There was great attendance of the class today -- many new people and a total of 14 students! However, unfortunately the class didn't run as smoothly as usual. The first problem was that we didn't have our normal laptop + speakers + projector so we had to use an iPad. The second problem was that a different group of people had the room reserved from 5:30pm so just as we started talking about music, we had to leave the room. Oh well, every once in a while there will be a day where nothing quite works right and this one one of them.
Because there were so many new students we did a quick round of introductions. As the students introduced themselves I passed around a box of chocolate Easter eggs.
The first song we heard was chosen by one of the new students, from Saudi Arabia. He likes the Moroccan singer Mona Amarcha (info) and we listed to the song "Weinak" (video. When I asked why he chose this singer + song he said it's because he likes her voice. The lyrics are not that deep, but he likes the sound of her voice. I like these kinds of Middle Eastern rhythms, too.
The next song was "Shine (live)" (video with lyrics, song info) by Japanese band L'Arc En Ciel (info). This is a band we have heard in previous classes but the reason we listened today is because they have a new album out and the student who likes them just received a copy of the new album. So I wanted to hear one of their new songs.
I asked the student if the new album is as good as the old albums and he said "Yes, it's just like the old albums." I asked if this is a good thing, that the band is repeating itself. He answered "Yes, I like that the band has a style that they stick to. When the band members do projects outside L'Arc En Ciel they do different styles, but I like that the band keeps its style." Good reasoning!
The next song was "I Love You John" (video with lyrics) by Sandee Chan (info). The student explained that in Chinese the sound of the word "John" is often put at the end of sentences when people speak.
The next song was another woman singer: Ringo Sheena (info). We listed to her song "Bathroom" (video, lyrics).
The kind of crazy style of Ringo reminded me of the Icelandic singer Bjork (info). Bjork is very popular in Europe but my students weren't familiar with her name or songs. Her music can be a little crazy, and sometimes difficult to listen to, but I wanted to show the students the song "Human Behaviour" (video, lyrics, song info) as an example of her music. Unfortunately I couldn't find the song online during the class, so students, if you want to hear it, click above!
The next song chosen was "Hysteria" (video, lyrics, song info) by Muse (info). I can't remember exactly why this song was chosen. Maybe it's on a workout playlist for one of the students?
Muse always reminds me of a different singer, Jeff Buckley (info). Jeff Buckley was a really great singer, but he only made one album: he drowned in a river during the making of his second album. I didn't play a song by him in the class, but if you like Muse or Radiohead (info), check out this song by Jeff Buckley: "Grace" (video, lyrics, song info).
The next song chosen was by a singer Kimura Kaela (info). First we watched a commercial for books featuring her plus the Peanuts cartoon characters (video), then we watched a live clip of her singing to see another side of her voice.
The next song chosen was "High High" (video, lyrics, song info) by G-Dragon & T.O.P., who are from the Korean boy band Big Bang (info). It's a cool club song!
I wanted to hear what the band Big Bang sounds like so we listened to "Fantastic Baby" (video, lyrics, song info).
With that the person who had the room reserved came in and kicked us out :-( . I was sorry for that since the conversation had just started flowing. A few of us went to a nearby cafe for a coffee and to do some more conversation.
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