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The Glorious Return of The Music Trivia

17 Aug

Was this really done, or did somebody photoshop that into the NOW That’s What I Call Music background? That picture really projects. It better be one hell of a music quiz. Well, do you know who does have one hell of a music quiz…because I’m actually looking for some questions, just kidding! While the first installments of Music Trivia went worse than expected, I thought that I would bring it back this Wednesday just for kicks. I get a lot of enjoyment in compiling and administering our little version of Trivial Pursuit, supposing we were only answering pink questions and those questions were only the music side of entertainment. Damn, if that was the case, I feel like I would do very well at Trivial Pursuit.

Now that Trivial Pursuit is in our minds, let’s use its new format for our questions today. I will ask three questions at different difficulties…easy, medium, and hard.

Remember – This hasn’t worked at all, but, after you answer the questions in the poll, POST your answers as a comment. I want to know if you got all three correct. If you did, you get the special prize of R-E-S-P-E-C-T and it means a lot. Let’s get to it.

1.) In The Doors’ “Touch Me” Jim Morrison concludes the instrumental at the end with these three words. What are they? And, because this is the easy question, I will provide an audio clue.

VIDEO:

2.) Woodstock, baby. That Jimi Hendrix finish was mind-boggling. But, man, who was the act that went on right before him. Uhh…?

3.) Now comes the HARD question. Let’s see if I can stump you guys. Simon and Garfunkel’s “The 59th Street Bridge Song,” otherwise known as “Feelin’ Groovy” was recorded in August of 1966 with what famous Jazz drummer behind the drum kit in the studio?

Good luck everyone and remember to write a comment with your answers!

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Idol Albums – Coldplay LP in October – Ticketing Experiment

15 Aug

McCreery to Release Debut Album in October

Alfred E. Newman – Oh – I mean Scotty McCreery, winner of the most recent season of American Idol, will release his first album Clear as Day on Oct. 4. In a message to his fans McCreery wrote, “We focused on making the best music possible. I’m really proud of it and so grateful to have the opportunity to record an album before my 18th birthday.”

When I was 18…well, I wasn’t releasing debut album. Wait, let me qualify that. Debut “Succesful” albums. That is pretty awesome. For the top-24 this year I knew that McCreery would end up winning the entire competition. Why did I think this? American Idol has an incredibly strong country base. Seriously, solid country stars can fly through the show with ease. McCreery not only has a true country croon, but also he is young and respectable. Big, big help. At the end, the final two contestants were country singers and this really came to no surprise to people who have been watching the show for a while.

McCreery is insanely talented. Yes, for some, his act became old quickly. I mean, he could only sing country, right? Yes. But why is this an issue? He has a niche. He is perfectly comfortable in said niche. His first (and all remaining albums) will be country (with a probable pop twist). That is what album number one will be. I’ll make this prediction now. I think that McCreery will have the longest and most succesful career among all idol winners.

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New Coldplay Album


What the heck does that album title mean? Good question. Your guess is as good as mine. Coldplay will release Mylo Xyloto on Oct. 25, their official full-length follow-up to 2008’s Viva La Vida, which both had an understandable name and sold 2.8 million units. Yeah, nbd. Despite the rap that Coldplay gets, they are a hugely popular band and their piano-based rock is enjoyable. The band released the album’s first single “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” in June. On Sept. 12 the band will release their second single “September” to the awaiting public. Yeah, September in September.

I’m looking forward to the new release, even moreso now because the title is so enigmatic. Coldplay knows what they are doing and if the album has similar fire power to Viva La Vida it will meet with tremendous success. I’m also curious. Chris Martin has stated that the album does not have a specific genre and while that is pretty consistent with his dislike for pigeon-holing Coldplay’s music, it is still worth mentioning because last time fans were told to expect the unexpected, the band released an album that oozed with fluid sounds and eccentric rhythms.

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Experiments with All-Mobile Ticketing

Alright, this is pretty awesome. Billboard had their Summer Blowout Party featuring bands like LMFAO and Swizz Beatz. That’s not the awesome part. I mean I’m sure the concert was cool, but the way that people got into the concert is even cooler.

ShowClix, a company founded by  Joshua Dziabiak, is attempting to revolutionize the way that people get into shows. Do you lose papers easily and sometimes misplace tickets? Well, with ShowClix, everything is on your phone. That’s right, after you purchase your tickets they are sent to your phone via text message. When you get to the gate, you present the text message with your ticket and an attendant uses a device to scan it. Deal done. You go and enjoy your show and the garbages at the venue are not full with ripped up tickets (an environmentally friendly option). That’s how people who went to Billboard’s Summer Blowout displayed their tickets. It takes electronic ticketing to a new level.

I think this is great. Even if this is applied as another delivery option, it can save a lot of paper and frantic minutes searching for those damn tickets before you leave for the show. I can foresee this emerging as a premier ticketing option in the future. What do you think?

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The Andes are Falling!

11 Aug

Don’t worry. The Andes are not really falling. Go back to bed South America, everything is going to be okay. But if the Andes were in Pittsburgh, PA, well, then residents might need to take caution. Falling Andes, a new Indie/Pop, is hot off the presses and one listen to their dulcet melodies and sticky rhythms will get you hooked on the Andes.

Falling Andes was manufactured by multi-instrumentalists Dan Peluso (vocals, guitar, synthesizer) and Jordan Wood (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards). The accomplished duo started writing songs together and expanded the band to include drummer Peter-Michel Natishan and guitarist Mike Boyer. Now when I say the band is new, I am not pulling your leg. Their debut EP dropped two days ago on iTunes. Pick it up. You will feel mighty good about yourself when the indie world picks up on the exuberant joy of Falling Andes.

If I had to pick one song to introduce the band it would have to be “San Francisco.”

The synth beginning is promising, but when the airy guitar chords kick in and lay comfortably over the synth the listener is transported to Fisherman’s Wharf, his/her eyes staring at the San Francisco Bay. The voice of the lead vocalist is distinct. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it. His “oh, no” shouts remind me of the always theatric Arthur Brown’s shout of the same words in his song “Fire.” It fits perfectly, though. The song is fresh and catchy and I smell the sea when I listen to it. Which, of course, is interesting because the band is from Pittsburgh. Definitely check this band out.

Visit the band’s website

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The First Day – Well, It Feels Like the First Time

9 Aug

I have had a lot of internships. If internships were dollars, well, I’d have six whole George Washington’s. Okay. That doesn’t seem like a lot of money. Well, all of the internships were unpaid so I guess that analogy was somewhat fitting. Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that I have “worked” at many companies, but never truly worked at a paying job. Today, I was among the sea of suited individuals commuting to work in New York City on the 7:29 peak train to Penn Station. Today, I started my job with Wolters Kluwer health. No quotation marks around that one. My actual job.

I guess you could say I was a bit of a foreigner. Was there any doubt that I would not be able to turn this into some music reference? At Wolters Kluwer Health, I will be working as an Editorial Assistant for three health publications. Not very musical, I know, but that is what this blog is for. The reason I mention 70’s hard-rock band Foreigner is, well, I bet you could guess. I’ll give you a hint.

That was quite a hint! I felt like this song – title at least – was suitable for my first day. Now, I’m not a big Foreigner fan. No, late 70’s hard-rock treads the very thin line of corniness. Out of a list of these bands, Foreigner, mainly because of a couple of songs, stands out. Also, the band featured Ian McDonald for four years, and that is pretty cool.

With Foreigner, McDonald played guitar, keyboards and woodwinds. Trivia time. What band was McDonald in prior to Foreigner. The answer is…

King Crimson

McDonald played an active role in creating one of the greatest albums of all time – In The Court of the Crimson King (1969). So, do enjoy McDonald’s work with Foreigner and, oh, what the heck, here is one of my favorite songs of all time.

I think I am going to need to analyze this song at some point. I may have already done this one the blog, but, if not, be prepared for some epic Crimson talk!

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The Rhythmic Folk of JF Robitaille

8 Aug

I am a little late on this profile of JF Robitaille. He released the EP that I just acquired in 2006. Robitaille released his first full-length LP around a month ago, so I am comforted in the fact that I have not missed material in between, but I do still have to pick up the new album. I am a firm believer, though, that it is never too late to get into any musician (most of my favorite artists stopped recording music prior to my birth) and I follow my mantra today with the Canadian singer-songwriter JF Robitaille.

The Blood in my Body (EP) was Robitaille’s first release as a solo artist and its rich six-song bounty provided listeners five years ago with the same folk joy that it provides listeners with today. I am living proof. Robitaille is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter, already achieving comparisons to genre masters Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen. His smooth voice, creative lyric and acoustic verses certainly plant him in the cabbage patch of singer-songwriters. But in order to sprout higher than others the music needs a sticking factor, a charm that makes listeners want to listen to songs on repeat. Many cannot get over this hump. Robitaille has the talent to do just that.

(Song starts at 30 second mark)

“Morning After Morning” is a simple piece. Basic chords picked by Robitaille while the rhythm section keeps linear heartbeat-like percussion. Yet, and I’ve said this a good amount of times on The Music Court, simplicity is not a bad thing when the song’s tight structure is intriguing. “Morning After Morning” keeps your attention.

“New York” is not even two minutes long. It is also a much more frantic piece. The choral harmony is quick, but enjoyable. It is also fly-trap catchy. It is a good sticky though. The verses are carried by shortly stroked chords and fast-paced drums. The lyric is also noticeable.

“I died while I was dreaming,
For a second I stopped breathing and I woke up on the quiet side of town.
Didn’t sleep that year at all.
A haze of cigarettes and alcohol, this dust had settled in my eyes.”

The diction certainly hits hard even in this short piece.

Check out some more of Mr. Robitaille’s music by following this link to his website

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