For the first time in awhile I have been working the daylight shift at work this week. I really don’t mind working the evening shift, aside from I always miss all the good shows. However, this week was not the case!
Tonight I headed over to Third Thursdays at WYEP for some free beer and a dose of local music. Playing at the show was Good Night, States. Obviously, a Pittsburgh local group. This is definitly a group that you can dance to. I think out of their entire set they only had one mellow song.
WYEP will be posting a podcast of the show at somepoint (it usually takes them awhile,) but when they do check it out! I loved the second song of the set and of-course their song “Killer Of The One” which is played on the radio was awesome to hear live. Third Thursdays Podcast Link
Rarely do I look at the play count stats on my iTunes, but as I waited on hold to cancel my verizon dsl service I noticed one of the more interesting tunes near the top. It’s called, “Every Car You Chase” and it’s a mashup by Party Ben. The song combines The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” to that of “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol.
I’ve played this song a few times on the radio and have gotten a positive response; and out of the many mashups I collect, this is one of the better ones. So if you are in a music mood I thought I’d share:
What I am going to do is listen to one album from start to finish everyday, the way the artist intended. Afterwards I’ll blog what I listened to. Perhaps the thirty minutes will be a relaxing safe haven for the day…?
I picked up the collection with my buddy Ron and his Dad on our way home from the Atlantic City DJ Expo. We managed to pack all the records in the mini van with Ron in the back seat… think of it like an Ikea commercial. My parents, who were also on vacation with us, were not looking forward to stuffing their mini van full of records - infact, I’m not sure I could have even puppy dog faced that one.
Back to the boardwalk, the DJ Expo was mighty cool and quite loud. Luckily though I remembered my musician ear plugs :)! At the expo I bought myself a turntable with changeable styluses and cartridges which is capable of playing up to 78’s. I’ll snap a picture of it when it arrives. It’s like a plan all coming together… hmm.
BTW, I made my youtube debut at the expo: (For those who don’t know me, keep your eyes peeled around the 7 minute mark“It was kickin ass in there!!”- Yes, I already know I look and sound quirky in the video… it was the alcohol talking.)
Last year I aquirred a rather large lot of 78 RMP records that I’ve been wanting to listen to and probably transfer into the computer at some point. Mostly though, I am looking forward to listening to the albums on the turntable rather than clicking a digital file. Yeah, eventually the records will wear, but that is the nature of the medium. I’ll take some wear and tear for the feeling of pulling a record from it’s sleeve, setting it on the platter and moving the tone arm to the edge. To me, it’s an art. Albums were compiled by the artist in a certain way for a reason and listening from start to finish exactly as the creator intended is quite an enjoyable experience. There may be tunes that I don’t care for, but there is a reason they were put between cuts 2 and 5. Cd’s and computers take the fun away; Too easy to just skip a track or download the one song.
So 33 and 45 RPM turntables are no trouble in my cave, but the 78’s have sent me to the net in search of a new [to me] turntable. Initially I wasn’t to sure if I wanted to go with something vintage or newer, but I think I’ve settled on going vintage because when I think about… older stuff usually works better, lasts longer and often in my opinion looks cooler (sometimes.) Plus, I was also thinking the technology for 78’s was perfected back in the day, so chances are the quality would be better because they really knew what was going on. Besides, in the end what matters most is the quality and type of needle you can get for the unit.
I think for quality purposes (most important to me) it looks like I’m going for a unit which requires a magnetic cartridge. Often cheaper units and portable units being sold today use a cheap ceramic cartridge. Ceramic cartridges have a more limited frequency range than their magnetic counter part, in addition the ceramic cartridges track at a significantly higher force (causing more damage and distortion.) I could go on, but if you are truly as interested in it as me I’d suggest reading about it on wikipedia as to spare the not-so-interested readers.
Unfortunately, I have yet to buy a turntable for the 78’s… but, I do have a few bids in on ebay. However, in the research and hunting I’ve come across some interesting turntable tech that I’d like to share [the point of this post!]
How about the i-pod of turntables? Designed in response to Sony’s walkman, this is one stellar unit. Meet the Audio Technica Sound Burger, a perfect complement to your morning paper read in the break room. Just pop in three “C” batteries with your fuzzy earbuds and you are good to spin. And if you are looking to make your player unique, be sure to personalize it with your very own color choice, just like your ipod.
I mentioned earlier about the art of records… an exhibit in the Arizona State University art museum called, “The Grove” brings on an interesting form. This youtube video cleverly titled, “Step into the Grove” covers it well.
From the obesity epidemic of 2004 to the i-generation we now have the hearing epidemic. Since many people hate to take personal responsibility for anything, I think we should blame the creator of the i-generation, Apple and all their i-pods with earbuds. Or maybe we blame Sony for all those walkmans?
Maybe it would be best if people just live with their mistakes and share their experiences or lessons learned with younger generations. Not that any younger generation would listen, because its all about the “me” right now. The “Me Generation:” I want it my way and my way only, because it’s all about me and I don’t care what you have to say unless it agrees with me!
From the LazyBoy video below; one of my favorite political videos (along side “Work It Out” by Jurassic 5):
The Great Obesity Epidemic of 2004.
“How’d you get through it grandpa?”
“Oh, it was horrible Johnny, there was cheesecake and pork chops everywhere.”
As I question why my home state wants another Clinton in the White House… (really, my whole life aside from the first 4 years has either been a Bush or a Clinton in the white house)… Do we really need to keep control of the country under the same 2 families? Do we really need someone that doesn’t know how to be a leader or take on the responsibility associated with leadership? Do we really need someone who lies and back-stabs at every waking moment? Do we really need someone who will in all likely keep Washington status-quo?
In the good news portion of the day, aside from a free shower at work, I stumbled upon a new youtube favorite. I feel as if this video has read my mind, everything said is incredibly true and often experienced/felt by DJs. I just love patrons/listeners who act like micromanagers.
And here the Clintons go again with the lies… thank-you media watchdog.
If they lie in the campaign, they will lie in the office - just like they did eight years ago. Why is a blatant liar still being considered for president?
“I remember landing under sniper fire…” Do you think that the government would have actually landed you (the first lady) in a dangerous situation? I think you (Hillary Clinton) are dreaming of experiences that you do not have.
The Time for Liberty
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