The Grim Reaper feasted on a rich harvest in October, though he thankfully et off a bit towards the end. The headline death this month probably is that of folk-music legend Bert Jansch , who influenced so many musicians – and not only folkies. Among those who cited Jansch as influences are Jimmy Page, Elton John, Nick Drake, Johnny Marr, Mazzy Starr's Hope Sandoval, Neil Young, Donovan, Blur's Graham Coxon, Suede's Bernard Butler, Al Stewart, The Fleet Foxes and Paul Simon. Clarence Johnson , who has died at 69, might have become a [...]
One of the very best of the singers who successfully managed the transition from big band songbird to solo jazz vocalist was June Christy, whose first high profile job was as the replacement for a future legend. But she would go on to a long and notable career of her own, winning a lot of fans with her warm and accessible voice and style. When young Shirley Luster moved to Chicago from her home town in downstate Illinois during the war years, it was to pursue a musical career that she'd started while still in high school. Calling [...]
Christmas is the only time that I actively seek out jazz music. The sound somehow mixes well with holiday favorites. Below are some mellow tunes that I've hand picked for you to listen to while driving to and from parties or just some background noise you can use during family arguments. Not all jazz, but all gold. Check out the amazing brass notes that come out of nowhere in the Beach Boys song. Incredible. $ June Christy - The Merriest (Thunderball Remix) [...]
Massillon, Ohio Midcentury Christmas music: June Christy - The Merriest
I nearly spewed my iced, grande, triple latte as I read David Brooks' latest New York Times column at Starbucks this morning. It was hard not to recognize myself in Brooks' withering takedown of today's smug, elitist, psuedo-intellectual, poseur, wannabe, tastesmakers (or as a poster here recently referred to us "the smugnoscenti"). Per Brooks: ...prestige has shifted from the producer of art to the aggregator and the appraiser. Inventors, artists and writers come and go, but buzz is forever. Maximum status goes to the Gladwellian heroes who occupy the convergence points [...]
Some people like to get their holiday shopping done early. I decided to get my holiday blogging done early. So this year I'm posting a bunch of holiday songs all at once--call it a compilation if you like, or think of it as me stopping by to D.J. your Christmas party without having to deal with me drinking up all your eggnog, insulting your guests and throwing up on your sectional. Individual tracks are available for download by right clicking on the links, or you can just download a zip file of the whole thing. 1. [...]
[a warm thankyou to ray caesar for taking the time to share how music influences his creative process and for contributing to musicisart. living in toronto, canada, ray creates artwork from past experiences of living through life's different patterns and working eighteen years at toronto's hospital for sick children. by pushing boundries of incorporating what he has seen and emotionally felt into his very own catharsis, ray portrays such delicate digital details of gentle imagery. its not difficult at all to realize that these whimsical masterpieces come directly from his soul.] [...]
Any Major Dude With Half A Heart
Geezer Music Club
Nashville Nights
All Eyes & Ears
Flowering Toilet
music is art
I’ll Just Leave This Here #161
Antony and the Johnsons - "Rise"
Video: Dreamers - "Appaloosa"
