Hackneyed

  • Today Would Have Been Daniel Johnston’s 60th Birthday

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    Luke
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    He fought mental illness his entire life, and by my estimation was at best a serviceable guitarist, decent pianist and awful singer. One that wrote simple, often naive lyrics. But there is a reason even the most mainstream of alt-rock-kingpins (Cobain, Veddar and Cornell) loved him so dearly. In their simplicity, his songs were haunting…

  • Suntory

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    Luke
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    Got home from work this evening, put Coltrane’s Love Supreme on the hi-fi and poured a glass of Suntory. To quote Monk, “Straight, No Chaser.” Pretty sure this is how I looked about a half hour ago when I was pouring my first drink: Thinking I need to step up my game a bit though,…

  • Current Header: Thelonious Monk

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    Luke
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    In 1960, Dixieland soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy joined the jazz legend’s band for a tour with John Coltrane. Young, wide-eyed and starstruck, he absorbed all he could, eventually writing down Monk’s words of wisdom. Applicable in jazz, so too applicable in life: Just because you’re not a drummer, doesn’t mean you don’t have to keep…

  • Dezron Douglas and Brandee Younger – Force Majeure

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    Luke
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    Cutting a jazz record is usually done so either live or by “getting the band back together” in a little room and ripping it up. This album, named after the clause in contracts that allows events to be cancelled due to an “act of God,” speaks of that struggle. A compilation of weekly online performances…

  • O gentle and loving St Fiona,

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    Luke
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    Patron Saint of Self-Isolation, for you I shall fetch thy bolt cutters, for you are forever in my heart, & forever my heart. Amen.

  • There is a Light That Never Goes Out

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    Luke
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    How are you? What are you working on, artistically or otherwise? Who or what has shaped who you are? What inspires you? Send a letter to luke@retroduck.com and let me know. From artist/writer Tim Lane, here is one on The Smiths, his days as a Catholic school boy, the convolution of memory and revelation, and…

  • This is what a decade on Last.fm looks like.

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    Luke
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    Listened to 315,504 songs, spread over 10,147 artists, according to my (second) account. Looking at my top artists, if you were to ask if those were my favortites, I would say, “Close enough.”

  • Story of an Artist

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    Luke
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    Listen up and I’ll tell a story, about an artist growing old. Some would try for fame and glory, others aren’t so bold. And everyone in friends and family, sayin’ “Hey, go get a job. Why do you only do that only? Why are you so odd? “And we don’t really like what you do.…

  • Streaming Music Raises Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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    Luke
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    Here is something I’ve never thought about. From Pitchfork: Though the overall plastic production in the recording industry has dropped, greenhouse gas emissions caused by music consumption have reached an unprecedented high, a new study from the University of Glasgow shows. The changes in environmental impact are due to the decreasing popularity of physical music…

  • If a star was born in 1937, 1954, 1976 and 2018…

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    Luke
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    … the mid/late 90s Mariah Carey/Diddy R&B/hip-hop remake must have gotten lost in a time warp.

  • So I have been reading. A bit.

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    Luke
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    I was very slowly working my way through Jude the Obscure, but I put that down for the Beastie Boys Book. I am aware I am the only person in the history of civilization that will ever say that. I’ve been missing Bob lately. I was hoping to see his name in the photo credits.…

  • Sunday Morning/Early Afternoon Not Live

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    Luke
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    Last night ‘s episode had some fun moments. Really related to the bit in Matt Damon’s monologue about staying up late with his dad to watch the show as a child. And somehow related to the Weezer sketch even more. #TeamLeslie Also, say what you will about Miley (I have), but I enjoyed her performance and…

  • Favorite “Live” Dead:

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    Luke
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    Bear’s Choice The Closing of Winterland Cornell, 5/8/77 Dick’s Picks, Volume 8 Europe ’72 Grateful Dead Ladies and Gentlemen…

  • If you ever find yourself in Harlem on a Sunday afternoon…

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    Luke
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    …stop by Marjorie Eliot’s. 555 Edgecombe Avenue, Apartment 3-F.

  • Two Opinions Concerning Miley Cyrus:

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    Luke
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    1. I am not really a fan of her music. 2. I am absolutely a fan of her “Backyards Sessions.” She has great taste in music. “Love What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma,” “So Happy Together,” “Different,” “True Trans Soul Rebel,” “Androgynous” and “Don’t Dream It’s Over” are all worth a listen. Whomever is…

  • “Sooner or later…

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    Luke
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    your legs give way, you hit the ground. Sooner or later, you hit the deck, you get found out. Save it for later, don’t run away and let me down.”