New Developments

It has been a busy summer!  I have enjoyed my fair share of boating trips, business travel and just plain summer fun.  While I have been hard at work and play, I have also been working on a few things in the interwebs. ClassicalCues.Blogspot.com

So for my 9-5  (more like 6:30am - 11:00pm)  I have been tossing around the idea of starting a licensing-centric blog.  DUH- I already have one of those- but this would be a more refined, professional concoction of randomness than the fine blog you are currently reading.  This would be a kinder, gentler blog. (well, right now- it's more like a blog-ette)  This blog would be centered on the licensing of music... specifically Classical music, but not confined to the genre specifically.  There will ultimately be a great deal of cross-posting as many of the topics I cover there will be of interest to Is This Binding.  Plus I have high hopes that having another presence in the blogosphere will help drive traffic to my other muse, NaxosLicensing.com .  that site is still under construction- but will ultimately be a one-stop destination for licensing Classical, World and Jazz music for film, TV, advertising, etc.

Naxos Music Library

I am also quite proud to say that the Naxos Music Library- the product for which I was originally hired at Naxos has now officially come of age.  In just 5 years it now features more than 500,000 tracks (that's a HALF MILLION- people!!!) of Classical, Jazz, Folk, World, Jazz, and Rock music...  a virtual college music library/public library music collection!  In that time- we have also managed to make sure that this service has matriculated to the very top research institutions in the world!  Basically every major University you can name is a subscriber and a great deal of public libraries are as well.  It is now utilized in more than 28 different countries! <proud papa moment>  If you havent ever checked it out- be sure to go take a look... there is free trial access available... take it for a test-drive.

Ok- that's all for now...  Til next time

Music from the 1990's - the flow-chart

I received this quite some time ago and held onto it as I was unsure where I would be able to use it... I knew it had potential... but just didnt know what to make of it.  Today I stumbled upon it and decided that you too needed to be graced by the brilliance of this chart.  So without further adeau ... I dont care who you are... that's clever.

Saxophone Solos from the 1980s- a review

Just when you thought it was safe to come back to my blog- I bring in a doozy.   I stumbled upon this great post dedicated to ranking the many, many saxophone solos of 1980s pop music.  For the uninitiated, the 1980s were a great decade, rife with many kitchsy works of music... many of which were spotted with the obligatory saxophone solo- mid song.  I think most of these solos are rediculous and cant believe that someone actually took the time to create a review of them (with audio clips!).   But nonetheless here they are.   Enjoy today's diversion and just be thankful that we are no longer in the Sax Solo Decade. http://imacomputa.org/sax/

10 Most Creative People in Music?

Fast Company just announced their 100 Most Creative People in Business, and subsequently their 10 Most Creative People in Music lists for this year. Many of the names on the music list are recognizable and some might even be deserving this recognition, but come on... Soulja Boy as the #1 most creative person in the industry simply because he is a shameless self-promoter and used Myspace and YouTube to promote his "Superman Dance" and ultimately launch a career. Ridiculous! There are no doubt some folks on the list (read: Tim Westergren, Alex Patsavas, and Gregg Gillis (Girltalk) who no-doubt deserve to be there, but I think they are stretching it a bit with Soulja Boy and Pharrell. Creativity in the music business means coming up with new ideas. Changing the way people think and changing consumer and fan habits. Shameless self-promotion is a great thing and these folks are rewarded for all of their hard work in album sales, sold out concerts and endorsement deals. It does not, however qualify as creativity and I don't think it should be rewarded as such.

Therefore- I am generating my own addendum to this list. People/groups/companies who really and truly ARE creative. Who have ACTUALLY pushed the envelope. Added to this list should be (in no particular order):

Gerd Leonhard Radiohead Spotify Slacker Jim Griffin

I am sure I missed a few, but these at least round out that list and make up for the idiocy of adding Hip Hop stars to a list of industry creative powerhouses.