Blog Post
One Zany Audiobook for Kids
by skcramer
How much mayhem can one fake mustache wreak? A whole lot, it turns out. If you need proof, just check out Tom Angleberger’s Fake Mustache, Or How Jodie O’Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind. (The title really says it all.)
When nerdy seventh grader Lenny Flem Jr. lends his best friend Casper ten dollars to buy a fake mustache, he has no idea what hair-raising adventures will follow. First, someone robs the local bank, and Lenny seems to be the only one who realizes it’s Casper in disguise! As Casper’s crazy criminal plan unfolds, Lenny is determined to stop him, even teaming up with teen rodeo queen and former TV star Jodie O’Rodeo to get the job done.
This very silly story, narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross and Jessica Almasy, will appeal to listeners who enjoy slapstick action, gross-out humor and just a little bit of yodeling.
Blog Post
LISTEN!! Digital Music News: Mellow Teen Rock, A Messe is a Mass, Djun Djun Anyone?
by darla
YOU can access over 1,000 digital music albums directly through our AADL.org catalog. Stream or download as much as you like, DRM free, on any device you choose. No waiting for a copy. No due dates. Hooray!
FOLK / ROCK
Connor Thuotte: Guitar Driven Alternative Rock
This strictly acoustic singer/songwriter styled work is carried along by story-teller lyrics and soothing vocals. The twelve song album embodies the California surfer vibe while providing uplifting melodies to contrast the calming chord progressions. Sunblind is Connor Thuotte's first album and was recorded when Connor was just sixteen years old.
CLASSICAL / BAROQUE
Craig Hanson: Exquisitely Moving Baroque Organ Music
François Couperin (1668- 1733) was a French composer more commonly known for his harpsichord music, despite his 55 plus years spent as a church organist. The Mass for the Convents is one of only two organ pieces that he wrote and was paired with another organ mass called Messe des Paroisses, or The Mass for the Parishes, both dating between the years 1689 and 1690. The Mass shows Couperin's charm and poetic nature throughout, and is considered one of his great accomplishments, particularly considering his young age at the time of its creation.
WORLD / NEW AGE
To Life: Tribal Landscapes, Rhythmic Dance, Hypnotic Trance.
TASABASABA fuses North African, Middle Eastern, and contemporary grooves to create a unique and compelling trance music genre. "Funky World Global" has been used to describe the sound, although one might want to add 'tribal', 'organic', and 'soulful' to the mix. African djun djuns and aboriginal didjeridoo drive the primal rhythm, made contemporary by this fresh California group. This is the first full-length release from the Bay Area World Music Trio "To Life!".
Blog Post
JJ Cale, revered singer-songwriter, has died
by sernabad
JJ Cale, known as the founder of 'the Tulsa Sound' for his brilliant understated sensitivity on the guitar, coupled with his minimalist lyrics and his passion for the engineering side of the sound studio, has died.
Cale was late in getting his music out there. His first album, Naturally was released in 1972 when he was 33. It contained the song, Crazy Mama which made it to #22 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart that year. By his own admission, Cale wouldn't have minded the fortune, but eschewed the fame. So it wasn't until Eric Clapton joined forces with Cale on their Emmy-winning album, Road to Escondido (2006) that Cale was reluctantly drawn back into the limelight.
Cale claimed that his genius in the recording studio where he discovered the power of drum machines, was born of necessity. In an interview with Aaron Kayce, Cale told him, "I first started out doing that because of the economics; I didn't have enough money to hire a band. Now that I have enough money to hire a band, I still like that; it's kind of an art form in itself."
Cale's roster of Blues artists who sing his praises is impressive: First and foremost is Eric Clapton who said, "...I was impressed by the subtlety by what wasn't being played." Neil Young also weighed in on Cale: "JJ's the one who played all that s*** first...he's got that thing. I don't know what it is."
On February 23, 2009, Critic Michael Corcoran wrote in the Austin American Statesman "...Cale serves the blues rock like the best $1.99 breakfast you've ever had...Nobody can hit it hard and soft at the same time, and still carry a melody, like this 70-year-old boogie minimalist."
JJ Cale's death, at 74 of a heart attack last Friday, brings to mind his lyrics of Roll On's final cut, "enough is enough, can't do it no more/ Bring down the curtain, close the door."
Blog Post
Best Children's Audiobook of 2013
by skcramer
Summer is a great time for audiobooks, whether listening to them on a family road trip or at home. If you're looking for some youth audiobooks to listen to this summer, then why not try a title from the American Library Associate's list of 2013 Notable Children's Recordings.
Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian. 7.5hr. Grades 5 to 9.
Listeners will be immersed in a world populated with fairies, trolls, and Opal Koboi—Artemis Fowl’s archenemy. Nathaniel Parker’s energetic performance conveys the rollicking adventures listeners have come to expect from Artemis Fowl.
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale. 4hr. Grades 4 to 7.
Katherine Kellgren gives vivid personalities to the many voices in this lively cat and mouse tale of Dickensian England.
The False Prince. 8hr. Grades 5 to 8.
Charlie McWade makes each unique voice stand out as Sage, an orphan, competes to impersonate a prince in a subversive plot.
The Fire Chronicle. 12.5hr. Grades 4 to 8.
In this sequel to The Emerald Atlas, Jim Dale expertly narrates Michael's and Emma’s hunt for a missing legendary book while their sister Kate is stranded a hundred years in the past.
Ghost Knight. 5hr. Grades 4 to 6.
As 11-year-old Jon Whitcroft and his new friend Ella seek to solve a century-old mystery, danger threatens their every move. Elliot Hill’s narration ably balances the real and ghostly worlds.
The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case. 1hr. Grades 2 to 4.
Precious Ramotswe, a clever, thoughtful girl, has all it takes to be a No. 1 detective! Adjoa Andoh reads with enthusiasm and creativity, giving this story great appeal.
The Mighty Miss Malone. 8hr. Grades 4 to 7.
The hardships and courage of Deza Malone and her family during the Great Depression are read passionately by Bahni Turpin.
The Notorious Benedict Arnold. 7hr. Grades 6 to 8.
The story of Benedict Arnold, America’s first traitor, is narrated with suspense and intrigue by Mark Bramhall.
One Year in Coal Harbor, 5.5hr. Grades 4 to 7.
With a great deal of wit and charm, Kathleen McInerney voices Primrose Squarp's continuing story in Coal Harbor as she plays matchmaker and supports an effort to stop logging on the town mountain.
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster. 5hr. Grades 4 to 8.
With the use of multiple narrators, the story of this disaster is told from the viewpoints of a number of survivors.
Wonder, 8hr. Grades 4 to 7.
Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd recount the story of Auggie, a fifth-grade boy born with severe facial abnormalities, and the challenges and triumphs of his first year at school.
Blog Post
LISTEN!! Digital Music News: Rub a Dub Dub, Modern Jazz, Does Brad Really Suck?
by darla
YOU can access over 1,000 digital music albums directly through our AADL.org catalog. Stream or download as much as you like, DRM free, on any device you choose. No waiting for a copy. No due dates. Hooray!
ELECTRONICA
Burning Babylon: Super Fine Dub
Give a listen to the superfine dub of Knives To The Treble by Burning Babylon. Hypnotic beats, synthie sound carpets, excellent effects—it's one of those albums you'll find yourself putting on again and again. Subtly funky beats range from the 70s oriented "Roots Fi Cool" to technoid dubs like "Babylon Overdrive" to the heavy mellow groove of "King Dubby". Positive, laid back, deeply cool.
JAZZ / BLUES
Park St Trio: Catchy, Melodic Jazz For All Occasions
Like Goodnight Daylight, the first Park St. Trio album, 3 Plus 5 was recorded to 1-inch tape with no overdubs, no "fixing" of notes, no redos. On this album, what you hear is what they played. In the studio the band did three takes per song and selected their favorite one. True to the art of jazz, they invited a number of guest musicians, five to be exact, to record with them to add excitement, depth and unpredictability to the music. Recorded at Little Red Wagon Studios, and mastered at Headless Buddha Studios, the outcome is a catchy, quality album that establishes Park St. Trio on the Bay Area jazz scene.
ROCK / FUNK
Brad Sucks: Brilliantly Sardonic Indie Rock
Guess Who's a Mess is the third self-recorded and produced release from Brad Sucks. A more uptempo and aggressive outing than I Don't Know What I'm Doing (2003) and Out of It (2008), Guess Who's a Mess mixes funky beats, noisy synths and big guitars with Brad's wry, world-weary vocals about handling people's expectations and learning to be true to yourself.
Blog Post
Today: Ukulele Party!
by StoryLaura
There’s nothing like the ukulele to make you smile. Come on down to the Ukulele Café for family fun on
Thursday July 25, 2013: 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room . We’ll be singing favorite old time tunes, sharing a short story or two and sipping lemonade. We are so excited that our own awesome storytime musician, Sara Keller, will lead the Ukulele Party gang and Mitchell Chang and David Swain will drop by to show us how it’s really done!
Blog Post
He is Legend
by lucroe
The world-renowned author and screenwriter, Richard Matheson died last week. He is remembered for having written numerous episodes for the legendary TV series, the Twilight Zone, but also for his science fiction novels , many of which were made into movies, such as I am Legend (made into 3 different movies: the Last Man on Earth; the Omega Man; and, most recently, I am Legend with Will Smith); the Shrinking Man (made into the 1957 classic movie, the Incredible Shrinking Man); Bid Time Return (made into the movie filmed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Somewhere in Time); and Steel (most recently made into the movie, Real Steel). He has a long list of screenwriting credits to his name including the classic Edgar Allan Poe movie adaptations directed by Roger Corman like the Pit and the Pendulum. For me the most memorable piece he ever wrote was an episode of the Twilight Zone called Nightmare at 20,000 Feet with William Shatner as the airplane passenger who sees a monster tearing apart the plane’s wings as they are in flight. This was also remade in Twilight Zone: the Movie. He was creative all his life, having been first published at eight years old and writing through his 80’s. He was 87 when he died.
Blog Post
Enjoy your stay at Pines
by lucroe
Secret Service agent Ethan Burke wakes up on a roadside with initially no recollection of how he got there, but knowing that he is badly injured. As he walks into the idyllic town of Wayward Pines, Idaho, some memories start to surface. He eventually recalls that he and his partner (wherever he is) were on their way to this town to locate two missing federal agents, but their car was struck by a semi. But does he have any proof of who he really is? of course not...Anyway to contact family or work? not a chance (although he tries!)...More mystery and suspense, not to mention a bit of horror and just plain weirdness, meld together into a book that is difficult to put down. If you like the writing stylings of Cormac McCarthy and the eerie storytelling of a Stephen King, then you will love Blake Crouch's Pines ! If you are interested to know more about the author check out his website, http://www.blakecrouch.com
He comments in the afterword that this story was inspired by his favorite TV show, Twin Peaks. And yes the story does take place in a beautiful small-town with odd folks in it and as he says, "...a pitch-black underbelly.", but his story goes somewhere altogether different...
Blog Post
A Dog-Gone Good Audiobook for Kids
by skcramer
Meet O.J., a dog like no other, in When Life Gives You O.J. by Erica S. Perl.
When Zelly Fried’s parents refuse to let her get a dog, her grandfather comes up with a crazy plan. Zelly will care for a “practice dog” to show her parents she is responsible enough to care for a dog of her own. The problem? This “practice dog” just happens to be an old orange juice container, and Zelly is terrified about what her classmates will think if they see her feeding it and taking it for walks! Will Zelly be able to stick it out long enough to earn a real live dog?
While the hilarious “practice dog” plot is sure to hook listeners, there is also much more to this heartfelt story. It takes on timely kid issues like being the new kid, feeling like an outsider, dealing with the death of a grandparent and worrying about losing a best friend. This book is also a 2012 Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers, awarded for its authentic portrayal of the Jewish experience.
If you enjoy realistic stories with just the right blend of humor and heart, you should definitely check out When Life Gives Your O.J. You'll find it on our NEW shelf.
Blog Post
LISTEN!! Digital Music News: Dream Pop, Toot Your Flute, Where is Skultuna?
by darla
YOU can access over 1,000 digital music albums directly through our AADL.org catalog. Stream or download as much as you like, DRM free, on any device you choose. No waiting for a copy. No due dates. Hooray!
POP / ROCK
Yongen: Transnational Dream Pop Luxury
Give a listen to the elegant dream pop of Yongen, the project name of songwriting team Chieko and Toshio Kamei. A modern crooner a la Bryan Ferry, Toshio's voice has a refined, architectural quality about it; he arcades serenely through the big, curvaceous melodies of Moonrise, giving the entire album a great neo-debonair sound. Rhythmically this album contains lots of savvy bossa nova and samba references; tailored synths keep the overall tone airy and modern. An exquisite blend of transnational influences and lush sound.
NEW AGE / WORLD / FLUTE
Suzanne Teng: World Flute With a Serene Energy
Enchanted Wind might be global flutist Suzanne Teng's best yet: seven long tracks that showcase her sinuous, slowly unfolding melodies on the alto flute, bass flute, and the rare contrabass flute. The mood here is profoundly quiet and serene; there are no beats at all and the accompaniment on harp, dulcimer, harmonium, and zither is delicate and minimal. The approach shows the full scope of Teng's talent too; stripped of adornment, you really hear how masterful her tone and breath control are, and the music itself is timeless.
ELECTRONICA
Wicked Boy: A Wicked Mix of Ambient/Jungle/Trash Trance
Straight from Skultuna, Sweden, comes the fantastically dark and deeply textured ambient-trash-trance of Wicked Boy, whose influences include Massive Attack, Yello, Prodigy, and Depeche Mode. This album, "The Treatment", is full of gritty beats and smart loops. Listen for the icily femme vocals on the title track that contrast with the gritty, brooding backdrop. Other standouts include "Pressure," "Strange Days" and "Wide Dynamics."