Coldplay Does Christmas... New Music Monday!

Hey my Monday peoples! Well, the title says it all, this week's new song is a little dilly by an experienced British by the name of Coldplay. They just so happen to be my all-time favorite band and when I found out they'd made a Christmas song, I couldn't resist the opportunity to feature them right here on the SMP.



The song is "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay, and I have to say, I love the video. I hope my bias isn't affecting how good/bad the song is! I'm usually a little skeptical of new Christmas music, since the old stuff is often not as good as the holiday music from the 40s to 90s. Coldplay has created an original that really does give you that fuzzy warm feeling inside. Feel the love!

-Whitni

As is customary, an explanation of Christmas. Or, at least, part one of an explanation, since I'm devoting two NMMs to this particular holiday (only because it has the most music!). Christmas began as Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, which means "the birthday of the unconquered sun". It was more of a winter festival celebrated because of the winter solstice. During the winter solstice the sun reversed it's southward retreat and seemed to be unconquered and experiencing a rebirth. Some early Christian writers connected the rebirth of the sun with the birth of Jesus Christ. It wasn't until the year 354 that Christmas was even documented as being celebrated on December 25th. You'll have to check back next week for the rest of the story!

My Sweet Lord, Hare Krishna, and Dhani: George Harrison After the Beatles

A man of few words, but many actions, George Harrison will forever go down in history as the affectionately named 'Quiet Beatle'. He was the lead guitarist for the Beatles, but after they broke up, he followed his own path of enlightenment, religion (in a tweaked sense), and, of course, music and art. Even while in the Beatles, he was always more of a individual, a solo artist of sorts; he recorded and released two solo instrumental albums, Wonderwall Music and Electronic Sound while still in the band. From then on, he pursed music, art, film, charity, and even fatherhood, and George Harrison will always be remembered for his musical abilities, as well as his heart full of love and hope.

When Harrison was still a Beatle, in about 1965, he became interested in Indian music, sitar, and later Hinduism, which helped broaden the Beatles musical horizons (this can be heard in albums like Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band). It was around this time that more and more of George's songs began to show up on the Beatles albums. By the time Abbey Road was recorded, George was ready to unleash his own songs to the world, and strike out as a musician in his own right, no longer overshadowed by the powerful Lennon-McCartney duo.

All Things Must Pass (1970) came as a result of this breakthrough. Three discs full of music, and two of those discs full of mostly original Harrison songs (the third disc was George and friends, jamming), led to All Things Must Pass being Harrison's most critically acclaimed album, as well as his best known and most loved (it was six times certified platinum). George came storming out of the gates, as a solo artist, strong.



On All Things Must Pass, there were several singles that are, even today, played on the radio, and are probably some of the career-making singles Harrison will forever be known for- 'My Sweet Lord', 'Isn't It A Pity?', 'What Is Life', 'Wah-Wah', 'I Dig Love', 'Beware Of Darkness', and 'Apple Scruffs'. Sadly, Harrison encountered copyright problems with 'My Sweet Lord', having a lawsuit because the song sounded too much like the Chiffons song 'He's So Fine'. This was later settled, but not without grief (not sobering grief, just tiring grief) from Harrison, which would bring him to later record a song called 'This Song', which poked fun at the court case, as well as the ruling.

After ATMP, Harrison became aware, from friend and mentor Ravi Shankar, of the disastrous situation in Bangladesh, where political turmoil and a cyclone had brought about serious hardships to the area, and people, especially children, were without basic needs. George recorded a song called 'Bangla Desh' to raise awareness, and set up The Concert for Bangladesh. On August 1, 1971, two concerts were held in Madison Square Garden. Over 40,000 people attended, making it the largest benefit concert at that point in history. Many famous musicians like Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, and the members of Badfinger played along with George and Ravi. The concert raised $243,418.50, which was given to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) to distribute. Sales from the album and DVD continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.

His next album, Living In the Material World (1973) would not be as successful as ATMP (none of his albums would), but the single 'Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)' proved to be quite the single. This particular album also had deep Indian influences. Dark Horse (1974) would not go as well with the critics. During this album, Harrison had broken up with his wife of eight years, Pattie Boyd, and was suffering from laryngitis.



His final album for EMI and Apple Records (which was founded by the Beatles themselves) was Extra Texture (Read All About It) in 1975. It created two singles, including 'Yes' and 'This Guitar (Can't Keep From Crying)'. The latter was Apple's last original single. Apple would also go on to release a album of Harrison's Beatle and solo work called The Best Of George Harrison.

In 1976, George started recording under the label 'Dark Horse'. The first record to come out was Thirty Three and 1/3, which became his most successful late 1970s album. This album included songs like 'This Song' and 'Crackerbox Palace', which reflected Harrison's growing friendship with Monty Python's Eric Idle.

On Sept. 2, 1978, George married Dark Horse assistant Olivia Arias, whom he had met in 1974. A month before the wedding they welcomed Dhani (pro. Dhaa-Knee) Harrison, the couple's only child, and George Harrison's only son. Soon after, he recorded a self titled album, called George Harrison, which made the Billboard Top 20. Throughout the 70s, Harrison wrote songs for many other musicians, including former Beatles John Lennon and Ringo Starr, worked with artists like Billy Preston and Cheech & Chong, and preformed on Saturday Night Live with Paul Simon.



After John Lennon was murdered in 1980, George revised the lyrics of a song originally for Ringo Starr, and recorded it as 'All Those Years Ago' as a tribute song for John. The three remaining Beatles played on it. It was featured on his album Somewhere In England, which was supposed to be released in 1980, but was released in 1981 instead, due to some difficulties Harrison was having with the music industry.

After the release of his twelfth album Gone Troppo, Harrison didn't release music for five years, and rarely appeared in public. This gave time for Harrison to explore his other interests and duties, like tending to his wife and son, gardening, racing cars, and practicing Hinduism and mediation.

In 1987, Harrison returned to the music industry with the album Cloud Nine, which proved to be one of his best and most acclaimed. Songs like 'When We Was Fab' and "This Is Love' hit the charts, and the album did pretty well. By this time, a new generation of listeners were tuning in to the musings of the legends of the past, and MTV helped introduce George to a new group of music fans.



For the rest of his career, George slowed down significantly, but was always involved in the world of music, art, and charity. He released another album, Best Of Dark Horse 1976-1989. He played concerts with others, appeared on TV, played at Carl Perkins funeral, attended Linda McCartney's memorial service, played with Electric Light Orchestra, and co-wrote a song called 'Horse To The Water' with his son Dhani. He was also invested in his charity, The Material World Foundation, which supported all artists, regardless of circumstances or special needs.

In 1988, George helped form a group of musicians called the Traveling Wilburys, which included Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty. They released two albums, and the song 'Handle With Care' became well known. George also helped with the making of The Beatles Anthology, in which he gave lengthy interviews and played in the first Beatles single in decades, 'Free As A Bird'. Harrison also spent time working in his film production and distribution company HandMade Films.

In 1997, throat cancer was discovered in Harrison. He began treatment, and it was successfully removed with radiation. Then, in 1999, Harrison and his wife were attacked in their home by crazed fan. Both survived the attack, but were badly shaken. Harrison had been limiting his public appearances since Lennon had died, and continued to do so. In May of 2001, George underwent surgery for a cancerous tumor found in his lung. Despite this, the cancer made its way to his brain, and he sought treatment.

On November 29, 2001, George Harrison died at a Hollywood Hills mansion once leased by Paul McCartney. He was cremated, and his ashes were spread in the Ganges River, abiding by the Hindu tradition. The year after his death, Dhani and Olivia Harrison organized 'The Concert For George', which featured many of George's friends (Clapton, Starr, McCartney) and benefited his charity, The Material World Foundation. Also in 2002, Dhani and Jeff Lynne released Harrison's final album, Brainwashed. It received generally positive reviews, and reached 18 on the charts. Singles from that albums include 'Any Road' and 'Stuck Inside A Cloud'.



In March 2004, George was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo artist. Recently, director Martin Scorsese announced that he was going to be making a documentary about George called Living In The Material World: George Harrison.

George Harrison was a sweet, thoughtful, and considerate rock guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor, film producer, and philanthropist who was not only concerned with his own problems, but those of the world. He was deeply invested in spiritual learning and generosity, and his family continues to spread that message today. He was a man who set out from the Beatles wanting to make a difference, and that, and more, is exactly what he did.

-Raivynn

P.S- Find out more information about George Harrison, his music, and The Material World Foundation at www.georgeharrison.com.

Remember to Imagine

Today could be a pretty sad day, and it probably is for a lot of people. Today, 30 years ago, John Lennon, former Beatle, musician, artist, revolutionary, and advocate for peace was murdered outside his home, his wife Yoko by his side, and his young son Sean a few flights upstairs. The man who committed the crime had been in jail all these years, but I hope that people today can not focus on the absolute madness in the crime itself, but on the genuis man behind the music. Radio stations across the country are playing John's tracks, from 'Revolution' to 'Watching The Wheels'. I know I'll be listening to 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' and 'Whatever Gets You Through The Night', remembering a true pioneer in music.

One more thing. Tell the little kids in your life about John. Not just John, but all the Beatles, and the Stones, the Who, the Kinks, the Mamas and the Papas, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, everything. These kids are our future, but a knowledge of past music, to live a truly enriched life, is necessary.

John knew this, and his children were educated on the legends of the past. And you can bet that my kids will know that December 8 is a day to remember to wish for peace.

-Raivynn

If you would like more information about John Lennon, please read the blog post Working Class, NYC, and Lost Weekends: John Lennon After The Beatles or visit http://www.johnlennon.com/

Peace

New Music Monday: Eight Bright Nights and Candlelight

Hey-o Mondayers! It's that time of week again and now that it's winter, and all dark, cold and gloomy, we need some extra good new music to lift our spirits. That's why NMM will be featuring new holiday music all through December. This Monday we're taking a trip to Yeshiva University, in New York City, where a young group of men created an all-male a-capella group in the fall of 2007.



This song is called "Candlelight" by The Maccabeats. If it sounds familiar, it is! The song is a spin on Taio Cruz's "Dynamite", but this is no cover. These young men are finding a nice cozy spot in the a-capella world, as well as the world of Jewish music. I adore this song and I sincerely hope it will become a Hanukkah favorite!

-Whitni

In case you don't know, Hanukkah is the Jewish celebration of a Jewish victory over Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C. The Syrian-Greeks took control of a holy temple and tried to force the Jews to bow down to false idols and eat pork- two things forbidden in Judaism. The Jews took back control of the temple and tried to purify the temple by burning oil on a menorah for eight days, but they found they only had enough oil for one day. They lit the menorah anyway and, miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days.

Working Class, NYC, and Lost Weekends: John Lennon After the Beatles

John Lennon is known, to this day, as the most well know Beatles, as well as one of the most well known people in the world. Well before the Beatles had broken up, John was beginning to strike out on his own, forming The Plastic Ono band and spending more and more time with his girlfriend, and later on, wife, Yoko Ono. After the Beatles he became increasing involved in social and political activism, especially working towards peace. Although he was murdered in 1980, he remains a important public figure, and as well as a realistic, charming, witty, genius artist.

Following the break up of the Beatles in 1970, both John (with Yoko, as they were married by this time) underwent primal therapy, hoping to face the demons in his past, including the many issues he had as a child with his mother, father, and aunt Mimi. This therapy very much affected his music, and his debut solo album, Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was quite emotional, with hits like 'Mother', 'Working Class Hero', and 'Power To The People', which displayed the beginnings of his social involvement.

However, Lennon's musicality soon changed back to a Beatles-esque sound with his album Imagine. 'Imagine' is still one of his better known songs, with the lyrics:

You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one

I'm quite sure most people who have access to radio or internet have heard this song. Later on, Lennon would say the song was "anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic", but most of all, it represented the ever present image as 'Lennon- Peace Maker'.

Imagine also featured a song that was less peaceful, directed at former Beatles and songwriting partner, Paul McCartney, called 'How Do You Sleep'. The song jabs at McCartney, referencing events that took place during the Beatles several times. Overall, the album received very favorable reviews.



In August 1971, John and Yoko moved to America, specifically New York City. This was to become Lennon's home, as he would never return to Britain. At this point, Lennon was very vocal in his protest against the Vietnam War, which had the entire world in wraps. Hundreds of men were dying every week, and many Americans, especially young Americans, wanted the troops brought home. One way John outwardly opposed the war was the song 'Happy Christmas (War Is Over)', as well as billboards that said "WAR IS OVER (If you want it)." After this, fearing John would become a leader for the youth movement, the Nixon administration investigated John increasing more over the years, built a case against him and, ultimately, decided to deport him. It wasn't until 1975, on John's birthday and the birth of his second son Sean, that John found out he had been granted a green card, and could stay in the States.

His third solo album, Some Time In New York City, included the song 'Woman Is The Nigger Of The World', which received extreme criticism. Many DJ's refused to play it on the radio. Lennon defended it as a pro-feminist song, and even quoted U.S Representative Ron Dellums, who said "If you define 'nigger' as someone whose lifestyle is defined by others, whose opportunities are defined by others, whose role in society is defined by others, the good news is that you don't have to be black to be a nigger in this society. Most of the people in America are niggers."

Lennon hosted and participated in multiple concerts for the benefit of others, like John Sinclair, who went to jail, and received a ten-year sentence for selling two joints of marijuana, and the One to One concert, which helped children at the Willowbrook State School Mental Facility. The One to One concerts (there were two) were Lennon's last full-fledged concerts.



Soon after, while recording his fourth solo album Mind Games, John and Yoko split. John retreated to Los Angeles, with Yoko's assistant May Pang accompanying him. Many called this eighteen month period Lennon's 'Lost Weekend', as he met new friends, became re-acquainted with old ones (like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Mal Evans), got to know his first son, Julian, better, and finished Mind Games. However, the album did not get as many positive reviews as expected. This, added to the fact that John was separated from Yoko, drove John to taking drugs and excessively consuming alcohol. Many cite this period as a dark time for Lennon, in which he was often drunk and depressed.

John and May returned to New York in 1974, and John started work on his fifth album Walls and Bridges. For this album, John refrained from drinking and doing drugs, and continued doing so until his death. He also reestablished a relationship with Yoko, and soon after, Yoko became pregnant.

Walls and Bridges brought about the only number one single, 'Whatever Gets You Through The Night', which featured Elton John. Other hit songs included '#9 Dream' and 'Stand By Me'. John also appeared at Elton John's Thanksgiving concert at Madison Square Garden, receiving a ten-minute standing ovation.

Sean Taro Ono Lennon was born on October 9, 1975, the same day as his father's 35th birthday. John became a house-husband, caring dearly for his son, feeding him, playing with him, and teaching him how to swim, and would later write a song for him called 'Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)'. He withdrew from the public eye, and, for the first time, focused on his family.



In October of 1980, Lennon released 'Just Like (Starting Over)', which was off his album Double Fantasy. Double Fantasy featured both songs by John, and songs by Yoko. By this period of time, the media was much kinder to Yoko, crediting her music and art as true talent. Yoko and John had begun work on their next album, Milk and Honey and a worldwide tour, when, on December 8, 1980, John was shot down by Mark David Chapman, in front of his apartment, the Dakota. Despite attempts to revive him at the hospital, John Lennon was pronounced dead.

In New York's Central Park, there is a 2.5 acre landscaped section called the Strawberry Fields memorial, often called 'Imagine circle', as seen in the picture below. This memorial is one of many to remember this beautiful man missed by many. Other memorial sites include places like Liverpool, England, and Havana, Cuba.



Musician, author, artist, public figure, leader, revolutionary, peace advocate, father, husband, friend; John was all these things and more. He is still missed dearly by those who outlived him, and his messages of peace, community, humor, shared existence and love continue to spread.

-Raivynn

Don't Get All Technical

Happy December fellow readers! I hope the holidays aren't too stressful for everyone, and if they are, I hope this little blog of ours offers some relief from your crazy in-laws. This month will be very exciting, with all kinds of blog posts and new music, and starting in the new year, we've got a HUGE surprise that has even me geeking!

First off, we've got some new techie stuff on the side of the blog. The Grooveshark listening box (!!) is awesome. Use it. It features music from all the albums we've reviewed as well as new music (like from New Music Mondays!). If you have used it, you may have noticed a little problem. Yeah, we know, after 1-3 songs, it stops playing. And won't start again, unless you refresh the page. We are working on fixing this, and I'm sorry. Sometimes Grooveshark sucks.

Next, The Stack. It's awesome too, and you can definitely request albums for us to listen to (that would be the cool thing to do). Just know that, when you hit the 'Email Me', it will take you to the Yahoo! Mail link. If you don't have a Yahoo!, just email us at walnuts13@gmail.com. We are working on that too.

Okay, happy/good news!! New, fun posts coming up. I will be blogging, this Friday. It will start a series called 'The Beatles, After The Beatles'. For four weeks, it will be John, Paul, George, and Ringo, and their life after the Beatles. I can hardly wait.

We will have reviews, as usual. We will also have three special posts: Holiday Music, The Year In Music and Holiday Awkwardness. So keep an eye out for those.

So, I think that's it.

This is Raivynn, signing off!