Beatles

Watch this. I know. It's a trailer for a new videogame, but...just trust me. It's the Beatles.

Violinist

Kinda hate the Washington Post for doing this (sinply because they can be exactly the kinds of snobs who’d walk right past this guy). But also gotta love them for doing this.

A Violinist in the Metro (Washington Post)

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.

During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work. The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on. In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100. This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

Soundtrack And iTunes Playlist!

Yes, the Book of Lies has a soundtrack. Victor Records has put together a great soundtrack featuring REM, "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler and of course "Greatest American Hero" by Joey Scarbury.

There's even a song called "The Book of Lies" by Robert Ellis Orrall and an original score so you can listen while you read.

You can get the soundtrack on on both iTunes and Amazon.

Along with the soundtrack, I was asked to put together an iTunes Playlist. It's taken me a decade, but finally my mixmaster skills can be revealed!

Chack it out here.

Read and shrug:

Aimee Mann – Wise up

When you play it, it doesn’t just haunt you. It actually physically stops time. She’s the best person I ever saw play live.

Annie Lennox -- Waiting in Vain

This is the song that makes my wife go “Awww, I love this song.” I shake my head and act cooler. But I secretly love it. I. Will. Never. Tell. Her.

Everything – Barbra Streisand

That’s right. Streisand. (wow, I just realized looking at my list...I’m a woman). It reminds my of my Mom, who recently passed away. (See, now you feel like a schmuck for being judgmental, right?). Jewish gives the best guilt.

Mixed Bizness – Beck

If I could add one artist over and over, it’s Beck. But only a loser puts two songs by the same guy on a mix. That’s Mixtape 101, sugah. (Still, Debra is the best song ever about anyone in J.C. Penney). I used to heart Prince. Now I heart Beck (who clearly crushes Prince as much as I did). Also, none of this takes away from the fact that we’d rewind Purple Rain 10,000 times to see Apollonia naked.

Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen

Let me be honest here: every single person who does one of these lists is trying to look cooler than they are. I’m trying as I type this (failed again). But I’m also being honest. There are some songs that get to me. And I kinda hate that this was in Jerry Maguire, therefore ruining my ability to say I loved it first (curse you, brilliant Crowe!). But I did.

Where do we go from here – Buffy the Vampire Soundtrack

Best. Bester. Bestest. It was the arms crossing hand motions that really swooned me.

Run-Around — Blues Traveler

My junior year of college, before Blues Traveler was big, their gig in Detroit got cancelled and the word went out that they’d pay for the first group of people to come up with $5,000. We used everything we had. A hundred of us. And they played in our kitchen. Swear this is true.

Drift Away – Dobie Gray

Every other old song has been stolen and ruined by a movie. Not this one. So all you film school emo types, don’t buy this. Don’t listen to it. Don’t use it. This is ours!

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters – Elton John

When we did Jack & Bobby, this was the song that Bobby was supposed to get his first kiss to and the network wouldn’t let us buy because it was too expensive. Now who’s laughing? Me or the cash-flushed network who cancelled us!?

You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Rolling Stones

Not just a song. A life lesson. Play it for your kids and tell them it was written for them. They won’t know.

Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice

I saw him in concert (c’mon, I was young. And we were really there to see Hammer. And we were...I’m gonna stop talking now). Still love it. Not ashamed to say it.

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robot – The Flaming Lips

The only thing that beats songs about robots are songs about robots fighting zombies (and I don’t know those yet).

Follow You Follow Me – Genesis

I slept out for Genesis tickets (I was in high school, I’d have slept out for Thomas Dolby. Wait. I did.) This is the song that holds up.

Who is He and What Is He to You — Me’Shell Ndegeocello

She intimidates me. She curses. I’m putty.

A Little Respect – Wheatus

My favorite remake of a song I didn’t even know I liked.

America Has Spoken – Patton Oswalt

He knows he’s my favorite. Just listen. America needs comedy that is real truth. “A failure pile in a sadness bowl.” Genius is always funny.

Faces — Ohh La La

It’s just good. It’s right. It’s best.

It’s Tricky – Run – DMC

Back in my Miami days, I was a fiend with the double cassette tapes — my days and nights filled with mixes, especially dance mixes. Here's the list of them, and promise, all of these are real (sadly): Meltz E. Fresh, Meltz E. Soul, Bell Biv DeMeltz, Please Meltz Don't Hurt 'Em. I will say, Meltz E. Soul was designed to be the ultimate make-out mix. Never worked. Too much Prince, not enough Keath Sweat. Here’s the sauce.

Theme from Greatest American Hero – Joey Scarbury

When we decided to do a soundtrack for The Book of Lies, this was the first selection. Don’t roll your eyes. Listen to the words. This is me and young and dreaming and everything in the damn world is possible...set to music and on TV. Plus, it’s on The Book of Lies soundtrack, baby!

Physics IS Cool

This is my favorite new song. Rapping about physics!

Best part is the I can hear sSupersonic and Rob Bass in the background.

From Engadget:

CERN rap video about the Large Hadron Collider creates a black hole of awesomeness

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Aug 8th 2008 at 3:29PM

Been having a tough time figuring out just what CERN's Large Hadron Collider does? Worried that it will create a Möbius strip (a rip in the fabric of space where time becomes a loop)? Just love to jam? Watch this CERN-sponsored rap after the break, and have your universe totally destroyed. Er, but not for real.

[Via Protein Feed]

Shilling For A Friend

When my first novel came out, I was sent to Houston, Texas (a city I love), but which still retains the title for my worst signing ever. For the first hour, no one came. NO. ONE. Not one. I felt so bad for the bookstore manager, who is still one of the nicest around. Then, in hour two, my friend showed up. With her mother. We had a total of two. I apologized over and over for not being able to draw more people. But it really was a great time. And some truly healthy humility. But the other highlight of the trip was the one radio station that had me on. It was a show hosted by Danya Steele, who, merely by agreeing to interview an unknown author for his first book, became a lifelong friend.

And so...since she supported me when, well, only two people did (hi, Marla and Mom!), I'm shilling for Dayna, who just released her first book: Rock to the Top -- What I Learned About Success From the World's Greatest Rock Stars. It's fun. She's fun. And it's got a foreword by Gene Simmons (who we love just for reading JLA on his show), so I'm sure it's got great stories.

Anyway, please support it and read a free excerpt at: www.rocktothetopbook.com

And to Houston, Texas, maybe this is the year to finally come back.

Votes And Etc.

During the Grammys last night, I just couldn't take my eyes off Amy Winehouse. Really. And sad to say, over the past few months, my wife downloaded from iTunes nearly half the songs played on the show (which means all we're buying is the popular stuff). Oy, someone recommend some good music.

As for voting on the title, I think the total is just about in. Overwhelming response -- nearly two thousand of you weighing in. Just want to give the last few voters a shot (in the name of democracy), but hope to announce the winner soon.

What I Believe

Went to the Police concert last night in Miami. Was easily the best people watching in ever. As if all of 1980 had been aged 27 years and plunked back in the stadium. With boob jobs. Miami boob jobs.

It's still a Sting show, but boy-are-dee do I love Stuart Copeland playing those funky tambourines. For one night, we were young again.

And on that note, here's what I believe: Kool & the Gang? They're fine. But I love them reclaiming the age limit on kool.

Kool & the Gang says there's no age limit on cool
By Belinda Goldsmith 39 minutes ago

NEW YORK (Reuters) - In trademark shades and wide-collared open shirts, Kool & The Gang claim there is no age limit to being cool as the group returns with a new CD, its first studio album in 10 years.

Formed in New Jersey in 1964, the group has gone through several musical phases over the years, ranging from jazz to rhythm and blues, funk and disco. "Still Kool," from Universal's New Door Records, hit stores Tuesday (July 10).

Two of the four original band members, Robert "Kool" Bell, 56, and his 55-year-old brother Ronald (also known by his Muslim name, Khalis Bayyan), said the group has moved on since its 1980s hits like "Joanna," "Celebration," "Get Down On It" and "Jungle Boogie."

After falling off the public radar in the 1990s, the group is hoping a new generation of young musicians that has joined the band's 12-man lineup -- including Robert Bell's son Hakim and 23-year-old singer Jirmad Gordon -- will bring the group new success.

They spoke to Reuters about their long career and staying cool.

Q: Why a 10-year gap in albums?

A: RONALD - "The inspiration comes when it does. We've been touring and thinking about this, but you have to wait until the inspiration comes, and then comes the opportunities. The content, some of it, is very timely to the situation that is going on the world."

Q: Is it hard to get known for new work, not just the old hits?

A: RONALD - "We have a couple of younger people in the band. We wanted to broaden our audience. People do get surprised as they expect us to be a dance band, but we are more than just that. If you follow the history of Kool & the Gang, we were an instrumental band, but when disco came along we needed to switch to that kind of music to stay involved and current. We did a rap album, but I don't think people want to hear their fathers rapping."

ROBERT - "We constantly have our ears on what is going on. We tour a lot, and we travel everywhere from Moscow to Australia. There is a lot of inspiration that comes from that and keeps us going. We have young guys in the band with new ideas."

Q: Is it hard to stay true to your name -- cool?

A: RONALD - "Everyone always want to be cool even when it is hot. Everyone loves those cool shades and everyone want to be cool. It is something of destiny. We picked a perfect name for it -- Kool was my brother's nickname -- and I think that helps. We try to stay level-headed."

ROBERT - "Cool is fashion. Cool is what is happening and what is hip. I think cool will be around when we are long gone. People who are 75 and 80 years old can still be cool, there is no limit to being cool."

Q: You've introduce a new generation to the band. Is this part of a handover plan?

A: ROBERT - "That could be part of the plan. We have our own record label now and the brand is there."

Q: But not thinking of retiring just yet?

A: RONALD - "We are not over yet, we have other things we want to do -- radio, TV shows and movies. When my legs won't run to those airports anymore, then I might give up."

ROBERT - "We have a few more years yet. I always say that Mick Jagger is about 65 right now, and he is still rock 'n' rolling."

Fergie

From The Superficial:

Fergie has become the first singer to use product placement and is being paid a ridiculous $4 million by Candie's to promote their clothing line in her songs. An executive at Interscope says:

"With record sales in decline, you must find novel ways to make money out of the music. The trick is to make the brand part of the song so that it slips down easily rather than chokes the fan. Candie's will have no say over exactly what Fergie will sing, or when. Fergie does not sing jingles so it will have to work unobtrusively in the song."

Fergie? Really? They want Fergie to promote their clothing line? Maybe they should sit back and think about this a little longer. Why not just ask a bear in a clown outfit to promote their clothes? Or my four-year-old niece? She puts on garbage sometimes. Why not ask her?

Meltz E. Fresh

After nine years, a radio show finally asked me to select my favorite songs to play during a book interview. You know how long I waited for that? It's the music lovers dream--you get to play Casey Kasem--you get to play YOUR music and people listen--like sharing your ultimate mix tape with the world. And I love mixes. My entire four years of college were filled with mixes, especially dance mixes. Here's the list of them, and promise, all of these are real (sadly):

• Meltz E. Fresh
• Meltz E. Soul
• Bell Biv DeMeltz
• Please Meltz Don't Hurt 'Em

I will say, Meltz E. Soul was designed to be the ultimate make-out mix. Never worked. Too much Prince, not enough Keath Sweat.

So...below is what we played--and HUGE thanks to rock legend and DJ G. Brown from Colorado's KCUV for giving me the chance.

For those who want to hear it in it's entirety, with full commentary, you can stream it at www.kcuvradio.com this Saturday (October 7th) at 8 a.m. Pacific time. That's Pacific time, east coasters.

And so, here's the list (with the caveat that these aren't the greatest songs I'd ever pick...it's the list that fits their rock format...and therefore doesn't include MMM...Bop and all the Salt n Pepa songs from Meltz E. Fresh. But it does include Blues Traveler, who played in our kitchen in college. Really.

• Faces - Ohh La La
• Mixed Bizness - Beck
• Run Around - Blues Traveler
• Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters - Elton John
• Away - Leroy
• A Little Respect - Wheatus
• Overkill - Colin Hay
• Tripping Billies - Dave Matthews Band
• Superman - Lazlo Bane
• Paradise City - Guns & Roses
• Drift Away - Dobie Gray
• Salisbury Hill - Peter Gabriel
• Mississippi - Sheryl Crow
• Scar Tissue - Chili Peppers
• My Name is Jonas - Weezer
• Theme from The Greatest American Hero
  

B