Ropeadope

From the desk of the big boss Louis "Ropeadope local is our response to the ever changing music business. Instead of larger shows with high ticket prices, we're bringing select talent to local restaurants and bars throughout the country. Our goal is to connect people with artists in an intimate, personal setting" First up? Greg Hester with special guest Eric McConnell Friday February 3, 2012 at Cork Restaurant, Westmont NJ. All details here.  If you are anywhere near it's gonna be the most fun you EVER had in Westmont - Philly peeps, worth the trip over the bridge (it's gonna be SPECIAL!).   

Some of my people argue that ALL music sounds better with the assistance of mary jane, but tthe thought cataloge just published 10 essential "albums to get high to".  There’s a lot of ‘duh’ in there, but at least a couple worth considering….dig the list here.   

In the early 1980s,Marvin Gaye retreated to Ostend, Belgium on the advice of a Belgian concert promoter who wanted to help Marvin get his life back on track. Marvin lived in the city for two years before returning to the United States.  Filmmaker Richard Olivier filmed a documentary about Marvin’s time in Belgium. The documentary was rarely seen outside of Belgium, but features quite a bit of intimate footage of Marvin walking around the city, interviews, and rehearsal footage.  Watch the whole thing free right here.     

As much as Spin the magazine sucks,  SPIN.com is worth a visit these days.   A quick click will take you into a brief history of rappers sampling Radiohead,  slide the mouse this way and click these 50 mixtapes you need to know,round these ways and check out 25 new albums you need to hear this winter, or this neat piece of Cypress HIll & Skrillex right here.   Just saying - it's not your daddy's Spin anymore. 

More than 20 years after his death, Miles Davis is is being honored by the U.S. Postal Service with his very own stamp. This year, the Kind of Blue trumpeter will be immortalized in a collection of musically-themed stamps that will also honor the singer Edith Piaf. Official info here.  Flash back to Miles 64 here, my all-time favorite - Bitches Brew Live here.      

Big up to ropeadoper (for life!) Dylan Marks on the launch of his amazing blog - We Will Save You Manatee - awesome graphics, nifty concept. Worth a quick look - dig in here. 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is going to feature a major exhibit on The Grateful Dead this year. Called “Grateful Dead: The Long, Strange Trip,”It’ll open April 12 and run through December 31. Among the highlights of the more than 100 artifacts are five Jerry Garcia guitars; two guitars from Bob Weir, and one of Mickey Hart’s custom-painted drum kits. Also on display will be original lyric manuscripts for “Truckin’,” “Sugaree” and “Box of Rain”. The Grateful Dead were inducted into the R&R HOF in 1994.    

I know that my partner Louis knows, but do any of you really realize?   Why is it that in our culture we prepare more for what we're going to watch on TV than how we are going to deal when we meet our maker? Don't mean to bum anybody out, just saying - the wheel is turning and you can't slow down.   This is one man's last day dream.