Well, not “dead” like tissue, but “dead” like a marriage. So says Sam McPheeters in this Vice article from 2010. Comparing rock circa 1994 to the Wild West circa 1890, he describes a “closed frontier,” a state in which the once… Continue Reading
A friend posted this article to Facebook: Ramin Street — Top 10 Reasons Why the Music Industry is Failing And while I have indulged in my own share of curmudgeonly ranting over the state of modern music, Street’s article attacks… Continue Reading
Today the world says goodbye to Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman. Slayer are, as I mentioned in my History of Metal, the one group in thrash’s “Big Four” that seem to have maintained the highest level of credibility among listeners throughout… Continue Reading
Jazz seems to be on a decline. Here in Madison, I have seen most of the (already few) clubs that hosted live jazz either change their format or close their doors. In this article by Kurt Ellenberger, we learn that… Continue Reading
I have a theory about what coffee and wine have in common: With either, when you first try it, you don’t care what you’re getting. Once you get into it, you care what you get. Then, once you’ve gotten quite… Continue Reading
May I present this video of a performance of Erik Satie’s Vexations: And here is the related Wikipedia article, a rather interesting read: Vexations (Wikipedia) In The Time of Music: New Meanings, New Temporalities, New Listening Strategies, Jonathan Kramer… Continue Reading
I was once asked why, as a jazz musician, I am also a metal fan. The simplest answer is, “Why would I like anything, metal or otherwise? It just sounds good to me.” But that would make for a brief… Continue Reading
The Cittern is a Renaissance instrument that was highly popular. It is easier to play than the lute, and foreshadows the modern guitar in that it uses metal strings, and its performers use a plectrum rather than fingers to pluck… Continue Reading
In the wake of the passing of one visionary, we commemorate the passing of another: John Lennon, who would have turned 71 today. I consider John Lennon to be one of Rock’s two most important figures, along with Frank Zappa.… Continue Reading