Blog Post
We will never forget him
by Maxine
Today, October 9, is the birthday of John Lennon, famed Beatles member, peace activist, poet, artist and musician who struck out on his own to create unforgettable songs. Lennon was born in 1940 in Liverpool, England. A brilliant lyricist known for his pungent wit as well as ability to tap into the deep emotions of his listeners, Lennon became a spoke person for the peace movement of the Sixties and was a harsh critic of the Vietnam war. But most of all, we remember him for songs like "Hey Jude," which calls out to all of us to "make it better." Lennon was killed outside his apartment house in New York City on December 8, 1980.
Blog Post
This Love, the latest Mandarin album from R&B artist Khalil Fong.
by Employee 37
《愛 愛 愛》專輯收錄了方大同的個人新作「愛愛愛」情歌，方大同確實寫歌有一手。主打歌「愛愛愛」(方大同作曲、周耀輝填詞)在2006年底橫掃各大流行音樂頒獎典禮，成為熱播金曲，歌詞抒發愛情遊戲的種種現象，經方大同演繹後別有一番味道。
方大同的R&B音樂才華被各電台和媒體肯定，這張2006年壓軸大碟《愛愛愛》值得歌迷珍藏，收錄了新歌「蘇麗珍」、「愛愛愛」和「歌手與模特兒」。特別版加送輯錄了四首新歌MV DVD一張，DVD以Digi package精美包裝。
(Review courtesy of yesasia.com)
Khalil Fong is back to carry his soulful melodies higher.
Around a year after his debut release, singer/songwriter Khalil Fong further established his reputation by composing the song "Grand Love" for Andy Hui's 2005 album In The Name Of.... Now, he is here to present This Love, the follow-up album to his Mando-pop CD Soul Boy. Once more unveiling his fine sense of R&B, fans can look forward to 13 tracks including the titular song (Track 1), as well as a remix of his debut album tune "Spring Breeze" (Track 13).
The special edition comes with a DVD consisting of 4 MVs for his new songs in a digi-package.
(Review courtesy of yesasia.com)
Blog Post
That old vinyl collection...
by RiponGood
The Ann Arbor Record & CD Show is coming on Sunday, October 12, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The fair has moved to a new location, Weber's Inn, 3050 Jackson Rd. Over 50 dealers from several states will be there offering a wide variety of rare and collectible used records and CDs along with hard-to-find new releases. Be sure to get their early for the best selection. Refreshments will be available. Feel free to bring in a small number of records to sell. Admission is only $3 admission for people 11 and up. Children age 10 & under are free.
Before you head over to the show, be sure to look at our discography collection.
Blog Post
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Comes to The Ark
by manz
Grammy nominated Jimmie Dale Gilmore brings his country-folk bliss to The Ark in Ann Arbor on Monday, October 13 at 8pm. Rolling Stone calls him “The poet laureate of the Buddhist cowboys.” His musical influences range from Texans such as Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly to acts such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan to an array of folk artists. His most recent album, Come On Back, is what he calls “a compilation of recordings of some old songs that my dad loved. I love them too, and it is a project very dear to me.” Texas based Gilmore is not only a singer and songwriter, he is also a record producer and actor. (Including a brief role in The Big Lebowski.) Check out The Ark’s website for more details and ticket information.
Blog Post
T.M. Revolution
by Employee 37
By popular demand, we bring you T.M. Revolution. Otherwise known as Takanori Nishikawa, T.M. Rev has released numerous albums, and contributed several tracks to Rurouni Kenshin, Gundam SEED, and Gundam SEED Destiny. Some of you may have even been lucky enough to take in his recent performance at New York Comic Con 2008. His album, Under Cover, is a compilation of best tracks commemorating his 10th anniversary. If you like it, we'll buy more.
Blog Post
This Date in Music History
by Caser
Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926 in Hamlet, NC. His first major recordings were with Miles Davis' First Quintet (1955-1957), playing tenor sax on such cool era albums as Relaxin', Workin', and Steamin'. After a bout with heroin that resulted in a rift with Davis, Coltrane began recording under his own name, producing Blue Train andGiant Steps, two albums that secured his reputation as one of the most gifted improvisers in jazz.
From '60-'65, Trane recorded with his most prolific lineup, the "Classic Quartet," which featured McCoy Tyner on piano and Elvin Jones on drums. From this period, check out Coltrane's best-selling album, My Favorite Things, and his magnum opus, A Love Supreme. Trane's legacy includes groundbreaking work in modal improvisation, avant-garde jazz, Eastern composition, and influencing a legion of followers, such as Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, and Kenny Garrett who continue to explore the limits of jazz today.
Blog Post
Free RENT!!
by Liberry Shortstack
Free rent! You see this on signs outside apartment complexes, all the time. Tomorrow evening, come to the Downtown Library's Multi-Purpose Room for free Rent of a different kind.
As part of its 25th Anniversary season, the University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre is thrilled to be one of the first regional companies to produce the theatrical phenomenon musical Rent by Jonathan Larson.
Join us at the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room on Wednesday, September 24 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm as Mark Madama, Associate Professor of Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan (and the director of the upcoming UM production) discusses Rent and the reasons why it has become such an important part of musical theater history. He will also describe the upcoming UM production and, as a special treat, cast members will perform selections from the musical (which begins its run on October 16)
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
And if tomorrow's presentation isn't quite enough Rent for you, check out these Rent-related items in the Library's collection.
We've got the RENT music CD, the DVD of the screen version of RENT, and a print version with music and lyrics.
Blog Post
All that jazz
by Maxine
Take advantage of the great free series of concerts at the U of M School of Music like the one happening this Saturday, September 27. The Renaud-Garcia Fonds Trio known for their polyphonic sound will be performing. The opening act will be the local jazz percussion group, the Michael Gould Trio. The concert will be at the School of Music on Baits Drive, North Campus.
Blog Post
Today in Music History
by Caser
On September 18, 1970, rock legend Jimi Hendrix was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Mary Abbot's Hospital in London at the age of 27. The details of this fateful night are the stuff of lore, but the facts are that Jimi took several sleeping pills and later choked to death on his own vomit. Legend has it that the guitar hero left a message for his manager that said "I need help bad man" earlier that evening.
His reign as master showman and songwriter may have lasted only 4 years (1967-1970), but his influence on rock music is perhaps only eclipsed by The Beatles. Known for writing some of the edgiest and most memorable riffs set to wax, one needs only mention the titles Purple Haze, Fire, Foxy Lady, or Hey Joe, and the visceral imprint of the songs immediately returns. If you haven't revisited Hendrix' work with The Jimi Hendrix Experience or with Band of Gypsys, you may be surprised how well these classics have aged.
Blog Post
Bearded Ballads
by Caser
I heard Fleet Foxes for the first time at a concert festival this summer, where I was censured by a devoted fan. "Shhhh, I'm trying to listen here!" the enraptured audiophile spat. I tried to be mad at her, but the rest of the crowd looked like they were at Dylan's 1966 Royal Albert Hall show (if only more bearded and plaid), so I shut my mouth and listened. There must be something to this band.
Fleet Foxes' eponymous debut LP combines CSNY harmonies with naturalist lyrics straight out of an Appalachian songbook. Although the lyrical tone is optimistic, Pecknold refrains from the saccharine. The best songs on the record are pop structured, uptempo ballads best suited to summer nights around a campfire. After a few turns through this filler-free 40 minute album you'll likely be crooning along, the key to every successful Sub Pop release.