Tag Archives: YouTube

Google Play Music All Access Is Version 1.0

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Google announced and demonstrated Google Play Music All Access at the Google I/O Conference today. A logical phase in the evolution of the Google Cloud Music strategy.

I signed up for a 30 day “free” trial. If I decide to pay for a monthly subscription it will cost me $7.99 a month ($9.99 if I decide to buy later).

Google positions Google Play as a Version 1.0 cloud music store. Google Music released in May 2011 translates Google Play into two-year beta. The question you may be asking is what did Google do in two years with Google Play? My direct response is “parity” with the rest of the cloud music players Pandora, Rdio, iTunes and Amazon Cloud Player. I respect “parity” can be an enormous undertaking but this makes Google Play a follower not a leader in the crowded cloud music marketplace.

She’s Not There

Three “natural” technology competitive advantages Google failed to capitalize on with Google Play 1.0.

1) YouTube integration (limited to Share YouTube Video now). This is a trump card for Google, especially since Google announced a YouTube subscription model just recently.

2) Google+ integration. Social networking with Google Play should be a slam dunk. Google Play Hangouts as a listening party makes perfect sense.

3) Voice activated Google Play is missing. “Okay Google. Play me Three Dog Night’s Celebrate.”

Google Play as the “Spotify” killer greatly exaggerates the situation.

High on my list is to hear Google Play on an HTC Beats Audio so I can better discern Google Play’s sound on a smart phone.

That’s my first take on Google Play.

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Rod Stewart – Time

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Rod Stewart was the first British Rock lead vocalist I ever saw in concert. I saw Rod Stewart as lead vocalist for The Jeff Beck Group on July 3, 1969. I remember he was quite the dandy. He was tall and strutted across the Fillmore East stage wearing a long white scarf. His voice was very commanding to match his stage presence.

So here we are later in time and I am writing about Rod Stewart’s soon to be released new album, Time (May 7th).

It’s interesting how much has changed in 44 years. I discovered Rod Stewart by accident actually as my goal that night at The Fillmore East was to see my favorite band at the time, Jethro Tull. I didn’t own a lick of Jeff Beck or Rod Stewart’s music before the show. I purchased Beck-Ola on the way to the Subway at The Gramophone.

Today I receive an e-mail from the Rod Stewart mailing list that informs me of the forthcoming album. I navigate with my Web browser to the Rod Stewart Official Website and I become informed about Time and its contents there. I also see that YouTube serves as the video preview point globally for Rod Stewart’s Time. Last but not least I don’t have to leave my easy chair to buy the recording because I can pre-order it  on iTunes or Amazon. Rod Stewart in Internet Time indeed.

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Natalie Maines – Mother

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Natalie Maines stopped by The Howard Stern Show today. I was surprised and pleased to learn she is an official Howard Stern Celebrity Superfan :)

Natalie Maines@1NatalieMaines

If you don’t like Howard Stern then you shouldn’t follow me.

Natalie performed the song, “Mother” (Pink Floyd) live in the studio with Fred Norris playing guitar. I love the edge she creates for this progressive rock classic from The Wall.

Copyright 2013 howardstern.com

Mother will be available as a track on West of Memphis: Voices of Justice which I reported about yesterday.

Mother is also the name of the new rock solo album by Natalie Maines, produced by her friend and fellow musician, Ben Harper. Mother, the album will release on May 7, 2013, Mothers Day ;)

Here is the YouTube video of Natalie Maine performing “Mother” with Ben Harper and his band from last summer.

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Thinking About Buddy Miles

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I saw a video of Buddy Miles on my Web page side bar and clicked on the YouTube video to watch the performance.

This is how I remember Buddy Miles best. Giving off that great soul vibe, singing his heart out for his fans. Notice he is wearing a Fillmore East staff shirt ;)

 

The band shown in this video was who I saw him play with in December of 1970. I loved that he was playing with Charlie Karp and David Hull from Westport, Ct. The word of mouth on these local musicians was that they were stellar and that proved to be true.  They are featured in this Helsinki 1971 broadcast television video.

The Queen Extravaganza – Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, Ct

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I wanted to see this performance due to an article I had read in Rolling Stone Magazine about The Queen Extravaganza on the Web. I have never watched a single minute of American Idol during its broadcast schedule. I’ll grant you I may watch a YouTube video after the fact to see what all the buzz is about. I have developed a reserved judgement on American Idol and its role, its place in music. I felt American Idol was overhyped. I can safely say after attending last night’s Official Queen Tribute Show a production sanctioned by the surviving members of Queen (Roger Taylor, Brian May and John Deacon)  and American Idol, I can now lift that sanction in my heart and head.It was a very convincing night of solid entertainment.

My wife was surprised we were going to see a Queen “tribute” concert. I can assure you we saw, felt and experienced much more than a tribute to Queen last night.

It was infectious to experience the music through this young ensemble of artist/fans who put their heart and soul into an evening of Queen’s music. My appreciation for these young musical performers who were so in earnest has reawakened a deeper love for Queen inside the music of our heart.

Our major complaint was the sound system was excruciatingly loud, it really hurt our left ear drums, trust me they could have cut back on the loudness factor and still have achieved their stated goal.

The Queen Extravaganza - Rob Sinclair

But aside from the crushing sound the two act performance was a joy to witness. Queen fans were out in force last night. The first act centered on early Queen as the backdrop featured a poster of Queen on a brick wall in a club somewhere in England. That set ended on a high note with Bohemian Rhapsody taking us to intermission.

The second act was more multimedia /visual, using concert footage from Wembley Stadium, official MTV videos (Under Pressure a personal fave). The greater Queen hits such as Another One Bites The Dust, Somebody To Love and Radio Gaga (love that song and Metropolis the sci-fi movie, they showed some great black and white clips from the 1927 classic) appeared in the second act.

The song that rose everyone to their feet first was Fat Bottom Girls. Connecticut concert audiences are sedate and laid back, the Queen Extravaganza performers had to work that much harder to get the Oakdale crowd into the experience. This song did just that.

It was an exciting variable to have four different lead singers represent Freddie Mercury‘s vocals. I think each vocalist was very polished  and vivacious evidencing lots of charisma. Marc Martel was my favorite vocalist and when he sang it felt the closest to Freddie Mercury’s voice and style. The musicians were very capable and enthusiastic. It was a wise choice to have two guitarists to approximate Brian May’s licks and runs. The keyboardist also served as the music director. The drummer was top-notch and handled a vocal lead, with his stellar drumming admirably.

The singers and musicians of "The Queen Experience," which will come to the Oakdale in Wallingford on Saturday, June 9, were hand-picked by Queen drummer Roger Taylor. Photo: Contributed Photo / CT

We want to thank the Queen Extravaganza for pulling out all the stops last night in Wallingford, Ct. You were the champions and to you as the victors we happily shared the spoils of your conquest.

Please have a great rest of the tour everyone! We love you!

Photo: May 29/12 QE Toronto - I <3 this shot!!!
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A Conversation with Neil Young and Patti Smith

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Waging Heavy Peace is the title of the Neil Young autobiography due later this year (October 2, 2012)

Neil Young is scheduled to appear at BookExpo America in New York City on June 6th at the Special Events Hall at the Javits Center. He will be interviewed at lunch time that day by poetess, author, singer/songwriter Patti Smith. Many people don’t know that Patti Smith first got her start in the music industry as a music journalist for CBS Records. Her deep affection for Neil Young and his music should make this an insightful discussion.

I find this public appearance to be sympatico in that both artists have a new recording coming out the day before June 5th. Patti Smith does a Neil Young recording on her next album Banga. I wrote about the synergy between Patti Smith and Neil Young last month on this blog, click the link in Related articles to review that post.

“A Conversation with Neil Young and Patti Smith” is free to all convention attendees.  Seating will be provided on a first come, first served basis.  Lunch will not be provided but guests are free to bring their own lunch. For more information about BEA, please visit www.bookexpoamerica.com and connect with BEA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Best Brown Bag Luch Ever!

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Coachella 2012, the High Tech Music Festival

Posted on by Musicofourheart

The Coachella Festival being held in the California desert in two parts begins tomorrow. Weekend 1 is April 13-15.

There is strong high tech participation for this event. Google will be streaming the event live on YouTube on the Web. I received an email from Google Play offering free music from Coachella All-Stars.

Coachella attendees are encouraged to bring their Apple iPads to the event. There is of course an Official Coachella 2012 iPad App available.

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Stretching out on Sunday with Vijay Iyer

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I have been reading with relish about superlative pianist/composer/bandleader Vijay Iyer, his trio and their latest recording, Accelerando.  A definitive piece written by Nate Chinen captures the essence of Vijay Iyer’s art. I urge you to read the Nate Chinen article, “A Pianist’s Escalating Insurgency” which appeared this past Wednesday in the New York Times. It is insightful, vigorous and enthusiastic in educating the reader about the significance of Vijay Iyer’s role in jazz today and going forward.

I hear Vijay Iyer’s music as controlled excellence unfolding before the listener’s ear then increasing in a multidimensional awareness as it spirals my soul upward and outward.

A YouTube electronic press kit for Accelerando underscores the exuberance of the Vijay Iyer Trio. It has a reflective interview with Vijay Iyer along with the trio performing music segments.

If  the engagement hasn’t sold out yet I think we’ll go see the Vijay Iyer Trio Live at Birdland in New York City next month.

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Google Chrome: Lady Gaga

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screenshot 031 572x320 Google Chrome Commercial with Lady Gaga Airs During SNL

Love this new Google Chrome TV Ad featuring Lady Gaga and her legion of Little Monsters. I saw its premiere last night on the final episode of SNL!

Helps this ad go more viral.

and of course, “I’m on the Edje with you” Lady Gaga ;)

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