New: Ghosty's "A Mystic's Robe" EP

Just finished listening to Ghosty's new three-song EP "A Mystic's Robe."

TNLD verdict: two thumbs up (one for each hand, see?). It's everything you depend on from the Kansas City band: Peerless pop construction, beautiful harmonies and tasty lyrics. My only complaint would be that there isn't more.

It's available for streaming or download now. Do yourself a favor and lend your ears.

Related post: TNLD interview with Ghosty's Andrew Connor

Learning to listen

Darcy Jame Argue has an excellent post on Jelly Roll Morton, but this passage struck a chord with me.

Listening to pre-WWII records is an act of imagination, and the further you go back, the more imagination it takes -- in order for you to really hear what's going on, your "mind's ear," so to speak, needs to fill in a lot. This is something that I think people who were born before 1960 or so don't fully grasp, because those people have completely different expectations when it comes to recorded music -- the technology was maturing at the same time they were. (I mean, the Beatles didn't fully embrace the radical concept of stereo until after the White Album.) Obviously, this is a vitally important skill that anyone who's serious about music needs to develop, but it doesn't come naturally to most. It takes a considerable amount of practice and effort to develop.

TNLD says read the post, then follow the links.

Viddie: Ben Folds covers Such Great Heights

Something light and frothy for your Friday. Ben Folds and three percussionists improvise this cover of The Postal Service song on Australian television. (MP3 available here.)

Viddie: Caetano Veloso's Billie Jean

The Brazilian star shedding new light on classic pop. (Tip via Groovenotes.)

Viddie: Odetta and Tennessee Ernie Ford Sing Woody Guthrie

Not a pair of names you'd generally put together, but they are obviously having a high old time in this clip from Ford's television show. (That's right, kids, Tennessee Ernie Ford used to have a television show.)

The doggone Jacko's gone

Unless you bury your head in the sand, you're unlikely to miss the deluge of Michael Jackson tributes (or the accompanying snark festivals) to come in the following days. For me, few will top this preemptive salute from the mighty Millish, performed at the 2008 Kansas City Irish Festival. And, yes, that's Brubeck in there as well. (Tip via Jesse Mason of Millish.)

Listen to the crowd's reaction at the 4:40 mark. For all the weirdness, and there was plenty, the guy could write a hook. RIP Michael: you freak, you genius.

Part 1



And part 2:

Viddie: Sweet Georgia Brown

More bad news for drummers everywhere. (Rumor has it Apple is preparing a tractor Jam Pack for Garageband. Of course you didn't hear that here.)

Tip: KK at Groove Notes