Peter Cook: Music

Gyorgy Ligeti, Central-European Composer of Bleakness and Humor, Dies at 83

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 16:40:47 GMT

Gyorgy Ligeti became widely known when extracts from his work appeared on the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick's movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" in 1968 and caught the public's fancy.

Link to Story | Source Home

Ma's Silk Road Project garners $1M prize

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 03:59:04 GMT

The Silk Road Project explores common threads of culture and music in various societies. It includes recordings, performances and festivals ,and mentors young artists who take an interest in the cultural influences that shape music. Ma's Silk Road Ensemble plays traditional instruments and tunes from Asia and the West.
[Via CBC | Arts News]

Tap That Tune

Fri, 19 May 2006 03:11:01 GMT

Ever have a song stuck in your head, but can’t remember what it’s called, or even who sang it? If you at least know how it goes, try this astonishing Web site, suggested to me by a reader: It’s SongTapper.com.

Basically, you tap your Space bar in the rhythm of the melody notes-”Lu-cy in the sky-yyyy, with di-i-a-monds” or whatever-and, incredibly, the site guesses which song you meant. In my very few tries, it did amazingly well. (It also offers a link to the iTunes music store so you can hear 30 seconds of the actual song for free, to confirm its wisdom.)

[Via NYT > Pogue's Posts]

Too funny. It works. We tried "Yellow Submarine" and 'bingo', got it right away. It detects both the start and release of the spacebar.

EMI Says Warner Music Rebuffed $4.2B Offer (AP)

Mon, 08 May 2006 03:41:44 GMT

AP - Warner Music Group Corp. has rejected a $4.2 billion cash-and-stock offer from its larger rival EMI Group PLC — the latest development in a long-running bid to unite the companies.
[Via Yahoo! News - World]

Neil Young goes with download first, CD later

Mon, 08 May 2006 03:40:09 GMT

Company lets you listen to high-fidelity downloads by the rocker that provide the same sound quality as the CD.
[Via CNET News.com]

"LOOKING FOR A LEADER" MOST ADDED AT RADIO

Mon, 08 May 2006 03:39:29 GMT

"Looking' for a Leader" most added track in USA radio this week............."Lookin' for a Leader" has been added to more stations
than any other song this week...........Thanks to the many stations, both satellite and terrestrial, that are playing "Lookin' for a Leader" and other songs from LIVING WITH WAR................ Many foreign press reviews, and a few USA press reviews, have said that this record will not get played in the USA.........I'm glad you proved them wrong....Thank you USA radio!...........ny may 7 06
[Via NEIL YOUNG - Living With War]

iTTUSB-Turntable with USB Output

Tue, 02 May 2006 17:15:20 GMT

+	Includes: • Adjustable Pitch Belt Drive Turntable • Vinyl recording software • USB Cable • Cartridge with Stylus • 45 Adapter • CD with Mac/PC recording software
+	33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Software allows for 78 RPM conversion
+	Adjustable Anti-Skating control for increased stereo balancing
+	High speed vinyl recording
+	Line level RCA outputs
+	Adjustable Pitch Control +/- 8%
+	Computer Requirements: • PC running Windows 98, 2000, or XP • Mac running OS9 or greater • One available USB1.1 port

And presumably a built-in phono pre-amp!

A Barenaked guide to music copyright reform (Steven Page/canada.com)

Tue, 02 May 2006 16:53:32 GMT

A Barenaked guide to music copyright reform' —' The Canadian music scene has been riding a remarkable wave in recent months, with packed clubs, breakout artists, and international acclaim.' While that success has garnered considerable attention, last week a group of well-known Canadian musicians took centre stage for another reason.

Source: ' canada.com
Author: ' Steven Page
Link: ' http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/issuesideas…

View discussion

[Via tech.memeorandum]

Apple sets tune for pricing of song downloads (Financial Times)

Tue, 02 May 2006 16:52:30 GMT

Apple sets tune for pricing of song downloads' —' Apple Computer on Monday revealed it had renewed contracts with the four largest record companies to sell songs through its iTunes digital store at 99 cents each.' The agreements came after months of bargaining, and were a defeat for music companies …

Source: ' Financial Times
Link: ' http://news.ft.com/cms/s/297eecc2-d934-11da-8b06…

View discussion

[Via tech.memeorandum]

"several music executives privately acknowledge that they have little leverage over Mr Jobs. ITunes accounts for about 80 per cent of the US digital music market at a time when the record companies are desperate to show shareholders they are replacing declining compact disc sales with new internet revenues. “The labels need Apple too much right now,” one record executive said."

Apple, labels stick with 99 cents per iTunes song

Tue, 02 May 2006 16:28:52 GMT

Company confirms that familiar price scheme will carry forward, despite grumbles from labels over the fixed price.
[Via CNET News.com]

Fab Four tunes being readied for downloads

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 18:09:03 GMT

Beatles catalogue is being remastered and the recordings will be made available for downloading
[Via The Globe and Mail - Technology News]

""We're remastering the whole Beatles catalogue, just to make it sound brighter and better and getting proper booklets to go with each of the packages," Aspinall said in the lawsuit witness statement."

Brighter? Argh. I hope he doesn't mean that. How about surround mixes where possible? I gather that for the later years EMI has access to each of the original 2 and 4 tracks before they were bounced down and overdubbed. This allowed them to do a great surround mix on Yellow Submarine.

Mozart more of a prince than a pauper

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 21:45:43 GMT

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was among the top earners in eighteenth century Vienna, an exhibition claims.
[Via Guardian Unlimited World Latest]

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts: Home

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 20:59:55 GMT

This is the first time complete and total access to original tracks with remix and sampling possibilities have been officially offered on line. In keeping with the spirit of the original album, Brian and David are offering for download all the multitracks on two of the songs. Through signing up to the user license, and in line with Creative Commons licenses, you are free to edit, remix, sample and mutilate these tracks however you like. Add them to your own song or create a new one. Visitors are welcome to post their mixes or songs that incorporate these audio files on the site for others to hear and rate. Stay tuned, the remix site is coming soon!

Very cool.

Apple's Home Media Centre Concept Evolves

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 18:27:22 GMT

Apple today introduced a new Mac mini and an updated version of of Front Row. A 6-button remote control let's you access audio, photos and video on all computers on your local network (iTunes only on Windows machines).

The Mac mini includes one audio output connector which can be used as a stereo analogue output or an S/PDIF output. While early coverage of the presentation sometimes referred to this as a Dolby Digital output one assumes it could also output a DTS stream.

On the video side of things the Mac mini has a DVI/VGA output.

Canadian prices for the two configurations are $699 and $949. Specifications.

DIY Tunes Turn It Up

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 05:20:28 GMT

Forget practicing tedious scales and studying counterpoint. A new generation of computer tools empowers legions of no-talent composers by making song writing a simple game. Commentary by Clive Thompson.
[Via Wired News]

CBC Arts: Canadian musicians heat up New Orleans

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 20:13:54 GMT

"It was remarkable," said an exhausted but excited Phil Dwyer, the show's musical director, after the show. The veteran pianist and sax player performed alongside trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis. "It was hands-down some of the greatest musicians I have ever played with."

Cool gig. But wow, at what point does one become a 'veteran'? Isn't Phil a bit young for that label?

NACO conductor Zukerman apologizes to players

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 20:08:38 GMT

Conductor Pinchas Zukerman, who abruptly left his post for a sabbatical nearly two months ago, has apologized to the musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
[Via CBC | Arts News]

News: Rocker Townshend cautions iPod users on hearing loss

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:25:25 GMT

Legendary rock guitarist Pete Townshend urges his fans to turn down the volume on their iPods, lest they risk permanent hearing loss.
[Via MacCentral]

BBC NEWS | Technology | Sony's long-term rootkit CD woes

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:45:09 GMT

At about the same time things went from bad to worse. It was soon discovered that Sony's patch created its own security risk - potentially leaving personal computers even more vulnerable than with the initial rootkit - and was pulled from its website.

Sony BMG has released the full list of XCP CDs The company also recalled millions of CDs, losing tens of millions in revenue and effectively acknowledging that the CD was a hazardous product.

The recall was even bigger than anticipated as Sony disclosed that there were at least 52 affected CDs. Moreover, researchers estimated that the damaging program had infected at least 500,000 computers in 165 countries.

Finally, just when it appeared that Sony had hit bottom, analysis of the rootkit revealed that it included open source software code contrary to the applicable licence.

I love this last bit.

What's Online: The Rootkit of All Evil

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 02:10:28 GMT

Sony BMG can learn two lessons from its recent attempt to fend off piracy: One, bloggers will catch you. And two, it's not the screw-up, it's the cover-up.
[Via New York Times: Technology]

USA Today: Sony to pull controversial CDs, offer swap

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 22:22:13 GMT

Sony BMG Music Entertainment said Monday it will pull some of its most popular CDs from stores in response to backlash over copy-protection software on the discs. (Related item: Firestorm rages over lockdown on digital music)

Source: USA Today
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2005-11-14-sony-cds_x.htm

[Via tech.memeorandum]

CBC Arts: Classical star joins Eminem, Dylan on Forbes list

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 15:35:49 GMT

For example, while blockbuster rapper Eminem's last album Encore sold 4.8 million copies since its November 2004 debut, classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma's total album sales reached 176,000 in 2005. However, Ma has 16 Grammy Awards under his belt. As a result, both made it to the Forbes list.

After Criticism, Sony Issues Fix for Hidden Rootkits - Yahoo! News

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 15:35:29 GMT

Sony (NYSE: SNE - news) has admitted that it included a stealth rootkit on some music CDs shipped in 2005 and has issued an update to remove the hidden software one day after it was discovered. The company had drawn criticism from security experts who warned that the technology could serve as a tool for hackers.

How to beat iTunes.

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:15:08 GMT

One way for record companies to beat iTunes and the KaZaas of the world is to simply improve their product. A while ago I picked up Ben Folds' Songs for Silverman on "DUALDISC," which means one side of the disc is in traditional cd format and the other side is in DVD-Audio. The DVD-A side provides some video as well as directly channeling the music into 5.1 sound. The disc sounds great.

The 5.1 sound is sweet if you have a system, and the video is interesting. I don't see any real reason to pay $12 for a cd at Best Buy or Amazon if I can download it on iTunes for $9.99 from my house, but I'll pay for the added value.

The marginal cost of adding a DVD-Audio can't be too high; more record companies should release products like this. Just imagine how great Smashmouth would sound in surround.

[Via Blogdigger Search: DualDisc surround sound]
[Via Blogdigger Search: DualDisc surround sound]

Globe and Mail: Montreal music fell silent over cost of curtain calls

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 17:41:14 GMT

Most important, perhaps, both sides have agreed to speak more often about more things, and not to let a bundle of grievances drive them to the barricades again.

OSM musicians and management finally settle after a five month strike.