Light, bright, and cheerful, “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi is some of the most familiar of all early 18th century music, featured in numerous films and television commercials. But what is its significance, and why does it sound that way? Betsy Schwarm uncovers the underlying narrative of this musical masterpiece.
Did You Know Stevie Wonder Owns A Radio Station?
Some say radio today is too homogenized, too preprogrammed by the conglomerates that own the stations. I am not here to weigh in on that debate. However, the large networks of corporate stations are not the only players left. All across the country there are still independent station owners maintaining a strong and vital link to their communities in the form of being not just a source of entertainment but also the eyes, ears and voice of their listeners. They are small-business men and women trying to be of service to their local markets while also dealing with the obstacles of running a radio station.
I know these people very well, because I am one of them.
I have owned station KJLH for almost 40 years. When I bought the station, it had been started by a pioneering African-American -station owner in 1965, John Lamar Hill, and it was the first black-owned station west of the Mississippi. Upon my purchasing the station from Mr. Hill, we agreed that it was vital to both he and I that the integrity of KJLH be maintained as a small independent business. It is a great source of pride that we continue to be licensed to the city of Compton, Calif., serving the community and the greater Los Angeles area by bringing news, information, contemporary and vintage artists to the attention of our audience while also being there at times when our community is in need. We strive to be a meaningful member of our community and offer things that nationwide programmers can’t. We are a home to our listeners, a place they find comfort and refuge from the mass market. – Steve Wonder, in Billboard
That Time Hunter S. Thompson Got In A Gun Battle With His Neighbour
“In a Democracy, you have to be a player.” Just a normal Tuesday night for Hunter S. Thompson.
Incredible Drumming And Choreography From Taiko Drum Ensemble
Wakao Maeda founded Senzoku Gakuen in the spirit of “Keep your dreams lofty, but be humble in your actions.” In the years following, they have carried on that spirit and provided an education that focuses not merely on instilling in its students the knowledge and techniques of their chosen specializations but also on raising well-rounded individuals with personalities.
5 Minutes Of TV Show “Columbo” With Home-Made Sound Effects
Musicless music video maker Mario Wienerroither turned his attention to TV this time around, using footage from an episode of the classic 1970s TV series Columbo, replacing its audio track with a number of sound effects. It’s equally as funny as some of his other videos.
Photo Gallery: Midnight Oil with Matthew Good and The Living End at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage
All photos taken by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
The Reason Why Brad Pitt Didn’t Impress Shania Twain Much
For the first time since releasing the confidently twangy “That Don’t Impress Me Much” two decades ago, Shania Twain has finally come clean about incorporating actor Brad Pitt’s name in the lyrics.
But what left Twain, who was 32 when the album came out, so unimpressed with Pitt, who was 33? Apparently, his nudes. When Billboard mentioned Pitt’s career longevity during a recent interview with Twain at Spotify HQ in New York City this month, she revealed the true inspiration for the Pitt lyric.
“You want to know the truth about this story? I’ve never told this before. I’m going to say it now,” said Twain, 51, building suspense. “I remember I had a girl friend visiting me and it was near Christmas and we were baking cookies. I was writing this album and there was a scandal of [Pitt] and Gwyneth [Paltrow] where there was naked photos of him [in Playgirl magazine, which Pitt later successfully sued for publishing the paparazzi photos]. And this was like all the rage. I just thought ‘I don’t know what all the fuss is about.’ I’m like, well that don’t impress me much, I mean what is all the fuss. We see people naked every day. That’s really what I thought. I wasn’t picking on Brad Pitt. But that was just the association in that moment and things we make fusses about and whatever. Of course, it could have been any gorgeous guy.”
John Butler Trio Take Aim at The ‘Bully’ Single Released Today
Whilst working on a new studio album due for release in early 2018, the John Butler Trio have released BULLY as a new stand-alone track. Available now on Soundcloud, iTunes, and Spotify, the song is independently released on John Butler’s own label Jarrah Records.
Produced by Jan Skubiszewski and John Butler Trio, BULLY was recorded in 2016 at Jan’s Red Moon Studios in Victoria with fellow John Butler Trio musicians; Byron Luiters (bass) and Grant Gerathy (drums). Sensational backing vocals were provided by the extraordinary Australian vocalist Kira Puru.
“In the wake of the recent deplorable and gut wrenching event in Charlottesville, Virginia – USA and Australia’s impending bullshit plebiscite on gay marriage, it’s hard to write this without a heavy heart. Nevertheless, I want to explain where this song comes from.
Over the years of campaigning to protect pristine and sacred parts of our globe, I’ve witnessed two archetypes over and over again; The Bully and the Power of community. It’s always been the injustice inflicted by the Bully that’s incited me to stand up, and the strength of community that’s kept my faith in humanity.
BULLY is about the abuse of power. It’s about Governments, corporations and organizations who think they have the right to use violence and their powers of state against their own community; telling us how we should live, who we’re allowed to marry, whose lives matter and whose do not, how much racism is tolerable, what industries and private enterprises should be allowed on our land and how contaminated our water is allowed to be.
It’s about a BULLY mindset that is so greedy for more control, power and dominance that it’s willing to use violence against innocent citizens and in the process, killing the planet and life upon it, just to feed its veracious appetite.
This song is about good people all over the world, who believe in a fair, just and sustainable future, who are willing to stand together to protect what is most precious to them.”
Paul Brandt Returns To Warner Music Canada With “The Journey”
Warner Music Canada is thrilled to welcome Canadian country music superstar Paul Brandt home. With the release of his new single, “The Journey,” Paul returns this week to the label where his precedent setting career first started.
Paul Brandt’s first single, “My Heart Has A History” from his debut album, Calm Before The Storm, became the first of many hits making him the most played Canadian country artist in Nielsen BDS history. He also has the distinction of being the most awarded Canadian male country artist in history. Add one more award to the mantle when Paul is inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame on September 9, 2017.
The Yardbirds Release Jimmy Page-Produced Double-LP Compilation
Available now for the very first time, Yardbirds ’68 presents an 18-track double album produced by legendary guitarist and producer Jimmy Page.
This special album features re-mixed live recordings from the Anderson Theater in March 1968 alongside Studio Sketches recorded in the same era and the album features music from The Yardbirds members Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja, Jimmy Page and Keith Relf.
Yardbirds ’68 is now available for pre-order in advance of its November 5th release date, available in three editions: CD, Vinyl and Signed Deluxe Edition.
Yardbirds ’68 – Double Vinyl edition (Pre-order)
Details
2 x Heavyweight 180g Vinyls
1 x Art book with liner notes from The Yardbirds
1 x Double gatefold sleeve
1 x Slipcase
Tracklisting
LIVE AT ANDERSON THEATER
Train Kept A Rollin’
Mr, You’re A Better Man Than I
Heart Full of Soul
Dazed And Confused
My Baby
Over Under Sideways Down
Drinking Muddy Water
Shapes of Things
White Summer
I’m A Man (contains Moanin’ And Sobbin’)
STUDIO SKETCHES
Avron Knows
Spanish Blood
Knowing That I’m Losing You (Tangerine)
Taking A Hold On Me
Drinking Muddy Water (Version Two)
My Baby
Avron’s Eyes
Spanish Blood (Instr.)
Yardbirds ’68 – Double CD edition (Pre-order)
Details
2 x CDs
1 x Art book with liner notes from The Yardbirds
1 x Double gatefold sleeve
1 x Slipcase
Tracklisting
LIVE AT ANDERSON THEATER
Train Kept A Rollin’
Mr, You’re A Better Man Than I
Heart Full of Soul
Dazed And Confused
My Baby
Over Under Sideways Down
Drinking Muddy Water
Shapes of Things
White Summer
I’m A Man (contains Moanin’ And Sobbin’)
STUDIO SKETCHES
Avron Knows
Spanish Blood
Knowing That I’m Losing You (Tangerine)
Taking A Hold On Me
Drinking Muddy Water (Version Two)
My Baby
Avron’s Eyes
Spanish Blood (Instr.)
Yardbirds ’68 – Signed deluxe box set
Details
Sleeve hand-signed by Jimmy Page, Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja
2 x Heavyweight 180g Vinyls
2 x CDs
1 x Deluxe art book with liner notes from The Yardbirds
1 x Deluxe box
Tracklisting
LIVE AT ANDERSON THEATER
Train Kept A Rollin’
Mr, You’re A Better Man Than I
Heart Full of Soul
Dazed And Confused
My Baby
Over Under Sideways Down
Drinking Muddy Water
Shapes of Things
White Summer
I’m A Man (contains Moanin’ And Sobbin’)
STUDIO SKETCHES
Avron Knows
Spanish Blood
Knowing That I’m Losing You (Tangerine)
Taking A Hold On Me
Drinking Muddy Water (Version Two)
My Baby
Avron’s Eyes
Spanish Blood (Instr.)