I had a great time this weekend playing guitar for saxophonist Euge Groove in Nashville at Jazz and Jokes, and in Chattanooga at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.
The band was a great group of guys: Anton Nesbitt on bass, Kenny Phillips on drums, and Karlton Taylor on Keys.
Euge has toured with Tower of Power, Tina Turner, and many others. Whether you need to hear some funky horns, or, relax with a smooth ballad, checkout his music.
Website, YouTube, iTunes, Amazon.
My good friend, Jeremy Nixon, turned me on to the album Forest Fruit by Knobsticker. It’s like 70’s Funk and 80’s Pop with Jazz mixed in. Lots of thick synth sounds in here! Here’s the album link on Spotify and a small sample below. Enjoy!
Podcasting opens up a a great way to learn on the go, and Downcast for the iPhone is the tool I use to make it happen.
What is a podcast?A podcast is a digital media file, audio or video, that usually comes in episodes that can be subscribed to and downloaded via web syndication, like iTunes, or is available for streaming online to a computer or mobile device.
Podcasting sets before us a wealth of knowledge for free. Just about any subject you’d like to learn about has a related podcast. And, since you can listen via your mobile device, you can expand your mind during your morning commute, or while exercising, or cooking, or whenever you’d like.
I used to hate driving for long periods of time. Now, I don’t mind it so much because I can better myself on the go. I listen to podcasts about how to improve my business, songwriting, making wise financial decisions, staying healthy, and more.
Choose an area of life that interests you. Choose the host or voice you feel a connection with. And, suddenly, it’s like you have a personal coach guiding you down a new path of knowledge. I get inspired after each episode I listen to.
Pat Flynn – Smart Passive Income (iTunes / RSS)
Dave Ramsey – EntreLeadership (iTunes / RSS)
Joyce Meyer – Enjoying Everyday Life (iTunes / RSS)
Michael Hyatt – This is Your Life (iTunes / RSS)
Sodajerker on Songwriting (iTunes / RSS)
Seth Godin’s Startup School (iTunes)
Downcast is straight forward and fully customizable. You can search and download podcasts right from the iPhone without syncing with the computer first. At the time of this writing, Downcast is $1.99. A steal when you consider the hours you will spend learning with it. If you need a free option, Apple’s Podcasts app will do.
Downcast is for Apple devices only. But, if you’re on Android, Doggcatcher, Beyondpod, and Pocket Casts are great options.
Listening to podcasts has made me productive during times when it’s difficult to be otherwise. I encourage you to take your downtime, like when you’re driving, and make the most of it by investing in yourself via podcasts.
The Daft Punk album Random Access Memories (iTunes / Spotify) has been just about all I’ve listened to recently. The whole album feels great. It pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The single “Get Lucky” is just the tip of the iceburg.
Daft Punk has been at the forefront of Electronic music for more than 2 decades. But, in this album, they surprised everyone by going organic. They recorded the album to tape instead of computer at Electric Ladyland (the NY studio built for Jimi Hendrix). And, they asked producer and guitarist Nile Rogers (Chic, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, and MANY more) to help them put it all together. From the first track, you can hear Niles’ beautiful and distinct dance/disco influence.
Each song has a feel I have to listen to again and again. But, I’d have to say the song that hit me the hardest was “Giorgio by Moroder.”
The interview at the beginning of “Giorgio” is great, but, the musical magic starts at 1:52 with a catchy, feel-good synth line. Then around 4:08, it makes you feel like you’re in a Jazz club with a great keys solo. Strings come in at 5:16 with a nice arrangement, then a Rock feel joins the strings at 5:49. Dynamic change at 6:58 with a feature of drums and bass. Slowly they mix a filter into the drums to prepare for the drum solo at 7:31.
After I heard it, I immediately had to hear it again. That hasn’t happened to me in a long time.
