Tag: Tom Moon

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Jeff Lynne’s ELO Soars Again

If you love the music of Jeff Lynne and ELO, as I do, then my friend you are in for a special treat. Next week, November 13th Jeff Lynne’s ELO launches Alone In The Universe.  It’s the first new ELO music in 15 years! It is a very cool recording, I really must say.

If you can’t wait to hear this stupendous recording then travel via your Web browser to the NPR First Listen: Jeff Lynne’s ELO, ‘Alone In The Universe’ Web page. Here you’ll find the album streaming in it’s entirety. Plus there’s an insightful review from a music journalist I deeply respect Tom Moon.

So what are you waiting for? Take flight and soar with Jeff Lynne’s ELO. Heavenly rhythms will soon befall you 🙂

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Richard Thompson – Still

Renowned guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson is set to release Still, an album of new music, produced by Jeff Tweedy on June 23rd via Concord Records in the US and June 29th via Proper Records internationally. Still will be available in several configurations including a twelve-track CD, a twelve-track double 180-gram vinyl album and a deluxe CD package that includes the five song Variations EP, from a previously unreleased session.

“Richard’s been one of my favorite guitar players for a very long time,” states Jeff Tweedy. “When I think about it, he’s also one of my favorite songwriters and favorite singers. He’s the Ultimate Triple Threat. Getting to work closely with him on this record was a truly rewarding experience, not to mention a great thrill.  And he keeps alive my streak of working exclusively with artists who make me look good as a producer.”

NPR Music is offering a first listen here. Tom Moon has done a fantastic write up to go with this recording. Give Still a listen, it’s jolly good.

 

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1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die, By Tom Moon, Daily Post 2011, #22

I received the perfect book for an obsessive/compulsive music junkie like myself ;), 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die by Tom Moon. The book has been in print for 2 1/2 years now (August 2008). I’ve picked it up a dozen or so times at Barnes & Noble in the past,  now I finally own a copy. It’s a great book to hunker down with and study. Its becoming an invaluable desk reference for the Microsoft Zune Web listening I love to do.

My perception was that as an avid music collector for 45 years I would probably own about 400 of the 1,000 recordings. I was quite surprised to learn I only own about 130 of what Tom has listed or 13%.  Granted my collection is more focused on rock, blues and jazz as main genres, where Tom Moon’s book covers the following genres.

Jazz, Opera, Hip-Hop, Rock, Gospel, Musicals, Country, Classical, Blues, World, Heavy Metal, Vocals, Swing, Celtic, Samba, Pop, Songbook, Folk, R&B, Dance, Punk, Doo-Wop, Psychedelic, Fado (What’s Fado?,  I learned something new today about a music genre I never knew existed…), Bluegrass, Zydeco, New Wave, JuJu, Electronica, Bossa Nova, Reggae, Soul, Rap, Rockabilly, Dub, Techno, Ska, Funk, Salsa, 39 genres in total.

This book will stretch my musical curiosity in many ways and directions. That’s my first pleasant surprise about one of the dimensions this book presents the reader.  I find Tom’s book very well researched and coördinated.

I take issue with some of Tom’s choices of the “definitive” or “essential” recordings of certain artists.  For example, he lists for R.E.M. Fables of the Reconstruction, Murmurs and Up as their essential recordings. He overlooks Automatic for the People which I find the most playable, durable recording in my entire collection.

Differences of opinion when it comes to personal musical taste comes with the territory. All in all its a great book Tom, thanks for authoring it and for the companion Web site where we can keep in touch with you.

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