The late master at the peak of his powers. Rest in peace, Paco.
Month: February 2014
RIP Paco De Lucía
Sad news to report. Perhaps the best known modern gypsy guitarist, Paco De Lucía, has passed away due to a heart attack. He was 66.
La Informacion reported the news today, as did ABC.es in Spain. English-language obituaries are sure to come in shortly.
[Article] Neal Morse, A One Man Arian Rock Band
I’ll be the first to say that I happen to like Progressive Rock in all its many forms, from avant-prog to Christian symphonic, and everything in-between. I am also a fan of Neil Morse, who is the subject in question in this article written by Brendan P. Foht over at First Things.
What I don’t care for much is Morse’s Catholic bashing. The ground he attacks from is shaky at best, heretical at worst. Though I’m not Roman Catholic (I’m Eastern Orthodox), some of the lyrical content is amusingly bad when Morse strays into overly deep theological matters, and it never dawns on him that Sola Scriptura is itself unbiblical, rendering the whole of Protestant criticism moot.
Still, he is a fine musician, and it seems that First Things, a Christian-based magazine more focused on the arts, philosophy, culture and politics, seems to have a a thing for Mr. Morse and one of his side bands, Transatlantic. It’s nice to see prog make its way up to academia, and I’m thrilled to see it written about rather well, though I think that Foht’s tagging prog rock a ‘disreputable’ genre to be a bit of overkill. Glam, however…
[Poetry] ‘Cuerpo de Mujer’ by Pablo Neruda
Though his politics were disgusting, his poetry was perfect. Pablo Neruda writes (and gives voice to) the finest poetry, and this particular piece is perfect reading when you and your love have some down time.
The text of the poem can be read here, courtesy of Poemas del Alma.
[Video] Georg Ots – Catarí (Core ‘ngrato)
Suitable for Valentine’s Day, here’s a tune from Naples, Italy, sung by the Estonian vocalist, Georg Ots.
[Video] Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. “Borges: South America’s Titan”
This video sums up precisely the raison d’etre of this website and blog. William F. Buckley, Jr., intellectual giant of the Conservative movement, interviewing perhaps the most important write of the 20th Century (at least in my estimation), Jorge Luis Borges. One couldn’t ask for a better pairing.
A Miscellany of Tasteful Music – 02-13-2014
A Miscellany of Tasteful Music – 02-13-2014 by Rudy Carrera on Mixcloud
Welcome to the fourth edition of A Miscellany of Tasteful Music. This is our Valentine’s Day edition. Curl up with your loved one and enjoy these classics, or if you’re alone, pour yourself a stiff drink (vodka and lime for me today), to keep you focused on the music.
For more about us, visit us at http://amiscellany.info or add me at Facebook here.
[Podcast] The Sound Of Greece with Marianna Platypodi
The Sound Of Greece with Marianna Platypodi by Adam Kvasnica on Mixcloud
Though I’m happy enough to promote my own podcasts, I’m even more pleased to promote those whose DJ abilities I admire. Here’s a great set of old music from Greece courtesy of Slovakian archivist Adam Kvasnica. Opa!
On The Passing of Pete Seeger
Three articles regarding Pete Seeger’s demise – one pro, two contra, provide a good appraisal of the man’s life, work and views.
- FLAVORWIRE: In Memory of Folk Legend Pete Seeger, 10 Iconic Performances
- FIRST THINGS: Pete Seeger: The Communist Consumers Loved
- NATIONAL REVIEW: Totalitarian Troubadour
I loathed Seeger’s politics, his slavish devotion, until 1995, to Joseph Stalin’s murderous regime, and the fact that he stole ‘Wimoweh’ (see the story about Solomon Linda). Still, his own body of work will live on as part of Americana, and should be remembered as some of the finest songs to ever come out of the United States, as they are, indeed, timeless. One should never attempt to separate a man from his works, however, as the soul of each artist imbues his craft, whether we like it or not.
[Podcast] A Miscellany of Tasteful Music – 02-02-2014
A Miscellany of Tasteful Music – 02-02-2014 by Rudy Carrera on Mixcloud
Ten tracks from all over the world. This week, we start with a cheesy-listening number from Italy, some Acid Jazz from Austria, Brazilian Psychedelia, Indie from England, Ambient music from both Italy and Canada, Rock-In-Opposition from Belgium, Turkmenistani percussion-prog, an operatic piece from the Volga River (there’s a hint!), and a little bit of Mambo to wrap things up. For more on us, visit our page at http://amiscellany.info or friend me personally at my personal Facebook site and make comments or suggestions!
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 