Traditionally, a pilgrim is someone who is on a journey to a holy place. But… Read the postWeek 452: “Pilgrim’s Hymn” by Stephen Paulus
One of the most heartbreaking things about being a parent is that you almost never… Read the postWeek 451: “An Ending, A Beginning” by Dustin O’Halloran
Of all the Christmas standards, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is the one I… Read the postWeek 450: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Ben Laver
Until this song was recommended to me, I wouldn’t have associated Sia’s voice with Christmas… Read the postWeek 449: “Underneath The Christmas Lights” by Sia
Over the next three weeks, as Christmas creeps closer and we all begin to tire… Read the postWeek 448: “Carol of the Bells” by The Bird and the Bee
This song has made so many accidental appearances in my life that I don’t think… Read the postWeek 447: “In Ear Park” by Department of Eagles
If there is a chain that connects the music of this century and last century,… Read the postWeek 446: “The Midnight Sun Will Never Set” by Quincy Jones
If Baroque music isn’t really your thing, you’re probably not familiar with the theorbo. It’s… Read the postWeek 445: “Toccata Arpeggiata” by Johannes Kapsberger
Almost two years ago, my wife and I went to see The Staves in concert… Read the postWeek 444: “Emily” by Mikaela Davis
Languages are dying out. Every year, more and more are added to the extinction list.… Read the postWeek 443: “Intro” by Bongeziwe Mabandla
If you’re the kind of person who feels weighed down by unreasonable expectations, then you… Read the postWeek 442: “Ferris Wheel” by Gábor Szabó
Many years ago, I left my apartment early one morning to go to work in… Read the postWeek 441: “Horisont” by Lars Jakob Rudjord (Kid Koala remix)
Composers who do primarily instrumental soundtrack work are – excuse the pun but it’s actually… Read the postWeek 440: “Weightless” by Music Within
Whistling might not be a uniquely human trait, but we are probably the species that… Read the postWeek 439: “Vissel” by José González
Although they may not have the name recognition of jazz legends like Herbie Hancock or… Read the postWeek 438: “Going Home” by Charlie Haden and Hank Jones
When you’re a kid, no day is more exciting than, or as highly anticipated as,… Read the postWeek 437: “Weird Little Birthday Girl” by Happyness
Given the intense physical and emotional demands of being a touring musician, it’s no surprise… Read the postWeek 436: “Bron-Yr-Aur” by Led Zeppelin
It might be a bit of a stretch, but I’m going for it: Johannes Brahms… Read the postWeek 435: “Brahms Intermezzo” by Joshua Spacht
NOTE (2025): In this post, I go on for quite a while mansplaining the Netherlands.… Read the postWeek 434: “She’s Alive” by OutKast (Bremer/McCoy cover)
There is something very special, almost magical, about traditional folk songs. They exist everywhere and… Read the postWeek 433: “A La Claire Fontaine” by Genevoise