23rd
June
2008
Even though the media can’t repeat what he said, the word was out; George Carlin has gone to find out if the “Invisible Guy” really does exist. For those of us that first learned about commercial humour from a friend’s vinyl library, he was one in a million. Irreverent jokes do have a place; otherwise he wouldn’t have marked our collective psyche as he did. George, you’ve left the party far too early.
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posted in music |
19th
May
2008
My “specialty channel”, ARTV, just finished an excellent concert by Les Charbonniers De L’enfer from Quebec. Five exceptional voices, in perfect harmony, with a repertoire of traditional folksongs. An ‘acapella’ harmony that resembles Gregorian chant in many ways. There is probably an origin in the sacred music heard in the parish churches during earlier centuries (I am not a musicologist, but I can pretend with the best of them). This is the music from before radio. No instrumentation, just five men that have been involved in the task of protecting a particular culture for the whole of their professional lives.
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posted in music |
17th
May
2008
Another year had passed, and another closing concert for the school bands arrived. Last time around, I’d tried to “tape” the show for posterity, using my MP3 player that can take voice memos. This procedure is not one that bears much musical fruit; the quality of the recording was about equal to the early efforts of Edison. I’m one that follows the advice of others, so when a little extra cash came along, the family invested in a proper digital tape recorder. After all, it could be useful some day.
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posted in music, technology |
29th
April
2008
Non-linear thinking. My response to a world with too much information and too little time. This evening hockey has given way to GTA (the new one) and there’s a radio soundtrack that will need careful investigation if I can get past the gunfire and squealing tires. I’ve taken shelter with some Jelly Bellies and the weekly American Idol showdown. Even if the voting doesn’t follow the talent…
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posted in Idol, music |
4th
April
2008
There comes a time when one must upgrade. Software, wardrobe, vehicle, drum skins. The little elbow in the ribs that sets each in motion differs, but eventually the time to renew arrives. For me, the visit of a musician during Earth Hour pushed me to this weekend’s project.
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posted in music |
24th
March
2008
I’ve been held in sequestration for almost four days now, due to an unforeseen juxtaposition of a major holiday weekend and the arrival of the latest and best of Wiifare. Since late Friday afternoon, my aural environment has entered a time warp; rock and roll guitar at it’s best. I now am the audience of a family of guitar heros.
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posted in computing, music |
2nd
March
2008
Somewhere in the Bible, I am exhorted to “suffer fools gladly“. I shall, but only because you’ve asked me nicely. Imagine the chef who is presented with a rich garden, full of succulent plants, all ready for harvest, of an amazing variety. When that same chef manages to prepare a meal of KD, I suffer, and perhaps not so gladly.
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posted in music |
10th
February
2008
A notice to the commercial recording industry of America; you can keep your junk food. This year, my house is Grammy-free (this has nothing to do with grandmothers, for those who are easily confused!). Moreover, it isn’t because we can’t receive the telecast, but because we are disinterested, to a man. I will let the woman speak for herself.
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posted in music |
25th
January
2008
I looked at the clock, looked at the rented DVD beside the player, considered the moral penalty imposed by returning to the videostore a little bit later than I should and decided to treat myself. After all, when it’s been a full week and I still haven’t found time to watch a movie I had chosen, then perhaps it’s time to make time, if you know what I mean.
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posted in music |
11th
December
2007
At a time when the whole of the western world was at war with itself (legally) because the definition of intellectual property rights was defined by who would receive money, one publishing group stands as a shining light. Hyperbole is fun.
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posted in media, music |
