AUDITORY CORTEX

I'm Listening to: Radcliffe and Maconie

2011-04-04T20:00:00.000+01:00

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie have moved from BBC Radio 2 (Monday through Wednesday evenings) to digital-only station BBC 6 Music (1-4pm Monday through Friday). This is terrific for me, as I now have a couple of favorite UK DJs to listen to during the afternoons at work. Their show is so eclectic, and I never know what gem I might hear them play.

I was delighted to be able to hear their first new 6 Music show this afternoon. I'm sure it's the first of many to come...although not everybody is happy about their move.

Oh...and The Chain continues as well!

Janet

I'm Listening To: Jazz FM

2011-04-03T12:39:00.002+01:00

What a delight to discover, over the weekend, that Jazz FM is now being broadcast all over the UK on DAB radio! Up until now, I could sometimes pick it up on one of the DABs in the upstairs of our house, only with the antenna fully extended and pointed toward the West Midlands...and then only sometimes! The station was available online, but it's so much more convenient to now pick it up using DAB radios.

So far the broadcasts are at a low bit rate and are in mono. But that's set to change.

Because of this, it also means I can listen at work, when I need to "chill". And that need happens from time to time, by the way.

Janet

Concert Review: Rumer, Oxford New Theatre, March 2011

2011-03-27T17:30:00.006+01:00

Well, last night's Rumer concert was absolutely amazing.

I've poured out my heart over on my main blog, Lord Celery, and there's little to add here. So take a trip over there and have a look.

Janet

I'm About to See: Rumer

2011-03-26T13:45:00.004Z

Time for a cross-post, I think.

I've just written a post about singer/songwriter Rumer on my main blog, Lord Celery.

I'll write more here once we've seen her perform tonight!

Janet

I'm Listening To: KGSR in Austin

2011-03-19T20:42:00.004Z

I just posted an item on my main blog, Lord Celery, which belongs here, too. It's about what I'm listening to on my new internet radio.

Here's the post.

Believe it or not, we now have a total of four internet radios in our home. Three of them, Roberts units, plug into the wall. So they aren't exactly "portable". But they have wonderful sound, whether through their own speaker or linked into to a larger stereo unit. John gave me the first one last Christmas, and it's plugged into our living room stereo. I then got a second one for the guest room upstairs (which also doubles as "my room"), and then John decided he wanted one for his own bedroom as well. (We do actually share the master bedroom, by the way; we also each have a room for most of our own things. Call it a sanity-saver for a couple who married in middle age!)

Recently I discovered that Pure makes a portable indoor/outdoor digital and internet radio. I just got myself one, and it sits on the windowsill of my bathroom. As UK bathrooms don't have power plugs (apart from plugs for shavers), I didn't have access to digital or internet radio from my bathroom. I listen to a lot of radio in there, too, and now that can even include internet radio! And, as I wrote in my Lord Celery blog, it also means that this radio can go outside with us.

So I can listen to nice-quality internet radio outdoors, as long as I don't stray too far away from our wireless box! And what a joy it is to be listening to Austin, Texas radio as I'm sitting on my patio in North Oxfordshire. I just love technology!

Janet

I'm Listening To: The Wailin' Jennys, "Bright Morning Stars"

2011-03-16T14:27:00.005Z

I've been a big fan of The Wailin' Jennys since I first heard one of their songs on a Bob Harris' BBC Radio 2 program back in 2003 or 2004. And since I used to travel to Canada a couple of times a year for work during that time period, I bought my first Jennys CD at my favorite shop in Calgary.

The Canadian trio's latest CD, "Bright Morning Star", doesn't disappoint. Bob chose to play "Across the Sea" on his radio show, and it's a favorite from this new release. My absolute favorite, though, is "Storm Comin'", written by Ruth Moody. (Although Moody was born in Australia, she got to Canada as soon as she could...as the saying goes.) When I first heard it, I wondered if it was a traditional song with a Jennys arrangement. It has a wonderful gospel feel.

While "Bright Morning Star" isn't quite a match for my favorite Jennys CD "40 Days" (that CD's beautifully haunting "Arlington" is one of my all-time favorite songs), I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys folk and "Americana" music.

Given that the Jennys are Canadian, should I have referred to that as "North Americana" perhaps?

Janet

Hanson...and Sheryl Crow?

2011-02-28T19:30:00.004Z

I'm not much of a fan of Chris Evans' show in the morning on BBC Radio 2, but I have to admit that sometimes he plays some good tunes. That's reason enough to tune in at the office, as I begin my working day.

This morning, Chris played a song I hadn't heard in ages. He played Hanson's "MMMBop", from 1996. And I noticed something.

I have no idea which of the brothers was singing lead on "MMMBop". But I noticed, for the first time, that he sounds remarkably like Sheryl Crow on helium!

Give it a listen for yourself, and see if you agree with me.

Janet

I'm Listening To: Sean Hutchinson's Still Life

2011-02-27T20:14:00.006Z

While listening to London's Jazz FM on digital radio one night, I heard "Again, Again" from drummer Sean Hutchinson's new CD. It caught my attention big time. After getting the EP (it only has 6 tracks), my attention was firmly held.

Hutchinson, along with bassist Bridget Kearney and Omer Klein on keyboards, has created a great jazz vibe with a lot of texture and energy. It's an intriguing listen. All six tracks are notable, although I will admit a fondness for the first track - the one originally played by Jazz FM.

I have to add that Kearney's bass is absolutely outstanding. It's terrific to see this much mature talent in such a young woman. I can't wait to hear more of her work.

Janet

Tricks that iPods play...

2011-02-26T15:19:00.007Z

I haven't written here in ages, I know. Music has always been such an important part of my life, and I should write about it more often (whether anybody is out there reading or not). So here goes...a little story about what my latest little iPod is doing to/for me.

I lost a very important person in my life at the beginning of the year. I'm now realizing that I've been grieving about the loss even more than I had expected to.

The person I have lost is my Aunt Blanche, my mother's only sister. I was extremely close to her my entire life. I made a last-minute trip over to the States to see her last December, as it was unlikely she would live along enough for John and I to see her when we make our US trip this year. And it's a good thing I did, because she died only a few weeks after I saw her.

While in Ruidoso, NM, where she was living, I made a pilgrimage to their WalMart for some supplies. And that's when I saw the new generation iPod Nano. It's a teeny little thing. Just right to use during commuting or exercising, I thought. So I bought one and brought it back here to England with me.

I had a song stuck in my head during much of that December American trip. The song was Cee Lo Green's "It's OK". I love that song, and I "soundtracked" it all the time while I was away. I finally decided that my subconscious was trying to tell me that I was doing the right thing to have made the trip.

Now the story in Green's song has nothing at all to do with losing an elderly and beloved relative. But there are some interesting phrases in it, besides the relevant title phrase, like: "I still think of you...", "...until I lost this legendary woman", and "...without you I'm still alone". So the song makes me think of Aunt Blanche...and the tremendous sense of loss I am feeling.

Here's where the little Nano comes in.

Over Christmas, once I was back home, I put together a playlist of about 200 songs to shuffle while I'm on our new treadmill. Those of you who use MP3 players while exercising understand what I did. You put onto your little music machines those songs which have a pace that motivates you to keep going when your body suggests you should stop. I had decided that the little Ruidoso Nano was perfect for use on the treadmill, and one of the songs on that playlist is "It's OK".

And out of those 200+ songs I shuffle when exercising, at least once a week "It's OK" shuffles up...and it always shuffles up as the final song for the treadmill session...no matter how far (or long) I've elected to go that session! It's like a little parting gift for the work I've put in. And it makes me cry, every single time.

Do you suppose that iPods can be haunted?

Janet

Coming up from Steve Earle...

2009-03-30T13:19:00.002+01:00

I have just found out that Steve Earle's eagerly-awaited next album, coming out in May, is called "Townes". And yes, it's covers of his favorite songs written and performed by his close friend, the late, great Townes Van Zandt.

I already can't wait for the 15 tracks to be released!

Janet

John Martyn

2009-01-31T20:53:00.005Z

For my first post in a long time, I'm going to lazily link to a post I've just made on my main blog, Lord Celery. It has to do with the death on the 29th of John Martyn, a long-time favorite of mine.

RIP.

Janet

I'm Listening To: "That Lucky Old Sun"

2008-10-23T12:40:00.005+01:00

Occasionally I post something about what I'm listening to over on Lord Celery, my main blog. That's what has happened today. So if you'd like, you can go read about "That Lucky Old Sun" here!

Janet

I'm Listening To: This Is ReDeYe

2008-10-07T12:26:00.000+01:00

I'm really overdue writing about this CD. Guillaume, I'm very sorry about that.

"This Is ReDeYe" is the first all-English CD released by French musician Guillaume Fresneau. Up until now, I've only known him musically through the group Dahlia. (Sorry - that link to the Dahlia information is to a French website.)

But I'm very lucky to have had Fresneau, his parents, and his siblings as long-time friends, although I haven't seen Guillaume in a very long time. He was a very interesting boy and young man, and I have no doubt that he's a terrific adult, too.

But I didn't realize, when he was a kid, that he was such a talented musician. He certainly is!

"This Is ReDeYe" is a fascinating CD. I feel influences of a number of famous singer-songwriters - like Townes Van Zandt, as a primary example. I wonder if Fresneau's time in Texas is responsible for some of this sound?

To me, this is a very intimate album. The songs have intriguing lyrics. The presentation is very simple - in some cases, it's only Fresneau's voice and his guitar. A few of the tracks seem incomplete, almost like unresolved feelings. Fresneau's songwriting really shines through, without any sense of the heavy-handed production which plagues many current artists.

This CD really gets to me. It gets to my heart and soul.

Thanks so much for sharing so much with us, Guillaume! I eagerly await what you're going to do next.

Janet

Trevor Nelson on BBC Radio 2

2008-09-26T12:21:00.003+01:00

My last post here was about British soul singer Anthoney Wright. Well, through one of his fan sites, I found out that Wright would be performing live this week on the Wednesday night R&B/soul programme hosted by Trevor Nelson on BBC Radio 2. It's not a programme I had ever listened to before.

Now since I'm not much of a night owl during the working week (I get up at 5:30am Monday through Friday - yawn - in order to beat the traffic into Oxford), I decided to use my DAB radio and digitally record the programme rather than listen live. That way, I can also listen as many times as I'd like on my iPod (once I've converted the file format, that is).

What an interesting radio show - one that I'll be recording every week from now on!

Anthoney Wright, along with an excellent backing band and singers, performed two songs live. One was the track that I've been hearing regularly on the radio - "Reset to Zero". The other was called "No Me Without You". What can I say about the performances? Well, now I'm especially looking forward to the release of Wright's first album (hopefully later this year)! The guy has one of the finest soul voices I've heard in a long time. Really.

My only regret about Wright's performance on Radio 2 this week was that Trevor Nelson didn't interview him. Oh well - can't have everything, I guess!

Here's a shot that I grabbed from Radio 2's site. Let's hope that the Beeb won't be too offended that I am using a photo of Anthoney Wright, from Wednesday night, from their site. I'm only borrowing it!

But through that same radio show, I also have discovered an artist about whom I know little. Nelson played a cover version of Miles Davis' famous song "So What" by an artist called Ronny Jordan. I believe it's from 1992. It was just fantastic, and I've already wish-listed the CD containing it on Amazon. Nelson commented that many purist fans of Davis think this version is a sacrilege. I certainly didn't. It was remarkable. I know almost nothing about Jordan, so I guess more research is due.

So a big "thank you" to Trevor Nelson on two counts this week. And as I said, I'll definitely be listening again.

Janet

Learning About - Anthoney Wright

2008-09-17T12:33:00.001+01:00

Have any of you heard of UK singer Anthoney Wright?

No - that's not a typo. He spells his first name with an "e". And man, can he sing!

So far, all I've heard is one single - "Reset to Zero". And besides his MySpace page (linked above), I know very little besides what I've learned from this small piece from The Guardian.

I can't wait to hear more, though. This is one of the best soul voices I've heard in a long time!

Janet

Elbow win the 2008 Mercury Prize!

2008-09-10T08:05:00.000+01:00

I am just delighted this morning to hear that Elbow have won the prestegious Mercury Prize this year for their terrific CD "The Seldom Seen Kid", released earlier this year. It certainly is in my list of favorites CDs of the year so far.

You can read more about last night's awards via the BBC's site.

I had never heard of Elbow before this CD. They are not newcomers to the music scene, but they aren't that well known to most Americans. Now, I want to explore more. I guess it's time to zip over to Amazon and see what's available in their back catalog!

Janet

Pondering something about "Beat It"

2008-09-05T07:45:00.001+01:00

Michael Jackson's 1982 hit "Beat It" shuffled up on my iPod Nano while I was walking to the office this morning. Great song, isn't it?

But as the song began, I was thinking that I've always expected "Beat It" to begin in a slightly different key following the intro. Higher? Lower? I'm not quite sure - I'll have to analyze that further.

Has anybody else ever experienced anything similar?

Have a good weekend...

Janet

I'm Listening To: "Sun Mountain" - Walter Becker & Donald Fagen

2008-09-03T12:53:00.005+01:00

I didn't even know that this CD - "Sun Mountain" - even existed until very recently. That's hard to believe. I might be one of the world's most avid fans of Becker and Fagen, and I've followed their work from the days of their first Steely Dan release "Can't Buy a Thrill" in 1972. I've seen them twice - although, to be fair, neither of those two concerts was back in the "old days". I only got to see them in the 90s when they restarted their touring.

Each of the 17 tracks on this CD were recorded between 1968 and 1971.

"Sun Mountain", as I discovered, is full of demos - some more polished than others - of songs which both did and didn't eventually make their way onto Steely Dan albums. An example of the latter is "A Little With Sugar", a very engaging song which apparently was rejected...at least I'm not aware it was ever recorded by Steely Dan. I don't understand why.

So on this CD, you'll hear unreleased compositions as well as the fledgling versions of such classics as "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", "Any World That I'm Welcome To", "Barrytown", and "Parker's Band", among others.

Would I recommend this CD to anybody? Clearly, no. Really, it's for people like me. We're the died-in-the-wool fans of Becker and Fagen who are delighted to get a peek into their early genius. I'm very happy to have added this to my Steely Dan collection!

There's a review of this CD on Amazon, if you'd like to give it a read to get the opinion of another fan.

Janet

PS Can you imagine - I've actually married a man who can't stand Steely Dan? It must be true love, then, don't you think? ;-)

I'm Listening To: "Nine Lives" - Steve Winwood, 2008

2008-09-02T12:37:00.000+01:00

Steve Winwood's release from earlier this year has been sitting in a pile of CDs on our stereo for quite some time now. I listened to my officemate's copy in our office soon after it was released, and then I guess I just forgot about it.

Last week, I took "Nine Lives" in the car with me for company during my daily commute to/from Oxford. And I remembered why I ordered my own copy of the CD after hearing Gavin's. It's very good!

I love the combinations of R&B, jazz, African and Latin influences. I especially like the sound of electronic organ in contrast with acoustic guitar. And I've always loved the sound of Winwood's voice.

Anyway, whether you like the old Spencer Davis Group sort of Winwood sound, the music of Traffic and/or Blind Faith, or some of Winwood's earlier jazz-oriented solo offerings, I'd suggest you give it a listen.

Janet

NPR's "World Cafe"

2008-08-29T08:12:00.003+01:00

What in the world would I do without the music podcasts from National Public Radio in the US?

My latest discovery is the podast of Philadelphia radio station WXPN's program "World Cafe". More specifically, I recently subscribed to their "World Cafe Words and Music" podcast, and you'll see that I've provided the subscription link here in this sentence.

During just this morning's commute into the office, I listened to all or part of programs featuring Martha Wainwright, Richard Hawley, and Sheryl Crow. Great stuff!

Janet

Peter Bruntnell

2008-08-27T08:05:00.000+01:00

I'm just listening to England's Peter Bruntnell for the first time. I've always been a sucker for a good singer-songwriter, and that's how Bruntnell's music was described to me. By whom? Honestly, I can't remember. (Sad, isn't it?)

So, I've started my exploration with 2005's "Ghost in a Spitfire". Has it blown my socks off? Well, not really. But there's something about his songs and delivery that makes me want give a listen to the CD a few more times before I just file him away on the shelf.

The title track "Ghost in a Spitfire" is a story that really gets to me. Perhaps so more now, since I'm living in the UK.

I've just read that he has a new CD, called "Peter And The Murder Of Crows", coming out in September.

Any Bruntnell fans out there, reading this? Thoughts on this artist?

Janet

I'm Listening To: "Dirt Farmer" - Levon Helm, 2007

2008-08-26T12:19:00.008+01:00

I'm really on an "Americana" kick these days - perhaps as a result of being a little homesick for the States, maybe?

Whether that's the reason or whether this is just a coincidence, I am finally getting around to listening to Levon Helm's "Dirt Farmer" after buying it earlier this year. And what a treasure it is, too.

The CD won best traditional folk album at this year's Grammy Awards.

If any of you remember The Band, then Helm's voice will be a haunting reminder of some fabulous music from your past. But even if you don't, don't worry. Helm's plaintive tone will get into your heart anyway.

I didn't realize that Helm was born in Arkansas. So was my mother, so I have strong roots in that Southern state. In honor of his parents, Helm (along with his daughter Amy, his co-producer and background singer on many of the cuts) has put together an assortment of both traditional and new songs. Sometimes it's hard to figure out which are the old ones and which are the modern ones. I recognized Steve Earle's "The Mountain". And I believe that I've heard "Calvary" before. Otherwise, I had to follow along by looking at the liner notes.

This is very much what my grandmother would have called "old-timey music". And how I wish Nanny was still alive to hear "Dirt Farmer". She's be tickled pink!

Janet

I'm Listening To: "Coal" - Kathy Mattea, 2008

2008-08-22T11:55:00.001+01:00

It's been a long time since I was completely mesmerized by a CD on first listen. But that's what has happened to me with "Coal" by Kathy Mattea.

I hate to admit that I just don't remember where I heard about this one. Maybe I read about it somewhere. Perhaps it was mentioned on an NPR music podcast. I'm just not sure. But I'm delighted that I did.

I don't know Mattea's other work very well. I always thought of her as more of a hard-core "Nashville" type. But according to a few articles I've read recently, that's not true anymore.

Mattea had reportedly wanted to make a back-to-her-roots album for a long time. She was born and raised in West Virginia coal mining country. The Sago Mine disaster in 2006 was the catalyst for this collection of coal-related songs.

She chose the tracks so well, and they suit her beautiful voice. I had no idea that her voice was so exceptional. The production is understated. The end result is wonderful. I hear bluegrass, blues, country and folk influences. She's brought together terrific musicians, and there's a sense that this project was incredibly special to all of those involved.

Despite the sad themes, there's something especially comforting about this CD. I can't recommend it highly enough.

And by the way, she has dedicated the album to both of her grandfathers. I was really touched by that.

Janet

I'm Listening To: "Courage" - Paula Cole, 2007

2008-08-15T12:46:00.002+01:00

"Courage" - it's another CD I've been trying to get my hands on for awhile - well, at least since I was aware it had been released last year. I just received my copy a few days ago.

I've been a big fan of Massachusetts-born singer-songwriter Paula Cole fan since her first album, "Harbinger", was released back in 1994. I also really enjoyed "This Fire", her 1996 follow-up release.

If I ever sat down to compile my list of all-time favorite songs, three of Cole's would certainly be there - "I Am So Ordinary" and "Oh John" (from "Harbinger") and "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" (from "This Fire").

I also have Cole's 1999 release, "Amen". But you know, I remember so little about it that I now realize I need to give it another listen.

The world has been waiting for 8 years for a new Paula Cole album. You can read about what she's been doing in the meantime on her website (link in the second paragraph here). But suffice it to say, it sounds like she almost gave up on her music career. I'm so glad she didn't.

So "Courage" went into my car with me this morning. I enjoyed the first track, feeling like I was being reunited with an old friend. Then I got to track 2, called "Lovelight". It's fantastic! I just kept hitting repeat over and over, until I got to my destination (one of the Oxford-area park and ride lots). So I'll have to write a more complete review once I've heard the entire CD.

I promise that I'll try to listen beyond track 2 on the way back home today, OK?

Janet

I'm Listening To: "Sidetracks", Steve Earle, 2002

2008-08-14T12:40:00.002+01:00

As I wrote yesterday, I finally got my hands on "Sidetracks", the 2002 release from Steve Earle - after having it on my Wish List on Amazon UK for a long time.

It was so worth the wait, too!

It's a fascinating CD full of things that, for one reason or another (sometimes because they were created for soundtracks), were never put on one of Earle's other CDs. As he himself has written...

"With the exception of two instrumentals," Steve explains, "these are not outtakes. They are, rather, stray tracks…that I am very proud of and that are either unreleased or underexposed."

For me, the stunner of the CD is his duet with Sheryl Crow on the classic Chambers Brothers' hit, "Time Has Come Today". (Crow's vocal was recorded in LA, though, while Earle was located in Nashville.) It's worth the price of the CD just for this fantastic cut!

Janet

Steve Earle at the Newport Folk Festival

2008-08-13T12:51:00.007+01:00

Thanks to America's National Public Radio, Steve Earle fans have a couple of new treats to enjoy.

NPR's "All Songs Considered" have created and posted a podcast of Earle's recent appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. You can get it via NPR or through iTunes - look for "NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered Podcast" at the iTunes store.

Also, NPR have posted a short slideshow of photos from the same event. They are worth a look.

Janet

PS Just as I was posting this piece, I got a little package from Amazon UK. Finally I've managed to track down a copy of Steve Earle's "Sidetracks" CD (from 2002), and now it's in my hot little hands! So I'm already eager to give it a listen in the car stereo, on the way home from work later today.

Getting Reacquainted With - Funkadelic!

2008-08-12T19:50:00.004+01:00

How long has it been since I've listened to this 1978 album by Funkadelic - "One Nation Under a Groove"?

John and I are in the midst of trying to catalog and organize our CD collections. Yes, we've been married just over 2 years and 7 months now and still haven't combined our music.

On top of a pile of my CDs in the dining room was this classic by Funkadelic. I selected it this morning, to listen to during my commute to the Oxford park and ride bus, because I figured it would help keep me alert on a horribly dark, rainy morning.

I guess it worked. At least the first track - the title track, did indeed get my head bobbing. However, what surprised me is how mellow the balance of the album is. It's really more "soul" than I had remembered. I especially like the 8th track, with the formadable name of
"P.E. Squad/Doo Doo Chasers ["Going All-the-Way-Off" Instrumental Version]".

And man, did this sound ever bring back the 70s to me!

Janet

More Ting Tings

2008-08-07T08:14:00.001+01:00

I got an email yesterday from what I consider the world's greatest "record store", to use the old-fashioned term. It's Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas.

To the right, I've done a screenshot of one of the items within the email, promoting new music.

Now, this is fantastic! As I've written before, "We Started Nothing" - and especially "That's Not My Name" - is my favorite sound of 2008 (so far). I'm just delighted to see the Ting Tings' first album being promoted in Austin so well!

In case you're interested, I've found the full page on Waterloo's website describing the CD. I enjoyed the snippets of reviews there.

Good for Katie and Jules! Now, what are these two going to do next, I wonder?

Janet

When iPods Shuffle

2008-08-05T08:46:00.002+01:00

At the moment, I have 789 songs on my iPod Nano in a playlist called "Faves". I often shuffle this playlist, when I want some music to entertain me, as there's not a bad song in the bunch.

As I've written before, I'm convinced that iPods have personalities. How else would they come up with such entertaining combinations of songs - randomly.

Here are the three songs - in order - that my Nano played between my exit from the park and ride bus and my Oxford office this morning. I swear this is true.

"Condi, Condi" - Steve Earle

"War" - Edwin Starr

"Cheney's Toy" - James McMurtry

You just can't make this stuff up...

Janet

I'm Listening To: Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, "Ten Thousand", 2008

2008-08-03T20:27:00.005+01:00

Thanks, Bob, for the introduction to this fantastic band from Calgary!

The Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir sound like what my grandmother called "mountain music" - mixed with Mississippi-delta blues and gospel. It's a fantastic sound.

I liked this CD so much that, after the first listen, I went back to CD Baby and ordered their previous two CDs.

Interestingly enough, I found out last week that in the UK, this CD will be released on the same label as the one Seasick Steve is on over here. Makes sense, too.

Janet

What I'm Listening To - "At Mount Zoomer", Wolf Parade

2008-07-30T07:53:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Bob Boilen (again), I've been introduced to the music of the Canadian band Wolf Parade. I've just begun listening to "At Mount Zoomer", this year's follow-up to their debut album "Apologies to the Queen Mary" from 2005. (Do any of my readers have that one - and if so, would you tell me what you think?)

Why did I buy this album, when I'd barely heard any of their music? Because Boilen compared them to Sparks. Now, they don't sound exactly like Sparks, but I didn't expect them to. But their sound is certainly unique, like Sparks', and I believe that I will really appreciate their lyrics...well, if I can find them somewhere on the web. You see, their "liner notes" consist of only artwork. It's interesting art, too, like the kind your cool friend in college might have painted. You know what I mean - the friend you envied for his/her ability to make art so easily.

Anyway, on first listen in the car today, I really like their sound. I wouldn't be surprised if some/all of the band members have spent a substantial period of time listening to old Bowie recordings.

Here's the band's page on the website of their label, Sub Pop Records.

I'm going to go ahead and recommend this one, even though it's just had a first pass through my auditory cortex. I'll be listening to "At Mount Zoomer" in the car through the balance of this week.

Janet

John Martyn

2008-07-28T21:26:00.004+01:00

Thanks to my officemate Gavin, I've been re-introduced - after a long absence - to the music of British singer/songwriter/guitarist John Martyn.

I originally thought of Martyn purely as a "folkie". But how wrong I was! His music is complicated to categorize. Is it folk? Jazz? Rock? New Age? I think any of those could apply, depending upon which track you have playing on your stereo at the time.

I would describe Martyn as one of those artists that would surely catch your attention if somebody played one of his CDs. You'd say, "Who is that?" - if you didn't already know.

I'm so excited this evening. Martyn is coming to Oxford in November; and John, Gavin and I are going to see him at Oxford's New Theatre. I really appreciate Gavin's getting our tickets today, while I had a day off work.

Have any of my readers ever seen Martyn in concert? I'd love to hear all about your experiences!

Janet

An upcoming Ray Davies musical - "Come Dancing"

2008-07-17T12:15:00.005+01:00

According to Digital Spy's report today, Ray Davies (of the Kinks) is working on a musical production which will be staged in London later this year. And maybe Davies will even appear in it!

Reports say that the show will be called "Come Dancing" - also the title of a popular 1982 Kinks song. (A side note: In looking up the year that "Come Dancing" was a hit single, I bumped into this Kinks discography. Take a look. It's quite an extensive, amazing list!)

Those who know anything about Davies will already know how strongly he was influenced by growing up with older sisters. He was fascinated with 1950s dancing palaces...and the young people who lived for going out to dancehalls on a Saturday night.

I'll be keeping a close watch on this story. Sadly, I have missed Davies' recent tours. But I saw the Kinks several times, in smallish venues, back in the 1970s. He's one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time.

I'd even marry him if I hadn't already found my perfect husband! ;-)

Janet

Billy Joel's - "The Stranger"

2008-07-14T12:41:00.003+01:00

I got quite a jolt to the ol' brain again this morning.

You see, BBC Radio 2 features a record and a song of the week beginning each Monday. This week's album isn't the usual brand-new release. It's the 30th anniversary edition of Billy Joel's breakout album called "The Stranger".

Right now, I do not need more things to make me feel like I'm getting old!!!!

Enough of feeling sorry for myself - back to "The Stranger" - I didn't realize, until I read the linked article, that this is the biggest-selling album ever released on the Columbia label! It's no wonder. Think of some of the gems on this album - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Just The Way You Are, and Scenes From An Italian Restaurant are all classics, aren't they?

Now, for me, it's my second-favorite Billy Joel album. I'll always favor his prior release from 1976, "Turnstiles". I especially love the songs on this one, and I guess I also prefer the pre-Phil Ramone sound.

Here's the playlist for "Turnstiles" - and I'm wondering if any of my readers prefer this album as well:

1. Say Goodbye to Hollywood

2. Summer, Highland Falls

3. All You Wanna Do Is Dance

4. New York State of Mind

5. James

6. Prelude/Angry Young Man

7. I've Loved These Days

8. Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go out on Broadway)

One of my life's regrets (other than those relating to relationships...) is that I didn't go see Billy Joel before he hit the big time. I remember that he came to Houston some time in the mid-70s and played in a small venue. But my ex didn't want to see him. I should have grabbed some of my music-loving friends and gone with them. You know what they say: shoulda woulda coulda!

Janet

"I Want To Hold Your Hand"

2008-07-11T07:55:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling really lazy today.

Because I wrote a music-related post on my main blog, Lord Celery, I'm just going to link to the posting here. It has to do with the old Beatles picture-cover single that I rediscovered recently...the photo of which is at the top of this post.

Janet

NPR Survey - Best CDs of the First Half of 2008

2008-07-10T12:10:00.006+01:00

NPR's "All Songs Considered" (they have terrific podcasts, by the way) recently asked their listeners to vote for their favorite CDs released during the first half of 2008. For my non-US readers, NPR is America's National Public Radio - that's the radio equivalent of TV's public television network, PBS.

I'm going to list the top 10 CDs here. You can go to the "All Songs Considered" site for the full listing.

#1 Panic! At the Disco - "Pretty. Odd."
#2 Death Cab for Cutie - "Narrow Stairs"
#3 Vampire Weekend - "Vampire Weekend"
#4 Coldplay - "Viva la Vida"
#5 Soundtrack from "Juno"
#6 Bon Iver - "For Emma, Forever Ago"
#7 The Raconteurs - "Consolers of the Lonely"
#8 Flight of the Conchords - "Flight of the Conchords"
#9 My Morning Jacket - "Evil Urges"
#10 Fleet Foxes - "Fleet Foxes"

Of the above, I concur with #2, #3, #4, and #8 (I'm especially surprised - and very pleased - that this one made the list). I'm still withholding judgement about the Fleet Foxes; I just don't know whether or not I "get" their music.

And what did I vote for? The Ting Tings' "We Started Nothing". (See my previous blog entry.)

Any comments from my readers? (Do I even have any readers?)

Janet

I'm Listening To - "We Started Nothing", The Ting Tings, 2008

2008-07-08T19:47:00.007+01:00

This is a long overdue entry about my favorite new band of 2008 and my favorite CD of the year so far - The Ting Tings' "We Started Nothing".

Why the two different cover images on this post? Well, I didn't realize until today (when I looked at Amazon's US site) that this CD has a different cover in the UK from the one released in the US. Our version here in the UK is on the left, while what you see on the right is the American variant. You have to wonder why the difference. Maybe it's because many UK fans have seen a lot of images of Katie White and Jules De Martino already, but the US fans have perhaps not had the same exposure to this very clever two-some?

It's possible that the only exposure that Americans might have had to the duo, before their CD was released, was from their song "Shut Up and Let Me Go" - it was used on one of the TV ads for iPods/iTunes.

John and I first heard about the Ting Tings from an episode of Jools Holland's "Later..." TV program which we saw, I think, back in December 2007. They performed "That's Not My Name". We were absolutely hooked from the first listen. John even got to see them perform live in Oxford recently.

This CD is pure, joyous pop. I usually am not so attracted to pop music like this. But this sound is so fresh and innovative. If I could describe their music in a few words, I'd say that it's the kind of stuff that makes you want to dance and sing along - and can lift your spirits no matter how blue you might feel. It's intelligent pop music.

Without question, my favorite cut is "That's Not My Name". It's so addictive that I find myself 'soundtracking' it all the time. But the entire CD is just great, so give it a listen - if you haven't already!

Favorite bit of lyric?

"Make a decision
A precondition
We got the choice
If it all goes wrong
We walk, we walk
We walk, we walk"

Oh, and I wonder if it's true, as reported in the Wikipedia article about the Ting Tings, that their name came from the name of one of Katie's co-workers at a Chinese restaurant?

Janet

Outlaw Social

2008-07-02T12:54:00.006+01:00

In today's mail at the office, I got the two CDs I'd ordered from Canada a few weeks ago. They are a full "album" (to the right) and an EP (to the left) by a group called Outlaw Social. Once again, I heard about this Canadian group through Bob Harris' Saturday night BBC Radio 2 program - in this case, the edition he broadcast from this year's North By Northeast festival in Toronto. I'll come back with comments, once I've given these two a good listen...or two.

Janet

John's birthday presents - from my Amazon Wish List

2008-07-01T19:20:00.021+01:00

Here are the CDs John got me for my birthday last Saturday. No doubt I'll be writing about at least some of them in the coming weeks!

Feeder – Silent Cry (2008)

King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)

King Crimson – In the Wake of Poseidon (1970)

Chris Knight – The Trailer Tapes (2007)

Bettye LaVette – The Scene of the Crime (2007)

Thorbjorn Risager – Here I Am (2007)

Sparks – Exotic Creatures of the Deep (2008)

Amy Wadge - No Sudden Moves (2006)

Janet

I'm listening to - "Dreams of Breathing Underwater", Eliza Carthy, 2008

2008-07-01T00:22:00.000+01:00

I heard about this release - Eliza Carthy's "Dreams of Breathing Underwater" - through two different sources. One was via my officemate Gavin. He recently bought a folk compilation CD, and on it was one of the cuts from Carthy's CD. And then it also showed up as one of the summer releases discussed on an episode of NPR's "All Songs Considered". Both songs caught my attention...especially "Follow the Dollar", which was previewed on the NPR podcast.

I didn't know much about Eliza Carthy before receiving this CD. (It was a birthday present from Gavin, by the way. This is the first of many birthday gifts that I'll be writing about - John gifted me with most of my Wish List on Amazon UK as part of my birthday!) She's English folk royalty. Her father is Martin Carthy, and her mother is Norma Waterson, and all together they form a group called Waterson:Carthy. Eliza's a talented singer and fiddle player. Her latest CD shows that she's also a talented writer...and visionary.

If you expect "Dreams of Breathing Underwater" to be classic English folk, you'll be terribly disappointed. It's so innovative. It's funny. It's quirky. Sometimes it's even a bit strange...but in a good way. On several of the cuts, there's an incredible contrast of instrumentation which could accompany one of Texas' best alt-country groups with Eliza's folky-toned voice. And you hear Spanish influences and even some Cajun (to my ear, anyway) overtones as well on other songs.

It's one of the most fascinating CDs I've heard for a long time. I believe I'll be coming back to listen to this one over and over.

Favorite song: "Follow the Dollar" (opening track)

Favorite lyric: (from "Like I Care (Wings)")
So fall in, fall out, fall down, fall about
I am failing in my credit and I think I have to get a proper job
and I'm shouting at the telly like I care.

Janet

I'm listening to - "Washington Square Serenade", Steve Earle, 2007

2008-06-30T19:14:00.003+01:00

This is a long overdue writeup about this excellent CD, the latest release by Steve Earle. It's reflective of his new life, with his wife Allison Moorer, in New York City. John and I were lucky enough to get to see a lot of the material from "Washington Square Serenade" performed live in Oxford a few weeks ago.

There are the usual Steve Earle growling vocals, along with some great guitar sounds. On some of the cuts, Earle's voice is nicely contrasted with Moorer's lovely tone. And on "City of Immigrants" - one of my favorite cuts - the Brazilian (mostly) group Forro in the Dark help Earle tell his story.

Perhaps this isn't going to be my all-time favorite Steve Earle recording (that award still goes to "Jerusalem", I think), but it's really good. And having lived in Manhattan myself, I have a lot of affection for this CD.

Favorite track: "Satellite Radio"

Favorite words (not lyrics this time...from Earle's June 2007 introduction in the notes):
In the next life the first thing I'll do is find Allison before anyone else does and then I'll carry her away with me to live in New York City.

Well said, Steve. I could say the very same thing about my John!

Janet

I'm listening to - "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends", Coldplay, 2008

2008-06-29T11:35:00.001+01:00

I've driven around for about nine days listening to this CD. I love it. But I thought perhaps I shouldn't.

There's always so much hype surrounding the release of a new CD by ultra-popular artists. I'm a big fan of Coldplay. But even I was a bit fearful that "Viva la Vida..." wouldn't live up to the hype.

But I think it's just fantastic. It flows beautifully from start to finish, layered with beautiful texture. I hear Beatles and U2 influences. I love the unexpected sound of the organ that comes and goes throughout some of the songs. There are some interesting rhythms, too, including some Middle East influence.

Coldplay have hidden a couple of tracks within the CD. I'm not going to spoil the fun by telling you where they are. Just keep a watch on your CD player's screen and you'll find them.

Favorite track: "Lost!" (I've been soundtracking it almost constantly.)

Favorite lyrics (from "Violet Hill"):
When the future's architectured
By a carnival of idiots on show
You'd better lie low.

Dare I say that I think it's Chris Martin's best work to date? Well, I do.

Janet

"Rockin' Robin" would have been a nice addition...

2008-06-27T08:14:00.005+01:00

It's a well-known fact that iPods have personality. And they demonstrate this by their so-called "random" choices when we choose to shuffle songs.

Take a look at the six songs that shuffled up, in the following order, during my morning commute to Oxford today...

"Roadrunner" - Junior Walker and the All Stars

"Hotel California" - Eagles

"Fly Like an Eagle" - Steve Miller Band

"I Hope" - Dixie Chicks

"And Your Bird Can Sing" - Beatles

"Every Day is a Winding Road" - Sheryl Crow

Notice a pattern there? I didn't until I unlocked the front door of the office building, and I've rechecked the sequence on my Nano just to be sure.

The ads here say that "Red Bull gives you wings." I guess my iPod is trying to do the same for me today.

Janet

I've recently discovered - Alison Ruble

2008-06-26T14:09:00.008+01:00

While listening to a recent podcast from WGLT's "Jazz Next" series (from Monday the 16th of June), I discovered Alison Ruble. They played her fantastic cover version of Cole Porter's "So In Love" during that broadcast, and it really caught my attention. It's very innovative. I'll probably order her new CD, titled "This is a Bird".

Do any of you already know about her?

Janet

I'm listening to - "Bump", Amy Wadge, 2008

2008-06-22T20:49:00.002+01:00

I'm going to try - starting now - to use Auditory Cortex as a place to regularly talk about what's playing in my car stereo.

I should explain that what I hear on my iPod typically would be favorite podcasts (NPR's "All Songs Considered", KUT's "Radio Without Borders" and WGLT's "Jazz Next" are weekly musts) or recordings of the past week's broadcasts of Bob Harris' Thursday night and Saturday-night-into-Sunday-morning programs on BBC Radio 2. But what generally plays in my car, as I commute to/from Oxford, are real old-fashioned CDs. Sometimes it's new stuff, but often it's something I've had on the shelf for awhile.

So one thing I've been listening to recently is "Bump", the latest release by English singer/songwriter Amy Wadge. While she was born in England, she's now more identified with Wales; Amy studied in Wales, married a Welsh actor, and is now based in Wales.

I first got to know Amy's music when Bob Harris played her song "Scream" on one of his programs several years ago. I was hooked upon first hearing her husky singing voice and listening to her intriguing way with a song. I didn't even realize, at that time, that she was a songwriter as well.

The title "Bump" comes from the fact that Amy was about 8 months pregnant with her daughter when the album was recorded. (For any readers not in the UK, a "bump" refers here to an expectant woman's abdomen. Personally, I don't find that term especially charming...)

The songs are mostly Amy's. I think my favorite is the first cut, "I Wanna Be Loved".

But for me the other standout is Amy's cover of "Don't Leave Me This Way". It's a fantastic new interpretation of the old disco standard. I'm always intrigued when artists come up with unique ways to redo an old song, and this one is one of the tops on my list of favorite covers. I think I read somewhere that she put this song on "Bump" because of her fans - because she often performs this in concert, and apparently it's very well-received. If that story is true, I'm delighted that you listened to your fans, Amy!

Even "Who Will You Be", which could have been the standard mushy "What will my little baby be when he/she grows up?" song has the perfect balance between emotion and listenability.

Is Amy Wadge folk? Country? Alt-country? Light rock? She is - and can be - all those things. But most of all, she has a terrific voice and a way of drawing people into her songs. At least I always get pulled in.

Janet

Steve Earle - Carling Academy Oxford - 7 June 2008

2008-06-08T20:12:00.003+01:00

Rather than rewriting the same post, I'll refer you to my main blog "Lord Celery" for a blog post about last night's Steve Earle gig in Oxford. Within that post, there's also a link to my photos from the show.

Meanwhile, go see Steve's website if you'd like more information about him and his music.

It was a terrific show!

Janet

Most-Ever Number One Singles...and an iPod Story

2008-04-04T10:51:00.005+01:00

I was just reading this morning that Mariah Carey, of all people, has recently beaten out Elvis to have the most number one singles in US history. Mariah has just achieved her 18th, while Elvis had 17. I really don't mind old records like this being broken. I just wish this one had been broken by a more worthy artist.

When I think of Mariah Carey, I can't help but think of a conversation I had with my friend and haircutter Steve -- who once told me that there's only one word that comes to mind for him when he thinks of Mariah Carey. And that word is, "Why?"

For me, it takes 5 words: "I just don't get it."

One other item today...I'll provide a link to an iPod Nano shuffle-selection story that I posted this morning on my main blog, Lord Celery. Any of you who have accidentally ended up here on my seldom-used music blog might enjoy it as well!

Janet

Musical Medical Studies

2008-03-13T09:16:00.004Z

Thanks to a recent post from my blogger friend Mr. Greg, I've just finished reading a medical study called "In Jazz Improv, Large Portion of Brain’s Prefrontal Region ‘Takes Five’ to Let Creativity Flow". What a fascinating study!

The "geek girl" in me has always been intrigued by how music is processed in our brains...both when making it and when just listening to it. (That's the reason for the title of this music blog, by the way.)

If you want some "brainy" reading, take a look at the article. Thanks, Greg, for the original link! Some day, I hope John and I can buy you a pint over here to repay you, in a small way, for the pleasure reading your blog brings.

Janet

When music hurts...

2008-02-08T12:25:00.000Z

I've just written a post with a musical theme but did it (again) over on my main blog, Lord Celery. Why? Well, frankly, I have a bigger audience over there, and I thought that it might be interesting to a few of my regular blog readers.

But if anybody is actually reading items here on Auditory Cortex and would like to take a look at my post about music that causes pain, you can go read it using this link.

Have a good weekend, everybody!

Janet

In the mood for a little musical quiz?

2008-02-01T21:44:00.000Z

If you are, go see today's entry in my main blog "Lord Celery".

Any luck with any of the pieces of lyrics?

Janet

"Mr. Blue Sky"

2008-01-23T15:57:00.000Z

After another LONG delay, I'm back!

Today's post is inspired by and because of my officemate Gavin, who is having a birthday on Friday. I went onto his Amazon UK wishlist last week to find a CD to order for him. I selected "Out of the Blue" by ELO, from 'way back in 1977.

The CD arrived on Monday (for once, Amazon, you shipped too quickly), and we gave it a listen here in the office this afternoon.

And we noticed something at the end of "Mr. Blue Sky"...the very end of the song. I had always thought that the electronic voice was saying something like "Hey Mr. Blue Sky". But clearly, it's saying, "Please turn me o-ver"! Very clever, Jeff -- on the old vinyl version of "Out of the Blue", it was the last song on the first side of Disc 2!

If I'd read the Wikipedia article for the song earlier (the one I've linked in the preceeding paragraph), I would have already known that. Oh well!

By the way, this isn't the first time I've written by some newly-discovered secret about a song, either. See my post from last year.

Janet

The King may have left the building, but...

2007-10-31T20:37:00.000Z

Another very belated entry to this blog. Sorry about this. Real life just keeps getting in the way!

I thought a story from "Forbes" was a great topic for the 31st of October -- which in Mexico is referred to as the "Day of the Dead".

It seems that Elvis is the highest-earning dead celebrity, according to the magazine's recent survey. You can read the "Forbes" article here. In addition, I found an older article, from the same magazine -- "Long Live The King" -- which goes into more detail about the Presley empire. Fascinating stuff.

Happy Halloween!

Janet

"...otherwise known as the H-Town 20"

2007-10-01T12:29:00.000+01:00

Reading through some e-mails while I had lunch today, I came across an article in the online version of the "Houston Press" called "Houston's Very Best Songs Ever...otherwise known as the H-Town 20".

I would never claim to be a native Houstonian (especially being an Okie by birth), but I spent more than half my life there. Some of those were really formative years, too, including my final 3 years of university.

Houston's a funny place, music-wise. Despite its being the largest city in Texas, you can hear much more than just C&W there. There's great rock and soul and gospel. There's the influence from Mexico and Central America and also from the Cajuns to the east in Louisiana. And there are also loads of folkies there as well.

Take a look at the newspaper's criteria to make the list, and then consider the list itself. Personally, I was just delighted to see the Van Zandt entries, and of course Archie & the Drells and Johnny Nash. But what made me grin the most was the inclusion of Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From the Family"...my favorite secular Christmas song of all time.

That last comment says a lot about me, I guess.

Janet

Two items about recording production

2007-09-25T19:26:00.000+01:00

Sorry about my lack of postings recently. I've had lots of ideas of things to write about but not enough available time...mostly because of the fact I have only two more weeks to study for my "Britishness" test. You can read about that in an entry from my main blog, Lord Celery, from May.

But I want to pass along links to two interesting items about recording production.

First is an article that John spotted on the BBC's website a few days ago. It's called "Producers Make 'Music for iPods'". As John commented when he sent me the link, it describes a very interesting connection between modern music production and old-fashioned engineering methods.

And speaking of old engineering techniques...BBC Radio 2 has been running a series of programs called "The Record Producers". Several weeks ago, I digitally recorded the episode which examined the influential Motown production team of Holland Dozier Holland. It's a fascinating program...especially the dissection of some of the most famous Motown hits! I strongly recommend that you give the show a listen, and you can do so through a "Listen Again" link on the web page that I've linked above.

Janet

Elvis

2007-09-03T12:46:00.000+01:00

I didn't realize that Elvis' "Hound Dog" was back in the charts again...at least it is here in the UK! My officemate Gavin ("Guitarz") pointed it out to me this morning, and here's the story on the BBC's website.

Apparently, Elvis singles are being re-released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of his death.

Cool! That's a terrific tribute.

Janet

Jimmy Dludlu: "Afrocentric"

2007-09-02T20:48:00.000+01:00

John and I recently returned from a trip to Cape Town, South Africa. I was running a week's worth of training classes there, and John went with me on his first-ever trip to that part of Africa. (If you'd like to see his collection of Cape Town photos, take a look at his Smugmug gallery.)

I didn't have much shopping time, and the staff at the big CD shop at the V&A Waterfront were too busy to be especially helpful. But when we got to the Cape Town airport for our return flight to Heathrow, I stopped in the little CD shop there in the international departure terminal.

I've been to Cape Town every year since 2003, each time during the winter south of the equator. And every time I'm there, I've shopped in that very same airport CD shop on the way home. The young Australian man working there has recommended some very interesting music to me each time I've gone in.

This year, one of his recommendations was Jimmy Dludlu. I knew nothing at all about him before this trip. I've brought home his 2002 CD "Afrocentric". It's absolutely terrific!

Dludlu is known as an Afro-Jazz artist. His guitar sound and musical style reminds me of George Benson and Wes Montgomery. His influences are clearly African, but the label "smooth jazz" would fit -- but it's smooth with a definite edge. I can already tell you that this is going to become a favorite CD of mine.

Here's a review of "Afrocentric".

If you like the above-mentioned guitarists -- or Earl Klugh, Peter White, etc. -- I think you'd appreciate "Afrocentric". If you can get hold of a copy! In the UK, it's available via Amazon. But I'm not sure that my American readers will be so lucky.

Janet

Kendel Carson

2007-08-06T12:24:00.000+01:00

As he's done many times before, Bob Harris has done a fabulous job of promoting Kendel Carson's new CD on both his "Bob Harris Country" and his Saturday night programs on BBC Radio 2 recently. Apparently, her "I Like Trucks" has generated a tremendous amount of positive listener comment.

And I can see why. It's so incredibly catchy...and fun! And I'd learned most all the lyrics after only two listenings!

However, what convinced me to add her CD to my humongous collection of music was when he also played "Ain't That a Sun" on one of his recent shows. The girl can really sing! And she doesn't just belt out novelty songs, either.

So this morning, her CD called "Rearview Mirror Tears" arrived on my desk at work, via Amazon UK. I've already unwrapped it, and it's headed for my car's CD player for the drive back home from the Water Eaton Park and Ride this evening!

I didn't know much about Carson until I did a little research on her while eating my sandwich today. She's only 22. She's well-known in her native Canada for her fiddle playing and her singing. She's also part of a folk group called The Paperboys. (Have any of you heard of them before?)

Here's another blogger who has written an item about her this summer.

And you can bet that despite being Track 2 on the CD, I will be playing "I Like Trucks" first thing this evening -- and singin' my heart out right along with her as I cruise the A 4260 in the Oxfordshire countryside!

Janet

Brian May

2007-08-03T12:33:00.000+01:00

How many of you knew that Queen guitarist Brian May could have pursued a career as a scientist had rock music not lured him away from the academic world? I didn't until this morning, when I heard one of the news items on BBC Five Live's breakfast show. Here's the story on the BBC News website.

In 1971, May had been studying at London's Imperial College (my brainy husband John's alma mater as well, by the way) when he decided instead to join the legendary rock group.

So now, at age 60, May has finally handed his astronomy PhD thesis, titled "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud", in to Imperial College. And he will find out later this month whether or not he'll get his doctorate.

"Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud"? Wouldn't that just make a superb CD title?

Janet

Steve Earle

2007-07-31T21:57:00.000+01:00

I haven't disappeared -- well, not permanently, at least! My blogging time has been a little bit limited during June and July, and I'm afraid Auditory Cortex has suffered as a result. But I promised myself I'd manage a post during July. And I'm barely living up to that promise!

I'm in Greenwich tonight, as I'm running a training class in London's Canary Wharf tomorrow. On the train over to London from Oxfordshire this afternoon, I listened to a recording of last Saturday night's Bob Harris show on BBC Radio 2. Bob's a favorite of mine. His website is worth a look, if you haven't already discovered it. It's a great source of information, including links to the artists he plays on his programs.

One of the songs he played last Saturday night was a new one by a favorite of mine, Steve Earle. The song is called "Tennessee Blues", and it's from a forthcoming CD called "Washington Square Serenade".

I didn't realize that Earle and his wife Allison Moorer (shown in the photo at the start of this post) have moved to New York City. According to Bob, this new album reflects his new home city. I can hardly wait for it to be released! It seems like ages since his last CD, 2004's "The Revolution Starts...Now".

And since that last CD, I can't see a photo of Condoleezza Rice without chuckling!

Janet

It was FORTY years ago today...

2007-06-01T12:51:00.000+01:00

See my entry today over on Lord Celery. (Sorry...I'm being lazy and not repeating it here!)

Guitar Weekends

2007-03-27T21:03:00.000+01:00

My officemate Gavin recently went to one of the weekend clinics run by Guitar Weekends, held in a lovely country hotel in England's Lake District. He came back with a lot of great things to say about the weekend and everything he'd learned and done.

I thought it might interest some of you as well.

Janet

Rodrigo Sanchez v the U.S. State Department

2007-03-21T13:31:00.000Z

I really hate to hear that Rodrigo Sanchez -- of the Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela -- has been denied entry into the U.S. because of what appears to a mistaken identity situation. John sent me the link to this BBC News article this morning.

What a shame for them...and for so many of their American fans who will now miss out seeing them in concert.

Their self-titled CD is really special. I especially love their version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". If you are a fan of innovative acoustic guitar music, you should definitely give this CD a listen.

Janet

The Trews

2007-03-19T21:00:00.000Z

Thanks (again!) to Bob Harris, I have discovered The Trews. He's played the track "Yearning" from their "Den of Thieves" CD several times. I finally broke down and ordered the CD from Amazon. It arrived last week, but today was the first day I've given it a listen...in the car, during today's commute to/from Oxford.

Hearing the first track, at first I thought it was going to be another "GGN" band. (GGN means Gratuitous Guitar Noise -- my own label, I hasten to add, for the sound of those bands who think that making a lot of mediocre noise with their guitars, for no reason other than to create more background behind the singer/singers, makes them sound really cool. I don't agree.) Then I realized that the raucous hard-rock sound was actually very good.

I also initially wished that Chris Daughtry was doing the vocals. I love Chris' voice, and I thought it would be so compatible with The Trews' sound. But after a few more tracks, I completely changed my mind. The Trews' vocals are great. Some interesting harmony. Well-constructed songs. Really good sound. Not a bad cut on the CD, as I realized I'd heard all 15 tracks.

Somehow I thought this was a British band. But I see from the article about them on Wikipedia that the band members are originally from Nova Scotia and are currently based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

(Here's a reminder to myself to write an article here -- one of these days -- about all of the Canadian artists I've discovered since moving to the UK.)

This is really good stuff! I'm going to take it with me to work and have my officemate Gavin give it a listen, too. Oh, and of course I'll also see what John thinks as well!

And I'm taking it in my car again tomorrow, too. That's a very good indication of how strongly I would recommend "Den of Thieves".

Janet

More on "The Calling" -- plus Mostly Autumn

2007-03-12T20:31:00.000Z

A follow-up to last week's posting about Mary Chapin Carpenter's "The Calling": I've now had time to give the CD a good listen or two, and I like it very much. John agrees and will be putting it into iTunes ASAP (if he hasn't already). For John, that's a serious endorsement to add a CD to his iPod so quickly!

But those of you who are died-in-the-wool American Republicans and/or fans of "W" would be better off avoid it, however. You'll run the risk of being offended if you don't.

Meanwhile, I've discovered another English band. They aren't new...just new to me.

The name of the band is Mostly Autumn. Once again, thank you Bob Harris! Bob played their song "Fading Colours", from their CD "Heart Full of Sky", on his Saturday night show weekend before last. I had digitally recorded the program and was then listening to it on my Nano as I commuted to/from Oxford last week. The song was so intriguing that I played it about 4 times in a row. I ordered the CD from Mostly Autumn's own website last week, and it arrived at home Saturday.

What a great find! How would I describe their sound? Orchestral rock...at least lots of strings and synthesizers. Dramatic sound. Lovely vocals and harmonies. A touch folky sometimes. Nice Celtic-sounding wind instruments sometimes, too. The primary female singer has a voice which reminds me a little of Karen Matheson of Capercaillie; she's one of my favorite female British singers, so that's a huge compliment.

I still need to listen more to this CD, but my initial reaction is very positive. I know very little about the band. Their website -- which is linked above -- has extensive bios of the band members. With the acquisition of a new house going on right now (see Lord Celery), I have to admit I just haven't had the time to read through everything on the site. I think Bob said that the band's based in York. And he also suggested that, in his opinion (which I value highly), this recent CD is their best so far.

So perhaps there will be more information to come on this group.

Have any Auditory Cortex readers ever seen Mostly Autumn playing live? If so, I'd love to hear about it.

Janet

Looking through the booklet in Mary Chapin Carpenter's "The Calling"...

2007-03-07T12:15:00.000Z

I just received Mary Chapin Carpenter's new release "The Calling" in the mail (oops... forgot I'm in England...I should have written in the post) this morning. While contemplating what to go out and pick up for lunch, I did a little browsing through the CD's booklet.

One of the song titles caught my eye. "Houston". Although an Okie by birth, I spent more than half my life living in Houston. Carpenter sometimes mentions the city in her songs. I was curious what this particular song was about.

So I read through the lyrics. Interesting...it's a song about those displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, now living in Houston. I wonder what the song sounds like. Knowing Carpenter's music as well as I do, I'm sure it'll be stunning. I'll give it the first listen in the car on my commute home late this afternoon.

I've only heard one song on this CD so far, and that's because Bob Harris played "On With The Song" on his "Bob Harris Country" program on BBC Radio 2 last Thursday night. The lyrics are terrific. And I see that the song is dedicated to the Dixie Chicks. Good for them...and good for Carpenter for acknowledging them, too.

Janet

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives

2007-03-06T20:01:00.000Z

My office-mate Gavin is the latest in a list of the many people I've known through my life who have had a huge influence on the music I listen to. (I plan to write a blog piece about all of them, one of these days.) Over the past months, he's introduced me to a lot of new music. We're lucky enough to be in a room of our own, in a remote corner of our office, where we can semi-quietly listen to music while we work. We do work, too, but there's no doubt that most of the time our brains work better with musical accompaniment.

Today, he brought two CD's to the office by a band called The Soundtrack of Our Lives.

How could I have possibly missed such a fascinating rock group for all these years? I'm especially surprised because they were nominated for a Grammy in 2003 for Best Alternative Album. (It's worth noting that they were beaten out by Coldplay's brilliant "A Rush of Blood to the Head".)

This is a Swedish band that's been around since 1995, having been formed from what's described as the "imploded" band which was called Union Carbide Productions.

TSOOL (as they are apparently also known) were heavily influenced by 60's psych-rock bands. But I think you can hear traces of the Who, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Buffalo Springfield, and even Ray Davies as well. It's fascinating stuff.

Here are the two CD's Gavin played for me today:

"Behind the Music" - from 2001

"Origin Vol 1" - from 2004

I already have ordered both of these...as well as a couple of their other releases (one an older album, and the other a collection of "B" sides and otherwise unused tracks). So more to come from me on these guys once I've had more time to explore their music.

Here's the official website for The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, in case you'd like to read about the band. I see that "Origins Vol 2" should be released some time in 2007.

Are any of you already fans? If so, how did you come across this intriguing band?

Janet

James Hunter

2007-03-03T17:02:00.000Z

Here's my latest music discovery....British R&B singer James Hunter. And here's a link to Hunter's MySpace music site.

Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson come to mind when I listen to Hunter's CD "People Gonna Talk". It's very retro-1960's. Wonderful listening!

I see that he has some previous releases, so I'll have to check them out as well.

Although Hunter has obviously been around for awhile, I hadn't heard of him until Bob Harris played his music on his Saturday night show on BBC Radio 2 in January. I ordered the CD through Amazon UK, and it just arrived this past week. And it's been in my car ever since.

And it's really great listening...so check it out if you're a fan of this type of smooth R&B.

Janet

Sometimes it takes me awhile to "get" it...

2007-03-02T12:36:00.000Z

I don't think I would generally be considered dense. However, I have occasional bouts of being slow sometimes. Rarely, though, does it happen twice in relation to the same subject.

What am I talking about here?

Well, this morning, as I rode into Oxford on the Water Eaton Park 'N Ride bus, the song that my little Nano chose for me was Yes' famous "Your Move" + "All Good People" from their classic 1971 album "The Yes Album".

I'm not sure if I've ever actually heard that song through personal-stereo-type headphones before. And while I was recently in Singapore, I bought some really cool Sony phones which have some degree of noise-reduction as well. They have really exceptional sound.

So as I listened to the "Your Move" portion of the song, just as the organ comes in -- and just before the "All Good People" part -- I noticed some vocals in the left channel. I'd never heard them before. Previously, I'd only heard the background refrain of "Don't... surround yourself...with...your--self."

The voices I noticed in the left channel could clearly be heard to be singing "All we are say--ing....is give peace a chance." They sang it twice. And I was stunned to hear this for the very first time!

So before beginning this blog entry, I turned to my new favorite resource -- Wikipedia -- to see if there were any comments about my observation. There weren't in the Wikipedia article about "The Yes Album" (which is linked above), but I noticed there was a link to a page about the song itself within the article. And lo and behold, there it was -- the reference to the Lennon song! (By the way, you'll find a corresponding reference to Yes in the Wikipedia article about "Give Peace a Chance", too.)

It's amazing to me that I'd never noticed this before!

I'm reminded that when "The Yes Album" was first released and I heard "Your Move" + "I've Seen All Good People" for the first couple of times, I didn't notice that the "Your Move" words were referencing the game of chess. I think somebody mentioned it -- or a DJ made the comment on the radio -- I'm not sure. But I figured my excuse for that oversight was that I'm not a chess player. I'm sure that those who play the game spotted the meaning of the lyrics immediately.

So this is the second discovery about this one particular song!

Is my discovery this morning also news to anybody else out there, or am I the only Yes fan in the world to have remained oblivious to the fact that "Your Move" contained a peace message? Do let me know, OK?

Janet

PS. A postscript, since getting home. I told John about this, and he was unaware of it as well. You know, I believe he enjoyed the discovery of the Lennon refrain as much as I had earlier in the day!

Why a new blog?

2007-02-28T20:29:00.000Z

"...To live without my music
would be impossible to do.
In this world of troubles,
my music pulls me through."

- from "Music" - John Miles, 1976

This is the inaugural posting in my new music blog. I think that any regular reader of my blog "Lord Celery" would suspect that music is a very important part of my life. Besides the song-subjects, I try (when I remember to do so) to add a "Listening to..." comment at the end of postings. I have always hoped that perhaps my doing so would occasionally introduce somebody to music that's new to him or her.

Recently, I was thinking about adding links to my favorite artists on the front page of "Lord Celery". Then I considered how cumbersome that would become.

So this morning I decided to simply launch a separate blog where I'll share thoughts about favorite artists, new music discoveries, links to artists and music news sources, etc, etc. I know I won't write here as often as I do in my diary-blog "Lord Celery", but at least this will provide an outlet for that stuff swimming around in my auditory cortex all the time.

I encourage and welcome comments and suggestions -- PLEASE! I hope that "Auditory Cortex" will be interesting to an audience bigger than just me!

So stay tuned...and please excuse yet another example of self-indulgence.

Janet