It's the truth.
stay green.
v.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Cyndi Lauper - Memphis Blues
Imagine running into an old cousin you used to hang out with when you were little in a dive bar on the outskirts of Memphis. The cousin you try to avoid now because she reminds you of all the dumb shit you used to do back in the 80's, but secretly wish you still had the balls to do. You see her and you make eye contact so now you're stuck you can't ignore her, so you go over and smile over small talk and raise an eyebrow when she tells you she's still performing. A far cry from the 80s blaring Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, she still has her psudo punk look; red hair and assortment of jewelry, but now starts schooling you on how the blues is the foundation of everything any singer anywhere in the United States sings.
She takes center stage and even though you want to be judgmental because Time After Time is privately repeating in the back of your mind, the first track slaps you into the present giving promise that she really did do her homework. Her voice, even though still quite girlish, stands up to this art form like any other heavy brooding blues singer from our past. And just in case there was any doubt in her credibility, she shows up with all the credentials: Charlie Musselwhite, Allen Toussaint, BB King and Johnny Lang. This new, 3 years in the making album is fun, even though at times it's a bit more Beale Street than dive bar for my taste.
"grills before there were grills"
She takes center stage and even though you want to be judgmental because Time After Time is privately repeating in the back of your mind, the first track slaps you into the present giving promise that she really did do her homework. Her voice, even though still quite girlish, stands up to this art form like any other heavy brooding blues singer from our past. And just in case there was any doubt in her credibility, she shows up with all the credentials: Charlie Musselwhite, Allen Toussaint, BB King and Johnny Lang. This new, 3 years in the making album is fun, even though at times it's a bit more Beale Street than dive bar for my taste.
"grills before there were grills"
Macy Gray - The Sellout
In an era of completely unoriginal Black pop playing itself off as R&B that's been killing me to the point of self destruction, this album came along and saved, maybe my month. I love Macy Gray's raspy voice and lack of fear or care of whether you like her or not. Although the title track talks about how she might be ready to make some real money, but questions whether it will make her a sellout, which is respectable too, because she explains why she's slightly autotuned, which in turn pokes fun at the ones not quite so honest. With nothing to hide because she can actually sing, she uses whats popular in hip hop to experiment rather than compensate, writes lyrics that move you thoughtfully and yet doesn't lose anything in the translation of wanting to have a good time.
Top Tracks
Stalker
That Man
The Sellout
On & On
Top Tracks
Stalker
That Man
The Sellout
On & On
Zoe Keating - Into The Trees
Zoe Keating is one of the most hauntingly beautiful musicians of my time, both phenotypically and artistically. Her music creates environments like a movie score to your life, setting moods as heavy as San Francisco fog but giving you a distant light to follow in the dark. Into The Trees is a masterpiece, a well anticipated follow up to Natoma. Her mutli-use of her cello is simply amazing, from stringwork to percussion, she creates entire songs with just herself, her cello and a pedal. If you get a chance to see her live you'll be left speachless at this slightly shy but very confident musician.
Into The Trees, if you listen closely, is telling a story. Much like a classical score to a ballet that might be covering Alice in Wonderland, the heroine runs into the trees, gets lost and can't find her way. She's guided along a path with twist and turns, inevitable darkness and when all seems almost lost, she soars above everything in the end, making the journey worth taking.
You will not be disappointed with this purchase.
Into The Trees
Into The Trees, if you listen closely, is telling a story. Much like a classical score to a ballet that might be covering Alice in Wonderland, the heroine runs into the trees, gets lost and can't find her way. She's guided along a path with twist and turns, inevitable darkness and when all seems almost lost, she soars above everything in the end, making the journey worth taking.
You will not be disappointed with this purchase.
Into The Trees
Salman Ahmad - Rock & Roll Jihad
I love what the world is doing with rock. I've been reading Delta Blues by Ted Gioia, and he's giving me clear perspective on how Rock music emerged. I find it fascinating that it is doing the same thing all over the world now, giving a voice to the destitute and creating a call to arms for people of color. In West Africa what's known as Desert Blues is now evolving into Desert Rock, and it's BEAUTIFUL. They hold notes that are reminiscent of how blues started in the South, the long notes from the Muslim call to prayer and slightly nasally vocals. It's like Rock/Blues is coming full circle.
Listening to Salman Ahmad's new album (which I was stalking on twitter for the release date) has been no less than amazing and a walk through a landmine of electric guitar bliss. He has added to the growing diversity of what I would like to call Desert Rock, which includes other groups like Tinariwen and Tamikrest, developed by the sound of such greats as Ali Farka Toure. On it's own this album has a very uplifting feel, and has all the elements of American and British rock while at the same time inserting his Pakistani identity which creates something like a masterpiece. Buy this album and support the diversity of rock music.
Top tracks:
I am Because U R
Why
Sayonee
I think the title is so appropriate, because aren't we all on a bit of a Rock & Roll Jihad?
Listening to Salman Ahmad's new album (which I was stalking on twitter for the release date) has been no less than amazing and a walk through a landmine of electric guitar bliss. He has added to the growing diversity of what I would like to call Desert Rock, which includes other groups like Tinariwen and Tamikrest, developed by the sound of such greats as Ali Farka Toure. On it's own this album has a very uplifting feel, and has all the elements of American and British rock while at the same time inserting his Pakistani identity which creates something like a masterpiece. Buy this album and support the diversity of rock music.
Top tracks:
I am Because U R
Why
Sayonee
I think the title is so appropriate, because aren't we all on a bit of a Rock & Roll Jihad?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Anybody want to hear Ron Artest's new single?
Yeah I didn't either. But after watching him thank his hood and his therapist and then plug his album, I had to. For hilarity's sake.
New NERD album coming this fall
Plus they are doing the soundtrack to Despicable Me. I don't know if I like the title track yet. Maybe I'm just not into self degradation right now...?
Also have you guys heard the new Uffie track NERD produced? It's a blonde chick talking about getting massively high at a party. WTF is wrong with people these days? That's not attractive no matter how much you digitize her voice. Didn't we learn from the techno era, and the 80's rock era, and NOW while rock stars are turning up dead all over the place from accidental overdoses? It's not entertainment ya'll. It's a death sentence. But I guess if the world is going to hell I'm glad to be the one holding the handbasket.
Also have you guys heard the new Uffie track NERD produced? It's a blonde chick talking about getting massively high at a party. WTF is wrong with people these days? That's not attractive no matter how much you digitize her voice. Didn't we learn from the techno era, and the 80's rock era, and NOW while rock stars are turning up dead all over the place from accidental overdoses? It's not entertainment ya'll. It's a death sentence. But I guess if the world is going to hell I'm glad to be the one holding the handbasket.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Ettes Want YOU to direct a video
You direct and submit a video for Take it With You
(I will be)
Then submit on youtube and send it to them on facebook.
Fans win!
(I will be)
Then submit on youtube and send it to them on facebook.
Fans win!
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Black Keys - Brothers
I love this band. I even went to the listening party the week before to hear the album ahead of time (granted I think I was there more to hear The Dead Weather, but what a combo! BTW Thanks Amoeba Berkeley, because I won the grab bag of goodies).
Brothers is great. Classic Black Keys, more blues than rock, and an very very organic.
Howlin For You seems to be an ode to Howlin Wolf, which is a huge plus. Sinister Kid, Too Scared to Love You, The Go Getter, Tighten Up are my tops but this album does get a bit depressing at times, but to be fair it is the blues. That's the thing I love about The Black Keys, they pull out that grimy heart-wrenching ache that you're too afraid to admit even exists. (Go buy it!)
And seriously, you need to meet Frank. He's on match.com (lol)
I wanted love
But not for myself
But for the girl
So she could love herself
-Next Girl
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Cyndi Lauper - Memphis Blues
How dope is it that Cyndie Lauper has a blues album coming out? I'm pretty excited, there is a sample of the first single out "Just Your Fool" which I enjoy. I'm hoping more will come out as we approach the release date. To hear it click here
Los Rakas - Soy Raka
I love this new video for Loa Rakas! What I love about it is they say that Turf Dancing is also big in Panama, so the link between East Oakland & Colon and the international connections they make with their music is DOPE! Check them out on Facebook Twitter and their website.
(they tend to offer free singles on their Twitter so you should def follow them @losrakas)
(they tend to offer free singles on their Twitter so you should def follow them @losrakas)
Monday, May 17, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Mos Dub - Max Tannone
You guys know I'm slightly obsessed with all things Mos Def (I think he got knocked off his pedastal by Jack White though) Anyway, This new mixtape by Max Tannone is Dope. Its all dub versions of his songs. And what's even better? It's FREE!!!
Download link here
Download link here
Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs - You Can't Buy A Gun When You're Crying
Hey this album is great! It's so refreshing to hear some originality, kinda interesting to hear an English person's take on bluesy folk Southern music too. But lyrically, this is an A+ and I'm sad I slept on the album this long. The first song I heard by them I played sometime last year on the podcast is "Gettin High For Jesus" which I was waking up to every morning for a couple months is wonderful, happy and you can't help but get up and want to dance. Devil Do is an amazing opening song, and both that and Time to Go are now my favorites. Clean in Two, You Can't Buy A Gun (While Cryin) are classics too.
Granted you have to be into this type of music or open minded, but I LOVE it. To give you an idea, it's almost like a female Tom Waits.
get the album here
it will only be up for about 2 weeks after this post ;)
Granted you have to be into this type of music or open minded, but I LOVE it. To give you an idea, it's almost like a female Tom Waits.
get the album here
it will only be up for about 2 weeks after this post ;)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
If you didn't know about the Nashville flood until the news covered it you should follow me on twitter
I was on it that Monday and this is why.
link to original article
Raul Malo, founder of country band The Mavericks and a widely respected singer and songwriter, opens up the case of his beloved 1962 Gibson J-45.
"What? Oh my god. How is that holding up?" Malo says in disbelief.
It's in one piece, but when Malo's guitar repairman turns it over, more than a gallon of water pours out of the sound hole onto the muddy floor.
"That's like my favorite acoustic," Malo says. "That's the one I was going: 'Please, if any acoustics make it, let it be that one.' Look at that. How is that possible?"
Malo and a friend try the soggy Gibson and a waterlogged acoustic bass.
"It kind of sounds good now," Malo says.
And his bass?
"Maybe that's what it needed. If I'd have known that, I would have dropped it in the Cumberland years ago," Malo says, laughing.
It's a rare light moment from a weekend of anguish for hundreds of Nashville musicians. The rest of Malo's collection didn't fare nearly as well as the Gibson. Guitar bodies have swollen up until their backs split in a lattice of cracks. Necks are twisted beyond repair.
"Last night, I was sitting there with my wife, listening to my new album, and I said, 'Those guitar sounds on this record, I will never be able to duplicate again because all of those guitars are gone,' " Malo says.
An Industry Shaken
One of the most devastating losses of historic instruments hit the Musicians Hall of Fame in a heartbreaking instance of bad timing. Less than two months ago, it was forced to store its collection after the city acquired its downtown property to make way for a new convention center. Lost in the flood: a Jimi Hendrix-owned Stratocaster guitar and the bass used in Hank Williams' "Your Cheating Heart." In all, the Soundcheck flood affected an estimated 600 musicians, from stars like Vince Gill to workaday professionals.
It's far more than just storage lockers. Soundcheck is a complex of repair shops, product representatives and rehearsal spaces where major country artists gear up for arena shows.
Last weekend, semitrailers idled at the loading docks while the crew for country band Rascal Flatts consulted with insurance adjusters and methodically photographed road cases full of instruments, wireless communication gear and racks of sound processors.
Soundcheck is also a so-called cartage company that delivers gear to the professional studio musicians when they arrive at recording sessions. That means a significant percentage of the great guitars in Music City were stored in the same place. And last week, that place was underwater.
A Community Shaken
Facility owner Ben Jumper acknowledges it's not comparable to the loss of lives and homes. But he says the community has been shaken by the destruction of so many fine and cherished instruments.
"I've seen tears. I've seen hugs," Jumper says. "I've seen real raw human emotion that will stay with me for the rest of my life."
At the same time, Jumper says it hasn't been a complete loss.
"Everybody thought that everything in Soundcheck was destroyed," Jumper says. "But a lot of people had shelving in their lockers and their equipment stayed above the waterline. From 3 1/2 feet down, it's tragic. It's horrific."
Jumper rented space at several nearby warehouses, where repair technicians set up a MASH unit for instruments. In one, a wide-open space hums with dehumidifiers drying out gear and guitars belonging to Peter Frampton, Keith Urban, John Hiatt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Fogerty and others. Guitarist Steve Farris, a session player and a former member of rock band Mr. Mister, surveyed his collection like a musical autobiography.
"That L5 over there I bought in 1975 when I graduated from high school and took it to the Berklee College of Music," Farris says. "I also took it to L.A. when I wanted to make it as a guitar player. I used to take that guitar down to Watts and sit in with jam sessions down there like an idiot white kid from the Midwest. But that guitar's been all over the place with me. So these guitars have history. That L5, I think, is gonna make it."
Most of his collection was not so fortunate. In general, however, guitar repairman Ed Beaver was somewhat cheered by the survival rate of the vintage instruments he'd worked on.
"If you want to go mathematical, I'd say about 10 percent of the stuff I have is tear-jerking," Beaver says. "About 60 percent of the stuff I have is going to be OK. It might bear the scars of the flood, but, hey, so do we."
Instruments are a category of loss unto themselves. They are not alive, but neither are they lifeless. For their players, they are extensions of their emotions and intimate companions. Years from now, many will say that in the storm of 2010, they didn't lose anybody, but they did lose close friends.
link to original article
Floods Wreak Havoc On Nashville Music Scene
Brent Ware inspects a 1952 Gibson Les Paul. The instrument had been kept at a Nashville-based storage facility called Soundcheck, which was flooded by the massive rainstorms last week. Jeff Gentner/Getty Images
The flooding in Tennessee last week took more than 20 lives and wrought billions in property damage. In Nashville, it also took a toll on the city's musical heritage and infrastructure. The Grand Ole Opry House was inundated. The Nashville Symphony lost two Steinways when its basement flooded. But the most concentrated instrument loss took place at a facility beside the Cumberland River called Soundcheck, where hundreds of the city's musicians stored their treasured instruments. Brent Ware inspects a 1952 Gibson Les Paul. The instrument had been kept at a Nashville-based storage facility called Soundcheck, which was flooded by the massive rainstorms last week.
Raul Malo, founder of country band The Mavericks and a widely respected singer and songwriter, opens up the case of his beloved 1962 Gibson J-45.
"What? Oh my god. How is that holding up?" Malo says in disbelief.
It's in one piece, but when Malo's guitar repairman turns it over, more than a gallon of water pours out of the sound hole onto the muddy floor.
"That's like my favorite acoustic," Malo says. "That's the one I was going: 'Please, if any acoustics make it, let it be that one.' Look at that. How is that possible?"
Malo and a friend try the soggy Gibson and a waterlogged acoustic bass.
"It kind of sounds good now," Malo says.
And his bass?
"Maybe that's what it needed. If I'd have known that, I would have dropped it in the Cumberland years ago," Malo says, laughing.
It's a rare light moment from a weekend of anguish for hundreds of Nashville musicians. The rest of Malo's collection didn't fare nearly as well as the Gibson. Guitar bodies have swollen up until their backs split in a lattice of cracks. Necks are twisted beyond repair.
"Last night, I was sitting there with my wife, listening to my new album, and I said, 'Those guitar sounds on this record, I will never be able to duplicate again because all of those guitars are gone,' " Malo says.
An Industry Shaken
One of the most devastating losses of historic instruments hit the Musicians Hall of Fame in a heartbreaking instance of bad timing. Less than two months ago, it was forced to store its collection after the city acquired its downtown property to make way for a new convention center. Lost in the flood: a Jimi Hendrix-owned Stratocaster guitar and the bass used in Hank Williams' "Your Cheating Heart." In all, the Soundcheck flood affected an estimated 600 musicians, from stars like Vince Gill to workaday professionals.
Enlarge Jeff Gentner/Getty Images Instruments weren't the only musical material possessions lost in last week's Nashville floods. Pictured here: Rascal Flatts tour trucks parked at Soundcheck's equipment storage facility.
Instruments weren't the only musical material possessions lost in last week's Nashville floods. Pictured here: Rascal Flatts tour trucks parked at Soundcheck's equipment storage facility.
Last weekend, semitrailers idled at the loading docks while the crew for country band Rascal Flatts consulted with insurance adjusters and methodically photographed road cases full of instruments, wireless communication gear and racks of sound processors.
Soundcheck is also a so-called cartage company that delivers gear to the professional studio musicians when they arrive at recording sessions. That means a significant percentage of the great guitars in Music City were stored in the same place. And last week, that place was underwater.
A Community Shaken
Facility owner Ben Jumper acknowledges it's not comparable to the loss of lives and homes. But he says the community has been shaken by the destruction of so many fine and cherished instruments.
"I've seen tears. I've seen hugs," Jumper says. "I've seen real raw human emotion that will stay with me for the rest of my life."
At the same time, Jumper says it hasn't been a complete loss.
"Everybody thought that everything in Soundcheck was destroyed," Jumper says. "But a lot of people had shelving in their lockers and their equipment stayed above the waterline. From 3 1/2 feet down, it's tragic. It's horrific."
Jumper rented space at several nearby warehouses, where repair technicians set up a MASH unit for instruments. In one, a wide-open space hums with dehumidifiers drying out gear and guitars belonging to Peter Frampton, Keith Urban, John Hiatt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Fogerty and others. Guitarist Steve Farris, a session player and a former member of rock band Mr. Mister, surveyed his collection like a musical autobiography.
"That L5 over there I bought in 1975 when I graduated from high school and took it to the Berklee College of Music," Farris says. "I also took it to L.A. when I wanted to make it as a guitar player. I used to take that guitar down to Watts and sit in with jam sessions down there like an idiot white kid from the Midwest. But that guitar's been all over the place with me. So these guitars have history. That L5, I think, is gonna make it."
Most of his collection was not so fortunate. In general, however, guitar repairman Ed Beaver was somewhat cheered by the survival rate of the vintage instruments he'd worked on.
"If you want to go mathematical, I'd say about 10 percent of the stuff I have is tear-jerking," Beaver says. "About 60 percent of the stuff I have is going to be OK. It might bear the scars of the flood, but, hey, so do we."
Instruments are a category of loss unto themselves. They are not alive, but neither are they lifeless. For their players, they are extensions of their emotions and intimate companions. Years from now, many will say that in the storm of 2010, they didn't lose anybody, but they did lose close friends.
Sea of Cowards
Is definitely worth the hype. The first song has Jack White quoted: The White girls trip when I sing at Sunday choir.
No really how awesome is that? There is clearly not enough of him on the album (which gives me more hope to the rumor about the White Stripes reunion) but it stands tall on it's own. Its moody in a different way than the last album, not as bluesy, but You can tell that's more of Mossharts influence. Die By The Drop/Gasoline/I Can't Hear You/No Horse are all pretty dope. Jack Lawrence is AMAZING on this one though. He really is the best bassist in the world. Ask your mother.
Just go buy it.
Yes I said BUY it. I was in line yesterday at the store to actually pay for music. That's how awesome this is.
No really how awesome is that? There is clearly not enough of him on the album (which gives me more hope to the rumor about the White Stripes reunion) but it stands tall on it's own. Its moody in a different way than the last album, not as bluesy, but You can tell that's more of Mossharts influence. Die By The Drop/Gasoline/I Can't Hear You/No Horse are all pretty dope. Jack Lawrence is AMAZING on this one though. He really is the best bassist in the world. Ask your mother.
Just go buy it.
Yes I said BUY it. I was in line yesterday at the store to actually pay for music. That's how awesome this is.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tennessee Slim (after the flood)
So this is not music related, unless we talk about the historical nature of Blues and Country music in the fine state of Tennessee (which by the way is still dealing with a massive flood and would appreciate your help)
I made up this drink the other day, and it seems like something that would go great with listening to Memphis Minnie while sitting on the porch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
1 700mL bottle of jack Daniels with 1/2 cup removed
3 cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
2 star anise pods
1/4 cup raw sugar.
mix all these in the bottle and recap. Let it sit for a week and enjoy this warm spicy drink by itself. It's awesome.
I made up this drink the other day, and it seems like something that would go great with listening to Memphis Minnie while sitting on the porch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
1 700mL bottle of jack Daniels with 1/2 cup removed
3 cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
2 star anise pods
1/4 cup raw sugar.
mix all these in the bottle and recap. Let it sit for a week and enjoy this warm spicy drink by itself. It's awesome.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
this is a rumor
But Meg might be feeling better, and The White Stripes might be planning a reunion.
Omg I'm waaaaaaaaaaay too excited!
Omg I'm waaaaaaaaaaay too excited!
Muslim Roots in American Blues
This is one of the dopest articles I've read in a LONG time. It compares the vocal tones and pitch of traditional muslim music with that of slave era blues, it also compares guitar styles. This is SO amazing, produced by the Smithsonian.
Be sure to click on the songs, Athaan (Call to Prayer) and Levee Camp Holler and hear the similarities your self.
Thanks @SufiSal on twitter for this gem.
Muslim Roots in Blues
stay green.
Be sure to click on the songs, Athaan (Call to Prayer) and Levee Camp Holler and hear the similarities your self.
Thanks @SufiSal on twitter for this gem.
Muslim Roots in Blues
stay green.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Busted
on the menu tonight:
the black keys
the gossip
paloma faith
madonna
controller 7
yeahhhh!
stay green.
v.
the black keys
the gossip
paloma faith
madonna
controller 7
yeahhhh!
stay green.
v.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Jay-Z Does Collabo WIth Jack White
According to multiple reports, Jay-Z has teamed up with Jack White (of the White Stripes) for a new collaboration. "I just did a record with Jay-Z," said White in an interview. "We did a song together a few weeks ago. It was incredible. I played him something that I've been kicking around for a while and he immediately came out with words for it. It's unbelievable-sounding." Although this didn't come to fruition, White and Jay-Z have admired each others work for some time - Jay-Z described White as a "renaissance man" in the autumn and White, returning the compliment, declaring the rapper as "just incredible" in January.
In related news, Jay-Z recently talked about wanting to experiment with his next album. "I've always said I believe in good music and bad music. ... I like music. The second Blueprint, the reason it was all over the place is because I like music so much. You have tracks with Lenny Kravitz then Sean Paul. Dr. Dre. It's all over the place because of my taste in music. I like music. My next album, which I'm working on now -- that's exclusive, no one knows that -- is gonna be the album that really -- it's not gonna be a number one album. That's where I'm at right now. I wanna make the most experimental album I ever made. But let's not deal with that now; I want to deal with The Blueprint 3."
Jay-Z - Interview (Collabs With Jack White Of White Stripes)
http://www.rapbasement.com/jay-z/031710-jay-z-does-a-new-collaboration-with-jack-white-of-the-white-stripes-watch-here.html
In related news, Jay-Z recently talked about wanting to experiment with his next album. "I've always said I believe in good music and bad music. ... I like music. The second Blueprint, the reason it was all over the place is because I like music so much. You have tracks with Lenny Kravitz then Sean Paul. Dr. Dre. It's all over the place because of my taste in music. I like music. My next album, which I'm working on now -- that's exclusive, no one knows that -- is gonna be the album that really -- it's not gonna be a number one album. That's where I'm at right now. I wanna make the most experimental album I ever made. But let's not deal with that now; I want to deal with The Blueprint 3."
Jay-Z - Interview (Collabs With Jack White Of White Stripes)
http://www.rapbasement.com/jay-z/031710-jay-z-does-a-new-collaboration-with-jack-white-of-the-white-stripes-watch-here.html
Sunday, March 14, 2010
I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
So I had to record my podcast on my phone in order to get this to the masses, but that's how dedicated I am. Now seriously the audio is sub par, but I really enjoy doing this podcast so I"m making it work, BUT Blackberry's are awesome and I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier. Without further delay:
On the menu tonight:
Emily Howell
Janis Joplin
The Black Keys
The White Stripes
The Black Keys/Mos Def/Jim Jones
dopeness and i'm JUST getting started
thanks for stickin with me.
stay greeeeeeen!
v.
On the menu tonight:
Emily Howell
Janis Joplin
The Black Keys
The White Stripes
The Black Keys/Mos Def/Jim Jones
dopeness and i'm JUST getting started
thanks for stickin with me.
stay greeeeeeen!
v.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Created By Artificial Intelligence
Emily Howell is a program
The office looks like the aftermath of a surrealistic earthquake, as if David Cope’s brain has spewed out decades of memories all over the carpet, the door, the walls, even the ceiling. Books and papers, music scores and magazines are all strewn about in ragged piles. A semi-functional Apple Power Mac 7500 (discontinued April 1, 1996) sits in the corner, its lemon-lime monitor buzzing. Drawings filled with concepts for a never-constructed musical-radio-space telescope dominate half of one wall. Russian dolls and an exercise bike, not to mention random pieces from homemade board games, peek out from the intellectual rubble. Above, something like 200 sets of wind chimes from around the world hang, ringing oddly congruent melodies.
And in the center, the old University of California, Santa Cruz, emeritus professor reclines in his desk chair, black socks pulled up over his pants cuffs, a thin mustache and thick beard lending him the look of an Amish grandfather.
It was here, half a dozen years ago, that Cope put Emmy to sleep. She was just a software program, a jumble of code he’d originally dubbed Experiments in Musical Intelligence (EMI, hence “Emmy”). Still — though Cope struggles not to anthropomorphize her — he speaks of Emmy wistfully, as if she were a deceased child.
Emmy was once the world’s most advanced artificially intelligent composer, and because he’d managed to breathe a sort of life into her, he became a modern-day musical Dr. Frankenstein. She produced thousands of scores in the style of classical heavyweights, scores so impressive that classical music scholars failed to identify them as computer-created. Cope attracted praise from musicians and computer scientists, but his creation raised troubling questions: If a machine could write a Mozart sonata every bit as good as the originals, then what was so special about Mozart? And was there really any soul behind the great works, or were Beethoven and his ilk just clever mathematical manipulators of notes?
Cope’s answers — not much, and yes — made some people very angry. He was so often criticized for these views that colleagues nicknamed him “The Tin Man,” after the Wizard of Oz character without a heart. For a time, such condemnation fueled his creativity, but eventually, after years of hemming and hawing, Cope dragged Emmy into the trash folder.
This month, he is scheduled to unveil the results of a successor effort that’s already generating the controversy and high expectations that Emmy once drew. Dubbed “Emily Howell,” the daughter program aims to do what many said Emmy couldn’t: create original, modern music. Its compositions are innovative, unique and — according to some in the small community of listeners who’ve heard them performed live — superb
more songs here
The office looks like the aftermath of a surrealistic earthquake, as if David Cope’s brain has spewed out decades of memories all over the carpet, the door, the walls, even the ceiling. Books and papers, music scores and magazines are all strewn about in ragged piles. A semi-functional Apple Power Mac 7500 (discontinued April 1, 1996) sits in the corner, its lemon-lime monitor buzzing. Drawings filled with concepts for a never-constructed musical-radio-space telescope dominate half of one wall. Russian dolls and an exercise bike, not to mention random pieces from homemade board games, peek out from the intellectual rubble. Above, something like 200 sets of wind chimes from around the world hang, ringing oddly congruent melodies.
And in the center, the old University of California, Santa Cruz, emeritus professor reclines in his desk chair, black socks pulled up over his pants cuffs, a thin mustache and thick beard lending him the look of an Amish grandfather.
It was here, half a dozen years ago, that Cope put Emmy to sleep. She was just a software program, a jumble of code he’d originally dubbed Experiments in Musical Intelligence (EMI, hence “Emmy”). Still — though Cope struggles not to anthropomorphize her — he speaks of Emmy wistfully, as if she were a deceased child.
Emmy was once the world’s most advanced artificially intelligent composer, and because he’d managed to breathe a sort of life into her, he became a modern-day musical Dr. Frankenstein. She produced thousands of scores in the style of classical heavyweights, scores so impressive that classical music scholars failed to identify them as computer-created. Cope attracted praise from musicians and computer scientists, but his creation raised troubling questions: If a machine could write a Mozart sonata every bit as good as the originals, then what was so special about Mozart? And was there really any soul behind the great works, or were Beethoven and his ilk just clever mathematical manipulators of notes?
Cope’s answers — not much, and yes — made some people very angry. He was so often criticized for these views that colleagues nicknamed him “The Tin Man,” after the Wizard of Oz character without a heart. For a time, such condemnation fueled his creativity, but eventually, after years of hemming and hawing, Cope dragged Emmy into the trash folder.
This month, he is scheduled to unveil the results of a successor effort that’s already generating the controversy and high expectations that Emmy once drew. Dubbed “Emily Howell,” the daughter program aims to do what many said Emmy couldn’t: create original, modern music. Its compositions are innovative, unique and — according to some in the small community of listeners who’ve heard them performed live — superb
more songs here
The Black Keys ft. Mos Def and Jim Jones - Hoochie Choo
Can it possibly get better than The Black Keys AND Mos Def?
no I don't think so (except maybe ?uestLove + Jack White)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
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