Month In Review – October 2010

I am in a bit of a rollercoaster right now, what with my second book of poetry (“Ten”) being published in two weeks’ time. Still, there is no way I could stop updating the blog regularly. I am more enthusiastic than ever, I can tell you.

I am sad didn’t find the time to add Radiohead to the list of featured artists, but that will be seen to before the current week ends. Still, I managed to write a very fine review of The Clash’s “Combat Rock” along with Elton John’s “A Single Man” and the “The Kids Are Alright” OST by you-know-who.

I did also review as many startups as any other month. Check them out here: Bender Converter, Clean Tab, Joy Tunes and Wanabez.

And there was no shortage of interviews either. I talked with John Jones from BuyWidget (a startup I had actually reviewed a long time ago), and Rob McCullough from Clean Tab.

The one Uruguayan unsigned artist that was included in October was Conkistadores, from the City of Maldonado. A very cool band, they are making their live debut at La Comuna the same week I unveil “Ten” to the public.

I can already tell you that in November I am writing about Gustavo Doorman, a Uruguayan musician who is very popular not only here but also in Argentina and in the South of Brazil. His first album (“Supermal”) will be reviewed this week, and I am also publishing a juicy interview for you to read.

And I don’t have to tell you that this month I am keeping you posted on the release of “Ten”.

Like Modern English sang, “it’s getting better all the time”…

Month In Review – November 2009

Obviously, the star of this month for me was the release of my first book of poetry and words for music, “Once”. You can read what literature teacher Fabián Severo had to say about it at the launch event here, and also my own speech by following this link.

When it came to artists added to the blog, these included Television and The Dukes Of Stratosphear. The review of Television’s debut (“Marquee Moon”) has actually become one of the most popular posts of MusicKO, and I am very proud of that article on a personal level. Continue reading

Month In Review – October 2009

This month I did manage to review some artists I am very fond of: Emmylou Harris and Billy Joel. Another distinguished addition to the current list was that of the Traveling Wilburys, a band I greatly admire.  Their first disc is being reviewed this week.

Other albums which I am glad I did finally review were XTC’s “Skylarking” and The Clash’s “London Calling”. And I also reviewed two great compilations albums:  America’s and Dr. Hook’s.

Moreover, I was lucky enough to interview Jake Chen from Musefy the week he launched his startup. I likewise interviewed Andy Bull from We Love Festivals – my compliments to him as well.

Continue reading

Emmylou Harris – General Introduction

A Young Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris In The '70s

Emmylou Harris was born in 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was discovered by Gram Parsons and assumed vocal duties with the man who we now deem as one of the fathers of country rock, cutting the timeless duet “Love Hurts”. She was to eventually establish herself as one of the most distinguished female performers within country music along with Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton, and as a true point of reference within music as a whole. Continue reading

Month In Review – September 2009

This was quite an interesting month for a number of reasons. First of all, MusicKO became 100 post old this month. In addition to that, one of my favorite sites on the WWW (Chalkhills, a huge repository of information devoted to XTC) linked back to me and I am very grateful for that.

I am also glad I added a band I love to MusicKO: The Goo Goo Dolls. Moreover, I reviewed some great compilations like Crystal Gayle’s “All-time Greatest Hits” package and a ZZ Top’s greatest hits album. Continue reading

Chalkhills and Children (Chris Twomey) – Book Review

The Cover Of The Book. The Picture Comes From The "Nonsuch" Photo Shot.

The Cover Of The Book. The Picture Comes From The "Nonsuch" Photo Shot.

Named after one of Andy’s most ethereal compositions, this book (first released in 1992) stands as a moving portrait of a band that is incredibly cerebral, and yet has the ability to tug at your heartstrings like few bands in history. That contradiction comes as no surprise. The story of XTC involves the clash between ideals and reality, and that is something that comes across very vividly on this book.

The book has 188 pages. It includes 10 chapters, two sections of black & white photographs and a discography at the end. It begins out of chronological order (the first chapter deals with Andy’s breakdown) and then the story properly starts and it is run without detours or digressions. It is also an “authorized” biography – the book was compiled from interviews with the band members and their families. And most key figures like Todd Rundgren and Steve Lillywhite are also among the interviewees. Continue reading

Month In Review – August 2009

Looking back now I must admit I am very happy and reasonably optimistic ever since I officially launched MusicKO at the beginning of August.

Two events of note were being featured on Killer Startups and Startup Meme. My regards to Roger and Sardar respectively for their honest reviews.

Some of the post I wrote elicited a very positive response and these posts in particular are among the most popular so far:

Placebo – Once More With Feeling

The Clash (the introduction and the reviews of their debut album)

The Sex Pistols (again, the introduction and the review of their one “true” release)

Eddie Rabbit: Greatest Hits

And the post that has been more popular so far:

The Allman Brothers Band: A Decade Of Music

Continue reading

Nadav Poraz (WhoSampled) – Interview (Part 1)

Today I have the pleasure to interview Mr. Nadav Poraz from WhoSampled.com, the community site that revolves around sampling and cover songs which I reviewed last week. Nadav kindly answered the following questions about his site, the response it has had so far and what the future holds in store. Continue reading

Rex Benson – Interview (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of the interview with Rex Benson of Rex Benson Music Group. Part 1 (about his company) was published yesterday. And Part 3 (about songwriting) can be read here.

PART II

MUSIC & YOU

When did you become interested in music? What was the first album or single you ever purchased?

Grew up in a household where my mom played Big Band Music constantly…Later listened to late 50’s and early 60’s music that my older brother had, but I was still quite young…became more keenly aware when the Beach Boys hit and then when the Beatles arrived, I was mesmerized although I still didn’t really understand how all those sounds were made…I knew there were guitars and drums etc. but had no prior musical training and wasn’t sure what I was hearing…just knew I liked it…

Then at age 16 I heard a new group playing at church…they were comprised of former rock musicians and I was able to sit and watch them play over and over…got further interested and started to understand the process, picked up a guitar and learned to play on their songs and Beatles songs… they were called LOVE SONG…and then I started to write songs… Continue reading

Joy Division – General Introduction

Joy Division

There is something about Joy Division that is impossible to apprehend or even hope to comprehend. Is that because they beget a caterwaul of emotions when you listen to them, and these emotions turn to be the ones we want to keep our distance from yet at the same time the ones we want to have as a permanent fixture within our lives?

The band formed in Manchester in the year 1977. Its members were singer and occasional guitar player Ian Curtis, drummer Steven Morris, guitarist Bernard Albrecht and bass player Peter Hook. They were going to release one EP and two full albums, as their career was to be truncated by Curtis’ suicide in late 1979. He suffered from epileptic seizures, but his lyrics made it clear there was so much more going on, that his frail health was the tip a devastating inner conflict. And the real tragedy is that maybe what happened could have been avoided – the band members readily admitted they never paid his lyrics any heed, and after that fateful day whenever they listened to the old songs something always clicked. Continue reading