I Have My Reasons ....

Hello people, I'm sure you can see that I have not been regularly posting, well I have a very good explanation; being that I have been very busy for an upcoming quasi mission that the SAF performs to check the 'war-readiness' of it's various units. Anyway I am truly sorry because I probably won't be able to post anything from 21st September until late October, my bad.

Anyway if you guys are still interested in how my mundane life is going... I have been practicing heaps of guitar especially my legato and sweep picking so much so that now I am kinda incredibly tired and will therefore take an indefinite guitar playing hiatus just so I can give my brain time the absorb the multitude of information that has been pouring over the last month. Furthermore whilst hiatus-ing I will be working extensively on finishing up my current musical project which I can safely say is around 75% complete and is left only a few more writing sessions to tidy up. 

Anyway thanks for reading and stuff, ahh God Bless 

Song Of The Week - Straight Lines

Although this probably may come as old news to you guys, for me at least I just found out that Silverchair are on something of a permanent hiatus. Though I may not be enamored with every song in the their rather large and diverse musical portfolio I really like their release of Young Modern in 2007 which like all other albums went multi-platinum in Australia. 

Straight Lines is about Daniel John also the lead vocalist/guitarist of the band and his recovery from depression, anorexia and numerous other problems. What I love about Straight Lines as a song was its energy and drive, whilst an analyst may find fault in the rather corny introduction of the mixolydian in the chord progression I personally felt that adding the mode it achieved the desired result of a enhanced and more powerful song. On a production level I enjoyed the minimalism in the piece and the fact that isn't overproduced, minus some standard double tracking and the introduction of some pads and strings I felt that musically speaking it sounds and feels like a three piece band. Anyway I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do!   

Song Of The Fortnight - Beneath The Waters(I Will Rise)

Sup peoples sorry that I haven't been very consistent over the last two weeks, but I was busy recording and songwriting... So my bad! 


But here is a song that is so good it can more than make up for my previous two weeks of unrepentant negligence.


 Beneath The Waters(I Will Rise) was a song that really connected to be both musically and lyrically, the song is basically about the victory over the flesh that was won through the death of Jesus.


What I love about this song is that the chorus is such a powerful declaration of what being a Christian is all about, which is a life surrendered to God. I love the way the song was able to weave in very theological lyrics without detracting from the melody and the musical aspect of the song. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the song is the bridge which the best bridge I have ever heard; not because of the music but because it leads the song back to the chorus and amplifies it!


Anyway I hope you are blessed by this God Bless!

Killing The Past - Building The Future

Recently I have decided to kill a portion of the past that was plaguing me. It all started a while back in 2009-2010 and I felt that I need to move on with my life and concentrate of the future. Although I do feel very displaced by my coming to Singapore I know that this is where God wants me to be and so be it. 

It is my prayer that God teaches me and guides me through this difficult phase of my life. Whilst everyday is a challenge, his grace renews everyday as well.

'Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, 
    for his compassions never fail. 
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.' - Lamentations 3:22-23

Recently a song by Steven Curtis Chapman brightened up my day with the powerful lyric

 'I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure

My words are true, and all My promises are sure' - Believe Me Now

I found this to be a powerful statement of a God who lovingly guides us and gives us strength for the day.

Even as I have been meditating on Psalm 25 I pray that God will show me his ways and teach me his paths. Whilst this prayer does sound pretty cool are we prepared for what that entails? For as the potter Jesus is constantly shaping us through life, and often times this 'shaping' is certainly not a incredibly pleasant experience which tests our obedience and faith in him. 

I do not know how a ranting session has become a message about God nor do I know why my music blog has suddenly become a christian environment, but nonetheless I pray that this incredibly incoherent message will bless you and I also praise God that in my pain God is shaping and molding me into a worthy vessel. 

A Self Introduction

Hi guys! If you have been following this blog I am absolutely sure that you may have been asking yourselves, 'Who is Cornelius'?

Well as the name clearly states, I am Cornelius Lo, I used to live in Australia but now I am in the country of Singapore doing something called 'NS' which is an involuntary service to my "wonderful" country. Anyway just to prevent hate ranting let's change the topic. 

So let's start off with the important topic of my life. For me (a christian) my life is anchored on my faith and belief in Jesus and every major action thereof is supposed to reflect that. Although let me first say that I am certainly by no means a 'good representation' of what Christianity stands for. 

Moving on from that I'm sure that you all know that I like music, whether it be playing guitar, composing music of my own, singing, listening to music or be it even recording music. So let's just say that music is an important part of my being as it helps me firstly relief stress and secondly express some of the crazy thoughts in my head. 

Anyway thanks for reading. God Bless!

Song Of The Week - Sweet Home Chicago

Sup guy how have you all been? My week was pretty laid back so yeah got sometime to do some 'non-existent' work. Anyway this weeks song brings us back to a time and a period which out-dates the majority of living people today. Sweet Home Chicago was written by the obscure yet significant Robert Johnson who (in-case you didn't know) was one of the forefathers of the blues and all that encompassed it. The extent of Johnson's influence cannot be accurately measured because it so very widespread and can be felt over numerous genres. 

Anyway, structurally speaking the song is in a classic 12 bar blues format which applies heaps of dominate 7th chords. Due to the popularity and age of the song there an almost uncountable renditions of the piece including the original, the version made famous by the Blues Brothers. But the one we will look at today will be Clapton's one. Like all blues music it has heaps of guitar solos in the pentatonic and an awesome groove. 

Anyway hoped you guys liked it! Feedback if you want and please suggest songs you want me to review! 

    

Soundcloud

Sup peoples(who are mostly non-existent) just wanted to let you guys know that I have put up a soundcloud account with some instrumental tracks that I wrote and recorded, you can check it out here hope you guys enjoy it and please comment a feedback if you want.