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I’m broadcasting on behalf of Radio Riel today, for our “Magnatune Mondays.” Today’s connecting thread is “strings.” Plucked, strummed, bowed, or beaten. Have a listen at http://music.radioriel.org.

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The Most Unwanted Song has it all: bagpipes, accordions, and organ; operatic soprano and children’s choir; rap and elevator muzak; holidays, cowboys, and politics. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Via Andrew Sullivan.
See also:
Yo, Yo, I’m a Cowboy Now - Quick Study
Dial “M” for Musicology: You want postmodern? I’ll give you postmodern.
Design Observer: writings about design & culture

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One of the engaging things about Second Life is meeting people and learning new things. Somewhat to my surprise, I am part of a radio station, for which I serve as an event host and occasional music presenter. At about midnight tonight I will begin broadcasting Radio Riel: From the Library . . . Luciafest [...]

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A really fine article on Lee Hays, singer and songwriter, a favorite of mine from The Weavers. The People’s Singer
At the end of 1955, the Weavers held a reunion. Their manager beat the blacklist by renting Carnegie Hall for a nameless quartet and then selling it out before anyone could complain. Their opening number was [...]

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I just bought a ticket to see Loreena McKennitt perform in Boston on April 21! I found out she’s touring quite by accident, and tickets only went on sale Thursday, so I was actually able to get an aisle seat in the fourth row of the balcony. Whoo hoo!

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One of my favorite childhood Christmas memories is my mother’s albums of carols. You know, those compilation albums with some artists putting their own spin on the carol and others singing it pretty straight. Since the advent of CDs, I’ve built a small collection of Christmas music, ranging from the cheesy compilations I loved in [...]

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Goodbye Anna Russell

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Not a common experience. But last Monday I went to Norumbega Harmony’s monthly Sacred Harp sing, and we sang William Billings’s Easter Anthem, and pieces of it just keep going around in my head. I’ve found two versions online. (These links will take you directly to mp3 files hosted by Voices across America.)

Cleburne County, Alabama, [...]

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Washing, cleaning, unpacking–and trying new Mac things. I’m listening to Nessun Dorma from the album “Puccini Arias” by José Cura.

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Kimmo Pohjonen, Kluster
Rahul Sharma, Music of the Himalayas

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