How to Speak Hip

Del Close's How to Speak Hip, online, for free.

Elvis Perkins

And how about a shout-out to World Party's opening act Aug. 12, Elvis Perkins. There's a new generation of kids out there with some fine musical chops. (Jackie Greene, who opened for Mavis Staples, is another example.) Perkins' band made "ancient" music cool again. The drummer stepped out from behind his kit to strap on a big marching-band drum, and proceeded to rock out. Another band member played a harmonium, first time I'd ever seen one used in a live performance. What a cool sound.

World Party...whoo hoo!!

Absolute bliss. That's what I felt experiencing World Party at the Great American Music Hall last Saturday night. So what if the sound system sucked! Karl Wallinger is the master of melody. His songs stick in your head for weeks and months. I even forgave his ramble about Bertrand Russell between songs. To hear Vanity Fair, It is Time, Message in a Box, She's the One, Sweet Soul Dream, Is it Like Today?, Is it Too Late?, Way Down Now, winding up with the great Ship of Fools...live with a kick-ass backing band...whoo hoo!!

Glide Magazine just published a great interview with Karl. It's full of lots of usually unspoken truths about both the music and technology businesses.