Have You Had a Mind-Blowing Musical Discovery?
Les Baxter’s Exotica
Les Baxter’s exotica pieces are undoubtedly the music of my inner soundtrack. Imagine living in a world where the melodies of Tropicando, Fruit of Dreams, and Simba Quiet Village are always present. When I hear this music, something profound happens; it resonates with the essence of who I am. This music is more than just entertainment; it’s like a journey to another dimension, a voyage to explore the intricacies of existence.
The octave holds a special place in my heart. I first encountered it about 60 years ago, and the concept still astounds me to this day. The octave represents more than just a simple musical interval; it symbolizes the underlying mysteries of our existence. The way that two notes played together or sequentially, yet seem to become one, is a testament to the seemingly inscrutable nature of reality. So, the next time you have a chance, sit in front of a keyboard, stare at it, and contemplate the scale and pitch intervals – the octave is particularly unique, as it’s the only interval in which both notes sound as one.
A Musical Mystery Unveiled
It was just a few hours ago that I discovered something truly mind-blowing about a song called "Raspberries Strawberries." The Kingston Trio, a legendary group in folk music, features a notable harmony at the end of the song. I had always assumed that Nick Reynolds, being a tenor with a high range, was the one singing the high harmony. However, a recent viewing of a PBS documentary about the Kingston Trio revealed something extraordinary.
During the documentary, a clip from a TV show featuring the Trio performing "Raspberries Strawberries" caught my attention. As the group sang the last line, I noticed something peculiar: Dave Guard, who is known for his baritone and bass vocals, looked as if he was in complete relaxation. Something about that moment made me question if Dave, with his lower range, could possibly hit a note that high. This sparked a deep curiosity within me.
Deciding to watch the DVD copy of the documentary, which I originally saw in 2006, I came across a bonus clip. In this clip, Al Jardine from The Beach Boys was discussing the song and mentioned a comment made by someone about it being Dave Guard singing the high soprano line. This sudden realization confirmed my earlier suspicion, and I was genuinely mind-blown by it. I had often thought that a bass singer hitting a note as high as a soprano would be incredibly difficult, and to think that Dave could do it so effortlessly was astonishing.
Another revelation I had was the switching between lead and tenor/soprano parts mid-verse. This is a skill that requires both vocal range and exceptional timing, making it even more impressive. It’s these little moments of discovery that make music exploration such a thrilling and rewarding experience. While there are likely many others who knew this long before me, it still brings a sense of excitement and awe to me to uncover these musical mysteries.