Blog archives
Music stories in our blog
Southern Gospel song: 'Looking for a City'
January 24, 2012
James Canupp singing Looking for a City, plus other versions of the hymn by Vestal Goodman, Jimmy Swaggart, etc.
Bob Dylan, 'Chronicles: Volume One'
January 9, 2012
In Chronicles: Volume 1, Bob Dylan gives us enjoyable autobiography, from early 1960s New York to recording Oh Mercy in New Orleans.
Which MP3 deals? Amazon $5 albums for November
November 1, 2011
John Coltrane’s The Ultimate Blue Train, Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited, and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill are all $5 each.
Ezekiel and The Bone Song ('Dem Bones Dem Bones')
October 19, 2011
Dry Bones: The Book of Ezekiel is the basis for both a short animated film and the spiritual song that became a 1940s hit.
Kate Voegele, 'Heart in Chains'
August 23, 2011
Music video from Kate Voegele’s latest album Gravity Happens that I can’t stop playing.
'Crazy Heart' (2009 Jeff Bridges film)
July 25, 2011
Performances by Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal turn what might otherwise be a Hallmark TV movie into a deeper portrait.
Jackson Browne, "The Barricades of Heaven"
June 30, 2011
The song — originally released on his 1996 album Looking East — reflects on Browne’s earliest days as a musician in Orange County, Califormia.
Katy Perry: 'Teenage Dream', 99 other albums just $5 each
February 1, 2011
Amazon.com’s February list of 100 Albums for $5 Each includes Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Eminem, Carole King, Gillian Welch, Sarah McLachlan, and Sade.
The Beatles Christmas Album: Xmas songs, humor, jokes
December 9, 2010
Xmas greeting cards for Beatles fans, the band’s annual Christmas recordings have been collected for download.
Online radio streaming: Good work music is hard to find
November 16, 2010
Searching for streaming radio stations with the right mix of old and new music for listening during work.
Alejandro Escovedo's songs of love at Turner Hall
October 23, 2010
The range of material Escovedo performs is astonishing, and besides his unique and compelling voice as a songwriter, he’s also a passionate performer with both genuine warmth and real fire.
Erykah Badu, 'Mannish Boy': Muddy Waters cover for H&M ads
September 23, 2010
Who’s that singing the signature Muddy Waters song ‘Mannish Boy’ in the H&M commercials? Yep — it’s Erykah Badu.
Amazon MP3 deals for March
March 1, 2010
Amazon MP3 download deals for March 2010: 100 albums for $5 each
Pomplamoose: Music duo going viral via social media
October 26, 2009
While the music industry is floundering, this music duo appears to be thriving — thanks in no small part to their use of social media.
Halloween songs: Scary music playlist, spooky tunes
October 14, 2009
If you need some Halloween-themed tracks to fill out your iPod’s library, here are a few suggestions.
Drive-By Truckers: 'Live from Austin, TX' on 'The Righteous Path'
July 11, 2009
The band’s new CD/DVD release was recorded live at ‘Austin City Limits’.
4th of July video: Racine's Fourth Fest Parade 2009
July 6, 2009
Ten minutes of video to let the world glimpse this outstanding Racine event.
Pet Lions at Summerfest
July 5, 2009
Pet Lions played forty-five minutes of mostly driving, uptempo rock with some good, popular hooks.
Michael Jackson: Carving an icon
June 26, 2009
If artist achievement is what endures, then ‘Billie Jean’ is what I’ll remember Michael Jackson for.
Regina Spektor on Letterman, NPR with new album 'Far'
June 25, 2009
Listen to an NPR interview that aired this morning, and watch her on Letterman tomorrow night.
Justine Henin: Retired from tennis, she's singing, acting, cooking, and more
June 16, 2009
‘Les 12 travaux de Justine Henin’ was a recent Belgian reality show which put the former tennis superstar to a dozen tests.
Amazon.com music: June deals on MP3 downloads
June 1, 2009
Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s own Bon Iver is featured this month as one of Amazon.com’s June ‘50 Albums for $5’ picks.
The Killers do 'A Dustland Fairytale' on Letterman
May 16, 2009
I was reminded of Electric Light Orchestra at their best, which would be ‘Eldorado.’
Free Coldplay, WMYX loses Jane Matenaer, original Twitter, morel mushroom festival
May 15, 2009
Four items spotted this morning on Twitter, including Jane Matenaer’s departure from WMYX.
'Neil Young: Heart of Gold' (movie, 2006)
May 11, 2009
A simple, functional, and timeless piece of work from Neil Young and Jonathan Demme.
Amazon.com music: MP3 download deals
May 1, 2009
‘Middle Cyclone’ by Neko Case and ‘American Beauty’ by the Grateful Dead are each just $5.
Bizarre Billy Bob Thornton interview with CBC Radio's Q / Qtv
April 9, 2009
Billy Bob Thornton is one irritated musician. I think it’s odd that you have to smoke, period.
'King of Kings' theme: My Easter movie earworm
April 5, 2009
The 1961 film starring Jeffrey Hunter has always been my personal cheesy Jesus movie.
Bruce Springsteen to perform on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' tonight
March 19, 2009
Bruce Springsteen will be doing a solo performance of the title track, “Working on a Dream.”
The power of now: Eckhart Tolle and a Bike Ride on 35W
March 17, 2009
Be here now. In the moment. Possibly on a bicycle.
Jeff Dowd, inspiration for The Dude in 'Big Lebowski,' joins Peter Himmelman tonight
March 3, 2009
The live, one-hour show starts at 7:00 Pacific or 8:00 Mountain or 9:00 Central or 10:00 Eastern.
'Engine 2 Diet' fad from Texas, 'Tecktonik' dance craze from France
February 24, 2009
Scouring the globe to bring you the new and the cutting edge, I have found a dance and a diet.
New Orleans, Louisiana music: Playlist of Mardi Gras songs
February 19, 2009
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana inspires this music playlist of second line songs, new orleans piano, party music, cajun and zydeco.
Joaquin Phoenix on 'Late Show with David Letterman'
February 12, 2009
Was Joaquin Phoenix’s disoriented ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ appearance all part of a “hilarious documentary”?
'Peter Himmelman's Furious World'
February 3, 2009
A streaming musical variety show, Tuesday nights at 9:00 Central: http://tinyurl.com/furiousworld
Roland Burris, Senate Trail Blazer
January 8, 2009
Warren Zevon’s ‘Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner’ is in my head today, but with Roland Burris lyrics.
Auld Lang Syne lyrics: Burns poem, Dougie MacLean song
December 31, 2008
Auld Lang Syne is an old song. Its Scottish lyrics are taken from a 1788 Robert Burns poem, and customarily sung on New Year’s Eve.
Buzz Kilman show tonight at Bill's Blues in Evanston
December 12, 2008
Buzz Kilman and the Blues Rocket Scientists are doing two sets — one at 8:30, and another at midnight.
David Byrne and Brian Eno: 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today'
September 15, 2008
Who cares if I’m listening to the latest David Byrne / Brian Eno album? Well, ByrneEno, for one.
Summerfest: Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Alejandro Esovedo
July 6, 2008
A full day of music, including Drive-By Truckers, Romantica, Alejandro Escovedo, and Lucinda Williams on Milwaukee’s lakefront.
Warren Zevon: 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead' by Crystal Zevon
April 1, 2008
Warren Zevon’s former wife has put together a joyous and heartbreaking account of his life — including, as he requested, the bad parts.
'Shine a Light': Martin Scorsese's new Rolling Stones movie
March 30, 2008
Yes — another Stones movie, this time on the big, big screen. It turns out to be a very enjoyable show.
Back Door Slam: British youngsters have got the blues
January 29, 2008
This band from the Isle of Man and its 20-year-old guitarist Davy Knowles have some impressive blues chops.
Big music night on TV
November 29, 2007
Public TV has the best of ‘The Johnny Cash Show,’ Bruce Springsteen in Dublin, and Van Morrison on ‘Austin City Limits’.
Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on YouTube: Muppets, a cappella, acoustic guitar
October 29, 2007
As played on classical guitar, as arranged by Edgar Cruz, as sung by the University of California Men’s Octet and the Muppets.
Summer festivals and events 2007
May 4, 2007
My own list of parades, festivals, and public events in our area.
"In Spite of Ourselves" / John Prine and Iris DeMent
March 23, 2007
A video clip from the old ‘Sessions at West 54th Street’ show.
St. Patrick's Day with Irish breakfast, Racine parade, and Irish stew recipe
March 19, 2007
Since it fell on a Saturday this year, we could celebrate all day — from an Irish breakfast to the Racine parade to a homemade Irish stew.
Erik Mongrain: "AirTap!"
March 15, 2007
I have never heard of this guitarist before, but he has an amazing technique.
New Orleans cooking: Alton Brown gumbo recipe
February 19, 2007
Gumbo, that icon of the cuisine of New Orleans, begins with a roux. Alton Brown shares the secret.
Aloha from Siberia
February 15, 2007
Our Wisconsin winter was making us nearly suicidal, but the music and food of Hawaii and Barack Obama all give us the audacity of hope.
Regina Spektor
January 30, 2007
Thanks to ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ for introducing us to the introspective, playful musician.
Trying on music
December 28, 2006
I already like all the songs in my iTunes library. Where can I discover new music to like?
Coming Friday: The New Mastersounds
December 7, 2006
Go see this great funk band from Leeds at The Kinetic Playground.
Earworm infestation
August 15, 2006
Peace and quiet out in the yard? Not with Kenny Loggins singing “Danny’s Song” over and over and over.
The New Mastersounds
May 23, 2005
Review of the May 21, 2005 New Mastersounds concert at Subterranean in Chicago.
