1968. The White Album: the album design became important – the music was all over the map – would it cohere as an album? At the very least, The Beatles needed to create a visual theme where a musical one may or may not exist. Paul McCartney spent a week going to the artist RichardContinue reading “The Beatles – how they ended up on the rooftop”
Category Archives: Music
French Power Pop – What is the magic?
The first French band that grabbed my attention was Les Rita Mitsouko in the ’80s. Upon listening to my random YouTube mix today, a French band that I had never heard before called Manceau popped up in the mix and I was instantly transported away: This reminded me and sounded like another unheralded and brilliantContinue reading “French Power Pop – What is the magic?”
Lawrence of Belgravia
Question: How can a musician so disciplined that he releases 10 classic albums in 10 years in the 1980s (with the band Felt) produce minimal output in the years that followed? Short answer: By being true to himself. Long answer: See below. Lawrence get things done, but in his own way and on his ownContinue reading “Lawrence of Belgravia”
Berlin – The Wings of Desire Effect
I recently visited the Victory Column in Berlin’s Tiergarten. The column inspired Wim Wenders to make Wings of Desire, a film about angels who listen in on the thoughts of humans. Wim Wenders was a fan and friend of U2, and U2 was inspired by Wings of Desire and the city of Berlin, which extended toContinue reading “Berlin – The Wings of Desire Effect”
Experiencing the Cure – 30 years later
The last time I saw The Cure at Northrup Auditorium at the University of Minnesota in 1986, Robert Smith had just cut his hair short, confounding all the spiky long-haired goths who showed up to pay homage. 30 years later…. The Cure, June 7, 2016, St. Paul, MN More than three hours of Cure, fourContinue reading “Experiencing the Cure – 30 years later”
The best Wim Wenders films
The films of German director Wim Wenders are infused by his love of people, music, photography and travel. Wim has made numerous landmark films (way more than I am listing here). These are my favorites: 2011 Pina (Documentary) Pina is a film from the heart from one artist to another. Pina is a available in 3-D – andContinue reading “The best Wim Wenders films”
Paul Weller – the big boss is still grooving
Paul Weller was born May 25, 1958, and grew up in Woking, a working-class suburb of London. Rooted in British culture, a certain Englishness has infused all his work, which has endeared him to Anglophiles around the globe. And from a young age, Weller has always understood that good clothes and good music go hand in hand. AsContinue reading “Paul Weller – the big boss is still grooving”
Paul McCartney – in praise of live music
On the initial leg of his Driving USA tour in 2002, Paul McCartney (affectionately known to his fans as Macca) was not coming anywhere near Minneapolis. The Driving USA tour was part of the Driving World Tour, which was Paul McCartney‘s first concert tour of the 21st century and of any kind since 1993. So IContinue reading “Paul McCartney – in praise of live music”
What is music? – Chapter 1. The Beatles and the universe
What is music? rhythm melody harmony ratios stories resonance creativity. find a means of communication a medium: voice, guitar, piano tune into the transcendent communicate from within to the universe what you have to say. learn some technical things then forget about them moving on, most importantly – tell a story create an arrangement, andContinue reading “What is music? – Chapter 1. The Beatles and the universe”
Roddy Frame – it’s a long ride from East Kilbride
Three days after seeing my first concert ever (The Police, Synchronicity tour) I went with my next-door neighbor, Alex, to see Elvis Costello and the Attractions on their Punch the Clock tour at Northrup Auditorium at the University of Minnesota. The date was August 28, 1983. And to my 16-year-old mind – my first twoContinue reading “Roddy Frame – it’s a long ride from East Kilbride”
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