10/12/09 – The Outsider

So I had heard the name DJ Shadow before, but I can’t for the life of me remember where.  I figured it was just another hip-hop mixtape-type release, and I was only a little right.  The Outsider spans a surprising number of genres in its relatively short length, and each different genre is insanely well-done.  Shadow definitely shows you that his production spans far and wide – it’s very impressive.

1/17/09 – Golden Age of Song

Yeah, had to spend some time in the hospital.  Didn’t really have time.

I’ll have one for the 18th, though.

EDIT: Many thanks to my good friend Russ – he stepped up and pinch hit for me.  The disc for the day is “Golden Age of Song”  – a Starbuck’s compilation.

It features seventeen tracks that dominated AM radio, back when AM radio was the only game in town. All of the recordings are digitally remastered, and they sound better than ever. If one feels their collection is lacking without a wee bit of Ella Fitzgerald, Andrews Sisters, Tex Ritter, Guy Lombardo, and Doris Day, this CD is a great way to get started. The packaging is what really sold me. I don’t usually care for cardboard CD cases, but this one is designed to look like an old radio. The CD is labeled like an old tuner, so when it’s in the case it looks pretty neat. As a bonus, it has a calming effect on the very young, which has been really handy.

(Note from the editor:  Russ, I couldn’t find a picture of this CD case/cover art for the life of me.  Feel like snapping a quick pic and sending it to me?)