feb
06
2012
Halftime Show
All the talk about Super Bowl halftime shows brought back memories of my all-time favorite: U2 in 2002. It was a strong performance made all the more powerful by the strong emotions of that time. It was perfect for that …
jan
06
2012
The Weight
Wilco, Nick Lowe & Mavis Staples rehearse “The Weight” backstage at the Civic Opera House in Chicago in December 2011. Filmed by Zoran Orlic. So very good.
dec
12
2011
On Composing for Kermit the Frog | NYTimes.com
“Frogs can sing, penguins can’t and other lessons that Bret McKenzie, of the musical-comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, learned while writing music for the Muppets.” I highly recommend the video that accompanies this story, in which Bret and Kermit perform “Life’s a Happy Song” from the new Muppets movie.
nov
17
2011
The Goat Rodeo Sessions
It was a real treat to be in the audience for this Tiny Desk Concert with Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile and Stuart Duncan, recorded on Halloween. And I love that they all seem to be having fun. I’ve …
oct
19
2011
Photo of the Day: Music Under the Dome
There’s a synagogue / cultural center down the street from my office that hosts the occasional concert. I was there last night to see singer Alexi Murdoch (and was impressed by opening artist Kishi Bashi). It’s a beautiful space.
oct
17
2011
Tiny Desk Concert: Wilco (The Video)
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that the band Wilco played a Tiny Desk Concert at my office. The video’s up now on NPR.org.
oct
06
2011
Laura Marling, Live In Concert | NPR Music
“Hear the British folk-rock musician perform a set full of rage, laughter and gorgeous, tear-jerking music, recorded live from Washington, D.C.’s Sixth and I Historic Synagogue.” I saw this concert in person last week; delighted to see that NPR Music recorded / archived it.
oct
03
2011
The Best Of World Cafe | NPR
“After 20 years behind the mic, World Cafe host David Dye recounts his 20 favorite interviews and studio sessions, including visits from Adele, Sonny Rollins and Coldplay.” Uses a variation of the template we built for the 50 Great Voices project.
sep
30
2011
Tiny Desk Concert: Trombone Shorty
Happy weekend, folks.
sep
28
2011
Rambling Man
I clued into folk singer Laura Marling only recently, and I’ve had her 2010 album 'I Speak Because I Can' on heavy rotation ever since.
sep
24
2011
Tiny Desk Concert: Wilco
Wilco played a special Saturday Tiny Desk Concert today at NPR. So … that was awesome.
sep
21
2011
Tiny Desk Concert: Beirut
Beirut played one of my favorite Tiny Desk Concerts of this year.
aug
22
2011
Holocene
This video for Bon Iver's “Holocene” makes me want to visit Iceland. Immediately.
aug
15
2011
Iconic images illuminate a life | The Washington Post
“An 18-year-old Mike Mitchell was at the Beatles’ first U.S. concert, snapping pictures with his 35mm Nikon with no flash. Those photos, which recently sold at auction, show a love of light and shadow that is reflected in his later work.” This series of concert photos was shot in 1964, but something about it — the shadow/light, or maybe the way certain shots are composed? — feels very modern.
jul
20
2011
The Fresh Air Interview: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings | NPR
Great interview / in-studio performance with two of my favorite folk singers. “Welch and Rawlings perform an in-studio concert featuring several songs from The Harrow and the Harvest, and talk about many of the lyrics they’ve written over the years.”
jun
13
2011
Tiny Desk Concert: The Decemberists
Sara Watkins, Colin Meloy and Chris Funk of The Decemberists (one of my favorite bands) just played a three-song Tiny Desk Concert just 10 feet away from me. This job does not suck.
may
24
2011
Jazz Fest 2011
Rob and I celebrated our fifth anniversary in New Orleans, attending the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and visiting our friend Steve. Great music, great food, great fun, great trip. More Photos »
may
23
2011
Photo of the Day: Mardi Gras Indians
I’m still going through my New Orleans Jazz Fest photos. Here’s one from my first day at the Fest (Friday, May 6), from a performance by the Golden Sioux Mardi Gras Indians at the Jazz and Heritage Stage.
may
16
2011
I Will Live on Islands
This Paul Simon soundalike tune from Josh Rouse makes me want to go to the beach. Now. A happy tune for Monday noon.
may
10
2011
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters | Slate Magazine
Carl Wilkinson (Financial Times) writes, “How did a drummer who never intended to make money from music end up as one of the biggest and wealthiest rock stars?”
