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By Crystal, August 31, 2010

24 Postcards in Full Colour
by Max Richter

In addition to Independence Day and National Hot Dog Month, July marked Cell Phone Courtesy Month.  Let me challenge you to celebrate year round!

If ring tones were more sonically pleasing, perhaps it wouldn’t matter if we forgot our manners and failed to silence our cell phones in public places.  Enter composer Max Richter.  Richter’s 2008 album 24 Postcards in Full Colour is a collection of dreamy and atmospheric musical moments, composed with the intention they be used as ring tones. The longest track is a mere 2 and a ½ minutes.

Richter was born in Germany, but his family moved to the UK when he was a young lad.  Growing up he listened to a whole lot of Philip Glass, Pink Floyd, The Clash, and artists in the electronic music scene such as Kraftwerk.  After completing studies in composition and piano, Richter spent time in an ensemble that played works by composers such as the aforementioned Philip Glass, Brian Eno, and Steve Reich.  Richter eventually began to focus on his own compositions releasing solo albums in the 2000’s, which brings us back to 24 Postcards.  Some music snobs will say these very brief compositions are a creative cop-out, I say don’t forget it’s a concept album!

The album name, 24 Postcards in Full Colour, not only refers to the 24 tracks, but to the 24 accompanying photos in the liner notes.  These snapshots, some of which were taken by Richter, add more facets of insight and enjoyment to the listening experience.   He has also scored films, including last year’s Waltz with Bashir.

So always remember to practice cell phone courtesy.  And the next time you decide to assign a new ring tone, think of Max Richter.  Or consider John Cage’s most famous composition…

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By Amanda, July 31, 2010

Ok, raise your hand if you went to the recent Paul McCartney concert. Now keep your hand up if you thought the tornado was gonna get you before security let you in.  Yep, that’s my hand you see in the air.  Definately an interesting beginning to the night, but Paul still managed to put on a great show – as if there was ever any doubt.  I hope I can rock as hard when I’m his age. 

Anyway, for those of you whole missed all the fun, just wanted to let you know that we’ve got a few albums from Sir Paul that you can listen to instead:

These are just a sampling of the Paul.  We also have several Beatles albums in our catalog. (Unfortunately, no Beatles songs are available on freegal, just FYI.) 

Now if you’re saying, “But Amanda, I don’t like to rock out,” that’s fine.  Paul also has a couple of classical albums as well.  Take a listen:

True Paul fans also know that he’s been playing around in a group called The Fireman, and here at NPL, we’ve even got one of their CDs for your listening pleasure:

By the by, I think this one might be available on freegal, but I haven’t downloaded it myself (yet.  Oy, so many downloads so little time!).

So for all of you who got to see the former Beatle, it was nice to spend an evening with you – severe weather and all.  And if you didn’t make it this time, you better get listening, so when he comes back (in 30 years), you’ll be ready…there might even be a quiz.

Amanda

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By Amanda, July 24, 2010

The Prayer Cycle
Composed by Jonathan Elias
Performed by Alanis Morissette, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and more

Need another reason why free downloads are fun?  You get to explore and hear music to which you might not otherwise be exposed.  I was puttering around in freegal the other day and came across this hidden gem.  It was listed in the classical genre, by Alanis Morissette (under A for Alanis, naturally) – so I was intrigued.  And for good reason. 

I had never heard of this work before, so I Googled it.  According to Wikipedia, The Prayer Cycle is a nine movement piece that was originally used in the ABC documentary, The Century.  Along with Morissette, it features other big pop names in more classical settings:

I. Mercy (Alanis Morisette)
II. Strength (Richard Bona)
III. Hope (Alanis with The American Boychoir)
IV. Compassion (the now-deceased Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan)
V. Grace (James Taylor)
VI. Innocence (Salif Keita)
VII. Forgiveness (Nusrat)
VIII. Benediction (Linda Ronstadt)
IX. Faith (Alanis and Nusrat)

The piece is sung in twelve languages, but the only bad thing about downloading it is that I cannot find a complete translation of the Elias-penned text anywhere.  Maybe that’s good though.  Maybe that means I just have to be more Zen about it and simply experience it for what it is without analyzing everything.  (That said, if you can find a complete version, please let me know.)

 Sometimes such an eclectic collection of artists can come across as cheesy or overly commercial. But this album is everything you want it to be – relaxing, poignant, hopeful, yet powerful and haunting, all at the same time.  It’s definately not something you put on to dance around the house to. And I probably wouldn’t recommend it for driving either…you might get too relaxed.  But it would be excellent for that quiet, introspective evening in.

Intrigued yet?  Well, don’t take my word for it.  Log on to freegal yourself (here’s how) and check it out.  If you don’t want to download all nine tracks, just listen to the 30 sec. samples to get an idea of what I’m talking about.  Since our new limit is 5 songs a week (still better than nothing, folks, let’s be honest), it will take you two weeks to get the whole thing.  But, it’s worth it.

Trust me.

Amanda

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By Phil, July 21, 2010

The Avett Brothers introduce Emotionalism

This 2007 disc was my introduction to this excellent band, featuring the brothers Seth and Scott Avett who play a multifaceted, often joyous, plain-spoken, freewheeling mix of Americana ballads, love songs (one of their specialties are the “Pretty Girl from ___” songs), folk, country, bluegrass and flat out rock.  Their harmonies are often spot on and you’ll have no trouble understanding the lyrics (almost unusual). Their  stellar banjo and guitar interplay is also quite impressive.
They may be tough to categorize but are very easy to enjoy!  I know there was quite a buzz among a few of my coworkers as they eagerly sought tickets for their upcoming shows at the Ryman. I can see why –  this would be a fun group to see live! No pretentions – just good songs played with enthusiasm and wit here.

I’d be remiss to not point out some  possible influences I hear (as I usually do when listening to anyone “new”). The pop bliss of The Reivers comes to mind (another great North Carolina band from the late ‘80’s early ’90’s), The Delevantes, The Band and even John Prine a bit on “Salina”.  Their inclusion of a phone message from Gabriella (“Pretty Girl from Chile”) is great; reminds me of the Replacements. But this is a band that doesn’t seem derivative at all – just very talented and refreshing.
This CD is in heavy rotation in my car system (along with the likes of Marshall Crenshaw’s “What’s in the Bag?”) and is great for summer listening. Give them a whirl – if you like great pop-tinged folk songs you should like this one a lot.

-Phil

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By Crystal, July 13, 2010

We’re in the midst of summer now, and for me that means sitting in the shade while reading a great novel, enjoying the amazing taste of homegrown tomatoes, and listening to summer-worthy pop music.  For your listening pleasure I present my top five songs to inspire your travels, cool down your hot summer nights, and create timeless summer memories…

Ramble On is the best tune to start off any road trip, even though the lyrics speak of Autumn.  Buckle your seat belt, and obey all speed limits.   “The time is come to be gone.”

My high school BFF Amy and I used to ride in my old Oldsmobile, windows down since it had no AC, and sing along to my cassette tape of Depeche Mode’s Never Let Me Down Again.   “I’m taking a ride with my best friend…”

Heroes may be Bowie’s best song ever.  Guaranteed to generate inspiration and motivation even during the hottest day in August. “We can be heroes just for one day.”  (A version of Heroes from Bowie’s Reality Tour can be downloaded at freegal!)

Any Bob Marley song is worthy of a summer mix, but my favorite is Redemption Song.  “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.  None but ourselves can free our mind.”  What a lovely reminder to let go of your burdens.

For those that want to stir up a little summer romance, Jeff Buckley’s Lover You Should Have Come Over is sure to melt anyone’s heart, and ice-cream!  “So I’ll wait for you…and I’ll burn.  Will I ever see your sweet return?” (A live version of Lover You Should Have Come Over, included on the compilation Grace Around the World, can be downloaded at freegal!)

So be safe and have fun the rest of your summer.  If you’re looking for more ideas for entertainment,  my colleagues and I have  put together a display of movie alternatives to the summer blockbusters.  Stop by the Main Library and check out our suggestions!

-crystal

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By Amanda, June 26, 2010

Glee: The Music
Brought to you free by NPL and freegal!

Attention all Gleeks!  Are you missing your musical slushiness?  Are you going into withdraw from not getting to enjoy all new Glee songs each week?  Summertime means no new episodes (boo), but to tide you over until next fall, NPL has teamed up with freegal to bring you lots of free (that’s right, I said, free) downloads – including…drum roll please…the entire Glee selection (cymbals crash randomly in the background)!  Yeah!

Choose from Mercedes favorites like “Hate on Me” or “Bust the Windows.”  Or maybe you’re a Rachel fan?  How about “Hello” or “Don’t Rain on My Parade”? So many choices so little time.  And how can we forget about Sue Sylvester’s reimagination of “Vogue”…I want to go listen to it right now.  Hold on a minute…

Strike a pose…

Ok, I’m back.  Vogue-ified.  Now to access freegal:

1. Simply visit the library website.
2. Go under Books Movies Muisc.
3. Use the freegal linkl.
4. Enter your library card number and PIN to log in.
5. Download!

That’s it.  No need to create a new account with new log in info – which is awesome because I already have, like, 453 passwords for things.  And each week, you get 20 free songs.  20!  2. 0.   Each week.  So after the first two weeks - once you’ve downloaded all the yummy goodness that is Glee, you can move on to other great artists, like Beyonce or Journey! Is this cool or what?

Now for those of you who aren’t computer savvy – you can still enjoy all the great Glee music by checking out the old-school CDs.  Still cool(ish).  Still free (but please don’t copy the CDs because that violates copyright laws and I’m contractually obligated to tell you this otherwise the RIAA will come in and punch me*…and who wants that?).

Some of you might be asking, what, exactly, is this Glee of which you speak?  You guys need to go right now, get the DVDs from the library (or at least put them on hold) and sit in front of a TV until you’ve seen every minute of the first 13 episodes.  Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

It’s a long time until we get new Glee (sigh), but somehow, fellow Gleeks, we’ll make it.  Don’t stop believing…

Amanda

*Umm…so the RIAA probably won’t come punch me, but it’s still illegal to copy CDs, just FYI.

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By Phil, June 13, 2010

Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot Vol. 1

Along with Miles, Monk and ‘Trane, Eric Dolphy is one of my all-time favorite jazz musicians. His exuberant playing on alto sax and sometimes bass clarinet on these stellar sessions recorded at NYC’s Five Spot club in 1961 is often mind-boggling.

Dolphy is intense, passionate, creative and clearly following some inner logic as he blazes away with Charlie Parker-like cascades of notes on “Fire Waltz” over the steady 3/4 beat. “The Prophet” clocks in at over 21 minutes and features some impressive solos by the other band members. Key players include pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Richard Davis (who would become more known for playing on Astral Weeks) and drummer Ed Blackwell along with superb, young trumpet player Booker Little.
This group is capable of an astounding range of styles and is just bursting with energy and chops. Ah, to have been there for this night would have been really memorable but this lively recording, along with volume 2,  is a great aural snapshot of a pivotal time in jazz and always gives me a lift.
Five stars!

Phil

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By Crystal, June 8, 2010

Ladyhawke
by Ladyhawke

I’m a lady that’s gaga over an artist who goes by the name Ladyhawke.  Wait a minute, isn’t Ladyhawke that movie from the 80’s with Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfiefer, and a pre-Ferris Bueller Matthew Broderick?  Yes, you’re correct!  But if your musical influences and pop culture obsessions hail from that decade, what better movie to name yourself after…

Ladyhawke (aka Pip Brown) grew up in New Zealand, and joined her first band named after a movie: Two Lane Blacktop.  Pip later relocated to Australia, participating in various musical projects, before branching out on her own.  She then moved to London and co-wrote and recorded her debut album with the help of various producers.    If you love 80’s pop music, listening to this album will evoke those songs you adore, while maintaining originality and enthusiasm for the genre.  Standout tracks include the album opener “Magic,” and power pop anthem “My Delirium,” but all the songs are instantly accessible to the pop-friendly ear.  So put on your “Frankie Say Relax” t-shirt and give Ladyhawke a spin. -Crystal

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By Amanda, April 10, 2010

The Fall
By Norah Jones

Need a little smooth groove in your life?  Then have I got the CD for you.  Back in Black from the Australian rock band AC/DC is a soothing collection of tunes that will help you while away the upcoming summer nights.

Ok, you got me.  I’m just kidding.  No one in their right mind would connect AC/DC with the word soothing.  Which is why we need artists like Norah Jones.  Jones’ latest release, The Fall, is a groovelicious album full of tunes that will make you forget about the guy who almost hit you on the way home for work or the fact that you spilled coffee on your favorite pair of jeans.

Jones can kind of go up and down for me – some things I really like and some things I could live without.  This album’s probably not my favorite, but there are a few songs I’ve enjoyed quite a bit.  Off the top of my head, I would say “Back to Manhattan” is a good one.  As is the lead-off single, “Chasing Pirates.”  In fact, it was the video for “Chasing Pirates” that got me interested in the album in the first place.  It is pretty creative.  Take a look. I don’t know how you get a pirate-ship-building in downtown New York, but this makes me kinda want to try…

Arr, matey!

Amanda

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By Amanda, April 3, 2010

The Words of Every Song
By Liz Moore

 April is poetry month, and I don’t know about you, but I like my poetry with a little bit of melody and here in Music City we’ve got some great songs that have both.  We’ve also got some good books about music.  Take, for instance, Liz Moore’s novel The Words of Every Song. This debut novel contains 14 short stories about various people in different aspects of the music business, and it mixes and matches characters together like a patchwork quilt. 

  The book’s title actually comes from the Leonard Cohen song, Teachers.  You know the one:

              I was handsome, I was strong
              I knew the words of every song
              Did my singing please you?
              No, the words you sang were wrong

Now I know none of you would ever get the words to a song wrong, but my all-time favorite messed-up lyric is CCR’s song “there’s a bathroom on the right.”  To this day, every time I hear it, I still sing it that way b/c I think it’s funnier. For more on this discussion, take a listen to our April edition of the Popmatic Podcast.  So what’s your favorite misheard lyric? 

Back to the book.  Moore is a wizard at weaving the various storylines and characters together, with major characters becoming minor characters, minor characters taking their turns in the spotlight, and surprise cameos throughout the book.  If you’re having trouble picturing this, think about how the movies Crash or Love Actually are structured.  You know, like in Love Actually, how Hugh Grant was the Prime Minister, but also Emma Thompson’s brother and then they all showed up at the kids Christmas pageant where someone was a lobster?  It sounds complicated, but it’s actually an interesting narrative technique, if you can keep all the people straight.

The other aspect of Moore’s writing that I enjoyed is her use of Flash Forwards.  For those of you not up on the Lost lexicon, a Flash Forward is the same as a Flash Back, except you see the future that hasn’t happened yet, but will, as opposed to the past you’ve already lived and know.  Normally this kind of thing bugs me, but for some reason it works in Moore’s book.  Maybe because we only get to see the characters for such a brief moment, that getting a little bit of future resolution to their story lines makes it easier to move on so quickly. 

Good read, great discussion starter.

  Amanda

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By Amanda, March 27, 2010

Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music
By Greg Kot

The music industry is broken.  The labels know it.  The artists know it.  Consumers definitely know it.  Greg Kot knows it, and he seems kind of happy about it.  In his book, Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music, Kot catalogues how different musicians found ways to go over, under, around, and through the majors in order to find new paths to fans and profitability in the Wild Wild West chaos of the digital frontier.

Most of the stories Kot included were familiar, but he also introduced, at least to me, a few new artists, such as Girl Talk, who are making some high-quality music—even if it is a mash-up of other unlicensed samples. 

Here is the best music quote ever:

“[The album is not dying.] What’s dying is the idea of only the crappiest crap, made with the crappiest intentions, with the crappiest production, to entice the most airtime on the crappiest giant chains of radio stations, bought and paid for by crappy labels and dictated by some crappy, contemptuous, lowest-common-denominator projecting programming executive from his crappy polling printouts in some crappy office somewhere, to ensure we all swallow the same crap all over the country at the same time, and then placing that one slice of crap on a longer disc with a bunch of even crappier crap.  That is the concept that is dying.  Amen.”
                                                                      – Jack Rabid, editor of The Big Takeover

 Amen, brother. Let’s get back to the business of making great music and let the bottom line take care of itself.

- Amanda

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By Amanda, March 20, 2010

Lady Antebellum/ Need You Now
By Lady Antebellum

If you’re looking for some good music, then I have got the group for you. (Even if you’re not looking, you should still hear these guys). Two years ago the relatively unknown group Lady Antebellum hit the country music scene, selling just 40,000 copies of their self-titled debut album in their first week out. Made up of two guys and a girl (but sadly no pizza place), it took a while for the sound of Charles Kelley (brother to pop star, Josh Kelley), Hilary Scott, and Dave Haywood to catch on at radio.

Last July, however, “I Run to You” became the band’s first number one hit.  Partially because of the successes of “Run to You” and the debut single from their second album, “Need you Now,” but also because of high profile performances, like at the Grammy Awards and on Oprah, Lady A’s sophomore release sold almost 500,000 copies its first week out in January.  It’s since done about 200,000 more, meaning the album is certified gold.  In this depressing age of decreasing sales, those numbers are huge.  What a difference a coupla years makes.

Need You Now is more mature, with a little more depth to their material than the first album. “For this record,” Charles said, “We wrote a lot…but we [also] went and found a couple of really strong songs that we didn’t write, and I’m just as proud of those as I am of the ones we wrote. And again, we’re storytellers and not everything has to be a personal experience, but something you can relate to.”

I bet most of you have heard “Need You Now” or “American Honey” the latest single. If you want to listen to a couple of Lady A’s musical offerings, you can check out March’s Popmatic Podcast.

Before I leave you, I want to give a shout out to Michael Rojas, keyboard player extraordinaire for both Lady A albums.  I met Michael when I first moved to town to intern at Sony, and he was always one of my favorite session players.  In listening to the songs, I was loving what I was hearing – enough that I pulled out the booklet to see who it was. I should have known.  So congrats to Michael for some awesome finger work. Rock on, my friend. And rock on, Lady A.

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By Amanda, January 9, 2010

Revolution
By: Miranda Lambert

 In 2003, Miranda Lambert came in a disappointing third place on the first season of the now defunct Nashville Star.  Seven years later, Lambert has released her third CD, Revolution, and her career is hotter than ever.  She is the most successful musician of any that were on Nashville Star.

On Revolution, Lambert shows her softer side with songs like my favorite, “Dead Flowers,” and “The House that Built Me.”  Miranda performed a one night show at The Ryman in September ‘09 to celebrate the release of this album, and when she played “The House that Built Me” with her parents in the audience, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place (including mine, and I’m not a crier.)

Ran doesn’t shy away from her rowdy side, though, rocking the house with songs like “Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go” or the big single “White Liar.”  You can hear a short clip of “Dead Flowers” by listening to our Popmatic Podcast. Revolution was definately one of my favorite albums of 2009.

- Amanda

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By Phil, December 23, 2009

Throw Down your Heart: tales from the acoustic planet Vol. 3 Africa sessions
by Bela Fleck

Anyone who saw the engrossing documentary on PBS some months ago or packed into the Belcourt Theatre one hot Sunday evening for a one time showing (with a special appearance by Bela) of Throw Down your Heart knows what this is all about.

This is the soundtrack that resulted from the ambitious trip made by Bela Fleck to several African countries in early 2005 to, essentially, “bring the banjo home” and jam with many outstanding musicians and groups in places like Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mali.

I’ve always enjoyed the purity and spirit of various African musical styles, and my Hi life compilations and King Sunny Ade juju recordings prepared me somewhat, but this is some really far-reaching, varied and impressive music! Eighteen tracks, many featuring serious polyrhythms, djembe drums, various stringed instruments along with possibly the thumb piano or even a giant wooden miramba comprise this soundtrack.  Vocalists can be anyone from Oumou Sangare to a group of villagers.

Some of my favorites are the funky, bass heavy D’Gary Jam and the sublime title track which features raga like drones, ngoni (the banjo of Mali) runs and Bela’s intricate  picking.  What a tour de force!  Zawose features some amazing gogo singing styles by an entire family that may sound jarring at first but is really unique. The song Mariam features phenomenally fast African guitarist Djrlimady Tounkara in a duet of sorts with Bela. Wow!

Overall, the first several tracks drew me in with really interesting and varied vocal stylings  then after the title track I was thoroughly mesmerized by tracks 10 through till the end.  In short, this is more about the fantastic musicians of Africa and their instruments; Bela Fleck often fades into the background and lets them shine.

A wonderful project; great documentary and superb soundtrack!

Phil

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By Jenny, November 20, 2009

Dwight Sings Buck
by Dwight Yoakam

This is quite a straight-forward, enjoyable and lively set of tunes by one acknowledged master of the Bakersfield sound doing traditional country songs mainly penned by his idol, Buck Owens. Three others not written by Buck but part of his repertoire are (thankfully) included: “Act Naturally,” “Love’s Gonna Live Here” and “Close up the Honky Tonks.”

Yoakam’s voice is stellar here, with just the right joyfully sly yet reverential tone seeping through the lines. The band is confident, impressive and never too slick, just like you’d expect.

Usually Dwight just slipped in a tune or two from Buck on his many great releases; this one is All Buck! If you like that snappy, twangy sound done right you’ll love this release.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself tapping a foot while listening to someone clearly at the top of “his game” here.

- Phil