My ReverbNation Widget

This is a really cool widget that serves as an all purpose fan based viral marketing tool. What this means is that any fan can take this widget and share my music with anyone on a variety of internet networks. All they have to do is click on the orange share button, post to their favorite network or copy the embed code and paste it into their own website. The widget contains my songs, video, photos, performance dates, store, blog and internet buzz. Developed by ReverbNation, it's one of the best music marketing widgets I have seen. Try it...ain't it cool? RR

"BILLY STRAYHORN: LUSH LIFE"

I saw this film about Billy Strayhorn last night on PBS. It left me disappointed in Duke Ellington. You see, Billy Strayhorn composed and arranged many of Ellington's most popular hits such as 'Take the A Train', 'Lush Life', and 'Satin Doll'. Duke Ellington took the credit and didn't share the royalties for many of these songs! If you get a chance to see this film, don't miss it. It really does honor this amazing composer and seeks to set the record straight. One of the best films I have seen this year! RR

Lilies Of The Field

This is a beautiful video that combines the 'Lilies of the Field' discourse from Matthew 6 with images from the film, 'Planet Earth'. The singer is John Michael Talbot. It provides an inspirational reminder of The Creator's loving and beautiful provision. During this time of economic turmoil, it is important to understand where our true treasures originate. May The Creator of all things bless you and keep you! RR

Young Bird - 2008 Black Eagle Pow Wow

Grammy nominated Young Bird is a world championship drum from Oklahoma popular throughout pow-wow country. They are a southern style drum which means that their vocals are sung in the lower register as opposed to northern style drum which is sung in the higher register. Their honor beats, the strong beats heard in the song, are full of good medicine. They are tight and they are good. This is why they are so popular on the pow wow circuit. Dancers love to dance to good drums singing good songs! RR

Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot

While I am in a 'Sagan' mood I thought I would share this with you. During these difficult and stressful times, Sagan's thoughts on Earth's place in the Universe helps me to put my own life in perspective. How human to think that my trials are all encompassing. Listening to Carl is actually comforting. A human life is so short in the scheme of things...a mere spark that emerges from a flame. We should burn brightly while we are here. We should be a help and not a hindrance to all we meet along the journey. Our ego is even smaller than the earth... RR

If you really want to get a sense of our place in the Universe, check out my YouTube playlist "The Universe: How big is it and how small are we?". You can find it at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B33F2115F95DFA64

Carl Sagan - A thousand years of darkness

This segment of "Cosmos", presented by Carl Sagan, is a sobering look at the self loathing nature of humanity when it comes to protecting its intellectual treasures. He walks through a simulation of the great library at Alexandria and chronicles the great minds of the ancient world and their works which were stored there only to be later destroyed by the ignorant, superstitious mob. Could our civilization's great ideas be blotted out as were the ideas of the ancient world? Could history repeat itself? Could we descend into an era of intellectual darkness once again? Carl gives an insightful view of the possibilities and their consequences. RR

Daliah Lavi - Erev Shel Shoshanim - Evening of Roses

Daliah Lavi sings the popular poetic Hebrew love song "Erev Shel Shoshanim" (Evening of roses). This is such a beautiful traditional Jewish wedding song. I look forward to performing it on guitar for my Jewish wedding clients. I have included the lyrics below. I hope you will agree that a more touching song for lovers would be hard to find.

Phonetic Hebrew:

Erev shel shoshanim
Nitzeh na el habustan
Mor besamim ulevona
Leraglech miftan.

Layla yored le'at
Veru'ach shoshan noshvah
Havah elchash lach shir balat
Zemer shel ahava

Shachar homa yonah
Roshech maleh t'lalim
Pich el haboker shoshana
Ekte fechenuli.

English Translation:

It is an evening of roses
Let us go out to the garden
Myrrh, Spices, and Frankincense
Are as a carpet under your feet

REPEAT X 2
Night falls slowly
And a wind of roses blows
I'll whisper a ballad song for you
A song of love

Dawn and the dove coos
Your hair is full of dewdrops
Your lips are as roses unto the morning
I will pick them for myself

REPEAT X 2
Night falls slowly
And a wind of roses blows
I'll whisper a soft song for you
A song of pure love

Braid Soundtrack

This soundtrack is from the video game "Braid". Some of the best music being composed right now is for video games. I haven't played 'Braid', but the music is certainly an enjoyable experience. It makes me think of other worlds, other realities. RR

Once - When Your Mind's Made Up

Here's another clip from the movie, 'Once'. The first scene takes place in a recording studio. The main characters have gone through a lot to get to the point where they can make their demo. It's all or nothing time! A great part of the scene is when the recording engineer is impressed by the session. The musicians' efforts are affirmed.

The second scene has the main character busking, playing on the street for tips. This scene got to me because I used to be a busker. Many solo musicians have had to busk. I always tip buskers. Musicians who have busked for a living know that if they have to, they can go back to it. Busking is honorable...there is no shame in it if you are doing your best.

I love this movie! RR

ONCE: Falling Slowly

'Once' is my favorite movie of the last few years. It was in limited release but I heard about it through some great viewer reviews on Netflix. I checked it out and my wife and I were amazed. Just when you think that movies just aren't what they used to be something comes along that changes your mind. The story is bittersweet, real and inspiring...just like life can be. It's the story of two musicians meeting one another and changing each other's lives for the good. The music is wonderful. If you haven't seen it...get it and watch it...hopefully with someone you care for. RR