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August 27, 2009
Listen to the Music!
Nothing embodies or expresses a culture more fully - and more enticingly - than its music. As I mentioned in a previous post, my dream job would be to host a radio program where I could share my love of music across the 20th Century (and more). Thanks to the internet...
....music from all eras and cultures is available to almost anyone, anytime. And you can't beat the price - free!
Here are just a few of my favorite online music sources:
When I am in a folk music mood, WUMB (http://www.wumb.org/home) out of Boston can't be beat. They have profiles of up and coming artists as well rarely heard tracks from vintage folk performers. Get a cup of tea and listen to some Roots music that will soothe your soul and make you laugh (or cringe) at the foibles of people just like you.
In the quiet of the evening, I tend to like jazz. I am probably biased, but the best jazz (and news) station just has to be KPLU (http://www.kplu.org/). If you want pure jazz with no news or commercials, you can listen to the jazz stream at www.jazz24.org. You will hear vintage jazz artists like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane as well as many contemporary artists like Madeleine Peyroux and many others.
For those with a taste for vintage psychedelic music of the late 1960s, Wolfgang's Vault (http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/) is essential listening. Most of the music (and videos) are from San Francisco's famed Fillmore auditorium. You will find music or video clips of everyone from Phish to B.B. King to Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin and the Grateful Dead, and many, many more. Besides music, there are also authentic Woodstock era posters, T shirts, mugs and other random monuments to that spirit.
When I am in a mood that is both relaxed and eclectic, I like to listen to KOHO (http://www.kohoradio.com/) where I can find an unpredictable mix of music that is invigorating as well as comforting. KOHO is a thoughtful refuge from the craziness of my typical day.
And when it comes to near pure free-form eclectic, you just can't beat KZAM (http://www.kzam.net/). If you want new and unexpected, you'll hear it on KZAM.
Got any favorite online sources for music you'd like to share?
Let us know and we'll post them!
It is good to remember that we are all always learning. And it is always more fun to learn together. We can learn as much from the past as from the present.
Let me know what it is about English that you find confounding, infuriating or endlessly intriguing.
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
Posted by mmorf at August 27, 2009 12:53 PM
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Comments
Thank you for the useful URLs.
I will try to listen music in switch of mood.
Taku
Posted by: taku at August 27, 2009 11:47 PM
Hi,
Could you recommend any sites where I can download music lessons for classes of various lessons? It would be great if those music mp3's came with worksheets.
Thanks.
Fatma
Posted by: Fatma at October 16, 2009 09:41 AM
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
Posted by: Camelia Gebbia at January 12, 2010 02:38 PM
I know this is really boring and you are skipping to the next comment, but I just wanted to throw you a big thanks - you cleared up some things for me!
Posted by: Jermaine Zou at January 14, 2010 07:23 PM
