I love everything about Kanye’s new single. I love the beat. I love the King Crimson sample.

And I love the cover art for the single.

I haven’t been excited about anything he’s done for years, so this is a welcomed change.

I only kinda like the lyrics – but if he’s got something to say on the rest of the forthcoming album, he’ll earn these lyrics.

Here’s hoping it’s not just empty posturing.
Kanye West – Power

I am quite relaxed about it. But, you know, it is a massive change and it does alter the fact that people don’t make as much money out of records.
But I have a take on that – people only made money out of records for a very, very small time. When The Rolling Stones started out, we didn’t make any money out of records because record companies wouldn’t pay you! They didn’t pay anyone!
Then, there was a small period from 1970 to 1997, where people did get paid, and they got paid very handsomely and everyone made money. But now that period has gone.
So if you look at the history of recorded music from 1900 to now, there was a 25 year period where artists did very well, but the rest of the time they didn’t.

Enjoy.

Sam Phillips :: The Long Play :: Exclusive Content For Subscribers Only! .

(via)

This is a really interesting idea as far as how musicians can make some bank without the help of a major label. Now granted, the subscription model may be difficult to get some volume with if you’ve never had major-label success. For instance, I’m certainly not signing up for this – I’m not a big enough Sam Phillips fan. Frankly, I only barely know who she is.

But I can definitely think of acts (large and small) that I would sign up for … if you lowered the price point, that number would grow exponentially … and it wouldn’t have the stigma of a “fan club” – .

Neko Case & Crooked Fingers @ Nokia Theatre – pics, setlist – BrooklynVegan.

Also, check out what the violinist is wearing.  Makes Coldplay look fashionable.

YouTube – ORIGINAL NBA on NBC Theme – Roundball Rock – John Tesh www.tesh.com.

So if you like Neko (and/or animals), please do the same. Learn more here.

Direct Link: People Got a Lotta Nerve by Neko Case

If you visit this site by going to urbanblight.net … soon that url will load my Tumblr site.

HOWEVER, if you read this site on a feed (you awesome person), then you will need to do something.

Please update your feed reader to the following:

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If you want to go to my Tumblr site now, visit:

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The design is currently just an Obama theme.  Someday I’ll change that.  Someday.

Especially if it brings us things like that Cadbury ad from last year.

I used to have to hide my collection of Phil Collins music.

It’s extensive.

It’s more than you have.

It’s probably more than your parents have … and they have plenty of generational excuses.  Me, on the other hand … I’m not sure what my excuse is.  It started when I was young and lonely in middle school … listening to adult contemporary radio stations … making dedications on Connecticut After Dark to people I knew weren’t listening.

At a middle school dance, I requested Phil Collins’ cover of “Groovy Kind of Love” for a girl … who then denied my request for a dance during it.  She later gave me a pity dance during GnR’s “Patience.”  A musical battle line had been drawn for me, the shadows of which remain to this day.

I’m proud to say that I have a much more sophisticated musical pallette in my advanced years … but I’m pretty sure I can trace it back to Phil Collins.   My voracious pre-adolescent appetite for more Phil lead me to Genesis … which got me into prog rock (7 minute keyboard solos, songs about wizards, etc.) and their original lead singer, Peter Gabriel … which broadened my horizons in several directions (world music, soul, electronica, avant garde, etc.).  Eventually that exploration lead me to my uncomfortably large music collection (I’m closing in on 2100 hours of music – that’s nearly 3 months).

So thank you, Phil Collins.  And here’s hoping you get your recognition soon.  Might I suggest a “comeback” album, produced by Rick Rubin?

In the meantime, here’s a little 8 minute snippet of Phil progged out on his first tour as lead singer of Genesis … sharing drum duties with Bill Bruford (of Yes).