International Harmony

I got a bit teary watching the PBS broadcast of the NY Philharmonic's historic concert in North Korea. Congratulations to all parties for letting this happen, and making it such a success. It was especially fun to see Maazel conduct "American in Paris," and eventually give in to the need to boogie on the podium, which is not at all his style. Apparently the ghost of Bernstein took over at that moment.

Pay Attention to the Beat

The pop world's most underrated drummer: Alex Van Halen. Go ahead, find a classier rock percussion performance than he gives on "Hot for Teacher." Yeah, you go ahead...

Speaking of those underappreciated on the skins, how very lame that the Grammys only got around to giving Max Roach a Lifetime Achievement Award now that his life has come to an end.

Fabulous Faye

For no particular reason (besides the fact that I happened to hear a track by her this morning), I say Cheers! to the memory of Frances Faye (1913-1991). Faye was a fine and funny, randy-dandy cabaret singer who, long before it was fashionable or even safe, was as out a lesbian as could be imagined in her time. She would even switch pronouns in love songs to suit her preference. Listen to her chew the furniture on the L-Word Season 1 sound track.

Turn to Tuneful Tweets

Thanks to Radiohead for posting a link to this fascinating website. It features all of Olivier Messiaen's birdsong notations in Midi files, plus recordings of the actual birdsongs. A labor of love for some French fan/ornithologist, obviously:

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/p.dubois/oiseaux/liste.html

Some Things Are Worth the Wait

Finally saw Rufus' little acoustic solo tour on its final night, with his charming younger sister Lucy Wainwright-Roche as opening act.

The show was pared down beyond belief, by RW standards: only two mics (one at the piano, one for standing with guitar); no special guests, no costumes, no mad lighting, no audience-members pulled up onto the stage, no 6-piece back-up band, no gigantic German boyfriend hoisting Rufus to his shoulders for the finale.

It was just Rufus unprotected, baring his miraculous talents, thrilling his worshippers in the most intimate, personal way possible from a stage. We even loved him when exhaustion made his memory of lyrics a tad scrappy. Such a delight. That show could have gone on for seven hours, and it would not have been long enough.

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!