Playlist for the Unpopular Music webcast for April 26, 2014

In which, the above normal amount of traffic noise outside the window manages to not occur during the mic breaks...

Unpopular Music - April 26, 2014 by Unpopularfred on Mixcloud

Two Nights at the Regattabar

Dave Douglas' Riverside, April 17, 2014

It took a bit of convincing myself to go to this show. I mean Dave Douglas, sure. Steve Swallow, a definite plus. But who are these other guys? Well, the Times speaks highly of this Chet Doxas fellow. Oh, but the group is an homage to Jimmy Giuffre? OK, let's go!

Playlist for the April 19, 2014 Unpopular Music webcast

A pre-recorded show for the Easter/Patriot's Day/Boston Marathon/Record Store Day/Earth Day weekend (hence shabby sounding, bedroom recorded mic breaks)

After the break...

Down with Poptimism!!

(in which I lapse into grandiosity)

For those of you lucky enough to receive the Somerville Community Access TV newsletter, you read a blurb for my program (not written by me) which I think made it out to be more exclusive and snobby than I intend it to be. (This is mostly my fault since I've been terrible at describing the show, and also missed a deadline to submit some promotional copy of my own. I'm not mad at anyone over it) To be clear, I'm not aiming for the select few, but I (and I'm sure everyone on Boston Free Radio) am trying to bring forward an alternative to pop radio hegemony. I certainly don't want to be one of those dj's who are too cool to even like the music they play.


Which brings me to

Catching up, Part 2

Remanence: Monstrance/Remonstrance at the ICA Boston (March 29, 2014)

An extravagance presented by the artist Matthew Ritchie and the musicians Bryce Dessner, Shara Worden, David Sheppard and Evan Ziporyn. We began in the lobby of the ICA facing a large mural by Ritchie with light projections above and seated on the floor on foam rubber pads sharing the same amoeba-like design (for serious lack of a better description). The musical component, a collaboration between Dessner and Ziporyn titled "Propolis", a sort of structured improvisation for violin, trombone, bass clarinet, double bass and highly electronically manipulated electric guitar, transformed by Sheppard's sound design, emitting through speakers on all sides and above the audience. The audience is immersed in sound, also somewhat amoeba-like in shape, as Sheppard records the ensembles playing, manipulates it, creating loops and such for the players to respond further etc, etc. Some very fascinating, beautiful, scary music ensued.

Playlist for the April 12, 2014 Unpopular Music webcast

Commemorating (but not celebrating) the 50th anniversary of the Senate (eventually overcome) filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  (and other things too)

Unpopular Music - April 12, 2014 by Unpopularfred on Mixcloud

Find the playlist after the break...

Playlist for the April 5, 2014 Unpopular Music webcast

In which I manage to not play anything with Bill Frisell (except for the theme). Next week we'll try Joey Baron (except for the theme).

Unpopular Music - April 05, 2014 by Unpopularfred on Mixcloud

Playlist after the break

Jason Moran's Fats Waller Dance Party

Just a couple of thoughts on last night's somewhat enjoyable, somewhat maddening performance of Jason Moran's Fats Waller Dance Party at the Berklee Performance Center.

First of all, as a performer, you don't always get the audience you want. That's the way it goes. It's your job as a professional, though, to find a way to engage the audience (without resorting to pandering) or failing that, perform for your own pleasure, and if the audience doesn't catch up, it's their loss. I, however, dislike being implored by someone on stage to react to the performance other than how I am, especially when it's not the person whose name is on the ticket.

Correcting Bob's grammar

I don't really go around being a persnickety grammar enforcer, but every time I hear Positively 4th Street, I cringe at "you know as well as me, you'd rather see me paralyzed", not only for the grammar, but for how "I" would rhyme with "paralyzed". I guess "me" makes an OK internal rhyme with "see", but it's not worth it.

Someone might argue "no man, he's saying the guy knows he'd rather see Bob paralyzed as well as he knows Bob", but it's just time to take that person in out of the sun, cause obviously Bob is arguing that this person doesn't know him very well at all.