[Literature] Jorge Luis Borges – The Mirror Man

March 23, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Jorge Luis Borges is highlighted in this film directed by Philippe Molins and written by the nearly-as-profound author Alberto Manguel.

[Music] Johnny Cash – Bird On A Wire

March 10, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / 4 Comments

Johnny Cash covering Leonard Cohen. There isn’t anything much better than this.

[Music] Jacques Loussier – Play Bach n°1 (1959)

March 8, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

The jazz pianist and composer Jacques Loussier passed away yesterday. It was he who really managed to blend the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and jazz fluidly and managed to make a career out of it. May he rest in peace.

[Music] Cui Jian – Fake Monk

March 6, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Cui Jian is China’s father of rock music. He’s still performing at age 57 to sellout crowds here. He’s quite impressive.

[Music] The Teardrop Explodes – Reward

March 4, 2019March 4, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Julian Cope popped into mind earlier today, and it got me thinking about how good his old band The Teardrop Explodes actually were. Reward was their biggest hit, released in 1981. It’s mind-blowing to think that this is nearly 40 years old now.

Lyrics

Bless my cotton socks, I’m in the news
The king sits on his face buttons all askew
All wrapped up the same (same)
All wrapped up the same (same)
They can’t have it
You can’t have it
I can’t have it too

Until I learn to accept my reward

Princes stand in queues they stand accused
Death in solitude like Howard Hughes
All wrapped up the same (same)
All wrapped up the same (same)
Silence has it
Arrogance has it
I can have it ooh

Until I learn to accept my reward

Suddenly it struck me very clear
Suddenly it struck me very clean
All wrapped up the same
All wrapped up the same
You can’t have it
I can’t have it too

Until I learn to accept my reward

Until I learn to accept my reward

Until I learn to accept my reward

Until I learn to accept my reward

Until I learn to accept my
I learn to accept my
I learn to accept my reward!

[Music] Jan Garbarek Group featuring Trilok Gurtu – Jazz & Wine Of Peace 2016 -Teatro Comunale Cormòns, 26 10 2016

March 3, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Norwegian saxophonist and composer Jan Garbarek never disappoints, but adding Mumbai-born master percussionist Trilok Gurtu makes his sound that much richer.

[Music] Ken Nordine – Colors

February 17, 2019February 17, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

I feel bad saying it, but I had thought that Ken “Mr. Coffee” Nordine had passed away some time ago, but it seems he passed away today at the age of 98. His albums Word Jazz and Colors are hip masterpieces.

[Music] The Mobbers – Run Baby Run

February 9, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

I don’t get much of a chance to review garage rock bands. I love the genre, but it’s not my forté. In this case, The Mobbers found me, and I have to say I’m glad for that. This is crunchy, loud, hard fast rock & roll, as you would expect from the genre. For fans of The Oblivions, The Makers, and Crypt Records aficionados.

[Music] Hrdza – Neskroteny

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Slovakia is producing wonderful music, but has almost no exposure in the world stage, which is maddening. Quality musicianship in genres as disparate as World Music, experimental and classical has been frankly astounding.

The folk scene is especially healthy, given the energetic, bouncy and rhythmic performances given by Hrdza. There is a fire under these musicians, who possess a sort of sunny optimism, that is absolutely refreshing to hear. Those of you who enjoy Celtic music might well find something worth grooving to with these guys. It’s really that lively.

To get a taste of their sound, check out the Spotify link listed above and give a visit to their website (unfortunately in Slovak only, I’m afraid) to find out a bit more.