As I've been working tonight, I've been listening to three performers on YouTube - Stefani Germanotta, Justin Timberlake, and Adele - perform live acoustic versions of some of their songs. It makes me wonder why the music industry is in such disarray. The business would be far healthier if people like this were left alone to compose, perform, and release music from their own homes or studios. It just isn't necessary to have huge productions when you're talented; the smoke and mirrors are only … [Read more...]

Giovanni Dettori has put Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" into a Fugue using counterpoint.  It's very well done.  Bach would be proud. He even makes the score available for download at http://www.giovannidettori.com/LadyGagaFugue.pdf. It makes me want to listen to what is arguably the most famous fugue of all time ... … [Read more...]

I've been listening to Crescendolls by Daft Punk at the office and the music video reminds me of half of the cartoons that were on the air when I was a kid in the 1980's.  The animation style, the way they show motion, everything.  Today, you don't really see it except in some forms of Japanese cartoons ... especially at the 45 second mark when you see the car license plate and at 54 seconds when the guy steps out of the car.   It immediately takes me back to a time when I would watch … [Read more...]

I'm going to just say it, Diana Damrau, both in terms of voice and acting portrayal, is the single best Queen of the Night in history.  I don't care what anyone else says.  Her "Der Hölle Rache" is flawless.  I mean, absolutely, cannot-be-improved-upon-in-your-face perfect. It starts at 2:09 into the video if you want to cut to the music. But ... man, this woman has got it. For those of you who don't know the character, the Queen of the Night was thought by some to represent the Roman … [Read more...]

I had no idea who Leon Russell was. All I knew was, I love Elton John.  In fact, my iTunes library has 250 or so of his songs, including favorites like "Come Down in Time", "It's Getting Dark in Here", "The King Must Die", "Bitter Fingers", "Old 67", "Razor Face", "Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future)", "Tiny Dancer", "My Elusive Drug", and "I Can't Steer My Heart Clear of You". The office has joked that there is a direct pipeline between my checkbook and Elton John's bank account because every … [Read more...]

This is blasting through the office on Bose speakers. I've been listening to it for hours. It's funny - who'd have thought a Moby Dick reference could turn into a great rock song? … [Read more...]