Music

I, the inveterate lurker on cooperative blog, must post this evening to share my excitement about, of all things . . . the Grammys. Herbie Hancock just won best album of the year for his tribute to Joni Mitchell’s music. In Hancock’s acceptance speech, he said it was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album has snagged this prize. He won over the younger and far flashier contenders, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse. He won as a jazz pianist (you may know him from his funk album of the ’70s, Headhunters) covering the music of a woman best known for her folk singer-songwriter success in the ’70s. And yet both he and Mitchell are regarded by critics and musicians from all genres as the cream of the crop in their field for decades.

As you might guess, I am a big Herbie Hancock fan and an even bigger Joni Mitchell fan. Catching a glimpse of the album for the first time in Borders stopped me dead in my tracks, requiring Brett to entertain himself with computer literature while I skipped through snippets of tracks. And yet snippets did the music no justice. I quickly realized that this album required a contemplative listening as you were slowly drawn in and fed each new layer of each piece. It was meant to be a rich experience. In the day and age of three-and-a-half minute tracks that grab you, pull you in, hold you, and release you, I am estatic that my old-fashioned, out-of-date music tastes made a momentary blip in the popular music world.

This is important

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17777619/the_death_of_high_fidelity/print

related articles at http://www.turnmeup.org/

easy to grasp video explanation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ

I know some of you pandora. If you think of it, could you share your station with me? I’m working on one and could use some inspiration.

Happy New Year!

50 That They Like

I haven’t listened to the new album yet (choosing how much I pay for it kind of freaks me out — I can’t decide what to do), but I heard they will be announcing tour dates in the near-ish future. I’m sure most of those dates will be in Europe and it would be fucking awesome to go see them. I saw them at Nimes, France in an ancient roman arena 4 years ago and it was, by far, one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Yes, Radiohead is popular everywhere, but the venues in France at least will be smaller and more intimate than they would be here. Anyone want to join me if they tour someplace in France in the next year? I can guarantee an awesome show, plus I’ll be your insider tour guide for the remainder of the trip.

This actually turned out to be a great interview. Initially it’s a little weird, but if you wait for it you can hear Henry talk about how he’s officially a terrorist.

http://one.revver.com/watch/188077/flv

Mini-Movie-Music-Videos

Streaming Concerts courtesy NPR (click through for all 73 shows, so far)

Hello. My latest mix CD is complete. If you want a copy, let me know offline.

Minnesota Public Radio’s rockin’ radio station, The Current, is having a music trivia contest right now — I highly recommend entering each day for the $500 shopping spree at the Electric Fetus music store (nobody said you have to live in Minnesota to win).

The DJ that is hosting the contest announces in his ad that he will accompany the winner to advise them on how to

best spend the winnings. I’ve been entering the contest the last few days and would love to win, and have been thinking about how I would spend the money.

As I’ve always felt like my music education lacks history, I think I’d like to have a sampling of the very best albums from each important “genre”. My question is: what genres would you deem important enough to include, and any thoughts on the 2-3 albums I should buy to represent that genre (should I win, of course)?

will be at The Granada Sep. 17. Which makes me jealous. You guys should revel in the fact that you get more shows (that I want to go to) in Lawrence than I get in a 100 mile radius. This strikes me as odd still. And no one here believes me. Although maybe I have a preference for bands from the other side of the country.

Anyway, check out this guy. He is awesome. And he’s a professional whistler and can make sounds like a theramin.

you can listen here http://www.andrewbird.net

PS. He’ll also be in the DC area at the end of September.