Out There parts 1 & 2

There's a lot of folks who shutter when someone says the word "Jazz" ... I admit, when I used to hear the word as a kid I instantly thought of that crappy, cheesy-bad Kenny G elevator version of Jazz ... Later in life (starting with Duke Ellington) I slowly learned that there is soooo much incredible and amazing Jazz out there to be discovered (especially from the early 1940's to the late 1960's) ...

These mixes aren't an attempt to try and convert anyone into a Jazz-lover, they are more of a celebration of a type of Jazz that most people have dubbed "free Jazz" ... to me it's sort the pentacle in the evolution of this particular kind of music ... Musicians creating this type of Jazz really viewed it as more of an artform ... and you can definitely hear that in the songs I included. The tunes are playful and unpredictable ... They don't hold you down but instead, lead you all over the place and take your mind and soul into realms unexplored!

Like I said, these mixes may not change anyone's opinion of Jazz,  but I do hope that if you've claimed to hate the genre, you'll at least give it a 2nd chance by dipping your finger in this! Who knows? You may walk away a completely new person!!! Haha ...

Let's begin!

Part one is more calm and mysterious ... probably a good mix to drive around late at night to or maybe taking a long walk in the dark ... Beware, though ... it gets crrraaazy at the end!!!

Part two is a bit wilder ... more chaotic ... and free ... and even kinda scary! Dig!

I hope you enjoyed this "Out There" trip!

You can download the experience RIGHT HERE.

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...RANDOM NEWS...

So the Magic City Art Connection festival took place once again at Linn Park here in Birmingham, AL and it was a ton of fun! My friend Lisa Cordes was my neighbor (check out her amazing needlework at Cordes Quilts!) and that alone made the festival so much better and exciting! We both did very well sale-wise, too ... Thanks, Lisa!


Here's a shot of the inside of my tent =

And here's 2 of my friend Elizabeth's kids (Paz & Aaron) milling around my nutty artwork

(photo by Darren Griffin)

Also, the Birmingham News did a piece about the festival and photo'ed my tent in it ... Check it out HERE!

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<<<<<VIDEOTIME HAS ARRIVED>>>>>

1st up is this bit of awkward wonderfulness by the one & only Kwes.   =

And this new one from Perfume Genius is really sweet, strange and beautiful  =

Music videos don't usually make me cry, but this one by Mirel Wagnerdid exactly that  =

Craig Stroud posted this great one stating : "It just goes to show: the (electric) guitar is universally enjoyed. Just stumbled on this: she's either Malay or Indo., not sure. But she totally rocks!" True! Thanks, Craig!

**And now, some dessert for your funnybone!**

Weld Magazine posted this bit of retro ridiculousness saying :  "It’s difficult to explain how awesome this video is, but I’ll try. For one, there’s people — grown men and women, presumably with friends and families — dressed up like American Gladiators contestants. Second, they’re doing aerobics — well, actually, they’re dancing, badly. Third, it’s the ’80s. And fourth, TV’s Alan Thicke hosts, and he tries (and fails) at telling jokes." ... Cheers, Weld!   =

Speaking of ridiculous, Keith Goodwin posted this next one and oddly enough, it's from a porno ... haha!  Muchos gracias, Keith!  =

Ryan sent me these next 2bizarro Japanese videos ... Just, WOW!  Danke, R!!!

1

2

And finally, Jennifer Harrell posted this next one (merci!) ... Get ready for the "cat organ"!!! haha   =

Cassette Commotion! program 2 (Blues Before Sunrise)

Here is the 2nd installment of the "Cassette Commotion" radio show where I explore tons of my long abandoned box of cassette tapes. On this program we hear a tape that I made with various songs I recorded many moons ago from the wonderfully unique and educational radio program, "Blues Before Sunrise" (hosted by Steve Cushing).


Each week, in the wee hours of Sunday morning (midnight - 5am) this awesome show is broadcast on certain stations (HERE is a list of the stations that broadcast it). The program showcases obscure blues records from way back when (the early 1900's to the late 60's mostly). I discovered the show quite a while back and started taping the episodes to collect some of the fascinating songs and rare pieces of American musical history. Many of the shows are themed (rain, Halloween, floods, whiskey, ice & snow, the moon) which always makes the experience more interesting.


The show still airs to this day. Just look up one of those public radio stations on that list above and you can listen online (just stay up late one Saturday night!) ...


Anyway, this is just one example of the many cassettes I have of the show (unfortunately I didn't tape any of the host, Steve Cushing's inbetween banter which is always extremely interesting and insightful) Also, I didn't catch the artists and titles for some of the tracks, so if yer a Blues expert and can enlighten me, it'd be greatly appreciated!



So here it is ... the Blues Before Sunrise edition of "Cassette Commotion!" ... ENJOY  =

You may download the show RIGHT HERE.





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And now for a bit of random news ...



If you like Grimes at all (which I do!), Ryan sent me this great Grimes interview/performance on NPR link! have a listen right HERE! Thanks, Ryan!



Ryan also sent me this hilarious "12 Ways To Achieve The Very Best Glamour Shot" link ... haha ... You can enjoy that HERE.



Jimmy Gordon posted this link about "500 New Fairytales Discovered In Germany" ... Wow! You can read it HERE. Thanks, Jimmy!



And lastly, it's that time of year again! The Magic City Art Connection festival is THIS WEEKEND (April 27th - 29th) at Linn Park here in beautiful Birmingham, Alabama ... I'll be in tent 234, so swing by and say hello!


Here's some works in progress =





































I'll also have these T-shirts for sale at the festival ... Thanks to Jacob Middlebrooks for the awesome printing job!























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>>>>>>>>>videos...are...now<<<<<<<<<






1st up, this new Liars video is creeeepy! And the song is soooo good! Dig =




And here's the new Mo Kolours video, "Banana Wine" ... Yes! =




Some awesomeness care of The Spinto Band =




Some truly wonderful animated bliss from The Flaming Lips & Prefuse 73 =




Here's a spastically fast paced collage-filled new Death Grips video =




Something quite beautiful from Zambri =








And now for a spot of laugh-out-loud dessert =





1stly Ryan sent me this total crap video by Double Take called "Hot Problems" ... and yes, they're serious (which is what makes it so damned funny!) ... Cheers, R! =




Ryan also sent me this great Enon clip from Yo Gabba Gabba ... Thankers! =




One more from Ryan (gracias!) ... this will make you feel "fantastic" ... haha =




Ever heard of Dominatrix? ... Just watch ... The 80's at their most ridiculous ... haha =




And finally (speaking of ridiculious), sit back and take in this quaint bit of performance art ... Enjoy! =

Ryan Hora presents Focal Point : Xiu Xiu

This month's focal point (the beautifully bizarre Xiu Xiu) is the 1st ever to be presented by someone other than myself ... and that particular someone is the one & only Ryan Hora!



If you are unfamiliar with Xiu Xiu, here's Ryan to enlighten you ...



"Xiu Xiu (named after the Chinese film "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl") is the musical project of singer/songwriter Jamie Stewart, who has made an artform out of his genre-defying brand of deconstructed and fragmented pop songs.

Throughout Xiu Xiu's existence, Stewart has been the only constant member, although several other musicians have joined, left and rejoined the group at different times.

The group's utterly original brand of percussion-heavy experimental/electronic/avant-garde/post-punk/post-pop dance music is as challenging and uncompromising as it is powerful and breathtaking. The music, often seemingly autobiographical and documentative, is brutally honest and deals with issues such as social politics, sexual identity and sexual trauma, personal anguish and crisis, and self-torture/torment.

Xiu Xiu allows Jamie Stewart to expose himself emotionally, in a way that most singers wouldn't dare. His vulnerable vocal delivery and sometimes sadistic lyrics are just as important as his attention to detail when it comes to song construction, composition and intricate instrumentation. Restraint is not a word in Stewart's vocabulary, and that is one of the reasons that the music is so powerful. For some, the music's confessional quality instantly grabs hold, while for others, it is an acquired taste."



That said, prepare yourself for the extremely intense experience that is Jamie Stewart...


Thanks a billion, Ryan for sharing Xiu Xiu with us!

You can download the mix RIGHT HERE.




Ryan also picked out a TON of Xiu Xiu videos for your viewing pleasure! =











































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>>>>>}VIDEO TIME IS HERE{<<<<<





1st up, this one by Thundercat is the best video I've seen in a while ... I love how subtle it is! =




Here is a sincerely touching video of an old man in nursing home reacting to music of his era ... grab a hanky and watch! =




Some pure tUnE-yArDs awesomeness =




I love this 'un by Amadou & Miriam =




A flashy new Squarepusher video =




Chris Stewart sent me this rather intense clip by FREE DILDA ...Thanks, Chris! =




David Faust posted this excellent Beatles documentary from the '80's called "The Compleat Beatles" ... Cheers! =




And Walker Yancey posted this nutty excorism documentary from the Nation Geographic channel ... danke, Walker! =







How 'bout a triple decker dose of dessert?!?




Travis Swinford posted this funny one by local rappers, The Green Seed ... Gracias,Travis! =




Ryan sent me this silly slow-motion water balloon clip ... Thankers! =




And lastly, Justin Thurberville posted this ridiculously religious one starring one so-called Reverend Billy ... Merci! =