tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231979855831826598.post844326449181270180..comments2023-08-09T06:33:27.170-07:00Comments on Pallimed: Arts and Humanities: "Casimir Pulaski Day" by Sufjan StevensChristian Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685043408496367587noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231979855831826598.post-71696373349607720522011-03-16T23:53:39.561-07:002011-03-16T23:53:39.561-07:00Rachelle, Thanks so much for your insightful comme...Rachelle, <br><br>Thanks so much for your insightful comment. It is great to have the input from someone with a strong foundation in music theory. You should really check out some of the rest of Amy's posts on music they are great.<br><br>I agree ti does sound a lot like a lullaby and even played it to my kids when they were babies to help them get to sleep. Along with Bright Eyes "First Day of My Life"Christian Sinclair, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685043408496367587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231979855831826598.post-71793753775507698072011-03-16T23:53:38.825-07:002011-03-16T23:53:38.825-07:00I am really glad that Christian brought this post ...I am really glad that Christian brought this post back up, because I just started reading this blog recently, and I would have missed it otherwise. This is also one of my favorite songs that tackles the topic of death and grieving.<br><br>Musically, what I like best about this song is its intimate sound. This song has such an intimate texture with the banjo and voice, especially when contrasted with the thicker instrumentation and unique sounds on other songs on this album. The gentle, rocking rhythm contributes to an intimate, lullaby-like sound. The parallel vocal harmonies also underscore the sense that this song is really about the relationship between two people, even though other people are mentioned in the lyrics. (Nothing feels more intimate performance-wise than singing in close vocal harmonies.) Of course, you already mentioned the glimpses we get of such real, raw, intimate moments in the lyrics (like, "I thought I saw you breathing"). I love it!<br><br>A great musical moment happens near the end of the song, too, with an unresolved chord on the organ followed by the tonic/resting chord on the banjo to end the song. I've had many music therapy clients say they dislike the sound of the organ because they associate it with death and funerals, and that chord on the organ underscores that discomfort then ends abruptly with a resolution on the banjo.<br><br>Thank you so much for this post! I feel now like I've been waiting for years to discuss this particular song, and I appreciate the chance to do so.Rachelle Normanhttp://soundscapemusictherapy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231979855831826598.post-86724734918452331192011-03-12T19:25:49.383-08:002011-03-12T19:25:49.383-08:00Rachelle,
Thanks so much for your insightful com...Rachelle, <br /><br />Thanks so much for your insightful comment. It is great to have the input from someone with a strong foundation in music theory. You should really check out some of the rest of Amy's posts on music they are great.<br /><br />I agree ti does sound a lot like a lullaby and even played it to my kids when they were babies to help them get to sleep. Along with Bright Eyes "First Day of My Life"Christian Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14685043408496367587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231979855831826598.post-4940842679402158752011-03-09T08:40:19.434-08:002011-03-09T08:40:19.434-08:00I am really glad that Christian brought this post ...I am really glad that Christian brought this post back up, because I just started reading this blog recently, and I would have missed it otherwise. This is also one of my favorite songs that tackles the topic of death and grieving.<br /><br />Musically, what I like best about this song is its intimate sound. This song has such an intimate texture with the banjo and voice, especially when contrasted with the thicker instrumentation and unique sounds on other songs on this album. The gentle, rocking rhythm contributes to an intimate, lullaby-like sound. The parallel vocal harmonies also underscore the sense that this song is really about the relationship between two people, even though other people are mentioned in the lyrics. (Nothing feels more intimate performance-wise than singing in close vocal harmonies.) Of course, you already mentioned the glimpses we get of such real, raw, intimate moments in the lyrics (like, "I thought I saw you breathing"). I love it!<br /><br />A great musical moment happens near the end of the song, too, with an unresolved chord on the organ followed by the tonic/resting chord on the banjo to end the song. I've had many music therapy clients say they dislike the sound of the organ because they associate it with death and funerals, and that chord on the organ underscores that discomfort then ends abruptly with a resolution on the banjo.<br /><br />Thank you so much for this post! I feel now like I've been waiting for years to discuss this particular song, and I appreciate the chance to do so.Rachelle Normanhttp://soundscapemusictherapy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231979855831826598.post-11712858492026237852011-03-07T20:52:29.768-08:002011-03-07T20:52:29.768-08:00Happy Casimir Pulaski Day 2011! This is one of my...Happy Casimir Pulaski Day 2011! This is one of my favorite posts and songs and I just realized no one had commented on it. This is a fantastic song to play on guitar or uke. Too bad i do not play banjo. <br /><br />I love the raw emotion in this song. Highs and lows.Christian Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10216427309270439886noreply@blogger.com