Arachnophonia: Amelie

Posted on by

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Nicole (class of 2024) and features the soundtrack to the 2001 film Amélie. Thanks, Nicole!

Amélie

Amelie soundtrack album

Are you looking for the perfect movie soundtrack for a productive study session?

My favorite movie soundtrack to listen to is Amélie, composed by Yann Tiersen. Amélie is a French film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, released in 2001. The story revolves around Amélie Poulain, a shy and imaginative young woman with a unique perspective on life. Throughout the story, Amélie searches for love and connection, as she navigates her feelings for a quirky and introverted young man named Nino. The film is known for its visually rich cinematography and imaginative storytelling. It is essentially a celebration of the small joys in life, emphasizing the transformative power of kindness and the magic that can be found in everyday moments.

Yann Tiersen’s enchanting and evocative soundtrack for the film Amélie stands as a testament to the power of music in capturing the whimsy and charm of this cinematic world. The delicate piano melodies, accordion harmonies, and playful orchestration transport listeners into the imaginative universe of the main character. Tiersen’s ability to convey the innocence, romance, and melancholy within the film is truly extraordinary. From the waltz of “Comptine d’un autre ete: L’apres-midi” to the introspective notes of “La Valse d’Amélie,” (my personal favorite) each piece is a musical masterpiece that mirrors the emotional depth and complexity of the narrative.

You can check out the Amélie soundtrack CD at the Parsons Music Library!

Arachnophonia: Back to the Future

Posted on by

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features the orchestral score for Back to the Future. Thanks, Marissa!

Back to the Future – Alan Silvestri

Back to the Future score

One of the most popular movie trilogies of the 1980s, Back to the Future follows Marty McFly, a boy who travels through time in a time machine made out of a DeLorean by local scientist, Doctor Emmett Brown (better known as “Doc”). In the first film, Marty accidentally goes back in time to 1955, and prevents his parents from falling in love. He finds a younger Doc, and they make a plan to get Marty’s parents back together, and then send him back to the future. Throughout the film, you hear a vibrant soundtrack that adds suspense to the story. The composer for this orchestral score, Alan Silvestri, met Back to the Future’s film director, Robert Zemeckis, when he composed the soundtrack for Romancing the Stone (a 1984 Zemeckis film). After the Back to the Future trilogy, Silvestri went on to work with Zemeckis for many, many more years.

If you’re interested in checking out this orchestral score or the scores to your other favorite movies, you can check out this item by Alan Silvestri and many more at the Parsons Music Library today.

Arachnophonia: The Lumineers

Posted on by

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Susanne (class of 2026) and features The Lumineers’ self titled album released in 2012. Thanks, Susanne!

The Lumineers – The Lumineers

The Lumineers (2012) - album cover

The Lumineers are an alternative-folk band founded by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites in Denver, Colorado. Their first studio album, titled The Lumineers after their band name, was released in 2012 and features popular hits like “Ho Hey” and “Stubborn Love.” The band’s traditional sound, lively stage presence, and heartfelt lyrics drew in loyal fans from across genres and led to impressive feats for the group. The Lumineers were nominated for two Grammys after the release of their first album, highlighting their potential and influence in the folk (and popular) music scene.

For me, the Lumineers’ music is so special because it brings up childhood nostalgia while still holding present-day significance. I first heard their classic songs on the radio and my iPod growing up, so the lyrics and melodies became ingrained in my mind even as I explored other genres and artists. The past few years, I’ve fallen back in love with folk-inspired music, including the Lumineers’ latest releases. Each of their albums hold true to the group’s soulful and acoustic roots while exploring new themes that appeal to a wide variety of listeners. From “Flowers in Your Hair,” to “Cleopatra,” to “Donna,” to “ROLLERCOASTER,” the Lumineers consistently put out songs with catchy verses and simple chords, allowing their audience to easily sing and play along.

If you’re looking to explore folk music, The Lumineers features tons of hits and is the perfect album to start out. It’s available for checkout in the Parsons Music Library so give a listen if you’re interested!

Parsons Playlists: Best K-Pop 2023

Posted on by

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and it features some of the best K-pop from 2023.

Best K-pop 2023

K-pop image by Kurihara Akane / flowerakane@MT

Jung Kook feat. Jack Harlow – “3D”

NCT 127 – “Fact Check”

NewJeans – “Super Shy”

XG – “New Dance”

V – “Slow Dancing”

BoyNextDoor – “But Sometimes”

BoyNextDoor – “One and Only”

Riize – “Get a Guitar”

NCT U – “Baggy Jeans”

Le Sserafim – “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife”

Seventeen – “Super”

BSS feat. Li Young Ji – “Fighting”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zeww2QgmYwNBOEdF9tAArVOc&si=8Jz7zyFVlcNhwaqj

Check out an extended playlist on Spotify!:

WDCE Charts 12-6-23

Posted on by

WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

As a new feature on our blog, we plan to regularly share chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from November 29, 2023 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE 12-6-23

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC 12-6-23

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

WDCE 12-6-23

Arachnophonia: Practice Makes Perfect?

Posted on by

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Esther (class of 2025) and features a book about effective music practice. Thanks, Esther!

Practice Makes Perfect?

Deliberate Practice

If you’ve tried improving or mastering any type of skill, whether it be academic, athletic, or musical, you’ve probably heard the phrase “practice makes perfect.” However, this quote may eventually lead one to discouragement. How could you possibly become better if you aren’t practicing as much as you want to?

Elizabeth A.H. Green delves into the structure and logic behind intentional, productive practicing through her book Practicing Successfully: A Masterclass in the Musical Art.

Practicing Successfully: A Masterclass in the Musical Art by Elizabeth A. H. Green.

Professor Green was a highly esteemed teacher who taught with a focus on violin and stringed instruments. In the Practicing Successfully, she writes,” Ultimate success depends upon one immutable, inescapable, and well-publicized fact: the musician has to practice successfully or not.” When you see famous athletes or musicians, the one thing they mention is the continual efforts they’ve put in to reach the point they’re at. So, what makes them different from the others? One section of the book Professor Green points to is the physiological principle of practice and how we can adjust so that we can maximize the productivity of the session.

I have this book checked out personally to myself right now, but I recommend all musicians to take a look at it! Even if you are not a musician, these principles of practice can be applied to other aspects of life.

Arachnophonia: Abbey Road – The Inside Story of the World’s Most Famous Recording Studio

Posted on by

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Alexandra (class of 2026) and features a book about the history of Abbey Road Studios in London. Thanks, Alex!

Abbey Road: The Inside Story of the World’s Most Famous Recording Studio by David Hepworth

Abbey Road by David Hepworth

The Beatles have been an iconic part of music history since their original formation in the 60s, and well after their break-up with their impression ever-lasting on today’s music and music culture. With over 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, The Beatles impression has continued through the present day generation. Fans today, whether a new fan or old, know what the Abbey Road crossing is. While the Beatles originated from Liverpool, the Abbey Road album (1969) features a picture outside the studio they often used in London. Fans today visit the crosswalk to see the studio as well as recreate the famous picture. Some may ask why fans go all the way to St. John’s Wood in London to see this? David Hepworth answers this question in his new release focused on the studio itself. Paul McCartney even gives insights into the history and the magic that lies within the studio.

I was originally inspired to write something about the Beatles since they have been a very influential band to my music taste and I find myself listening to their music quite often. I was drawn to this specific book as it talks more about the studio on Abbey Road. Although I am from the US, my family lives in London currently and we live down the road from this very crosswalk. This summer while training for a 10k, I would run past this crosswalk everyday and by the tons of people gathered outside the studio, whether they were waiting to take a recreation photo on the sidewalk or waiting to enter into the studio itself. It always amazed me how even if it was completely miserable out, cold and raining as it typically is, these people would still be there. And all of them would still be smiling and having a completely wonderful time. It made me wonder: What is so special about the inside of that studio? Is it that amazing? And while I’ve never taken a visit to the studio in my 2.5 years living there, after reading this book and learning more about it, it is on my must-visit list for when I return over winter or summer break!

Arachnophonia: Kanye West “Graduation”

Posted on by

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features Kanye West’s 2007 studio album Graduation. Thanks, Deisy!

Kanye West

Graduation

Kanye West - Graduation album cover (2007)

Kanye West has been one of the most talented and controversial men in the current music industry. Apart from the many social and political statements he has made throughout the years, West is one of the best producers and lyricists in music.

From his debut album The College Dropout to my favorite album Graduation, West has found ways to express himself and others through his music. You can find a number of West’s albums in our collection at Parsons Music Library including Graduation. This 2007 album has many memorable songs such as “Stronger,” “I Wonder,” “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” and my favorite, “Flashing Lights.”

Additionally, those interested in finding out more about this artist and where he has come from, there is an amazing documentary on Netflix called jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy. It’s a very interesting documentary that shows the process of his first album and how he came up in the musical scene.

Parsons Playlists: French-y? Music

Posted on by

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Isaac (class of 2025), which features some music with a French feel.

French-y? Music

I just watched possibly the scariest movie I’ve seen in a long time, Talk To Me, but unlike my eyes, my ears were quite happy with what they were receiving. “Le Monde” was a terrific original piece for a terrifying original picture, so here are some songs that also sounded a bit ‘Parisian’ to me.

Richard Carter – “Le Monde”

Edith Piaf – “La Foule”

France Gall – “N’écoute pas les idoles”

Antonio Muréna – “Melancolie”

Zan – “Yasmeen”

Nicholas Britell – “Roman’s Beat – Hearts”

Madlib Invazion – “Movie Finale”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey8idJYQAYyx8Hu14iuGrI5&si=uXwT89XLQvXd1WDl

WDCE Charts 11-29-23

Posted on by

WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

As a new feature on our blog, we plan to regularly share chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from November 29, 2023 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE Chart 11-29-23

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC 11-29-23

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

WDCE 11-29-23 graphic