Jun 25th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
1. I just turned on the computer to read a rumor that Michael Jackson has died at age 50. Perhaps I will write more when we know whether this is true or not. It doesn’t surprise me but it does sadden me. I grew up with Michael Jackson and the Jackson5 on the radio!
Jun 17th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
We had Libra Time back in October, remembering all the talented Venusians who play or loved music. Now it’s time for the Twins, the Mercurial Ones — all the folks born in the last few weeks who have contributed to the music world. And there are quite a few.
Jun 11th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah, here we are, not at Camp Granada, but all ready for the 2009 Courtyard Concert Series presented by Grounds For Sculpture, kicking off Friday June 12. Every other Friday night, some of the best local and regional talents bring their original music to GFS in Hamilton, when the summertime landscaping is lush and the temps balmy.
This summer’s series looks to be splendid. 3 The Hard Way, a Philadelphia/Baltimore-based band performing reggae, jazz and soul fusion launches the series June 12. The MIXXTAPE, from New Hope, Pa., comes to GFS June 26, for an event that not only showcases the group’s eclectic sound, but also features a litebrite art contest, a cassette tape swap, and tape player recycling. (Cassette tapes: another form of music technology that seems on the verge of extinction — and I still have my carefully made mixes from the 80s!!)
The series continues July 10 with Chris Barron, jamband hero and former lead singer for the Spin Doctors. Alice Leon and The Alice Project will perform on July 24. Things heat up in August with the VooDUDES, on August 7. And the series concludes with the unconventional sounds of The Alfred James Band on August 21. He’s the one with the 5-string, carbon fiber stand-up cello.
It’s a recession friendly evening of music for $15, or you can treat yourself to a 3-course meal at Rat’s Restaurant before the show for $38. (Reservations are required for the pre-concert meal.) For information or to buy tickets, call 609-586-0616.
Now, rain, rain, go away! Those of us with cabin fever want to play!
�
Jun 3rd, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
Gene Simmons of Kiss acted like a jerk when Terry Gross had him on WHYY FM’s “Fresh Air,” but punk godfather Iggy Pop was a perfect gentleman when he was interviewed recently. He was thoughtful, insightful, humorous and not afraid to reveal his deepest thoughts, even talking about a near-death experience. And amazingly, he sounded more sane than a whole lot of people I know around here. Continue Reading »
May 29th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
This is the second time in a little over a month that I think I’m going to have to hide the new issue of Rolling Stone from the dirty-old-man who lives with me. Lady Gaga is on the cover, against a hot pink background, wearing Lucite and soap bubbles and nothing else, except maybe false eye lashes. An inside photo (photography by Dave LaChappelle) looks like something Caligula might have dreamed up, if only Mr. Bubble had been invented in ancient Rome. But at least there are guys in that shot.
May 22nd, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
After a withdrawal period in which my laptop was being held hostage by Dave and his five cats, I am finally able to blog again. The computer repair period came along at the same time as a bad cold combined with allergies, which left me unable to smell anything, a blessing during my my visits to Dave’s place, with its numerous litter boxes.
But I digress. I was well enough to walk around Bordentown last Saturday and was delighted to find May Pang signing copies of her book “Instamatic Karma” in front of The Record Collector. For those who don’t know, May is the woman who was John Lennon’s squeeze in the early and mid-’70s, the time of his life sometimes referred to as “John’s Lost Weekend.”
May 5th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
Where are my middle school girlfriends Debbie and Lanette? Do they know that our old heartthrob Cat Stevens is back? How many times did we walk home from school singing “Peace Train” and “Wild World?”
Now known as Yusuf, Cat Stevens’ career began in Britain more than four decades ago as a singer-songwriter, a bit of a Mod as well as a teen idol. I never knew until recently that he wrote “The First Cut is the Deepest;” Rod Stewart made a heart-wrenching version that you might know. Continue Reading »
Apr 30th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
With the talk about Bruce Springsteen being mentioned in a divorce case as “the other man,” I wondered how his wife and E-Streeter Patti Scialfa reacted? I wondered even more when she was missing from the performances at the Philadelphia Spectrum this week. Continue Reading »
Apr 4th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
1939 was a banner year for many reasons, including the birth of a record label that would become the place for jazz musicians who shaped that genre of music in the 20th century. Founded by Max Margulis and Alfred Lion in 1939, Blue Note Records is celebrating its 70th anniversary with, among other things, a tour that brings together a stellar group of artists.
The anniversary tour arrives in Princeton, at the Matthews Theatre of McCarter Theatre Center, Monday April 6.
Mar 25th, 2009 by Susan Van Dongen
Apologies for being away for so long. Technical difficulties? Ennui?
There’s a sure cure for that: a brush with Bruce.
An online journal reflecting my eclectic taste in music, "Notes From the Gramophone" hopes to spark thought, excitement and communication about live, recorded and broadcast music of many forms and genres, by national, international, regional and local musicians. I believe the more you love music, the more music you love.