Diddy’s Voice Coach Teaches Singing

Interesting. And fun.

In honor of Adam Yauch

Adam Yauch, a founding member of The Beastie Boys died today at 47 after a long bout with cancer.

As my students know, I am a big fan of the Boys. He also made videos under the pseudonym Nathaniel Hornblower, and his production company, Oscilloscope Laboratories, made many significant films (look it up). Let us remember him.

Really, really cool.

If you do not follow The Impossible Cool, you should. And on Twitter.

Here’s from Jan 25:

Fellini

Talk With Your Fingers

This 16-year-old lad can does some inspiring things with music and the piano.

Here are two of his 53 uploaded videos:

Josh Ritter – Love Is Making Its Way Back Home

“This stop-motion music video was made using over 12,000 laser-cut pieces of construction paper.” (via: Quipsologies)

The song is nice, but the video is art.

I still listen to…

Larry Norman (has to go here because he started, led, or kept-on-track everything)
Russ Taff (he is The Man)
Steve Taylor (still my favorite songwriter)
Paul Smith (one of my favorite songwriters)
Steve Camp (I wore out his tapes)
The Lost Dogs (“Scenic Routes” is still my favorite album. By anyone.)
Randy Stonehill
2nd Chapter of Acts
Charlie Peacock
David Meece
Whitecross
Michael Card
Twila Paris
Bryan Duncan
Sweet Comfort Band
White Heart (these dudes were skilled)
Mark Heard
Geoff Moore
Margaret Becker
Rich Mullins (can get cheesy)
DeGarmo & Key
Petra (although much of their stuff is too “me-to-ish”)
Kenny Marks
Jars of Clay (…first album ONLY)
Allies
Mylon LeFevre
The 77′s
Daniel Amos
Audio Adrenaline
Gary Chapman (has some good albums. Something about him doesn’t sit right, though.)
Don Francisco
Barry McGuire
Adrian Snell
Steven Curtis Chapman (has some good songs)
First Call
Farrell and Farrell
4Him (cheesy name. Some cheesy songs. But some good stuff too)
Phillips, Craig & Dean (some cheese in singing, production, and lyrics. But some good stuff)
Newsboys (still going after 20 years. That pretty  good. Though their stuff gets weaker)
Delirious
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Tim Miner
Rick Cua

Benjamin Zander

I just watched the video of Benjamin Zander at TED.

Knowing your purpose is everything. Passion, success, focus, brilliance all follow knowing your passion.