Type M
... for music
Edited by Sheldon Robertson
Vol.2 No. 1   Jan. 2008
Intro
Three Days of Peace, Love and Politics
Who campaigns against Woodstock? During a recent Republican presidential debate, Sen. John McCain took Sen. Hillary Clinton to task for voting for $1 million to fund a museum honouring the 1969 Woodstock music festival, then followed up with a campaign ad to hammer home the point. While Sen. McCain's comments are consistent with previous positions of his about government spending in support of the arts, it still seems surprising that he would make a point to take a stand against the source of some of the Baby Boomers' most cherished memories. Positioning himself as the anti-hippie may help Sen. McCain in his quest for the Republican nomination, but it could affect how he's perceived by the general electorate, especially by veteran music fans who vote.

***
Type M would like to thank its readers for all their support during 2007, and here's to a great 2008...


Jan.  2008
Lake Worth, Florida
Playback
Concert Review: Stephen Marley
Oct. 13, 2007
Clemente Center
The youngest son of reggae's elite family has been touring this year in support of his debut solo album, "Mind Control", and played the penultimate date of his American tour on the campus of Florida Tech University in Melbourne.
While the auditorium was modestly-sized, the mostly college-aged crowd received the former Melody Maker with enthusiasm that never wavered, perhaps inspired by the relentless flag-waving of the rasta colours throughout the performance by "Flagman" Judah and Stephen's pint-sized son Jeremiah.
The setlist for this concert seemed like a tacit acknowledgement that, as a solo artiste, Stephen is currently labouring in the shadow of both his father (the legendary Bob Marley) and some of his better-known brothers (such as Damien Marley, whose albums were produced by Stephen). The concert opened with "Punky Reggae Party", one of several Bob Marley songs performed that evening. To his credit, Stephen included more than just the obvious choices ("One Love", "Three Little Birds") and also performed some of his father's lesser-known work, such as "Iron Lion Zion" and "Duppy Conqueror". The other artist Stephen covered was Ray Charles, with a  melancholy rendition of the ballad "Lonely Avenue".

Late in his set, Stephen brought on his half-brother Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, currently flying high on the success of his 2005 album, "Welcome To Jamrock". For this evening's performance,  Damian performed his deejay toasts for Stephen's Mind Control tracks "Traffic Jam"  and "All Night", and the set ended with the Marley sons performed their father's tune "Could You Be Loved" as rendered on Damian's 2001 release "Half Way Tree".

During his performance, Stephen was ably supported by his touring band, particularly by his backing singers Erica Newell and Simone Gordon, who danced energetically whilst providing strong vocals,  and his young guitarist Ranoy, whose solos were understated but appropriate.

Stephen himself played rhythm guitar and the occasional conga drum for some of the songs, and overall, seemed to be enjoying himself while onstage, encouraging the audience to sing along with him, especially while performing his father's songs. All in all, Florida Tech received enjoyable performances from the current generation of reggae stars.
Ad-lib to Fade
Not The Same Old Lang Syne

On Dec. 16th, 2007, '80s soft-rock favourite Dan Fogelberg succumbed to prostrate cancer. A look back at the singer-songwriter's more memorable compositions:

Longer - This love ballad, still popular on romantic-dedication radio programs, owes a heavy debt to Beatle compositions such as "Yesterday" and "Penny Lane"

The Leader of the Band - Another gentle guitar ballad written as a tribute to Fogelberg's musician father.

Same Old Auld Lang Syne - Lyrical (and musical)  references to the traditional New Year's singalong ensures annual airplay for this tune at year-end, but the song's subject matter is literally about old friends, specifically a chance bittersweet encounter with a high-school flame.
Archive
May 2007 (Inaugral Edition)

June/July 2007

Aug./Sept 2007

Oct./Nov. 2007
Copyright (c) 2008 Sheldon Robertson
Send feedback to: [email protected]
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1