magical music. If you have never met with them, it is time to meet. Go to their profile and meet their music and videos. Do not lose the band.

http://www.myspace.com/oivavoi

Bye for now!

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