Sia's 'Colour the Small One' to hit US January 6

I love her voice. Sia's been one of those singers whose delivery makes everything make sense.

After making a major impact with her single 'Breathe Me' being front and center in the 'Six Feet Under' finale and accompanying soundtrack, Astralwerks will be issuing the US release of her album, 'Colour the Small One.'

I look forward to sharing this one with others, as I have with many other worthwhile releases over the years.

For now, preview the album at her website.

Hello Week, Farewell Shirley

When I was still spinning jazz at WXCI around 1991, I had the good fortune to see Shirley Horn live for the first time. My evening at the Blue Note was a packed one. Those who know the club understand how they've flirted with the fire code, keeping the seating arrangements so tight (It's been a few years so maybe they've relaxed it a bit). Shirley was with her working trio of Charles Ables and Steve Williams, playing tracks from the current album at the time, 'Here's to Life,' uniting her with Johnny Mandel's stellar string arrangements. I have a soft spot for lush, melodic arrangements and that album always manages to hit that spot. But watching her perform with her trio, especially in close quarters, increased my respect for her love of simple, straightforward balladry. It's what she did best. I drummed up enough courage that night to try thanking her upstairs after that set, only to get lost in the crowd of other fans and some label staff. I did thank her longtime bassist, Charles Ables (who died in 2002), as he passed by to get some refreshment, so at least I made myself useful. I would see Shirley once more at the Blue Note, and once more in Saratoga. I'm sure glad I did. My heart broke when I read about her complications with breast cancer and diabetes, leading to the amputation of a foot. That didn't stop her from touring for a bit longer. I wish I could have caught her one more time. I say that about a lot of performers when I hear of their passing; but with Shirley, it's true. It's that voice, that soft but clear voice, that I'll always treasure.

Shirley Horn died October 20th at a nursing home in Cheverly, Maryland, outside her native Washington DC. She was 71.

Verve recently issued an anthology called 'But Beautiful: The Best of Shirley Horn.'

eBay Hall of Fame: Creative Writing nominee

This recent sale was forwarded by a co-worker. Many creative writers should take notice of the plain-spoken pitch for these pants.

Since it will eventually disappear from eBay, I took the liberty of saving this page as a PDF here.

There is something to be said for leather pants. Unfortunately, I can't say anything.

Now, back to 'L.A. Woman.'

Trailer for Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic

Having been too late to catch it in Woodstock, I've been trying to track a release date for Sarah Silverman's collaboration with Liam Lynch called 'Jesus is Magic.'

Well, a bit o' Googlin later I only had to go to IMDB and find a release date of November 11th.

See the official site and trailer here.

John Peel Day Listen Again on Radio 1

I missed it last night, but thank BBC Radio 1 for making such a massive musical tribute available on-demand. Hear it for yourself.

Remember this classic?

Great thumbnail animation!
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One More Thing...that I can't afford

Pretty, but not at the top of my Christmas list.

See the renowned RDF in action.

Like Music? Got an Empty Factory? David Byrne Might Be Able to Help!

From Reuters via Billboard.com

When musician David Byrne says he is going to "play a factory" in Stockholm, he is not planning a gig at a trendy new venue, but talking literally. The Talking Heads founder has turned a disused paint factory by the Stockholm waterside into a giant musical instrument, constructed around an old wooden pump organ with its entrails ripped out and replaced with wires and pipes.

"The public can just come in and sit down and play what they like," he said this weekend while the installation at "Fargfabriken" ("The Paint Factory") was being set up. "Playing the Building" is not a Byrne concert but a hands-on art installation that runs until mid-November. The organ's keys and stops are linked to dozens of clear plastic tubes that pump air through the factory vents to make a range of whistle noises, bang hammers that clank against hollow iron pillars and start four engines ranged on the roof. The resulting cacophony is deafening and the factory, which dates from 1889 and once produced guns, combine harvesters and more recently paint, briefly sounds like it has been granted a new lease of industrial life. "It's a very democratic instrument -- everyone is reduced to the same amateur level," said Byrne. He said he wanted this to be a more "hands-on" experience than most installation art. "A lot of the time people think the art world is pulling their leg, that there's an elite crowd that understands what is going on but that the general public is not in on the joke," he said. "In this case I think they don't feel intimidated."

Playing the Building Site

Paul Pena passes

Paul Pena, a San Francisco blues artist who mastered the arcane art of Tuvan throat singing, died Saturday from complications of diabetes and pancreatitis. He was 55.

More from his official site

I loved 'Ghengis Blues.' Pena was such an overlooked gem of a writer and he will be missed.


Paul Pena 'A Bit of All Right' (MP3)