It Can’t Be Halloween Without…Reggae!
Sean Murphy
Six (Not So) Easy Pieces
Back in 2006, I recall reading many intriguing reviews of Daniel J. Levitin's book This Is Your Brain On Music. It's been on my Amazon wish list ever since, and…
If I Could Wave My Magic Wand…
It was twenty years ago today... No, seriously. Twenty years. Fall semester (because the world was still measured in summers and semesters), sophomore year. Out of all the indelible memories…
Sound & Vision: Featuring Jacob Miller
First of all, after Bob, somebody who I felt could have been a big star was Jacob Miller. Bob basically became a rock star in Jamaican music, and Jacob, I…
Sound & Vision: Featuring U-Roy
They sure don't make them like they used to. Album covers that is. In fact, they don't even make albums. Indeed, is anyone besides me even buying compact discs…
The Wisdom of Crowds: A Celebration of Humanity via YouTube (Part One: Music)
Everyone knows YouTube is the best shortcut to favorite, as well as forgotten video clips. And while it is well worth recognizing, and celebrating, the millions of anonymous DJs…
And in the end the list you take is equal to the list you make…
So: it's been five full decades that The Beatles have dominated music, our minds and, increasingly our wallets. Although its release was an understated affair, you might have heard something…
Alligator Lizards in the Air: In Search of the Sublimely Awful Lyric
I can think of a lot of rock bands who have written some laughably awful lyrics. So can you. Part of rock and roll's infectious (and mostly innocuous) appeal is…
August Left Our World A Poorer Place x2
You don't have to be a jazz fan to appreciate that picture. But it helps. Most people have never heard of Joe Maneri, so not too many folks are mourning…
August 26, 2002: Remembering My Mother in Music
Blogs are, or can be, like diaries. Except that diaries, by nature, are private. Which begs the question: do people who blog censor or soften the observations, complaints or critiques that…