R-Few

What Is This Baby Doing to Me?

2010-02-05T12:45:00.003-05:00

I want to listen to the newest Spoon or Clipse, or even the edgier new Corinne Bailey Rae. I really do. But my 34+ week pregnant neurological system can't seem to take anything but Beethoven today. Not that there's anything wrong with fur Elise or Moonlight Sonata; they're beautiful. I just cannot tell you the last time I actively sought them out on Rhapsody or iTunes.

Hope For Haiti Now Album on iTunes

2010-01-25T13:24:00.002-05:00

It's only $7.99 on iTunes and 100% of the album (and single) sale proceeds go to top funds/orgs benefiting the Haiti relief effort. There are some really stellar, heartfelt performances. My favs include: John Legend's version of "Motherless Chile", Mary J. Blige's version of "Hard Times Come Again No More", Justin Timberlake's rendition of "Hallelujah", and Beyonce's "Halo". 8 bucks to the relief AND you get some honestly great songs? Just go buy it already.

Ke$ha on NPR

2010-01-16T10:03:00.002-05:00

The NPR dude sounds so out of his element it's embarassing, but the brief interview was interesting.

Fela! And Unborn Baby & Music - Thanks to IceChewer

2010-01-02T18:41:00.002-05:00

R-FEW talking to The Ice Chewer on FB:

R-FEW: I'm sorry - since being pregnant (yep, a little one coming in March!), I haven't had any time to blog. I saw Fela! when it was off-broadway, though, and really enjoyed it. The music is amazing (Antibalas definitely helps with that), and with Bill T. Jones, you know the movement is cool too. Did you see it?

ICE CHEWER: Did not see it yet. Just saw the interview of Jones on Colbert. You have a good excuse to take a break. But once the baby is born, you will have the joy of blogging about baby music.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/01/babybeats/

R-FEW: Cool article! I've already had to shift what I've been playing a bit. The baby kicks a lot with anything overly loud/cacophonous. I worry that the kicks might be in protest, so I generally just switch. :(

ICE CHEWER: It's not protest. It's dancing. Btw, what you just wrote can make a great R-few post.

Things We Can No Longer Say

2009-07-01T12:00:00.002-04:00

The band They Might Be Giants forbids the usage of the following phrases. Ha! My own additions are at the end -- repeat offenders I know well will remain nameless ;) (you know who you are, and I do love you anyway...).

too much information
off the hook
that's what (s)he said
my bad
game changer
crackberry
that's how we roll
I can't work under these conditions
playing the (whatever) card
throw under the bus
drinking the kool-aid
LOL
phone tag
don't go there
it's all good
it is what it is
talk to the hand
think outside the box
off the reservation
oh no you didn't
I threw up a little in my mouth
one hundred and ten percent
IMHO
no worries*
jumped the shark
voted off the island
(anything) on acid
(anything) from hell
(anything) on steroids
literally (unless it's actually used properly)

Of course the list itself is now on the list.

*No worries enjoys a unique “workplace dispensation” where it can be used with a co-worker to help decompress a work situation.

My additions:
beats a sharp stick in the eye
whatever used as an exclamation(or whatev, or even worse... whatevs)
at the end of the day
the net-net is...
for real
open the kimono (I absolutely DETEST this one)
double-click on

Piragua

2009-06-08T17:57:00.003-04:00

Saw In the Heights last Friday night, and I swear I've been singing about these flavored ices ever since. I kind of have a Bubbles-like crush on Eliseo Roman the Piragua Guy. The whole show was fantastic - you have to go see it!

Legen... wait for it... dary!

2009-06-08T11:02:00.001-04:00

Six Year-Old Emily Bear

2009-04-30T20:13:00.001-04:00

She even composes most of her own songs!

Cool stunt in Central Station, Antwerp

2009-04-20T11:55:00.003-04:00

Some have seen this and remarked that it would never work in Grand Central Station. I'd actually disagree - I think it'd work anywhere. People live for witnessing glorious, surprising acts like this. Even, or maybe *especially*, New Yorkers.

The only disappointing thing about this stunt is that it wasn't done purely for the fun of it. Apparently, it was to publicize a new reality TV show focused on choosing a Maria. Oh well, I still like it. Thanks, Aunt Wendy!

This is the Mayer I Dig

2009-03-09T18:41:00.005-04:00

found it courtesy of his blog - went on to see if he had a response to Timberlake's impression on Jimmy Fallon (he did not). Still kills me that dude is so talented given what a DB he is.

His note on it was: "Took a break from setting up the studio space and jammed a bit. There's something I love about playing with just drums because it gives me the harmonic freedom to go wherever I like. And whenever Steve and I see each other and there's a drum kit and a guitar rig around, this is how we say hello to one another. For the playas: I'm using a '52 Tele through a Fender Princeton. No pedals."

Justin Timberlake with the Roots on Fallon

2009-03-09T18:31:00.001-04:00

because Timberlake's Mayer and McDonald impressions are spot on...

U2 Comes to Fordham!

2009-03-09T17:52:00.005-04:00

Keating looking beautiful in the early AM
U2 takes the stage

I considered not going. I teach Thursday nights, and I'm usually exhausted Friday mornings so getting up at 5:30 am was not sounding so pleasant. Now, though, I can't believe I ever thought I might not go. What a wonderful event for Fordham. The short (6-song) show, though outside, felt really intimate, and I have to say U2 sounded amazing even in a more stripped-down show than I've ever seen them in before. I'm used to their shows being a huge spectacle, but they can truly entertain without all the special effects and hype. Bono's voice was a little hoarse, but other than that, the band sounded as tight as ever. I love the voice of Edge's guitar. The new album is growing on me; I like the more "new" 2nd half of the album better than the first half that sounds more like what they've done before. I had "Magnificent" in my head all weekend.

The whole morning also ended up being a fantastic bonding adventure for some other junior Mgmt profs and me. Days after, I am still beaming with pride at all the great publicity the school got. That was the best Friday morning I've had in a long while.

GMA U2 interview at Fordham:

Slow Jamming the News

2009-03-09T17:50:00.002-04:00

This rocks. The Roots are the best thing about Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Sing it, Tariq!

Antony and the Johnsons "Another World"

2009-02-08T19:44:00.003-05:00

This song is beautiful. I am listening to a good interview with Antony Hegarty on WNYC's Spinning on Air show. While Antony's latest CD may feel a bit unapproachable at times, the man himself is surprisingly present and non-pretentious and human and accessible. This interview and the music from The Crying Light was a lovely addition to my Sunday evening.

Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It

2009-01-02T14:15:00.002-05:00

I've been playing this album since it came out in September... and every time I do, RMW asks me, "What/who is this?". He's repeatedly shocked it's a new CD - not from back in the day. I've seen it on a few year-end lists in the press as the best 2008 CD you never heard. It really is a lovely little seamless throwback to Motown. Here's a quick little Billboard Q&A with the artist:

Is Music All About Sex? What Do You Think?

2008-12-24T12:48:00.003-05:00

A somewhat intriguing article about music showed up in an odd place this past week: The Economist magazine. What do you think? Is music's evolutionary purpose all about sex, including signaling reproductive fitness? Maybe I'm biased, because the man I chose to spend my life with has many talents, of which none involve musical prowess. I think the social bonding and emotional mirroring/regulatory benefits of music (and dancing) are the more essential functionality.

If You Need Another Holiday Gift...

2008-12-18T16:59:00.003-05:00

for just about anyone... I *highly* recommend the new dual disc live recording of Buena Vista Social Club's legendary 1998 Carnegie Hall performance. Here's a preview:

Passion Pit

2008-12-13T17:25:00.003-05:00

It's a happy bop bop day! Have you heard of Passion Pit yet? I'm a bit late on the trigger lately as we all know, but I just learned of Passion Pit from The Fader, and I'm really digging them. This music - along with Los Campesinos! who I am going to see Feb. 14 at the Bowery Ballroom (yay!) - has my blood moving despite the frigidness going on out there.

p.s. you can download the song in the video here for free.

Asher Roth

2008-11-24T21:41:00.003-05:00

Yep, he sounds a lot like the other white rapper. And as a self-respecting female, I can't endorse many of the photos on his myspace page. Still, he's got something. Apparently Akon agrees.

p.s. Thanks to Herman for the inadvertent tip on Facebook!

Happy 40th Anniversary of the White Album

2008-11-22T18:43:00.002-05:00

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/episodes/2008/11/17/segments/115738

Why does John Schaefer keep calling it a mess? Blasphemy!

P.S. McCain Is Not a Bad Guy

2008-11-05T12:25:00.003-05:00

I've never thought he was a bad guy. He's an American hero for sure, and I believe he deeply cares about our country. I don't agree with his policies or his choice for VP. Still, Senator John McCain is a good guy. This class act concession speech is a testament to that.

Yes We Did!

2008-11-05T11:05:00.003-05:00

I don't think I've ever been more proud to be an American.

I know the hard work truly begins after Obama's inauguration, but I DO believe. I do have hope for a better day. We're seeing the start of it. We DID elect our President not based on the color of his skin, but on the content of his character. And we CAN work together - across all kinds of divides - to pull our country through these most challenging times and make this, yes, a more perfect union.

This speech is brilliant; this man and this new administration have so much potential. I'm committed to doing my part to help them help us move this country forward. YES, we can!

Sam Cooke, A Change is Gonna Come, 1964

It's been a long long time coming, but I know
A change is gonna come, oh yes it will

Barack Obama, Grant Park, Chicago, 2008

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

Rox's Friend Made This Obama Day Mix

2008-11-04T17:34:00.000-05:00

I dig it.

http://www.unapathetic.com/jess/obamaday/

A Change Is Gonna Come

2008-11-04T17:28:00.002-05:00

I sure hope Sam Cooke was predicting this election...

Thelonious Monk's Birthday

2008-10-12T15:41:00.003-04:00

... was on Friday. He would have been 91 if he were still alive. He was such a genius. The silence between the notes means as much or more than the notes themselves. Dissonance is more than tolerable; it can be so satisfyingly beautiful. Two profound metaphors for life that I'm still working on fully actualizing. Check out 'Round Midnight:

Jazmine Sullivan

2008-10-12T15:27:00.003-04:00

Love this Philly girl! Her debut album is full of heart, good song-writing, nods to Lauryn, motown, Alicia, even Whitney (the old Whitney - the one I used to love). I'd love to see her live. Thanks to Jon Caramanica's NYTimes review to clue me in to checking her out (I'm so out of it these days...)

Austin City Limits

2008-10-01T16:45:00.004-04:00

The 2 days we got to spend at ACL were great!! Gnarlz Barkley & (a clearly pregnant!) Erykah Badu were probably the highlights for me musically... Gnarlz Barkley switched up a lot of their songs with much success (they made them a little more rock and yet a little less noisy - interesting feat to pull off). And I just never get tired of Cee-Lo's voice (even while hoarse from 4 months of touring!). Erykah Badu is a little bit stark raving bonkers (out of touch with reality) politically (even for liberal me), but she too has an awesome instrument in those vocal chords of hers. I always think she's better live than on records (typically jazz in that way), and I really like her latest album to begin with (New Amerykah). The highlight of her set was "The Healer/Hip Hop" - she did Dilla proud.

You know, I always say I like all kinds of music -- and I do , but lately you really got to have some soul if you want to truly snatch me away for a while. I keep thinking about this great piece on what's missing these days in indie rock by Sasha Frere-Jones.

So, among the sets I saw were...
Drive-By Truckers -- loved them. Lead singer told a really crazy/classic story about his mom getting swept away by a 350 pound tough trucker dude who later got cancer but then beat all the odds in order to get back in his beloved 18-wheeler. Southern rock is alive and well. Their last album was especially good - but they were great live too.

Tristan Prettyman - I like her enough. Surfer-turns acoustic guitar-wielding singer-songwriter chick. She has a pretty voice. She's not the best/most consistent songwriter ever, but she was fine. Love, Love, Love is by far her best song.

30 seconds of MGMT before RMW decided we just could not handle the crowds. It felt like all 75K there on Saturday were trying to see them. We heard a little bit of Electric Feel, my favorite song of theirs - it sounded not very different than the recorded version, which was a little disappointing to me.

Stars - they were good. I think the festival setting isn't ideal for them since you couldn't really appreciate their tight harmonies.

Xavier Rudd - His voice sounds a lot like Dave Matthews, his music/guitar playing recalls Robert Randolph & the Family Band meets the swamp funk of Mofro... and the latter part is pretty interesting considering he's a white Australian. Super talented multi-instrumentalist.

Foo Fighters - I wouldn't ever put this band on a list of bands I truly care about, but I have to say Dave Grohl is a true professional and the band put on a great show. I was entertained.

Jose Gonzalez & Iron & Wine -- both good, but again, not the right setting to fully appreciate them.

Nachito Herrera & his band -- Awesome! Nothing like good Cuban jazz, esp. good Cuban jazz piano. I think I even saw RMW's hips move.

Beck -- good set, but I was a little disappointed. I don't know why; I felt like he wasn't that into it. I couldn't take much issue with the songs he chose for the set (Nicotine & Gravy, Loser, Nausea, and Where it's At were all included). I would have liked to hear Debra, but oh well.

Thanks for hosting us, Emily & Peter!!!!!!!

Joshua Radin's New Album Simple Times

2008-09-22T18:17:00.002-04:00

I love Joshua Radin's first album, We Were Here. Now his second album is out, and for some reason, I'm a little disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high? Maybe my life is too busy these days for his elegant simplicity? I still recommend it, but Simple Times is just a little too sweet for me right now. I am going to listen to it more, and I feel almost guilty that I tend to latch on more easily to music that is just a shade or two darker. Radin deserves to be happy and write happy, carefree songs.

This criticism is especially weird from me since I bet a lot of people would say I can come across as "too sweet/happy".

I do love the song featured live below, "They Bring Me to You" - careful, it tingles.

Nas, The World is Yours ft. Ahmad Jamal Sample

2008-09-22T18:07:00.003-04:00

I think it was a week ago or so that I heard an NPR interview of Ahmad Jamal. Dude is 78 years old and still rules the keys live regularly (and has a new album). It was so funny, the guy from Soundcheck was asking him what he thinks about hip hop in general and hip hop sampling his music in particular (jazz piano). He kind of dodged the question saying there is good music and there is bad music, no matter what the genre. Soundcheck played a clip from Nas's classic song "The World is Yours" (from his album Illmatic), and then asked Jamal if that song was "good music". Jamal said something like "Well, he [Nas] chose a great song to sample [I Love Music]" but when pushed on whether he liked the song in particular, he was like "No Comment". For real??? I love Ahmad Jamal's music, and I also love a lot of Nas's music. I was so surprised to hear that Jamal doesn't like "The World is Yours" -- I love that song and love the way the sample was used! Wonder if he's just bitter b/c apparently he has lawsuits out about properly compensating him for sampling...

Like Everyone Else I'm Addicted to this Song Lately

2008-09-22T17:59:00.004-04:00

The Daft Punk, Coldplay & U2 influence is of course there, but then I swear there's also a little bit of Beirut when the drums really kick in there right around the 1 min. mark(see below for Beirut's awesome song/video Postcards From Italy):

I also truly admire Kanye's boldness - producer turned rapper turned vocoder-singer with not a rap in there??? He could care less what 50 Cent and the rest think. Inspirational.

Since The IceChewer Misses Me

2008-09-22T17:51:00.003-04:00

I will blog, even though I feel out of it music-wise these days. Thank you for missing me, Ice Chewer!

I feel like I have a new life these days - I've been busy trying to find my own rhythms within it. People keep calling me Professor, and I'm always rushing around trying to get prepped for my classes. Any free time I have lately has gone to trying to train our puppy Jasmine (wish I had more time to do that). This is what my days sound/feel like:

I had to put my guitar lessons on hiatus because I have no time to practice. But I will! I will! Things already feel better compared to two weeks ago.

My one major break of the semester comes this weekend, when Rich and I are going to the Austin City Limits music festival. Should reawaken the always-searching-for-great-new-music nerd in me...

Daby Toure

2008-08-13T12:08:00.004-04:00

Rich and I checked out his show at Joe's Pub earlier this month, and it was beautiful. It was a rainy Saturday night, and I don't think they announced it very early, so the place wasn't packed. It really should have been. This is my favorite song of his - "Banta" (he actually jovially made us all stand up and turned it into a sing-along even though I really have no idea what the actual words are). Maybe someday I'll learn how to finger pick it out. :) Not all of his songs are as quiet as this one - the guy actually jams (and turns his guitar into a conga)! He mixes elements of his native West African style with Western jazz and pop, and the result is very cool... if he got enough publicity, I think he could become pretty popular here.

Kanye West & His Spaceship: The Musical

2008-08-12T12:56:00.002-04:00

Kanye West & His Spaceship: The Musical (my title for the Glow in the Dark tour) was definitely memorable. Special effects were very cool, his stamina was impressive, as was the seamless integration of all his song into a narrative. I still can't decide how I felt about the 5 minute lecture we at MSG got at the end of his show (esp. since the night after us got Jay-Z instead), or the fact that he wouldn't share the stage with a single other animate being. But, I can't deny the face that I seriously enjoy Kanye's talent and music. Lupe Fiasco was very good too, and N.E.R.D. was fun (go Pharrell for bringing up Diggy Simmons to dance onstage - RUN'S HOUSE in the house).

It was also cool to hear Esthero's voice as the voice of the spaceship.

Acoustic Guitar Lessons

2008-08-12T12:53:00.003-04:00

Learning guitar is HARD!! I knew it was before, but I didn't have full appreciation until now. Right now, I can barely strum through the main chords in Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls and am working on finger picking with Dust in the Wind by Kansas. I still can't change chords so quickly without screwing up the rhythm, but I'm getting better slowly by surely, thanks to my great teacher - and time & practice (never enough of either). My fingernails are gone. My fingertips are hardening. Don't think I'll ever be a guitar heroine, but hopefully I'll be competent enough at some point...

Sorry I've Been Gone So Long

2008-08-12T12:16:00.003-04:00

I don't know where the past two months have gone. I've been so busy with working on the new apartment, playing with the new puppy, trying to play the new guitar... I don't know how I haven't managed to post a thing.

More coming soon...

Our New Bathroom

2008-06-12T15:18:00.002-04:00

RMW & I are closing on our new apartment next Tuesday. Plans for transforming the bathroom are still in the works... happily, we got great ideas from the smart people on apartmenttherapy.com this week, though. Want to see what people have been saying and/or give us some of your own ideas?

Here's the link to the apartmenttherapy post incl. pics of our bathroom and details on our design dilemma...

Adele at Highline Ballroom June 11, 2008

2008-06-12T14:50:00.002-04:00

She played for just under an hour, leaving everyone wanting more of that voice... wow, is this one talented. Every bit of power, alternating warmth and edginess in tone, and perfect pitch (and pitch bending) that you hear on her album sounds, if anything, even *more* flawless live. I know all her lyrics, but she actually shut me up last night. (and if you know me and my involuntary tendency to sing as much as possible, you'll understand what a feat that is). I just was commanded to focus all my energy on listening.

I can't wait for Adele to develop further as a songwriter and as an artist. At only just barely 20, she's got such a long career ahead of her!

p.s. she was pretty adorable in terms of stage presence - she kept saying (as on this clip) how nervous she was -- but then would just belt out these songs. I didn't hear any wobbliness in her voice whatsoever, so I can't imagine what her voice sounds like NOT nervous. She also was so cute in her responses to the crowds' cheers... she would be all serious into the song, and then, see someone cheering (or recognize someone), and this huge genuine grin would melt her face, and then she'd be back to intense focus -- all the while her voice never once betraying any distractions. I found it so charming - she just looked like she was thrilled to be performing for us.

p.p.s She said she was apartment shopping in Brooklyn! :)

Awesome. Bilal. Robert Glasper.

2008-06-04T09:26:00.003-04:00

GREAT show at the Blue Note last night. Bilal's falsetto live is ridiculous. Robert Glasper is sick on keys too.

It's easy to hear why Bilal's voice is all over hip hop's great albums - from Jay-Z to Clipse to Common... but when he's center stage live, he's even better.

Here's a clip from a show in Amsterdam:

My New Martin 000-16GT

2008-05-20T22:25:00.005-04:00

I am so excited. For my graduation, my dad finally gave me his mid-life crisis purchase of 5 years ago that I knew he would never use. Guitar lessons are in my future! Anyone know a good guitar teacher in NYC?

NYTimes Article on Cool Research on the Healing Power of Music

2008-05-20T22:22:00.003-04:00

From today's NYTimes science section article "Claudius Conrad: A Musician Who Works With a Scalpel":

Like many surgeons, Dr. Conrad says he works better when he listens to music. And he cites studies, including some of his own, showing that music is helpful to patients as well — bringing relaxation and reducing blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormones, pain and the need for pain medication.

But to the extent that music heals, how does it heal?...

Another Reason to Sing

2008-04-28T11:55:00.004-04:00

Singing makes me happy. I have never really considered all the reasons why. The most obvious one is that music makes me happy, and singing is part of my everyday ritual for expressing gratitude for the miracle in my life that is music.

In yoga this weekend, though, my instructor Maggie commented that singing and chanting is also a great, easy way to release stress -- for more physiological reasons. Singing forces you to breathe deeply, and breathing deeply transforms your autonomic nervous system, relaxing you. Of course!! Somehow I never thought about that before.

As IF I needed another reason to sing, but hmmm... I wonder if my dissertation committee would mind if I started my defense tomorrow with a group song - ?

NPR Story Corps

2008-04-25T10:58:00.005-04:00

My alarm this morning spoke in the voice of 10 year-old Rasheed McKenstry, interviewing his mother, Rhonetta McKenstry, for NPR's Story Corps. Today my heart leapt out of bed before the rest of me. I could listen to these Story Corps recordings all day long. I think once I'm officially all done with my PhD I will.

Here's the text of today's interview featured on Morning Edition. It's better if you listen to it live, though.

Morning Edition, April 25, 2008 · When Rahsheed McKenstry, 10, and his mother Rhonetta McKenstry entered the StoryCorps booth in Memphis, Tenn., he quickly found his own interview style ... a style that uncovered hard truths.

"OK, Ms. Rhonetta McKenstry," he asked, "what are some of the biggest lessons that you learned during your childhood?"

"I feel like I'm at a job interview," she replied.

"I had a very good mother, which is why I think I'm a very good mother," she said. "She used to fix me breakfast in the morning whenever she could. She gave me kisses like I do you and your brother. And she yelled at me... It means she cares."

He asked, "OK, so why are you not still married?"

"Because my ex-husband was horrible," she said.

"Was he violent toward you?"

"Yes."

"Was he violent toward anybody else?"

"You and your brother, which is why I won't let him see you."

"How does that affect you?" she asked.

"It affects me because I'm inquisitive. I want to know everything and he's my father and I should know more. It kind of makes me feel depressed and mad. Not depressed, but kind of mad that those things happened to my mother," he said.

"What kind of man do you think you're going to be?" she asked.

"A very great man — better than my father, for sure."

He asked, "How do you feel about [my brother] Chris and I?"

"See, now you're trying to make me cry," she said. "You have to understand I'm proud of the two of you. Y'all have different personalities. Chris is happy-go-lucky, but you ... I'm just in awe of you sometimes. Y'all keep me going. Everything I do is really for the two of you."

He asks his mother, "Why is your nose turning red?"

"[Because] I'm about to cry," she said. "How many times have you ever seen me cry?"

"Three times. This is my third," he answered.

"I love you, Rahsheed."

"I love you, too, Ma. Thank you for answering all my questions."

Rhonetta McKenstry will be entering law school this fall. She plans to specialize in family law to help women who have suffered from domestic violence.

Estelle + Lots of Special Guests

2008-04-23T14:59:00.004-04:00

I'm listening to Estelle's new album "Shine" today (stream below). It's really solid. I wonder how much of it is due to smart executive production, though,(good job, John Stephens/Legend) b/c the best songs are the ones where she shares the spotlight with big names. You probably already know "American Boy" (ft. Kanye) and "Wait a Minute" (ft. and produced by Will.I.Am). "Shine" (produced by Swizz Beats) is my latest favorite. I'm also loving the way "No Substitute Love" (Wyclef shares production credits) plays with George Michael's "Faith".

The only song I really have to skip from boredom is "Back to Love", which sounds to me a lot like a mightily watered down version of John Stephens/Legend's "Again". (and disclaimer: I liked "Again"!)

Warning: Lykke Li is Addictive

2008-04-22T17:21:00.004-04:00

I have been out of my usual scouring-the-web for new cool music mode ... blame it on the dissertation defense next Tues. (!). But Julianne mentioned that her office is addicted to this song "Little Bit", and now I've got it on repeat too.

I also really like Lykke Li's song "Dance Dance Dance" (see video below) Can't decide which of the two I like better.

Umalali

2008-04-03T15:45:00.002-04:00

I love this music and Umalali's new album. It's music from the Garifuna communities of Central America, that has all kinds of cool influences. Umalali is performing at Symphony Space tomorrow night too - maybe RMW will be convinced to check it out. Thanks WNYC's Soundcheck!

GO TO VEGAS JUST TO SEE THIS

2008-03-30T14:36:00.001-04:00

Cirque du Soleil's Beatles LOVE show.

I'd honestly see it like 5 more times, and I still don't think I'd have had enough.

Adam Duritz Was at Passing Strange Tonight

2008-03-15T23:17:00.005-04:00

He was just being a normal guy, enjoying his favorite songwriter's show.

We dug it too.

The theme of the week is ART=LIFE.
Tonight's incantation is ART>LIFE.

If it were any more real, it'd be fictional.

Carly Smithson Was Finally Great!

2008-03-11T22:14:00.002-04:00

And she didn't sound like Celine Dion!

back to dissertating... argh.

Ignorant Shit

2008-03-10T14:44:00.006-04:00

Let's stop the bullshittin'
Til' we all without sin,
Let's quit the pulpittin'

--Jay-Z, "Ignorant Shit", American Gangster album

Art=Life... (The Wire, RIP). Somehow I don't foresee Spitzer as able to pull a Clay Davis with this one.

Rox and I Feel Electric Feel

2008-02-29T11:28:00.003-05:00

Thanks Roxanne! This is definitely the best song off MGMT's album:

America Gets It Wrong Again

2008-02-29T11:14:00.003-05:00

I didn't vote, so I guess I can't complain. But I would have booted Luke Menard, Kady Malloy, and Amanda Overmyer, in addition to Jason Yeager. I actually thought both Alexandrea and Alaina had a lot of potential. And Robbie Carrico - yes, there's his wig controversy, but he sings pretty well.

NYTimes Review of Passing Strange

2008-02-29T11:00:00.003-05:00

Charles Isherwood really liked it! Yeah! Adam Duritz gushes about Stew, had him open for him a handful of years back (on the tour the Counting Crows did in '03? w/ JM?), and anyway I heard 30 seconds of some of the melodies (see below) in this show & was on my way to buy tickets. RMW and I are going on March 15. Can't wait.

American Idol Loves RMW

2008-02-26T22:42:00.003-05:00

Haha, he's away so I could actually watch tonight. Here's my quick 2 cents - this probably isn't going to come out in the right order.

Michael Johns: He was sadly flat through much of the song. The judges let him off easy.

Jason Castro: Ehh. Judges were right; the song was lame. He wasn't as bad as they said, but he wasn't so great either.

Luke Menard: I pretty much hate it when anyone on A.I. sings anything by Queen. Blegh.

Robbie Carrico: Solid voice and performance. I was thinking that Simon would be all over him this week after the bit about Robbie's drag racing, given that Simon is into racing (or least pretended to be with Anderson Cooper).

David Hernandez: Yeah. He got soul.

Chikezie: Ditto! (I love that American Idol (e.g., Ruben Studdard, Elliot Yamin) seems to be on a mission to repopularize Donny Hathaway)

Danny Noriega: He's ok. Can still do better. He must be seriously gorgeous in drag.

Jason Yeager: Poor guy. He's just way too corny, even for American Idol. And not talented enough. He's not good at those instruments he was playing either. SELF-TAUGHT. Um, ok. Self-taught and AVERAGE.

David Cook: Word to my fellow word nerd. Good vocab is hot. And, yeah, he could be on pop radio as a pop rocker. Not my fav, but he'll do ok probably.

David Archuleta: Little Kevin Arnold was great. I dug the arrangement, and it's surprising how well he could pull that off. That could probably be released as a single. Still, the aww shucks routine (don't leave me here alone on stage with all these swooning girls, Ryan!) is starting to get annoying. You know you're thinking it too.

U23D

2008-02-25T12:21:00.003-05:00

Life has gotten insanely busy lately, but I'm glad I made time to go see U23D this weekend on an IMAX screen.

The movie is really cool -- and not just from the perspective of being like you're at the show live, with the best seats ever (though that would have been enough). This film was carefully thought out to be more than that - to say something about the role of rock & roll in our lives, the relationship between rock stars and their fans, ... maybe even something about globalization and the meaning of the ONE message.

The camera angles let you flirt with the perspective of what it would be like to be Bono or the Edge or Larry Mullen Jr. or Adam Clayton themselves -- and, even from the audience perspective, on this screen w/ 3D, they look both larger-than-life AND incredibly HUMAN. Bono is short and wears shoes that give him extra height on stage! And he looks out to an ocean of crazed fans, literally freaking out over him.

And they're not even Irish or Americans! It's a South American audience -- English isn't even their first language! He's just a man. They're just a band. The power artists have over people is incredible. Kudos to Bono and U2 for having from day one always been trying to do something meaningful with that power. I've also never been more aware of how much artists depend on people falling hard for them. I kept looking out at the crowds, thinking, in all those people, there are probably so many "rock stars" in their own right, in their own lives -- if only they could see how silly they look totally losing it over this band and this show, bowing down and dying to get a bead of Bono's sweat dropped on them or better yet, a msec-long touch of the man himself.

But, then again, I know I totally fall for music and what I dream up about the people who make the music I love too. What does that say about me? Should I be embarrassed or proud that I totally get sucked into believing in the possibilities I imagine when I listen to certain artists/songs, stand in crowds at certain shows? Why is Bono more inspirational than he is corny? Is it just because he's/U2's so good, musically? (footnote to conversation after the film with JL, SO, & RMW) Is it because his confidence makes you respect him? Is it because he can be as serious and realistic as he is optimistic?

This Just Pains Me

2008-02-07T16:11:00.000-05:00

?uestlove's blog post today

Sam Sparro "Black & Gold"

2008-02-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

Arik sent me this with the following note: "Hey, Here's someone who I think will do a 'Scissor Sisters' - i.e., an American artist who's huge everywhere but the US - what with the flashy clothes, lisping and all... A great song, though..."

It really IS a great song - I actually like this SS's music better than most of the Scissor Sisters' music. (I know they are the queens of performance though).

For the record, I did a little research and this guy's actually not American by birth - he's an Aussie, but he's spent a lot of time in Los Angeles. He's like D'Angelo soul (listen to "Cottonmouth") meets Prince funk and gender play meets Hot Chip hipster electronic/pop. I actually disagree about the US prediction -- this has a much better shot of being big in the clubs here than the Scissor Sisters every will, b/c of the funk/hipster edginess.

THANKS ARIK!!!

Sam Sparro - Black & Gold - Watch the best video clips here

"In Love With A Girl"

2008-02-06T12:23:00.000-05:00

First single off Gavin DeGraw's upcoming album. Hmmm...

Please Don't Forget to Vote!

2008-02-05T11:53:00.000-05:00

"But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope."

Adele - 19

2008-02-04T13:49:00.000-05:00

RMW was gone in Europe all week last week. :( However, the one good thing about that was that he filled my order for the UK release of Adele's debut album, 19!

You've likely heard Hometown Glory and Chasing Pavements by now if you read my blog, but what about the rest of the album? Well, I like it! I worry that she's getting a bit overhyped before she even officially debuts in the US -- 19 is not the best album of the year. However, it's a darn good debut. Adele has a mighty alluring voice. Her songwriting is a bit inconsistent and probably has some maturing to do, but it shows promise for sure. She's got a lot of different musical influences -- I love the track below called "My Same" which is modern, bluesy jazz and sounds like Peggy Lee's "Fever" reincarnated. Two other good songs, which are more retro motown are "Melt My Heart to Stone" and "Right as Rain". I'd like to hear her record more jazz (but realize the business peeps probably fear that'd be a commercial risk...). If anyone can make jazz hot again with a more mainstream audience, though, it just may be Adele.

Yes We Can!

2008-02-02T17:17:00.000-05:00

Many thanks go to the ice chewer, Yuval, for letting me know about this fantastic, inspiring video. See dipdive.com for a larger, clearer version too.

Ma ma se ma ma sa ma makossa

2008-02-01T18:14:00.001-05:00

(from MJ's Wanna Be Startin Somethin & Rihanna's Don't Stop the Music) Ever wonder where it came from?

This is random, but I somehow JUST discovered Cameroonian legend Manu Dibango today through my musicovery.com streaming. I am loving his music. Sadly though I had musicovery.com set to "non-hits" only, and one of the songs I like best - "Ami Oh!" cannot be found anywhere (itunes, amazon, etc.). Bummer. But his crossover hit above influenced SO much popular music, it's crazy. In case you're wondering, "makossa" means "I dance" in the African language Duala.

p.s. The new 25th anniversary version of "wanna be..." featuring Akon and Will.I.Am is good. Hit MJ's myspace page to stream it, but I think it's on itunes now. I can't wait for the whole 25th anniv. Thriller album to come out. Thriller was my first record! I am feeling old that it is 25. Oh wait, here's a youtube of the song:

Musicovery.com = intriguing

2008-02-01T16:56:00.000-05:00

http://musicovery.com

You tell them what your mood is (or what you want it to be) and pick genres and eras you want. They generate a tree of streamable songs that match your mood. I haven't hated anything they've recommended yet! (impressive)

I'm big fan of musical therapy in general. I use music to change my mood all the time. Try it - it really works!

Rosey's Voice Is So Cool

2008-01-26T15:41:00.000-05:00

"It's a Ruse" - I think this will be on her album that comes out this spring. Her song "Love" has been in my Itunes for years, and I have yet to get sick of it. She performs all the time in LA for my socal people. See www.myspace.com/rosey or roseymusic.com for more

Must Be The Water - Marc Broussard

2008-01-26T15:01:00.000-05:00

Marc Broussard has a new EP coming out mid-late Feb. This guy can sing. See him live - he gives like 150% and has a lot of fun performing. Glad to see this commercial shining a light on New Orleans!

Honoring Dr. King

2008-01-21T11:34:00.000-05:00

I really like what the Brian Lehrer show does to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. They ask listeners to do a little homework and call in or post a one-minute reading by/about any other ethnic group than their own. Read some postings here.

I have two readings to share. The first is a passage from a book by one of my favorite authors ever, Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison's language is music for me; her words strip my own from reach, and quietly, nonconsciously sink down into my chest and make my eyes swell.

From Beloved:

"Something in the house braced, and in the listening quiet that followed Sethe spoke.

'I got a tree on my back and a haint in my house, and nothing in between but the daughter I am holding in my arms. No more running- from nothing. I will never run from another thing on this earth. I took one journey and I paid for the ticket, but let me tell you something, Paul D Garner: it cost too much! Do you hear me? It cost too much. Now sit down and eat with us or leave us be.' ...
Her back was to him and he could see all the hair he wanted without the distraction of her face...
'What tree on your back? Is something growing on your back? I don't see nothing growing on your back.'
'It's there all the same.'
'Who told you that?'
'Whitegirl. That's what she called it. I've never seen it and never will. But that's what she said it looked like. A chokecherry tree. Trunk, branches, and even leaves. Tiny little chokecherry leaves. But that was eighteen years ago. Could have cherries too now for all I know.' ...

Oh! I wish I could type out a few entire pages from this passage for you. The tiny details of the scene are so important to receiving the full weight of the story, the nuances of the interaction between Sethe and Paul D. Please read Beloved if you haven't already. I think I'm going to start re-reading it tonight.

Here's one other thing to share. You've probably heard it before, but it's so powerful that it's another one that merits re-reading. It's by the German Pastor Martin Niemöller:

They came first for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up. "

Excited for Nikki Jean

2008-01-18T12:53:00.000-05:00

I think I first heard of Nikki Jean (and her Philly band Nouveau Riche) from ?uestlove's blog a couple years ago. I like her sound *and* her spirit outside of the music, and so I was really excited to see that Lupe Fiasco put her on his new album (which is really pretty good overall if you haven't heard it yet -- better than Food & Liquor). Anyway, check out Nikki Jean's reaction to Lupe's album coming out. This is what I mean about how likable she is!!!

It's You! It's Me! And There's Dancing!

2008-01-18T11:23:00.000-05:00

TGIF! courtesy of Los Campesinos!

My Morning Jacket Announce Release Date, Shows

2008-01-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks for this good news, Pitchfork. I've missed My Morning Jacket. Z was awesome.

I Like That He Cut Out His Face From the Video

2008-01-14T11:52:00.000-05:00

The man can play guitar, and he has a great ear. JT's "I Think She Knows Interlude" really is "ultimate sonic bliss...awesomeness". It's just JM's faces/his stupid mouth that make me ill. So this video is cropped perfectly! (and miracle of miracles, he doesn't say/sing a word through the whole 2+ minutes!) Enjoy the guitar.

From his honeyee.com blog:

It's Getting to the Point Where I'm No Fun Anymore

2008-01-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

I heard this song in the movie We Are Marshall last night, and it was like I had forgotten it existed and felt so grateful to be reminded. Actually it was more like randomly running into one of your best friends from your suburban US hometown while in the Alhambra in Granada, Spain (that happened once too).

And the opening lyrics couldn't have been more appropriate for how I have been feeling.

I used to listen to this over and over in high school and early college. It's my favorite CSNY song. When my Aunt Lynn passed away, I got a lot of her cds. Music was my deepest connection to her. She used to listen to WXPN in Philly, and it opened up my mind to something beyond Q102 and Power 99 and Y100. All the CSNY albums I own were hers. And she wasn't just into older music from her youth. She also appreciated Alanis Morissette before I could feel safe singing along to some of those early angry lyrics without watching my back for my dad listening. Ahh... my fearful, careful adolescence. But, that's another post.

Anyway, thank you, Aunt Lynn. Thanks for being a lasting positive influence in my life.

Adele = WOW

2008-01-10T16:03:00.000-05:00

Kanye gets credit for cluing me into this amazing new artist out of the UK too (man, this week is all about British female soulful voices for me, isn't it?). She has an album coming out later this month (in the UK). You can get a free mp3 for this song "Hometown Glory" if you subscribe to her mailing list via her website. See Mr. West's blog again for a cool video she has for another new song, "Chasing Pavements".

American Boy - Estelle Feat. Kanye West

2008-01-10T15:31:00.000-05:00

Check out this song posted on Kanye's blog. Estelle is the first artist John Legend (Stephens) signed to his new label, Homeschool Records.

I really dig this song. It's Will.I.Am produced (which makes it more pop crossover than typical hip hop or soul) and is the perfect combo of 80s/Euro pop sound (happy bop bop for RMW & Arik), jazzy/funky vocal styling, amusing/catchy lyrics (from both Kanye & Estelle actually)... just a really cool concoction of influences from probably every talented person involved (Estelle herself, John Legend, Will.I.Am, and Kanye at the least). I don't always like Will.I.Am stuff so much b/c some of it gets really boring in its commerciality. When he gets it right, though, he gets it really right, and this one's a hit for sure.

UPDATE: You can download a copy of this song here, thanks to imageyenation.com!

It's Okay, Fellow Obama Supporters

2008-01-09T14:58:00.000-05:00

Since music is political even (maybe especially?) when it's not at all explicitly so (see this if you need further convincing), I hope you'll forgive me for hijacking this music blog for a quick political comment. The NH election is on my mind, and for anyone who's curious about how I've made sense of the surprise results, I wanted to direct you to my reply to my friend Julianne's (different) reaction.

p.s. in explicitly musical AND political news, I love that Obama digs Jay-Z & his great American Gangster album (he's just like me! ;) ).

Live "Love Like This" - Natasha Bedingfield

2008-01-08T15:28:00.000-05:00

She sang this on one of the NYE shows, and it was so good. I can't stand how they computerize her voice on the studio version, and I don't really think Sean Kingston adds much to that version, frankly. It's better with drums/a full band than completely acoustic/bare like this version, but still, check out this voice and melody:

Bubbles & Omar Are Back Tonight

2008-01-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

To get even more excited than you already should be for tonight's debut of The Wire Season 5, read Julianne's awesome blog on the premiere party Fri. night.

FYI: Time Warner Cable NYC is running a special right now where you can get HBO free for a month. Don't miss out on the best show on television (ever?).

P.S. NY mag has a couple of short little interviews w/ Bubbles, Omar, and Marlo too.

My Dad Requested...

2007-12-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

that I figure out what songs were in the movie Reign Over Me (w/ Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle) and put together a CD for him for his next gift. He said the movie was just OK, but that the music was great and that the official soundtrack didn't have the real music from the movie. Guess they didn't want to pay licensing fees, etc. I haven't even seen the movie myself, but with a little internet research, I found the list of songs in the movie. And I have to say it really did have some excellent music. Good job, Dad. YouTubes below are for Pearl Jam's cover of "Love Reign O'er Me" and the UK band Embrace's uplifting "Ashes". I'm actually surprised "Ashes" never broke the US pop charts.

1. Love Reign O'er Me - The Who
2. Simple Man - Graham Nash
3. Out in the Street - Bruce Springsteen
4. Drive All Night - Bruce Springsteen
5. Birds of St. Marks - Jackson Browne
6. Stop Your Sobbing - The Pretenders
7. How to Save a Life - The Fray
8. All These Things That I've Done - The Killers
9. Ashes - Embrace
10. In This Life - Chantal Kreviazuk
11. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
12. I Ain't Got Nobody (I used the Fats Waller version for my dad's CD)
13. I'm Old Fashioned (I used the Ella Fitzgerald version)
14. Hoop-Dee-Doo (I used the Perry Como version)
14. Love Reign O'er Me - Pearl Jam

My Bro-In-Law Requests

2007-12-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

Mario's "Go" worth the long wait? Well, it's a good album. I'm not jumping up and down, though, and you know I'm very capable of that kind of response to new music. There are definitely some very good songs (esp. "Music For Love"), but none tops "Kryptonite", the clear standout track, which I've already been listening to for months and months now.

Mario has a very strong voice. When I listen to all the songs as a unit, though, I get really bored.

Also, someone decided he needed to sex himself up a lot on this one to compete with R. Kelly and Akon. "Let Me Watch" doesn't really add anything to this album. I love "I Wanna [Love] You" and "Freaky in the Club" in spite of their lyrics - it's not just that I'm a self-respecting female. Mario is just much better* when he's going for old-school, inspirational ballad R. Kelly (as in "Do Right") than when he's aiming for (um, ok, probable) sex-offender R. Kelly. Ironically, Akon produced "Do Right". Someone's got to fill that niche now that R. Kelly's left it behind.

*Ok, ok, "Go" - another kinky track on this album - is hot. I think we can thank the Neptunes.

Must buys - and these sound even better when you don't listen to them as part of the album overall:
1. Kryptonite
2. Music for Love
3. Do Right (this will do well on pop radio - moms will dig it)
4. Go (produced by the Neptunes)

Other memorable songs:
5. Crying Out For Me (but you know that)
6. Skippin'
7. How Do I Breathe (the first single, but I don't know... I go back & forth on this one. This song bores me.)
8. No Definition (Timbaland produced - not Tim's best, but it's ok)
9. Right and a Wrong Way (good cover of Keith Sweat)

Hallelujah for Martin Sexton

2007-12-08T10:19:00.000-05:00

This song makes the world all right. It will still all your December chaos for a moment. There's another slower version on his excellent Live Wide Open album, also gorgeous and raw.

RMW and I finally went to see him play in person last night. More later - super busy day/night today... but, please PLEASE go to one of his live shows if you ever get a chance. I walked into Roseland feeling distracted, buzzing around myself instead of anchored safely inside. I walked out feeling connected to my soul and humanness again. Yeah, I guess music -- well, and art more broadly -- is my religion, my truth.

Man I Miss The Daily Show on News Days Like Yesterday

2007-12-05T10:54:00.001-05:00

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071204-4.html

"Q Mr. President, thank you. I'd like to follow on that. When you talked about Iraq, you and others in the administration talked about a mushroom cloud; then there were no WMD in Iraq. When it came to Iran, you said in October, on October 17th, you warned about the prospect of World War III, when months before you made that statement, this intelligence about them suspending their weapons program back in '03 had already come to light to this administration. So can't you be accused of hyping this threat? And don't you worry that that undermines U.S. credibility?

THE PRESIDENT: David, I don't want to contradict an august reporter such as yourself, but I was made aware of the NIE last week. In August, I think it was Mike McConnell came in and said, we have some new information. He didn't tell me what the information was; he did tell me it was going to take a while to analyze. Why would you take time to analyze new information? One, you want to make sure it's not disinformation. You want to make sure the piece of intelligence you have is real. And secondly, they want to make sure they understand the intelligence they gathered: If they think it's real, then what does it mean? And it wasn't until last week that I was briefed on the NIE that is now public."

UM, ... REALLY!? You mean, Mr. President, that when Mike McConnell said he had new info back in August, you didn't care to ask what it was!?

...
"Q Why should you trust this intelligence if it's different than 2005? Why should we trust it any more?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, I'm -- without getting into sources and that, that's -- I believe that the intelligence community has made a great discovery, and they've analyzed the discovery, and it's now part of our government policy."

OH OK, I get it. It's part of our government policy now so it must be reliable intelligence. Of course!

"The Value of a Friend in the Next Cubicle"

2007-12-05T10:44:00.001-05:00

Obvious to some of us, perhaps - but still nice to see research backing this point up.

WRECKLESS LOVE...

2007-11-29T19:08:00.000-05:00

is my favorite song on Alicia Keys' new album. I love it. Well-written musically, and the best her (great) voice sounds on this album. Have a listen:

Once again, sadly, I can't endorse buying this entire album. Why the wildly talented Alicia Keys has yet to put out a consistently stellar album I cannot understand given how many amazing individual songs she has, but at least this album has many more good songs than her past albums have. These are the tracks worth buying, in my opinion:

*Wreckless Love
*No One
*Go Ahead (the chorus is awesome -- the rest of the song is nothing great)
*Superwoman (hell yeah, she needs to go on Oprah with this one ;)... "Even when I'm a mess, I still put on a vest, With an S on my chest, Oh yes")
*Like You'll Never See Me Again - this song gives me chills every time
*Lesson Learned - i like the john mayer groove in this one - you can tell he co-wrote even though he doesn't take over the song
*The Thing About Love

p.s. haha, as I'm writing this, dear husband tells me: "I actually like R&B. You know why? Think about it! It's happy bop bop, but different." YES. "Wreckless Love" is definitely "happy bop bop", but different. Indeed. Ha. Good job, husband.

Sean Rowe

2007-11-26T14:56:00.000-05:00

I honestly don't remember how I first came across Sean Rowe. Maybe myspace? All I know is that every time it's been a while since I've listened to him, and I play a song, and I'm like ohhh yeah, I really really like this guy's music. He's got a really unique, deep & gravely voice, paired with quality songwriting and guitar. For people who like these sorts of comparisons, let's see... maybe you'd get something close to Sean Rowe if you crossed Ray Lamontagne with Martin Sexton and then added some Barry White and some Nina Simone. But even then, he's still his own musician. He now has a youtube I can share with you. I recommend his 2003 album "27." highly. Apparently he's working on a new album now too (yay!)- he's got a couple new tracks posted on his myspace page now. He plays fairly regularly in NYC (he's based in Albany) - I really need to check him out live one of these days soon. Can't believe I haven't already. If anyone's interested, let me know.

Jay-Z On Charlie Rose = Weird... but good

2007-11-10T15:59:00.001-05:00

I currently obsessed with American Gangster. I mean obsessed. It's the best rap album since Hell Hath No Fury and one of the best rap albums ever (like the latter too), probably.

So, anyway, on my one night off from work in weeks, after some quality family time with the sis, the cuz, and my fav pug-nephew Wilbur, I found myself on the couch watching Charlie Rose interview Jay-Z. I have to say it was a weird interview. I have never seen Jay-Z look so stiff/uncomfortable OR Charlie Rose ask questions so awkwardly/hesitantly. They both seemed to be trying so hard. There were definitely many moments when Jay-Z relaxed for a sec -- when he breaks out into a wide grin the whole mood is transformed. And Charlie Rose definitely got him to share some classic stories - e.g., involving Diddy calling him into his studio to share amazing soulful 70s samples that he had "no one to give to now that Biggie is gone" - samples that he had just been using for blasting in his house to dance around to in his socks. Ha. BUT Jay-Z draws the line for Diddy's involvement: "You can't executive produce an executive producer!" When asked what he thought when he first met "his lady", he said that the first thing he thought was that she was just an amazing talent, that she sang so fast while completely on pitch - that she sang like a rapper. That's a really great way to sum up what's so unique about Beyonce - never thought about her that way. (Charlie was like THAT's what you thought about first? her talent? Jay ignored that though, to his credit -- that says more about his respect for women than any lyrics ever would.)

Every time Charlie Rose asked him to do a few lines from a song, he would be like: "oh, that's good" -- in a sort of an awkward, almost patronizing way. I don't think Charlie Rose actually gets hip hop, despite having Jay-z on his show. Even while I do give him massive credit for having Jay-Z on his show, pushing himself out of his comfort zone.

And I give Jay-Z credit too, for going to talk to an old white suit -- I'm sure it was in the service of being a good ambassador for hip hop much more than it was about selling records. Part of his whole plan of "chasing history". Russell Simmons should be proud, despite their arguments about lyrics. Still, when Charlie Rose put him on the spot to make his case for hip hop's being "something special/contributing to popular culture", I cringed on Jay-Z's behalf - I was seriously embarrassed for my fellow white upper middle class, overeducated brethren - you know, the collective NPR-listening crowd. Are you kidding me? Of all people, Jay-Z should not have to defend hip hop in interviews. Just listen to the music, people. I don't totally understand how people can't feel the music, because so much of it moves me personally... but even if it's not your thing, if you really listen, I don't know how you could possibly not appreciate the artistry involved. Just listen to the music for a few minutes. Buy American Gangster.

Thank You For Blogging, Adam Duritz

2007-11-10T01:16:00.000-05:00

I sometimes feel like I "get" Adam Duritz more deeply than I get a lot of people I actually talk to regularly. His blog is so bravely human and real and ridiculously well-written. And I find myself relating on a philosophical level over and over - just like I do with his lyrics. I recommend his latest entry highly.

I think I've determined my answer to the age-old question about what celebrity I'd most want to go to dinner with. Conveniently we both live in NYC. Ha.

Thank You Aunt Wendy, I'm Trying

2007-11-08T21:33:00.000-05:00

See, Husband? It's Not Just Me! Our Brains Want to Dance

2007-11-07T14:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a link for more on that and other cool info from what neuroscientist/music producer Daniel Levitin has been learning about "our brains on music". On that page, look for the link to the audio of WNYC Soundcheck interviewing him.

Today, my brain is loving dancing to this while I push through(continue to push through...) my mounds of work. I keep going back and forth between this and Yo-Yo Ma. Two geniuses.

Alicia Says Everything's Gonna Be All Right

2007-11-06T18:45:00.000-05:00

This song is getting me through today.

Since The Last Time

2007-11-03T19:36:00.001-04:00

WOW! Who knew? Arrested Development just came out with a new album a few days ago - after 12 years. I've always been a fan. I'm listening to the album for the first time right now -- so far, it's good. Nothing life altering, at least yet (and songs like "People Everyday", "Mr. Wendal" and "Natural" really were life altering for me back in the day - I still listen to those songs, actually). But anyway, I like this new album. It is making me bop around in my seat and feel good despite having to spend my Saturday doing statistics. I hope they tour with this album - wouldn't an Arrested Development show be fun!?

p.s. they borrow from Los Lonely Boys' hit in the song "How Far Is Heaven?", and it makes the hook all new again and works! I also like "Miracles" and "Sunshine so far.

Regina Spektor - Hammerstein Ballrom 10/16/2007

2007-10-17T12:02:00.000-04:00

What a incredible talent. Who needs a full band when you have a piano and Regina Spektor? My only regret is that this was my first time seeing her live. I am so jealous of the people who got to see her in smaller venues (with seats) before she was selling out 5000-capacity shows in NYC. If you are in love with music - with sound, really, and all its potential - you have to see this woman perform live. The way she dives inside sound and lingers to play around is pure joy. Oh, and she's just lovely in her quirkiness, sass and humility to boot. My Russian Jewish immigrant roots are radiating pride today.

Dan Lynch (nyctaper) was kind enough to post a really awesome recording of the show for flac download. Check it out. You can get the flac software you need here.

I Got An All Girl Band

2007-10-15T15:28:00.000-04:00

VH-1, 10 pm, tonight. The Salt-N-Pepa Show PREMIERE. These ladies' music is rolled up with memories of everything from Young's Regency Roller Rink to high school trigonometry class and senior week to, oddly enough, Brian Boitano's 1988 gold-medal winning performance.

I've heard the VH-1 show is actually pretty good. It's been added to my DVR. No matter what, I'm psyched to hear that they might be reconciling and maybe getting back together to make more music after... what has it been, a decade!?

The National at Terminal 5 Last Night

2007-10-12T11:52:00.000-04:00

Craig, Rich & I went to check out The National & the new venue, Terminal 5 last night... I had wanted to catch St. Vincent live too, but we only got there in time for her last song. Seems like she really did start on time! Bummer, but to be honest, the few minutes I did hear were disappointing. I don't know whether it was just that her mic wasn't turned up high enough or whether the sound was intentional, but the song was really electric, with her singing like an afterthought shadowing the guitar, in a not good way. I like her album, her voice, her guitar talent, her songwriting ... anyway, I think I'd like to see her in a different setting. The Terminal 5 (industrial, steel cold), two minute version of Annie Clark was not what I expected.

So, yeah, Terminal 5... industrial, steel cold, cavernous (3 ridiculously high floors), still kinda feels like a construction site, excepting the random chandeliers... the good news is that the soundsystem is MUCH better than say, ha, Webster Hall's. No, really, the system is good. The place definitely has an urban club feel. It's huge - bigger than I expected and bigger than I'd really prefer. Maybe I'm getting old or something, but I really go for Bowery Ballroom and smaller these days. The sight lines are good at Terminal 5 though - have to give them credit for that. Except of course when the 6'5" dude forces space for himself in the spot right in front of me, just as the set begins - which seems to happen to me at every show I go to lately. From afar, they don't see me and think there's an open space there and then claim to not be able to leave. Being short sucks.

SO, the National: it was the first time I saw them live somehow (they've only played like a hundred shows in NYC in the past year), and I enjoyed their performance. I expected to be blown away, because I love their latest album, and I wasn't exactly blown away, but they're definitely a solid band. Rich "liked them, but didn't love them". Matt Berninger kind of came across as mumbling many of his lyrics live - and sort of spill-speaking them instead of singing them more often than I would have liked. Rich's take is that he relies too much on the tone/style of his voice more than his actual voice/singing - that may be fair. Overall, though, the band as a whole is a great combo of Dylanesque, pared-down grit and substance and U2 larger than life orchestration and inspiration. Old and new. Crazy violinist, reliable drummer, guitars that can both wail and lullaby, and sometimes (my perennial fav), slick horns. I'm not obsessed, like some in the audience CLEARLY are - but I dig.

I Can't Help Myself

2007-10-04T20:28:00.001-04:00

I know I know .... he should most likely be in jail, and I feel kinda guilty for posting this, but, for some reason, this song and this video just crack my s*t up. Thank you to Gawker and to Idolator for drawing the youtube to my attention. The song itself has been amusing me since the CD leaked... and now everytime I hear it I think of riding back from Lake Placid when it startled our half-marathon compadres Jeremy & Shoko in its popping up via my IPod shuffle.

Not Even Close To As Good As DIAB...

2007-10-01T14:16:00.001-04:00

but still pretty funny:

For Arik/Eurovision Pop Fans

2007-09-27T10:57:00.000-04:00

Credit goes to Arjanwrites for introducing me to Young Love, who I think would be *perfect* for your message board song contest, Arik.

p.s. check out the video for "Find a New Way" too.

"Discotech":

American Idol Songwriting Has Hit A New Cheesy Low

2007-09-25T15:30:00.001-04:00

You're still a part of everything I do,
You're on my heart just like a tattoo,
Just like a tattoo, I'll always have you

Poor Jordin Sparks -- these are the lamest lyrics I've heard in a while. Her voice does sound good on the track at least.

Thank You New Orleans & Fats Domino

2007-09-19T15:25:00.000-04:00

There's something about New Orleans and New Orleans' music that always makes me happy. No matter if it's Fats Domino or Lil Wayne. N.O. songs twinkle like my "little" (but former football-player big) brother-in-law's eyes when he's fighting off a giggle. Well a giggle at a sassy remark, at least. New Orleans, & its music especially, has the best combo of joy + attitude.

So, I'm so completely ALL FOR anything that helps ensure that New Orleans music - its legacy AND its future - is here to stay. I would have bought the Tipitina's Foundation's Tribute album to Fats Domino anyway. But as it turns out this dual-disc album filled with huge names covering Fats' songs is worth every penny. I think I'm going to have to donate to Tipitina's separately AND buy the album for as many people I can think of who'd enjoy it.

Stand out tracks come from Lenny Kravitz With Rebirth Brass Band, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis And Maceo Parker; Taj Mahal and The New Orleans Social Club; Corinne Bailey Rae; Herbie Hancock With George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste & Renard Poche'; and Irma Thomas & Marcia Ball (but there are A LOT of good ones).

Real Quick on the New Kanye

2007-09-11T14:11:00.001-04:00

Have only listened through once thus far, so more to come, but ... I like it. I actually got really excited for it watching Kanye perform on the VMAs - I know he wanted to be on the main stage (Kanye being Kanye), but he still got to me. Anyway, this album is a lot tighter than his past two - no skits that you end up skipping. It's also more interesting musically (drawing from more diverse influences, etc.) than his past work. Some fans may be disappointed b/c the lyrics carry less weighty social messages/less "self-consciousness" than his past stuff, but as music, it's good. It's definitely clear that he sees Justin Timberlake and Timbaland as his competition much more so than 50 cent. Personally, as a music fan, I don't mind that at all.

There's One Thing Britney Was Not

2007-09-10T19:23:00.000-04:00

Yes, the performance was a tragicomedy. Of course, she was painful to watch. But, there is one thing she was not, and I'm getting really tired of hearing people say this. SHE DID NOT LOOK FAT, PEOPLE!!! PLEASE!

I Wanted to Love Sara Bareilles...

2007-08-22T16:00:00.000-04:00

Really, I did. Rolling Stone called her "Fiona Apple-on-Prozac". I read that and worried but was mildly intrigued. And then leaving the Nickel Creek/Fiona, I heard a Fiona fan absolutely raving about Sara Bareilles. So I listened... and listened... but, I'm sorry, I just don't find the Fiona comparisons appropriate at all. I honestly think she sounds more like an improved Amy Grant for the 21st century. And I just personally never really liked Amy Grant. She's got a clear, good voice, and yeah, she might do very well on pop radio/with teenage chick fans (hence the tour pairing with Maroon 5). I do truly dig her song, "Vegas". "Come Round Soon" and "Bottle It Up" are okay, and "Love Song" grows on you. Still, though, this album comes off as processed Soulveeta. A few steps away from the real cheese. No offense, KRAFT.

I prefer KT Tunstall or Toby Lightman for this niche. And please just don't even mention Fiona.

I Miss the Old Idolator

2007-08-22T12:33:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine captured the difference perfectly -- it's just SO snarky now. Not just critically negative but just in general so sour. I love my sarcasm and cynical wit - don't get me wrong - but you gotta temper it with some enthusiasm for life and music and the world SOME of the time.
Former editor, Brian Raftery, I miss you!