In honor of Etta James, who passed away this week. It's hard to choose just one track -- she had so many genre-defining R&B blockbusters. But this one from 1955, which created some controversy (and got changed later to "Dance with Me Henry"), is definitely one of my favorites.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
"Stand by Me" -- the global version
A friend of mine sent me a link to this video today, and I just had to post it. In it, you'll see an assortment of street musicians and tribal performers in various locations around the world who seem to be performing the same song together, thanks to some excellent sound and video editing. And wow, those singers are great. No autotuning for this crew.
It starts out slow and simple, and builds into something really majestic. Bet you watch this more than once....
Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.
It starts out slow and simple, and builds into something really majestic. Bet you watch this more than once....
Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Bollyhood Cafe
Last night I met some friends at a new lounge space that's starting up in the Mission. Four longtime DJs and scenemakers have started a new, cozy space called Bollyhood Cafe on 19th Street near Mission...the cafe will feature downtempo/eastern fusion music, Bollywood movies on a big screen, things to nosh on (I had coconut chicken and roasted corn with lime sauce), good beer on tap (Chimay, microbreweries) and wine from Kermit Lynch -- all at reasonable prices. It's right next door to Baobab Cafe, so there should be an interesting back-and-forth between the two when Bollyhood really gets going.
DJ Giamma is interested in featuring live music as well as DJ mixes, so if you know some musicians who perform in this genre....
Bollyhood Cafe is at 3372 19th Street.
DJ Giamma is interested in featuring live music as well as DJ mixes, so if you know some musicians who perform in this genre....
Bollyhood Cafe is at 3372 19th Street.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Album-buying fun
I recently bought two brand-new CDs...in shrinkwrap and everything. I don't do this as much anymore...first, I don't like what's in the brick-and-mortar stores, and if I buy physical CDs, I buy them used....otherwise, I buy them as downloads off the internet. And finally, I spend a lot of time looking for music online that I can legally put in a podcast.
But every so often, I order some CDs from Soul Seduction in Vienna. I got two CDs this time--and I could have bought them as downloads--but actually wanted the physical product this time. And I wasn't disappointed.
The first was the latest release in a compilation series that I like from Musicpark Records in Austria. This latest is called "Coconut"....previously there were releases like "Melon," "Lychee," etc. I don't always like every track on them, but there are enough that I do like. This was a nicely put-together collection of largely European downtempo-to-midtempo tracks from some artists I know already (Deep Dive Corp., Sofa Surfers, Waldeck), and some that I don't.
The second CD was really fabulous, in my opinion: Karuan's "Pop Arif," from Sunshine Records in Austria. This had lots of stuff I like in one package: subtle beats, downtempo with a hint of eastern fusion, and a nod to '70s-style soulfulness in the melodies and vocals...you know, the kind of soulfulness that pretty much became a dinosaur after rap and hip hop came along to dominate the culture. I liked this one so much I even posted a happy review on their site!
I notice that both Coconut and Pop Arif are also available as music downloads from Amazon now, too. Check them out.
But every so often, I order some CDs from Soul Seduction in Vienna. I got two CDs this time--and I could have bought them as downloads--but actually wanted the physical product this time. And I wasn't disappointed.
The first was the latest release in a compilation series that I like from Musicpark Records in Austria. This latest is called "Coconut"....previously there were releases like "Melon," "Lychee," etc. I don't always like every track on them, but there are enough that I do like. This was a nicely put-together collection of largely European downtempo-to-midtempo tracks from some artists I know already (Deep Dive Corp., Sofa Surfers, Waldeck), and some that I don't.
The second CD was really fabulous, in my opinion: Karuan's "Pop Arif," from Sunshine Records in Austria. This had lots of stuff I like in one package: subtle beats, downtempo with a hint of eastern fusion, and a nod to '70s-style soulfulness in the melodies and vocals...you know, the kind of soulfulness that pretty much became a dinosaur after rap and hip hop came along to dominate the culture. I liked this one so much I even posted a happy review on their site!
I notice that both Coconut and Pop Arif are also available as music downloads from Amazon now, too. Check them out.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Haircut
Today I decided to get my haircut. I'd already scoped out the shop in the Bastille where I decided to go. The people there seemed really nice. They don't speak English -- really, most people here don't unless they work in the tourist industry -- so I decided to make a little photo display of what I want in a haircut and what I don't want, based on photos from my laptop. So I put together a quick little iMovie of what I wanted with this haircut -- with French titling -- put it on my video iPod, and off I went to get my hair cut.
I gave instructions in French as best as I could. The movie with photos was just for a backup, to prevent misunderstandings. How many people do you know make a movie and put it on their iPod to show their hairdresser? Anyway, the haircut was amazing. She did everything I asked her to do...and she worked on my hair like it was a work of art, then styled it afterwards with products. It's really short, but I'm in a very-short-hair phase. It was amazing, and the whole experience cost me only 30 euros....less than what it costs at home.
It rained like cats and dogs today. I went shopping for books at Gibert Jeune -- getting soaked head to toe in the process -- and then stopped by the supermarket. I just love the yogurt sections in the French supermarkets. It's not just a section...it's normally a whole aisle: every possible flavor and texture, for breakfast, for dessert, for whatever. For people like me who eat yogurt every day for breakfast, this is heaven.
Tonight I'm meeting a musician whose group I've included in a podcast last year. I'm hoping that my little recording device on my iPod will enable me to get an interview from him that I can use in a special edition broadcast. Wish me luck!
I gave instructions in French as best as I could. The movie with photos was just for a backup, to prevent misunderstandings. How many people do you know make a movie and put it on their iPod to show their hairdresser? Anyway, the haircut was amazing. She did everything I asked her to do...and she worked on my hair like it was a work of art, then styled it afterwards with products. It's really short, but I'm in a very-short-hair phase. It was amazing, and the whole experience cost me only 30 euros....less than what it costs at home.
It rained like cats and dogs today. I went shopping for books at Gibert Jeune -- getting soaked head to toe in the process -- and then stopped by the supermarket. I just love the yogurt sections in the French supermarkets. It's not just a section...it's normally a whole aisle: every possible flavor and texture, for breakfast, for dessert, for whatever. For people like me who eat yogurt every day for breakfast, this is heaven.
Tonight I'm meeting a musician whose group I've included in a podcast last year. I'm hoping that my little recording device on my iPod will enable me to get an interview from him that I can use in a special edition broadcast. Wish me luck!
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