Kassiopaea Karaoke

Aragorn said:
As you start to collect songs to this songbook, I think you need to take into consideration also what are the most suitable keys...
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lux said:
[Carpenters song]
Do you like it?
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The Carpenters were my first requested sheet music when I was taking guitar lessons. Before that it was a lesson book with songs like Camptown Races and Jingle Bells. The Jingle Bells Christmas Caroling level is probably where many like me need to start singing-wise. I only play simple chords on a guitar but that's still much better than my singing.

It would probably help my singing if I could like my son hear a song and then play it (he plays keyboards). The only time I was ever able to do that with some trial and error was with the first two chords of ABBA's Knowing Me Knowing You which are strummed once each with time in between. I can tune my guitar and with some trial and error reremember notes for Jingle Bells or Love Me Tender but I'm lost knowing anything about keys or even notes/chords when listening to a song that isn't single/isolated notes/chords.

Supposedly Stevie Nicks now that she's older sings her songs in a different key but I can't tell other than her voice is different. She's had throat problems since the early 80s so there's early 80s live stuff that's noticeably bad even to me. She got a voice coach after her throat problems so she may have at some point became more technically correct not that I could tell what's technically good or bad.

There's a live Nicks-Taylor Swift duet of Nicks' Rhiannon that is supposedly botched by Swift. To me neither one sounds like a young Nicks but I don't have the ability to tell if Nicks was using a different key or if Swift is off key or what the problem may have been other than Nicks is older and it's not a Swift kind of song.
 
Laura said:
Now, as many of you know, we are great advocates of singing together via karaoke or just playing instruments and singing. But I have noticed (and have heard some complaints) that very often, the songs selected for karaoke do not really fit in the "inspirational programme and uplifting songs" category. I think this should definitely be changed.
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I agree. Sometimes, more modern songs are chosen because they are popular and have a catchy melodic hook, but when one looks closely at the lyrics and what message is being conveyed, it leaves a lot to be desired. Hit Me Baby One More Time by Britney Spears is a good example. At the karaoke sessions I have attended, once the more traditional songs have been played and someone pops in a karaoke CD from the '80's or later, is when I usually take my cue to leave. ;-)

It's not that modern songs are necessarily bad, per se, but that the inanity of the message leaves me feeling empty somehow. It's kind of like eating only the icing off of a cake. There's the initial pleasurable rush of sugary sweetness, but it lacks sustenance, longevity, power, meaning that a simple song with honest heartfelt lyrics can provide. Older folk/cowboy/gospel songs based on real world experience, suffering, hardship, yet still retaining an element of optimism, are like the meat and potatoes of music, the bones on which modern music is built.

Perhaps it is a consequence of my age, but the songs I enjoy more these days go farther back in time as I grow older. Simple 3-4 chord songs that are easy to play and sing along with and that everyone is familiar with because they are part of our collective culture and history are the songs I prefer to sing and listen to these days.

Although there are probably thousands to choose from, below are just a few examples of songs that popped into my head when thinking about karaoke music that fits the description of being pleasurable and easy to sing and also having a positive, uplifting message.


Down by the Riverside
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzr_GBa8qk&nohtml5=False

This Train is Bound for Glory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGxZH9fQH_g&nohtml5=False

Ain't No Grave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0MIFHLIzZY&nohtml5=False

Five Hundred Miles (500 miles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ExNM0RrH0o&nohtml5=False

Home on the Range
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJJGikSD9ho&nohtml5=False

The Streets of Laredo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk88TGY_jB8

Honourable mentions - Blue Tail Fly, Coming Round the Mountain, Clementine, Goodnight Irene, You are my Sunshine, etc...
 
I'd like to see a big chunk of Paul Simon in there (with and without Art). He wrote beautiful lyrics and beautiful music. Homeward Bound, America, Bridge over Troubled Water. There's so many. His later work might be harder to sing because he gets a little more free-form, more like spoken word/music, but it's still great.
 
I didn't see Pete Seeger mentioned. He was in his 90's when he passed not too long ago. He had written and sung many classic sing-a-long folk songs. In the early years of his career he sang with the group The Weavers.

Here are a few:
My favorite:
Pete Seeger Leads Amazing Grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gonFPqN8R2w

Turn, Turn, Turn
https://www.youtube.com/embed/q7pzic4mf7o
also sung by the Byrds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4

If I Had a Hammer
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rl-yszPdRTk

Midnight Special with Arlo Guthrie
https://www.youtube.com/embed/-3qRCK__rzc
 
Tristan said:
I do not know what you think of but I guess that many of the songs performed by Rod Stewart would be included in the collection.
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There is indeed a Rod Stewart song that is easy to sing, "I am sailing" : _https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0UHhHybrWQ&nohtml5=False
 
Here's a fairly simple tune and lyrics from the Waterboys that I like a lot, although the lyrics can easily be interpreted in a rather esoteric way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-NXwRUQcmg

Lyrics

We're sailing on a strange boat
Heading for a strange shore
We're sailing on a strange boat
Heading for a strange shore
Carrying the strangest cargo
That was ever hauled aboard

We're sailing on a strange sea
Blown by a strange wind
We're sailing on a strange sea
Blown by a strange wind
Carrying the strangest crew
That ever sinned

We're riding in a strange car
We're followin' a strange star
We're climbing on the strangest ladder
That was ever there to climb

We're living in a strange time
Working for a strange goal
We're living in a strange time
Working for a strange goal
We're turning flesh and body
Into soul
 
Love is on the Way - Susie Suh

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VThQ2FZFZKI

Lyrics:

"The candles they are burning
And we are always learning
Heaven you are watching from above
Angel wings wrap me in your love
But we are marching on and on, oh marching
And we grow weary some days
Carry me back to where I started from
Carry me back to what I've always known
Carry me back to my home
Take my troubles away
Love is on the way, love is on the way
The heart is always churning
And we are always yearning
Oh I'll go, no, I won't let you down
Ray of light piercing through the clouds
But we are marching, on and on, oh marching
And we weary sometimes
Carry me back to where I started from
Carry me back to what I've always known
Carry me back to my home
Take my sorrow away
Love is on the way, love is on the way
Carry me back to where I started from
Carry me back to what I've always known
Carry me back to my home
Take my breath away
Love is on the way, love is on the way
Love is on the way, love is on the way
Love is on the way, love is on the way
(Love is)
Love is on the way, love is on the way
(Love is)"
 
Timótheos said:
I agree. Sometimes, more modern songs are chosen because they are popular and have a catchy melodic hook, but when one looks closely at the lyrics and what message is being conveyed, it leaves a lot to be desired. Hit Me Baby One More Time by Britney Spears is a good example. At the karaoke sessions I have attended, once the more traditional songs have been played and someone pops in a karaoke CD from the '80's or later, is when I usually take my cue to leave. ;-)

It's not that modern songs are necessarily bad, per se, but that the inanity of the message leaves me feeling empty somehow. It's kind of like eating only the icing off of a cake. There's the initial pleasurable rush of sugary sweetness, but it lacks sustenance, longevity, power, meaning that a simple song with honest heartfelt lyrics can provide. Older folk/cowboy/gospel songs based on real world experience, suffering, hardship, yet still retaining an element of optimism, are like the meat and potatoes of music, the bones on which modern music is built.
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I'm with ya Timótheos most modern songs just don't have the right feel when doing karaoke they can be a real torture test. :cry: Here's one thats a group favorite at the Caesarea house.

Man of Constant Sorrow performed by The Soggy Bottom Boys
 
Thanks everyone for the great music you shared here and the great posts about how to go about this...

My wife and I are singing a lot together, but not so much real songs, but we invent little melodies with texts, more like children's songs. Maybe it generally would be a good idea for those of us not very trained in singing to start with simple children's songs?

That being said, I wanted to throw something different and more modern out there - 2Pac feat. Elton John:


Hit 'em with a little ghetto gospel

[Elton John]
Those who wish to follow me (My ghetto gospel)
I welcome with my hands
and the red sun sinks at last
into the hills of gold
And peace to this young warrior
Without the sounds of guns

[2 Pac]
If I could recollect before my hood days
I'd sit and reminisce thinkin' of bliss of the good days
I stop and stare at the younger my heart goes to ‘em
AIDS tested, it was stress that they under
And nowadays things change
Everyone's ashamed of the youth, cause the truth look strange
And for me it's reversed, we left them a world that's cursed and it hurts
'Cause any day they'll push the button
And all good men like Malcolm X and Bobby Hutton died for nothin'
Told em they could get teary, the world looks dreary
When you wipe your eyes see it clearly
There's no need for you to fear me
If you take your time to hear me, maybe you can learn to cheer me
It ain't about black or white, 'cause we're human
I hope we see the light before it's ruined
My Ghetto Gospel

[Elton John]
Those who wish to follow me (Ghetto gospel)
I welcome with my hands
and the red sun sinks at last
into the hills of gold
And peace to this young warrior
Without the sounds of guns

[2 Pac]
Tell me do you see that old lady, aint it sad?
Livin' outta bags, but she's glad for the little things she has
And over there there's a lady
Crack got her crazy, yet she's givin' birth to a baby
I don't trip and let it fade me
From outta the frying pan we jump into another form of slavery
Even now I get discouraged
Wonder if they take it all back, will I still keep the courage?
I refuse to be a role model
I set goals, stay in control, drink out my own bottles
I made mistakes but learned from every one
And when it's said and done
I bet this brother be a better one
If I upset you don't stress
Never forget, that God isn't finished with me yet
I feel his hand on my brain
When I write rhymes I go blind and let the Lord do his thang
But am I less holy?
'Cause I chose to puff a blunt and drink a beer with my homies
Before we find world peace
We gotta find peace and end the war in the streets
My Ghetto Gospel

[Elton John]
Those who wish to follow me (Yea, ghetto gospel)
I welcome with my hands
and the red sun sinks at last
into the hills of gold
And peace to this young worrier
Without the sounds of guns

Lord can you hear me speak?

They pay the price for being hell bound
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Laura said:
Odyssey said:
I took choir in elementary and junior high school and loved it. Even though the songs we sang were considered 'corny' by pop music standards they were very melodic with a lot of held notes and fun to sing. Hearing a group of people singing in harmony can send chills up the spine.
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I think we need to get over this "that is corny" thing. All the peeps chasing after non-corny seem to be destroying the planet so we can get off that train.
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In regards to most of the music today, which can hardly be described as music in any stretch, but rather like torture, there is something quite important in what Laura wrote there. Thomas Sterner who wrote the book "The Practising Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life", brought up earlier in the thread, said something pretty interesting about this, in his CD "The Meditating Mind: Making Meditation a Part of Your Life", which I got yesterday.

I transcribe that portion here, because I think it fits well into this thread, because he not only discusses two simple sounds that have especially powerful effects on our beings, when song in a choir, but also the impact of bad music on civilizations:

"The Meditating Mind: Making Meditation a Part of Your Life" by Thomas M. Sterner said:
At Mountain Sage Publishing we have chosen two different primordial sounds to serve as a Mantra for meditation. Primordial is defined in the dictionary as fundamental or always existing. These two sounds then can be described as sounds that have been there from the beginning and certainly predate us in existence. After spending time with both individually you may find that one resonates with you more then the other or you may just enjoy alternating between the two different sounds.

Science is constantly expanding our understanding of the effect of sound on our beings. Sound and music are very tightly interwoven and so is the silence that is necessary for either to be experienced. Without the silence between the notes music becomes noise. Sound effects our bodies, our moods and our values.It is a fact that the fall of major civilizations has always been preceded with the degradation in the content and values expressed by their music. In ancient china, the music of the people in the different communities was monitored, to assure that they were not moving in an unhealthy direction. If they were high level musicians were send out to begin correcting this. They understood the value of paying attention to what we listen to.

With this in mind we have chosen two comforting sounds: One is the sound of Ahh and the other is the sound of Ohm. The first sound Ahh is really fascinating to me. It is probably the simplest sound you can make, just by opening your mouth and expelling the air the sound Ahh is produced. It is also quite interesting that the sound of Ahh is not only found in many of the descriptive names of god that have come about through the centuries such as god of course but also Ra, Shiva and Krishna, to name a few. It is also found in words of praise such as Hallelujah, latin words such as Cum Laude which means "with praise" and sanskrit Shiva where the Ahh portion is for praise. It is truly a magical sound to us and it has that effect on us when heared through a chorus of voices.

The second sound, which is Ohm, is an ancient sound that has been described as the sound of the universe idling. It has also been described as the primordial sound and that it encompasses all other sounds. You could easily research a thesis on the sound of Ohm, but for our purposes we can just except that it has been around for a very long time and that it has a wonderful calming effect, as it swells and recedes in our ears.
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Speaking of Hallelujah and the primordial sound of Ahh in it, here is one of my all time favorites, gorgeously sung by a preacher.

Pretty simple and very powerful:


Here is the original text of Hallelujah from Leonard Cohen:

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you dont really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor falls, the major lifts
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew her
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the Name in vain
I dont even know the Name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesnt matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, but it wasnt much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didnt come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah...
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Okay, here's what I would like to see happen. Everybody who has suggested songs please look for the sheet music to those songs. This should preferably be simple piano arrangement with chords for guitar included. Naturally, the lyrics too. Scan that music and make a good, clear PDF (not too big) and send it to me at laura(at)sott.net.

I'll be making scans of some stuff in old song books I have and then, when I get all the material, I'll make a selection maybe with help of the Cs...
 
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