Mozart

24May12

If you need to focus this afternoon like I do, I suggest that you listen to these 3 pieces in order:

Mozart – ‘Concerto for Flute & Harp (1st Movement: Allegro)’

Mozart – ‘Concerto for Flute & Harp (2nd Movement: Andantino)’

Mozart – ‘Concerto for Flute & Harp (3rd Movement: Rondo:Allegro)’

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Talent

25Mar12

There’s a ton of talent in the music industry right now…and if you look in the right places, it isn’t that hard to find. I can’t wait to see what happens with this generation of artists…we now know what Napster did to kill (or save?) the music industry a decade ago, so today’s musicians are leaning much more heavily on independent labels and touring to make their money. Fair? Not fair? Doesn’t matter…that’s how it is now. The good thing about this new reality is the rebirth of camaraderie and friendly competition among emerging artists that was a bit stagnant in the 1990s and early 2000s, which has led to great co-headlining shows, cruise ship concert trips, small festivals, and so on. As a result, up-and-coming talent gets noticed and encouraged very quickly. For example, check out this performance from emerging guitar stud Gary Clark Jr (who was recommended to me by a friend a few months ago):

Now let me show you an example of how money can potentially ruin an artist, by pressuring them to change their wonderful art into something shitty. Here are two videos of Lady Gaga performing the same song, ‘Edge of Glory’. One performance sucks, one is excellent…you be the judge! (hint: the second one sucks)

and…

I don’t hate Gaga…she’s doing her thing, she is getting paid, and my understanding is that her live shows are actually more like the first video above than the pop-drenched crap in the second video. I appreciate her talent, but I wanted to post these videos to point out that we still haven’t gotten rid of the negative affect that $$$$$ has on art. And we probably never will!

The talent is out there, and it’s being encouraged in different ways than prior generations. We won’t know yet if this is better or worse, but in the meanwhile stop reading this and click around YouTube to find more good music!

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If you don’t like these 10 songs, we can’t be friends

29Feb12

Everybody has their own taste in music, and that’s cool. But if I ask someone “what kind of music do you like?” and they have a one-word answer, well…

There is so much great music out there, in all genres! Take a listen to the songs below, and if you don’t enjoy them all then we are on a break:

1. ‘Library Pictures’ by Arctic Monkeys

2. ‘Let Me Turn You On’ by Biz Markie

3. ‘Fatman’ by G. Love & Special Sauce

4. ‘Just to See You Smile’ by Tim McGraw

5. ‘If There’s A Rocket, Tie Me To It’ by Snow Patrol

6. ‘Never’ by Chiddy Bang

7. ‘Sugarfoot’ by Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

8. ‘Because’ by Dave Clark Five

9. ’54-46 Was My Number’ by Toots & the Maytals

10. ‘Sunday Best’ by Augustana

…ah hell, why not make it 11?!

‘Orange Blossoms’ by JJ Grey & Mofro

Filed under: alternative, country, hip hop, r&b, reggae, rock, rockabilly, wuss rock   |  1 Comment

FREE Gorillaz + Andre 3000 download

23Feb12

Click here to go to the Converse website where you can download the FREE new track ‘Do Ya Thing’ from Gorillaz, Andre 3000 (of Outkast) and James Murphy (from LCD Soundsystem…creators of the epic/classic song ‘Someone Great’)

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Best song of 2012 so far

15Feb12

If you haven’t heard ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ by Gotye yet, check it out below. It was released last year, but has picked up a ton of steam/airplay in early 2012:

But wait…there’s more! This cover version by Walk Off the Earth is great too:

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2011 in review

01Jan12

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 15,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Musical Gift Ideas! – #1 – Oldies starter kit

22Dec11

Not sure what to get someone for the holidays? You’re in luck…I’ve got 10 great gift suggestions for music lovers:

#1 – Oldies starter kit

My knowledge and love of music would be nothing if I hadn’t grown up listening to oldies. Plus, you gotta go old school every once in a while…all of today’s real musicians are heavily influenced by these great classic artists:

• Beatles – 1962-1966 – I had this tape back in the day…this is a greatest hits collection of the early (better) stuff.
• Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – The Complete Duets – if aliens landed on Earth and asked what music is…this would be the answer.
• Beach Boys – Sounds of Summer – a greatest hits collection from the coolest guys in school. ‘Darlin’ is one of my favorite songs in the world!
• The Temptations – Ultimate Collection – the definition of cool.
• Jackson 5 – Ultimate Collection – the greatest pop band ever!

What do you think about this gift idea? Comment below

Filed under: pop, r&b, wuss rock   |  1 Comment

Musical Gift Ideas! – #2 – SiriusXM subscription

21Dec11

Not sure what to get someone for the holidays? You’re in luck…I’ve got 10 great gift suggestions for music lovers:

#2 – Sirius XM subscription

Satellite radio is great! As involved as I am with my music library, even I need a break from choosing my music sometimes. Sirius XM is an awesome way to check out new artists, and with 1 click you can listen to any format you’re in the mood for. Raining outside and you want some reggae to cheer you up? Click. Need your 80’s fix? Click. And of course the genius Howard Stern will only be around doing live shows for another few years…so get on board now! I really dig the throwback stations too, like Backspin (old school rap), First Wave (brit-pop and 80s alternative) and of course 80s on 8! I also listen to a ton of live sports and comedy while driving. It’s just a great thing to have.

You don’t need to have a device…in fact most of my listening is online through their website. Check out the variety of subscription options that are available. And if you’re still not sure, start with a FREE 30-day trial!

What do you think about this gift idea? Comment below

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Musical Gift Ideas! – #3 – Rap starter kit

20Dec11

Not sure what to get someone for the holidays? You’re in luck…I’ve got 10 great gift suggestions for music lovers:

#3 – Rap starter kit
The genre of rap is impossible to capture in just a few albums, but I picked out some of the more important and influential artists to highlight here:

• Dr Dre – The Chronic – this is where you have to start, period.
• Jay Z – Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life – we could argue all day about which album is his best, but this one is best for rap beginners.
• Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – this was when people outside of rap started paying attention to Outkast. ‘Prototype’ is my jam…
• Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death – “…the Knicks musta got rained out or sumthin…”
• Kanye West – Late Registration – Kanye is crazy good, and this proves it.
• A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders – I’m still waiting for a better rap record to come out!

What do you think about this gift idea? Comment below

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Musical Gift Ideas! – #4 – upgrade their device

19Dec11

Not sure what to get someone for the holidays? You’re in luck…I’ve got 10 great gift suggestions for music lovers:

#4 – Upgrade Their Device!
This may be a relatively expensive option, but if your gift recipient has any intention of stepping into the next era of technology (cloud storage, etc) they will need a modern device. This could be a new smartphone, a better iPod/iPad/etc, or wherever it is they listen to their music. One worthwhile investment could bring them from the 90’s into 2012 in an instant!

What do you think about this gift idea? Comment below

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