(photo: Carnevale in Reggio Calabria, thanks to Demetrio Bruno for the photo) Carnevale, which means “farewell to meat”, is celebrated throughout the world including in the United States (known as Mardi Gras) and Italy.  Carnevale usually takes place 40 days prior to Easter and in Italy the celebration includes food, parties, music, various entertainment, masquerade balls, and wild pranks!  This […]

One of the first things I do in the morning (even before I have a cup of coffee and say good morning to my wife!) is turn on NPR (National Public Radio).  Listening to the news wakes me up and gets my brain going in the morning and I’m grateful that NPR is available as a free (well, somewhat free; […]

“There’s a choice we’re making we’re saving our own lives. It’s true we’ll make a better day just you and me” I think it’s time Wall Street gets together and records its own version of We Are the World, maybe something along the lines of “We Are the Capitalists”. Seriously, folks, have a listen to the original 1985 recording and it […]

NPR ran a piece on US born psych-folk singer, Rodriguez.  Rodriguez is a completely obscure artist (outside of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand), but is know enjoying a renaissance after the re-release of Cold Fact. You can read Rodriguez’s bio at Joe’s Pub here and listen to his single Sugarman here.

The American Idol finale took place last night and for the most part the show featured slightly washed up singers (attempting to mimic Freddie Mercury) and “Brady Bunch” like numbers by the 12 finalists.  The highlight of the show was Gladys Knight, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Junior performing the song, “Midnight Train to Georgia:”   For a critical look at American […]

Remember making that mix tape for your girlfriend in high school?  The mix tape was a right of passage for US teenagers in the 1980’s and now Muxtape has brought all that  pre pubescent musical excitement to the web.    I’ve been listening to “SumAgency’s” mix and loving it!