Category: music

Blues Brothers Movie

On By Rick McIn books, ethics, humour, movies, musicLeave a comment

Happy 4th of July. I’ve always admired American music, technology, innovation, and film.

A perfect example is Blues Brothers 1980.

After Animal House, John Belushi had the #1 movie, #1 album, and #1 late night TV show. A huge star.

In The Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood are on “a mission from God” to prevent the foreclosure of their Roman Catholic orphanage.

The Blues Brothers were controversial in a very American way. The intrinsically racist Hollywood film industry assumed they couldn’t sell a celebration of Black music and culture. The industry was wrong.

For example, Ted Mann, head Mann Theatres, refused to book the film as he didn’t want Black patrons. Mann was Jewish.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Belushi was self-destructive, as is the USA.

I relate more to the Canadian, Dan Ackroyd.

Dan published Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude in 2024. His personal recollections of the Band with interviews with many of the key players.

Anna Daley Young ➙ “The Joker”

On By Rick McIn musicLeave a comment

The Joker (1973) was that evocative hit by Steve Miller Band.

Boston born singer-songwriter Anna Daley Young puts a fresh take on it in 2025.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

‘Cause I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one

Fantastic A.I. Music VIDEO

On By Rick McIn music, videoLeave a comment

This is by far the best totally A.I. generated music video I’ve seen, so far.

Easily as good as some radio hits.

The creator, Chris Johann, only has a few thousand followers on YouTube.

I can’t find this song on YouTube Music — BUT when Chris can monetize, how can humans compete?

The total cost of this music video is probably less than $1000.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

WHAT will replace your Phone and Laptop?

On By Rick McIn Apple, internet, movies, music, photos, videoLeave a comment

Former lead Apple designer and founder of io Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believe you will eventually simply stand in front of a monitor a tell it what to do. (Elon Musk would claim that you could simply THINK it what to do. 😀)

Create a feature film, for example.

A.I. image

The new A.I. device MIGHT look something like an iPod Shuffle you can wear around your neck.

Click PLAY or watch an opinion on YouTube. I don’t agree with Matthew regarding Apple Vision Pro — it’s likely an intermediate step towards the future. Eventually you won’t need A.I. glasses

Pink Floyd – Great Gig in the Sky

On By Rick McIn musicLeave a comment

One of the great, original vocals of all time in my opinion.

“The Great Gig in the Sky” is the 5th track on The Dark Side of the Moon, a 1973 album Pink Floyd.

The song features music by keyboard player Richard Wright and improvised, wordless vocals by session singer Clare Torry.

On the recommendation of Alan Parsons, the band brought in Clare for a 3 hour session and asked her to improvise. She was paid the session standard  £30.

In a 2005 out-of-court settlement, Clare was awarded more. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. This is not Clare Torry.

Here’s another LIVE version with different vocalists.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

In Praise of Street Musicians

On By Rick McIn music, travelLeave a comment

It’s a treat when happening upon a busker who can entertain.

Here are two musicians I enjoyed while traveling in Europe.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.