National Jukebox

I was reading this month's Rolling Stone Magazine and buried on p. 20 was some exciting news! The Library of Congress has opened the new National Jukebox website to the public. Visitors to the site can listen to over 10,000+ songs that were recorded between 1901 and 1925. Recordings came from record labels now owned by Sony Music, which has given the Library of Congress permission to stream this music to the public for free.
You can search the site in a variety of ways (by genre, artist, etc) and even create playlists.
I listened to a couple of songs and it was neat to hear them "crackle" as they were being played on their original vinyl. There is a warning right above the player which states: "Historical Recordings may contain offensive language." The Library of Congress explains, ..."the selections are part of the past. They are historical documents which reflect the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of different times."
It is interesting to listen to where we came from both musically and historically.

Happy Listening,
Julie in AV

Ready for Summer?

The weatherman said we set a new record low temperature today for May 26.
BOO! I am soo ready for summer; I can almost taste it! Sunshine, picnics, a trip to the beach--I can almost smell the cocoa butter if I try hard enough....
With the arrival of summer comes the blockbuster movie season, too. We have got some downloadable titles in Overdrive to get you ready for the fun.
The first audiobook I have for you, me hearties, is On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers. This is what the movie Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is based on. The audiobook is narrated by Bronson Pinchot, aka "Balkie" from the TV show "Perfect Strangers," and promises to be good fun. Here's a link to the catalog to see if the previous "Pirates" movies, are in so you can refresh your memory before going to see the new one. (There is a bonus DVD in this list that you can checkout and keep for two weeks to get your pirate fix.) YAAARRRGGGH!
Jim Carrey returns to the big screen this summer in a remake of Richard Atwater's classic children's book, Mr. Popper's Penguins. Don't just take your children to go see the movie--reward them with it after they listen to the audiobook. Play it for them while you are eatting dinner, or on a road trip this summer. There is an excellent article in a magazine the library subscribes to, Audiofile Magazine, that discusses why listening to audiobooks is good for all kids--especially in the digital age. Besides, the kids can also count the audiobook towards the library's Summer Reading Program, which starts on June 6th. It's a win-win-win!
One more audiobook to look forward to this summer, Janet Evanovich's "Smokin' Seventeen!" Summer wouldn't be the same without the adventures of Stephanie and Lula on my MP3 player while I'm weeding my garden. Smokin' Seventeen will be available June 21st. All you Stephanie Plum fans can look forward to the movie, "One for the Money" due to come out in early 2012.
Stay warm out there today, cool out there tomorrow, and thanks for listening...
~Julie in AV

Welcome Freegal!

Combine the word "free" and the word "legal" and you've got FREEGAL, the library's new downloadable music service! You can download three FREE songs per week from Sony's music catalog. The songs are DRM-free and yours to keep; you can transfer them to devices or burn them to CD. The best part about the service is that there are no overdues and there is no waiting for popular artists. Speaking of popular artists, Freegal has Foo Fighters, Paul Simon, Adele, Mumford & Son, Cake, Bob Dylan and many, many more.
Take a look and let me know what you think!

Happy listening,
Julie

Sounds of MY Universe

I apologize to my two loyal followers. It's been over a year since my last post. What is worth writing about after a year's hiatus, you ask?
Depeche Mode's new album, Sounds of the Universe. After listening to just a few songs, I have an intense desire to see the band live. I don't know why, but Sounds of the Universe is as engaging to me as Pink Floyd's the Wall was the first time I really listened to it from beginning to end.
With that build up, I am sure you will listen to it, and not agree with me.
Hopefully I haven't just cursed DM Blair Witch style...
[And by the Blair Witch curse, I mean, the first few people to see the movie "The Blair Witch Project" gave it such wonderful reviews that by the time everyone else got around to seeing it--they didn't think it lived up to all the hype.]
Promising to keep you posted more often,
Julie in AV

"Bandwagon Alert:" An Album to be named in my divorce papers

I stole an idea from my sister who stole it from... someone else, I'm sure. The best albums out there are albums that are actually worth fighting for when you break-up with someone or get divorced. I've got a new album to add to my list:
"The Swell Season" by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. All you hipsters might recognize the names from listening to XRT, or from seeing the movie ONCE. I have not yet seen the movie, but already know that I will probably like it--the soundtrack is amazing.
I bought "The Swell Season," since the soundtrack and film have had rave reviews. I must say that I am just enamored with it. It is an album that is hauntingly good and just begs to be listened to. I imagine it is an album I would crank up and sing along with in my car after attending a funeral for a loved one. Dramatic, definately.
There is no link to this album in the library catalog just yet. I must listen to it a few more times before I bid it adieu and send it to be cataloged for you to check out. I'm sorry, but it is just that good. Look for it soon and love it like I do.
As Always,
I'll keep you posted...
Julie

Miss Jackson, if you're nasty!

Janet Jackson released her new album "Discipline" this week. Her voice has been "synthed-up" quite a bit, but it is worth giving a listen to. The single "Feedback" sounds like it will definately be a club hit, but the repetition of one word "sexy" in the song over and over just CRACKS ME UP! The way her synthed voice says "sexy" reminds me of a girl who got teased mercilessly in my elementary school for her lisp. Janet's singing of the word "sexy" sounds like her tongue is rolled up in her mouth and it creates the most awful sounding lisp--not that there is anything wrong with people who lisp, mind you, but the word "sexy" is anything but when it is sung that way. Listen to it on Janet's MySpace page and see if you agree with me.
There are many solid tracks on the album, including "The 1" with Missy Elliott, and "So Much Betta" which are perfect to listen to when getting ready for a night out with the girls.
"Discipline" has got a little something for everyone, some slow jams, club hits and bizarre musings with Keoko. Curiousity killed the cat, but give "Discipline" a listen, you won't be disappointed.
As Always,
I'll keep ya posted...
Julie

Super Petty!

I went through a Tom Petty phase a few years back, and last night's Superbowl performance was such a nice flashback for me. I must admit I cranked up our surround sound and danced around the living room while "American Girl" was playing. My four-year-old daughter wanted the music louder and she got up and danced, too.
One word describes Petty's performance last night--solid. The thing I love about Tom Petty is that he doesn't need any back-up. You could put Petty in a room with a guitar and he would sound just as great as he does up on stage. You don't need all the flash and glam modern performers tend to rely on. He is just good old school rock-n-roll. No worries about any wardrobe malfunctions with a guy like Petty.
Last night's track list:
American Girl
I Won't Back Down
Free Fallin'
Runnin' Down a Dream
Petty's performance last night makes me want to relive my college days and go see him in concert again. The best seats in the house for his upcoming July show at the United Center are only $100--so tempting...might even have to pack up my four-year-old and take her with me!
Soccermom? Nah, I like "Rockermom" better!
As always,
I'll keep you posted...