Tuesday, November 20, 2012

In the Lab at The Science of Rock


As a know-it-all introvert, I don't represent the target audience for the new Science of Rock exhibit at Union Station. 

I'm not going to learn much from the informational displays and I'm too self-conscious to flaunt my talents as a vocalist, drummer, guitarist, keyboardist or storyteller in the exhibit's engaging interactive features.  Those are personal problems.  Most people will find that the Science of Rock offers an entertaining and educational experience.  (It's slated to run through April.  Here's KSHB's report on the exhibit.)

Displays don't merely allow visitors to show off their Guitar Hero-style skills.  At a patron's discretion, performances can be filmed and emailed.  That's pretty cool.  I also admired a control panel that allows for creative remixes of David Bowie's "Space Oddity."  Local artifacts on display include the original mirror ball from the El Torrean Ballroom. 

The Science of Rock may not be for me, but it's fully capable of inspiring a teenager to become the next Krizz Kaliko or Bob Walkenhorst. 



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I reviewed Rosanne Cash's appearance at the Folly Theater.

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I spent three hours watching Sunday's broadcast of the American Music Awards.  The only things that didn't make me want to join a terrorist group were the performances by Kelly Clarkson (I adore her), Justin Bieber (I'm not kidding) and Nicki Minaj (I can't get enough). 

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A friend posted four more previously unreleased Jay McShann tracks.  This is my favorite of the batch.

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Pat Metheny uploaded a track from his forthcoming album to YouTube.

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Tech N9ne's Ebah and Boiling Point see a physical release today.

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Warning- a critical upgrade of Channel Orange at There Stands the Glass is forthcoming.

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Frode Thingnæs has died.

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News flash- Bill Frisell and his band are pretty good.

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I'm taking a beating at my jazz blog.  Are Bobby and Hunter right in suggesting that I'm out of line?

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Kansas City Click: Rick Estrin returns to Knuckleheads on Tuesday.

Flood Fest is Wednesday.

I'm barred from ever returning to the annual Thanksgiving blues dance, but I encourage everyone else to catch Ms. Jody at the show.

(Original images by There Stands the Glass.)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Yes - you got the beating you deserved at PS. The post was ill advised - what did it accomplish? Student recitals are mostly for friends and family. Published criticism of such recitals is very tacky. That being said, keep your head up. Your two music blogs are a great service to the local music community - you do far more good that harm.