Thursday, November 17, 2011

Favorite Things Friday

It's been awhile since I've been able to participate in Favorite Things Friday with Shay over at Quilting in My Pyjamas.  I have missed it!

My latest new favorite is an album called The Goat Rodeo Sessions, featuring the classic cellist, Yo-yo Ma.   

When my mom said she'd bought the new Yo-yo Ma CD, I expected the beautiful classic pieces to which I'd been briefly introduced when watching President Obama's inauguration.  My curiosity was piqued when I was told the name of the new CD:  The Goat Rodeo Sessions.  Really?  Yo-yo Ma and goats?  I couldn't imagine.

 
Billboard.com exclaims, "Yo-yo Ma Trades in Bach for Bluegrass". 

The band is composed of Yo-yo Ma, pre-eminent classical cellist; Edgar Meyer, award-winning bassist; Chris Thile, mandolin player and member of alt-bluegrass bands Nickel Creek and the Punch Brothers; and fiddler Stuart Duncan, top notch session musician having recorded with likes of Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.  The songs are all original.

The name for the album is based on the definition of a "goat rodeo", meaning that about 100 things must go right at once if anyone is going to walk away from it.  Yo-yo Ma doesn't improvise.  Stuart Duncan does not read music.  What an interesting dynamic, no?


Here's a little taste:

14 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed it....lovely. Can't believe that The fiddler can't read music. Just goes to show the love of something can bring people together in a wonderful way.

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  2. Sounds lovely might have to look into that wonder if I can get it on itunes

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  3. I love Yo-Yo Ma! I dislike bluegrass! This CD - as good as it is - has the potential to DESTROY ME!!!

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  4. Warning! Warning! This CD is so intriguing and mind expanding that I have developed a Yo Yo Ma addiction. I must refrain from listening to it as often as I wish in order to keep this addiction under control. :)

    Suzanne (Michelle's mom)

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  5. My son and I were just talking about this album and wanting to go check it out and possibly purchase. I'm sold now. Doesn't matter what this master plays, he's phenomenally gifted. So glad to hear him stretching out like this and the other musicians stretching out, too. It's chilling, in a good way. Thank you so much for posting.

    (And Suzanne, you are hysterical. :) )

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  6. I LOVE Chris Thile. And I wish he was singing too.

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  7. Aarrghhh! I have no sound on my computer right now. I am going to have to go and listen somewhere else because I am really intrigued. Thanks for this FTF!

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  8. I had this playing in the background while I planned out my morning and I loved it.

    You're right Suzanne...It is addictive!

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  9. This is great! I think it's a bit jazzy too. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Wow! I could listen to that all day!!! Thanks for introducing me to this great music!

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  11. thanks for sharing that music. I really like it a lot. I listened to some of the sessions. I am going to be on the lookout for that cd.

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  12. Um, wow! That is really amazing. I'll be clickety-clicking on over to iTunes to see if it is available there. LOVED the infusion that four very talented artists created. And, Stuart Duncan does not read music!?!?

    Loved your mom's warning, but I'm going to indulge anyway.

    xo -E

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Your comments brighten my day. :-)