Apr 18
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That Melancholy Ghost

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It’s been a real long time since I had to get my wife to drive so I could listen to that brand-new Choir CD, “O How the Mighty Have Fallen” while reading the liner notes. Good news Choir fans: I just checked out their website, and they’re recording again. Here’s one of the songs: Smooth [...]

Author: Stephen Barkley
Jan 13
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From Pop to Profound

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I found this brilliant little piece of music and had to share it. What do you think? Does Hamelin’s treatment of Nokia’s motif cut through the urge to run for your phone? (A related note: Hamelin did a stunning job on Alkan’s Concerto for Solo Piano. He’s got virtuosity to spare!)

Author: Stephen Barkley
Jan 06
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DJ Earworm & the Year of Pop in Review

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Say what you want about the state of pop music today. It takes quite a mind to put it together like this:

Author: Stephen Barkley
Nov 25
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Worship Music, Inc.

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A friend of mine just sent me a link to an excellent post on Worship Music. I’m often frustrated by what I have to work with on any given Sunday morning—Brett McCracken manages to express what I’ve often thought. Give it a read: The Tragedy of (Most) Modern Worship Music

Author: Stephen Barkley
Sep 16
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Bach & Beethoven

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Have you checked out Open Culture yet? You really need to. I returned from a weekend away at Silver Birches camp by Kirkland Lake and found these two brilliant videos on Bach and Beethoven. Enjoy! Bach: Beethoven:

Author: Stephen Barkley
Aug 13
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A Mixtape Just for You

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I just hopped on board the mixtape.me bandwagon. While the catalogue isn’t as deep as I’d hoped, there’s a lot of good stuff on there. Here’s some of the music I’ve been enjoying lately. Enjoy!

Author: Stephen Barkley
Aug 05
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Cash & Dylan: Dueling Legends

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How could I not pass this on? [Unfortunately this video was yanked from YouTube] Check out Open Culture. That’s where I discovered this gem.

Author: Stephen Barkley
Jan 15
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Driving on City Sidewalks | Where Angels Crowd to Listen

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This post is long overdue. You know the joy that comes from discovering a band before they’re popular?  The smug attitude that follows the words, “Yeah, I knew them before they sold out”? Now’s the time: listen to Driving on City Sidewalks. Their sound is inspired by Explosions in the Sky and Appleseed Cast. It’s [...]

Author: Stephen Barkley
Nov 26
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Dueling Legends: Dylan and Cash

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I couldn’t resist pointing this out. Here are two of my musical heroes playing together. You can listen to the whole album here.  I’d start with “Careless Love”. It’s great to hear these two legends interacting with each other while at the top of their game.

Author: Stephen Barkley
Sep 30
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She Only Calls Me On Sundays | Gary Louris

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Every once in a while you find a song so brilliant that it sticks in your head for days. This is one of those songs. I’ve followed Louris for years now (through the Jayhawks and Golden Smog), and this is one of his finest songs. On the surface it seems like a simple country ditty—don’t [...]

Author: Stephen Barkley