28Feb 2014 by R&O No Comments
Aural Masterpieces – Music in the 70’s

Aural Masterpieces – Music in the 70’s

Music, Observations
Once upon a time, music was fucking awesome. Then the 80's came along and ruined everything. The 80's birthed such aural atrocities as Dead or Alive, Starship, Guns 'n Roses, Madonna and other nasty poo. That said, it wasn't all lost, with occasional gems that popped up like The Sundays, Madness, Suzanne Vega and Roxy Music. But, in my exalted and biased opinion, the good stuff was left behind in the 1970's. Music like ELP's From the Beginning (see audio/video below), David Bowie's albums Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust, Queen's first, second and third albums, Yes with their prog rock anthem Roundabout and the incomparable Mike Oldfield all made life in the 70's that much better. FM radio was in its infancy as DJs spun entire albums (Dark Side of…
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25Dec 2013 by R&O No Comments
Maestro For A Minute

Maestro For A Minute

Events, Music, People, Silly Stuff
Last week, lucky holiday shoppers at Vancouver’s Oakridge Centre had the chance to ‘conduct’ professional choir Musica Intima Vocal Ensemble in a performance of Handel’s Messiah (in homage to Improv Everywhere’s “Conduct Us"). It's harder than it looks. Especially when the choir actually follows the conductor. Watch the video above and you can't tell me the woman at 2:54 hasn't done this before. And the guy right after her has NEVER conducted a choir in his life. Really. But all good fun and worth a few laughs for shoppers and participants. And those of us that watch the video above. [youtube]6Z4Avnsjpbo[/youtube]
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24Dec 2013 by R&O No Comments
When Price Isn’t an Issue

When Price Isn’t an Issue

Music, Observations, Of Interest, People
Fazioli pianos are arguably the finest pianos in the world, hand made in Italy and priced accordingly. Their model F308 is the largest concert pianoforte in production today at 10' 3" and comes with an equally large base price of $147,000.00. That's the base price. Now add a custom, very high-end case and you're talking about serious dough. Vancouver resident Zhao Zai Chen commissioned architect Ernest Collins and his wife, professional artist/designer Grace Gordon-Collins to design a case for this world-class musical instrument. After all, Collins designed the 19,000 square foot Shaughnessy home (worth $17.5 million when Chen purchased it in 2010) where the piano would reside, so why not design a case for the custom built piano? Duh. Ernest and Grace also designed the cabinet that went in behind…
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23Jun 2013 by R&O No Comments
Pierces = Pure Pop Pleasure

Pierces = Pure Pop Pleasure

Music, Of Interest
Who would have thought that an insipid rom com would introduce me to some of the freshest, purest pop I've heard in some time. Behold The Pierces, sisters, writers and performers of creative, catchy and addictive tunes not heard since Heart's debut Dreamboat Annie back in 1975. They even have the black hair/blond hair, guitar player thing goin' on but the roles are reversed. Oh, and they're not too hard on the eyes, much like the lovely Wilson sisters. The Pierces are Allison Margaret Pierce and Catherine Eleanor Pierce, born two years apart in Birmingham, Alabama. Their most recent release, the 2011 album You & I, is on constant rotation on my iphone, in my car and everywhere else I can listen at some time during the day. To say…
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