A Bloy and his Blog

I’ve discovered that as I get older I have some seasonal rituals which I always do. Okay, the word ritual might be a little strong, maybe I should call them traditions. Anyway, today I performed one of my Spring rituals. Usually on one of the first warmer, sunny days of spring, I head out the door for a long vigorous walk with my walkman attached to my belt and the headphones in my ears. The CD I always end up listening to on this first walk of Spring is African Shadow Man by Johnny Clegg and Savuuka. It’s a definitely an album to listen to in the springtime with its blending of African and Western pop music styles. In my mind, it’s not Spring until I listen to that as I breathe in the fresh air and walk along the parkway with the sun on my back.

There’s a lot of good music that comes from the continent of Africa. The shame of it is, you never hear it on commercial radio stations here in the United States (thank heaven for public radio). Lately I’ve been listening to an excellent afro-pop album. Pirate’s Choice is a disc that came from a 1982 recording session when the group Orchestra Baobab was at their peak. It’s just been reissued with a second disc of bonus material from the recording session (which is every bit as good as the material on the first disc). The music itself has a very laid back tone to it — not what I first expect when I think of this type of music. You can also hear the heavy influence of Latin and Cuban music on the band. Just the thing to help you think of summer in the middle of February.

Rock and roll can change your life. Thanks to the band Wilco (and a link on their site) I recently discovered Glorious Noise. A site that “contains some essays, stories and rants about how rock and roll can change your life.”

They also keep good current links to commentaries, news and other stuff on the net. Well worth a spot in your rock and roll bookmarks.

Snow Update: I guess it helps to whine a little. After my previous post about a lack of winter here in Wisconsin, yesterday we got 3 inches of snow. Not enough to snowshoe in, but it’s a start. Keep it up, Old Man Winter.

Now that the year is winding down, a lot of music publications are releasing their lists of best albums of the year. I thought it would be fun to mention a few favorite CDs that I listened to this year. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong by choosing any of these, so start listening and feed your soul.

Ryan Adams - Gold
Excellent rock & roll, and alternative country from the former front man of Whiskeytown.

Bjork - Vespertine
Put this CD on and revel in the icy, snow covered soundscapes that Bjork can paint.

read the rest of: 2001 Music Awards

It’s been three months since the terrorist attack, and the ruins at ground zero are still smoking and smoldering. I certainly don’t want to appear to be an ignorant American, but it just boggles my mind that people can have so much hatred as to cause that kind of devastation. To quote U2 (from their latest album):

Peace on Earth, we need it now. I’m sick of all of this hanging around.
Sick of sorrow, sick of the pain, sick of hearing again and again,
That there’s gonna be peace on Earth.

Hear it every Christmas time, but hope and history won’t rhyme.
So what’s it worth, this peace on Earth? Peace on Earth…

Sad news in the music world today. George Harrison passed away. I think the first record I ever bought was the 45 of “My Sweet Lord” way back when I was in fourth or fifth grade. I’m truly sorry I never got a chance to see him perform live. If I would have to pick a favorite George Harrison song, it would be “Here Comes The Sun” from the Beatles’ Abbey Road. As far as albums go, you can’t go wrong with his masterpiece, All Things Must Pass. I plan on listening to that this weekend. Rest in peace, George. We’ll miss you.