Originally written by Olga Vilan I am amazed (and pleased!) to Cesária Évora among the list. Allow me to introduce another portuguese singer, if you don't know already: Mariza. (www.mariza.com).

Thanks a lot for the recommendation, Olga!

I do know Mariza. I've listened to a couple of her albums. Not bad but I should say that I like Evora's records much more.

NK 

Do you wanna check how good your ear for music is? You can do it in 5 minutes taking an online test described below.

What and how is being tested?

You will be presented with 36 pairs of musical phrases, played by a variety of musical instruments. You will be asked to decide if each pair is the same or different. In most cases, the differences are very subtle and require careful listening. Only one note or chord is modified in pitch or rhythm. The duration, volume, and articulation of each note is never changed.

There will be a two-second pause separating each phrase, and the next set of phrases will begin to play immediately after you click on the 'Same' or 'Different' button.

Flash Player 7 is required for this test. If you have an earlier version, you will automatically receive directions on how to download Flash 7 after clicking the link below.

Please try your best and have fun!

You can take the test HERE. 

Below is my result:

I think it's not bad taking into consideration that I was never formally taught music... though practically my whole life I have been listening to it... That's interesting: does just listening develop one's ear for music?

NK

That was fun, Nik.  I didn't manage to cut & paste, but my score wa 77.8%.  Yes, I would definitely say that listening experience matters.  My musical experience involves a lifetime of self-taught playing and singing always by myself without needing to listen to what anyone else is doing.  Secondly, in formal studies, following what the written score says.  Even in choir singing or playing in a small ensemble, we have the notes in front of us and know what everyone else is supposed to do.  It's almost to the point of not listening to the others and following the conductor, or choirmaster.  Playing with someone else means that you make sure both of you are playing at the same tempo so you eye each other and listen, you can hear if you have gone off key, but it's not a very intense and constant listening.  You're still following the notes.

You're a jazz player.  From the little I know about jazz (I have a friend who is a jazz player) you are constantly listening, and also improvising while listening to what those around you are doing.  You are listening for how the chords go and basing yourself on that, among other things which means you have to have internalized knowledge of chords, chord progression, chord types.  The classical musician is mostly stuck in major and minor diatonic scales, while jazz musicians use all kinds of modes.  To play jazz you have to have all kinds of knowledge, as well as to be able to listen and adjust constantly.

Actually the classical crowd is saying that the generation of Bach was close in attitude and ability to jazz.  Bach knew his music inside out, and he could have an improvisation contest in a foreign city, in which he and the local organist faced off by playing (in turns, not together) improvisations of a theme until the local organist conceded defeat and said "You must be the famous Bach."  Many modern classical musicians cannot improvise at all, and are dependent on what the sheet of paper in front of them tells them to play.  And note - Bach and the other organist were not listening to each other and adjusting to each other in the moment.  They heard each other's improvisations and then added to them after hearing them.

From the little I know, I have developed an enormous respect for jazz musicians.

Maxi

New entries in my jukebox: three tracks and an album by Czerwone Gitary.

In the studio (1970s).

Czerwone Gitary (Red Guitars) was one of the most popular rock bands in the history of Polish popular music. The band, playing rock music, was created in 1965 and its golden age was from 1965 to 1970. They were the Polish equivalent of the Beatles, many of their hits have become romantic classics in Poland; they were one of the most commercially successful Polish bands.

NK

My friend passed away yesterday. Forever. He was only 54. Utterly inspiring and talented personality. He had an interesting life: he was a sailor at the Baltic sea, worked as a metallurgist at a factory and was a clown in a circus, he built railways, composed and performed very humane and touchy songs...

His 'Somebody Else's Woman' ("Чужая женщина") won me from its very first chords and then dozens of other songs came...

Only a couple of days ago we were sitting at his huge but very cosy kitchen drinking starka and he was telling me about his favourite philosopher Mamardashvili, peformed his new songs... and today the 'Strange Woman' is still here but Maestro has gone... It hurts, hurts a lot... 

NK

I am sorry to hear that, Nik. May I dedicate to him Post #152010?

Jacek

Thanks, Jacek!

NK

Wonderful psychedelic interpretation of an old Russian folk song.

Pelageya - Ptashechka (Вirdie)

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Folk Rock 
Web: Official web site

Musicinrussia.com: Pelageya is an extraordinary band which plays folk music in a rock style. As well as the name of the energetic vocalist, Pelageya is a band led by Pavel Deshura who has helped to create a unique approach to the Russian tradition. The band are a real antidote to the rather pop based format in which Russian folk is generally presented. The band need to be seen to fully appreciate the excitement they generate.

NK

A great Russian Folk group.

Ivan Kupala - Ящер (Pangolin)