Bruce Springsteen | The Institute of Idle Time

Does aging have an effect on creativity? The great poets seemed to peak in their late 20’s to early 30’s. This seems true as well with songwriters. Forty seems to be the age when songwriters lose the muse and start declining rapidly. Artists like Tom Waits, Joe Henry, and Neko Case seem to get better with age, but they are outliers. Bob Dylan, Brian Eno and (until his death) David Bowie remain relevant in their sixties, but this is because they are artists whose work is their highest priority. Search your library and see if you can find great songs/albums by the over-the-hill set.

For this month’s Hi-Fi Fifteen, the three of us contributed songs written and recorded by artists in the 40th year of age or older.
Continue reading Hi-Fi Fifteen: Over the Hill Gang →

I’ve been keeping a little black book. It’s filled with ladies’ names, and contact information. The phone numbers – wherever I’ve invented them – are superfluous, but the band or artist responsible, sometimes even the release year, are often indispensable.

For better or worse, rock and roll has permanently distorted perceptions of a good many women in my life. I’d say one in eight. I used to work with a Diana who was undeniably Dirty. I couldn’t say Caroline’s name without hearing those three trumpet notes in my head. My college chemistry TA, Bonita Somethingorother… I don’t think I ever knew her real last name. I know what I called her. And I know that I muttered “gotta put me on” under my breath while watching the centrifuge buzz around.

Our favorite songs invariably become a part of our lives. When those songs immortalize individuals – whether real or fictional – those people take up residence in our psyche as well. For this month’s Hi-Fi Fifteen, the three of us contributed songs titled after women we’ve never met in real life, but feel an unforgettable connection to regardless.

Continue reading Hi-Fi Fifteen: Little Black Book →