Translating my thoughts into words.
One of the original Jesus rockers has died. Larry Norman entered into joy early Sunday morning. Norman was a sometimes controversial figure in the world of contemporary Christian music. I remember him best for his “Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation.” Below is an acoustic version, but the rock version is fantastic.
“May light perpetual shine upon him.”
Another tribute is here.
I can’t remember whether it was Ed Cook who put me on Sufjan Stevens or where I first noticed his work, but among all his other many, many accomplishments SS has some great Christmas music. Reinterpretations of classics and new songs alike (including “The Worst Christmas Ever“). The complete set, including 5 (FIVE!) different CDs is available for purchase, so order it now! You won’t be disappointed. If you are I will give you a firm reassuring hug the next time I see you.
Asthmatic Kitty Records : Sufjan Stevens > Songs For Christmas
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.3MB)
Photography has been around for a surprisingly long time. This shot was taken in 1840 and features Constanze Weber – Wolfang Amadeus Mozart’s wife – at the age of 78 (front left). Mozart died in 1791, widowing Constanze at only 29. She went on to marry a Danish diplomat and lived to see 80. Others in the photo include her friend Swiss composer Max Keller and his relatives, along with the family cook.
This print of an original daguerreotype was found in the town archives of the Bavarian town of Altoetting in Germany. The technique was brand new at the time and required amazing care. Images were captured on a copper plate coated with silver and developed in hot mercury – hardly an environmentally friendly process. This paper print must have been made at a much later date with traditional negative film, because the daguerreotype process created a direct positive. There was no easy way to make multiple copies.
Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre’s process was unveiled to the public in August 1839 and initially required exposures ranging from 3 to 5 minutes. The chemical process and camera optics rapidly improved to reduce exposure time to less than a minute, making it possible to shoot portraits. A properly sealed daguerreotype can last indefinitely, and images of many prominent figures of the mid 19th Century exist, including Edgar Allan Poe and Abraham Lincoln.
A photo of Constance Mozart found!
Via Retro Thing.
I cannot see a code for embedding this video, but I highly encourage you all to go and view it at Stereogum! Thanks JG for pointing this out!
(BTW, postings will still be sporadic for a few more days. Too much to do!)
stereogum: New They Might Be Giants Video – “Mesopotamians”
NEW THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS VIDEO – “MESOPOTAMIANS”
What happens when your band comes from a lost civilization? Navigating a charcoal cityscape on an empty tank with one piece of gum, Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh, aka the Mesopotamians, go Gorillaz with their pet goat/yak. This They Might Be Giants video for The Else’s “Mesopotamians” — which comes after an Apocalypse Now-quoting preview and Monkees-riffing short — finds John Linnell and John Flansburgh referencing the aforementioned as well as Josie And The Pussycats, the Beatles, etc., all the while reminding us of that long-gone Tigris and Euphrates cradle.The boys try to adapt, trading their language-preserving stone tablets for mini-cams and other technological creature comforts, but it’s a little too late … Poor ***ers can’t get catch a break. Miss you, Hammurabi.
