Justin Timberlake with the Roots on Fallon

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

U2 Comes to Fordham!

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

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

Antony and the Johnsons "Another World"

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

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?

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...

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: