Parsons Playlists: Disney Tears

Posted on March 23, 2022 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features a playlist of tear inducing Disney songs curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024).

Disney Tears: Disney Songs That Make Me Cry

Sometimes, you just need a good cry. What better way to do it than by listening to Disney movie hits? Curl up, grab a box of tissues, and get your cry on.

Death of Mufasa - The Lion King

“Go The Distance” from Hercules

“Dos Oruguitas” from Encanto

“Remember Me” from Coco

“The Next Right Thing” from Frozen II

“Can You Feel The Love Tonight” from The Lion King

“I See The Light” from Tangled

“Beauty and the Beast (Tale As Old As Time)” from Beauty and the Beast

“A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” from Cinderella

“Reflection” from Mulan

“Just Around The Riverbend” from Pocahontas

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez8MPSzhhLbHR1OEA3Mup4k

And here is a version on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Green Day “American Idiot”

Posted on March 21, 2022 by marmstr3

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 Green Day’s 2004 album American Idiot. Thanks, Deisy!

Green Day

American Idiot

Green Day - American Idiot

Green Day is a band that many are fans of and many have heard of. I remember going to my local dentist and waiting to be attended to when their infamous song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” begins to play. Without fail, every year I would step into this dentist and the song would start playing on the radio. As time went on, I discovered the name of the song and eventually got into listening to the band and have since fallen in love with many of their songs. And I wonder, was this song such a prominent part of other people’s lives just as it was to me, or was I just exposed to it too consistently in that dentist room?

The band’s official beginnings started in 1989 as a group of teenagers in Northern California came together to create Green Day. Their most successful and biggest hit album, American Idiot, shook the world when it came out in 2004. This album contains songs like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams“, “Holiday“, and “Wake Me Up When September Ends“.

While this music may not be to everyone’s taste, it is certainly a genre that can allow one to feel free and youthful. Green Day was known as a band that empowered the youth and was not scared to point out the faults of today’s society. They are the type of band one listens to when trying to de-stress and feel that sense of freedom many young adults crave.

Currently, the Pearsons Music Library has a copy of American Idiot and other notable albums such as 21st-Century Breakdown (2009) and Dookie, which are available for loans or to simply listen to in our study rooms. If at any moment in the semester you feel like decompressing with some pop-punk, try giving Green Day a listen!

green-day-american-idiot-video

Parsons Playlists: Oh to be Seventeen!

Posted on March 18, 2022 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features a playlist of nostalgic songs curated by Music Library student assistant Nicole (class of 2024).

We all still remember fondly our high school years. Seventeen is a special age in which we have probably had new experiences, learned more about ourselves. This is a playlist with songs about being young and having fun. Time to get nostalgic!

Tomberlin – “Seventeen”

Charli Adams feat. Novo Amor – “Seventeen Again”

ABBA – “Dancing Queen”

Heathers, the Musical – “Seventeen”

The Rare Occasions – “Notion”

Sam Fender – “Seventeen Going Under”

The Backseat Lovers – “Kilby Girl”

Dr. Dog – “Big Girl”

Charli Adams – “Backseat”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey2nXP1wjFdR-albRnM7hxR

Parsons Playlists: Green Songs

Posted on March 16, 2022 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features a selection of music featuring songs that mention the color green in their titles curated by our Music Library Associate, Melanie.

It’s almost time for St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) and the first day of Spring (March 20th), so I have had the color green on the brain of late. Herewith, a collection of songs that mention the color green in their titles. Enjoy!

Color_icon_green

The Chieftains – “The Green Fields of America”

Booker T and the MGs – “Green Onions”

Kermit the Frog – “Bein’ Green” (aka “It’s Not Easy Being Green”)

The Lemon Pipers – “Green Tambourine”

Vince Guaraldi Trio – “Greensleeves”

Panic! at the Disco – “That Green Gentleman”

Green Day – “Green Day”

Kate Rusby – “Village Green Preservation Society”
(the original version by the Kinks is great as well!)

Simon & Garfunkel – “Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine”

Lorde – “Green Light”

Beyoncé – “Green Light”

George Baker Selection – “Little Green Bag”

Babyshambles – “Love You But You’re Green”

R.E.M. – “Green Grow The Rushes”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexqVXjCyoLdglo0D2Ik7ak7

And here is a version on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Don Quixote

Posted on March 14, 2022 by marmstr3

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 Xipeng (class of 2024) and features a DVD performance of the ballet Don Quixote. Thanks, Xipeng!

Don Quixote

Don Quixote ballet DVD case

Don Quixote, a dramatic love story on tiptoe

Don Quixote de la Mancha is a Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. The main character of this novel is named Alonso Quixano, who read many chivalric romances and lost in his dream of becoming as a knight. He recruited Sancho Panza, a farmer, as his squire and started his journey.

The theme of the ballet is adapted from the original novel but only focuses on two chapters. Taking place in Spain, the dancing language expresses enthusiastic, strong and powerful cultural characteristics with various dance types, including Romani dance and Flamenco. The dancing techniques require high standard with daring balance, twisting leaps and 32 fouettés, which is one of the most classic whipping turns.

The music composed by Ludwig Minkus also contributes to this spectacular showcase. One thing to note is that the choreography was first created by Marius Petipa, and even thought his creation has been through several revivals, it still serves as the most important foundation for Don Quixote ballet productions. The video available in the Music Library was choreographed by Mikhail Baryshnikov, and is located in the DVDs section.

A quote from Royal Opera House said that “It is one of the few Petipa ballets to be named for the hero rather than the heroine. It is a comic ballet in a sea of danced melodramas, and contains more character dancing than any other Petipa work on view today.” I am sure you will definitely enjoy the showcase even with only one act!

Parsons Playlists: Spring Break 2022

Posted on March 4, 2022 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features a selection of music for your Spring Break enjoyment curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024).

SPRING BREAK 2022

After a semester of long nights, impossible exams, and a few too many tears, it’s finally time to decompress on the beach of your choice. Here’s the playlist to sing your heart out to while you forget you’re failing orgo.

Wes Walker & Dyl – “Jordan Belfort”

Rascal Flatts – “Life Is A Highway”

RL Grime ft. 24hrs – “UCLA”

Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo – “Time Of Our Lives”

Pitbull – “Hotel Room Service”

Kid Cudi ft. MGMT & Ratatat – “Pursuit of Happiness”

Social House ft. Lil Yachty – “Magic In The Hamptons”

A$AP Ferg – “Plain Jane”

Roddy Ricch – “The Box”

Grouplove – “Tongue Tied”

BØRNS – “Electric Love”

Mac Miller – “The Spins”

Bryce Vine – “Sour Patch Kids”

Drake – “Nice For What”

Lil Tecca – “Ransom”

Kid Cudi – “Day N Nite”

Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”

blackbear – “hot girl bummer”

Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland – “Promiscuous”

Gwen Stefani ft. Akon – “The Sweet Escape”

Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY”

ABBA – “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”

T.I. ft. Rihanna – “Live Your Life”

Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”

DJ Khaled ft. Ludacris, Rick Ross, T Pain & Snoop Dogg – “All I Do Is Win”

The Black Eyed Peas – “Imma Be”

Nicki Minaj – “Starships”

Pitbull ft. John Ryan – “Fireball”

ABBA – “Take A Chance On Me”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexCk3FuauVJE0ZUlQww8CIL

And here it is on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Carmen

Posted on March 2, 2022 by marmstr3

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 Brianna (class of 2023) and features Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. Thanks, Brianna!

Carmen

Carmen is a French opera composed by George Bizet that premiered in 1875. Since then, there have been numerous productions of Carmen, a few of which the Parsons Music Library has on DVD available to check out!

French opera is one of my favorite styles of opera, as it generally involves lots of dance numbers. This is due to the fact that when French opera began, ballet was a major component as the French thought Italian opera was lacking. Carmen was written in the French genre opéra-comique, which translates to “comedic/comical opera”. The story follows a naive soldier named Don Jose, who is seduced by Carmen and is ultimately led to his downfall.

The music is all but legendary, with the most famous pieces likely being “Los Toreadors” and “Habanera.” George Bizet will have you humming his tunes for days after you watch this opera! It is a fun, wild ride from start to finish and definitely worth checking out.

Parsons Playlists: My Chemical Reaction

Posted on February 24, 2022 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features music to accompany an organic chemistry lab as curated by Music Library student assistant Kiran (class of 2024).

My Chemical Reaction

Chemistry and Music

Part 1: The Beginning of the Lab

Florence + The Machine – “Hunger”
Usually I get to lab and I’m hungry so I try to distract myself with some hype music.

The Strokes – “The Adults Are Talking”
Usually my professor gives a small lecture before we get started if needed.

Twenty-One Pilots – “Shy Away”
I start to work with tunnel vision and tune out the other groups in lab.

Part 2: Focus Mode

Conan Gray – “Overdrive”

Salt-N-Pepa – “Push It”

MARINA – “Oh No!”
This is usually where something goes wrong in the reaction or I spill a chemical.

Gorillaz feat. Daley – “Doncamatic”

Majestic + Boney M. – “Rasputin”

Various Artists – “Punjabi Mashup”
Adding some culture to the mix, helps me feel energized if lab is going really slowly.

Mac Miller – “The Spins”

MGMT – “Electric Feel”

Part 3: Did it work?

Gorillaz – “Revolving Doors”
This is the part where the reaction usually needs time to sit and we have other work to do.

Lil Peep & ILoveMakonnen feat. Fall Out Boy – “I’ve Been Waiting”

Crystal Castles – “Vanished”
Our reaction worked! Now we have to analyze it with spectroscopy.

Tame Impala – “Is It True”
Now we have to see how pure the product is using our data.

Drake – “Over”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey5UNqlVtbkpRx5n_g01OsT

Arachnophonia: A New Dawn Fades “I See The Nightbirds”

Posted on February 22, 2022 by marmstr3

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 Esther (class of 2025) and features a locally produced album by A New Dawn Fades. Thanks, Esther!

A New Dawn Fades

I See The Nightbirds

A New Dawn Fades - "I See The Nightbirds" album cover

I See the Nightbirds by A New Dawn Fades is a new album released by Cherub Records. The title song’s polyrhythmic beat, complimentary guitar and bass lines, and attractive transitions converge to create a distinctive musical picture. The gradual accumulation of tension yet unrushed nature of the piece is what results in the captivating arch shape drawn throughout the song.

Cherub Records, founded by PJ Sykes in 2001, is an outlet through which Sykes and his friends communicate their music to the rest of the world. Though originally located in Lynchburg, VA, Cherub Records has now moved to the city of Richmond where they document and release music of numerous bands. Their curious exploration of music conveyed through improvised pieces has been one of the defining traits of this band. Furthermore, they are known for blurring the line drawn between the audience and performers by interacting with the crowd during their live performances.

Because Richmond is known for its unique sense of community, supporting our local musicians is significant in allowing the local music scene to grow and thrive. It gives us the opportunity to experience new music specific to our area and builds mutual support between the musicians and ourselves. I assure you, I See the Nightbirds will make you reflect on the vast range of what music encompasses and what makes it truly special.

Parsons Playlists: Studying in the Parsons Music Library

Posted on February 18, 2022 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features a selection of music for a Music Library study session curated by Music Library student assistant Amy (class of 2025).

Studying in the Parsons Music Library

Study music