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The CHIRP Blog
Cher Vincent writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2013: Cher Vincent
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2013. Our next list is from DJ Cher Vincent.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Lenny Kaye Edition
Today, we celebrate a real renaissance man in rock music history, Lenny Kaye. Kaye, first and foremost, was the lead guitarist in The Patti Smith Group, producing her earliest work and playing with her throughout the ‘70s, and then rejoining her in the mid-‘90s. He also played in other bands, including the Jim Carroll Band. Before his professional rocking days, he was a music critic and magazine editor, publishing some of Stephen King’s first work. He later put together the historic double album compilation Nuggets, spurring the first garage rock revival. He is also an accomplished historian and author, writing books about everything from Waylon Jennings to ‘20s and ‘30s crooners. In honor of this fascinating career, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that comw up.
Josh Friedberg: Music Historian's Corner writesRediscovering Our Record Collections: “Blue” by Joni Mitchell
Today's "Rediscovering Our Record Collections" entry looks at Joni Mitchell's 1971 album Blue. Joni, often considered an icon of women in music and of introspective singer-songwriters, gained a million-selling album with Blue's confessional songs about love, loss, and travel with minimal musical accompaniment from the likes of James Taylor and Stephen Stills. Despite containing classics like "Big Yellow Taxi" and "The Circle Game," her previous work was considered a small step compared to Blue's powerful, moving lyrics and vocals.
Prior to releasing her first album in 1968, Joni was an art student whose songs were getting covered by the likes of folksingers Judy Collins and Tom Rush, but she quickly emerged as a formidable singer-songwriter and guitarist in her own right. Blue is often considered her greatest masterpiece, noted for its famously confessional and deeply personal lyrics, and yet it has also been called "universal" by a number of critics. I first heard Blue around 1999, and my initial reaction was one of some disappointment.
Mike Bennett writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2013: Mike Bennett
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2013. Our next list is from DJ and CHIRP Radio Vice President Mike Bennett.
I listened to at least 120 albums this year, and probably closer to 140. Another fine year for music, making the decisions quite tough. Here's how it shook out for me:
Rubbed in Dirt, Dipped in Sugar writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2013: John Lombardo
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2013. Our next list is from DJ and Music Director John Lombardo.