WKRP is back on the air in Cincinnati — but this time it's teevee, not wireless.
A low-power TV station has changed its call letters to WKRP, the same as the fictional radio station in the 1970s hit series "WKRP in Cincinnati."
Herb: “I sold Les boat insurance.”
Bailey: “Les doesn’t have a boat.”
Herb: “I sold him mine.”
Les: “You never know when there’s going to be a flood.”
Sunday, November 30, 2008
On The Air Again
Cheap Eats on Kaua'i
Ono!
This tour visits 20 cheap eateries, and starts up in Hanalei, circling the island clockwise. Included: the best deal on the island, Sueoka's Snack Shop in Old Koloa Town, where I got a great teri-beef plate lunch in 2003 for the ghastly sum of $4.00
George Harrison-The Undercover Interview
Saturday was the 7th anniversary of George's passing. Here's an interesting interview he did with Paul Cashmere.
Not only does Hari talk about his rare "Wonderwall" album, but claims that he had Ray Charles' voice in mind when he wrote "Something"!
Sunday Music Digest
An interview with Marshall Crenshaw
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=7036
A Mississippi blues tour
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/lifestyle/travel/story/2e93e9c28b4df6978625750c00785d92?OpenDocument
Speaking of blues music, a look at its African origins
http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2008/11/30/how_blue_can_you_get
Some new pop releases reviewed
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/11/30/critics_picks___pop_music
And a look at the early touring years of the Fab 4
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article5257493.ece
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Holiday Tune Alert
Public Service Announcement!
A couple of the music blogs I link to on my sidebar, namely Ernie (Not Bert) and also Music You (Possibly Won't) Hear have started to post holiday tunes as downloads.
LOTS of good stuff there, and be sure to follow their sidebar links to some of the other great Christmas Music blogs.
They are worth their weight in frankeincense, incense, myrhh, et al, yada yada, ad infinitum e. pluribus unum
Small But Dangerous
A visitor from Nevada has been critically injured at Kipu Falls on Kaua'i...this is a rather small waterfall (15 feet?) but has a rope swing which apparently was the root of the problem...
Saturday Music Digest
A Stupid Musician makes the Grammy nominee list
http://www.chickashanews.com/features/local_story_330150043.html?keyword=secondarystory
Beatles music on iTunes? Delayed again...
http://www.betanews.com/article/Talks_stalled_over_The_Beatles_on_Apples_iTunes/1227640171
Goon Show legend Spike Milligan's estate gets auctioned
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7749594.stm
R.I.P. to Bay Area jazz pianist and educator Rae Imamura
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/26/BAFN14CAAO.DTL
And in search of "authentic" New Orleans music
http://www.projo.com/travel/content/TRV-OFF-BOURBON_11-30-08_ADCD2TK_v10.ef860b.html
Friday, November 28, 2008
Aloha Airlines To Fly Again?
Interesting...
"Mesa Air Group announced Friday that it has settled an Aloha Airlines lawsuit and will license the name of Aloha if the former controlling shareholder can get it in a bankruptcy court auction."
New Hawai'i Stamp Unveiled
To be issued in 2009, the 50th anniversary of Statehood. Click on the post title for the story, and below to visit the stamp artist.
http://herbkaneart.com/
"And there's hamburger all over the highway in Greenwich, Connecticut"
From across the pond:
Part of the M42 has reopened after a six-vehicle crash sent marshmallows and beer spilling out onto the carriageway.
Reviewed-New CD Box Sets
Including the new "Box of Danger" set from Firesign Theatre, which the reviewer lovingly describes as "like a wet kiss at the end of a fist.".
Island Mele
Reviews of some new CDs from Hawai'i, including the new release from Kaua'i singer Leilani Rivera Bond. She's great!
Friday Music Digest
Jazz music in the movies
http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/opinion/article/114034
Best (and worst) of the new holiday CDs
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=743754&category=ARTS
"Radio Deluxe"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/26/AR2008112604211.html?hpid=sec-artsliving
Remembering Steve Goodman
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081125&content_id=3693523&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
And Paul is still not dead
http://www.thetyee.ca/Music/2008/11/27/EggMan/
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Another Music Blog Sighted
For you fans of classic pop music vocalists, here's a great blog by "music fan" Kenny Harrelson. He's not to be confused with the former Boston Red Sox player, who's now a play by play announcer in Chi-town.
Hugh Says Farewell to "Mama Africa"
from London:
"The majestic presence of Hugh Masekela brought proceedings to a vibrant climax. Dedicating the concert to the memory of his late wife, Miriam Makeba, he unwound a smouldering set of intelligent jazz fusion, his flugelhorn sounding more burnished and imposing than ever. I have lost count of the number of times I have heard him perform Stimela, his homage to South Africa's migrant workers, yet this version, full of anguish and thwarted hopes, was the most haunting of all."
Turkey Day Music Digest
New Orleans music in Taiwan
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2008/11/28/2003429737
Alabama Slim sighting
http://www.al.com/music/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/122778093122030.xml&coll=1
Former Car Greg Hawkes turns to the ookelele
http://www.wickedlocal.com/burlington/fun/entertainment/x415854901/Real-School-of-Music-welcomes-Greg-Hawkes
New Orleans piano-pounder Henry Butler, whom we saw at Lowell a couple of years ago, has a new album:
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20081127/FEAT0509/811270304/1334/FEAT05
And slack-key comes to Monterey!
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20081126/OFFSIXTYEIGHT07/811280305
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sir Paul: "We Love Ringo"
Paul McCartney has defended Ringo ‘the grumpy Beatle’ Starr after the drummer refused to sign any more autographs for fans.
New York Dolls Heading to Hawai'i
Classic 1970s band The New York Dolls, who started a comeback 2 years ago, will travel to Kaua'i in January to start recording a new album at Todd Rundgren's North Shore studio...
Wednesday Music Digest
It's Wednesday, which means that Uncle Tom is gabbin' again...
http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/utg_article/uncle_toms_gabbin143/
Looking at this year's crop of Christmas TV shows
http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/tv/35115224.html
A Jamaican review of Taj Mahal's new album:
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081125/ent/ent3.html
Another jazz school with a name that starts with "Berk"?
http://www.dailycal.org/article/103707
And a review of some gypsy guitar...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/arts/music/25wrem.html?ref=arts
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Poi Boy Blog
Just stumbled across Ron Jacobs' ono blog, and will include it as a link. Ron of course entertained us via K-POI Radio when we lived in Kailua in the early 1960s.
Christmas On Saddle Hill
In honor of our first measurable snowfall (now being washed away by rain) here's a review of some new holiday music releases.
Tuesday Music Digest
A new radio documentary about New Orleans piano professor James Booker
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=25979
Ray Davies has a new forum devoted to all things Kinky
http://raydavies.3.forumer.com/
An all star tribute to Doug Sahm is in the works
http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=2320
African music needs to listen to...Nashville?
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A891763
And a chat with legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb
http://offbeat.com/artman/publish/article_3423.shtml
Monday, November 24, 2008
Natural Selection?
"The Natural History Museum in London recently opened a new exhibit that features mockingbirds that Charles Darwin collected during his travels around the Galapagos Islands in 1835. He observed they were unlike the mockingbirds in other South American regions."
Fast Food
A look at diners in Jersey...the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton was a fixture of my childhood visits to nearby Nutley!
Monday Music Digest
Monk-Fest reviewed
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/arts/music/24monk.html
And another review-Aretha at the LA House of Blues
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/11/live-review-are.html
A rare copy of the Beatles' White Album sells
http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=6969
A chat with Dion
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081124/ENT04/811240306
And a look at musical instruments on the International Space Station...
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=25974
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Don't View Before Eating
Or you will lose your appetite!
from the NRBQ e-mail list:
"Some perverse Swede actually collects photos of the Swedish show bands of the 70's and their wonderfully hideous matching outfits....My favorite outfits and most questionable name : "The Schytts" "
Scorsese Does Hari?
Film director Martin Scorsese, fresh off his Rolling Stones movie, wants to do one about George Harrison...
Sunday Music Digest
Belly dancing time...
http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/nov/23/1123_bellydance/
Nevilles sighted
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/11/23/pop_music/
Christmas Stupid Music in Texas
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2008/nov/22/rodeo-christmas-ball-coming/
Elvis sighting
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-11-22-voa2.cfm
And acoustic blues in Maine
http://knox.villagesoup.com/AandE/story.cfm?storyID=135771
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Classic Music Video
Here's today's birthday boy (and Hawai'i resident) Jesse Colin Young and the Youngbloods, from the old "Hollywood Palace" teevee show. Enjoy!
Saturday Music DIgest
Ookelele babes in New Zealand
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/4767314a6497.html
Monk meets Mingus
http://www.purdueexponent.org/index.php/module/Section/section_id/11?module=article&story_id=13842
Jazz from Abu Dhabi
http://www.tribune.com.ng/21112008/fri/weekend.html
Lost George Harrison interview found:
http://www.nme.com/news/the-beatles/41216
And a review of some recent blues collections
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20081121/TUSK02/811200277/1005?Title=MUSIC_REVIEW__Blues__jazz_collections_hit_the_right_note
Friday, November 21, 2008
Kaua'i Flood Indictment
Retired car dealer Jimmy Pflueger was indicted by a Kaua'i Grand Jury today on 7 counts of manslaughter in connection with the deadly Ka Loko flood.
Desert Island Flood Alert
The "Forbidden Island" of Ni'ihau, which is mainly desert, is currently under a flood advisory.
The Mother of All Stupid Music Box Sets
The best music Bob Wills ever did, the Tiffany Transcriptions, will be released in their entirety in January 2009.
Friday Music Digest
Concert Vault for iPhone reviewed
http://www.macworld.com/article/136963/2008/11/concertvault.html?t=206
Layers of composition
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/62054-layers-of-composition-an-interview-with-andy-milne/
Smooth jazz on the high seas
http://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=9997&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
Tracing the spiritual path of George Harrison
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/ny-etledex5933008nov20a,0,705044.story
And another great new band name-Frogs Gone Fishin'!
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2008/nov/21/frogs_gone_fishin_working_its_way_business/
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Frightful!
Current conditions 46 miles to my north...
Temperature -3.9°F
Wind 42.3 mph
Direction 296° (NW)
Wind Chill -34.8°F
Scary Flying Story
A flight attendant helped to land a 767 after the co-pilot had to be "relieved of duty" on a trans Atlantic flight...
Thursday Music Digest
Demystifying classical music
http://www.al.com/entertainment/press-register/arts.ssf?/base/entertainment/1227176157184620.xml&coll=3
Musicians bringing musicians home:
http://www.pluginmusic.com/news/archive.php?id=4329
Unchaining African melodies
http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/pages/news_detail.php?newsid=7780§ion=7
A tribute to a tortured soul singer
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122713666134442381.html
And a new music blog series from Nevada
http://www.fstribune.com/blogs/1268/entry/22261/
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Global Warming
It was a balmy 16 degrees here on Saddle Hill this morning...warmed up to 23 this afternoon, but that's about it.
This is an outbreak of much colder than normal air-it's 15 degrees colder than usual here for this time of year.
Hawaiian Law 101
Did you know that it's illegal to park your car on a roadway and advertise it for sale?
Wednesday Music Digest
A guitar man teaches "critical thinking"...
http://dailyadvocate.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=127314&TM=84666.36
Speaking of guitars, a new carbon-fibre number:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/carbon-fiber-gu.html
Botswana remembers Miriam Makeba
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=7&aid=11&dir=2008/November/Tuesday18
Accordion invasion in Moklahoma
http://www.newsok.com/accordionists-squeeze-into-edmond-jazz-lab/article/3322816
And film makers struggle to make music biopics:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117996042?categoryId=3342&cs=1
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
They Travel The Spaceways
A lunar probe from India's first unmanned moon mission Chandrayaan-1 has landed on the moon and started sending back its first images.
We Travel The Spaceways
How decades-old NASA images of the moon are being brought back to life.
"Never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of magnetic tapes."
The Greatest Layover in American History
A writer gets stuck on a 6 hour layover in Honolulu, so decides to visit Big Mo.
Tuesday Music Digest
A new music licensing firm in New Orleans
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl111708tpsetup.1c29bfd39.html&ct=ga&cd=tMe_ilPG6W0&usg=AFQjCNEPurtbe-JYpataV9QKYZeiA11adQ
Another great band name-"The Old Spice Boys"
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0811/S00168.htm
Arlo sighted
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/nov/18/1118_Guthrie/&ct=ga&cd=qymzDdVO-_s&usg=AFQjCNFr66tAxN8L8h-IuiTvVe--pCfwVQ
Pandolele?
http://www.telegram.com/article/20081118/NEWS/811180555/1006/NEWS07
And Stupid Music pops the pond
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/reviews/The-Swing-Commanders.4700867.jp
Monday, November 17, 2008
"Carnival of Light"
An unreleased, experimental track by The Beatles could be made public 41 years after it was recorded at Abbey Road studios, ex-member Paul McCartney has said.
Monday Music DIgest
A slack-key sighting
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Paradise-Coast-Consulting-Announces-Grammy/story.aspx?guid=%7B39D160A5-2051-4679-B566-BC9EEA97B2ED%7D
The latest from Dave Alvin
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/features/6115983.html
Jazz Xmas music
http://eurweb.com/story/eur48701.cfm
Some new CD box sets:
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/recordings/2008/11/24/081124gore_GOAT_recordings
And Stupid Music news from Arizona
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=61406
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Gold Coast
This article is a couple of months old, but explores the pricey real estate market on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Sunday Music Digest
New holiday releases
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/493647.html&ct=ga&cd=867cEpWubvM&usg=AFQjCNG0fwQDgrW7sTtKDKw3Pesbg4ilDg
Allen Toussaint Brunch in New Orleans
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.timeout.com/newyork/events/rock-pop-soul/210831/allen-toussaint&ct=ga&cd=i6ln0-1ap9Y&usg=AFQjCNHTmqfH2jU0ZAqI2RZVxLo9SRuJWA
Ookeleles in Spokane
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/local/story.asp?ID=268816
Jazz made easy
http://old.thejakartapost.com/detailfeatures.asp?fileid=20081116.H01&irec=8
And a sighting of blues great Charlie Musselwhite
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5140437.ece
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Saturday Music Digest
Music of the Americas
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/34490104.html?elr=KArks:DCiUo3PD:3D_V_qD3L:c7cQKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Vietnam hosts a European music fest
http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/culture/141108/culture_eu.htm
The sound of woodwinds
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/arts/music/16schw.html
Jake gets Toys for Tots
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081114/GETPUBLISHED/81113078/-1/sportsfront
And Monty Python meets George Harrison
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-screen_scene_1114nov14,0,2661984.story
Friday, November 14, 2008
We Travel the Spaceways
For the first time, astronomers have photographed individual planets from another solar system. Pics at the link.
Friday Music Digest
Tributes to Mama Africa continue
http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/3174/266/
Belgian jazz in Vietnam
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2008/11/813545/
John Goodspeed pays tribute to Stupid Music
http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/34363004.html
R.I.P. Stupid Musician Jody Reynolds
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-reynolds14-2008nov14,0,3704687.story
And new music from across the river
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.sunherald.com/entertainment/story/954258.html&ct=ga&cd=11bVPIiDoX0&usg=AFQjCNHw204ddqQibwLnpYXyRjzzDQaFSQ
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Cooking on the Island
Season 5 of "Top Chef" started Wednesday night on the Bravo channel, and this season is set in New York City. Lo and behold, the show kicked off with all of the contestants hopping on the Governors Island Ferry, and then being herded into our old back yard behind Buildings 111 and 112 to compete to see who got to go home first.
This first episode, called "Melting Pot", will be repeated a few times this week, notably Friday Nov. 14 at 12 noon Eastern.
Python Ancestor Found
A direct ancestor of Monty Python's renowned "Dead Parrot" sketch has been found in a book of jokes dating back to Greece in the fourth century AD.
Thursday Music Digest
NRBQ's Terry Adams says "Meet Me in St. Louis"
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-blender/the-blender/2008/11/terry-adams-of-nrbq-fame-booked-for-euclid-records-performance/
Stupid Music review: Mark Kreitzer
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/78188/
Duke Ellington in Britain
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/dawn-of-the-jazz-age-sir-duke-ellingtons-adventures-in-britain-1015212.html
Preview of the "Nearly Famous Festival" in Canada-
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastlife/story.html?id=f8932e9f-7931-4593-8f58-6de2f6c9a046
And Mac's back, and I don't mean Rebennack...
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/entertainment/macs-back/2008/11/12/1226318727593.html
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
R.I.P. Mitch Mitchell
Mitch Mitchell, the drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead this morning in his Portland OR hotel room.Mitchell, 61, apparently died of natural causes, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner said.
Air Kaua'i Grounded
Photo by Craig on Saddle Hill, on-location, May 4, 2003
Sad news from the Garden Isle-tour helicopter operator Air Kaua'i stopped flying last week, after the bank reposessed their two helos. The company has since filed for Chapter 11, which may allow them to keep flying. The hearing is today.
The two helos were new ones purchased last year.
UPDATE: AK got the helos back today. See my later post.
Weds. Music Digest
Caz gets cash:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081112/NEWS01/811120324/1190/LOCALNEWSFRONT
Happy 90th to jazz great Bebo Valdes
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/11/entertainment/e134821S96.DTL
KISS's Gene Simmons invents a new guitar toy:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3171227
Guns "N' Roses in China
http://www.nme.com/news/guns-n-roses/40986
And speaking of guitars, Heidi Klum gets whiplash!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3439644/Heidi-Klum-gets-whiplash-filming-Guitar-Hero-advert-in-her-underwear.html
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Stupid Music For Your Health
Listening to music that makes you happy, especially if it's country music, may be good for your heart, a new study suggests.
Les Paul Week in Cleveland
93-year-young Les Paul, known as the "Father of the Electric Guitar," will be honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's annual American Music Masters series, a weeklong event that starts Monday.
R.I.P. Herb Score
(Baseball Almanac photo)
After a great career on the field, Herb had a just as great career as one of the best broadcast baseball play-by-play announcers of all time. Not many of those great announcers are left now...
Honolulu Monorail Update
Interesting how people voted...the project was approved by those living near the proposed route, but opposed by those from other parts of the island.
The Last State Quarter
The final US quarter paying tribute to a US state (Hawai'i) is finally in circulation.
Tuesday Music Digest
Happy Veteran's Day!
The Man with the Golden Guitar
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5125109.ece
Another appreciation of Mama Africa, this one from Nigeria:
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=127769
Bristol (the one in England, not the one here in New Hampshire) gets a new pipe organ:
http://bristol.ac.uk/news/2008/5995.html
Another preview of upcoming CD releases
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/11/11/entertainment/music/z6b63d6c5c118a2c7882574e30065a07a.txt
And the Chicago Jazz Ensemble announces some "staff promotions".
http://www.prlog.org/10139236-the-chicago-jazz-ensemble-announces-staff-promotions.html
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tributes Pour In For "Mama Africa"
Nelson Mandela:
"It was fitting that her last moments were spent on a stage, enriching the hearts and lives of others - and again in support of a good cause."
Monday Music Digest
Cab Calloway's Orchestra seen lurking about...
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/1267029,3_5_EL09_CAB_S1.article
Playing calliope in the Big Easy
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm%3FrecID%3D32088&ct=ga&cd=LoLekdaMtNs&usg=AFQjCNGrKzPwX4ZkAuK5lLD0gShbLiBsRQ
A new DVD from Merle Haggard shows his Stupid Music influence:
http://www.bakersfield.com/138/story/604992.html
The first report from Uke-Stock in New Zealand
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0811/S00080.htm
And an appreciation of T-Bone Walker
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96761445
R.I.P. "Mama Africa"
South African songbird Miriam Makeba finished a concert in Italy Sunday, then collapsed as she was leaving the stage. She was 76.
Some friends and my brother and I were privileged to see Miriam in concert in the early 1990s in Portland Maine. She was backed that night, which was her birthday, by her ex Hugh Masekela and his great band, but she was even happier to have one of her nieces singing backup.
She will be missed.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Marketing Hawai'i Music
John Berger from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin explores some of the new ways local music companies are marketing their products.
Including candy maker Hawaiian Host, which is now including a music sampler with its candy sampler.
Koke'e Museum Turns 55
Writer Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin visits the top of Kaua'i. Believe it or not, there is actually trout fishing up there! The Natural History Museum there is celebrating its anniversary.
Koke'e of course is the Garden Isle's high-altitude region which includes the Kalalau Valley lookout, Alakai Swamp, and of course Waimea Canyon.
Return of The Fat Man
A new PBS documentary about New Orleans music legend Fats Domino will begin airing this month nationwide.
Sunday Music Digest
Have a pacemaker or an implanted defibrillator? Don't keep your iPod earbuds in your shirt pocket or draped around your neck.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122624011875811337.html%3Fmod%3Dgooglenews_wsj&ct=ga&cd=CpyWcA1cGCc&usg=AFQjCNGckZvtszRXR2B76RITgz8dCJ0fiA
Another one of those "new recordings" reviews:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/20081109_New_Recordings.html&ct=ga&cd=u8oH2bx387k&usg=AFQjCNHfBRN1pBHE2zkSpPCIPko1UBu_6g
Fresh thoughts on new music
http://www.freep.com/article/20081109/ENT04/811090434
Jazz in Cape May
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/181/story/310489.html
And the Mardi Gras goes Down Under:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://pr-canada.net/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D62068%26Itemid%3D65&ct=ga&cd=A4QYbvvRoh4&usg=AFQjCNGLMm7DX1AGJBI1G6CYfdKQsTg02w
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Ookolele Music Digest
Auwe! Gonna broke my mout.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3405236/The-great-ukulele-revival.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3406758/Ukuleles-at-the-ready-for-George-Formby-Societys-convention.html
http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=126&csid2=804&fid1=34220
http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=10393
Let It Rut!
A very thorough and well-done review of the 30th anniversary reissue of "All You Need Is Cash", which chronicled the Pre-Fab 4. Pass the cheese and onions...
Saturday Music Digest
Lots of Stupid Music news today...
Another new stupid music band?
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/iain_martin/blog/2008/11/07/sarah_palin_and_the_wasilla_hillbillies
Yellow Rose of Texas...
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081107/ENT01/811070301
The Ghosts of the Longhorn Ballroom
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2008/11/echoes_and_reverberations_the_2.php
Latest news from Rock and Bowl in New Orleans
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2008/11/john_blanchers_midcity_lanes_g.html&ct=ga&cd=msIESwsdDSE&usg=AFQjCNHGiZyDgOL54gDFajHsU6lYYAN9Og
And a new album from South Africa's Sabata Masoka...
http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=48417§ion=gumbaweek
Friday, November 7, 2008
Jake Does S.F.
A nice interview with ookelele shredder Jake Shimabukuro, who closes out this year's San Francisco Jazz Fest this afternoon and tonight (2 shows).
The Frogs Are Coming
An update-with video-of the recent discovery of Caribbean coqui tree frogs in Kailua. Apparently they are hitch-hiking from the Big Island on plants.
Friday Music Digest
German jazz piano in the Big Easy:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://blog.nola.com/chriswaddington/2008/11/german_jazz_pianist_georg_grae.html&ct=ga&cd=x1IAMEnUsFw&usg=AFQjCNGV4WfXhX4gJG2hI402hQ4mKfHJ7A
If I had a Saxophone...
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30817
Bob Dylan channels Bob Wills? Now that's Stupid Music!
http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/34073419.html
Speaking of Stupid Music, a new eatery in Texas will feature just that:
http://www.kaufmanherald.com/articles/2008/11/06/community/doc4912fcd311e3e991287116.txt
And yet another great new band name, the Zydeco Crawdaddys!
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.thetelegraph.com/entertainment/zydeco_19946___article.html/music_jarvis.html&ct=ga&cd=ak2pIfvKazM&usg=AFQjCNEXaxE_xq9Kt0LO87zkUzrSuyzNzg
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Election Result From Kentucky
"In Rabbit Hash, Ky., the most hotly contested race of the 2008 election was for the mayor’s seat, and while Travis the cat put up a good fight, it was a Border Collie named Lucy Lou who won the most votes."
Ko'olau's Story Captured on Film
The story of one of the most famous lepers in Hawai'i is now a movie-in the local language, no less (with English subtitles).
Catch A Wave
A preview of this weekend's California Surf Film Festival. Naturally, the featured film on Saturday night will be Bruce Brown's 1966 classic, "The Endless Summer".
Thursday Music Digest
Laurel and Hardy's silent films set to music?
http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_10906779
Promoting "classic jazz" in the public schools in Arizona:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2008/11/05/20081105cr-jazz1105.html
More on the giant uke fest in New Zealand:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/4751159a6016.html
A preview from our friends at Hawai'i Magazine of the impending hula conference in Honolulu-
http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2008/11/5/Waikiki_hula_conference
And a preview of the Telarc debut by blues shouter Shemeika Copeland, whom we saw a few years back at the Lowell Fest:
http://top40-charts.com/news/RnB/Shemekia-Copeland-Takes-Her-Music-To-A-New-Place-On-Telarc-Debut/44031.html
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
R.I.P. Yma Sumac
Legendary Peruvian vocalist Yma Sumac left the building a few days ago.
Believe it or not, she actually appeared on a recording that also featured NRBQ, namely the great "Stay Awake" album of Disney tunes...
Hawai'ian Music Goes South of the Border
November 8 the Makaha Sons will play in Mexico. Click on post title for the info.
And finally there is a photo gallery from the Sons' show here in New Hampshire in September:
http://www.makahasons.com/images/2008_newhampshire/photos_2008_newhampshire.html
Kaua'i Tourism Update
An interview with Rike Burmeister, who manages the Hale Makai Beach Cottages in Haena.
Wednesday Music Digest
Bringing Mexican music back home:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/music/bringing_mexican_music_back_home/Content?oid=859480
Los Lobos sighting!
http://www.ticketnews.com/Daily-tour-recap-Matisyahu-Los-Lobos-and-more118460
This is Wednesday, which means Uncle Tom Moffatt is gabbin'
http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/utg_article/uncle_toms_gabbin140/
Jazz/electronica/world music fused:
http://tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4696006&fSectionId=449&fSetId=251
And new Stupid Music for Christmas...
http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/christmas/33844004.html
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunlit Path.............................
Here's a classic view down Edge School Road. Saddle Hill Road goes off to the right just down the gravel.
R.I.P. Byron Lee
Byron was one of the true legends of Jamaican music-both as a performer, with his band The Dragonaires, which started in 1956, and later as a producer and recording-studio owner.
Hawai'i Magazine Slideshow: Kilauea Volcano
From the ono folks at Hawai'i Magazine, a slideshow from the Big Island.
Beauty, Eh?
Looks like the cartoon version of Bob and Doug from SCTV will not happen...at least not with Rick Moranis...
Tuesday Music Digest
A 65th birthday tribute to Joni Mitchell? We're getting old...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122575310809894821.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Yet another great band name-The Punch Brothers
http://www.lafayette-online.com/arts-entertainment/2008/11/punch-brothers-blend-of-bluegrass-jazz-chamber-music-to-hit-purdue-stage/
Mick Jones sighting:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/music-magazine/music-magazine-features/music-me/music-amp-me-mick-jones-988411.html
What does jazz mean to you?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2008/nov/03/london-jazz-festival
And Stupid Music goes to Alaska! I hope Ray didn't get hit with any bar-room doors...
http://www.adn.com/life/story/577644.html
Monday, November 3, 2008
Our Political Endorsements!
For pResident, Pat is the man. He actually came in second here in New Hampshire in one of the many races he ran in.
NOT Your Father's "Uncle Miltie"
A review of Amazonian jazz singer Milton Nascimento, whose first solo effort was produced by Wayne Shorter!
Checking Out a Uke?
A library here in the Far East now has a new item available, and it's not a new book.
Daily Classic Music Video
Sorry I've been slacking on these, here's one from the Hardest Working Man in Show Biz from 1971.
Monday Music Digest
Martino unstrung
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30681
Music in a box-those darned accordions!
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/02/music_in_a_box?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6
Preview of the Abu Dhabi Jazz Festival
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=25039
Sighted-pianist (and Hawai'ian slack key recording maven) George Winston:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/winston-inspired-big-easys-music&ct=ga&cd=nKC1F5tRqac&usg=AFQjCNEbOfVVKF7ITQfWuCrGS4_kbafVYg
And the man in Django's seat:
http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/movie-guide/story.html?id=7adde390-3433-486c-8a07-e586d999560e
Sunday, November 2, 2008
R.I.P. Jimmy Carl
Another one leaves the building-lung cancer in this case.
Click on the post title for the official website. If too lazy, here's the Reader's Digest version from wiki:
Jimmy Carl Black (born James Inkanish, Jr., February 1, 1938 – November 1, 2008) was a drummer and vocalist for The Mothers of Invention.
Born in El Paso, Texas, he is best known for his Cheyenne heritage and his drooping moustache. His trademark line was "Hi Boys and Girls, I'm Jimmy Carl Black, and I'm the Indian of the group." He has been credited on some Mothers albums as playing "drums, vocals, and poverty". He appeared in the movie 200 Motels and sings the song Lonesome Cowboy Burt.
Up The Creek
We take coho salmon pretty seriously around here, as our local New Hampton State Fish Hatchery pioneered the re-intro of said fishies into the assorted water bodies here in NH.
Here's an amazing story of their out-West cousins.
Fergie Benefit Update
More info on the benefit concert next weekend for original NRBQ guitarist Steve Ferguson, which will help him with some of his medical bills.
Music Sleuth Gets Musicians Their Due
Here's the tale of a guy who gets musicians back royalties. Believe it or not, he claims that 95% of the cases he handles don't involve intentional record-company rip-offs-just bureaucratic incompetence!
Unpaid Non-Partisan Public Service Announcement
As it's almost Election Day, head on over to one of the music blogs featured on my sidebar, Probe, who has some amusing "campaign numbers" from decades past available.
Sad to say, a couple of these have already been deep-sixed, no doubt due to copyright issues.
SuperFerry Environmental Report Delayed
The State wants to "get it right", so it will be delayed until January of 2009.
Sunday Music Digest
Songs of Wood and Steel
http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/songs_of_wood_steel/6556
McCabe's Guitar Shop turns 50:
http://www.palisadespost.com/content/index.cfm?Story_ID=4384
George Harrison meets Led Zeppelin
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5037614.ece
Catching a crook with a guitar?
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2390496/Article/index_html
And a tribute to blues great Son House
http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081101/Ent/810310193/1038/Ent
Octopus Garden RIP
Swiss-based marine explorer and inventor Jacques Piccard, who was part of the deepest submarine dive in history, has died at his home aged 86.
In 1960, Piccard and US co-pilot Don Walsh took a submersible developed by his father to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific. They went seven miles beneath the surface of the sea.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Tree Frogs Make It To Kailua
These are the tiny tree frogs familiar to anyone who's visited the Caribbean-however, in Hawai'i they are an invasive species.
They arrived on the Big Island 10 years ago, but have now finally made it to Lanikai and Enchanted Lake...
Mule Train
Bob Wills did a great Stupid Music song called "Riding On A Hump-Backed Mule". Here's a look at how they train the mules to go down the Bright Angel Trail.
11/01 Music Digest
World music in Sacramento
http://www.sacbee.com/172/story/1358876.html
Connie Francis sighting!
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/music/all-conniefrancis.6653825nov01,0,573939.story
Going Dutch for avant-garde jazz
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/artslife/story.html?id=3aac7225-e5f6-4b19-86be-a9739530390c
Muzak in the workplace
http://www.examiner.com/x-1580-Chicago-Business-Examiner~y2008m10d30-Background-Music-In-The-Workplace-An-Energizing-Experience
And Van Morrison talks about his classic "Astral Weeks"
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-morrison1-2008nov01,0,7113777.story