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[jivehound]

The Dangers of YouTube

I’ve always been afraid of YouTube. Not the instructional part. That’s one of the most important developments ever, teaching guys like me how to change a washer, fill my fountain pen without the usual mess, and convert mp3 files to flac. No, that’s all saving the Universe from entropy. The thing about it that scares me is the music. All that incredible energy and more video clips of more…

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[jivehound]

Aretha!

No need to say anything else. I could listen to song after song of hers and never get tired of hearing her depth of feeling and soulfulness. Her voice soaring and getting lowdown. Sassy and heartbroken. She had it all. The ability and the personality. It Won’t Be Long Baby, Baby, Baby It is like she’s from another planet. One where every note moves me. She pulls both lyric and melody out of a…

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Some Stuff.

Mr. Lee — The Bobbettes That stuff is everywhere. Just waiting for attention. Patiently. And ready to go at the drop of a needle or the click of a button. Once allowed, the energy bursts out. As if it has been bottled up all this time. And whether I’m ready or not, here it comes. Entertaining me. Moving me. Reminding me of everything. No matter how many times I’ve heard it. I Won’t Cry —…

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St. Patrick's Day

I hope there’s a bit of Irish in all of us. That strength. The poetry. The music. Open House/Kevin Burke — Drag Her ‘Round the Road/Sporting Paddy/Connemara Stockings/James Keane’s/Sporting Paddy

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[jivehound]

Radio Swiss Classic

Every night, before sleep, I listen to Radio Swiss. I listen to the classical music part of their system. It is soothing. The beautiful music they play travels the ether and lands inside my bedside radio. The broadcast is state-supported. It’s peaceful and ingenious. Each selection is under five minutes or so. Overtures. Sonatas. Suites. Arias. Movements. All the well-known favorites are there —…

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Musical Educators. And Players.

I want to give thanks to and celebrate the dedication, vision, and patience of individual piano teachers, guitar teachers, and teachers of all instruments — big, small, brass, wooden, electric, and acoustic. I want to thank all musical educators in high schools, colleges, living rooms, basements, garages, and parking lots. It’s a long road from the humble beginnings and aspirations of little…

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[jivehound]

Christmas Cheer.

There is a place for quirky and there is a place for the old favorites. Here are a few of my favorites. Happy Holidays. May your days be merry and bright. Oh Tannenbaum — Dave Mckenna Let It Snow — Sam Bush Jolly Old Saint Nicholas White Christmas — The Drifters Santa’s Comin To Town — Johnny Mercer Hell’s Bells — Carla Bley Joy To The World — Dakota Dave Hull and Kari Larson

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[jivehound]

Christmas Quirky.

Who knew there was a whole genre of music called Quirky? Some months ago, I stumbled on what were designated Silly Songs. From there, by accident and operator error, I waded into the vast sea known as Quirky. What took so long? I don’t want to speculate on the out in the world purpose of this music. But I suspect it fulfills a desire in certain people. Especially the creators possessed by this…

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[jivehound]

One Great Solo.

Among an infinite number of great solos. And in every genre. They are a chance for musicians to shine. To show what they can do. To deepen the tune. Right now, let’s consider rock guitar solos. There are many killer guitarists who have shown off their chops. Some of these are embedded in memory indelibly. Some we know note for note. Some of us (not me, say my fingers) can actually play…

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[jivehound]

Beatles.

I Saw Her Standing There The Beatles created a world of tunes that will never grow old. We might. The world might. But those songs? Never. We know every melody, every note, every lyric, every inflection. We whistle along. We join in to the best of our ability. We tap our toes. Anytime At All I Feel Fine They are there, in our minds, roaming around. Accessible like breathing. Dependable like…

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[jivehound]

Jean Luc Ponty - Constant Explorer

Jean Luc Ponty has been on the box for over fifty years. During that time, he’s always been pushing the limits of what’s gone before and creating music that goes beyond any definition of here and now or futuristic. His music, from the beginning, has been unique, spacious, and beautiful. It doesn’t fit labels like classical, jazz, rock, or world music. He’s been in front of all that. I’m just glad…

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[jivehound]

Round and Around.

In an earlier posting, I spoke of my broken car radio. Only one CD, no stations. I know that sounds serious. Can nothing be done? Well, I like it that way. Or, at least, I’m used to it. And the beneficial side of the whole thing is a close listening of whatever is in there. Not only close, but repeated. And repeated. And… It could be weeks, but it’s usually two or three months of sixteen or so…

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[jivehound]

Wake Up! Sound The Alarm.

We’ve all got to wake up. I know that’s a loaded statement. We can wake in an organic way – eyes fluttering, dreams receding, naturally starting the new day – or we can wake at a predetermined moment because we have something required or important enough to get going on. The image of a round, red and white clock, rocking side to side with exclamation marks escaping, is mostly a thing of the…

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[jivehound]

Blast from the Past!

Never a dull note. Love this band he had. Santana. — Bailando-Aquatic Park.

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Silly Songs

Every week, my wife and I babysit a wonderful bundle of Babyhood (she’s now a bit over a year old). While we do, all three of us listen to piano pieces or classical guitar or Dan Zanes, but one morning on Spotify I ran into a bunch of tunes distinguished by their light-hearted and upbeat tone. They were funny. They were silly. They were beautiful. Funny Song — Funny Song Studio Of course, I had…

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[jivehound]

I Call It Trouble.

Barbara Acklin — I Call It Trouble. You decide.

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Tim Sparks Plays.

Like every guy in the 1960s, I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. The Beatles. Bob Dylan. There was no higher calling or more worthwhile thing I could do with my life. I would dedicate myself to making music – that ever-present, all-encompassing thing. I would learn how to say I love you, in a melody. Much safer, more beautiful, and less specific than just stating it out loud. I bought a…

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