I saw Les Misérables four times on Broadway when it first came out. I have listened to the soundtrack hundreds — if not thousands — of times, and used to be able to sing the entire thing from start to finish. And yet… I didn’t like the movie. [Spoilers follow.] I’m struggling to say exactly …
My neck started to feel better last night, so I treated myself to a run this afternoon. I normally listen to podcasts with the Couch to 5K running program on them — they were recommended to me by a friend, and they’re incredibly helpful. But today was an unplanned bonus run. Today, I listened to …
Back at Cosmic Toast Studios, creator/composer/actor/singer/goofball Andy Pagana has released the first album of Nonsense Box songs on iTunes! Nonsense Box is a very silly collection of very silly skits involving puppets, animation, goofy dialogue and songs intended for kids and silly adults of all ages. (Think Monty Python’s Flying Circus, but for a younger …
In the 1950s, my (amazing, wonderful, awesome) uncle* recorded two songs for a record label. I’m thrilled that he’s now put the songs on YouTube, along with some photos of the recording sessions. (* aka “Doctor Uncle Reverend Herbatroid” — although only the “uncle” part is accurate.) Without further ado, here’s the uber-talented Herb Bohler: …
I didn’t buy any new holiday music this year, but here are some of my favorites (in no particular order) in case you’re looking for something different. 2009: HOLIDAY ALBUMS Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (Ella Fitzgerald) What’s not to love about Ella Fitzgerald? She infuses this collection of classics with such jazzy joy …
As everyone knows, a new project calls for a new playlist! (Don’t you just love good justifications for buying new music?) I’m looking for music that evokes a desert theme, preferably epic and sweeping. Horse-inspired music would also work. Think Laurence of Arabia, The Blue Sword, and one of my favorite musicals, The Desert Song. …
One of the things I find most distressing about Michael Jackson’s death is the way in which people criticize and condemn the way other people grieve. I cried when Octavia Butler died. I’d never met her or even seen her in person, yet I cried. Sobbed, actually, and not even just once. This woman’s books …
I’ve been streaming radio stations through iTunes at work, bopping between classical and folk and Beatles and NPR. But yesterday I discovered my new favorite: StreamingSoundtracks.com! Some of the choice pieces I’ve heard since tuning in have been from: Totoro Battlestar Galactica (new) World of Warcraft (Lament of the Highborn!) Pirates of the Carribean Hero …
Saturday night, my new company hosted a screening party for our new animated short, “Pronto!” Although I joined the Slangman team after the song itself had been recorded, I did get to see the process develop from script to storyboard to shoot to animatic to finished animation. You wouldn’t believe the amount of work that …
New Patty Griffin album called Children Running Through releasing on February 6th! And an NPR interview with Patty later today! *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!* Oh, happy Friday indeed!