I woke up early this morning to write. I poured a cup of steaming Dunkin Donuts coffee and went to my writing room, where I left the light off and worked by the glow of the computer. A soft tapping on the window caught my attention.
The sound reminded me of a poignant piece of music I love, so I looked up the song and listened. When the song was over, it was just me and the rain again.
You probably know the song, but like me, maybe you haven't really listened to it for a while. It's beautiful anytime, but especially before sunrise, with a warm cup of coffee and the drizzle of the rain.
Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar died today in San Diego at the age of 92. Shankar, a celebrated figure in world music for decades, was best known for influencing The Beatles.
Shankar integrated the sound of classical Indian music into western pop throughout the 1960s and 1970s. My favorite example of Shankar in pop music is The Beatles' Norwegian Wood. It's a simple folk ballad that Shankar's sitar turns into something elegant and mystical. RIP Ravi.
Influential jazz saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker was born on this day in 1920.
During a short but significant career, Parker established himself as an inventive and gifted saxophone soloist and as one of the great jazz innovators of all time.
He is also credited with heavily influencing the development of bebop.
Parker, who battled an addiction to heroin that began during his teenage years, died at New York's Stanhope Hotel in 1955 at just 34 years of age.
If words were sounds, Parker's version of Gershwin's Summertime would be the dictionary definition of "sublime."
Singer Scott McKenzie died Saturday in Los Angeles at the age of 73. You may not know McKenzie by name, but you will certainly recognize his best-known work, the 1967 counter-culture hit "San Francisco."
If you're going to San Francisco, you're gonna meet some gentle people there.
Not sure if that's still true these days, but if you visit Haight Street, you'll definitely meet some people with flowers in their hair. RIP Scott.
Chances are you've heard of country superstar Keith Urban, and if you have, you probably know Urban comes fairly uniquely to American country music by way of his native Australia.
What you may not realize is that Australia has its own long tradition of country music, rooted in Irish and Scottish folk ballads and nourished by both Australian bush balladeers and modern American country influences.
Two brilliant musicians who have established themselves in the Australian country music scene are Kasey Chambers and her husband singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson. In the last decade, Chambers and Nicholson have enjoyed critical success for their individual recordings, as well as for the award-winning 2008 album Rattlin' Bones, which they co-wrote and performed together.
On September 7th, the pair will release their second collaborative effort, Wreck & Ruin. The first track from the album, Adam & Eve, has been pre-released and if it's any indicator, we're in for an incredible bluegrass treat that overflows with inventive lyrics, traditional banjo twang, and flawless harmonies.
It's remarkable that two people who sound so perfect together on every note should fall in love. I guess the takeaway is - if you meet someone whose singing voice blends perfectly with your own, marry her.
You can hear Kasey and Shane together in the video below for Adam & Eve.
If you're in the mood for something with less bluegrass foreboding and more singer-songwriter yearning, Designed to Fade from Shane's 2004 album It's a Movie is a great introduction to his solo work. (Kasey sings back up, too!)
Last week, rising R&B star Frank Ocean poignantly announced to the world that his first love was a man. Since then, Ocean has made huge headlines, prompting the early release of his debut album Channel Orange.
Critics have positively reviewed the new album, and while I enjoyed it too, an earlier single not from Channel Orange still stands out as Ocean's best work.
Give "We All Try" a listen, and then see what you think of Channel Orange.
Hard to believe it's been more than fifty years since Paul and John started the Beatles. I enjoy their music enough, but what brings memories of my early 1970s childhood crashing back are the songs of Paul McCartney & Wings.
In recognition of Paul's birthday today, I hope you'll accept this gift I've made you.
10 Reasons To Watch the "Silly Love Songs" Video All The Way Through
Young Paul was kind of a hottie.
There aren't enough horns and strings in today's pop music.
You've forgotten how airports looked in the 70s.
Hella big afros.
You need a good excuse to tap your feet for five and a half minutes.
You miss the David Cassidy rocker-mullet (in men's and ladies' styles).
You feel sorry for poor Paul and hope viewing this adds to his royalties.
Good harmony is so hard to come by these days.
Work blows; this is better.
Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs. (and what's wrong with that)
