Thursday, March 20, 2003
So what make a good live show? The venue? The crowd? The Band?
How about a modern day 6 foot tall reincarnation of Janis Joplin?
Feel out Macy Gray. A soul-full of a woman who's know music and knows how to toss a crowd into a frenzy. Given that her last album, 'The ID' got caught between Alicia Keys and Jill Scott releases (Jill's albums being worthy of a full listen), it a pleasure to see her promoting her 3rd release, 'The Trouble With Myself,' by running a romping US microclub tour.
The Paradise was energy. Macy and her band (pure excellence) tore through re-worked hits and new album tracks. The full 2 hour show not only drained the crowd of energy by the last jam, but also left a solid impression on this music snob.
For those reading in from Philly, Brooklyn, or the Southwest, GO to a Macy gig. well worth the small admission price. True smokin grooves.
How about a modern day 6 foot tall reincarnation of Janis Joplin?
Feel out Macy Gray. A soul-full of a woman who's know music and knows how to toss a crowd into a frenzy. Given that her last album, 'The ID' got caught between Alicia Keys and Jill Scott releases (Jill's albums being worthy of a full listen), it a pleasure to see her promoting her 3rd release, 'The Trouble With Myself,' by running a romping US microclub tour.
The Paradise was energy. Macy and her band (pure excellence) tore through re-worked hits and new album tracks. The full 2 hour show not only drained the crowd of energy by the last jam, but also left a solid impression on this music snob.
For those reading in from Philly, Brooklyn, or the Southwest, GO to a Macy gig. well worth the small admission price. True smokin grooves.
Monday, March 10, 2003
Saturday, March 08, 2003
This past Wednesday marked not only my 28th birthday but the start of a very loving relationship with an Apple iPod (thanks LA!).
How I lived without this device for as long as I have is news to me. By far the impressive piece of hardware ever developed. Sure we have all seen them: folks walking by with the big white earbuds.. . but until you actually hold one in hand and use it for a day.. you just will not understand.
The most difficult part of the iPod has nothing to do with the iPod itself but in choosing what to fill its 10GB of storage with. I rarely listen to music outside of my trusty Marantz CD5000 and Grado SR80's. I feared the loss of fidelity by converting to MP3, but I feel safe in the fidelity that LAME encoding gives me @ 192kps (via the iTunes LAME Encoder of course).
So what's in the iPod right now? A Carl Cox session, all the U2 and Coldplay records... encoding now: "Live @ the Social Volume 1 (the only Chemical Bros. mix CD worth owning)... much more to come.
How I lived without this device for as long as I have is news to me. By far the impressive piece of hardware ever developed. Sure we have all seen them: folks walking by with the big white earbuds.. . but until you actually hold one in hand and use it for a day.. you just will not understand.
The most difficult part of the iPod has nothing to do with the iPod itself but in choosing what to fill its 10GB of storage with. I rarely listen to music outside of my trusty Marantz CD5000 and Grado SR80's. I feared the loss of fidelity by converting to MP3, but I feel safe in the fidelity that LAME encoding gives me @ 192kps (via the iTunes LAME Encoder of course).
So what's in the iPod right now? A Carl Cox session, all the U2 and Coldplay records... encoding now: "Live @ the Social Volume 1 (the only Chemical Bros. mix CD worth owning)... much more to come.
Friday, February 21, 2003
Oh yes its been a while... the cold is cold in New England. So cold in fact, that it kept my fingers away from this forum. With the return of some warmth (> 35 F), comes a return to normalcy. Listed some new CDs in the list. Dig in.
Playing now: Hotel Costes Etage3. Always a favorite.
Playing now: Hotel Costes Etage3. Always a favorite.
Friday, January 31, 2003
Friday, January 17, 2003
For those in the USA who have PBS (which everyone with a TV and antennae does on channel 13 VHF), make sure and catch the 3 part FRONTLINE series on "The Future of Sound." Part 3 focuses in on Iceland and its cast of interesting groups/characters. From my understanding, its well worth a viewing.
Thursday, January 16, 2003
So no Walkmen/ Calla review (as you may have guessed by now). I unfortunately have not gotten my copy yet. Ironically enough though, they seem to have caught the eye of the advertising world (as Interpol did with the NFL advert heads). You can catch their 'hit' track "We've Been Had" in the newest Saturn Automotive ad. if you can break those holy gates, youre sure to make it big time.
Big ups to BC, a friend in the biz, that has eliminated my musical drought and provided me with a thick selection of new CDs to dive into. Of important note, was an advance copy of the domestic (US) release of Fischerspooner's "Feels Good Looks Good" (aka "#1"). So many of you should be asking, 'Who the hell gives a shit? It came out on International Deejay Gigilos back in early 2002 (see sidebar date 2002-02-xx).' True enough, but this domestic release is no simple repressing. Capital Records has taken this disc and completely remastered it with a bunch of new tracks. Its truly sounds good.... for a change.
Check the sidebar for the beginnings of the 2003 list....
Finally, the new Massive Attack has started making the rounds on all our favorite p2p's. My first listen is on now.... my thoughts in a bit....
Big ups to BC, a friend in the biz, that has eliminated my musical drought and provided me with a thick selection of new CDs to dive into. Of important note, was an advance copy of the domestic (US) release of Fischerspooner's "Feels Good Looks Good" (aka "#1"). So many of you should be asking, 'Who the hell gives a shit? It came out on International Deejay Gigilos back in early 2002 (see sidebar date 2002-02-xx).' True enough, but this domestic release is no simple repressing. Capital Records has taken this disc and completely remastered it with a bunch of new tracks. Its truly sounds good.... for a change.
Check the sidebar for the beginnings of the 2003 list....
Finally, the new Massive Attack has started making the rounds on all our favorite p2p's. My first listen is on now.... my thoughts in a bit....
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
Monday, December 23, 2002
Days before Christmas and just over a week until New Years.... what do these 14 days hold for music fags like myself? Top of 2002 lists of course!! For your reading pleasures.... two of the more respectables. Happy holidays and I'll see you soon!
Best Lists of '2002 Best of Lists':
Pitchfork.com
Other Music (my unoffical link to their official 2002 recap email)
I'll add a few more in time....
Best Lists of '2002 Best of Lists':
Pitchfork.com
Other Music (my unoffical link to their official 2002 recap email)
I'll add a few more in time....
Thursday, December 19, 2002
Radiohead tend to do things their own way and do it right: from production and mastering techniques of their last 2 records (KidA and Amnesiac) which are must listens on headphones (arguably the most harmonic and aurally spatial LP�s released in years), to their holiday �gift� to us.
You see, while REM and Pearl Jam release holiday packages chock full of stickers, and exclusive fan club only CDs, Radiohead says 'Fuck the gifts, lets throw a party' and webcast it online.
Last evening, Thom, Colin, and crew setup some turntables in their Oxford studios and spun their favorites live. Mixing utterly disturbing video of Bush and Saddam sharing a kilo of coke, to Thom�s attempts at mixing a Squarepusher track into an aged, ska Bob Marley 7inch, the band obviously does it their way and does not give a fuck about (perceived) image. Even more impressive, viewers were treated to 4 new songs performed live and off CDR (which may or may not make it onto their next release slated for dropoff on March 25, 2003)�.that in itself is the true gift of music.
Final question: did their webcast violate the DCMA regimes' stance on webcast royalty control ? Oh right.. Readiohead webcast the event out of UK. The RIAA doesnt control that market.... .
You see, while REM and Pearl Jam release holiday packages chock full of stickers, and exclusive fan club only CDs, Radiohead says 'Fuck the gifts, lets throw a party' and webcast it online.
Last evening, Thom, Colin, and crew setup some turntables in their Oxford studios and spun their favorites live. Mixing utterly disturbing video of Bush and Saddam sharing a kilo of coke, to Thom�s attempts at mixing a Squarepusher track into an aged, ska Bob Marley 7inch, the band obviously does it their way and does not give a fuck about (perceived) image. Even more impressive, viewers were treated to 4 new songs performed live and off CDR (which may or may not make it onto their next release slated for dropoff on March 25, 2003)�.that in itself is the true gift of music.
Final question: did their webcast violate the DCMA regimes' stance on webcast royalty control ? Oh right.. Readiohead webcast the event out of UK. The RIAA doesnt control that market.... .
Monday, December 16, 2002
Zero Music Budget = Gifts of Music. A kind soul has supplied me with some very nice gifts: Kenny Glagow's "Toronto Mix Sessions" (on Turbo; featuring Rother's Decepticon-esque 'Simulationszeitalter') and Triple R "Friends" (on Kompakt). A span of choice mixes which cover the gamut between electro-tech and micro-house. Tiime to take a listen ... and thank you Erik.
Friday, December 13, 2002
As I complained a few days past on the lack of shows events to hit durig the winter months, I must apologize to my good friend Greg for being a noshow again to his night over at Vertigo..... don't hold it against me..l will make it. Please ppl, dont let my bad habits stop you from visiting the club on Wed's..
Monday, December 09, 2002
Is it me or are less bands/groups touring this winter than previous years? Or maybe I am being more selective about what I attend/buy for music. Either way I have yet to find a show in the next 45 days that I will be attending.... boring. Luckily the Parisan signed me up for Woodworking: How to Build a Shaker Table (being taught at Cambridge Continuing Ed this winter)... I kid you not...
Listening to: Marco Corola live @ PL
Looking forward to: White Stripes "Elephants"
Listening to: Marco Corola live @ PL
Looking forward to: White Stripes "Elephants"
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