Tag Archives: music

We Thought You Was a Toad

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DSCF3184It’s been too long since I last watched O Brother Where Art Thou, but I did watch it again last night. Boy, what a brilliant movie. Even ignoring lots of lovely Bluegrass music and all the good that it did for the Bluegrass Revival, the idea for the movie is just brilliant, and so is the realization and acting.

There’s an ever-growing list of I should watch this one again, or that one. I guess I should. Forest Gump could be next in line.

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Little Red Rooster

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DSC_0985We went to Sadler’s Wells to see the Rambert Company’s latest, a few days ago. I admit not being enthusiastic about this production, but it made me listen to the Rolling Stones’ GRRR! during my workout today. And a fine choice that was!

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An Amazing Book to Watch

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DSCF2763Today, I am recommending that you go watch this book if you can: The Book of Mormon. Funny and packed with energy, this is one of the best musicals I have ever seen.

No, I do not recommend that you read the book by the same name, but the musical, thou shalt go and watch.

(Picture taken in Utah, which is the closest I could come to Salt Lake City.)

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Wuchtig, aber Markig

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cyclistsDismount A 45 minute cycle trip after work, followed by an express-picnic in the park, followed by a bit of culture. Oh, and another 45′ cycle ride back home.

I have to admit that I didn’t like the music much, but the assembly of percussion instruments used in Mahler‘s 6th Symphony alone was worth the trip. Ingo Insterburg would have been jealous of their collection of cow bells and bang-on wooden boxes. (Wuchtig, aber markig (forceful but pithy) is Mahler’s description of the first movement.)

Always nice to see the Albert Hall sold out. Mahler always attracts lots of people, or maybe it was the much-hailed Scottish bassoonist Karen Geoghegan, who played Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in B flat major (KV 191) to much applause.

Not my favourite Proms concert, but a nice way to spend an evening nevertheless.

 

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Dear Music Industry

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rome Media informs me that you are in a dire situation, with You Tube, iTunes, peer-to-peer file sharing, illegal downloading, and all that. I am truly sorry, for I understand all this modern technology means you are no longer holders of the monopoly of distribution, and you can no longer sell outdated technology in the shape of a flat piece of vinyl or silvery plastic at prices that you dictate.

Now, listen up. Here’s where you’ve got it right for a change:

Recently, I watched a documentary on the telly, telling the story of Genesis’ 2007 European tour. I liked what I saw, and bought an official copy of the Genesis When In Rome DVD set. Three DVDs for £15, featuring the aforementioned documentary, three hours of a very fine concert, and lots of background material and extra features.

I will happily pay the same again for a similar product. This is a good product, well worth its money. Compared to a single 50 minute playtime CD, which you used to sell at the same or similar price, this is a lot of value for the money.

Well done.

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A New Toy

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hattrick I mentioned Pandora some while ago. Pandora is a fantastic online music service, but sadly, Pandora is no longer available outside the USA. For the same reason –conservative RIAA and record label‘s protectorate, I guess-, Rhapsody also never (yet) became available outside the US.

But, Spotify is now available to everyone in the UK, so that’s progress! Compared to Pandora and Rhapsody, the name Spotify is a regrettable step back, but as far as technology and content goes, it’s great.

It’s free and unlimited if you tolerate an advert every 3 songs. Register with them, download their player, search for an artist, select the album, hit Play – done.

Advert-free options are also available for a fee.

Go, Spotify!

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