Yo-Yo Ma Contest Winners announced

I hadn't heard of the contest that Yo-Yo Ma had collaborated with NPR on earlier than when the winner was announced yesterday. Ma had asked musicians of all ilk and sort to listen to and collaborate with his version of "Dona Nobis Pacem" and upload them to Indabamusic.
He picked two winners which are highlighted on NPR music, Toshi and Kevin McChesney. I wasn't familiar with Toshi, although he really can wail on the e-guitar. However, I have been familar and fond of McChesney, having played handbells for many of his arrangements. His are some of the most exciting arrangements our handbell ringers have played under the direction of Music Director, Scott Kamman.

Take a listen and don't forget to check out the runners up on Indabamusic.

Angela Ortiz

I decided to follow my own advice and pour over the last MANY, MANY months of NPR's Second Stage. I found a REAL gem: Angela Ortiz (NPR show) (here for her website). Great piano and song structure!
She's on a lot of different sites and signed with a label - hard to miss, I suppose, but I did. She has also done some work for me by choosing a number of really cool artists as "favorites" on her Reverbnation profile site. Guess who will be focused on next...

Anyway, enjoy.

NPR's Second Stage/apologies for taste

Yes, NPR Second Stage hits and misses in my opinion...just as they should given that everyone, thankfully, has differing musical tastes. I think that Robin Hilton hit it right with the top 10 for the year! Not only did he choose ten tunes representing varying genres and styles, but they are all fun to listen. Would my 10 probably have been different? Yup, but I dig these tunes to varying degrees.
SIDE BAR:
I'm not sure I agree with his rankings all the time (details, details), but I'm fond of the selections...and that is pretty big for me to admit - sometimes Robin Hilton's musical tastes and mine overlap, but oftentimes he digs something that I cannot find any value in (sorry), other than the fact that he is doing what he is doing, which is not only noble and challenging, but necessary - no matter how "wrong" I think he is. Everyone should subscribe to the podcast or log on daily to hear the selection (easier said than done, I know). That said, my M.O. is that I have little patience for slow-er tunes and "sappy/emotional" lyrics, so my musical spectrum is somewhat limited. If I don't hear something interesting within the first 30 seconds, I usually don't hear much more. Frankly, sometimes 30 seconds is too much to wait (again, sorry).
...off the soapbox:
Were these the best tunes he received this year? Only he knows. I'm, nonetheless, impressed with each of these tunes! I recommend listening to the "show" and then logging on to hear more from your favorites!

Joker's Daughter - NPR Second Stage

This time of year NPR's Second Stage puts together their favorite songs of the year. I have always liked that NPR offers the opportunity for independent, unsigned artists to be highlighted in a national manner. I also like that the songs are highlighted, not necessarily the album. In this digital music age where individual songs can be downloaded and the physical packaging of an album is, at best superfluous, and at worst archaic, the definition of an "album" may become "playlist". I know it has been for me since my Sony Walkman cassette player. Just about every weekday during the calendar year there is a new song uploaded to the website to give a taste. The only problem with NPR's Second Stage platform of songs on display is that all the albums are reviewed by an Editor(s). If your music likes, dislikes, motivations, and agendas are identical to that guy (Robin Hilton), then you are golden; otherwise...time to sort (ye same ole story: how do I begin to sort?!).
So, I'm sorting through the songs leading up to the Top 10 Great Unknowns, From Second Stage, and after the seventh song, I found something that I was interested in. The song is called Worm's Head, by Joker's Daughter. It wasn't something I'd really say is "my genre", but it was interesting enough for me to press repeat a few times. I really enjoyed the melody and rhythmic nature as well as the various timbres. Give it a listen.