No more piano.
Although he sold millions of units and has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Johnny Maddox, 81, seems to be almost entirely forgotten today. The "King of Ragtime," 81, explains his career in this video. It's an amazing document on several different levels. In the excellent liner notes of Cowboys and Indians, Maddox explains that "Indianola" is a "World War I song about the Indian Chief that wanted to scalp the Kaiser." Yeah, it makes me squirm a bit too, but the 1984 recording is quite charming.
---
The ill-conceived and unrelentingly cynical B Is For Bob makes me very angry. I listened to the entire "Kidz Bop"-esque project, however, largely because the sound quality is the most astonishingly vivid Bob Marley album I've encountered.
---
I had reserved a spot on my year-end top ten list for Far, Regina Spektor's new album. Boy, am I disappointed! It features even more of the irritating vocal tics that I'd hoped she'd abandoned. "Folding Chair,"' for instance, includes the line "I've got a perfect body but sometimes I for-ge-eh-eh-eh-eh-et." And then she makes goofy dolphin sounds. Cute? Try annoying. I still believe "Laughing With" is a song for the ages, however.
---
Ali Akbar Khan has died.
---
I wouldn't be surprised if David Cook agreed with my assessment of his homecoming performance Saturday. Even so, I knew I'd catch heat from Cook's ardent supporters in the comments. It's good stuff.
---
I understand hysterical fandom- I squealed like a nine-year-old Hannah Montana fan when I learned that The Pogues were coming to Kansas City. I've yet to see them.
---
Tech N9ne has a "featured playlist" at MySpace. It includes "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Riders On the Storm," System of a Down, Jamie Foxx, King Gordy, Collie Buddz, Avenged Sevenfold and the theme from Halloween.
---
I'm pleased that there's finally a Black Eyed Peas' hit that I can feel good about.
---
Kansas City Click: Olympic Size play Tuesday at Czar Bar.
Phoenix play a "secret" show Wednesday at The Record Bar.
5 comments:
I'm puzzled - I checked out the sound clips on Amazon to "B is for Bob" and most of them sound just like the versions on any other Bob Marley compilation. Where does the "Kidz Bop" come into play?
From the label's marketing blurb: "With children in mind, Ziggy has transformed 8 of his father's songs while leaving 4 of Bob Marley's other masterpieces untouched."
Trust me, PJ, you'll break the nearest window in a rage when you hear the "re-imaginings."
yikes. then i'll need to go see "it might get loud" to get me even more revved up.
sonyclassics.com/itmightgetloud
Johnny "Crazy Otto" Maddox was sitting at the table next to me at lunch today in Gallatin, TN
That fills me with envy, Anon. Incidentally, the way the woman in the video says "Crazy Otto" at the 0:34 mark has been stuck in my head since I posted this item in June. I don't know why.
Post a Comment