Spotlight On

29/12/2023

"What follows is our best attempt to determine the guitars, basses, amps and effects that the Beatles actually used. We hope it will provide a good guideline for guitarists who want to decode the magical mystery of the iconic sounds that the Beatles’ crafted over an incredibly prolific seven-year period."

How the Beatles crafted the guitar and bass tones that forever changed the sound of rock music: https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-beatles-guitar-bass-tones-legacy

29/12/2023

A beautifully animated music video for "Ólobo," a song from German jazz combo WEB WEB found on WEB MAX II, their brilliant collaboration with electronic producer Max Herre (out on Compost Records):

German Jazz supergroup WEB WEB continue their collaboration with songwriter and producer Max Herre on their fifth album WEB MAX II.support/stream/buy here: h...

28/12/2023

Today, we're pleased to welcome acclaimed trumpet virtuoso Ibrahim Maalouf to the Spotlight On podcast. 🎺

In this compelling and wide-ranging conversation, host Lawrence Peryer chats with Ibrahim about his early life + leaving Lebanon for France to study music as his father did, his attitudes toward symphonic music, the influences that shaped his craft, and how he translates his unique worldview into his music.

This is one you'll want to check out … have a listen, and Happy New Year! :

Trumpet virtuoso Ibrahim Maalouf discusses his father's inspiration, the Middle East's influence on symphonic music, how Bach and Mozart were punks, and …

28/12/2023

"I grieve that my children will be denied this important rite of passage. Will they care? Probably not. No doubt they’ll find their own virtual spaces to share and celebrate music, but permit me this brief tribute to the halcyon days of music retail."

I spent my formative years working in record shops. The pay was terrible, the work tedious, but it felt like a vocation: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/01/i-spent-my-formative-years-working-in-record-shops-the-pay-was-terrible-the-work-tedious-but-it-felt-like-a-vocation

28/12/2023

"Throwing his mind back to that original fated meeting with Bowie at RCA, Carlos Alomar casts it in a different light and from a different angle than most biographies written by devotees of the Thin White Duke."

Carlos Alomar on the Black Engine That Powered Bowie at His Artistic Peak: https://www.spin.com/2023/12/carlos-alomar-interview-david-bowie/

27/12/2023

From the Spotlight On archive: Grahame Lesh, son of the Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh and member of Midnight North, Phil Lesh and Friends, and the Terrapin Family Band.

Host Lawrence Peryer chats with Grahame about the songwriting process, touring during COVID-times, and the origins of Terrapin Crossroads. Enjoy the conversation: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/grahame-lesh/

27/12/2023

On Spotlight On, Max Herre and WEB WEB's Roberto Di Gioia discuss the role of improvisation, with Roberto drawing a parallel between repetitive music and telling the same joke more than once.

Listen to the entire conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/roberto-di-gioia-max-herre-web-webs-experiments-in-electronic-jazz/

27/12/2023

“It’s just so rare, especially in the entertainment business, to see figures who give without the expectation of getting something back. A generation of folks were blessed by Amp’s generosity.”

The NY Times Obituary for the luminous Amp Fiddler: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/arts/music/amp-fiddler-dead.html?mwgrp=c-dbar&unlocked_article_code=1.I00.qB6F.1BIHN7-n5EfJ&smid=url-share (gift link)

27/12/2023

"Once Bowie and Pop left Germany by the late ’70s, they remained linked throughout the early 1980s … Bowie covered several earlier Pop songs and several others they co-wrote for his albums. The two also reconnected to co-write the majority of tracks on Pop’s album Blah-Blah-Blah."

4 Songs David Bowie and Iggy Pop Co-Wrote After ‘The Idiot’: https://americansongwriter.com/4-songs-david-bowie-and-iggy-pop-co-wrote-outside-of-the-the-idiot/

27/12/2023

"In London, after 30 minutes of pensive soundscapes, the orchestra erupts into a bombastic theme that blows the audience’s hair back like a TV ad for Maxwell cassettes. It is the least ambient-sounding thing imaginable — which begs the question: Why, after 50 years of making music meant to be enjoyed in the background, would Brian Eno decide to tour?"

Brian Eno and the Ambient Contradiction: https://www.theringer.com/music/2023/12/26/24014289/brian-eno-tour-career-retrospective

27/12/2023

"Many of 2023’s best albums look inward. From the over-analytical self-awareness of boygenius’ the record to the reflective sketches of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 12, many of our favourite releases this year were concerned with the self and identity and offered vulnerability to listeners."

The Vinyl Factory's favorite albums of 2023: https://thevinylfactory.com/features/our-favourite-albums-of-2023/

26/12/2023

"Popmaster Fabel, who helped popularize breakdancing in the 1980s, sustained near-fatal injuries in a hit-and-run this summer. Now, he's fighting to get back on his feet."

A Hip-Hop Pioneer Was Left for Dead — ‘I Thought It Was All Over’: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/popmaster-fabel-hip-hop-pioneer-recovery-1234933123/

26/12/2023

Max Herre of WEB WEB x Max Herre: "If improvisation has something underneath that is mantric and repetitive, it's spiritual in its own way. Doing it over and over again and finding a groove together — you sort of evolve through repetition."

Listen to more of host Lawrence Peryer's terrific conversation with Max Herre and Roberto Di Gioia of Web Web on the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/roberto-di-gioia-max-herre-web-webs-experiments-in-electronic-jazz/

26/12/2023

"Nikki Iles affirmed her flawless ear, Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke finished each other’s sentences and Tyshawn Sorey rewrote standard-song interpretation …"

The Guardian's 10 best jazz albums of 2023: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/26/the-10-best-jazz-albums-of-2023

26/12/2023

From the Spotlight On archive: Hard-working electronic music artist Phyphr in conversation with host Lawrence Peryer. Hot on the heels of Phyphr's album, Catalyst, the chat is wide-ranging, covering how guitar still plays a major role in Phyphr's productions and live shows, his reasons for relocating to Denver, and the therapeutic way we lose ourselves in music. Have a listen!

Today, the Spotlight shines On rising electro soul artist, Nick Locke, who performs under the name Phyphr. A songwriter and producer, Phyphr combines hi…

25/12/2023

For Spotlight On's Bonus Tracks blog, Arina Korenyu delves into Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, the perfect film for those "who feel like spending their holiday pondering the relativity of good and evil, right and wrong in the world we live in." Also — David Bowie, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Takeshi Kitano! Check it out: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/blog/merry-christmas-mr-lawrence-the-perfect-christmas-anti-christmas-movie/

25/12/2023

"Christmas music is a big part of the music industry. John Yang speaks with Nate Sloan, an assistant professor of musicology and co-host of the podcast Switched On Pop, about the staying power of these holiday hits."

Christmas music is a big part of the music industry. John Yang speaks with Nate Sloan, an assistant professor of musicology at the USC Thornton School of Music and co-host of the podcast Switched On Pop, about what makes Christmas music so popular at this time of year and the staying power of these....

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas from Deep Purple and all of us here at Spotlight On! 🎄

25/12/2023

On the Spotlight On podcast, WEB WEB's Roberto Di Gioia dives into the process of constructing songs and the transition from studio to live performances, specifically how using organic and simulated instruments impacts the development of concert shows.

For more of this fun discussion, be sure to tune in to the latest episode of Spotlight On: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/roberto-di-gioia-max-herre-web-webs-experiments-in-electronic-jazz/

25/12/2023

The Spotlight On podcast episode featuring electronic musician and student of psychogeography James McKeown AKA Hawksmoor is now available from our friends at All About Jazz — be sure to check it out:

James McKeown: Hawksmoor’s Kosimiche Hauntology article by Lawrence Peryer, published on December 24, 2023 at All About Jazz. Find more Radio & Podcasts articles

24/12/2023

From the Spotlight On podcast archive: Australian jazz musician and deep thinker Christopher Hale chats with host Lawrence Peryer about many fascinating subjects, including the genesis of his album Ritual Diamonds on Earshift Music, how Korean ritual drumming plays a role in his recent music, finding inspiration in listening, and why creativity can't exist without ex*****on. A thought-provoking conversation — listen in!

Today, the Spotlight shines On Australian jazz heavyweight Christopher Hale. Christopher has been called “one of the most unique and respected musicians …

24/12/2023

From the Spotlight On archive: John Brodeur is such a Big Star fan that he got the iconic power-pop band's drummer, Jody Stephens, to play on the Bird Streets album, Lagoon. Bird Streets is the fantastic band fronted by John, and on the Spotlight On podcast, he talks in-depth with host Lawrence Peryer about Big Star, recording Lagoon, and his sometimes heart-rending songwriting process. This is quite a special episode — do have a listen.

Today, the Spotlight shines On John Brodeur, leader of the music project, Bird Streets. John conceived of Bird Streets as his return to a band format aft…

24/12/2023

"Guitarist Roy Kellaway from Australian rock band King Stingray said 'Wipe Out' was 'weirdly just a huge hit with a lot of communities in
Arnhem Land. Everyone would line up at the drum kit, taking turns for the drum solo.'"

How The Surfaris' Wipe Out became a dancefloor hit in remote communities across Australia's outback: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/wipe-out-surfaris-outback-a-dancefloor-hit-in-outback-australia/103156780

24/12/2023

From the Spotlight On archive: Duncan Chapman is a British audio artist and composer involved in an imaginative series of sound installations, recordings, and multi-media performances. His wide-ranging conversation with host Lawrence Peryer covers Duncan's deep thoughts about the differences between noise and music, recording the 'sounds of the universe,' and, most importantly, the rarely-captured 'pop' that rhubarbs make as they grow.

Tune in: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/duncan-chapman/

24/12/2023

A playlist honoring David Crosby, Wayne Shorter, Sinead O’Connor, Jimmy Buffett and other musicians who died this year.

The Musicians We Lost in 2023: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/arts/music/amplifier-newsletter-music-deaths.html?mwgrp=c-dbar&unlocked_article_code=1.IE0.i1-z.zUszgGR_In59&smid=url-share (NY Times gift link)

A playlist honoring David Crosby, Wayne Shorter, Sinead O’Connor, Jimmy Buffett and other musicians who died this year.

23/12/2023

From Alexis Petridis of The Guardian, five of the best music books of 2023: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/08/five-of-the-best-music-books-of-2023

23/12/2023

"Tarab, the ecstatic feeling associated with listening to and playing great music, is a fundamental characteristic in many varieties of Arab music. This program guides us through the experiences of listeners and players, providing deep insight into many varieties of tarab."

Spiritual Journeys: Tarab — The Art of Ecstasy in Arab Music: https://afropop.org/audio-programs/tarab-the-art-of-ecstasy-in-arab-music

23/12/2023

"In 2023, must-hear albums kept piling up at an insane rate. With a few noted exceptions, this wasn’t a huge year for blockbuster releases by mega-stars, but that only made more room for newer innovators …"

Rolling Stone's The 100 Best Albums of 2023: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2023-1234879538/arlo-parks-my-soft-machine-1234890588/

23/12/2023

23/12/2023

Spotlight On wishes Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane) a happy 83rd birthday!

If, like us, you're a Jorma fan, be sure to check out Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer's enjoyable conversation with him and his wife Vanessa on this 2020 episode of the podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/jorma-and-vanessa-kaukonen/

23/12/2023

"When members of sororities and fraternities started dressing up for an R.E.M. show, she said, you knew it was over. Yet we also recognized the structural or ritual quality of this lament. It doesn’t matter where or who you are, things were always cooler before."

Was It Cooler Back Then? A search for the memory of R.E.M. in Athens, Georgia: https://oxfordamerican.org/magazine/issue-123-winter-2023/was-it-cooler-back-then

23/12/2023

"Nekkuja evokes a sense of light and warmth, so necessary for all of us, as winter is here."

Arina Korenyu reviews Nekkuja, the latest album of experimental hyperpop from Catalan artist Marina Herlop, on Spotlight On's Bonus Tracks blog: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/blog/nekkuja-new-album-of-marina-herlop-or-revitalized-pasture/

22/12/2023

In this podcast excerpt, producer Max Herre discusses the importance of finding the repetitive mantra in a song, realized through his experiences crate digging and sampling and digging, which he applies to the 'spiritual jazz' foundation of his work with the band WEB WEB.

Don't miss the entire fascinating conversation with Max Herre and Robert Di Gioia of Web Web on the new episode of Spotlight On: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/roberto-di-gioia-max-herre-web-webs-experiments-in-electronic-jazz/

Compost Records

22/12/2023

"These are recordings that I kept within easy reach throughout the year, returning to them often — for comfort or for challenge, or for more inexplicable reasons. I trust this selection because it has already stood up to all manner of second-guessing, and I can only be true to my lived experience. So it's official: The list has been finalized. Just don't call it finished."

NPR's 10 best jazz albums of 2023: https://www.npr.org/2023/12/19/1220282187/the-10-best-jazz-albums-of-2023

22/12/2023

"Even some of the industry’s most talented artists, working with an army of songwriters, musicians and producers, haven’t been able to crack the Christmas code (Beach Boys’ 'Santa’s Beard,' I’m looking at you)."

10 Essential Christmas Albums, From Phil Spector to Motown to ‘Charlie Brown’: https://variety.com/lists/essential-christmas-albums-charlie-brown-phil-spector/vince-guaraldi-trio-a-charlie-brown-christmas-1965/

22/12/2023

"It’s always a big loss when the world loses a talented artist, and unfortunately, 2023 kicked off with several notable deaths in music …"

Gone But Not Forgotten — Musicians We Lost in 2023: https://www.billboard.com/photos/musicians-who-died-2023-1235193415/108-09-david-crosby-life-in-photos-billboard-1240/

22/12/2023

"Here, you’ll find everything from Sweeping Promises in a tiny venue in Minneapolis to SZA at Madison Square Garden, Water From Your Eyes on a boat to Floating Points and Shabaka Hutchings at the Hollywood Bowl. Let the FOMO begin…"

The 13 Best Concerts of 2023 (That Weren’t Taylor Swift or Beyoncé): https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/favorite-live-shows-2023/

21/12/2023

"Nostalgia retains its stranglehold on music. Many high-profile reissues and rereleases throughout 2023, however, suggest a new path forward to talk about (and profit off) the past—from Taylor Swift’s rerecordings to the Replacements and beyond."

Remix Your Canon — How Old Music Became the Biggest Thing in New Music: https://www.theringer.com/music/2023/12/20/24005670/reissues-taylor-swift-taylors-version-replacements-tim-beatles

21/12/2023

"In Fear of Music’s case, the question often unanswered is transitioning from what to what. The easy answer is that Talking Heads’ music was moving from the tinker-toy minimalist art trio that captured the hearts of CBGB to the slinky, extended Afro-funk ensemble that became superstars. True, but facile. But the idea of what Talking Heads were was also changing."

Talking Heads’ ‘Fear of Music’ — A Transitional Gem: https://bestclassicbands.com/talking-heads-fear-music-review-8-9-177/