Youtube Wednesday - 11/17/09

Today's video is a classic of '90s hip hop.  It features a white guy, a retro, silent movie-themed atmosphere, and a song with lots of jazz samples and even a little reggae.  It was directed by the innovative Michel Gondry.

What is it?

"Lucas With The Lid Off" by Lucas.

Enjoy:

Why go in the studio?

NPR has been posting some great articles about the past decade in music.  I talked about one here, and I'm reading another good one here.  The model of how to make money as a musician, and even be a musician, has changed so much over the past ten years.  I've been thinking about it and I have a brave idea.

Why do artists need to make studio albums at all?

I think the way of the future is in streaming and playing live shows.  Sales of full albums are declining, and even I can't deny that methods of buying music will change greatly in the years to come.  I think musicians will make most of their money from touring, endorsements, and merchandise while their recorded music will be increasingly seen as a giveaway.

If recorded music is a giveaway and a band isn't making any money from the hours they spent in the studio, why spend it in the studio at all?  Think of how much money would be saved if only a few artists used expensive studio equipment and complex computer programs to spend endless amounts of time perfecting a song that isn't going to have as much soul as a live version to begin with.  This would free up time to go out on the road and tour, which is where bands really make their money.

With no studio album to promote, bands could choose their own schedule.  They could take breaks when necessary, and work on new songs in rehearsals or even live on stage.  Once those songs are ready, a live album can be made.  Think of bands like Dave Matthews Band and Phish.  They have two or three times as many live albums as studio albums.  If the jam bands can do it, other bands can too.  

A live recording has more energy, soul and passion than a studio recording.  Listeners and buyers are more likely to respond to a great live performance than a bland studio version of something.  Audience reaction can play a part too.  If a song just isn't working, it can be discarded and replaced with the newest composition.  Instead of full albums, let's go back to E.P.s.  That's a product to sell, and it's usually stronger than a full-length album.  If the band wants to use the studio, they can record pristine versions of singles.  Maybe the most well-liked new song can be recorded, put out in the media and sold on iTunes.

I know this can be done.  I have many live albums, and most of them sound great.  This would also serve as a method of separating the good from the bad.  The pop tarts could still make records and singles, but other artists can go in this new, live direction if it suits them better.

I'm mostly brainstorming here, but I think I'm on to something.  

Tuesday Tunes - 11/17/09

Tunes for all!

Two albums you want to buy

"Red, Hot and Live" by Brian Setzer and "The Clash" by The Clash

Two songs you play the most

According to last.fm, that would be "Don't Worry Baby" by Los Lobos and "Mean Woman Blues" by Roy Orbison.

Two artists that you just can't stand

Fred Durst and Kanye West.

Two bands you wish would record a new album

Afro Celt Sound System and The Chieftains.

Two concerts you were glad you attended.

Natalie MacMaster and Los Lobos, both in 2006.

Random Ten - 11/16/09

Random Ten:


10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

1)  Elvis Costello - 5ive Gears In Reverse
2)  Elvis Costello - Motel Matches
3)  BeauSoleil - Zydeco Gris Gris
4)  Reverend Horton Heat - Big Red Rocket Of Love
5)  Colin James - Jumpin' From Six To Six
6)  John Lennon - Nobody Told Me
7)  Afro Celt Sound System - Whirly 3
8)  The Jayhawks - Blue
9)  The Jayhawks - See Him On The Street

SONG OF THE WEEK:  "Miss Williams' Guitar" by The Jayhawks. 

Flickr Fun Saturday - 11/14/09

I've been too far behind on looking at my Flickr contacts' photos on my RSS reader, so I thought I'd do two things at once today -- look through those and get ideas for today's post.  Here are some great recent photos from my Flickr contacts:


Horsing around.
Odd couple.
Grand architecture.
Nature's kiss.
Lost in the fog.
Fallen feather.
Time to wait.
Haggis 'n' Chips.
Morning light.
Forest colors.

Won't Get Fooled Again (at the Super Bowl)

I'm very excited about the announcement that The Who might be performing in this season's Super Bowl halftime.  The Who always put on a great show, even with only two original members.  I might have to actually watch the game this year if they do get to play it.  I'm betting they'll play "Baba O'Riley" or "Pinball Wizard."

Top Five On Friday - 11/13/09

It's time for Top Five:

Top 5 musical purchases you regret (or would like to cast aside to the nearest used CD store)

1)  The Spirit Of Radio: Greatest Hits by Rush.  I like a few of the songs on it, but I largely don't get what's great about the rest of them.  I suppose I don't like Rush as much as I thought I did.  I'm not sure this is an album I'm going to keep forever.

2)  Rockferry by Duffy.  This is an odd one for me.  I like most of the songs individually, but the overall album doesn't really do it for me.  "Mercy" was too good to be true.  The rest of the album is fairly good, but not as outstanding as "Mercy."

3)  Hits Unlimited by 2 Unlimited.  This was fine when I was 16, but I'm not 16 anymore and the music on this album is incredibly dated.

4)  Hardanger Fiddle Music of Norway by Knut Buen.  I do like Hardanger fiddle music, but not when it's this boring.  I'm sure Knut Buen is a master musician, but his playing isn't any fun to listen to.

5)  L'Essential by Alabina.  The CD doesn't play right!  I was so upset about that.  Maybe I'll try to find another copy of it someday.   

Songs I Like: "You Never Know" by Wilco

I'm going to revive this feature.  There are certainly enough songs in the world to talk about, and my blog needs content.

Today's Song I Like is "You Never Know" by Wilco from their self-titled album.  Normally I'm not a huge fan of Wilco.  I've given them chances, but I just don't get most of their music.  This one, however, I do like.  It's insanely catchy and very well-done.  Every instrument is perfect.  The music is almost hypnotic.  Jeff Tweedy's vocals are passionate and melodic.  The chorus is just one big hook that will get you singing along. 

I especially like the guitars on this song.  After the first chorus, there's an addition of some fuzz guitar to roughen things up a bit, and there's a very good slide solo near the end.  This song has been compared to the work of George Harrison, and I can see the similarities.

Another thing I like is the pounding piano that drives the song forward.  It's just the thing to get you interested and excited about the music.

This is as good as pop gets.  It's a song I can listen to over and over.  I never get sick of it.  Good job, Wilco!

Interesting music discussion on NPR

NPR posted a very interesting discussion about the state of the music industry as part of their Decade-In-Review this week.  The part that interests me is the mention of streaming music as a deterrent to illegal downloading.  Personally, I have pretty much stopped downloading songs because I can listen to most of them for free online any time I want.  It's convenient, and it really doesn't take much longer than opening an MP3 or finding a CD or record and playing it.  Sites like Myspace and Grooveshark give you so much music on demand, for free.  That has been the biggest change in my listening habits lately.  I think of a song, search for it on Myspace, and listen.  Nothing could be easier.

Of course, streaming has its downsides.  You need an internet connection to do it, and you need to be at your computer.  You can't stream while in your car or out for a walk.  I think streaming will be part of the public's listening habits in the future.  If you want to listen to something and you're at your computer, you can stream it.  If you want to take it away from the computer, you can buy it as a download or *horrors* buy it on CD (or whatever format wins out in the future).  Yes, I think there will always be physical music around.  Humans have too much experience owning things to give that up.

Streaming is the way of the future.  I can see a day when there are no record companies (or the companies exist only to promote the artist) and musicians make money by touring and selling merchandise.  Actual recorded music will be streamed for free and treated as the art it actually is. 

Youtube Wednesday - 11/11/09

Today I have a music video, and a very good one too.  It's the video for Oren Lavie's "Her Morning Elegance."  It's all done in stop-motion photography, and it's really amazing.  I couldn't find too much information on who made it or how it was done, but I think it speaks for itself:

Tuesday Tunes - 11/10/09

Tunes to be thankful for:

It's November and this month is about giving thanks, tell us a few of the musical things that you are thankful for, be it albums, shows you've seen, electronics you've bought etc. Whatever has made your musical life better in the last year.

I'd like to thank the following . . .

Pandora and Grooveshark for giving me hours of great tunes to enjoy.

BeauSoleil for releasing two new albums this year, one with a live DVD, and playing another show here last month.

Billy Corgan for making his next album/project totally free (now get to releasing the songs, Bill!)

My iPod for lasting nearly two and a half years and allowing me to never, ever be bored no matter where I am.

Record stores everywhere for giving old folks like me a place to engage in our favorite ritual.

Anyone who has sold a used CD that I've purchased this year.

Last, but never least, each and every one of my favorite bands and musicians for doing what they do and making me happy.

Five Years Of Firefox

The Firefox web browser is five years old now!  I've been using it for most of those five years.  I love it because it's so customizable and because using it makes me feel part of a larger community.  Firefox is the first browser to be seen as 'cool' and 'in.'  I'm still using it, and I'll keep using it as long as it still works for me.

In honor of Firefox's fifth birthday, here are my Top Five Firefox Add-Ons:

1.  Session Manager

This is a life saver.  If you need to restart your computer, or if it crashes, or if your browser crashes - you're covered.  

2.  Toolbar Buttons

Keyboard shortcuts are great, but they don't cover everything.  I like the ability to add buttons for functions and extensions that I can place wherever in the browser I wish them to be.

3.  Quickdrag

This makes opening links and searching so much faster!  Just highlight or click and drag.  Very, very useful.

4.  Stumbleupon

You need never be bored again with Stumbleupon.  I've found many great sites with this tool.

5.  NoScript

It makes browsing much safer, yet it's easy to use.  Just keep in mind that it's not a replacement for your brain.

Ya gotta have themes too, and my favorite (in fact, the only one I really use) is Whitehart

Tahina Ready For Travel

Frank Taylor, webmaster of Google Earth Blog, and his wife are about to begin an incredible adventure.  They're going to spend the next five years sailing around the world in their boat the Tahina.  That's not all -- they're going to share their adventures with the world through their website The Tahina Expedition.  If everything goes right, they will be sharing GPS tracks, photos, videos and more.  Of course, there will be a regular blog as well.  They have some cool toys to play with including a kite for aerial photography and an underwater video camera.

They hope to leave as soon as possible once the weather in the Atlantic clears up for their initial passage to Bermuda.  They had a lot to do to prepare, and now their trip is about to begin.  Follow their journey on the Tahina Expedition website..    

Firefox slow? Try this

Today I'm browsing around in the Firefox Add-Ons, and I found a little gem that seems like it's going to help me a lot:

Places Cleaner

In the past month or two, I've noticed Firefox's performance slipping.  The program tends to freeze up a lot, especially when I'm typing in a URL or looking through my bookmarks in the organizer.  I figured it was just Windows being Windows or Firefox being Firefox.

Then, I found Places Cleaner and it seems like all will be right with the world once again.

What does it do?  It takes the database of your bookmarks and history and defragments it.  This should lead to a speedier performance and fewer lockups.  I've only used it for ten minutes and I already notice a huge difference.  The organizer launches incredibly quickly now, and searching from the address bar doesn't slow things down.  Of course, I'll realize I'm wrong the first time I do have problems again, but right now it seems like this add-on really works!

I also added Tab Mix Plus last night.  Why didn't I do that sooner?  It's an awesome extension, almost too powerful in some ways.

Yes, I'm geeking out.  Deal with it.

Youtube Wednesday - 11/4/09

Today's clip is about funny cats.  The sounds coming out of this kitty are just insane.  I don't think the video needed subtitles to be funny, though: