Your Childhood Revisited

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IT'S HALLOWEEN!

My Favourite Bob Dylan Album

Announcing their favourite Bob Dylan album always brings about great controversy amongst music snobs. Some prefer the angry young man who points his finger like a gun at corruption and power, while others like the rock star circa '65 Dylan who didn't give a fuck if you hated rock music. Still others like the more mellow adult contemporary Dylan who has moved past his day of being an angry young man and just focuses on honing his trade. I prefer the first of these categories because I believe that it was when Dylan really hit his stride.

That being said, I have to say that the one Dylan album that has always stuck with me is The Times They are a Changin'. I honestly don't really care for the title track, not because it isn't a great song, but rather for the fact that it has become overused and hardly represents the true elegance of this album. Instead, I love tracks like "With God on Our Side," "Ballad of Hollis Brown," "Only a Pawn in their Game,", "Boots of Spanish Leather," "When the Ship Comes In," and (my favourite Dylan song ever) "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll". These songs were written when Dylan was at his most political and socially conscious point. They represent a great time in American history when people were really challenging the established beliefs of the day in the hopes of making a new America.

I don't want to wrap this up in sentimentality because I am not really a fan of how that era has been carved into a pop culture slogan for meaningless teenage rebellion. Instead, I like to think of the sixties in terms of this album and the many other great artists who pushed the envelope in terms of subject matter in their music in order to state what many others were already thinking.

Check out this video of Dylan of singing the beautiful "Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" Watch his face while singing this song and listen to the sincerity in his voice.


Then there's the unequivocally thoughtful "Only a Pawn in Their Game." A song written about the assassination of Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers. I can't even fathom how much this song would have pissed off those people who believe that some people should rule the world based on the colour of their skin. It speaks a truth too obvious to deny and too powerful to ignore.



Check this album out if you can. You will return to it for the rest of your life.

EDJ

No Longer Shall We Pärt

I was on my way to work yesterday thinking about classical music of today and, unlike the popular music of today, I think we are in a truly plentiful era for classical. While I really hate that term because it reeks of elitism, I think it's true. Sure we're lost many greats in the last 10 years or so, but the current legacy that many of today's classical composers are leaving will be felt for generations to come.

Arvo Part may be the greatest of them all. Pärt was born in Estonia in 1935 and has been creating truly elegant and breathtaking pieces since the 70s. His word is firmly embedded in minimalism (like many composers of his generation) and takes inspiration from many sacred forms including Gregorian chanting. When I listen to a Pärt composition on my way to work on the bus, I feels like some one has released a beautiful white bird who is elegantly soaring through the air and I am the only one who is lucky enough to see it. His music transcends beyond the confines of simple pop music and achieves much of the beauty and grandeur of his previous classical masters.

Here is one of his best known pieces for your enjoyment.



EDJ

In The Court of King Crimson

There are few albums that simultaneously bridge insane weirdness and commercial appeal. Albums like OK Computer, John Coltrane's later work and The Talking Heads' Remain in Light all come to mind. These album have attained a high level of commercial success, but have not compromised the original vision. These albums are very very rare. King Crimson's first album In the Court of King Crimson is one of them. I have been listening to this album for many years now and I am convinced that it is the crowning achievement in progressive rock (a term I have always hated)

If you haven't heard this album before, now's your chance. It truly is a timeless album that will constantly challenge your ears and your brain with every listen. Check it out!



EDJ

Mississippi John Hurt- A True Blues Legend

There is a superficial understanding of the Blues in popular culture. It exists somewhere between Eric Clapton's contrived style and BB King's live shows in Vegas. The Blues has been turned into a commodity and an image rather than a way of life. I say this because compared to the true genius of Mississippi John Hurt and a handful of other acts, the blues just doesn't resonate like it used to.

Mississippi John Hurt was born in 1892 in Avalon Mississippi. Three years before Buddy Bolden was credited with creating jazz and nearly 20 years before Robert Johnson. You won't hear his name as commonly as some of the other blues men of his time, but Mississippi John Hurt was a survivor who created truly beautiful music that should be cherished until the end of time. His simple picking style and understated voice is as honest a sound that you will ever hear and his simple and peaceful nature place him as close to sainthood as anyone could ever be.

His songs celebrated the dark as much as the light and represent the true beauty of the blues. I challenge anyone to not be moved by these incredible songs.





EDJ

Unsent Letter To Justin Bieber

Dear Justin,

My wife and I were walking in Niagara Falls and came across some 14 year old kid who was clearly trying to imitate you on every level. Being is the comedian she is, she immediately walked up to him and asked "are you Justin Bieber?" The boy said no, but you could clearly tell that she had made his day and gave him bragging rights on the playground for the next week.

Why am I telling you this Justin? The reason is that while I understand you are just a kid yourself, you have to be getting sick of the thousands of clones you can see on any given sidewalk in any given city. Who are these kids and since when did the "Biebercoif" become the standard hairdo for tweens and teenagers?

I must admit that I've never actually heard a single songs of yours, nor do I really want to, but I find it crazy that I know what you are doing on any given day in spite of this important fact. I think I might have seen the first 20 seconds of your music video when you were on the phone with your homeboy Usher (like you two actually call each other), but other than that your music remains a complete mystery to me.

I don't want to be too hard on you; you're a kid and already making a better living than I ever will. But I have to tell you that the Biebermania that I see everywhere has to stop soon or I might go crazy. maybe you'll pull a Kris Kross and fall into obscurity once your voice changes and your balls sink to the floor. Or maybe you'll pronounce your homosexuality to the world and piss off all those right-wing, suburban parents who have been funneling money into your empire for the past year or so. Or maybe, and probably more likely, you just end up being replaced by the latest craze who's just younger, cuter and a better dance.

ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS!

EDJ

Halifax 4ever!

The United States may have had Seattle, but for us Canadians growing up in the 90s, Halifax will forever remain the heart of rock and alternative music. Maybe it didn't receive a fraction of the publicity of the grunge movement, but for my money Halifax was doing a far more interesting and innovative thing. Think of it, Buck 65, Sloan, The Super Friendz, and of course Thrush Hermit, and many others all formed one of the most interesting scenes of the 90s. And best of all, this scene has not died down, but only grown stronger with artists like Jimmy Swift, Wintersleep, Matt Mays and Joel Plaskett.

In honour of this outstanding musical institution, here's a video of Joel Plaskett's first band Thrush Hermit and From the Back of the Film.

EDJ

It's Time For Some Girl Talk

There's a lot of cynicism about the state of music today. People are constantly saying that originality no longer exists and that the artists of today couldn't hold a finger to the artists of the past. I couldn't disagree more. Popular music has never been as diverse as it is today and artists are always bringing in new ideas and style to express themselves.

If there is one artist at the forefront of musical innovation and creativity, I believe that it would have to be Pittsburgh's Gregg Michael Gillis, A.K.A Girl Talk. Girl Talk doesn't use guitars or drums in his music. Instead, his laptop is his instrument and it is supported by an uncanny skill to take small snips of 20 or 30 songs and rearrange them into one tightly fitted unit. If you don't think this sounds interesting, check this video out:



Now that I've convinced you, it's about time you went out and checked out this amazing artist. You can also see more of his work in RIP! A Remix Manifesto, one of my favourite documentaries of all time, but that's a whole new blog for a whole new day.

EDJ

Cats Can Drive Like a Holy Fuck!

Toronto's Holy Fuck are one of the best things in music today and their video for Red Lights kicks more ass than your mom and your dad together. Don't believe me? See for yourself!

Song of the Day Massive Attack's Teardrop

Do you remember this song? It was way back in 1998, The internet was just beginning to blossom, I was finishing High School and Massive Attack released their best album with the very memorable single Teardrop, which featured the vocals of Elizabeth Fraser. Other than the great music, the most memorable thing about this album is the way that Massive Attack released the album. They were the first artists to offer this album for purchase over the internet. People couldn't do this before and I imagine that it would have taken hours to download that album through that slow dial up connection. Still, it was a great idea.

If you don't remember this song, reeducate yourself with one of the best singles of the 90s.

Muddy Waters Folk Singer

One of the great things about ipods is that you can unexpectedly revisit albums that you might not have listened to for quite some time. On my way home from work today I listened to what is in my opinion Muddy Waters best album, Folk Singer. The album features quite possibly the best cast of blues musicians ever assembled on any record (Clifton James, Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy) and is beautifully recorded and produced. It actually sounds like Muddy himself is performing just for you because you can hear all the subtleties of the recording studio. Muddy sounds great and his guitar work is pure genius. I can't recommend this album enough and I am very glad that I revisited it again after so many years,



EDJ

Autumn Is Here!

While I'm not sure about your part of the world, I am very excited with the fact that autumn has finally come to Toronto. The maple trees are changing to yellow and the parks are filled with vibrant reds, yellows and greens. I love this time of year and I try to cherish it as much as possible before it turns into the eternal Canadian winter.

While Billie Holiday's "Autumn in New York" may not be about Toronto, there is no other song that I know of that captures the magic of this time of year. I hope that everyone can have a chance to get out there and enjoy this time of year and maybe hum this tune to yourself or sing it to the one you love.

EDJ

R.I.P King Solomon Burke

I am very sad to say that soul legend Solomon Burke died this weekend in Amsterdam. For those who are familiar with his work, you know that he was a big man with an even bigger voice. He was a man of faith who shared buckets of love to anyone who was lucky enough to stand near him. If you've heard any of his live recordings or if you've seen him concert, you will know that his music brought people of all different backgrounds to their knees. Needless to say, the women loved him too!



My friend Kevy emailed me his favourite Solomon Burke story to me and I'd love to share it with you...

After a dozen straight hits, Solomon Burke was crowned the King of Rock 'n' Soul by Rockin' Robin of radio station WEBB in Baltimore in 1964. Solomon took the title very seriously. From that point on (for at least a decade), he never performed without a robe or a crown.

Solomon claims there was no rivalry between him and the godfather of soul, but one night, James Brown offered Solomon $10000 to perform with him in Chicago. Solomon happily agreed. When Solomon thought he was being introduced to the audience ("ladies and gentleman, the NEW king of rock 'n' soul..."), they were actually introducing Mr. Brown. Then Brown's stagehands tried to get Solomon to go on stage and give Brown is crown. Solomon refused, but in good humour (as always). When the crowd started chanting for Solomon Burke, James told them that he couldn't perform 'cuz he'd been "decrowned." Solomon never was allowed onstage to sing (and he never went on stage to give up his crown either) but after the show he told James Brown that he had a good time watching him sing, a wonderful time actually, and that he'd do it all again for only $8000.

R.I.P King Solomon

EDJ

Gang of Four Gets Down

If you are not familiar with Gang of Four, let me do you a HUGE favour and acquaint you with one of the coolest and most innovative bands of the past 30 years. They mix punk, funk and a few other arty flavors to make one of the coolest sounds around. While most critics cite their first two albums as two of the most innovative and creative works of the post-punk era, Gang of Four have been doing their thing for more than 30 years now. You owe it to yourself to check this band out!



EDJ

Music and Cinema in Perfect Harmony

Is there any film in cinematic history that melds music and film together better than Sergio Leone's masterpiece The Good, The Bad and the Ugly? Of course it also helps to have the greatest film composer (Ennio Morricone) and one of the greatest directors in full force to create something so cool, so seamless and so timeless that it can only be dubbed the coolest film ever. The final battle to perhaps the best part of the film. Although this scene has been duplicated thousands of times (I'm looking at you Quentin Tarantino) it has never been done this well or with so much style. Morricone and Leone will always go down as two of my favourite artists as their work stand head and shoulders above the rest. If you haven't seen this movie, I shake my head in disgust.

It's Friday

It Friday! Time to kick off your shoes and have a refreshing glass/mug/bottle/can of your favourite drink. Time to reflect on the week back and listen to the sweet retro stylings of the cure.



EDJ