Music, Fashion, Culture - Set List

Friday, May 31, 2024

May 2024 Set List

May 2024


1.  Anniversary
2.  All You Need Is Now
3.  Rush
4.  Tom Sawyer
5.  A View To A Kill
6.  Skyfall
7.  Don't You Forget About Me
8.  Jubilation Day
9.  Take the Long Way Home
10.  Taps

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Off Beat - Amazon On

Donner
Electric Guitar

Donner Electric Guitar, DST-152 39" Electric Guitar Starter Kit HSS Pickup Coil Split, with Amp, Bag, Accessories, Polar White

Donner
Electric Drums

Donner DED-200 Electric Drum Sets with Quiet Mesh Drum Pads, 2 Cymbals w/Choke, 31 Kits and 450+ Sounds, Throne, Headphones, Sticks, USB MIDI, Melodics Lessons (5 Pads, 3 Cymbals)


Amazon - Donner Store

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Set List Special Edition

I am thrilled to announce my recently published journal on Amazon.  The eBook is titled Set List Journal.  My journal comes in hardback and costs $11.95.  

And so without further ado -

Set List Journal Hardcover


Description

In an ordinary world on this planet Earth, be notorious for collecting journals to dream on and say what you need to say. After all, being a wordsmith is just a reflex...not a rush. Set List journals are meant for wild boys, girls on film, and everyone in between. In conclusion, shall you shout, shout, let it all out or sing, sing, sing? The end.

101 Pages 

International shipping offered

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Highest Honors in Music

The Big Three achievements in music include the American Music Awards. the Grammy Award. and the Billboard Music Awards.  Of the three, the greatest honor is the Grammy Award.


- Special Merit -
2010 52ne Annual Grammy Awards

Neil Young - MusiCares Person of the Year

Point of intrigue - Of a total 109 awards handed out, only ten were broadcast.

Beyonce received the most nominations - 10
Beyonce won the most awards - 6
- Most wins by a female artist

Taylor Swift won 4 awards.  The Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, and Kings of Leon won 3 awards.

Fearless, by Taylor Swift, won Grammy Award for Album of the Year

"Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon, won Grammy Award for Record of the Year

Zac Brown Band won Grammy Award for Best New Artist

Of the many in memoriam, one stands out - Louie Belson.

The full list of awards  handed out is extensive and far too great to list here.  Follow Wikipedia to explore further.

Saturday, May 25, 2024

In Honor of Alan Rickman

When you think of Set List, anything music comes to mind - from solo artists to duos to original bands that separate and reunite to concerts to recording studios...

...But you don't think of novels or films.  You may, though, consider the soundtrack as composed by John Williams.

As for the Harry Potter series, the majority focus is on Daniel, Emma, and Rupert.  In this entry, I am honoring Alan Rickman in an iconic role...

...That is not necessarily related to Harry Potter.

Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman
February 21, 1946 - January 14, 2016

Studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Member of the Royal Shakespeare Company

Performances in modern and classical theater productions

Tony Award nomination
Primetime Emmy Award
Golden Globe Award
Screen Actors Guild Award

"...one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination..." - The Guardian (2009)

Film debut - German terrorist Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1986)

BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
(Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)
1991

Most notable character - Severus Snape
Harry Potter series

Directed films - 
The Winter Guest (1997) & A Little Chaos (2014)

Alan Rickman's early career to determination at the end is honorable and impressive.  His breadth of talent spans theater, film, and television.  His passion for the arts spanned decades.

Those before me and those to follow know him for a variety of roles.  I will forever know him as one of the most exquisite actors to grace the stage and camera ready.

Alan Rickman - Rest in peace

The Magical World of Harry Potter

From novel manuscript

Prologue

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Amazon Indie Instrumental - Novation Synths etc.

(Disclaimer - This post contains an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.)

- Novation -

Launch, Keys, Synths, Grooveboxes


 

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Roxy Music

English Rock Band
Formed in 1970

Core - Singer/Songwriter Bryan Ferry & Bassist Graham Simpson
...Simon Le Bon and John Taylor inducting Roxy Music fitting...
Other members - Andy Mackay (saxophone, oboe), Phil Manzanera (guitar), Paul Thompson (drums), Brian Eno (synthesizer)

Genres - Art Rock, Glam Rock, Pop Rock, Progressive Rock, Art Pop, New Wave, Soft Pop, Synth-Pop, Sophisti-Pop

8 albums -
Roxy Music - 1972
StrandedStranded - 1973
Siren - 1975
Manifesto - 1979
Avalon - 1982

Inducted into the Rock and Roll  Hall of Fame in 2019

John Taylor, Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran Induct Roxy Music at the 2019 H...

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Seeing Stars - Iconic zZounds

Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.

On Set List, I delve into iconic musicians.  On zZounds, I delve into iconic instrumentals.

As my last words go,

Play it!

Rock on to the one and only - Slash

Slash "Jessica" Les Paul Standard
Gibson Signature Slash "Jessica" 
Les Paul Standard
Electric Guitar (with Case) 
Honey Burst finish ... $3,199

Monday, May 20, 2024

Grammy High Honors

This week has been unusually busy on Set List and inspiration to keep going remains.

In the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors post, I listed and briefly described the achievements of five impressive recipients, including Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey to name a few.

In 2010, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was handed to a select few honorees.  These winners are listed on the main Grammy website...and on Set List.

September 21, 1934 - November 7, 2016
- Esteemed beyond the Grammy Lifetime -

Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 
(Full accolades list - Wikipedia)

May 14, 1936 - December 20, 1973
- Esteemed beyond the Grammy Lifetime -

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Las Vegas Walk of Stars

August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
- Esteemed beyond the Grammy Lifetime -
"King of Pop"

"...one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th Century..."
500 million records sold worldwide
13 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles
15 Grammy Awards
6 BRIT Awards
1 Golden Globe Award
39 Guinness World Records 
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice)
Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Dance Hall of Fame (only artist to be inducted)
National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame

April 14, 1932 - October 4, 2022
- Esteemed beyond the Grammy Lifetime -

Most well-known song - "Coal Miner's Daughter"
18 Grammy Award Nominations ... 3 Grammy Award Wins
Most awarded female country recording artist 
24 No. 1 singles 
60 albums ... 11 No. 1 albums
7 American Music Awards
8 Broadcast Music Incorporated Awards
14 Academy of Country Music Awards
8 Country Music Association honors
First woman named "Entertainer of the Year" (1972, Country Music Association)
Only woman named "Artist of the Decade" (1970)
Country Music Hall of Fame 
Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame 
Kennedy Center Honors (2003)
No. 65 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll
First female country artist with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Country Music Pioneer Award (Academy of Country Music)
BMI Icon 
Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music  
Songwriters Hall of Fame 
Presidential Medal of Freedom (by Barack Obama)
Billboard Legacy Award for Women in Music
Women Songwriters Hall of Fame 
No. 132 on Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time

Point of interest - Loretta Lynn's southern home is reportedly haunted and she did in fact open the doors to the reality program, Ghost Adventures.  Her advice - If you are good to them, they will be good to you.

The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is an esteemed honor.  Yet, based on the accolades issued to the artists above, there are other profound honors above and beyond a lifetime.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

A Tribute To James Horner

August 14, 1953 - June 22, 2015
American film composer

Elements known for - Choral, Electronic, Celtic

2 Academy Awards -
- James Cameron's Titanic (1997)*
*Best-selling orchestral soundtrack of all time
- James Cameron's Avatar (2009)*
*Highest-grossing film of all time

Academy Nominations -
- Aliens (1986)
- An American Tail (1986)
- Field of Dreams (1989)
- Apollo 13 (1995)*
*Based on real events
- Braveheart (1995)*
*Based on real events
- House of Sand and Fog (2003)

6 Grammy Awards ... 2 Golden Globe Awards

3 BAFTA Award nominations

Other noted scores -
- Star Trek II:  The Wrath of Khan (1982)
- Willow (1988)
- The Land Before Time (1988)
- Glory (1989)*
*Based on real events
- The Rocketeer (1991)
- Legends of the Fall (1994)
- Jumanji (1995)
- Casper (1995)
- Balto (1995)
- The Mask of Zorro (!998)
- Deep Impact (1998)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Troy (2004)
- The New World (2005)
- The Legend of Zorro (2005)
- Apocalypto (2006)
- The Karate Kid (2010)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Posthumous releases -
- Southpaw (2015)
- The 33 (2015)
- The Magnificent Seven (2016)
 
James Horner passed away in a plane crash in 2015.  He was flying.  There were no other passengers.  He was 61 years old.

Point of intrigue - James considered himself as having Asperger Syndrome based on how he perceived his mental "wiring."

James Horner had an extensive and honoring career that included well over one hundred works and collaborations.  His stamp on Hollywood scores were profound and highlighted more than the best any movie could be.

Think about my beloved commercial jingles and what viewers are inclined to do.  Think about twice the size with film and soundtracks.  Are you as keen?  In this post, consider Set List and "Fort Knox" way back then.  In this post, consider James Horner and A Beautiful Mind.  What do you want to learn?  What do you want to feel?  What do you want to enjoy?

...and all because of the first note to a score that defines the tone.

All that has been written here is just the tip of the iceberg.  Read about James's background on Wikipedia.

Rest in peace.  Your music will live and inspire forever.

A Beautiful Mind

The film, A Beautiful Mind, is known well as a biographical drama based on a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman that was adapted by the 1998 biography written by Sylvia Nasar.  The core of the background highlights debilitating paranoid schizophrenia in a time where mental health kn0wledge was budding.  He did not know he was sick when reality did not see his.

Cast - Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Judd Hirsch, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Christopher Plummer

Director - Ron Howard

Released in theaters in the U.S. in December 2001 ... Grossed over $313 million worldwide

4 Academy Awards -

- Best Picture

- Best Director

- Best Adapted Screenplay

- Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly)

4 Academy Nominations -

- Best Actor

- Best Film Editing 

- Best Makeup

- Best Original Score

(Russell Crowe lost to Denzel Washington for Best Actor that year and was a huge upset to fans as well as a questioned win.  Silver lining for Russell - he did win Best Actor for Gladiator.)

John Nash - His brilliant academic mind earned him a Nobel Prize in Economics.  He was not allowed to speak due to his illness and the Nobel committee wanted to maintain proper impression.  Sadly, John and his wife, Alicia (portrayed by Jennifer Connelly), passed away in a car crash a few years ago.

His story and their story together is one of hope to triumph over ultimate odds.

As the biography, from text to screen, goes -


A Beautiful Mind in song -

A Kaleidoscope Of Mathematics (A Beautiful Mind Soundtrack)

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Amazon Indie Instrumental - Bass Guitar Pack

(Disclaimer - This post contains an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.)

As a zZounds affiliate and an Amazon Associate, I am always looking for perfection - instrumental, brand, and cost.  Instrumentals and accessories featured on zZounds are straight from the source, which means reflective cost.  On Amazon, however, iconic names are mixed with indie brands...

...such as GLARRY on bass -


Brand - GLRRY
$89 (Price depends on color finish)

Electric Bass Guitar ... 4-String ... AMP ... Cable ... Strap ... Bag ... Accessories

Follow the brand link above for more information.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

2010 Kennedy Center Honors

In this edition of Set List's anniversary, I am paying tribute to the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors recipients.

Prior to the list below, the Kennedy Center Honors are named in memory of John F. Kennedy and recognize those in the performing arts with lifetime contribution to American culture.  On occasion, recognition includes musical duos or groups, Broadway, and television.  Read more on Wikipedia.

Merle Haggard

Jerry Herman

Bill T. Jones

Paul McCartney

Oprah Winfrey

Merle Haggard - (4/6/1937 - 4/6/16) ... American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler ... 38 No. 1 singles on U.S. Country charts ... Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award ... BMI Icon Award ... Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ... Country Music Hall of Fame ... Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

Jerry Herman - (7/10/31 - 12/26/19) ... American composer and lyricist ... Best known for work on Broadway ... Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater & Best Original Score & Best Composer and Lyricist ... NYU Musical Theater Hall of Fame ... Doctor of Fine Arts at the University of Miami ... 2 Grammy Awards ... 4 Films ... 12 Broadway musicals ... 5 Off-Broadway 

Bill T. Jones - (2/15/52) ... American choreographer, director, author, dancer ... Follow the link to Bill T. Jones for a long and impressive list of honors

Paul McCartney - (6/18/42) ... 19 solo albums from 1970 to 2020 ... 18 Grammy Awards ... Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (w/ the Beatles & solo) ... Academy Award ... Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II ... BRIT Award ... Honorary Doctor of Music from Yale University ... Gershwin Prize ... Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... and more

Oprah Winfrey - (1/29/1954) ... Talk show host, Television producer, Actress, Author, Media proprietor ... "Queen of All Media"

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Strat 70th - zZounds v. Amazon

Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.

In this edition of zZounds v. Amazon, I am highlighting Fender's Strat 70.  Browse and enjoy the collection samples below.

Strat

Turns 70


zZounds
Fender 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster
Electric Guitar, Rosewood Fingerboard
(with Gig Bag) ... Nebula Noir Black finish
$999.99

Fender Player 70th Anniversary Stratocaster
Electric Guitar w/ Pau Ferro Fingerboard
2 Color Sunburst finish
$679.99 ... 4 left in stock

Sunday, May 12, 2024

History Through Music

"We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel is an iconic list of history both domestic and international.  History through music is especially perfect for a high school classroom.

In the present era, there is racial, religious, and medical divide at home and territory hatred abroad.  In the moment, suffering and striking disagreement hide in the shadow when a film unites for a common causse.  Yet at the end of the day, fights and war go on.

I ask you to listen with your ears and your heart to the Schindler's List theme on Set List.

John Williams' work is my top favorite for the week.

John Williams winning Best Original Score for "Schindler's List"

Theme From Schindler's List

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - Arts & Entertainment

The book launched the franchise that led to a film adaptation, soundtrack, and artwork with a subjective theme.  In the post before this, I shared a paperback copy and a DVD copy.

In this concluding entry, I am sharing a soundtrack and an iconic statue that tends to cause debate.

Entertainment -


Arts -

Potina Savannah Bird Girl Statue with Pedestal
- Question -
Bird Girl OR Scales of Justice

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

The film, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, was based on real events.  The non-fiction novel was published on January 10, 1994 with initial sales of 25,000 copies and eventually became a top New York Times Best Seller upon release.

As the story goes...


Brought to life...

Skylark

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Amazon Indie Instrumental - Electronic Drum Kit

Disclaimer - This post contains an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.

In the launch edition of Amazon Indie Instrumental, I shared a unique electronic guitar pack for beginners - LyxPro.

In this post, I am sharing common electronic drums by a unique brand found on Amazon.

Brand - Rockit Man
Model Name - Simmons
$799.99

- What's included -
  • High-definition, full-length sounds with stereo room ambience powered by Simmons (Variable Attack Response) technology for expressive dynamics and realistic performance
  • Large 10" dual-zone, responsive mesh snare with rimshot detection
  • Four 8" dual-zone toms with low profile rims and rim sensors
  • 12" three-zone ride cymbal with bow, bell, and edge crash zones
  • Bluetooth MIDI Control for editing the module using Simmons app and working with compatible music/drum apps
  • Bluetooth Audio compatible with computers, smart phones, and tablets for wireless audio connection to the module
  • Steel, full-sized, sturdy rectangular rack, and adjustable clamps to keep everything locked in place while playing
  • Easy to use sound editing, play-along and practice tools

- On the side -


  • Drum throne with thickened high-quality sponge cushion. Wrapped in soft, high-quality faux leather, breathable, and will not deform over time. Perfect for long-term use.
  • Drum stool adjustable height: The drum throne seat can be adjusted between 16.93 inches - 23.62 inches with 4-position bolt locks or bottom knobs to ensure a comfortable height for playing your instrument.
  • The drum stool base is designed with a sturdy double support non-slip tripod with 3 non-slip sleeves. The triangular design of the high-quality aluminum bracket makes it very stable and will not deform when carrying heavy loads.
  • The double support legs give the drum base excellent stability and durability; it can be folded up for easy transportation to the next gig.
  • Drum throne can be used with many different instruments, the best partner for musical instruments, but also suitable for a variety of home moments.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

RRHOF Class of 2010

In this edition of Set List's anniversary, I am honoring the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010.  Follow the link to each inductee to learn more about their backgrounds.


*Peter Gabriel was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2014.

*Phil Collins has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1999) and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2003).  However, he has only been inducted into the RRHOF as a member of Genesis.

The year 2010 was exhaustive in my personal life.  The launch of Set List in 2010 was and will always be my constant, such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame then, before then, and those after.

As always,
Play it!