1990s Music & Memories

Ever since I commented on this World Wide Ed blog, I've been clicking around YouTube listening to all the music from that era. I suppose despite my old soul and love for all genres of music, the 1990s were my growing up years.

Those were the days when summer vacation lasted an eternity. It was when somehow, seemingly overnight, a guy you've known since hanabata days became something more. It's when you rocked different colored slouchy socks, hairsprayed the living hell out of your bangs to make the perfect wave and had to get your jeans ripped just so. It was when you had your first crush and first kiss. It's when you watched Beverly Hills 90210 and Party of Five religiously and listened to stuff like this:



or this:



Is it completely sad that I know all the words to both songs? Wait, don't bother answering that.

It's not that I think this music is the epitome of discerning tastes. In fact, I competely admit that it's not. There is a ton of music (even in this era) that is way better than this pop candy. However, it is the music that most reminds me of my childhood.

When I hear this music, I think of how young and innocent we all were back then. Even the lyrics to these songs are so naive . . . or is that just the cynicism I've developed over the years?

Listening to this stuff makes me realize how sterile today's music is. There's no emotion, even from the emo crowd. You can't feel the same angst that you could in the '90s. The R&B songs were the best back then. Despite being sorta mass produced, at least they still seemed like they had a soul. Once the boy bands of the late '90s gained popularity, there was no stopping the slide into mediocre and then lodging in just plain horrible.

Can it be possible that I'm already having flashbacks and reminiscing at my age? LOL These slo jams really take me back.

Watch Out Jake!

Jake Shimabukuro better watch his back. There's a class of more than 20 ukulele students (many of whom are 60+ years old) who are about to reach out and snag his jobs.

Last night I attended my first ukulele class. As I was anticipating, most of the adult students were retired. I mean really, other than them who really has the time to take these non-credit-type classes? Besides my friend Elle and I, there was only one other girl that was younger than 30.

However, the group seemed very welcoming and eager to learn how to play the ukulele. At least we have that in common. A few people were taking the class again because they enjoyed it so much and needed the extra help.

For my part, I liked the first class. I thought that 2-1/2 hours of class would end up dragging, but I was wrong. The time flew by! The instructor seems very personable and knowledgable. He taught us four cords - C, C7, F, G7 - and we played a bunch of songs and sang already. That totally surprised me. I think the curve is pretty high with this class as many people were able to play without much help. I'm really looking forward to the next class. Too bad it's only once a week.

Another Reason Why I Love Country Music

Here's another reason why I love country music. It's all about the sad love songs, the heartache and heart break. Can anything get better (or worse, depending on your point of view) than this? Lee Ann Womack's voice is just so haunting and the lyrics are so bittersweet but honest. Country music is about real life and real people. It's not about the bling, private jets or flashy clothes. It's simply about love. Sometimes things turn out good. Other times they don't.

Sing a Song of Sixpence

Wow, I just noticed that we have a bunch of pretty big-name concerts coming to this little island of ours.

Already on sale are the No Doubt and Pussycat Dolls shows. I just caught the breaking news on The Advertiser site that John Legend will be at the Maui Arts & Culture Center and the Blaisdell Concert Hall come September too.

Then, of course, there are all the concerts popping off at other locations - Erykah Badu, Ladytron, Third Eye Blind and Go Jimmy Go.

Is this the year of the live shows or what? Somehow, I don't seem to remember other years being jammed pack with such a musical buffet.

Best to pick up your tickets before they're gone.

How Weird Street Faire Not Weird at All

I was lucky enough to catch one of San Francisco's famous street fairs while on my recent vacation. The How Weird Street Faire was on Sunday, May 10, 2009 at Howard and Second streets.




In its tenth year, the How Weird Street Faire is an "experiment in creating peace, bringing together a wide range of eclectic styles and communities," according to its website. I think this objective was definitely achieved. There were tons of different people roaming around, a vast number of vendors and best of all, various stages rockin' out to diverse music.




Before my trip, I watched some vids of the 2008 event and thought it'd be pretty sweet to experience it live since we don't ever get these kinds of events locally. I wasn't sure what to expect out of a block party with "weird" right there in its name. I mean, it's SF after all. I imagined people in outrageous get ups (I was actually hoping to get to see this), but once we got there the vibe was actually pretty peaceful (as peaceful as electronica music can get you) and not weird at all. Of course, there were some people in costumes, a couple cross-dressers and girls in skimpy clothing, but to be honest, it's worse in Waikiki on Halloween.



I'm not sure if this laid back atmosphere is a normal thing for How Weird Street Faires or if all the cool peeps had already gone home to prep for the night events. Still, it was interesting to see. I wish we had come earlier in the day, but we had visited a ton of other neighborhoods that day and only got to squeeze in the last hour of the event. By the time we toured around as many stages as we could, the event was almost done.



The music stages were all dj-driven with some cool-looking dj booths. They played mostly electronica, something we don't really see too much of in Hawaii. In my vocabulary it was all sort of house, techno and trance-type music. According to the website, it was actually "live electronica, downtempo, dubstep, breaks, electro, psytrance, house, techno, drum & bass, world beat and too many sub-genres to name." As you can see, my electronica vocab is quite limited.



Besides listening to the music, I had a great time people watching. As I said, I don't think most of the participants were very weird at all. I even saw some families and young children there. While I know people were drinking (saw one guy passed out standing up against a building), I didn't see any violence or anyone get obnoxious because of the alcohol. Surprisingly, I didn't even see any bud smokers or smell anyone blazing up. (Not that I'm into it, but it's SF after all, and I was so sure it'd be going on at this concert.) People just seemed to be there to have a good time and dance.




Overall, this was a really cool thing to see firsthand. It was definitely an experience and I just wish we had more time to stay. It would've been awesome to go to one of the after parties, but at that point we were just too tired. It was the day before we flew home and after a week of on-the-go activities, we were beat.

Take Me Home Country Road

Yesterday I was flippin' through radio stations as I am wont to do every once in a while. I don't mean just the pre-saved stations though. I'm talking about every station that catches the slightest broadcast from this little island state of ours.

One of my new favorites is Salem's 97.5 KHCM-FM, Hawaii's Country Music. No, I'm definitely not a country music fan but I could be one real soon. I don't really have a history with this type of music having lived in Hawaii all my life, but that's not to say I don't appreciate the effort it takes to be a singer/songwriter, play an instrument and make it big on the radio. I've got much respect for artists and musicians.

I can't really say what draws me to country music, but I've been listening to it for two days now. I feel like it's able to bring me back to a place where a lot of Americans probably haven't been in a while - back to the beginning of America. The music seems to embody the simple pleasures of life like no other type of music out there. It's songs from the heart and the heartland. Pure Americana.

Here's one of the songs I heard this weekend and just loved. It's by Gretchen Wilson and it's called "Redneck Woman." Sorry, but I can't seem to find a video to embed. All of them are blocked. I've also been digging Taylor Swift's songs. This one's called "White Horse."

Say You'll Stay (music meme tag)

I saw this music meme at A Big Victory and thought it might be fun to do. Reminds me of all those personality quizes back in high school that got forwarded to a million people.

What does your music library say about you?

RULES:

1. Put your media player of choice shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!

4. Put any comments in parentheses after the song name.

5. Tag at least 10 friends

6. Use the answer to the last question as your title.

So, here we go . . . and by the way, tag you're it.

What do your friends think of you? "For Once In My Life" by Tony Bennett (Aw shucks, ain't that just swell?)

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say? "Australia" by The Shins (Already off to a rocky start. This one doesn't make sense.)

How would you describe yourself? "Anyway You Want It" by Journey (Yeah, because everyone knows I don't have control issues)

What do you like in a girl/guy? "Pony" by Ginuwine (Always did like a confident guy who didn't mince words. LOL)

How do you feel today? "Rescue Me" by Fontella Bass (Definitely lookin' for some good ol' rescuing tonight.)

What is your life’s purpose? "Punkie" by Sean Paul (To be a tease and get guys like Sean Paul to fall for me when I've already got a man? Sounds fun.)

What is your motto? "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan (Maybe I really should adopt this as my motto?)

What do you think about very often? "Come Inside" by The Chemical Brothers (The fact that the song just repeats this over and over is actually pretty funny. Maybe I do need to follow my life's purpose - see previous question.)

What do you think of your best friend? "I Used to Love Him" by Lauryn Hill (Doesn't really apply to this question but my best friend does know a little sum' sum' about this. It probably wasn't as dramatic or religiously enlightening as told in this song, but the title definitely fits part of my life.)

What do you think of the person you like? "Molokai Slide" by Ehukai (Funny, "local" guys aren't really my type.)

What is your life story? "Don't Stay Home" by 311 (Hmm, how does my iPod know this stuff?)

What do you want to be when you grow up? "Run Away" by Real McCoy (Sounds liberating.)

What do you think of when you see the person you like/love? "Unpretty" by TLC (Ha, that figures.)

What will you dance to at your wedding? "I Can Change" by John Legend (Well, hopefully I can get this kind of commitment BEFORE the wedding right?)

What will they play at your funeral? "Just Another Day" by Jon Secada (Nice, hopefully there'll be a gaggle of dudes at the funeral all singing this - refer to the question about my life's purpose.)

What is your hobby/interest? "Babylon" by David Gray (Heartbreak and love reclaimed? Sounds like this hobby is too dramatic and traumatic for me.)

What is your biggest fear? "Sweet Darling" by Fiji (Oh wow, interesting answer. Implies a fear of commitment, which could very well be true.)

What is your biggest secret? "Seasons of Love" by Cast of Rent (Yes, I'm secretly optimistic about love.)

What do you think of your friends? "Magical Mystery Tour" by The Beatles (Nahhh, my friends wouldn't go on a drug-filled trip - literally and figuratively - even if they were invited by The Beatles . . . I think?)

What will you post this as? "Say You'll Stay" by Kai (God, I love this song. Haven't heard it in a while.)