Hello Friends,
It’s been a while. Oh life! I’d like to tell you a grand story of why I haven’t kept up my blog for over a year, but I’m not. Life happened, that’s it. I struggled with the idea of doing a podcast and I was really set on doing it in 2013 but it just didn’t seem like the right time or maybe I didn’t have the confidence that I could do it. If I’m being honest I didn’t want to do it for nothing. I didn’t want to put all this work into something that I was really proud of and then no one cared and no one listened. It’ kinda of weird struggling with that because most likely hardly anyone would listen, that is the truth. Not even my best friend read my blog when I was writing consistently but I still wrote and besides the spelling and grammar errors, I think I was OK at it, wordy at times but OK. So what makes the podcast different? I don’t know. I have some ideas but really I think I just needed to get out of my own way. So no one listens, so no one cares, so what. I know my Dad will listen, and that’s enough for me.
Below is a blog entry form July of 2011 about my podcast idea. Give it a read, and stay tuned.
July 18, 2011
If you have been reading through my blog I have hinted at having some kind of a podcast that I would like to do in the near future. At first I was thinking of having it be like a basic format radio show, like I did in school. To me this seemed like many hours of work, because I wasn’t in the studio so all the great improve moments would be a product of my crafty editing. I have to say I love being in the studio, it helps me get to that space I need to be in my head to deliver. I didn’t want to prep, record and edit every week a mostly music show. It just didn’t seem authentic. I wasn’t giving anything new or interesting just me and my music selections. If I’m not in the studio than to me it’s boring, and even then.
So what do I do? I’m at a loss. Liz suggested I do something about a life of unemployed radio DJ, who actually was never employed. Liz said that I could make it hilarious. Yeah it could be funny, but I’m not doing that. I thought about random skits, like really well produced sound designed, half narration, half acting with an incredible soundtrack. Then I thought about this melodrama, I have written two episodes for called for a drama called Desdamona. It’s a Latin soap opera of sorts, it was supposed to be funny in the beginning, but then ish got real, now it’s more serious. Also I would need a significant amount of male voices, and I don’t have the access to all the voices I would need to do that consistently. I also have this audio sitcom idea called retail it a comedic look at the life a retail clerk. I have first had experience, and it would be dope. Then I think I could do band interviews which I’m totally down for, but I don’t know if I’m that excited enough to do it consistently. Thinking, thinking, thinking….
Then …
I’m reading through people’s facebook updates mostly junk. I would totally quit facebook, if it wasn’t so key in how some people communicate and I wouldn’t get invited to anything. I wouldn’t be able to let people know about my blog or other musical endeavors. So, yes I’m reading facebook updates, when an acquaintance of mine posts something about how they love a lot of music, but also mentions that they hate genres a, b, c, and d. Hate, really and it was like four genres too. That is a super pet peeve of mine when people say they hate a genre of music, right under mean people for no reason. It’s pretty much one of the most closed minded statements you can make. When someone says they hate a genre of music it’s because they don’t understand it. Scream-o is not my favorite genre of music, but I don’t hate it. So ignorant!
Anyways that got me thinking, ignorance is a choice and so is hate, but theses can both be resolved with knowledge. People hate what they don’t know. I don’t know a lot, but I love music and it would be my pleasure to learn more about something I love
Eureka!
I found a podcast idea where I can play music, be informative, and give you something only I can give. Heather’s take on music, the show is called Music Appreciation (working title). The concept is that we would take a genre of music and for about an hour dive in head first. I’ll give you some history, specific conventions, what is popular about it today, teach you and myself how to appreciate a genre by delivering you some knowledge of music with Heather-isms, sometimes interviews, and music examples. Kinda like the best college music class ever. I may even call myself professor Hollingsworth, that may be a little corny, but I am corny, but also I’m pretty cool. Like I said it’s a work in progress. The idea is Genius! Well I think so, but what do you think? Would you listen? Am I missing something? Let me know what you think.
-This is Hollingsworth
It’s that time of year!
A lot of the time when an artist steps out of their genre it’s not a good move. Norah’s drift to an alternative sound is well done. Her voice has a haunting effect and keeps the element of Jazz in an indie kind of way. I haven’t listened to the album real in depth way but her approach is a little darker, you will see this in the lyrics. Obviously this album has to do with things that are wrong with relationships. It’s still has that lounge(y) Norah sound but with a twist. check these tracks out, 
Although I was reminded of Black Radio,Conflict has a smoother feel and less experiment, although there wasn’t really a traditional Jazz element in there which I did hear in Robert’s piano solo’s in Black Radio.Conflict of Man still has a something new and different vibe I would say, soul alternative Jazz. Check out both!
Since we’re talking a little Jazz, which was not planned by the way, Esperanza Spalding latest project , Radio Music Society is good too. Now hear these: 
If you’re going to listen to that then you need, need, need to put your ears on Gregory Porter! Snap! I fell in love with his album, Be Good. I think this album is a great representation of what modern soul Jazz sounds like, and ya’ll it sounds good. Have to heard these: 
Well I guess I’ll end with a little old school goodness. I know you will love Jazz Impressions Of Black Orpheus, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.- classic. Here is a taste: 
This Is Hollingsworth 