Reprieve

I was going to write a post about the new Arcade Fire record and how much I like it (hint: a lot). But I’m going to wait. Because I’m tired this evening. I might not even write it at all. We’ll see if your luck runs out next week. Instead, try this.

Mogwai is rocking me with their action

It’s been a while since I really tore into some Mogwai. Like a lot of people, I enjoyed Young Team. But other than that record and My Father My King, I’ve not been a superfan.

That said, “The Sun Smells Too Loud”, off their new record The Hawk is Howling is hitting all my [...]

Admitted Affection

Guilty pleasure is the wrong word. My crush on WilsonPhillips is guilty. My absolute love for everything Kanye West, well, that is pure pleasure. But sometimes I get myself into something that’s less than respectable. A band my friends would probably avoid. I think, “Given enough time, this ill-regarded band could make the jump [...]

First official post for the Nonalignment Pact

Forgive me, I wasn’t officially appointed the new Saturday person until Thursday, so I’m afraid I don’t have much in the way of prepared remarks. Also, I don’t want to write a long, navel-gazing “about me” post in which I introduce myself.

Better to say that I thought this blog was a bad [...]

Week 74: Ladies

This past week, things have gotten a bit heavy around here. When I am told to “lighten up just a wee bit” by Mr. Cramer, who I consider one of the heaviest guys around, then I know I’m sinking into some heavy territory. I blame the moon.

So instead of trying to write [...]

Week 56: Piano Solos

Hopefully you’re spending thanksgiving with some friends and/or family and you are sharing some good music together. If you find yourself in a bind and no one has an instrument, or a new recording they want to play, here’s some piano stuff. One can never go wrong with some piano music on the holidays. [...]

Week 53: Anniversary Post-Party With Bob Downe And Dick Cheese

One year! I hope all of you will open a bottle of your favorite drink and toast to the NAP. 365 posts in a row, plus 41 podcasts, that is quite an achievement and I trust we are all as proud of ourselves as we should be. In our honor here’s down under native [...]

Week 43: Guitar Solos

The Master:

The Mouth Guitar Legend:

The Coolest:

The Classicist and his Class:

The Real Deal:

Bonus: [...]

Week 42: Drum Solos

The Athlete:

The Virtuoso:

The Awesomest:

The Circus Show:

The Real Deal:

The Ultimate:Play all of the above at [...]

Week 18: The Mancinis

Also included: Part 6 of The Book of Fables.

To the whole Snake Gang. One for one and all for all.

We all know Henry Mancini as the great Hollywood film composer, but did you know that he was also the head of an extensive family that had its foot in almost every [...]