Conor Oberst: Ruminations

A live performance of the new album:

Pauline Oliveros, R.I.P.

I first heard of Pauline Oliveros sometime in the 60s when she seemed to be exploring early beginnings of electronic music, but really became interested in her work in the 80s, when I believe the following piece was created and performed:

Sharon Jones, R.I.P.

In continuation of the extraordinary emotional drama of this extraordinary month, we learn that the extraordinary Sharon Jones has succumbed to the Big C.



Also see this previous 2010 post

Gillian Welch: Album of the Day

Leon Russell, R.I.P.

The Wrecking Crew, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Rita Coolidge, Hank Wilson, Elton John ... whatever memories and associations Leon Russell and his wonderful music might conjure (many, many, for me), his sound and style have moved to a new chapter with his death on November 13.

Leonard Cohen's Final Interview

The New Yorker Radio Hour on Leonard Cohen

Sing On, Leonard

A YouTube mix.  Leonard Cohen, R.I.P.

Farewell, Leonard

Today, my wife and I sat back and heard Leonard Cohen's new album, "You Want It Darker", all the way through for the first time, although we had heard tracks here and there since it came out in late October. We were so moved by his music and poetry that we stopped and talked about it for some time this afternoon and kept referring to it throughout the evening, especially in juxtaposition to the shock of the presidential election that our household and many others are experiencing. We talked about Leonard's age and how the album could be viewed almost as a premonition of his death. I told Kim that it is probably my top album choice for 2016, and would be posting some performances on this and my other blogs. And just five hours ago his website posted the news of his death today at age 82. As soon as I gather my wits, I will start posting some of my most memorable and personally meaningful tracks, but where to begin?  In the meantime ...

Joyce DiDonato: Why Art Matters

Dylan - 1966 Live