How Iran-ic

The BBC is reporting that Chris deBurgh has been approved by "authorities in Tehran" to play a concert in Iran with the Iranian pop group Arian sometime in '08. Western pop music with lyrics is officially banned in that country, but they're making an exception here.

They're not too swift with poetic analysis over there, I guess. Most of deBurgh's songs contain at least something that ought to be more insidious to religious zealots than, say, naming a stuffed animal after a prophet. The BBC cites his hit, "Don't Pay the Ferryman," as especially innocuous, but that song is inspired by the beliefs of infidels. Just watch the video, starring Tom Baker (just after his Dr. Who days): he's clearly meant to be Charon on the river Styx.

An Eye on Rilo

One to watch: Rilo Kiley, a Californian indie band just outgrowing the college circuit. Their lead singer is Jenny Lewis [pictured], with power and beauty pouring from her head and chest (yes, I mean the ranges of her voice). The tracks I've heard are musically interesting but lyrically limited, tending toward a single idea per song. But, face it, that's more than many bands manage!

Sweet and soulful

I must admit to being charmed by Corinne Bailey Mae. The soft jazz around which she twines her clear, delicate voice is hardly a favorite genre of mine, but she performs with such grace and style that it's irresistible. She also has the second-sweetest smile in the music industry (first prize has to go to Eddie Van Halen).

Open Letter to Van Dyke Parks

Dear Mr. Parks:

Why did you write such a messy arrangement of "It's Only a Paper Moon"? Why so many keys, so many meters, so many styles?

I mean, I get it: "a honky tonk parade, ... a melody played in a penny arcade..." But isn't illustrating that with the orchestra an insult to the song's subtlety?

Watch out, I think Harold Arlen might swat you with that rolled up sheet music.

With love,

A concerned music blogger

Back to Blackout

Herculean drug abuser Amy Winehouse showed up at the MTV European Music Awards last week with her veins pumped full of various substances besides her blood. She attempted to sing "Back to Black," but could barely stand, let alone pronounce consonants.

Event emcee Snoop Dogg went to welcome her in her dressing room, and even that king of the hip-hop lifestyle was alarmed by Winehouse and the overturned furniture strewn with her dinner and some broken plates. Reports are that he "didn't want to hang out with her after that."

Come on, Amy. You have a matchless gift. Get your butt to rehab and stay there!

Simon Sez

Bravo to Sir Simon Rattle and the BBC for their documentary series Leaving Home, on orchestral music of the Twentieth Century. The episodes are defined by topos or compositional philosophy, rather than by chronology, making for a clear overview of the knotty mass of changes that took place in music after the Romantic era.

Let's Put 'Em All Together

Queenzone reports that Mika will sing a duet with either Brian May or Rufus Wainwright at the 2008 Brit awards in February.

And I'm collecting donations for a quick trip to London...