Producer Tony Visconti listens to David Bowie’s Space Oddity album in the original 1969 mono demo, the 1969 studio mix, and his 2019 remastering 360 Reality Audio.
Critically Acclaimed Pianist Joey Alexander Announces Major Label Debut Album ‘Warna’
Today, Joey Alexander, the Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer and bandleader announces the release of his major label debut album, WARNA via Verve Records. Slated for release January 31, the album is primarily a collection of reflective, moving new and original music by an experienced and confident musician. You can pre-order the album here.
Translating as “colour” from Alexander’s native language of Bahasa, WARNA follows four Motéma Music albums that garnered the pianist three Grammy nominations and such honors as historic critics’ and readers’ poll victories in DownBeat and JazzTimes. Joining Alexander on the new album are bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Kendrick Scott, who comprise the core piano trio. On select tracks, Venezuelan-born percussion Luisito Quintero, and flautist Anne Drummond, join on to stunning aural effect.
WARNA unfolds like entries in a road journal. Alexander channels what he sees, hears and feels from his travels into his astonishing melodic gift. The track “Downtime” was written by Joey to honor those special moments that occur off the concert stage, exploring new cities or just hanging out with family and friends.
“I wanted to share with people my original work based on my experiences on the road and onstage playing with different musicians, and the musical conversations,” says Alexander of his new album.
WARNA Tracklist
Warna
Mosaic of Beauty
Lonely Streets
Downtime
Affirmation I
Inner Urge
We Here
Tis Our Prayer
Fragile
Our Story
Affirmation III
The Light
Alexander continues to captivate fans and critics alike. His performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk, was heralded by the outlet as “a set that ranks among the year’s finest jazz performances at the Tiny Desk” and his undeniable talent was showcased on a 60 Minutes interview and a Today Show appearance.
Alexander’s live performances have been enthusiastically received, and he just announced a string of North American tour dates that include Washington, DC, New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, Toronto, ON, and Denver, CO. Additionally, in July he will have two major overseas dates, in Italy at the Umbria Jazz Festival at Teatro Morlacchi and in the Netherlands at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
Alexander arrived in New York as a lightning bolt in the spring of 2014, performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s annual fundraising gala. At the helm of a packed-out theater containing some of Manhattan’s most elite arts benefactors, Alexander amazed the audience with a remarkably lyrical rendition of “’Round Midnight.” A standing ovation ensued, and Alexander hasn’t slowed down since. The following spring, the New York Times wrote in an enthusiastic profile that “For a jazz pianist, the mastery entails a staggering breadth of knowledge about harmony, rhythm and orchestration, all converging in an eloquent synthesis. Joey Alexander has a handle on a good deal of that.” From there, he went on to receive three Grammy nominations, with two of Alexander’s four previous albums topping the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Canadian Soprano & Author Tonia Evans Cianciulli Wins Canadian Book Award for “The Heart’s Obsession” on Opera Singer Georgina Ann Stirling
Canadian soprano, singer/songwriter, and author Tonia Evans Cianciulli has won a Canadian Book Award for her recent release, The Heart’s Obsession — available now!
Forging a thrilling musical journey from across the surging sea of Twillingate, Newfoundland, and beyond, The Heart’s Obsession serves as a standing ovation for one of Canada’s most notable starlets, opera singer, Georgina Ann Stirling, also known as Marie Toulinquet, and ‘The Nightingale of the North.’
Together with her co-author Calvin D. Evans, Cianciulli celebrates the historical ripple effect one woman’s voice carried throughout the world, plus the love and loss the starlet must’ve felt during the increasingly isolating years of her meteoric rise to fame.
Separating fact from fiction through careful examination of the trail of documents and artifacts left behind after the prolific artist’s passing in 1935, and detailing unique insights into challenges faced by professional opera singers, the book brings Stirling’s astounding legacy into the 21st century.
Cianciulli — who has performed with renowned companies such as Opera York, Toronto Opera Repertoire, Opera Mississauga, Sarnia Orchestra, Brampton Lyric Orchestra, and more — also released an album to accompany the book. The Heart’s Obsession book and companion album is a vibrant feather in the cap of the ardent Stirling-devotee; previous releases include a Ron Hynes cover album, Beckon Me Home, “Marie,” “Nightingale Sings,” and more.
The Canada Book Awards recognizes Canadian authors and their outstanding accomplishments, creative achievements, and contributions to the world through literary mediums.
The Heart’s Obsession and The Heart’s Obsession Companion album are available here.
Promo video for the first Apple Macintosh, starring a 28-year-old Bill Gates in 1984
“And it’s portable!”
The Jacksons performing “Keep On Dancing” on Especial Nochevieja, TVE in 1976
Some glorious super smooth funk mixed with classic 70’s psychedelia.
Video: An obscure early appearance by ABBA on Spanish television, Señoras y Señores, TVE, 1974
There are some things I wish more than others. I wish this was in colour.
Henry Rollins expresses an angry, bleak vision of the world in this rare Dutch television documentary in 1995
I’m glad Henry is still around. He just recently released his Stay Fanatic!!! Vol. 1 book and said, “Life is short and as much as possible, you have to do your thing. For better or worse, the success or failure of what I do is approval based. I have the choices of disregarding any possible downsides and moving forward to completion, or over thinking it and pulling back. I’ve chosen the former. I hope you like the book. Stay Fanatic!!!”
But back in 1995, it was a little bit of a different philosophy of life for him.
Mister Rogers meets Lou Ferrigno on The Incredible Hulk set in 1980
The greatest crossover event in history. In episode 1468, which aired on February 6, 1980, Mr. Rogers leaves the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to hang out on set with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, stars of the TV show The Incredible Hulk. There, it became the basis of a psychological experiment helping kids get over their fear of The Incredible Hulk.
Toronto Pop Singer/Songwriter Jadyn Lamb Flags “Bad Signs” in Relationships in new Video & Single
The saying ’in like a lamb, out like a lion’ is often saved for seasonal weather, but such can also be said for Canadian pop singer/songwriter Jadyn Lamb and her newest single and video, “Bad Sign” — available now!
In it, the Toronto-area artist delivers a sweetly sung pop track all while leaving listeners inspired by the song’s frank take-away.
“This is a story about manipulation, guilt, and finding the strength to escape abuse,” Lamb says of the lyrics that call a partner out on their unhealthy behaviour. “It’s a message that it’s okay to cut toxic people out of your life.”
The song initially had an ‘audience of one’; Lamb penned “Bad Sign” for her younger sister in the midst of helping her navigate an abusive relationship.
“‘Bad Sign’ is dedicated and in honour of my younger sister, and anyone else going through the same thing,” Lamb shares. “The lyrics are inspired by real messages and arguments they had.
“We’re best friends and I’m really protective of her, so when I saw her in pain, it crushed me,” she continues, relating to what her sister went through. “When I heard her crying, I felt helpless. I tried my best to guide her in the right direction, and steer her away from heartbreak but, in the end, it was always her decision to make.
“Turns out, she didn’t need any help! She was brave on her own, and put herself first. I’m so proud of her.”
Family has always played a strong role in Jadyn Lamb’s musical growth, whether as a lyrical muse or exposure to the craft. “I spent every summer in a packed bar in Leaside, watching my father play the guitar and sing with his band,” she recalls. “I grew up spirited and loud, and fascinated by music and songwriting, even as a child. That experience also helped me fall in love with big stages and crowds.”
That life-long dedication is paying off and presenting itself, first in the form of Lamb’s 2018 debut single “A Day Off,” and most recently via the release of singles “Water,” “Quiet Zone,” “Long Way Home,” and now “Bad Sign.”
“Bad Sign” is available now.