Here Comes The End...Of The World!

I am sure you are aware that a popular notion being bandied about in the media is that December 21, 2012 will mark the end of the world. Once the Mayan calendar runs out, it is thought by many that some catalysmic change will be enacted upon the earth. We don't know if there is a series of natural disasters that will occur, a heavanly body will impact us, or a black hole will manifest and swallow the planet up. Doomsday is right around the corner and it brings to mind some songs which have embodied a similar thought pattern. Check out The Who's "Had Enough", The Osmonds' "Last Days" and REM's "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine". Have a listen ASAP. Before it's too late!

Toy Instruments: Design, Nostalgia, Music

I highly recommend this book by Eric Schneider. You will find within the pages of "Toy Instruments", a wealth of musical toys that appealed to children and adults as well. The stylophone is one of the many instruments discussed. David Bowie even used one for his recording of "Space Oddity". I personally owned the Musson toy synthesizer. This simple keyboard contraption incorporated a crude sequencer which could be set to play at varying speeds to sweep the note "pegs" which could be moved to generate simple melodies. I had many hours of enjoyment with the device. I even output the "toy" through delay and effects boxes to increase the fun. Check this book out. Who knows. You may recognize one of your own favorite toy musical instruments!

Merry Christmas 2012!

Have a very merry Christmas from EMI!

Paul McCartney's Electric Ukulele

Late into his set performing at the 121212 Concert for Hurricane Sandy relief, Paul McCartney joined in with the remaining members of Nirvana for a loud noise workout. McCartney was equipped with what looked like a cigar box with a guitar neck attached. You could see him fiddling with the volume and tone knobs, too. Paul played the thing with a slide. I think it was an electric ukulele. Seeing as how Paul plays a uke in concert, this is my guess. A very arresting looking instrument, though. Quite similar in appearance to the guitar Bo Diddley used to play.

Electronics Now Analog ThumbDrum Kit

The Electronics Now Thumbdrum kit was a unit that produced a number of analog percussion instrument sound imitations. As seen in the picture, your fingers would tap on the rubber pads to produce the sound assigned to that tab. The results were fairly crude sounding imitations of hand claps, snare drums, cymbals, wood block, etc. There were pots located on the back of the unit that could be adjusted to sharpen the attacks on the sounds so there was a little bit of extra tonal variety available through the Thumbdrum. The whole kit included building the circuit board with the various components included and wiring to the control pads and then assembling the sheet metal case to its wooden end pieces. A fun project to build with some OK sounding percussion instruments to toy with.

Rock and Roll Assholes Part 2 - Blonds

As they get older, some rock performers try to extend their youthful appearance by changing their hair color. Witness the guy second from the left in this picture. That's not his natural hair color but one day, WALLA! A bleached blond mane. The two folks on the right edge of the photo appear to have let nature take its course and have let the gray have its way.

MONKEES LIVE 2012

The Monkees hit the road again: Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, and Peter Tork in concert at the Flint Center in Cupertino, CA. Their performance was combined with some video tribute pieces to Davey Jones, who passed away earlier this year.

Bruce Springsteen Afloat!

Bruce Springsteen at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA. on 11/30/12. Carried aloaft a human and camera sea.