Category Archives: Music

The Genius of Neon Park

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Art of Neon Park, Last Gasp 2001 Because of his famous record covers for Zappa and Little Feat, among others, I have been aware of Neon Park since childhood, but until I stumbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books Publishing and Writing, Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Our Favorite Things in 2015

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In a nice bit of symmetry, three of my favorite albums from last year had sequels this year. Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys gave us more retro rock n’ roll grooves with The Arcs’ Yours, Dreamily, Chavurches … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, History, Movies, Music, The Good Life, Theater | 6 Comments

Quote Du Jour

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: There are those who see “ugly meanings in beautiful things.” Classical music and its institutions come under relentless criticism. The barometers by which music is often measured are extrinsic to the art form itself. Classical music’s presence … Continue reading →

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Juxtaposin’: Cultural Appropriation Alert!

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Perhaps you thought James Brown’s famous disrobing-and-falling-down routine was sui generis?  Maybe maybe not.

Posted in Music | Tagged | 5 Comments

Five Books About The Opera Business

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: The Toughest Show On Earth: My Rise And Reign At the Metropolitan Opera Joseph Volpe and Charles Michener Volpe was the Met’s General Manager from 1990 to 2006. In retrospect his tenure may have been conservative, but … Continue reading →

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Classic Soul

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Fenster

Fenster writes: My kids don’t like it when I tell them I don’t like hip hop music.  They think if I don’t like hip hop I don’t like black music and that I am acting racist.  I am bothered by … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Music Du Jour

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Vince Gill and the legendary pedal steel guitarist Paul Vincent — with backing from Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives — perform Merle Haggard’s wonderfully acerbic-yet-heartrending 1970 tune “I Can’t Be Myself.” Related Gill and Vincent also perform the … Continue reading →

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The Shock of the Old, when New

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Fenster

Fenster writes: I am second generation German and third generation Swedish but I grew up in New England in the Fifties and Sixties so it was inevitable that I would have a third identity, just below the level of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

Music Du Jour

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I’ve always loved this album.

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sir Barken’s Vinyl Review: The Spawn of Minimalism

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Today I listened to some records that all in various ways reflect the influence of 50’s and 60’s minimalism. And by that I mean first the minimalism of the graphic arts but also the later musical minimalism … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 2 Comments