Vista Song: Just Wasting Time

With today’s lauch of Vista, I find myself thinking about the ALO post I wrote in October. What does ALO have to do with Vista? It’s the song Wasting Time (Isla Vista Song),of course! So, one might wonder, is updating to Vista a waste of time? Frankly, I have no idea. You can let the other technophile bloggers duke it out over that one. For now, I’m going to drink a Margarita and listen to the Isla Vista Song. Cheers!

Related Tags: Animal Liberation Orchestra, Jam Band, ALO, Vista

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Paul Simon Introduces to The World: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is possibly the finest acapella group in the world. With one foot steeped in tradition and the other in modernity, Ladysmith’s contribution to international music is undeniable. However, it took Paul Simon to introduce this group to the world (on the classic album Graceland). To find out more about this collaboration, check out this video documentary chronicling the meeting of the white Paul Simon and the black Ladysmith Black Mambazo in South Africa during Apartheid. Additionally, be sure to watch their performance of Hello My Baby and Homeless (with Paul Simon) and Township Jive (solo). Even if you already own Graceland, it is definitely worth your while to check out some of Ladysmith’s CDs: The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo Vol. 2, or The Warner Brothers Collection. (best listened to in full stereo). And if you are able to see them live, they continue to tour internationally. Your ears will thank you.

Related Tags: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon, Graceland, South African Music

New Ways to read Lost Melodies

I wanted to let you know some easy ways to stay up to date with this site. I added a new page dedicated to subscription options. There should be something for everyone including RSS subscriptions, email subscriptions, and the newest addition would be add this page to your Google homepage. Other options that you would like featured, just let me know.

As always, recommendations and submissions are always appreciated.

Thanks

African Blues Man: Ali Farka Toure

At the suggestion of a Lost Melodies reader, I checked out the music of Ali Farka Toure. He has a unique sound that combines American blues with African music (though The Blues is a direct decendent from West African music).

Toure was a musician from Mali who was often compared to John Lee Hooker (Hooker has a new box set out, by the way). This comparison is due to his guitar licks and the similarity of his music to the blues sound. Unfortunately, Ali Farka Toure passed away last March from bone cancer. Here are an impressive number of mp3s by Toure as well as a fantastic video of the man in action (the song on the video is entitled “Goye Kur” is the opening track on The Source). To hear more Toure, pick up Toure’s self titled debut and Talking Timbuktu (with Ry Cooder). Thanks, Adam!

Bizarre New Music Video Features The Original Karate Kid

Here is one for all you retro lovers. This new video by No More Kings entitled “Sweep The Leg” features Karate Kid Movie footage as well as original cast members Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), Billy Zabka (Johnny), and Martin Kove (Sensei). Noticably missing from the video is Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi ) who passed away in November 2005. Additionally, the video is directed by Billy Zabka (Johnny). This should be amusing after you watch the video (links below). Pre-order your No More Kings album today. It comes out March 6.

No More Kings – “Sweep the Leg” video streams:

Quicktime High:

http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/STL_full_hi.mov/play.qtl

Quicktime Low:

http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/STL_full_lo.mov/play.qtl

Windows Media:

http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92win15101/No_More_Kings/STL_Full.wmv/play.asx

No More Kings – “Sweep the Leg” audio streams:

Quicktime High:

http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/Sweep_The_Leg_High.mov/play.qtl

Quicktime Low:

http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/Sweep_The_Leg_Low.mov/play.qtl

Windows Media High:

http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92win15101/No_More_Kings/STL_full_hi.wmv/play.asx

Windows Media Low:

http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92win15101/No_More_Kings/Sweep_The_Leg_Low.wma/play.asx

Related Tags: Sweep The Leg, Ralph Macchio, Daniel LaRusso, Billy Zabka, Martin Kove, Mr. Miyagi, Pat Morita, No More Kings, Johnny, Crane Kick

Wolfgang’s Vault Sued

A while back, I blogged about the late great Bill Graham. Unfortunately some groups are suing the Wolfgang’s Vault Site for copyright infringement due to the streaming media.

Jazz Saxophonist, Wife of Saxophonist die

Michael Brecker, saxophone legend, died after a battle with leukemia at the age of 57. NPR provides a remembrance. Additionally, the wife of John Coltrane- Alice Coltrane, also a jazz musician in her own right passed away. She is best known for her album Ptah the El Daoud (review) [via link]. Both musicians were greatly influenced by John Coltrane.

Related Tags: Michael Brecker, Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane