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Review in 20s: Mike Oldfield – Music of the Spheres [Music]

// June 10th, 2008 // No Comments » // Music, Review in 20s

This is a new one for the reviews section, Music!

When you think Mike Oldfield, you think Tubular Bells and The Exorcist. Music of the Spheres is completely different yet very much the same, based on the premise that everything in the universe has a unique sound or vibration. Oldfield has orchestrated a journey by music through the universe.

Its a very good album from big impact tracks, to very subtle and calming tracks. Its the sort of album you put on at the end of the day and just kick back and relax to. While it could be argued its just a re-hash of oldfield's old catalogue circa Tubular Bells 1. I still enjoyed it.

Verdict - 4 Stars

Links MikeOldfield.com | Music Of The Spheres

Confessions of a Serial Soundtrack Collector

// May 17th, 2008 // No Comments » // Blog, Ideas, Music, Noteworthy

It seems no matter how good a film is, the music that goes with the film is always under appreciated, while there are exceptions to the rule we really should pay more attention to the music, it will make or break a film.

I don't really know hoe I ended up collecting soundtracks, but two moments that really standout are; tracking down a piece of music used the in 2004 BAFTAs and another piece of music featured in the South Bank Show.

The music from the BAFTAs was probably the easiest to track down, I just emailed them. It took a couple of weeks but they emailed me back answer: Whisper of a Thrill - From Meet Joe Black - Thomas Newman. Within seconds the CD was bought and on its way. Its OK if you can email the people responsible and get them to tell you the music used but in the case of my second hunt, the emailing method wasn't so fruitful.

After watching the South Bank Show, I had the I must have that music moment and started on my merry way trying to track it down by google to no avail, I had some idea of who the composer could be Craig Armstrong or Thomas Newman, so I loaded the ITV website and sent them an email. I have found since then both ITV and the BBC hate these inquiries and just brush them off, Channel 5 usually give a better response. I got the typical response, "Due to the nature of the way we create our programming there is no record of the music for each program." I spent another few months searching, and had all but given up hope on finding the elusive piece of music, when i chanced upon a newly upload Craig Armstrong Album on iTunes. I had found it. Finding Beauty - Craig Armstrong within a couple of seconds it was downloaded.

I am sure that there isn't just me who has these little quests, I am also sure that many people unlike me will give up on finding the song they were looking for. I wish the BBC and ITV would setup websites that listed all the music from each program. I think music companies should be actively encouraging the publishing of music in film and TV, it would earn them some points and make some money.

Since my first encounter with the wonderful world of soundtracks my library has grown from a mere 5 hours to over 22 days (thats528 hours) So much so I now have so much music that the chances are that I hear a piece of music in a film or TV program, I will already have a copy in there somewhere.

The problem is finding it.

One of the best Mashups Ever

// February 14th, 2008 // No Comments » // aside

Listen: http://djlobsterdust.com/?p=87

Music industry still don’t get it.

// January 30th, 2008 // No Comments » // Blog, Interesting, Music

The manager of rock band U2 has urged internet service providers (ISPs) to help end illegal music downloads, according to The Hollywood Reporter. -via BBC News

We should really make the life and times of the music industry into a book, specifically that of fiction. They still don't seem to understand that there getting wrong, at every turn. I buy all my music, and have for the most part stopped buying mainstream popular stuff in favour of the small indie labels and bands, because its alot better.

I believe whole heartedly in supporting the artist, but getting ISPs to gang up on their users, so the Music industry can make even more money, the MPAA are already on record saying they have over exaggerated there figures. There will always be a market for music, so why does the RIAA and BPI hang fast to the old ways, even now.

The Most Helpful Applescript Ever.

// May 25th, 2007 // No Comments » // Apple, Blog, Computing, Ideas, Music

I have a ever growing iTunes library, but sometimes when importing stuff, the ID3 tags go all wrong, or in the in Japanese/Non-English Characters. So like many geeks I hate having to mess with each ID3 tag individualy even if iTunes makes it easy. Solution CDDB and a little script from dougscripts.co. You simply go to the playlist, run the first script which searches CDDB to find the album your playing, then you run the second script that then copies the page details and puts them in your ID3 tags. Voila! your library is nice and perfectly formed.