NeutralAxis

Sia is an artist I’ve come across lately whom I can’t get enough of. I’ve picked up all her solo CDs and also some from Zero 7 that she performs on. (Two sentence ending prepositions in a row.. I’m on a roll.) Check out the samples and a fantastic clip from a performance on Letterman after the jump. (continue reading…)

Every once in awhile I stop at the public library and pick out a CD from an artist I’ve heard nothing about.  My only guidance is the cover art and the genre printed on the label.  This week I found Miss Understood by Carolyn Wonderland on the shelf, labeled “Blues” and decided to give it a try.   Sometimes I make awful choices, and sometimes I find a gem.  This was a bit of a gem that still needed some polishing. (continue reading…)

I’ve been using the open source Crossfire music streaming web app on my iPhone for awhile now, but a recent update has made it much more reliable. Crossfire requires the Firefly media server be installed and operating on the computer where your music is stored. It then provides a web based interface that you can browse to with the iPhone or iPod Touch to play your music. Basically, it makes it as if your device has unlimited song storage capacity.  No jailbreak process is required. (continue reading…)

This weeks featured CD is As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls by Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays.  While I usually try to pick something that perhaps isn’t so well known, Pat Metheny will certainly be known to people who enjoy jazz.  I’ve owned this CD since at least 1986 and still enjoy listening to it while reading or doing other quiet things. (continue reading…)

Lifehacker.com has found another interesting looking media center for playback of movies, TV Shows, music, photos, and Internet media called Moovida.  The interface is nice looking and is optimized for playback on a TV in HD.  Cross-platform for Linux, Windows and Mac (pending).  See the Lifehacker article and Moovida site for screenshots and feature lists.

Moovida.com

It’s been perfect weather this weekend and I’ve spent the evenings out on the deck enjoying the breeze and listening to music from a Roku Soundbridge that’s connected to some outdoor speakers.  The catch was having to go back inside to make changes to what was playing or adjust the volume.  I found two solutions without leaving the chaise lounge. (continue reading…)

I ran across a new iTunes compatible music streamer for the web, called PulpTunes, and thought it looked like it was worth a try.  But after looking at their demo, I decided against it.  While the user interface is pretty, it would be cumbersome with a large collection. (continue reading…)

I heard Diane Birch perform on Craig Ferguson this week and liked her performance well enough to see what else I could find from her.  This CD, Bible Belt, appears to be her debut.  Some of the reviews I’ve read have compared her to Norah Jones, but in my opinion, that’s not a valid comparison.  Ms. Birch is going for a pop sound rather than Jones’ smoky jazz style.  She’s also steering clear of the singer/songwriter/piano waif style that seems to be all too common.  Vintage Carole King might be a more valid comparison.  Give it a listen. (continue reading…)

The temperature is due to hit 90F today, so I”m picking a very summery CD by The Orange Peels called Circling The Sun for this week.  It has that “jangley”, happy summer sound that says its time to spend more time outside. (continue reading…)

Since finding the Amazon.com widget for easily putting legal song samples online, I decided I’d try to feature a different album/CD/download (whatever the kids are calling them these days) each weekend.  They won’t necessarily be new, but will simply be a favorite of mine, and maybe not so well known.  Last week was The Detroit Cobras (just pretend it was posted on the weekend.) This weekend is SO3 and their album, Lose The Girl. (continue reading…)