When Hips Attack at the Robert Randolph concert in the Benson.
Category Archives: Music
“Brrrrrrrr! It’s Cold In Here.” – Satan
From FoxNews.com:
It’s looking more certain than ever that Sting is about to reunite with his original band, The Police.
The signs are strong, with enough clues available so that even Colonel Mustard could figure it out. Here’s one: Yesterday, former Policemen Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland were guests, with their families, at a Malibu birthday party for Sting’s better half, Trudie Styler. Their appearance caused quite a stir.
And on Thursday night at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Sting dedicated a lute version of “Message in a Bottle” to the pair of former comrades who happened to be seated in the auditorium.
Further investigation: Although Sting and his camp remain mum on the subject, sources do tell me that the Police will reunite this summer to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
I truly thought that I’d never see the day that The Police would reunite. Back in high school I listened to U2, Zeppelin, and the Police almost exculsively. I’m still not holding my breat though. Sting and Copeland are pretty volatile when they are together so the tour could save some money on pyrotechnics. I hope that the powers that be can make this happen.
Last One
Ok. This is the last post about the iPhone and it isn’t even about the phone. It is about something that happened during the phone’s demonstration during the MacWorld Expo this morning.
As Jobs was demonstrating how to switch from phone mode into iPod mode something piqued my imagination. Jobs purposefully chose some great music to use during the demo.
Thanks to iLounge.com for the picture.
“Tap here and uh… ‘a Little Help From My Friends.” Could this mean the the Fab Four will be coming to the iTunes store? A Beatles Digital Box Set would get me more excited than that little phone anyday.
Nice move Steve. Nice move.
You can watch the Keynote address and see it for yourself. (Starting at about 42:40)
KatD Update
I have updated the On My Desk Page and the On My iPod Page with fresh readings and listening tos for this, the first week of 2007.
See my summary of the introduction to The Forgotten Ways I posted yesterday. mDNA + Apostolic Genius= A powerful Jesus Movement!
An ad for Ministry Mutiny simply reads “IT’S WORTH IT!”
A forward by a new kind of Christian is fitting for a book entitled A New Kind of Youth Ministry don’t you think?
I am totally rockin’ the new Matt Redman. Beautiful News is another gorgeous worship meditation from one of our greatest hymn writers. Well worth a listen.
Revisiting Both Sides of the Gun this week. Harper is a genius.
Matisyahu Miller has covered the Police and gone home to Israel in a great CD/DVD combo.
I got the Racontours for Christmas and I’m giving it a spin. At least until the weekend is over.
Break Free
On one hand today was incredibly routine and laid back while on the other hand it was incredibly stressful and trying.
One thing that helped me through today was my music library. I hit shuffle this morning and my office has been filled with great music all day.
Some great digital pairings happend today that totally put me at ease and motivated me to keep going.
I Give You My Heart Hillsong
All I Want is You U2
Take My Life (And Let It Be) Chris Tomlin
It Never Entered My Mind Miles Davis
Sweep Me Away Charlie Hall
Amazing Grace Chris Tomlin
City of Blinding Lights U2
Secret Garden Bruce Springsteen
Love’s In Need of Love Today Stevie Wonder
Move Along All-American Rejects
Fix You (Live) Coldplay
One U2
Can I Stay (Live) Ray LaMontange
I know that the shuffle mode doesn’t have a brain but these are some pretty good sets. Thanks iTunes.
2nd Time Around
On Being Authentic
Red Hot Chilli Peppers, LL Cool J, Tom Petty, Audioslave, and Jay-Z.
Q: What do all of the these artist have in common.
A: They have all worked with uber-producer Rick Rubin.
As I’ve stated before I think Rick Rubin is the kind of producer you want to work with. Every time you hear an artist or a group talk about Rubin they tell of the creativity and highly charged energy in the recording studio. Rubin seems to bring out the best in his artists.
Rubin helped resurrect Johnny Cash and it is the Cash on American recordings that will forever define this country legend. (For more of the process of working with Rubin check out the liner notes for the Unearthed box set)
I generally get excited when I hear about artists tapping Rubin to work with them. Recently Rubin has produced songs or albums by Neil Diamond, The Dixie Chicks, Justin Timberlake, Linkin Park, and, or course, U2.
I was happy to see and hear what Rubin has been able to do with these artists and each of them have been able to release some pretty great stuff. However, Rubin is working with another band and I am none too happy about it.
From Metallica.com:
Oh, and by the way, this up and coming producer guy named Rick something-or other, has been coming by the studio every now and again to listen to some of our new stuff and throw his two/three cents in. Since this Rick dude is new to all of this, we thought it would be a nice gesture to help break him into the music business by asking him to produce our next record. We’re very happy he said yes! In other words, we are psyched to share with you that Rick Rubin is producing the next Metallica album!
I think they were going for sarcasm in that post but it completely smacked of condescension.
Let’s be honest, Brand Rubin is red hot right now and Brand Metallica has been faltering for years. In the past 10 years Metallica has released 4 albums. Only two of those have had completely new material (1997’s Reloaded and 2003’s St Anger).
Beyond their music, their off stage antics (suing their fans) have turned them into the band everyone loves to hate.
Metallica has burned too many bridges with their fans to be so flippant about Rubin graciously agreeing to work with them. Leave it to Lars to act as though they are giving this incredible producer a break.
Authenticity must be earned and it is even harder to reacquire after it has been lost. I’ll be interested in hearing this new album if only to hear if Metallica allowed Rubin to do his job.
I’m afraid though that Metallica is Metallica’s worst enemy. Some kind of monster indeed.
Tuesday Music Video Awesomeness
Best of 2006: The Albums
In no particular order, here are the albums and artists that dominated my iPod this past year. The Grammys will be announced in about an hour. We’ll see if any of these get a nod.
We Shall Overcome: the Seeger Sessions
Bruce Springsteen
Right up front, let me say, this is not the Bob Seger Sessions. So if your looking for the Boss’ version of “Night Moves” you’re out of luck. No, these tracks compose a fitting and insightful tribute to Pete Seeger, folk singer and political activist from the last century. Springsteen brings a fresh and welcomed take on folk standards like Froggy Went a Courtin’ and The Eerie Canal. But where the album really hits the mark is in spirituals and social justice hymns like the incredible O Mary Don’t You Weep and We Shall Overcome.
Download: O Mary Don’t You Weep, Mrs. McGrath, Jesse James, Froggy Went a Courtin’
Love
The Beatles
This is an hour and 1/2 of Beatles music sewn together with love and care from the fifth Beatle and his son (George and Giles Martin). Some of these songs have never sounded so great. Every listen has brought something new to my ears. Well done. For the Beatles fan, this is as close to a new album as you’re going to get.
Forget Downloading– Do yourself a favor and purchase the 5.1 stereo mix on DVD
Till the Sun Turns Black
Ray LaMontagne
I first heard Ray LaMontagne on The First Kiss soundtrack. His gravel voice and subtle guitar work blew me away. Till the Sun Turns Black is the perfect meditaion album. The guitar gently weeps and the strings ebb and flow throughout the entire album. The music takes you to another place.
Download: Be Here Now, Barfly, till the Sun Turns Black
Grey’s Anatomy Vol. 2
Various
Grey’s is my guiltiest pleasure. I have seen every episode and I have watched all but 2 the night they were aired. I love it. Sure Meredith is the whiniest little girl on TV and, yeah, I wouldn’t want to be checked into Seattle Grace Hospital if I needed surgery but I love this show! One of my favorite things about the show is the great soundtrack that lays the emotional foundation of each week’s episode. This is a great example of the awesome music that keeps me coming back week after week.
Download: Chasing Cars (Acoustic), Monster Hospital, How We Operate, Grace
From the Season: New Day by Kate Havnevik
Live at Fenway // July 7-8, 2006
Dave Matthews Band
Another year, another live Dave album. However, this one is a little bit different. If you are a Dave fan you may very well know about the Live Trax series that is offered exclusivly at the Dave Matthews Band official website. Live at Fenway was supossed to be one of these online exclusives. Instead, RCA decided to pick it up and make it an official release. What I loved about this album was that it was hot off the tour. It was recorded back in early July and it featured some new songs and so great reinterpretations of old standards.
Download: Break Free, Sweet Caroline, Can’t Stop, Crush
Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae
This woman wins the award for Best Voice in the World 2006 and this is the smoothest album of the year. Corinne Bailey Rae jumped the pond this summer and arrive on our shores to help cool us off during those hot the summer months. I feel like the album is picking up steam. Over the last few month she has been featured on SNL, Leno, and Studio 60. Check her out.
Download: Live Session- EP (iTunes Exclusive)
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
A mere fifteen years after Ten, Pearl Jam return with the same intensity that helped the turn the music world onto flannel and teen malaise. A little older and a little wiser Eddie and the boys craft a musical soundscape that capture their outlook on the war and on life without pushing or shoving but forcing you to listen. This is Pearl Jam at their best.
Download: Inside Job, Army Reserve, Life Wasted, World Wide Suicide
Continuum
John Mayer
John Mayer has traded his fraternity angst for genuine rock ‘n roll roots. This album is incendiary. Every track feels hand crafted to perfection. There is even a Hendrix cover in there. The album’s not perfect but it is the best Mayer album yet and the most accessible. You don’t have to be a drunk sorority chick to get into it. Well…. maybe!
Download: Belief, Slow Dancing In A Burning Room, I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)
American V: A Hundred Highways
Johnny Cash
This posthumous release could have been called Haunted Highways because the ghost of Cash lingers in every track. Producer Rick Rubin pulled out all the stops to make this a great album. As you listen, you can acctually hear how faint Cash’s baratone voice has become. Yet it comes across as strong as ever. There is a sense of finality infused into the album as a whole. A fitting last (?) chronicle to the legend of Johnny Cash.
Download: God’s Gonna Cut You Down, Further Up the Road, If You Could Read My Mind, I’m Free From the Chain Gang Now
Other Greats of 2006 (Updated)
Back to Beldlam by James Blunt
Both Sides of the Gun by Ben Harper
The Open Door by Evanescence
Kingdom Come by Jay-Z
Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Sam’s Town by the Killers
Once Again by John Legend
The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
If I Forget You…
Great Stuff!