http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/ en Copyright 2008 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:37:08 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss We knew the day would come. Those of you who put all the puzzle of clues together probably knew it was coming too. And those of you REALLY close to the issue knew it was definitely coming. Well, it came. This past weekend our good friend Steve Lukather made it quasi-official that TOTO is over. His “formal” announcement came in the form of a letter to friends and fans regarding his exit from the Grammy Award-winning band TOTO. If you’re a TOTO fan like me and Rick, we encourage you to visit STEVELUKATHER.net to read his announcement. In our opinion, this marks an end to a great 30-year run for a group of guys that started out in an LA garage and became a landmark band and the most sought after world-class musicians in the music biz. The original group consisted of Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate, Steve Porcaro and Bobby Kimball. At the very end, the band consisted of Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Greg Phillinganes, Lee Sklar, and Bobby Kimball…still top-notch musicians. Over the 30 year span of TOTO, we’ve enjoyed some of the most amazingly engineered, composed, and performed music…their landmark TOTO IV won record of the year and a slew of other awards. If you stand back and look at what TOTO has accomplished…even as individual members of the band...you can only smile at the incredible influence that this group of musicians has contributed to the face of rock/pop music. Look at it this way…only a handful of rock/pop groups have stayed together for so many years. Chicago (40 years!)…and Toto (30 years!) did we miss any?. Many groups have disbanded and reunited after 20 or 30 years for reunion tours…but not Toto. They have stayed together, recorded and toured around the world since day one and their support during the majority of their careers has been in the international market…NOT in the U.S.A. Why? According to Luke, the music industry had snubbed them and other great bands by going for the “fast-cash” of today’s “fast-food” music and pushed out bands that were relevant and still had something to say. Water under the bridge. Over the years, Toto stayed creative and toured to packed audiences around the world. For some reason, Europe, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, and many many other countries get it. They have loved and supported Toto for over the years. We say thanks to all the loyal fans out there. So, “if” it’s true that Toto is FINIS, then it’s over. But their music lives on. Me and Rick will continue to enjoy their music and even their friendship. We’ve had the joy of travelling together to MANY of their concerts and have spent time with the band…and to even interview a few on Inside MusiCast. Luke. Greg Phillinganes. Lee Sklar. David Paich. David Hungate. These guys are still GREAT musicians and will subsequently be working a lot more, now that Toto is no more. But…through all of this, NEVER SAY NEVER. What we mean is…you never know about Luke…..he lives for the moment. And that moment could change. (We hope it does). Long live Toto! Eddy & Rick. http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/06/the_end_of_toto.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/06/the_end_of_toto.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:37:08 -0500 It’s April 15th….and the taxman cometh. So, what can you do? You gotta pay him. That's what you do. Here in the states we pay approximately 15%-35% of your income toward taxes. The sad thing is that everyone here complains about it, when actually they should be thankful that we pay such a low rate as compared to global tax rates. If I’m correct, our Danish friends pay the highest income tax in the world with it’s top-taxed citizens paying about 68% of their hard earned crowns. Their basic tax rate begins at 42%. Belgium is up there too, with approximately 50% in taxes and Australia’s 47% right in there. So, what does this have to do with music? Money. Lot’s of songs have been written about money and I thought that I’d throw a few at you along with some of their catchy lyrics. THE BIG MONEY Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson Big money goes around the world Big money underground Big money got a mighty voice Big money make no sound Big money pull a million strings Big money hold the prize Big money weave a mighty web Big money draw the flies THE MONEY SONG Words by monty python I've got ninety thousand pounds in my pyjamas, I've got forty thousand french francs in my fridge. I've got lost of lovely lire, Now the Deutschemark's getting dearer, And my dollar bills would buy the Brooklyn Bridge. Chorus: There is nothing quite as wonderful as money, There is nothing quite as beautiful as cash. Some people say it's folly, But I'd rather have the lolly, With money you can ma-ake a splash. Finale: There is nothing quite wonderful as money, (money,money,money,money) MONEY’S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION Words by simply red I been laid off from work my rent is due My kids all need brand new shoes So I went to the bank to see what they could do They said son looks like bad luck got a hold on you Money’s too tight to mention I can’t get an unemployment extension Money’s too tight to mention HAPPY TAX DAY! http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/04/music_for_taxman.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/04/music_for_taxman.html Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:43:32 -0500 I remember reading a wonderful article by Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post last year. It was an experiment to see if the music of one of our nation's great classical violinists would cut through the fog during a D.C. rush hour. Here is the article. (Due to it's length, you'll find the rest of the article in the PEOPLES forum under the Musician's Mind). HE EMERGED FROM THE METRO AT THE L'ENFANT PLAZA STATION AND POSITIONED HIMSELF AGAINST A WALL BESIDE A TRASH BASKET. By most measures, he was nondescript: a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he shrewdly threw in a few dollars and pocket change as seed money, swiveled it to face pedestrian traffic, and began to play. It was 7:51 a.m. on Friday, January 12, the middle of the morning rush hour. In the next 43 minutes, as the violinist performed six classical pieces, 1,097 people passed by. Each passerby had a quick choice to make, one familiar to commuters in any urban area where the occasional street performer is part of the cityscape: Do you stop and listen? Do you hurry past with a blend of guilt and irritation, aware of your cupidity but annoyed by the unbidden demand on your time and your wallet? Do you throw in a buck, just to be polite? Does your decision change if he's really bad? What if he's really good? Do you have time for beauty? Shouldn't you? What's the moral mathematics of the moment? On that Friday in January, those private questions would be answered in an unusually public way. No one knew it, but the fiddler standing against a bare wall outside the Metro in an indoor arcade at the top of the escalators was one of the finest classical musicians in the world, playing some of the most elegant music ever written on one of the most valuable violins ever made. His performance was arranged by The Washington Post as an experiment in context, perception and priorities -- as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste: In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend? The musician did not play popular tunes whose familiarity alone might have drawn interest. That was not the test. These were masterpieces that have endured for centuries on their brilliance alone, soaring music befitting the grandeur of cathedrals and concert halls. The acoustics proved surprisingly kind. Though the arcade is of utilitarian design, a buffer between the Metro escalator and the outdoors, it somehow caught the sound and bounced it back round and resonant. The violin is an instrument that is said to be much like the human voice, and in this musician's masterly hands, it sobbed and laughed and sang -- ecstatic, sorrowful, importuning, adoring, flirtatious, castigating, playful, romancing, merry, triumphal, sumptuous. So, what do you think happened? ]]> http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/02/a_classical_experiment_during.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/02/a_classical_experiment_during.html Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:00:18 -0500 Everyone is making New Year’s resolutions. Have you made yours? Some try to lose weight….(OK….so I can stand to lose at least ten, big deal). Others try to quit smoking. Some try to be a better person. As for me? My resolution is to simply listen to more music. I want to learn more about genres that have not commanded my attention. Opera. Country (oooh…..that was painful….but I said it). Gospel. Classical. Big Band. (After thinking about it a bit, I take back Country. Can’t do it. Cancel more Country. Give me more jazz instead). Seriously, what do you wish to accomplish musically this year? I know it’s a funny question, but you don’t have to be a musician to answer it. Whatever it is, plan it out. Go to more concerts. Attend music seminars at your local music store. Subscribe to a music magazine…..Guitar Player, Keyboard, Mix, Modern Drummer….whatever. There are so many great publications out there. Also, take time to listen to our Inside MusiCast interviews. If you’re new to the site and podcast, take time and listen to our archived chats with some of the best in the music biz. I encourage you to expand your musical horizons and go where you haven’t gone before…..that is, musically. Happy New Year. Eddy Cabello Inside MusiCast http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/01/expanding_your_musical_horizon.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2008/01/expanding_your_musical_horizon.html Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:34:26 -0500 Ahhhhh, Christmas. I must admit…I really love it. I especially love Christmas music. You see, my earliest musical recollections as a kid were Christmas albums that my mom and dad had purchased or won in some give away. In fact, I clearly remember at least 2 or 3 Christmas albums that my parents always played during the holidays. The first was a Christmas album…(vinyl, of course)….released by Singer Corporation (you know, the sewing machine maker), and it had a huge photo of Donna Reed and her family on the cover holding presents. It was a free record that was given to my mother at the Singer Sewing Shop. My mom was a seamstress…or at least, she liked to sew a little. So, they gave her the album. We played it until the grooves wore out. Do you remember the Donna Reed Show? It was a B/W TV series that aired in the ‘60s along with My Three Sons and others like it. If not, don’t worry. All I know is that every song on that Christmas album was played over and over while we sat watching the Christmas tree. We didn’t have the luxury of a TV back then, but sure made the best of the music. That was the first Christmas record that I can remember in our house. The second vinyl record was yet another free record that my family received at a Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant. “WHAT”…you might ask? Fried Chicken and Christmas music? Yeah, that’s right. Every year (for several years, in fact), KFC pressed Christmas albums to sell during the holidays at the restaurants. And the face that you see of the old man with the goatee on the KFC signs is none other than the infamous Col. Harlan Sanders, brainchild and founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken empire. He was from Kentucky (actually from Southern Indiana), and he took pride in not only selling his famous recipy fried chicken, but also playing mandolin with his mandolin band. Yessirree….every Christmas we played the Colonel’s Mandolin Christmas music through the house. It was actually surprisingly nice music. Yes, Christmas music was special to us at our house when I was a kid….but it wouldn’t have been special if it wasn’t for our Christmas Albums. I could go on and tell you about my Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas Album….but you probably have that vinyl album. Merry Christmas everyone. Eddy Cabello Inside MusiCast http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/12/deck_the_halls_with_musical_me.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/12/deck_the_halls_with_musical_me.html Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:31:30 -0500 I own two cars that have digital radio capabilities on the stereo systems. After a couple of years of enjoying streaming music of almost every genre and style available, I have become simply overwhelmed at the vast amount of choices of music and audio entertainment that is available inside the comfort of my cars. I mean it. There are now so many choices that I feel I sometimes have a difficult time selecting what I want to listen to. And to make things worse, the channel selection process usually always happens while I’m driving (sure, I use the steering wheel buttons to ensure safety). But, often by the time I arrive to my destination, I’ve barely had a chance to enjoy what I’ve just found. That’s frustrating because it happens all too often. At the heart of the matter, is the fact that my personal taste in music is exceedingly broad. I don’t mean that in a boastful way, but, I really love anything from classical to jazz; French pop to classic rock; adult contemporary to smooth jazz; chill out/trip hop to country; from Salsa to Show Tunes….that’s where I have the problem. I like it all!! To that end, finding a channel that I can settle on is a hellish process. Digital radio is torture for me. And now, do you want to hear what makes it even worse? I have two teenage daughters who, when in the car with me, want to hear “their” favorite digital stations…while I’m driving. And that’s where I break. I’ve now become a Digital Radio Music Channel Selection Control Freak. No one else in the car can play their digital music or their favorite XM channels…at least not while I’m driving the car. I'm not ugly about it, just very contolling. It’s absurd, but true!! I’ve gone off the deep end. Amidst the fact that I can’t even choose my own channels to listen to….I now won’t allow anyone else to enjoy their choices. I need some digital counseling. I feel like a little yapping dog that barks at anyone who even looks at his bone. My bone. MY BONE!! Don't touch MY BONE!! In my case.....it's My Digital Channel…..MY DIGITAL CHANNEL!!! (I love technology). Eddy http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/10/welcome_to_my_digital_frustrat.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/10/welcome_to_my_digital_frustrat.html Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:15:48 -0500 Fact: If there is one theme that rises above all it all in music, it has to be LOVE. So with that in mind, I’ve listed some famous love songs below….and maybe it will trigger a memory of someone you love, someone you’ve married, or someone who you dumped. Either way, the good and bad about LOVE will always be part of music. Here’s what I ask…if you know who the singers/bands are, post your answers in the comments area of this post….some are REAL easy…..then there are some TOUGH ones. Good luck. And….try not to use the web to cheat….give it your best try without it….then check your answers. Hello Darlin’ I Miss You I’m like a Bird A Groovy Kind of Love This Magic Moment Without You You’ve Got a Friend Sometimes when we Touch Cherish Dreaming of You Forever and ever, Amen Just the Two of Us All I have to do is Dream Baby, come to me Burning Love My Romance O Sole Mio Put Your Head on my Shoulders Smooth Sexual Healing Strange Magic The Flame Have fun…. Eddy http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/09/music_love.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/09/music_love.html Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:34:18 -0500 http://www.fightmusic.com ]]> http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/09/college_fight_songsmusic_to_my.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/09/college_fight_songsmusic_to_my.html Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:28:25 -0500 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_genres After you’ve had a chance to review the list, believe me, you’ll have an idea as to how small our musical existence really is. The beautiful thing is that you'll understand the vastness of musical culture around the world. BTW, my new BEST genre is Ronggeng; a folk music from Malacca, Malaysia. (kidding…just kidding). Enjoy. Eddy Cabello Inside MusiCast]]> http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/08/you_want_genres_ill_give_you_g.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/08/you_want_genres_ill_give_you_g.html Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:20:56 -0500 Before there were any Best Buys and Circuit City’s, shopping for a home audio system was something really special. I remember the “good old days” when I’d spend hours at the specialty audio/stereo store, carefully testing the most wonderful stereo equipment in the world…the turntables, speakers, amplifiers, and receivers. It was all about the sound. No home theaters; no 5.1; no integrated video. In those days, the specialty stereo store was a holy and sacred place where real men hung out to worship the Turntable Gods - Thorens and B&O … the Speaker Gods – Polk and JBL…and finally, the receiver Gods - NAD, Harmon and Kardon. So, what did you offer the Audio Gods as an audio sacrifice back then? There was only one option - Original Master Recordings - expensive vinyl TEST records used by the stereo stores - to demo their great audio systems for potential buyers. What are Original Master Recordings? Well, in the mid-seventies, a company called Sheffield Labs was leading the way in perfecting a unique recording technique called Direct-To-Disk, where sound went into the mic, through the console, and straight to cutting of a master pressing disc…all in one take. That meant that musicians would have to play through all songs on one side of the record without stopping. No breaks. No retakes. The master discs were then used to press a limited number of high quality virgin vinyl records. The vinyl was such high quality that records were transparent. The sound? Impeccable. And when the master pressing disc was worn or damaged? That was it. Only the Original Master Recordings were left. These record discs weren’t your normal vinyl records that you could pick up at any record store. These stereo records were very special (and expensive). The year was 1976. The album - George Benson’s Breezin’- my first Original Master Recording LP to own and it cost me lots of money – $30. Back then, that was a LOT of money to spend on one record. Over the years, I’ve acquired many Master Recordings, and they still play as new on my B&O turntable. But, if you haven’t noticed, vinyl records are back. It’s true. Some record companies are actually pressing records on vinyl. That’s not all…you can also buy turntables! Maybe it’s a retro thing. Maybe the market has come full circle and found that vinyl records sounds simple, warm and real. Whatever the case, you might chime in with your comments. I think neat to know that in today’s world, people are buying vinyl. Don’t misunderstand me, I still enjoy my iPod, DVD Audio disks and 5.1 ETS engineered albums. I love where technology has taken sound…but, I love the simplicity of a 2-channel audio system where I can play my vinyl Original Master Recording albums over and over and over….the sound is still unbelievable. Eddy Cabello Inside MusiCast http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/08/sacrificing_benson_to_the_audi.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/08/sacrificing_benson_to_the_audi.html Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:19:03 -0500 Sharp Dressed Man to me on a silver platter. When I’m concentrating and need focus while working at the office, Earl Klugh comes through again with Heart String. When I’m on the road… just driving, Donald Fagan offers me H Gang at the same pace. If I’m feeling romantic… a little Teddy Pendergrass or Grover Washington often does the trick. You know, music isn’t just for “listening”. It’s also for “doing”. So, I guess I'll just keep on doing what I do. And when I’m done “doing”, I’ll probably sit and listen to some more…well...music. Eddy Cabello Inside MusiCast]]> http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/07/music_isnt_for_listening.html http://www.insidemusicast.com/opinion/2007/07/music_isnt_for_listening.html Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:17:45 -0500