Music Music to Lift Your Soul: 4 Genres & Honorable Mention

[Hornbein]

Best music ever. Four genres.

Classical:
JS Bach “Air On A G String” in the original key -- Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra
Country:
Jed Zeppelin -- Workingman’s Blues [Merle Haggard]
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CAeZm_CDEhdLDNcraQM7W47BAwTMvMj4/view?usp=sharing

Hard Rock:
Fit For Rivals -- Your Worst Mistake
If that's too nasty for you then try
Kayla Reeves -- You Shook Me All Night Long [AC/DC]



Fusion:
Cartoon Theory -- Wizardry Mind
Honorable Mention:
826aska -- A Whole New World [Peabo Bryson]
Then there are The Beatles and Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley, but you don't need any help with them. I also like the bassoon duet in Beethoven's 9th.

Though some Philistine philharmonics perform it as a bassoon solo. What's wrong with some people?

 

[jedishrfu]

Nice selection.

How did you decide on these songs for each category? I know I would have a tough time deciding and would likely make a list of at least 10 songs per category.

Sometimes I hear a song and after a long search discover its origins. One in particular, I heard in the 70's on the radio turned out to be the song from the movie The Molly Maguires:



or the song Ken Burns Civil War series, Ashokan Farewell written for the series in the style of a traditional folk ballad:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashokan_Farewell

or the humor of a John Denver song like Rocky Mountain High:



I'll stop here. There's so many that I like.

 

[BillTre]

or the song Ken Burns Civil War series, Ashokan Farewell written for the series in the style of a traditional folk ballad:

I love that tune, and it so very well suits the series it was used in.

 

[jedishrfu]

My mistake, the Ashoka Farewell was written before the series. Ken Burns heard it, fell in love with and used it extensively in the Civil War epic he created.

 

[BWV]

This is my favorite civil war tune, not sure why Ken Burns did not use it

 

[BWV]

 

[jedishrfu]

Recently youtube is acting weird or greedy with this forced msg of watch the video on youtube.

 

[jedishrfu]

I suspect Ken Burns wanted a more neutral song without lyrics or political bias.

 

[BWV]

Recently youtube is acting weird or greedy with this forced msg of watch the video on youtube.

its the copyright holder, wanting to fully monetize the views

 

[jedishrfu]

Yeah, I guess that makes sense as then you’ll see other videos the holder has posted and will likely click on them as well increasing their count and money from YouTube,

 

[PeroK]

Classical (Tchaikovsky 6th Symphony):



Folk:



Prog Rock:





Pop single:

 

[Astronuc]

Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Take A Pebble (1970)​

Miles Davis, So What from Kind of Blue

Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries (Live @ Red Rocks Amphitheater, 1986 - HQ)​

 

[Hornbein]

That surely is a fine version of Ashokan Farewell. Here's a choral rendition.

I sang this on stage (with a different group). During the concert my mother passed away in her bed. I like to think it was during one of her favorites, Moon River. "Moon River, wider than a mile. I'm crossing you in style, one day."

 

[jedishrfu]

So beautiful, I didn't know there were lyrics to it so I searched and found Jay Ungar and Mollie Mason's website:

http://jayandmolly.com/ashokan-farewell/lyrics/

Ashokan Farewell (lyric version)​

Words by Grian MacGregor
Music by Jay UngarThe sun is sinking low in the sky above Ashokan.
The pines and the willows know soon we will part.
There’s a whisper in the wind of promises unspoken,
And a love that will always remain in my heart.My thoughts will return to the sound of your laughter,
The magic of moving as one,
And a time we’ll remember long ever after
The moonlight and music and dancing are done.Will we climb the hills once more?
Will we walk the woods together?
Will I feel you holding me close once again?
Will every song we’ve sung stay with us forever?
Will you dance in my dreams or my arms until then?Under the moon the mountains lie sleeping
Over the lake the stars shine.
They wonder if you and I will be keeping
The magic and music, or leave them behind.
©1983 and 1991 by Swinging Door Music-BMI, 975 State Route 28A, West Hurley, NY 12491

 

[Jonathan Scott]

Classical (Tchaikovsky 6th Symphony):

The Tchaikovsky 'Pathetique' is very special. Conducting it (even though only in rehearsal as a stand-in) was a highlight of my musical career. The first and last movements were quite a challenge. The 5/4 movement is easy, although some of the players didn't like me conducting it in 2 and a half (down beat on 1, up beat on 3 and additional up tick on 5).

 

[Astronuc]

Guitarist Rick Beato plays Top 20 Acoustic Guitar Introductions of All-Time

Beato's TOP 20 ELECTRIC GUITAR INTROS OF ALL TIME

I don't necessarily agree with his lists. I would have put Jimi Hendrix's All Along the Watchtower in the list.

 

[DennisN]

Guitarist Rick Beato plays Top 20 Acoustic Guitar Introductions of All-Time

I like that channel, I've watched quite many of his videos.
He's great at analyzing songs.

Here's one where he goes deep into David Bowie's "Let's Dance":
And here's another in which he analyzes what he calls "The Most COMPLEX Pop Song of All Time":
(the number of chord changes and harmonies in this song is just ridiculous )

 

[Colin Hayes]

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

 

[BWV]

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

 

[BWV]

I like that channel, I've watched quite many of his videos.
He's great at analyzing songs.

Here's one where he goes deep into David Bowie's "Let's Dance":
And here's another in which he analyzes what he calls "The Most COMPLEX Pop Song of All Time":
(the number of chord changes and harmonies in this song is just ridiculous )

The Pat Metheny interview was great

 

[mathwonk]

well, maybe not best ever, but pretty good for the 70's:

 

[pinball1970]

I like that channel, I've watched quite many of his videos.
He's great at analyzing songs.

Here's one where he goes deep into David Bowie's "Let's Dance":
And here's another in which he analyzes what he calls "The Most COMPLEX Pop Song of All Time":
(the number of chord changes and harmonies in this song is just ridiculous )

He is great. Obviously been around the block and knows his stuff, however...
He hardly ever mentions Deep Purple and Ian Gillan. You had some of the greatest musicians around in one band.
Same with Focus, around at the same time.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

well, maybe not best ever, but pretty good for the 70's:

Linda is 75,

I never knew until just now that she was instrumental in putting together the Eagles!


"Instrumental" in assembling a band, man I'm funny!

 

[BWV]

Linda is 75,

I never knew until just now that she was instrumental in putting together the Eagles!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Obviously due to a genetic defect

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Hotel California is one of the greatest songs ever recorded, by one of the best bands ever formed.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

The song about a legend that became a legend... American Pie. Trivia: Who and what event were the subjects of the song?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

One of the most beautiful modern songs ever written, IMO

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (Original Studio Version)​

Along with this, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack​

 

[PeroK]

Here are two gems from Joni Mitchell. No one, but no one, writes songs like this any more!

Both Sides NowIt's life's illusions I recall, I really don't know life at all.

She was only 23 when she wrote that.

And, Woodstock



There's even a bit of STEM in there:

We are stardust, billion year old carbon.

 

[mathwonk]

don't know how many will go with me here, but this is what i used to listen to in early morning while doing math. if you dig this, or even if not, you might try also (the more accessible) nikhil banerjee (sitar master) , ali akbar khan (sarod master), shivkumar (santoor master), alla rakha (tabla master), lata (transcendent singer). I gave up my vinyl collection on moving and these are not all my favorites by these artists, but the ali akhbar khan selection below is. I am only an amateur, but these artists are ones who I believe were in India considered perhaps better than the (still very good) Indian artists who became well known in the US.

 

[mathwonk]

nikhil banner jee:

 

[mathwonk]

 

[mathwonk]

this was my favorite late night / early morning raga. I tried to listen to it at about 4am.

 

[Hornbein]

Linda Ronstadt also discovered Emmylou Harris.

 

[BWV]

nikhil banner jee:

I dig Malkauns - so much music from only 5 notes (basically the black piano keys centered on Bb)

 

[Hornbein]

The song about a legend that became a legend... American Pie. Trivia: Who and what event were the subjects of the song?

Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and the Big Bopper

 

[StevieTNZ]

Chooky's 'Fairy Bread':

 

[Astronuc]

A variation on a classic blues/rock tune

Booker T and the MGs, with Daryl Hall.

The Original (RHINO Records)

 

[Mark44]

A few of the favorites posted were of Indian music. A "song" (no lyrics) that hasn't been mentioned is "East West" from the album of the same name, by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. It was recorded in about '65, and to my way of think, withstands the test of time.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=DA7F125A7056BDC384F5DA7F125A7056BDC384F5&q=east

 

[dlgoff]

@Astronuc

Most of these videos say:

Video unavailable
Watch on YouTube
:(

 

[Astronuc]

Video unavailable
Watch on YouTube
:(

Clicking on the link "Watch on YouTube" should take one to the song/tune. Many music videos on Youtube are only watchable on youtube unfortunately.Another unique "progressive" rock sound from Genesis, "Firth of Fifth".

A different version

A live performance with Steve Hackett

I had a friend in college who played keyboards. He got ejected from a Genesis concert after he rushed the stage and attempted to play the keyboards with Tony Banks. My friend was tripping and momentarily lost contact with reality.

 

[dlgoff]

Clicking on the link "Watch on YouTube" should take one to the song/tune. Many music videos on Youtube are only watchable on youtube unfortunately.Another unique "progressive" rock sound from Genesis, "Firth of Fifth".

Thanks @Astronuc . That works.

 

[LCSphysicist]

And, of course, probably the most iconic song ever made to a movie:

 

[BWV]

The new Gothic cathedrals spurred the creation of new music to fit the space

 

[StevieTNZ]

Can't stop listening to it!

 

[BWV]

Can't stop listening to it!

Really? Best music ever? Ever like over the entire history of humans on Earth?

 

[StevieTNZ]

Really? Best music ever? Ever like over the entire history of humans on Earth?

Indeed!

 

[StevieTNZ]

An hour of beautiful music:

 

[Jodo]

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

I grew up on Led Zep but cannot listen to it now. Very dated ( though if I was asked 30 years ago I would have stated " Led Zep forever!"
Tommy Emmanuel has had my attention these last 5 years or so.
Far as best music...these days anything by JS Bach is fine by me

 

[PeroK]

Far as best music...these days anything by JS Bach is fine by me

Now that is dated!