March already?  How did that happen?  Those of you counting down the days until spring will be happy to know that the next 16 days will most likely speed by.  And for those of you tired of the winter weather and grumbling about the groundhog being wrong about spring arriving early, my apologies for wishing for the snow that fell upon your head when I was hoping it would fall on my head instead.  Next time I’ll be sure to be a little more specific with my wishes.

It’s a freebie week this week, so let’s start off with something fun – and something you’d probably never think would come from me.  This is an unusual video – particularly since all parts are played by one person playing eight different parts.  The song is based on one of the most recognizable classical pieces ever written, J.S. Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude. (be sure so say Bach’s title with an English accent and it sounds a lot better).

If you think it sounds familiar, that’s probably because it’s been featured in a lot of movies (and car commercials) – the artist decided that this piece needed some accompaniment, so he added some original material and 7 more cello parts stacked on top of each other.  He created a cool new sound that embellishes all the features that have made Bach’s work so popular.  

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This video is an original arrangement and adaptation of J.S. Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude, by Steven Sharp Nelson, one of the members of The Piano Guys. While the original prelude is for a solo cello, Steven adapted it for 8 cellos, with the addition of original material.  It was posted to YouTube on June 14, 2011, and to date there have been over eight million views. 

In the description, Steven explains he named it “The Cello Song” because it was what people actually called Bach’s original piece since no one could remember its name.  The outtakes at the end are hysterical – be sure to keep watching.

Here’s Steven Sharp Nelson of The Piano Guys with “The Cello Song”:

Next we’re going to take a mini beach vacation with one of my favorite duos.  Filmed in Cancun, Mexico, the video follows the duo – and their lovely video vixens – as they blow off a little steam.  There’s beaches, bikinis and billiards in this ode to the objects of the guys’ affection. 

The twosome take their good time to a pool bar – serving tropical beverages, rather than the “Kentucky clear” in a homemade jar – and trade the Silverado for a motorcycle and a jeep.  And you won’t want to miss their full band performance shot from a beach-side infinity pool.

FloridaGeorgiaLine

Here’s Florida Georgia Line with “Get Your Shine On”:

Next up is a new artist who started following me on Twitter and I couldn’t resist checking out her music.  From Opera to Country, this artist’s life changed as much as her music has.   She has an extensive background in live performance and at just 25 years old, this Canadian Country Singer is already a seasoned performer, Nashville Recording Artist, and accomplished songwriter. 

She has shared the stage with Artists such as Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Johnny Reid, Victoria Banks, Michelle Wright, Patricia Conroy, Jessie Farrell, and the great Canadian rock bands, Chilliwack and Trooper.

This new adventure has taken her to Nashville, TN where she recorded this debut song at the renowned studios of Dark Horse Recording (many of my favorites record there like Faith Hill, Terri Clark, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Trace Atkins, Taylor Swift, etc.)  People relate to songs that share real emotions – her songs provide this and more with her honest delivery, raw emotion and powerhouse voice.

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Here’s Beth Marie Anderson with “Open Road”:

Next up we have another favorite duo (that used to be a trio but when the third member of their group departed in 2011, thankfully his departure didn’t change their sound).   These two never aim for arena bombast – they rely on easy charm, slowly working their way into a listener’s good graces.  They’ve definitely done that with this song.  And they’re certainly easy on the eyes:

LoveAndTheft

Give a listen to Love and Theft with “Runnin’ Out Of Air”:

Next up is another of my favorite Canadian recording artists, taken from her second studio album and first international release.  The song is a post-breakup anthem, where the artist sings about getting over her ex-boyfriend by dancing with someone new.  This particular song received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who deemed it as one of the best tracks on the album.

Here’s Carly Rae Jepsen with “Tonight I’m Getting Over You”:

Last, but definitely not least is an artist I found by way of one of my favorite shows, Grey’s Anatomy.  In February 2011 she toured across Canada with Melissa Etheridge, and one of her songs was sung as a duet with Etheridge, which they both also performed at the Juno Awards that year.  Over 65 songs were written for her new album, but when she started working on the album she had a tough choice on which ones would make the album – instead, she threw them out.  Every single one of them.  A full year’s work into the trash.

She has stated it was the best thing she’s ever done.   She has earned grass-roots acclaim as a guitar-wielding singer-songwriter, an approach at the core of the five dozen songs she had on hand.  Starting fresh allowed her the freedom to see that she’d only been showing one side of her talents and passions.  She put down the guitar and wrote, first and foremost, for her voice and for her full musical personality. 

The result is an album of wide range and deep vision, driven by a fierce love — and matching talent — for music of soulful connections, for the voice as the supreme instrument, for “pop” values at their most grounded and most reaching.

SerenaRyder

Princess Nagger and I both love the archery in the video, especially the Triforce-ish symbol at the end (you know, us Hunger Games and Legend of Zelda fans).  Here’s Serena Ryder with “Stompa”:

Bet you were stomping to the beat, weren’t you? Have a great Monday.

 

Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

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I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and her cohorts in crime, Lorie of The Shewbridges of Celebration, Florida, Callie from JAmericanSpice, Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog, and for the month of March, our Honorary Co-Conductor, Naila Moon from Just the Stuff Ya Know.

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!

Spotlight Dancers
INTRODUCING OUR “SPOTLIGHT DANCER”:

 

Wayne of Touristic

 

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

 



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The awesome Run DMT also hosts Music Monday (who graciously helps out with our hostessing every time we need it, and who I had the privilege of meeting in person at BlogHer – she’s even more adorable than I imagined):

 

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More Monday Hops – hop along, won’t you?

 

The Things We Find InsideSuper Sunday Sync

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43 Comments

  3. I LOVE the “Cello Song”. My son plays the cello so I am partial to it. I also just saw the Portland Cello Project in concert and they were amazing. I actually like a few of the songs you mentioned. I am old mom to teenagers, so I need to do some updating to my play lists. I think you will be helping me with that. I found you through No Rules Blog Hop and I am glad I did. Can’t wait to hear more!
    Kim would like you to read ..My Latest on InstagramMy Profile

  6. Hello! I’m so sorry about #SSShop!!! I’ve fixed it and it’s back up through today. I hope you’ll stop back by.
    ~dawn

  7. Wow~ Those are a lot of new ones on me, but so worth me stopping by for, and staying a while! Thanks for sharing. Going to have to add these to my listen again list! Have a rocking week my friend… ooops train is here! On to the next stop woooooooo a woooooooo
    Xmasdolly would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Moves MeMy Profile

  8. Haha! the bows… ok no spoiler 🙂 I’ll have to watch the last video probably on youtube as it says the uploader hasn’t made it available in my country, or something. But great selection!
    Hazel would like you to read ..Thanks to youMy Profile

  12. I love the cello! It adds so much to music. I used to be in love with this little local band in PA called “Love Syndicate” in college- all because of the cello. It was fantastic! I don’t know if you can find their music any more but I might have to go looking for it… Thanks!
    carrie would like you to read ..DIY Spring Paper Bunting with KidsMy Profile

      1. I do not know it I could play the chello anymore it was only two semesters that I tried it.but playing music is like riding a bike once you learnd hoeyou can always retry.I wish I had the conifdence to take up my Hammered dulcimer playing again.sadly the fear of a seizure and falling onto the instrument and destroying it has caused me to forsake it all together.
        Mike Golch would like you to read ..Music MondayMy Profile

  18. Haha that’s how life is. When you want and prepare for snow, none. When you hope for none at al, then you get bathed in it!

    It is always fun to learn more about the music and the musicians.

    Thank you for sharing and the fun music!

    Have a fun week Stacy!
    Colette S would like you to read ..Is Silence Really Golden?My Profile

  19. I love that you always have songs I’ve have not heard before!
    I’m still playing Tim McGraw’s Felt Good On My Lips and Sugarland’s “Run” (hubby likes that one too – ha) continually. my iPod is running out of space! LOL
    Rorybore would like you to read ..Music Moving Me Once AgainMy Profile

  20. Love all of your freebie picks which happen to be new-to-me. The Piano Guy is so awesome and I keep saying to myself I’m gonna get one of their CD, but I haven’t. Need to make this a priority.

    Now, I love the sound of Love and Theft in Runnin’ Out Of Air and the last song pick Stompa – really cool, sounding tune!

    Thanks for sharing and dancing with me!
    Cathy Kennedy would like you to read ..Congrats on the weight… wonderful reaching a goa…My Profile

  21. Definitely some fantastic choices for this week Stacy! I’m just basking in the new artists you’ve introduced me to 🙂 I’m especially a fan of the first and last song-There’s something about classical instruments that I’m a sucker for and I’m definitely all for woman empowerment.

    Those woman shooting bows in the video=AWESOME ^.^

    Have a musical week!

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