Happy New Year!!!

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

An Online Metronome...

To play a piece of music in the exact tempo that it was written, there are a couple of things you need to look for at the top of the staff. For instance in a piece of music "I Saw Three Ships / Away In a Manger / Sussex Carol by ENGLISH CAROL, JAMES R. MURRAY and TRADITIONAL, the tempo is marked a dotted quarter note is equal to 84. If you have a metronome then slide the weight down the metronome stick until it is in line with 84. The metronome will rock back and forth giving you the perfect rhythm to count out the time to this piece.

If you don't have a traditional metronome you can go online to METRONOME ONLINE and set it!

Song History...No Other Love...

o Other Love, Could Love You More...with Valentine's day just around the corner, I will be concentrating on the Love Songs that we sing. There were two songs back in the 50's that were titled "No Other Love".

In 1950, Bob Russell wrote the words to a popular song derived from Frederick Chopin's Etude No. 3 in E, Op. 10, and a show tune was written in 1953 by Rodgers and Hammerstein for their musical "Me and Juliet". After looking at the score of Chopin's piece that is pictured with the 1950's love song on Wikipedia, the "No Other Love" that we sing is the 1950 song.

Jo Stafford recorded version of this song hit the Billboard charts at No. 10 in 1950. Our home recorded 1998 version is sung by my father, George Harvey. I do suggest that you turn your volume down before starting this song as it was recorded on a high bias cassette tape and has a resonating quality to it if turned up too loud.

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

FFS Adds "FuelMyBlog" to Directory...

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

Happy New Year!!!

appy New Year to everyone!!! We look forward to a music filled year!!! I will continue to bring you the history behind the songs we sing, as well as give music theory tips. Fill your 2008 with music!!!

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

Christmas Songs Are HERE!!!

hristmas time is our favorite time of the year! And we love all the old Christmas Songs. You will find a list a the Christmas Songs that we sing in the side column...we suggest you start with the instrumental version of Feliz Navidad to get you in a holiday mood...George Harvey plucks his bass violin, Tony strums the acoustic guitar, Travis tries out a steel guitar sound and Janey Loree plays the keyboard...Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas!!!)

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

Soundtrack: The Man From Snowy River...

his post was written for the Authors go GONZO! Carnival.

To take a cue from our post, Poem vs Movie: The Man From Snowy River, over at Mustang 'n' Cowboys, we would like to comment on the music that makes up "The Man From Snowy River Soundtrack" for our favorite movie based on a poem.

While writing this post , I listened to the sound samples over at CD Universe. One of my favorite songs is Clancy's Theme. In the movie, Clancy is played by Jack Thompson. A nice touch is added as Clancy hums a bar from Clancy's Theme.

Listening closely you will find that the "Main Theme" is played thoughout the movie in different variations when "Mountain Theme" adds to the scene of Jim and Jessica taking in the view from a high mountain outlook. "Jim Brings In The Brumbies" is clearly a main theme as he rides into the Harrison station with everyone looking on, including Jessica. The main theme plays majestically as Jim single handedly brings in Old Regrets' colt, now a stallion, and the mares to Harrison's station.

"Jim's Ride" sets the mood for The Man From Snowy River's famous ride down the steep mountain side, as he chases the wild brumby's, the colt from Old Regret, and his mare that got loose the day his father died. You can almost hear hoofbeats as the music starts out soft and even, then as the music changes, your off down the mountain side...and "The Chase" adds its beauty to the awesome scenes of the wild herd of horse being chased by 30 or so mounted horses.

"Jessica's Theme" blends with the scene on the front of the CD adding to the story, letting you know that Jim and Jessica are falling in love. Listening to "Henry Dies", you can almost hear Jim yell into the forest when his father dies because of a timber accident created by Old Regret's colt, leaving him alone in the world. Jessica's aunt has lives at the station and is charged with raising her from birth. "Rosemary Recalls" is a hauntingly beautiful theme that adds to the intrigue of Jessica's past.

"Jessica's Sonata" depicts a wrestling time for Jessica with her feelings for Jim and sets the scene for Jessica as she runs away to the Snowy River country to find Jim. Even though Jessica is an avid horsewoman, she is not used to the ruggedness of the mountains. As it gets close to dark, a storm rolls in and Jessica falls from her horse, down over the side of a cliff and lands on a ledge. "The Brumbies" completes her mood of desolation as she falls asleep from exhaustion.

In the meantime, "Harrison's Homestead / Jim Gets His Horse", portrays the humble pride of the Man From Snowy River as he cuts out and takes his mare from the brumbie herd. Then as Harrison and his men ride out to find Jessica, Jim joins in the search as the storm rolls in and "Searching For Jessica" plays in the background.

The last song on the CD, End Titles (Medley), is a beautifully orchestrated medley that plays out during the credits.






Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)