NJ Snowden's "In Canada"

Blueprint for Life

I came across this amazingly inspirational video in my research project on First Nation's Hip Hop. Take some time and watch it. It will make your day brighter!

Bob Marley Would be 66 Today

While talking to a coworker of mine last Friday, we both concluded that Bob Marley is one of the few pop artists who fits into that unique category of being universally loved. I'm not sure is there has ever been a performer who is as much loved by the critics as he is love by popular culture.

Even many years after his death, you can still hear many of Bob Marley's hits being played on a consistent basis on the radio and television. Corporation use his message to get us to buy things and political candidates use his songs to ensure us that they are not like the rest of them. But beyond all of these soundbites and stereotypes that pop culture enforced upon this man's legacy, Bob Marley will continue to be a universally loved musician for his simple, yet powerful message. Sure it may be a message that often gets distorted or even marginalized, but it is hard to argue that this man from the little island of Jamaica has not changed the way many people view the world and popular music.

I am always reluctant to associate the word "icon" with a performer, because that is a word that is associated with someone far after their best work is behind them. Furthermore, great artists never ventures out to become an icon; they simple do what they are so good at and watch while the masses flock to them.

After all these years, I don't believe that Bob Marley would be happy with what pop culture has turned him into. Instead of becoming the voice against injustice and imperialism, we have bought and sold him into a jukebox for dance floors and car commercials. yet, by looking beyond all of this and seeing his music for what it is, it is important to celebrate his amazing voice and the powerful message that it brings.







EDJ

Howard Zinn Died a Year Ago Today

He may not have been a world famous artist that traveled the world and performed to stadiums of fans, but there is no doubt in my mind that Howard Zinn has been one of the most influential sources for artists around the world. His classic book, A People's History of the United States has inspired many people to continue to lift up their voice against tyranny and work toward the common good for all. His message is as powerful after his death as it was during his incredible life.

Howard died from a cardiac arrest while exercising in a swimming pool one year ago today, but his spirit was not taken in there; it can be found in his dozens of essays, books and plays that all praise the amazing accomplishments of human beings. He will forever be remembered as a great leader and documenter of the human condition in the face of incredible odds.

If you haven't read anything by Howard Zinn, you are truly missing out. He was an incredible man and an incredible writer. His world have inspired me in so many way and encouraged me to never give up on humanity because in the end, things like justice, compassion, understanding and love always find the light of day.

We love you Howard!

A Heart Warmer

This video warmed my heart. I hope it does the same for you.



EDJ

Once

I watched this movie last night and I must say that I think I enjoyed it more the second time around than the first. I think this film fell victim to too much commercial hype during it's release and I think a lot of people were disappointed because it didn't fit into much of the Hollywood format. While it is definitely a musical, it is also a highly realistic depiction of the reality and challenges of everyday life. If you haven't seen it yet, you should... it's a keeper.

Lessons I've learned in 2010:

a) Never trust a boss who hires his girlfriend
b) Good bosses bring people together; bad bosses create wedges between people
c) Always read the fine print
d) Every problem is a blessing in disguise
e) People come and go, but friends and family are forever
f) Love becomes stronger when it is challenged
g) Some people are full of darkness. Don't let their darkness dim your light
h) There is no better feeling in the world than to love unconditionally
i) Forgiveness means moving on
j) Life is fragile, love is endless
k) Don't be afraid to ask for help
l) There are many paths to achieving a dream. When one ends, another begins
m) Skills are like tools, the more you have the more you can do
n) Don't let people with ulterior motives tell you that you are not good enough
o) It doesn't matter how long it takes, as long as you are always moving toward your goal
p) Ignorance is contagious
q) Answers often present themselves on their own
r) Don't react to people's words. Always think before you say anything
s) Family is your bond to the past and the future
t) The Leafs suck and will probably suck for many years to come. Live with it.
u) "Me time" can be done anywhere. Even on the bus/train
v) Cat are complicated animals
w) The holidays are for treating yourself
x) When an opportunity presents itself, take it or someone else will
y) Fine stout is a beautiful thing
z) If people don't like something about you that's their problem, not yours

Happy 2011!

Patti Smith is 64 Today

Patti Smith, the godmother of Punk rock, is 64 today. I was lucky enough to see Patti and her band perform on her 60th birthday in New York City and I was amazed at the energy and life that she poured into that performance. I even got to meet Lenny Kay after the show and talk about the old days of New York City punk!

Here's a clip of that show.



Happy birthday Patti!

EDJ

New Girl Talk Album for Free at Illegal-art.net

Want to get the new Girl Talk album? If so, why would you buy it like a sucka when you could download it for free at illegal-art.net. For anyone who doesn't know, illegal-art.net is an amazing website that allows you to download the work of some of the best turntablists in the world for free. They ask for nothing in return, except that you enjoy the album. What more could you ask for?

Follow this link to check the website out:

http://illegal-art.net/shop/

EDJ

R.I.P Captain Beefheart (1941-2010)

I've never been a big Captain Beefheart fan. Although when I heard of his passing I was still affected enough to want to write an entry regarding this massively influential artist. Beefheart was a truly innovative artist who created music that never even attempted to meet the watered down values of mainstream music. Instead, his music was very much in your face to the point that it would kick you in the nuts if you looked away. He will be missed.

Here's my favourite Beefheart song:



EDJ

THE VIP TEAM

I made this video for my work's year-end staff meeting. It was a lot of fun and we received a lot of kind words.



EDJ

Love Hurts by Gram Parsons

I've always hated this song, except for Gram Parson's version. Maybe its the bittersweet melancholy of it or maybe it's Emmylou Harris' beautiful voice, but either way I love it.



EDJ

Happy Birthday Tom Verlaine

Punk rock legend Tom Verlaine is 61 today. I'm not sure why that's shocking to me, but I suppose it's because he will be eternally young in my eyes. For those of you who do not know, Tom Verlaine was the lead singer of Television, arguably the most influential punk band in history. Tom and Richard Hell were the first people to begin performing at New York historic CBGBs club and built a reputation for their unique style and powerful delivery.

In honour of this great, please have a listen to my some of my favourite Television Songs.







EDJ

MF Doom: Sofa King Awesome!

Way before Saturday Night Live did a skit titled Sofa King, Rap's most underrated artist was making our sides split with his own track. I've probably heard this song a hundred times and it still makes me laugh. Enjoy!



EDJ

Animal Collective Music Videos

There are few bands out there today that consistently put videos as interesting as Baltimore's Animal Collective. See for yourself.









EDJ

No One Does it Like Pete

At 90 years old and still going strong, Pete Seeger is America's great voice of reason and justice. No other songwriter has firmly placed their high moral standards and values in their music than him and no other musician has used their music to stand up against oppression. Pete is the man!

When the Vietnam War was raging on over seas, Pete was always out on the front lines encouraging a peaceful solution to that miserable war and he is still doing the same today. Even many years after that great man is gone, people will always look back at the man's music as a symbol of the voice of the people. Just watch this video and see how Pete is able to captivate his audience by bringing them into the song; his is performing with them, not for them.

We love you Pete!



EDJ

Coltrane in '61

1961 was an important year for Coltrane. Not only did he release 5 albums within those 12 month's, but it also marks the time when Coltrane was really turning into one of jazz's great institutions. While other albums like Giant Steps and Blue Train really highlight the man's potential, it was in this year that things really started to come together. While I'm not saying that this was when Coltrane hit his stride (that would still be a few years away) this was the year when the man began to push his art form into undiscovered territory. If '66 and '67 was when Coltrane had reached the summit, then '61 certainly must be when he reached the base camp.

While it is important to note that '61 does not highlight the best of the classic Coltrane Quartet, but it does mark a time of great discovery and learning that can really be heard in his live performances more than the albums. It seems as though Coltrane was still holding back a bit on his recordings, but let the lion roar in front of his audiences. Gone is the bittersweet melancholy that he played with Miles and in comes the vast spirituality and endless searching that has come to typify the man and his music.

1961 certainly was a great year for music and thankfully we have videos such as these that capture that man in his early stages of a great body of work and spiritual discovery.



EDJ

Lewis Melville's "The Lamp is Growing Dim"

Lewis Melville is a veteran in the Canadian independent music scene. While his name is not as common as many of his contemporaries, he has played with many legendary acts like the Rheostatics and the Skydiggers. He is a truly gifted songwriter and a gem of an artist. This song, "The Lamp is Growing Dim (Oh Canada)" can be found on the Afghanistan... On Guard For Thee? Compilation that came out nearly ten years ago. Sadly, the song and compilation are as relevant today as it was then.



EDJ

R.I.P Leslie Nielsen

I grew up watching Leslie Nielsen movies and in my 10 year old opinion they were the funniest movies ever. Leslie Nielsen was the ultimate straight man who could deliver any ridiculous line without cracking a smile. I will forever remember the baseball scene in the Naked Gun as a nonstop laughfest. Watching this moving many years later brings me back to my childhood.

R.I.P Mr. Nielsen, you were a great Canadian and a very funny man.



EDJ