Born prematurely at just 25 weeks, Derek Paravicini has suffered from blindess, learning impairment and severe autism for his entire life. Despite his impairment, Derek has the unique gift of perfect pitch, and is able to play any piece of music after hearing it only once. In 2010, Derek was featured on Stan Lee’s “Superhumans”, whereupon tests verified his musical ability and confirmed his savantism. He began playing the piano at two, and subsequently attended the Linden Lodge School for the Blind in London. He met a piano instructor, Adam Ockelford, on his first visit to the school; recognising his genius, Adam began to teach him. Derek gave his first concert in South London aged seven. Adam is a Professor of Music at the University of Roehampton, the Chair of Soundabout, a charity supporting music provision for young people and founder of the AMBER Trust, supporting visually impaired children in their pursuit of music.
In the Key of Genius: Derek Paravicini and Adam Ockelford
17 May 2013 Leave a comment
in General Posts Tags: adam ockelford, derek paravicini
Recommended Albums #49
17 May 2013 Leave a comment
in Recommended Albums Tags: a.c. newman, shut down the streets
A.C. Newman: Shut Down the Streets (2012)
Vancouver’s A.C. Newman, front man and main writer of New Pornographers, deserves mention, along with James Mercer and Colin Meloy, as among the most gifted melodists of the contemporary indie rock scene. His always-interesting arrangements juxtapose ear-catching flourishes of all things angular, reedy and jangly with a firm rock backbone, placing it into the same baroque pop territory inhabited by Mercer’s Shins and Meloy’s Decemberists.
The lyrics are quirkily confounding at times, but set into wonderfully unforgettable melodies as they are here it somehow all feels right. “I’m Not Talking” in particular is a thing of beauty, the kind of song that renders music evangelist-types unable to sit still until they’ve shared it with as many people as will listen. With an intro that deliberates for just the right duration, making you wonder what the song is going to be, the payoff is that much bigger at the 30-second mark as the full band comes in on a reverb-sweetened riff. Newman knows the art the curtain-opening track.
Neko Case joins in on backing vocals, adding an always-welcome depth to the songs. She’s especially prominent in “Encyclopedia of Classic Takedowns”, which demonstrates right from its introductory hook Newman’s penchant for doubling instruments to create new textures–a hallmark of his work with the band as well.
Although 2004’s Slow Wonder is perhaps the most critically acclaimed of his three solo albums, to my ear this is his most mature and best work.
Don’t miss: “I’m Not Talking”
Listen to: “Encyclopedia of Classic Takedowns”
Listen to: “There’s Money in New Wave”
Songs You May Have Missed #417
17 May 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: inspiration information, sharon jones & the dap kings
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: “Inspiration Information” (2009)
Sharon Jones’ excellent take on the Shuggie Otis title track from his legendary 1974 album, which also contained his original version of “Strawberry Letter 23”, taken to #5 by the Brothers Johnson three years later.
Songs You May Have Missed #416
17 May 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: future of forestry, traveler's song
Future of Forestry: “Traveler’s Song” (2009)
From the first installment of the ambient indie rock group’s travel-themed trilogy of six-song EPs released in 2009-2010.
Their sound at times evokes Arcade Fire, Republic Tigers and early Coldplay, with the main difference being that FOF is sometimes referred to as a Christian Alternative Rock band. This isn’t necessarily apparent at first listen, however; only on closer inspection of the lyrics does it become clear that their ethereal sound is meant to enhance a contemplative, worshipful state of mind.
Being that there are so many other bands of the moment straddling spiritual territory, this just comes across as a group with a second foot over that fence. But Future of Forestry’s music can be appreciated as either of two things: indie rock with a spiritual bent, or an atypically interesting brand of Christian rock.
Wait, stay here and have a drink of time
A drink of time
Wait, before you split yourself in two
There’s time for you
If you travel here, you will feel it all
The brightest and the darkest
If you travel here, listen to your heart
And take with you what lasts forever
Sleep, and dream a dream of when you fly
When you fly
See through traveler’s eyes once again
To love and give
If you travel here, you will feel it all
The brightest and the darkest
If you travel here, listen to your heart
And take with you what lasts forever
And if you travel here, you will feel it all
The brightest and the darkest
And if you travel here, listen to your heart
And take with you what lasts forever
Songs You May Have Missed #415
17 May 2013 2 Comments
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: long live love, tracey ullman
Tracey Ullman: “Long Live Love” (1983)
That Tracey Ullman would take on an old Sandie Shaw chestnut from 1965 seems particularly fitting, as Ullman’s shtick as a short-lived pop star was a revisiting of the sound and image Shaw epitomized 20 years earlier.
The multi-talented Ullman’s foray into retro girl-group pop in the mid ’80’s predated her later popularity as comic TV personality. Her musical legacy in America was that of a one-hit wonder, that one hit being the brilliant throwback pop gem and international hit “They Don’t Know”, a Kirsty MacColl cover.
But in her native UK she charted a total of six songs in the top 100 over a two-year period while recording for the punk Stiff record label. And as the infectious “Long Live Love” proves, Ullman had more than one fine musical moment before giving up her singing career.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/10/23/songs-you-may-have-missed-491/
Every Moment Has A Song 