Category: Uncategorized

Recently I decided to educate myself a little more on classical forms. I always felt a bit lost when I tried to compose something that was supposed to be a formal piece, realising that I was to unsure about what the rules actually were.
I discovered this video that is part of a series of Leonard Bernstein teaching us how to listen to classical music. The series on the sonata form is for kids and crystal clear (and a bit simple). It consists of four parts, so you can continue to the next part after finishing this one. I will soon post some other episodes of the same series. His introductions of composers are some of the best I’ve ever encountered. Enjoy!

Great documentary about one of my favourite sax players. What a powerful sound this guy had. I’m so glad this film exists.

Early 2000’s Jon Brion recorded a pilot for a television show. The VHS was suddenly found at the archive of Al Rose Productions. It contains a 45 minute concert with Brion and Elliot. One of their special guests is Brad Mehldau.
Elliot will be very pleasantly surprised by this great recording. It is keeping me from working as I can’t shut it off.

Through Bob Lefsetz’s mailinglist I sort of rediscovered Bonny Raitt. In the future I will write an extensive post about Lefsetz too. He is a source of great musical inspiration and wit. I knew the albums of Bonny Raitt were amazing products of the recording gods of this world, but I never could imagine she was this funky. Listen to this song that is originally an Chris Smither song I believe (excellent too).
If you think this is not your cup of tea wait till the last chorus. It has a guitar noodle that will make you bounce and sing all day. Guaranteed!

Silverman is just such a great comic. Absurd and reflective at the same time. She is a great actress too: all those small hiccups that really help with the timing of the other jokes are skilfully woven in with her image of the innocent adolescent that is almost 40 years old but looks like 25.

This is really nice. Full coverage of a Beatles gig in the Ed Sullivan show. And what a great band they were. In this era of overdubs and digital tuning these guys seem like musical gods. The vocals are amazing and live.

Thanks to Bobby Owsinski

This is a great picture. Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson is playing along with two of Roland’s most famous synthesizers. The TR-606 and the TB-303 were meant to be used as a drumcomputer and a bass guitar. Too bad. The machines sounded nothing like the real thing at all and after 20000 pieces they stopped production.
When electronic dance music hit the fan (we’re talking eighties), the machines were newly discovered as noise makers. Their rare status drove up the price to three times the original retail price and makes them highly sought after today. The sound of the 303 is iconic.

This was a picture I recently came across via the Atlantic. These are the tech guys behind Obama’s winning campaign. Have you ever seen guys that have been typecasted this well?