Top 10 Songs About Magic (Part 2 *THE TOP 5*: With Video)

So for the exciting conclusion, and the (in my opinion) TOP 5 songs about magic are as follows:

*Please take note of the very scientific way one orders such things as 'Top 5' lists in the picture*

#5 Olivia Newton John - "Magic"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvfE-Cf9Qcc

To say that I have always had a crush on ole ONJ would be a huge understatement. I grew up watching her in Grease and Xanadu as a kid. She can sing, she was Austrailian, and she was/is REALLY pretty. A woman of her time, for certain.

#4 The Cars - "Magic"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxzlmGD6O3I

Now, you are starting to see the recurrent theme developing. Most of these songs are about magic! But more importantly, they have MAGIC right in the title. Fear not, one actually does not, and it is yet to come! But this one, was one of the first times I had ever seen magic as a kid. Rick Ocasick (sp?) walking on water at some retirement home/mardi gras party is pretty amazing, ESPECIALLY, given the nature of the times. Still love this video very very much! He even did this before Criss Angel to the delight of what appears to be one of the Fat Boys and Uncle Sam (who subsequently has a chin-stache?).

#3 Cory Branan - "Lilly"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGEqhc0CK7c

I'd be lying if I said I didn't love this song. First time I heard it I was glamoured to say the least. Now I think with Cory having a magician friend, he can't help but relate it to yours truly (note at the time frame at 1 minute and 15 seconds into the video). I've shot the video for this in my head, and how it would play out. Hell, I've even designed the cover for this cd using this song as inspiration. We will have to see how that works out in the long run. Magic as a metaphor for a relationship is just genius, to be honest. I do love it. I hope you do too!

#2 Jason Isbell - "The Magician"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TygpzhbQM4I

Probably the reason that this one is this high, but, not quite number one is for several reasons. Firstly I think it's the best song about a magician I've ever heard, and instead of using magic like a metaphor (like all the ones here) it actually is about a magician. It's a great description of some thoughts, and the life of, one of my kind, I guess. He really and truly nails it with this song. I always mean to record this song when I see Jason, but, sometimes I just want to kick back and truly enjoy the song. I guess I know how all those truckers feel about songs that sing about truck driving, in that 'Tell-it-brother" kind of fashion.

#1 Heart - "Magic Man"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYjgh-znxB4

I heart Heart. Just the way it is. This is the best and coolest song about 'magic' around. It would be hard to disagree I think with this. It was my ringback tone for a while, and after getting calls, I would pick up the phone to utter laughter because of this song. I need to turn it back on. If you corner me about it, sometime I might give you a mini-lecture about the lyric 'Com'on home, girl' and how if it was 'Com'on, Homegirl' it would make a great rap song-thingy.

So, that's it! The Top #10 Songs About Magic. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed putting it together! Let me know if you found something new, agree, or even disagree with my choices!

Until I see you at Elon...or I see you at The Local 506, I hope your day is magical.

All the best,

Michael

The Top 10 Songs About Magic (with Video)

Of course, this is in my humble opinion as a music-lover and magician. I have assembled a collection of my favorite songs, that have videos, that reference or talk about the topic of magic, and I hope you will enjoy! Now doing this is something that requires a lot of patience. Not every song that mentions magic could be considered simply because they reference it in a weird way. I'm sure there are a ton of Wiccan strange string ensembles that would make my life complete, but, well, that isn't my bag o' tea. The following are songs...that 'I' like. So you might not see a 'Black Magic Woman' (actually you won't because I don't care for that song) or a 'Magic' by Robin Thicke. I just do not care for them. Doesn't mean they aren't good, just that I don't care for them. However, there are some that I'm sure I overlooked, but, I hope you like what I 'looked' for this countdown:

#10 Pilot - "Magic"

Pilot. Didn't even know that was their name, but, I do truly love that song. Grew up on it as a kid, and it has that disco ethereal funk thing going on. The lead singer looks like a young John Edwards or something, and the drummer is way too happy for my liking, but, they are singing a song about magic! How could they not be happy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iiryJwvDtc

#9 Queen - "It's a Kind of Magic"

Ah, how could one forget Queen? I couldn't. This video is ripe with awesomeness. Freddie Mercury as the wandering Magi making music with is gesticulations! Just awesome. Then...he appears to turn into Dracula (or maybe that's his over bite) and thusly to his standard Mercurial attire of tight shirt and tight pants. Now that is magic, not just a 'kind of'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLFZzInXAWI

#8 David Bowie - "Dance Magic Dance"

Oh my. I love this movie. David Bowie rules so much. Love the movie, and one of my favorite shows was Red Collar playing in Hell (Chapel Hill) and they were simultaneously broadcasting from projection this movie. So, I couldn't pass on this one. It toggled between position 6 and 8 for a while. Hell, they even manage to use the lyric of 'Puppy Dog Tails'! Try to watch this video and NOT tapping your foot and feeling good. Right, you can't! Or you probably can. Bowie isn't for everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxoE2az9mJM

#7 Blind Melon - "3 is the Magic Number"

I like this song a lot. Has a magician in cartoon form...talks about 3 and the ancient trinities, etc. I'm also a School House Rocks kid, so this has a soft spot in my heart. I have 3 people in my family...like things in 3's...you know. Who doesn't? I've even named one of my paintings after this song. Just an FYI and seriously, just an awesome track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkxX9oPuKQc

#6 The Who - "The Magic Bus"

It's the Who. Truly, enough said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH7dMvVQ2Dc

Interested in seeing what lands in the top 5? Yeah, me too. I have all the arranged slips here, so I'll have to tape them onto a piece of paper to hold their order. These are some of the highly systematic things we do here. By 'We' I mean, me and the mouse in my pocket. Or in my head. One of those two.

So, stay tuned! The next installment next week when I reveal my top 5! And, it will be the kickoff night of the Double Barrell Benefit for WKNC at the Pourhouse Music Hall that I'll be hosting! Come out for some awesome music, some magic, and support a good Local cause!

Until then,

Michael

"I am watching a Drag Queen sing Magic Man..."

"...by Heart, and I immediately thought of you. Wow, that sounds bad. Ha." - text message from M.A. Schwartz

God knows that was one of the funniest messages that I got this past week. Thank, you Matt!

I've been kinda scarce lately due to the volume of private functions and well, the season of the party. This time of the month you have got to spread it thin and ride it out, because typically after this month, it drags quit a bit in the early part of the year.

But what I am thankful for is all the great people I've got to spend time with this month! I think one of the highlights of this month was performing at the Lark & Key Gallery! (see photo) Not only did I get to perform for one of my favorite visual artists of North Carolina, but, I got to spend some time with the lovely Koster family in Charlotte while I was there! Man, do they know how to make someone feel lucky and loved in a city so far from home. As per the close of the shows at the two Lark & Key locations in Charlotte, I went over to the Evening Muse (one of my favorite intimate Charlotte venues) to catch a show with Stephanie's ID and Carrie Ann Hearst. Man, that was one heck of a show! Well, and if you know I was there, and I was having a good time, there was magic involved. I'd tell y'all what happened, but, I'll either leave it to the folks at the groups or the folks in attendance to recap that, you know, just in case I want to show it to you on one of these fine evenings!

When I wasn't performing, or adding to the natural selection of the NC deer population with my automobile, I was attending Troika! Man, Durham...Troika was pretty amazing. You really out did yourself! I went to the Paper, Rock, Scissors art show at the Trotter building in downtown, and after a black tie dinner that night, came back there to see Red Collar's last show of the year. Definitely can say that those folks in Red Collar put on a show of epic proportions that night, which systematically defines one, Jonathan Truesdale, as my hero of the month...drumming the entire set in time, with one arm! Amazing, I tell ya. Amazing. Then off to Triangle Brewery for some more post Troika hanging out, and the people at Triangle Brewery are amazing, and I'll leave it at that. I'm sure there are photos somewhere, right Jordan? ;)

All in all, this year seems to definitely be going out like a tiger, which, if all is holding true, means that next year should deliver even more than this.

You really got me Triangle.

You are the best cities in the land!

XoXo

Michael

rOCKTOBER. (Yes, that little 'r' is intentional)

Yes, boys and girls...Halloween is over, but let me tell you, October had to be the busiest month on record for me! Not long after the I Was Totally Destroying It show at Cat's Cradle, it's been a whirlwind of magic and travelling. That night/next morning, I was on a plane out to Baltimore, and caught up with my family that I haven't seen or spoken to, in well over 30 years*. Come back, go to Lucero show, Mike Roy and J Roddy Walston & The Business Show, perform at a bank for an entire day, go on WCOMFM.ORG with Jason Kutchma (of Red Collar), Film a Halloween Show with NBC-17, and have a show at Raleigh Times...and all that is only from the 11th to the 19th of October! The times...they are a stayin'.

Signed cards were found inside people's jacket pockets and sealed CD's! You all really inspire me to help take my magic to the next level, and hopefully, you enjoy that. I'm always looking to get better and better...so your input, well, it means something to me. So give it!

If you aren't on facebook, and heard me screaming from the rooftops about this really great Halloween Special we filmed with Ormon Grimsby, Killer Filler, AND you can watch the unedited version of this show by clicking on the name above 'Ormon Grimsby'. I can't help but think of the lyric from Todd Snider, "Just one more thing before I leave for all my friends and my family, Can you tell me when this particular episode, Is gonna be on TV, I'm gonna be on TV!"

I think most importantly the things I learned this month, is that the triangle...well, it's a great place to be a part of. This place has some of the greatest people that you could ever care to meet, and man, do they welcome you with open arms. And by 'Open Arms' I mean hugs and love of epic-Journey-ish porportions. I thank you all who came out to all the shows, or places. I thank you all that supported me, included me, and helped me. It's far too many people to name but it begs, at the very least, mentioning.

I should have written more, but, the magnitude of October numbs my thought tongue. God bless my lovely wife for helping me keep all this stuff straight!

I hope I see you soon!

Michael

*Long story...but, it's an interesting one. Ask me next time you see me.

Did I Really Destroy It?

Totally.

Well, I must say that as the time draws near, I'm getting pretty excited about I Was Totally Destroying It's CD Release party on Saturday (October 10th). So, in honor of them, and their big day, I have been asked to perform for the folks that show up for the party. I can only say, that I'm completely honored. So, for you who turn up, most of it is going to be magic, where, well, I destroy something! I think that would be kinda fun, and somehow on topic.

Now, I've tried to see I Was Totally Destroying It, at least 3 times before I finally saw them. I even remember once, I was an ENTIRE day late to the Reservoir (as they had played the night before), because I am terrible with time, and ended up going into a bar with 4 people (1 of whom was the bartender). Granted they are 4 people I really like...but I was not destroyed...as they, whom destroy it, were not there. This kinda goes on for, at least, another two months or so. Day late. Dollar short. Time and time again.

Most days I had to settle for this video. That was all fine and well, but, I just had a feeling about this band. I liked what I had heard so far, and was looking for just a little bit more.

Fastforward to The Pinhook in Durham NC. It's a great venue. Very interesting. My good buddy Rusty Sutton was doing the sound (and a fabulous job, I might add). My friend Chris Tamplin has made a cocktail specifically for the evening, called, you guessed it, the 'I Was Totally Destroying It'. Finally, my good buddy, Matthew Allen Schwartz came into town from Winston Salem to hang out and see the show. Things were shaping up quite nicely, and it hadn't really started yet. Then other local music regulars start to show. James Hall...Mimi Mclaughlin (of the Pneurotics), and, well, more folks than I care to count.

By the time IWTDI went on, the crowd was there, and, man, did those guys/and gal play. They really gave it there all, and honestly, the live show was much better (to me) than the record. But then again, I'm a live show kinda guy. The place was jumping and the band was giving it everything that they had which resulted in a melodic thundering, enough to make even the most discerning hipster, bob his head in agreement. I was blown away. A very talented band in the area, creating music that means something. Hell, they even make you think that synthesizers should be on every song! That's what it's about, after all, and IWTDI will not disappoint.

Any way, I had a great time that night. Met some old friends and some new. All bringing it back round to this saturday. The Cat's Cradle. I will be totally destroying the magic. They will be totally destroying the Cat's Cradle. You should make it out. Helping them destroy it will be, Lonnie Walker...Des Ark...Rat Jackson...and Lake Inferior.

Until then.

Michael

It's Hard Out Here for a Michael Casey

If anyone has ever tried to market themselves, or, their craft, as an item of interest, it pays to know exactly what is going on out there in the world of the internet. You would want to know what others are doing that is in the same style you do, in my case this is magic. How is what you do different, or in some cases, the same? What is your style? Going even more so into how all that is apparently tied to your name, and how it is, in turn, tied to what you do is called 'branding'...or something like that. So me, Michael Casey...Magic Mike...Magician Michael Casey, I need to know what these things mean. I need to know how they appear to others. I need to find out if others see me as I see myself.

Often times I seek to see the product of all of this, in the most self-stalkery way, of googling oneself. I sometimes find articles that people posted, or pictures that people posted. It's kind of nice that one's name, can actually 'get out there' on the interwebs. Well, for a while I thought I could possibly be one of a few Michael Casey's out there. Come to find out, there are some famous authors, surgeons, and designers all with the moniker of 'Michael Casey'. All this brings me to a very interesting article, written by one Michael Casey (not me) on this very funny and very humbling endeavor. Please give it a read, as it's pretty hilarious!

http://www.chesafterlife.com/whats-in-a-name/

Magic Mike is...

on a new blog! Check it out!