101 Series Lesson 44: P-Funk, et al.

The Mothership has landed . . . on The Balcony. Alright, boys and girls of the universe, pull up some shag carpeting and be prepared to get your asses blasted a-w-a-y. In lesson 44 of the 101 Series we sit down with George Clinton, Bootsy (baby), Eddie Hazel, Bernie, a guy in a giant diaper […]

101 Series Lesson 43: Southeastern US Music

The southeastern United States has provided us many things–good literature, bar-b-que, racism–but the one great gift it’s given the world is some kick ass rock and roll. Roll on in for Lesson 43 of the 101 Series: Music of the Southeast United States. Join us for two hours of tunes from places under the Mason-Dixon […]

101 Series Lesson 42: Pacific Northwest Music

Hello, Students. Our musical road trip to the first day of Spring continues as we take the classroom to a music hotbed. This week Lesson 42 of The 101 Series listens to the Pacific Northwest. Before Cobain and Hendrix there were The Kingsman and The Sonics. It’s a musical heritage that goes beyond grunge and […]

101 Series Lesson 41: Bay Area Music

Get on the BART, we’re going into the city (because why drive some place that has nine parking spaces in fifty square miles) . . . Here we are for Lesson 41 of the 101 Series: our trip to see the beautiful people making noise in the Bay Area. Join us for two hours of […]

101 Series Lesson 40: Will Oldham

We love Will Oldham even though he looks like the captain of a clipper ship. (Seriously, someone should check his beard for barnacles.) In Lesson 40 of the 101 Series we focus on the man of many guises: Will Oldham. Join us as we play two hours of jams by Bonnie Prince Billy, Palace Brothers, […]

101 Series Lesson 39: Frank Zappa (Part 2 ~ Live)

It has been the distinct pleasure of your instructors to have seen ‘in person’ the subject of this lesson in the 101 Series. And now for Part 2 of Lesson 39 we have some ‘live’ tracks from Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention. You will hear some truly amazing musicians playing some very difficult […]

101 Series Lesson 39: Frank Zappa (Part 1 ~ In Studio)

Often times in the world of ART the words “Genius” and “Original” are tossed around like a kickball on a playground. Well, those two words apply most aptly to the subject of our next two lessons on the 101 Series as we take a healthy dive into the music of Frank Zappa and The Mothers […]

101 Series Lesson 38: Marvin Gaye

Motown gave the world many gifts and here is the first that should come to mind: Marvin Gaye, the (most times) bearded genius. Let’s be honest . . . James Brown may claim the title, but Marvin Gaye is really Soul Brother #1. In this lesson of the 101 Series we sit back and let Marvin […]

101 Series Lesson 37: Led Zeppelin

On the night of June 6, 1899 Aleister Crowley laid down in his bed in the warm arms of the Green Faerie. When he drifted off into the purple-tinged ether he heard a sound, pounding in the distance like a far-off heartbeat. Closer, he could make out words–“Hey, hey mama, said the way you move […]

101 Series Lesson 36: Stand-Up Room Only (Pt. 3)

And now, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, the headline performers of our comedy trifecta dedicated to music and those who make it. Time now for Part 3 of Stand-Up Room Only – the final chapter of Lesson 36 in the 101 Series. Your hosts get a little carried away and say this would be […]