Trying Ubuntu

I’ve always heard a lot about Linux and the Ubuntu flavor of Linux.  I love that it’s a completely free operating system.  I love that you can run it off a CD or a USB drive.  After reading Makeuseof’s article about why every Windows user should have an Ubuntu Live CD, I was convinced to download the ISO and burn one for myself.  Of course, I had to try the OS out myself from that CD. 

That led me to finding out about the program Wubi last week.  Wubi is a neat way to install Ubuntu on your computer without partitioning your hard drive.  It creates a virtual disk on your main drive and run the OS off of that.  Give it enough drive space and it will run as smoothly as a regular installation.  I tried that out this weekend and was very impressed.  However, I’ve decided that Ubuntu, while cool, is really not for me after all.

Why is that?  One word: Winamp.  You can’t generally install Windows-only programs on Linux unless they have a Linux version.  You can also try using Wine, a program which can convert some Windows programs to Linux format.  I tried it with Winamp, but the Winamp Media Library doesn’t work.  I tried finding another music program for Linux that could do most of what Winamp can do, but the program that came closest stopped working for me.  Therefore, I’m back to Windows 7 again.

Oh, there are definitely things I like about Ubuntu.  Finding and installing (most) software is a breeze.  I really wish Windows had a similar capability.  Linux makes it easy to try out different pieces of software.  I also like the way the desktop is organized with multiple information bars.  I like the split  between menus, especially the ‘places’ menu.  I like the fact they’re available with one click instead of several.  I really like the idea of having several desktops, although I’ve discovered that Windows has similar programs available (I’m now using Dexpot for this purpose). 

If I wasn’t so picky about programs I’ve used for a long time, I could definitely make the switch to Ubuntu if I so chose.  It’s just a little harder to use than Windows, but not so hard that a good Google search or question in the Ubuntu Forums can’t set things right.  For average, everyday computer use, I think it would be perfectly great.  It would be especially great for someone who doesn’t want to pay over $100for an operating system.  Just take a little time to learn it, and you’ll be rewarded.

MINI REVIEW: COLD MOUNTAIN ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Artist: Various artists including Alison Krauss and Jack White
Album Title: Cold Mountain (Music From The Miramax Motion Picture)
Genre: Folk/Americana
2003
Sony Records

When did I buy it?: A friend bought it for me, and it must have been in the year 2004.  I can't remember for sure.


Why did I buy it?: I saw the movie and was really intrigued by the music.  I had read an article about the soundtrack album, how it was supposed to be like "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" but with older styles of music.  While watching the movie, one of the Alison Krauss songs won me over and I must have mentioned it to the friend who bought it for me.

What are the best songs?:  First, I must mention the Sacred Harp Singers at Liberty Church.  Sacred Harp singing uses shape notes and seems to be primarily church music.  It's a very old tradition in American music, and two performances are included here -- "I'm Going Home" and "Idumea."  The former is a rousing performance, very rhythmic and joyous.  The latter, however, steals the show and is probably the finest song on the entire album.  It's a tsunami wave of voice, one powerful voice that goes straight to your heart and soul.  It sounds like the soundtrack to the end of the world.  I cannot remember which scene used "Idumea," but one doesn't need a scene to appreciate this masterpiece.  I can't make out too many of the words, but just listening to the sound of the combined voices moves me greatly.  I also like how one can sometimes make out the louder of the voices above all the rest.

There are some great, simple fiddle-and-banjo tunes by Tim Eriksen, Riley Bagus, Stuart Duncan and a few others, traditional musicians all.  The best of these is Tim Eriksen's "Am I Born To Die?"  The fiddle has a mournful, droning quality that matches the sorrow of Tim's vocal.  You can really feel the sadness and despair in his voice, even without paying attention to the words.  The peoples of Appalachia descend from the Scottish and Irish, and the sound of Tim Eriken's voice here is the voice of centuries of suffering and hard times shared by anyone Celtic.

"Like A Song Bird That Has Fallen," by the Reeltime Travelers, is a good, honest, simple song with percussive banjo, droning fiddle and good folky female vocals.  It's quiet, and it's delightful.

Another of the best songs on this soundtrack is Cassie Franklin's "Lady Margret."  This is a ballad, a Child Ballad in fact, sung a capella.  I'm a sucker for simple, direct songs such as these with no instruments to distract from the power of the human voice.  And what a voice Ms. Franklin possesses!  I love how she plays around with the vowels and the rhythms of the words.  This is an authentic, gripping, haunting song and I just adore it.

Jack White of the White Stripes contributes several songs to this soundtrack, and he does quite well.  His best performance is "Great High Mountain," as Appalachian as they come.  It sounds almost like a Stanley Brothers song and, once again, the fiddle here has a droning quality that reminds one of bagpipes.  Listen closely and you'll hear echoes of the Old Country in that fiddle.

Lastly, Alison Krauss' "You Will Be My Ain True Love" is just incredible.  This is the song that made me want the album.  It's in a minor key and has beauty, sorrow, and so much more.  It's used in a particularly powerful scene in the movie, and when you see this song playing with those images, you won't forget either.

Any bad stuff?:  Gabriel Yared's contributions stick out like a sore thumb.  They are pieces from the movie's score, and while they might be perfectly fine, they just don't fit in with an album full of songs.  They're tacked on to the end of the album, four in a row.  I think I've only listened to a couple of them in their entirety. 

Overall thoughts:  I have a great appreciation for traditional American music like what you find on this album, and the older and simpler, the better.  Truth be told, I like this album much more than "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"  Most of the songs here fit the Civil War theme - quiet, dignified, bittersweet, full of barely-restrained pain.  This is music for thinking and feeling, not for dancing.  What I like best about the album is the great variety of styles represented.  This album includes contemporary folk, authentic-sounding 19th Century folk, mountain balladry, Sacred Harp singing, fiddle tunes and more.  The music here is very simple compared to what we have now, but there's something sacred about the simplicity.  This is what it used to sound like, decades before recorded music and performing bands.  This is music for home, for church, and for one's self. 

This album doesn't get the same amount of attention as "O Brother," and I think a lot of people are missing out on some truly great music.  The music here led to the kind of music on "O Brother," and it's every bit as good.  There are some absolutely amazing performances on this album, and I wish more music fans would take a listen to it.

The Grapes Of Wrath, a good film

There's not much going on for me this week.  A lot of reading, a lot of movies, a lot of music.  Just the usual, really. 

I borrowed the movie The Grapes Of Wrath from the library, and I've been watching it.  I read the book last month, so I figured I'd watch the movie.  It's one of the greatest movies of all time, and for good reasons.  I especially enjoy the cinematography.  While watching it, you just want to freeze some of the images and put them on your wall.  There's good use of dark and light, shadows, and unique compositions.  I think my favorite shot is Tom in the government camp tent, just before he's ready to leave for good.  He has his bundle under his arm and his cigarette in his mouth, and all you see is his silhouette against the tent.  That one image tells you everything you need to know about Tom Joad.  

The acting is really great, too, of course.  I especially like John Carradine as Jim Casey.  He's a real character, and has such an expressive face. 

If you own or rent the DVD of The Grapes Of Wrath, I highly recommend turning on the commentary track.  Two scholarly types talk about a number of subjects related to the movie, the book, and the Great Depression.  They have a ton of trivia and interesting observations.  You won't want to miss it.

Now I'm off to do some reading before bedtime.  I'll try to post a bit more often if I can.

My 20 Favorite Albums Of The Decade

2000-2009 was a very important time for me, musically.  I bought more music than ever before and learned more about music than ever before.  I was introduced to many new-to-me genres and artists.  This decade has formed the foundation for the rest of my music-listening life.

In honor that, and in response to all the best-of lists going around, I decided to choose the albums that were really important to me in the past decade.  Of all the albums I bought, I think these are the best.  They are some of my favorites.  Some of them are familiar albums from mainstream acts, but others are more obscure and won't be on any other best-of list.  I tried to pick as many actual albums as I could.  Compilations don't count, but live albums do.  They are listed in no particular order.  No way could I ever rank them.

Consider this a submission from someone who follows his ears and heart, not trends.


1)  Rainy Day Music by The Jayhawks
This was the last new album from Gary Louris' legendary country-rock band, and I think it's amazing.  I learned about the Jayhawks after hearing a song from this album, "Save It For A Rainy Day."  I love all the great musicianship on this album -- and especially Louris' wonderful singing.  This is an album that makes me feel connected to real American rock and roll.

2)  Los Lonely Boys by Los Lonely Boys
Los Lonely Boys tore up the charts with their hit "Heaven," but the rest of the album is great too.  The songs featured here will be staples of classic rock stations for years to come.  Not only is there some good old-fashioned rock guitar, but the brothers Garza sing in perfect harmony.  This was a fun album, and still is today.
 
3)  Let Go by Avril Lavigne
Yes, this is pop.  Pop music for teenagers and MTV.  The thing is, it's well-done pop music for teenagers and MTV.  Listening to Let Go is like opening a teen girl's diary.  It doesn't hurt that Avril showed some real spunk and attitude while still retaining some sweetness.  The songs here are catchy and like candy - a guilty pleasure but oh-so-good.

4)  Volume 3: Further In Time by Afro Celt Sound System
I've written about this album many times before, and of course I had to include it on this list.  Afro Celt Sound System were on top of the World Music scene during the past decade, and this album was their most ambitious.  Some big names sing on two of the songs, but the real meat of the album is the heavy percussion and real energy in the music.  This album cemented ACSS' place among the best.

5)   Unclassified by Robert Randolph and the Family Band
This wasn't Robert Randolph's first release, but it is the one that made the music world take notice of his unique talent.  Randolph and his Family Band offer something a little different.  Instead of typical electric guitar, Randolph plays pedal steel guitar.  After the release of this album, Randolph became highly respected among guitar players.  This energetic, passionate album shows why.

6)  Out Of Exile by Audioslave
The musical marriage of Chris Cornell and most of Rage Against The Machine was doomed to failure and was not very well received among most music fans.  Even so, the group managed to release one truly great album -- their second, Out Of Exile.  The songs are all solid and hang together better than the songs on their debut.  This album has beauty, but also rocks.  It's a great-sounding album and was an immediate favorite of mine.  The cover art is spectacular too.

7)  Live In Gdansk by David Gilmour
The Aughts saw Pink Floyd reunite for one gig, and also saw the release of another solo album from guitarist David Gilmour called On An Island.  There is one other live performance of songs from that album, but this performance is especially intense and special.  It was recorded in Gdansk, Poland on the anniversary of the Solidarity Movement, and was Richard Wright's last recorded performance.  David and company rip through many well-known Pink Floyd classics as well as the entire On An Island album.  There's also a symphony orchestra.  The pomp and circumstance isn't what matters, though  -- the killer guitar playing is.

8)  Home by Dixie Chicks
Before they became persona non grata in the country music community, the Dixie Chicks released this wonderful, Grammy-winning back-to-basics album.  Bluegrass and old-timey sounds were all the rage in the mid-aughts, and the Chicks took their inspiration from that to craft a solid album full of great playing, traditional instruments and heartfelt songs.  As I mentioned above, this won Grammys and deserved to do so.

9)  Nightcrawler by Pete Yorn
Pete Yorn released all his albums in this decade, and I think this is his best so far.  The melodies are incredibly catchy and Pete finds a good match between his softer, folky side and the hard rock of his native New Jersey.  It's impossible for me to pick a favorite song from this album because there are so many great ones.  I think it was unfairly overlooked and deserves more acclaim than it received, as well as a hit song.

10)  Rain by Joe Jackson
Over the years, former new-waver Joe Jackson has continued to put out quality material.  Rain is possibly one of his very best albums.  Recorded in Berlin, it's a mature collection of songs featuring only piano-bass-drums.  Joe is in fine voice, and his bandmates give him very complementary support.  This album didn't yield a hit single, but that's alright with Joe.  He'd rather put out good music, and that's just what he gave us with Rain.

11)  A Rush Of Blood To The Head by Coldplay
This is the album that made Coldplay huge.  The group had some big hits off this collection, but the album cuts are great too.  Yes, there are guitars, but the soft piano and voice of Chris Martin are what these songs are really about.  Coldplay brought beauty back to rock, and this album is their most beautiful.  Others may hate them, but I appreciate what they do.

12)  Alligator Purse by BeauSoleil
Cajun superband BeauSoleil had a very busy 2000-2009 with the release of three live albums and two studio albums, as well as two performance DVDs.  Alligator Purse is their latest studio effort, and it's packed full of fun, energetic tunes.  Never before has the band seemed so full of creativity and vitality.  They take some chances and come out on top, while still keeping the traditional Cajun sounds in mind.

13)  Water From The Well by The Chieftains
The Chieftains have spent a lot of time collaborating (a trend they continued this decade in Nashville), but for 2000s Water From The Well they brought it all back home.  They're joined by some special guests, but these guests speak their language.  That language is traditional Irish music  Songs, ballads, and tune sets fill the track listing here, and there is plenty of magic to be found.  This is the Chieftains doing what they do best and doing it very well.  Personally, it also marked my entry into the love of traditional Celtic music..

14)  American Idiot by Green Day
I've fallen out of love with this album over the years, but even I can't deny that it is an incredibly ambitious work.  Green Day took the political atmosphere of the day and combined it with the universal of teenage angst to create an emotional, powerful rock opera for the 21st century.  American Idiot showed a real maturity from Green Day, aside from the whiny lyrics.  Like it or hate it, it's an important album.

15)  Nickel Creek by Nickel Creek
Nickel Creek took a fairly unhip genre of music, bluegrass, and gave it a youth movement.  The songs here are uncomplicated and straightforward, but very well-crafted.  The singing is gorgeous and the instruments really shine.  The songs are charming.  This whole album is charming and is one of my favorites.  It's good to pull out when you want something honest and good for the soul.     

16)  Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
Coldplay's third album, X&Y, was decent but did not live up to the promise of the band's past output.  Expectations were high for their 2008 release.  What they gave us was something bold and fresh.  Helped along by the creative Brian Eno, Coldplay laced their multi-part songs with handclaps, percussion, strings, and weird guitar noises.  Fear not, because the piano is still there like an old friend.  With Viva La Vida, Coldplay made an album as grand and inventive as their reputation and sowed the seeds for future greatness.

17)  Why Should The Fire Die by Nickel Creek
Over time, Nickel Creek did something few bluegrass bands will ever accomplish -- become an accepted part of the indie rock scene.  Their third album took their sound even further, mixing their acoustic bluegrass instruments with the attitude and youth of the 21st century rock scene.  Most of all, Nickel Creek made a very good album full of both lightness and darkness, humor and intensity.  Failed relationships seem to be the theme, and the mature direction made for a very powerful statement.  Not only that, but the instrumentals are insanely good.  The band took a hiatus after this, but left us with something to really savor.

18)  Yours Truly by Natalie MacMaster
The title is no lie.  Natalie MacMaster spent years perfecting her blend of traditional Cape Breton Scottish fiddle music and pop music.  This album takes her in exciting new directions.  She wrote quite a few of the tunes she plays here, showing a real increase in her compositional skills.  She made a very daring, personal album and was not afraid to take chances.  Her heart will always be with the sounds of Cape Breton, but Natalie has never before taken those sounds in so many directions.  The studio debut of her touring band doesn't hurt, either.


19)  Thirteens by Leona Naess
After her career and personal life hit a few walls, Leona decided to get back to basics and just write, write, write.  She recorded this album in a very low-key way and the results are amazing.  This is perhaps one of the most intimate, heart-warming albums I've ever heard.  Leona has never sung better and her melodies are as sweet as sugar.  This album is like having a very musical friend play just for you in the quiet of the night.  It's music for the soul, full of comfort and heart.

20)  Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
This was one of the more surprising albums of the decade.  The Led Zeppelin rocker and Union Station songbird might not initially seems a very complementary pair, but they manage to find a common musical ground nonetheless.  The word the comes to mind when listening to the songs here is performance.  There isn't much here to get you moving on your feet, but you have to enjoy the emotional punch the two voices provide.  Producer T-Bone Burnett is an essential ingredient in this mix, choosing very intense and incredible songs to really showcase the abilities of his two singers.  The music is as heavy as the singing and creates a real atmosphere.  Some of the music is very traditional-sounding, which works well for these two.  I wouldn't call this an enjoyable album, but it's an album to appreciate and respect.

Song Review: "A Song For A Son" by Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins (Billy Corgan and whoever's working with him at the moment) are back with new music.  Yesterday marked the release of the first song from the massive, epic 44-song beast of an album "Teargarden By Kaleidyscope."  Billy will release his new project one song at a time in sets of four, recording and refining all the way. 

Song number one is "A Song For A Son."  According to Billy, it was recorded quickly and is about his thoughts on not yet having any children.  My opinion of the song is mostly positive.

The meat of the song is the swirling piano and other keyboards framing Billy's up-front vocals.  The melody is sweet and in line with the Pumpkins' softer work (such as much of the album Adore).  There are also layers of biting guitars, including a huge solo in the middle of the piece.

While listening to this song, I am reminded that the Smashing Pumpkins have changed and evolved over the years.  The lo-fi, buzzy, crunchy sound, coupled with Billy's nasally, faint vocals, is no longer the primary sound of the Smashing Pumpkins.  Billy makes music for today, not the 1990s.  This is especially apparent in his vocals.  Never before has Billy's voice sounded so clean, so loud.  It's no longer buried underneath everything else.  It completely changes the sound of his work.  He also sounds older because, well, he is older.  I know a lot of fans complained about the vocals on the last album, but people need to accept that this is how Billy sounds today.  The old Mellon Collie sound is in the past.

What do I like about this song?  I like the rhythms of the lyrics.  I like the keyboards, and the softer, prettier sound.  I think Billy mostly left that behind on the last album, and it was sorely missed.  I like the fact that this is a big, epic journey of a song like so much of the Pumpkins' best work.  With different production, this could easily be a song on Siamese Dream.  It reminds me of Soma in some ways.  I definitely like the guitar solo.   

What do I not like about the song?  I hate to say it, but I miss the buried, mumbly vocals.  That's just how I think Billy Corgan is supposed to sound.  It was his style.  I also think this song needed some female harmonies.  Perhaps Linda Strawberry could have pitched in?  Billy used a lot of harmonies on Adore, and I really liked it.  His voice blends well with female voices.  I also think the guitars could have used some more distortion and fuzz, but once again I'm comparing today's Pumpkin sound to the older Pumpkin sound too much.  I also think the song could have become even more intense in the middle and end.

In all, this is a very good first look at the Teargarden album/project.  It sounds modern, but also feels like it belongs with Mellon Collie and Adore.  I definitely appreciate the return of the balance of beauty, intensity and length.  That is the true Pumpkin way.  Mostly, I can't wait to hear what other goodies Billy can cook up for us.

If you want to download "A Song For A Son," go to www.smashingpumpkins.com.  Listen to the song below!

My new favorite toy

I don't know how this escaped my attention until now, but today I discovered the completely awesome site Wikimapia.  It's like a geographic Wikipedia.  Doesn't Google Maps do basically the same thing?  Well, yes, but Wikimapia shows a lot more than you could ever see on Google Maps or Google Earth.  I've found all sorts of cool little places and things I've never known about just by browsing Wikimapia.  It seems to be very heavily used, which means it's comprehensive! 

It's fairly simple to use.  Search or browse a location, and then look for white lines outlining different things.  Mouse over a shape and it tells you what it is.  Click on it and you get more information, if any exists.  There are several different map viewing options under "Map Type" and the best one for me is "Satellite + old places," which shows many more places than the default.  You can also select different categories.  Icons pop up when this mode is selected.  It can get a bit confusing because the shapes are still on the map, but this could be useful if you're looking for certain types of places.

Adding places to the map is simple and easy.  Click the "Add Place" button, draw your shape around the building, then describe it and pick a category.  Click "Save" and you're done!  If your place is vetted by the community, it will appear permanently on the map. 

I found a very cool use for this earlier today:  combining it with Google Maps or Earth and the Street View.  You see, if you click on a place in Wikimapia, you will see the latitude and longitude of the place.  Copy it and punch it into the search on Google Maps and you'll be taken right there!  Then you can view the Street View of the place or see Panoramio photos. 

I'm really in love with this awesome tool.  I've added many places today.  If you see a place that isn't already on there, add it yourself!  The more you add, the better the map will become.  Wikimapia is good for exploring places online, researching trips or finding out what that crazy building is called.  Go check it out for yourself at wikimapia.org

Concert Review: BeauSoleil 10/1/09

It's getting harder to review these BeauSoleil shows.  Each show is great, and the band always does a wonderful job.  Here, they always play at The Shedd.  It would be interesting to see them in a different venue, but I'm OK with seeing them at the Shedd if that's the venue they prefer. 

Once again, the Greatest Cajun Band In The World gave me a night full of fun and joy.  They started with "Reel Cadiens," which I've rarely heard them play.  I'm not even sure which album has it.  It was a great way to start the show.  Next was the wonderful traditional waltz "Jolie Blonde."  It was flawlessly played.  Another highlight from early in the show was the sad "Pa Janvier."  That was my highlight of the night.  Sometimes the band can play so intensely that it takes you breath away, and that happened with "Pa Janvier."  It was amazing. 

They played quite a few numbers from their new album Alligator Purse - "Les Oignons," "Little Darlin'," "Theogene Creole" and a smokin' version of "Carriere Zydeco."  The fiddling on that last song was incredible, with Mitch and Michael both sawing away.  I didn't want it to end, and I wish I could hear and see it again. 

The band also pulled out some songs I've not heard them play live much, if at all.  "Macacque Sur Mon Dos," "Chanson De Cinquante Sous" and "L'Amour Ou La Folie" were just some of the gems we got to hear.  Fan favorites like "Bye Bye Boozoo" and "Varise" were also played.

I had a great time watching BeauSoleil again tonight.  I was very pleased with the song selection, and I thought they all played and sung very well.  Now I'm listening to my new live album they released earlier this year and enjoying them all over again.  It's a good night for Cajun music.

New Stuff On The Web - 9/15/09

I've tried out a few new products/updated on the internet, and I'd like to talk about them today.

• First off is the new Flickr Galleries feature.  Sure, we already have many ways to collect photos, but this way is different still.  We can only collect photos from other people into galleries, not our own.  That forces people to look at the other great photos on Flickr and not what we've personally posted.  It takes away the mess of the favorites and gives people an excuse to come up with themes.  I like the format - you can see all the photos in the gallery on one page.  I've already seen some really interesting themes in the galleries, and they're only one day old.  Basically, this gives Flickr users the ability to create their own Flickr Blog posts, only not on Flickr Blog.  Folks who want to create good galleries would do well to look at examples of what's being done with Flickr Blog.  I've tried it out, and I like it so far.  I like having the ability to talk about the photos, and I like how they're limited to 18 photos.  You have to make choices!  The Flickr Galleries can be found here and my own galleries are found here.

Read More . . .

Review: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Remastered)

Right now, I can only afford one of the Beatles' remasters, and I bought the must-own Beatles album: Sgt. Pepper.

What's my verdict?  Is it really worth the money?  It is!  The sound is much improved over the previous CD issue.  That is to be expected.  The vocals, particularly, sound a lot better.  They are prominent in the mix and don't sound like they're coming from a cave or underwater (except for the distorted, echoed vocals).  For example, on "Good Morning Good Morning" John's vocal sounds like it was recorded yesterday.  On the previous CD version, his vocal sounded rather dated.

For the most part, the sounds are louder (but not too loud).  It sounds like most any modern CD in my collection.  I compared this version with MP3s of the previous version, and the difference was easily noticeable in most cases.  It even sounds great on my iPod!  I definitely notice things that I didn't before.  Some things I'm not going to notice because, well, my hearing isn't as great as it once was.  Mostly, though, I can hear everything better.  Paul's bass is thicker, and the strings on "She's Leaving Home" sound marvelous.  The harpsichord part on "Fixing A Hole" could have been louder, but I don't expect everything to be perfect.

Read More . . .

Album and DVD Review: Jeff Buckley "Grace Around The World"

When I heard the news about the new Jeff Buckley compilation Grace Around The World, I was skeptical. Grace Around The World is a package of live recordings of the Grace songs on DVD and audio CD. The deluxe edition, which of course is the one I purchased, also comes with a DVD of the Amazing Grace documentary. We have heard live versions of these songs before, in at least two CDs and one DVD of a concert. How much can a Buckley fan take? Did Mary Guibert and the team at Sony find really great, intense, different versions? Is the audio high-quality? These are all questions I had before buying the album/DVD. Here are my answers:

CD Portion

Unfortunately, most of these songs sound pretty much as you'd expect them to. The playing is great on some of them, and Jeff is in fine voice throughout, but Buckley fans have heard these chords, heard these melodies, memorized these lyrics. Of course, each version of a particular song will be slightly different, but not enough to matter.

By far, the best songs on this album are those recorded in Germany. Jeff's guitar tone is especially ethereal and beautiful. He sounds really in-the-moment and focused, and it shows. I don't know if So Real, Mojo Pin and What Will You Say are the only songs from this gig that were recorded, but I think the album would have worked better if there were more songs from this session. Especially unique is the 12-minute version of Mojo Pin. Jeff begins very quietly with a soft, chilling guitar sound and wordless singing. He keeps this up for many minutes, eventually adding some vocals. I've never heard this piece before, and it almost reminds me of "You and I" from the Sketches album. It sounds very Eastern and is kind of spooky. After this beginning, Jeff launches into the Mojo Pin we all know and love. Somehow, the first part of the song makes the actual song even more special and entertaining. Jeff sounds very intense and takes it to another level. This version sounds great even though he doesn't change the song very much, so I consider it a success. What Will You Say features some great guitar, and intense vocals as usual.

Eternal Life and Last Goodbye were recorded at MTV in London, and they're not too different from versions we've already heard. The slide guitar on the latter is perhaps a little more gorgeous, but otherwise it's the same song we all know so well. Eternal Life, on the other hand, is bizarrely dedicated to a pedophile (?) and sounds like a combination of the heavier version and the studio version. I greatly prefer the more intense Mystery White Boy version.

Lover, You Should Have Come Over and Lilac Wine are more intense and a little prettier, respectively, than their studio selves. "Lover" is the version on the Live In Chicago DVD. I'd be more upset about that if the song wasn't so great.

One thing I do not like about this album is the sound quality. Most of the songs sound OK, but some are so soft that you can barely hear them without boosting the volume. I know Jeff had a tendency to sing softly, but this is ridiculous. Especially bad is Hallelujah, which is a solid version once you can actually hear it. These same problems plagued the Mystery White Boy album, and I was hoping this effort would bring us better audio. I was wrong, and I'm not happy about it.

One song that is recorded well is Dream Brother, at the Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans. Jeff's vocals here are high in the mix, so you can hear him just fine. The Eastern influences of this song are displayed a little more, which is wonderful. Even so, it's not that different.

That leaves us with two versions of Grace and a second version of So Real. I really do not know what the point was in adding two more songs to the CD. The first version of Grace, which starts the album and DVD, sounds a lot like other live versions of the song. It's nothing we haven't heard before. Why can't they find a better version of this song? The second So Real is closer to the studio version, and thus not necessary and not special. I like the song, but it's not that great. I wish Jeff had written more lyrics for it. The second version of Grace sounds a lot closer to the studio version than the first version here, and by the time I hear it I start to get Grace fatigue.

The best thing about this album is the band. The guitar playing is incredible, especially in the songs recorded in Germany. Mick Grondahl's bass has more of a presence here, and there are times when his playing is just breathtaking. Matt Johnson proves why he was the best drummer for Jeff, keeping the beat steady and sure. Sometimes the band gets lost beneath Jeff's amazing voice, but we should remember that Jeff put together a really great band. They had a lot of practice together with all the live shows, and you notice it when you hear these songs.

I think I know the problem with this album. Most of the performances come from sessions done for promotional TV shows. I think the point of these performances was to do the song as perfectly as possible, leaving little room for new interpretations. Jeff wasn't in his true element - the live show. Only those who were there know what he was like when the cameras weren't rolling, and maybe that's the point. Maybe you just had to be there. Listening on our stereos, iPods and computers, removed from the live experience, the songs just don't have the same impact once we've heard them a million times.

DVD Portion

The DVD, which seems to be the main part of the package, brings us closer to that elusive live experience, and it helps these versions of the Grace songs immensely. Some are done in TV studios, and others before studio audiences. You can see how intense Jeff was and how much he put into his performance. The audio, thankfully, is a little better than it is on the CD. Still, there's no getting around the fact that we know these songs and we've heard them too many times to count.

In between the songs, you will find snippets of an interview between Jeff and a lady interviewer. It appears to be in someone's apartment (Jeff's?), with Jeff relaxed and insightful. I like how the editors of this project matched the themes of the songs with the themes of the clips. For example, Jeff talks about religion before the song "Hallelujah" is performed. I really enjoyed these clips, because they show how much of a thinker Jeff really was. He had a lot of soul, a lot of ideas, and a lot of love to share. I could have watched many more of these clips. There is also a clip montage of a "day in the life of Jeff Buckley" with Jeff reading his itinerary while images of tour buses and shows flash on the screen.

There are some bonus performances: "Grace" and "So Real" from the last portion of the audio CD, and another version of "Last Goodbye" as well as an instrumental "Vancouver." None of these are essential, although "Vancouver" is a good look at the band jamming.

The DVD also includes a video for "Hallelujah." It's not the studio version of the song, but I believe it's a version used in the extended EPK from a few years back. Interesting, but nothing we fans haven't seen before (at least we haven't seen the whole thing).

There is also a "Star Tours" feature which shows Jeff and the band on their tour bus. This feature is very funny and entertaining, and could have been longer. The last thing on the DVD is an "interview" between Merri Cyr and Jeff on Jeff's tour bus. This clip unsettled me. It feels like something private, something we're not supposed to see. I can't help but think that Jeff would be mortified if it came out when he was alive. Earth to Mary, mother of Jeff: We don't need to see everything. Respect your son's privacy, for crying out loud!

Amazing Grace Documentary

Now this is more like it! Two Jeff Buckley fans (one of them interned for Jeff during his career) sought to make a documentary about Jeff, his music and his music's impact on the world. They got the permission of Mary Guibert and made a splendid documentary that has won awards and been eagerly awaited by all the Buckley fans who were unable to see it at film festivals.

This documentary has been described as a look at his music, not a biography, but it does follow his career progressively. There are interviews with all of Jeff's band members but one, friends of Jeff like Chris Cornell, producers, writers, artists, and even Jeff's mother Mary. There are a few people missing, but perhaps they declined to participate. There are also clips of Jeff talking about his career and music. Some of the footage has been released before, but some seemed new to me.

In between the interview clips are clips of Jeff performing his famous Grace songs. The version of "Lover, You Should Have Come Over" is particularly spectacular. Why couldn't that have been on the other two discs? There are even a few brief clips of Jeff at Sin-e. We even get to hear from Sin-e owner Shane Doyle.

I thought the documentary was very well put-together and even beautiful. It's a great tribute to a wonderful artist. It fills in some of the blanks for me, through both information and visuals. For example, I now know what the Wolf River (the place where Jeff died) looks like. In the end, Jeff has the last word as he sings Grace. This version has been seen on the extended Grace EPK, but we get to see the whole thing here. I got chills just hearing his powerful voice belt out the tune. That's what it's all about.

Final Thoughts:

This package isn't so bad if I think about it as the Amazing Grace documentary plus bonus video clips and a CD of the performances. Honestly, I think I've reached my limit on the Grace material. The next project will have to be very enticing if it includes more than a few songs that album. If Mary and/or Sony cannot or will not find and release some truly rare performances and songs, then I think it's time to put the Jeff Buckley releases to bed. You can only release the same ten songs so many times. I'm glad I bought Grace Around The World for the documentary and the wonderful, haunting version of "Mojo Pin," but the rest did not excite me.

Review: Google Reader

Bloglines Beta has gone bye-bye. Temporarily or for good, I don't know. I don't like the use the regular Bloglines because it marks every story in a feed as 'read' when the feed is clicked on, so I thought I'd try something else for a while. I hope Bloglines Beta comes back, because I have some stories saved on there. When it does come back online, those stories will be saved elsewhere!

A while ago I set up my account for Google Reader (GR). I haven't used it since, but I'm using it again now that my preferred reader is down. I do miss all the cool features of Bloglines Beta (three-pane reading, start page, previewing the actual site right in the reader), but there's one thing about GR that I definitely like: simplicity. For the most part, Google Reader does one thing - serves you your feeds.

I am trying to get used to the reading style on here. I really like the three-pane reading mode in Bloglines Beta (BB), allowing me to see the list of stories at the top and the story I'm currently reading on the bottom. GR has two modes - full view and list view. I don't like full views, so I've been using list view. When you click on a story, it expands, crowding out most of the other stories on the list. You can click the headline to make the story go away, and I'm still getting used to do doing that.

Adding new feeds is very easy. I also like the dragging and dropping organization. One thing I do NOT like is the inability to save individual stories as unread. There is a starring feature that works just the same, but save as unread is something useful that just isn't happening in GR right now. There are sharing options, but I probably won't be using them.

One other thing I like about GR is the search feature. Good search should be expected from Google, and GR search works well indeed. I like having the ability to search individual feeds. In many cases, it might be easier than searching the actual website.

I'll probably stick with Bloglines Beta until it does finally die (if that hasn't happened already). I'll try to keep up to date with Google Reader, too. It's not as flashy and feature-filled as Bloglines Beta, but it does the job nicely.

Get Your Groogrux On

I've previewed another album online - this time, it's Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King by Dave Matthews Band. It's their first offering since the death of saxophonist Leroi Moore (a.k.a the Groogrux King).

If you like Dave Matthews Band, you'll enjoy this new album. It's classic DMB. The band sounds pretty tight, even minus one member. Some of these songs are destined to become concert favorites. The drumming is really incredible! Carter Beauford is a truly great drummer, no doubt about that.

A few of the songs are forgettable, but most of them are very good. My favorites on first listen are "Shake Me Like A Monkey," "Why I Am," "Squirm," and "Seven."

If you'd like to listen, go to www.pandora.com/davematthewsband

(Free) Album Review: "LeftRightLeftRightLeft" by Coldplay

To thank their fans, Coldplay is giving their latest album away to everyone who attends a show on their latest tour, and to everyone else through their website. It's a live album, taken from shows on the Viva La Vida tour. The title of the album is LeftRightLeftRightLeft, which goes nicely with their latest French/revolutionary image.

I downloaded the .zip file of songs without any problem, and I've listened to the album a couple times now. I think it's good, but not great.

There are two kinds of live albums: live albums that show the artist putting a creative stamp on their studio material, whether through improvisation or new arrangements; and live albums that sound pretty much like the studio recordings with the addition of crowd noises and grittier instruments. This live album is the latter, but don't let that discourage you.

With a few exceptions, most of these songs sound just like you'd expect them to. I think that is perhaps an indication of Coldplay's talent. If they can make songs sound consistent during a live show, they obviously know what they're doing. I do, however, wonder how many things were pre-recorded. It's hard to tell when you can only hear the music and not see it being made.

The nine songs here lean heavily toward material from Coldplay's latest album Viva La Vida. There is one song from their recent E.P., "Glass Of Water," and a not-commercially-released song called "Death Will Never Conquer." That one is sung by drummer Will Champion. I didn't much like it when they released it through their website, but this version is fun, if short. It reminds me of a pub sing-along. Fan favorites "Fix You" and "Clocks" make appearances too.

By far, the best thing on this album is the pared-down version of "The Hardest Part," coupled with piano instrumental "Postcards From Far Away." The vocals are in the spotlight here, and they're beautiful. If you didn't like "The Hardest Part," from third album X&Y, take a listen to this version.

Although most of the songs might sound overly familiar to fans who own the studio albums, there is something that makes them a bit different: the energy level. The crowd noises, the clapping, the singing along, the cheering - it all creates an infectious magic. That's one thing live albums have to offer that studio albums do not. You really feel like you're there among the other fans, and that makes this album worth the download.

One thing that this live album makes apparent is the stadium-ready nature of Coldplay's songs. Songs start soft, then build, then release. You really feel the release here, much more than on the studio versions. "Death And All His Friends," the album-closer, is a good example.

If you'd like to download LeftRightLeftRightLeft, you can go to www.coldplay.com and see if it's still available. If you're reading this months after I've posted, perhaps the band still has it on their site, or maybe they're selling it in stores.

21st century blah

Because I bought American Idiot and basically enjoyed it, and because I'm curious, I'm previewing Green Day's latest album 21st Century Breakdown on VH1's website.

I'm not impressed. It sounds like much of what they've done before. It's the same "punk band has grand ambitions" stuff they did on their last album. The riffs sound familiar, and most of the melodies do too. It's not a significant improvement on American Idiot.

So what songs are actually good? "East Jesus Nowhere" has potential, as does "?Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)," which has a cabaret-style sound. That's different, at least. "Horseshoes and Handgrenades" has some good crunchy riffs.

I think I'm just not liking what Green Day is selling. I've fallen out of love with American Idiot over the years. I'm getting tired of their ballad-type songs. Where's the fire? Even the songs with fire don't have the same fire anymore. Don't get me wrong, the melodies are pretty and the guitars crunch like guitars should. But it just isn't enough for me.

First Impression: "Free" by Gavin Degraw

I enjoyed Gavin Degraw's debut album Chariot quite a bit (maybe less after all these years), especially the version that comes with a second disc featuring all the songs in acoustic versions. I was excited for his second album, which came after several album-less years from Gavin, but when I listened to it online, I was not impressed. It was typical VH1-style guitar-pop. The catchy songs just weren't there. I was extremely disappointed and decided to not buy the second album.

When I heard about Gavin's new album Free, which comes just a year after his self-titled second offering, I was intrigued. This new album promised to be more tuneful, less poppy, and more acoustic.

I've just listened to it on ilike, and I'm very impressed! Indeed, it has much less of a generic pop-rock sound. Gavin's piano playing is back and, more importantly, his voice is the featured instrument. Afte hearing Chariot (and the bonus track on the Stripped portion of the album, "A Change Is Gonna Come"), I figured Gavin had a soul singer inside him. After listening to Free, I think that proves to be true. I still think he could go in an even more soulful direction, but this is a great start.

The songs on Gavin's new album are a little catchier, more beautiful and more passionate. They don't all sound like attempts at a hit single.

The album only has nine songs, but I liked at least seven of them quite a lot. I think I'll buy this one at some point. Not this month, and not the next, but perhaps some time this year.

Good job, Gavin. I believe in you again.

Review: Google Earth 5

A month or two back, Google released the latest update to its Google Earth geographic software. This is no minor update, but a significant addition to Google Earth's capabilities. A few days ago I downloaded GE 5 (waiting for the initial bugs to get worked out). Here are my thoughts on the cool new features:

Ocean view: This is one of the features that has been most talked-about, rumored, requested and wished-for by Google Earth users. Google finally added ocean-viewing capability in version 5 of the software. All you have to do is zoom down to ocean level until your view is submerged.

Personally, I don't think this is nearly as cool as advertised. When you are browsing underwater, you do see a slightly more blue tint to the features plus a view of the geography. That's really it - no fish, reefs, debris or anything other than water and ground. It does look like you're underwater, but it appears as if everything in the ocean is just - gone. Google does have 3-D objects to view if you download KML files, but you'd never find them just browsing around. That's one thing different about the ocean in GE - it's huge! Navigating takes a very long time and you'd do better to search for what you want.

There are, of course, layers to turn on. They're good for learning information, but offer little to the actual ocean browsing experience. I really hope that Google and its partners will continue to add content and perhaps give us something to look at other than bathometry.

Historical images: This feature is very interesting - IF you know what to look for. If you click the icon for it in the toolbar, a time-slider opens with tick marks corresponding to aerial images from years past. Right now, most areas don't have much beyond the early 1990s. I even tried New York City and didn't see anything earlier than the 70s.

Using this feature, you learn that much of any city does not change. Houses last for years and years and most changes occur on the edge of urban areas. However, if you know of areas in your city (or any other) that have changed over the years, you can easily see how things have progressed. For example, I looked at the area near my house and watched it grow from just our house to a street with other houses and infrastructure.

The images take a few seconds to load, so things aren't as smooth as one would like. Once they do load, you can switch back and forth easily. As with the Ocean features, once Google gets more imagery, this feature will be more useful and interesting.

Tours: In the new Google Earth, you can create a tour of your adventures around the planet (virtual or otherwise) and send the file to your friends and family. I haven't used this feature yet, but I have seen tours that have already been recorded. They all come as KML files, making downloading quick and easy. The nicest thing about the tours is that you can pause them and then resume. That is handy when you want to stop and take a look around or spend more time at a particular location.

Mars: Now you can view Mars in addition to Earth and the Sky. I tried Mars out today, and I don't think it's as interesting as I'd like it to be. If you're interested in Mars, it's obviously a cool feature. Perhaps I just need to explore it more. In this feature, you can view all sorts of imagery (even live imagery), historical maps, and even a few tours. This is all great if you like looking at big craters, which Mars seems to have a lot of. I don't know if I'll be using this part of Google Earth too often, but it is great if you're an amateur or professional astronomer. This will also be useful in educational settings, as will be the Ocean feature. Google Earth should come installed on any school computer that can handle it, because its educational possibilities are nearly endless.

In addition to the above features, the thing I'm most excited about is the update of Street View imagery for my hometown. Not every street is available, but there is far more coverage than when Street View was first available here. I've already used it for scouting possible locations for photography. Now we need to get some 3-D buildings for this area (especially the University) and I will be one happy duck.

Album Review: BeauSoleil "Alligator Purse"

The members of BeauSoleil are at a point in their career where they can do whatever they please musically. Of course, they'll never give up their traditional Cajun roots, but each new album offers something different, something new, something exciting. That was true for their last studio album, Gitane Cajun, and it's true for their latest, Alligator Purse.

This album has roots in a Hurricane Katrina benefit that bandleader Michael Doucet participated in. He reconnected with producer Michael Pillot and decided to use Mr. Pillot as the producer on BeauSoleil's next adventure. A group of famous folks from the Katrina benefit tagged along - people such as Natalie Merchant, Garth Hudson and John Sebastian.

When I first read the press release for Alligator Purse, I was worried that this would be a "guest artist" album. They have certainly had guests on other albums, so this is nothing new. I need not have worried, because most of the guest spots work well with the BeauSoleil sound. However, I'm not a huge fan of Garth Hudson's organ playing on "I Spent All My Money Loving You." It's too jarring and out-of-place.

What kind of album is Alligator Purse? It's a very fun album! The first four songs are all fast-paced and filled with great playing and singing. The albums kicks off with a traditional reel, "Reel Cajun/451 North St. Joseph St." New member Mitch Reed joins Michael Doucet with a second fiddle, and the fiddles lead the way on this whirlwind of a tune. I don't recall ever hearing Michael play so fast. Michael keeps up the great fiddling on the next song, "Rouler Et Tourner," a Cajun cover of blues song "Rollin' and Tumblin.'" There isn't much accordion on this one, but the fiddle playing is good and bluesy. Michael also sings very well on "Rouler." He's always done the blues well, and I'm glad he put this song on the album.

"Carriere Zydeco" is an instrumental, and a splendid one at that. The Creole influence comes out, and once again the fiddling takes the prize. Accordionist Jimmy Breaux gets to finally be heard with the rest of the music, and drummer Tommy Alesi also shines. I really enjoy this cut, and I wish they had put more like it on the album.

"Little Darlin'" features a guest vocal from Natalie Merchant on a genuine bluegrass song. This may be a BeauSoleil first! If you think BeauSoleil would do bluegrass well, you'd be proven right by this song. Everyone gets a solo here, which keeps the song rooted in the BeauSoleil tradition. "Marie" slows things down before they spin out of control, and features lead accordion by the always-wonderful Jimmy Breaux and some good sax playing too.

After a couple slower numbers, "Bosco Stomp" brings back the dancing with a very famous Cajun number. David gets his only singing appearance here, and makes the most of it with a high-pitched wail. "Theogene Creole" is reminiscent of other BeauSoleil Caribbean-style songs. Michael took the lyrics and melody from a field recording and fancied them up.

After the halfway point, the album gets away from Cajun and puts BeauSoleil into unfamiliar territory. "Les Oignions" has a sound straight out of New Orleans with jazzy trumpet and call-and-response vocals. "The Problem" is a J.J. Cale song and is pretty straightforward except for the solos by fiddle, accordion and guitar. Finally, "Valse A Thomas Ardoin" closes the album with a very traditional accordion-and-fiddle waltz originally by the legendary Amede Ardoin. Michael has done these traditional-sounding Ardoin songs on his solo albums, but not on a BeauSoleil release - until now.

When I think about it, this album really follows the footsteps of the previous Gitane Cajun. It features many authentic Cajun tunes, but mixes in some newer, non-Cajun tracks. There's a little of this for the traditionalists, and a little of that for everyone else. I've noticed that Jimmy's accordion isn't used quite as much as it used to be. Perhaps that's due to Michael's status as the leader of the group. As much as I like Michael's fiddling, I wish the accordion could be featured more prominently as in the band's earlier days. I have definitely noticed the presence of new member Mitch Reed. He has a style of bass playing different from Al Tharp - thicker and stronger. This is especially evident on "Carriere Zydeco." He's also a wonderful fiddle player (and a true Cajun), and brings the two-fiddle style to more of the songs than in the past.

On Alligator Purse, I definitely prefer the more traditional songs. The more mainstream songs are fairly good, but not as good as a two-step done by the masters. I did like the bluegrass number, but "I Spent All My Money Lovin' You" and "The Problem" aren't, to coin a term, BeauSoleil-ey enough for me. My favorite tracks here are "Reel Cajun," "Rouler Et Tourner," "Carriere Zydeco" (the first part of the album is stellar), "Bosco Stomp," "Theogene Creole" and "Les Oignons."

BeauSoleil keeps rocking after more than 30 years and continues to put out strong albums. If I could send the band a message, I'd tell them to keep up the good work and to put more songs like "Carriere Zydeco" on the next album!

Review: Masterpiece Theatre "Wuthering Heights" Part One

Watch Wuthering Heights online at www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/wutheringheights

To my great joy, I discovered that PBS is airing Wuthering Heights on Masterpiece Theatre this weekend and next. The timing could not be better, because I have recently re-read that very novel.

The first 15 minutes of the movie left me confused - I thought I had stumbled onto the second part instead of the advertised first part! As it turns out, I was indeed watching the first part of the movie. The filmmakers deviated a great deal in the narrative, beginning the story at Linton Heathcliff's arrival. Young Cathy discovers Wuthering Heights and Uncle Heathcliff, and also discovers that her mother used to live there. Nelly tells her the story, and this is where the real story begins. No, we do not get to see Mr. Lockwood. Perhaps this shortens the story, but I prefer the story told by the novel.

This version of the tale was filmed in Yorkshire, making everything truly authentic. The moors look just as I've imagined them. Wuthering Heights itself looks fine, almost a house that looks like Heathcliff. Of course, it's not the version I have in my mind, but what version could be?

The actors are, for the most part, wonderful. They've picked a very good actress for Cathy Earnshaw named Charlotte Riley. She's appropriately gorgeous and has what sounds like an accurate accent. I think she could be a bit more tempestuous as she's written in the novel, but Ms. Riley will charm you just as Cathy charms Heathcliff. Nelly is portrayed well, too. This verion's Edgar Linton (Andrew Lincoln) is gentlemanly, although perhaps not as weak as portrayed in the novel.

And what of Heathcliff? Tom Hardy is a very good choice. He has the dark hair and handsome good looks, and portrays Heathcliff as rugged, spiteful, manipulative and cruel, just as he should be. If your Heathcliff does not work, your Wuthering Heights does not work, and this Heathcliff works very well.

One more thing to mention - the characters in the film are not as isolated as those in the novel. We see them at church, we see them at market, and we see them in the company of others. In the novel, the Lintons and Earnshaws have very little interaction with the outside world, at least in the scenes that are written. In the novel, most all outside interactions take place "off-page" and out of sight.

I'm anxious to see the second part, and to find out how the filmmakers wrap up the narrative.

Software Review: Cooliris

I finally downloaded the Cooliris extension for the Firefox web browser. What is Cooliris? It's a program that turns any compatible photo or video site/collection into a wall of images. Instead of browsing through page after page of small thumbnails, you see a never-ending wall of larger images. It definitely has the 'cool factor.'

I've installed it and tried it out, so what do I think of it? I think it's a much easier and visually appealing method of viewing images. To see more photos, you drag the image wall with your mouse. Click any photo to enlarge it. Click outside the photo to go back to the wall. It's as simple as that.

The best thing about Cooliris is how different it is from the normal page-by-page view of most web sites and services. The program takes over your screen, so there are no distractions from the image-viewing. Clicking and scrolling is very intuitive and, frankly, offers a more interesting experience. I also appreciate seeing many photos at one time. The smaller versions are much larger than your typical thumbnail. You can adjust how many images you see at one time in the settings.

Nice as it is, Cooliris does have some drawbacks. Firstly, each image is preloaded at a lower resolution. When you click on an image, you must wait for the higher resolution to load. There is a blue progress bar to show you how long it will be until you can see the clear image, but the loading time still takes away from the expected fast-and-smooth performance.

Secondly, Cooliris must reload the images when you click out of the program back to your browser and desktop. You can go back to it, and you will be where you left off, but the images must load up again. After a minute or so, you'll once again have many images to scroll through.

I think this is a very nice extension that offers a new, different way of browsing the web. My one recommendation for improvement would be for image links to load in the background (i.e. clicking to see a Flickr photo's page). This may not be an essential extension, but it does provide some fun.

You can download Cooliris www.cooliris.com.

MINI REVIEW: SARAH MCLACHLAN "WINTERSONG"

Artist: Sarah McLachlan
Album Title: Wintersong
Genre: Pop/Christmas
2006
Arista Records

When did I buy it?: I bought it in December of 2006, just a couple months after it was released.

Why did I buy it?: I like Sarah McLachlan, and I needed to get a Christmas album. This was my first.

What are the best songs?: I honestly like the non-traditional songs here the best. Perhaps the best song on the album is the warm, wonderful version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Sarah's voice on this song is as sweet as a candy cane. "River," a cover of Joni Mitchell, gives Sarah a chance to show her vocal talents. The same applies for "The First Noel/Mary Mary," which Sarah turns into an intense tribal-sounding showcase. It is the most daring of the songs on this collection.

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is even better than John Lennon's version. It is a wonderful start to the album, and Sarah treats it with respect. "What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)" is very haunting, a contrast to the happy Christmas songs played over the radio this month. "Christmas Time Is Here" injects a bit of jazz into the mix, and features the wonderful Diana Krall on piano.

Any bad stuff?: I'm not a big fan of "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and Sarah doesn't do anything interesting with it. "In The Bleak Mid-Winter" sums up much of the mood of this album - subdued and bleak. I think Sarah could have put a couple happier, fun songs to break up the mood.

Overall thoughts: Sarah McLachlan's voice is perfect for Christmas songs. She can take any melody and make it sound great. She takes old favorites and new discoveries and makes them all sound like classics. This album is full of lullabies and soft piano, making this a more contemplative Christmas album. It's a good album to put on when you've had enough of the rushing, shopping and baking and want to slow things down.

Sarah McLachlan is not a big risk-taker, and most of the songs here play it fairly safe. Don't expect to hear fanciful interpretations of songs you know and love already (except for "The First Noel"). What you will find is a collection of Christmas songs done in a serious manner, without the hokey, cheesy plastic layer that so many Christmas classics have obtained over the years. Sarah brings things back to basics and does it well.

Sarah wrote her own original for this collection, the title track "Wintersong." It sounds just how a Sarah McLachlan Christmas song should. Perhaps someday in the future it will become a new classic covered by other artists on collections such as this.