July 21st, 2008 — By admin
by Jonathan Horwich
Introduction:
Any jazz fan, whether a deeply committed fanatic or casual listener, will agree that jazz is a truly indigenous American art form, growing, like the country itself, from a rich racial and cultural polyglot. And like a continent-wide jam session, the genre has echoed down the decades, its rhythms and styles intertwining, joining, dividing, growing.
Within that macrocosm there are pivotal moments of brilliance, moments that send the subject spinning off into a new and exciting direction. We all have our favorites: studio sessions or live sets that stand out in terms of innovation or outstanding execution.
Words often fall short when trying to describe such moments. Words contain, limit, define. Jazz, and particularly jazz improvisation, is about transcending limits and barriers. That said, words can be valuable in calling attention to these stellar moments, so others can find them and experience them directly. That is my intention with this column.
A case in point:
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July 9th, 2008 — By Seth Richards
According to pitchforkmedia.com, Capitol/EMI records is reissuing Radiohead’s pre-In Rainbows albums and Coldplay’s pre-Viva la Vida albums on vinyl.
The report notes that the initial round of releases will be Aug. 19 as part of a series called “From the Capitol Vaults.” Rollingstone.com reports that other albums to be reissued include John Lennon’s Imagine, The Wings’s Band on the Run, R.E.M.’s Document, A Perfect Circle’s Mer de Noms, and a pair of Bob Seger albums.
Pitchfork adds that Radiohead’s first two albums, Pablo Honey and The Bends, will be released after the first round on Aug. 19.
The report continues by saying that the reissues will be pressed on “high quality vinyl” and be packaged in the original artwork.
[Via Playback]
July 9th, 2008 — By Seth Richards
Batman Begins [Blu-ray]
Batman - Gotham Knight [Blu-ray]
Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek Theatre [Blu-ray]
The Moody Blues: Lovely to See You - Live [Blu-ray]
Sleepwalking [Blu-ray]
The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb/Blackbeard [Blu-ray]
10. 5 Apocalypse/Category 7: The End of the World [Blu-ray]
The Ruins (Unrated Edition) [Blu-ray]
July 9th, 2008 — By Seth Richards
According to a Reuters report, in a move similar to the one made by Napster earlier this year, digital music site Rhapsody has opened a download store providing MP3 tracks compatible with the iPod in order to challenge Apple’s monopolistic music empire, iTunes.
“We’re no longer competing with the iPod,” said Rhapsody’s Vice President Neil Smith. “We’re embracing it.”
Given the vast popularity of Apple’s portable music player, a digital music store has no choice but to provide tracks compatible with the iPod if it wants a chance to compete with Apple’s iTunes.
The report adds that until now, Rhapsody has been largely a subscription-based service delivering unlimited streaming to its customers for $13 to $15 a month.
The report continues by saying that Rhapsody will also provide the music store portion of MTV’s music Web site as well as content for the popular Facebook application, iLike.
Additionally, the report notes, Rhapsody services will be available for Verizon cell phone users via the wireless VCAST service. Songs purchased from phones can then be transferred to computers.
A quick perusal of rhapsody.com indicates that most full albums retail for $10 and single tracks for $1.
[Via Playback]
