Blog Post
Jazz it up this Sunday
by Maxine
This Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m.. The First Unitarian Universalist Church presents its annual "Ragtime Bash." Enjoy piano ragtime and traditional jazz, boogie-woogie and blues. This popular show includes acclaimed ragtime historian Mike Montgomery, local ragtime vocalist Kerry Price, renowned early-jazz pianist, James Dapogny, jazz vocalist and singer, Susan Chastain, Detroit pianist Richard Berry, and pianist John Milan. First Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. at Ellsworth. Tickets $15 in advance at Nicola's Books and at the door.
Blog Post
Modest Mouse Stops Gaps, Saves Music (maybe)
by Caser
Ubi sunt, Modest Mouse? Where are your stark desert landscapes and your pointed laments of loneliness? Who stole away the caustic screams? What happened to Cowboy Dan? On your latest EP, No One's First and You're Next, you say? Oh, indeed.
For the Modest Mouse fan who is wondering what happened to the woolier Isaac Brock et al. of the band's earlier records, check out the 2009 eight-song EP that features tracks that were left off of their last two releases, Good News for People Who Love Bad News and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Consider "Satellite Skin," whose chugging guitars and fitful Brock vocals would have landed it perfectly on the second half of The Moon & Antarctica, or "The Whale Song," an isolationist, mostly-instrumental song that eventually breaks into the near chaos you'll recognize from This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About. Check out the video for "The Whale Song" here. For a taste of the penultimate track, do not miss the video for "King Rat", directed by the late Heath Ledger.
Blog Post
Learn About The Lute From World-Renowned Lutenist Ronn McFarlane
by shannon riffe
In the Renaissance era, the lute was the most popular instrument in the Western world. It was the instrument of kings and queens, playing the sublime music of great composers and accompanying the words of Shakespeare's plays. Ronn McFarlane is largely responsible for bringing the transcendent charm and timeless quality of the lute into the modern musical mainstream. Hear his talk on this fascinating instrument this Saturday at the Downtown Library. Please note that this event has been moved to the 4th Floor Meeting Room.
Blog Post
Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea
by Caser
This CD's title alone makes Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea an irresistible catch of the library's collection, and with songs like The Ballad of O Brudair, All for Me Grog / Parnell's March, and Larry Maher's Big Five-Gallon Jar, how could a brave listener go wrong? The chanteys and maritime songs are populated by shanghaiers, criminals, and broken-down sailors who take on the mighty high seas either out of necessity or as a challenge to mother nature herself, and some will not make it back alive! Sung by legendary Irish folk singer, Dan Milner, and produced by Smithsonian Folkways, the record is a not only a rollicking barrel of good times, but a cultural document of the stories and people of the Irish diaspora.
Blog Post
Dueling Sopranos: The Original Celebrity Feud
by Caser
Whitney vs. Bobby. Jon vs. Kate. C. B. vs. Rihanna. Tebaldi vs. Callas? Celebrity feuds are not a new phenomenon. In 1958, Time magazine published a cover story that quoted superstar soprano Maria Callas, who stated that comparing her to Renata Tebaldi is like comparing "champagne to Coca-Cola." Ouch. Two soprano opera singers, both at the peak of their singing powers during the 1950s-'60s vying for the title: Diva Suprema.
Maria Callas, known throughout her controversial career as La Divina, was primarily a bel canto singer whose dramatic style enabled her to perform stunningly in roles as diverse as Brunnhilde in Wagner's Die Walkure to Elvira in Bellini's I Puritani. Unlike Tebaldi's classic sound, Callas' timbre was muscular, a sound so powerful that for seasoned listeners, it could transcend beauty. Undoubtedly a more talented actress than Tebaldi, Callas' performances in the dramatic operas such as Puccini's Tosca would move audiences to tears.
Renata Tebaldi, on the other hand, was hailed for her supreme pitch and classic tonal control. She achieved her career breakthrough when she auditioned for Toscanini, who called her "voce d'angelo." She quickly became a regular performer at the historic La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy until one night when she couldn't make an Aida performance and was replaced by an upstart new voice...Callas. Tebaldi moved on to New York City's Metropolitan Opera House where she performed almost exclusively throughout the 1960s. Most natural in verismo operas, her most lauded roles were as Aida in Verdi's opera, and as Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata.
Blog Post
Student Songwriter Series: The Ark at UMMA
by manz
The
Series kicked off earlier last week with a performance at UMMA by local musician Timothy Monger, of Great Lakes Myth Society fame. There will be future performances from artists in the Series on Friday October 16, at 7pm and November 13, at 7pm at UMMA.
What is this all about? The Ark asks student songwriters at U of M “to submit their original music demo in order to compete for a live performance showcase at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) and a chance to perform at The Ark.”
There will be a final performance on Friday, December 4 from 7-9pm that will feature all the performers from the October and November shows. They will be performing in-the-round, and the winners of series will be announced.
Demos are due by September 30 for the October show, and October 27 for the November show. Please see The Ark’s website or the flyer for important information regarding all submission guidelines if you plan on entering. If not, see you at UMMA for the performances!
Blog Post
It's Time to Rock Out
by MariaK
Good news, music lovers -- "Alternative Press" magazine has come out with their new 'Fall Ball' issue, with in-depth interviews of bands who will be appearing live, including The Academy Is..., Mayday Parade, Set Your Goals and more!
The Fall Ball is coming SOON -- September 25 in Pontiac and September 27 in Grand Rapids -- so get the scoop on all your favorite bands and learn their dirty little secrets ASAP. Or you might end up backstage and have nothing to say.
This issue also includes the latest in cool rocker gear, tons of music and film reviews and an opinion piece on bullying by Mark Sanchez, of Make Beats Not Beatdowns.
Blog Post
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream
by celesteh
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down a Dream may very well be the best music documentary I have ever seen in my life. In fact, it may be the best music documentary you’ll ever see, too. What is even more amazing is that the film is about four hours long, and I remained enraptured every minute of those four hours. Even if you’re just a casual fan of the Pettyman, I think you will probably enjoy every minute of this film as well.
Directed by Peter Bogdanovich ( The Last Picture Show), Runnin’ Down a Dream tells the story of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from the group’s humble beginnings in Gainesville, FL as the band Mudcrutch (yes, Mudcrutch) up until present day when the film was released (2008). The film also features interviews with the likes of Stevie Nicks, Jeff Lynne, and George Harrison, all of whom had the utmost respect and admiration for Petty. (Nicks claims she would have left Fleetwood Mac to join the Heartbreakers if Petty would have taken her.) But perhaps the most enjoyable parts of the film are the live footage of performances past, as well as the clips from the music videos. Whether they liked it or not – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were pioneers in the world of music videos on MTV. Baby, even the losers get lucky sometimes.
And if you decide you just can't get enough Petty, check out the book Runnin' Down a Dream, Tom's very own autobiography.
Blog Post
Upcoming Concerts at The Ark
by manz
The Ark always has a variety of interesting shows happening throughout the year, so be sure to check out the fall schedule. Upcoming acts include The Proclaimers, who will play The Ark tonight, Monday, September 14, 2009 at 8pm. You won’t have to walk 500 miles to get here, unless they move the show to St. Louis. Grab a copy of Life With You and The Best Of CD at AADL.
Next weekend, Michelle Shocked will be rocking at The Ark as well, on Sunday, September 20th, at 7:30pm. Her website bio boasts, “I’m the most sophisticated hillbilly you’ll ever meet.” Born in Texas, she’s had quite the life. She’s lived everything from mormonism, political activism, homelessness, and institutionalization before landing into the world of music recording and performing. With a 23 year career she has a number of albums under her belt. Hear her newest album, Soul of My Soul, live at The Ark.
Blog Post
Music abounds
by Maxine
There are some great musical events coming up later this week. I will highlight two of them that caught my interest. Tom McDermott is a New Orleans pianist whose music, some self composed, is influenced by ragtime, jazz and Brazillian choro music. He will be performing at Kerrytown Concert House this Thursday, September 3 at 8 p.m.
Every Sunday from this Sunday, September 5 until October 11, you can watch a live broadcast of "Radio Free Bacon," a show at the West Park Bandshell featuring Terry Farmer and the Roadhouse Revival Band, interviews, comic sketches and guest performers, all broadcast on radio station WQKL, 107.1 FM. A fun pastime for a Sunday afternoon.