Go forth and fill your libraries with media.
Seriously, thanks to everyone for being so amazing and patient. You are the reason I love Vox.
I was just told that the Amazon Conduit will be fixed by tomorrow. I will post here as soon as I get word that it's back up and running.
I know this has been frustrating and I am sorry there wasn't more I could do to make it less so. I really appreciate your patience though.
Cheers,
" Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.
Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.
Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.
I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness."
~Psalm 119:33-40
I have to keep telling myself, "God, Thank You." In spite about how I feel about my current job and how every day I am learning truly learning more and more when it comes to dealing with customers how we as consumers...we as people in this world are truly a bunch of spoiled, inconsiderate brats. I'm learning that we feel like we are owed "every thing" and not responsible for our actions. We live in a time where company rules and policies do not apply to us. I have never worked at a job where I truly look forward to my days off and each day it makes me long for a job where I do not want to hear or deal with customers. But through it all I have to say, "God, Thank You."
I'm learning to thank Him because it is showing me what's in my heart that needs to be worked out. I have never used foul language under my breath until working there so I need to stop fighting it and ask my Lord and Savior for temperament, patience. I used to have it but when you begin to drift from His Word, His Ways slowly but surely you begin to those "Fruits of the Spirit".
I'm learning that now whenever I receive wonderful service over the phone that instead of saying just, "Thank You" I should ask for the individual supervisor or manager and acknowledge them, I should begin writing letters of gratitude for the excellence service. I'm learning that even though it's an individual "job" to help me that it's not my job not to put them through the ringer when I am (the customer) is having a bad day. It is teaching me as a consumer that when I am not happy with a company that it's not the customer server agents fault of the rules and policies and not to become nasty with them.
I'm learning that as a customer to be have as much information as possible when needing assistance. It breaks my heart that when customer calling in for help how many of them make it so hard to help them. They do not have paper or pen handle...they do not do research for themselves to get prepared. It's so sad, we have information at our finger tips through the world wide web and yet are some of the laziest people around and I have to include myself in the bunch but after taking call after call of people thinking they do not need to do their part (something simple as getting a zip code of the hotel where they will be staying) goes a long way in helping a customer's research.
Now I know the first thing people are going to say is, "if we had all of those things why do you need you in customer service? I mean, we pay your salary!" Funny, I have said that before myself and here is what I have learned in the process...
We need "live" people to correspond with when it comes to business transactions because that makes us (the customer) feel like we are not just a "quota" to meet a percentage each month. Now as a customer it may be my right to be a jerk to someone who is helping me or jump down a Customer Service Representative throat when they make a mistake but should I be surprise when I get mediocre service? I'm learning it's about "Doing Right" and not "Being Right". I'm learning that it's not all about me, it's about what that customer service agent is going through day in and day out when dealing with different personalities, different attitudes day in and day out.
This does not excuse bad customer service because there are some people that should not be in that field of work because that may not fit them and some do not have people skills and maybe they should choose another line or work. We can could go back in forth in regards to the "Customer" and "Customer Service" relationship but what I'm learning is that you have to have empathy for customer service workers. You think I would have learned this lesson from working 6 years as a Houseman in the hotel business...but I guess I forgot the core lesson and God had to remind again. Ouch
I may not like what God allows me to go through but in the end I'm learning that when I put it in His hands he shows me what I need to learn and how to become a person from the situation I'm going through at the moment.
Be Blessed, Be Safe
& Have a Wonderful Weekend and Work Week.
~DarrenKeith
{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
[to subscribe copy and paste this rss feed into iTunes]
Track Title - Artist(s) - Album Title
01. He Reigns - Kirk Franklin{from the "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" LP}
02. Letter From Home - Chi{from the "Sun Lake" LP}
03. Never Again - Kingz Jewel Feat. King Bull{from the *"First Step" LP}
04. There's a Monk In My Garden! - Oystein Sevag{from the "Sanctuary: 20 Years of Windham Hill" LP}
05. Love Liberty Disco - Newsboys{from the "WOW 2000" LP}
06. Morning Ride - Ken Navarro{from the "The Best New Age, Vol. 6" LP}
07. More Than Conquerors - Praiz{from the "The Take Over" LP}
08. Where Lovers Walk - Jonn Serrie{from the "The Best New Age, Vol 6" LP}
09. Speak to My Heart - Donnie McClurkin{from the "WOW Gospel 1998" LP}
10. Daydreams - Schonerz & Scott{from the "Sancturary: 20 Years of Windham Hill" LP}
11. He Reigns - Newsboys{from the "WOW Hits 2004" LP}
12. Wide Asleep - Michael Manring{from the "Drastic Measures" & "Sancturary: 20 Years of Windham Hill" LP}
13. Spoken For - MercyMe{from the "WOW Hits 2004" LP}
14. Zuni Rain - Michael Gettel{from the "Narada Smooth Jazz" LP}
15. Don't Cry - Kirk Franklin{from the "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" LP}
photo: Luis Lauranzon
outro underscore music: Nicolay
*CORRECTION - In the podcast I said Kingz Jewel album was named "The Contact" but it's actually "First Step"...my apologies
Bad news. As many of you have probably noticed, the Amazon Conduit was not fixed in the last week's release. Unfortunately, there was an undetected bug that is preventing the conduit from working.
We are working on this bug fix and hope to have the Conduit back up and running this week.
I will keep you posted.
Thank you for being so patient.
I don't know why but this tune by Apes on Tapes has been in my head for the longest. I first heard this cut back in 2008 on Macedonia's "Both Sides of the Surface"
show. (ironic is that that episode was named, "Goodbye Summer, Have a
Great Fall." since is how I love Autumn) I showcased this track last
year but with all good things they have to come back around. Some of
these tracks you may have heard them in previous podcasts but it's good
to sometime to reach back and and refreshing course of great music. To
my new listeners...welcome; to my regular listeners...thanx and thanx again for coming back time and time and showing love for what I do.
Another artist I heard last year that I had to showcase their music is The Shanghai Restoration Project.
I love their music and rather if it's laid back or makes you want to
get up and dance (and I rarely do that...not that I don't want to
dance) it's refreshing and easy on the ears.
The cool thing about this selection is not only that most of the tracks are free downloads but the fact that these musicians get when it comes to getting their music to the masses. Sometimes in order to get huge returns you must be able to give a little away. I will never forget the 60 minute segment on The Grateful Dead. These guys are millionaires and what they did when it came to their music is the "sowing and reaping" effect. At their live concerts they gave the okay for their fans to record their concerts. To many groups would frown on this but this worked in their favor in two ways...
1) It was a concert so the people had already paid their money for seeing them in concert and plus it would give the people to have a piece of history so to speak to share with their friends, family.
2) Even though they were giving the green light to record their music(bootleg) many people still would end up going to the store and buying the studio recording of the Grateful Dead music.
I'm not saying you should never pay for great music because is that were the case i would never put links to these gifted artists sites because we now live in a day and age where it's okay to get crappy customer service and people feel it's okay to steal music and that is far what I advocate. I take the time to put information links in my show notes because I have the utmost respect for musicians...especially today because to be honest without the web, I think I would live off my own collection of music but not too much great music is played on the radio any more.
This collection of music on this episode is from artists that are creative, innovative, and gives you a sense of "yes...great music still lives."
As always, kick back, relax and take you some "me" for the next hour.
Be Blessed.
~DarrenKeith
{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
[to subscribe: copy and paste this rss feed into iTunes]
{Track Title/Artist(s)/Album Name}
01. Grand 5 - Apes on Tapes{from the "You Open" LP}
02. Babylon of the Orient - The Shanghai Restoration Project & Amos Winbush{from the "The Shanghai Restoration Project" LP}
03. in the morning - CHRISS ONAC{from the "UN PANTIN !!!?" LP}
04. Everybody's Wonderful - David Binney/Alan Feber{from the "In The Paint" LP}
05. Apolo X - Vate{from the "Volk" LP}
06. Soup - Euforquestra{from the "Soup" LP}
07. Miss Shanghai - The Shanghai Restroration Project & Dez{from the "The Shanghai Restoration Project" LP}
08. The Winter - Balmorhea{from the "Rivers Arms" LP}
09. B.A. - The Jive Turkeys{from the "B.A. " Single}
10. Apres le beau temps... La pluie - Antonie Dufour, Tommy Gauthier{from the "Still Strings" LP}
11. Hometown - Sam Yahel{from the "Hometown" LP}
12. Tears of Grace - Andrew White{from the "Walk In Light" LP}
13. Miss Shanghai Revealed (Bonus Track) - The Shanghai Restroration Project & Di Johnston{from the "Reinterpretations"(Bonus Version) LP}
14. Somewhere (Eric Kupper Reprise) - John Shannon{from the "Somewhere" (remixes)}
intro underscore music by Todd Kelley
outro underscore music by Nicolay
photo: Chris Gin
2 great blues podcasts to check out by Todd Grundy
Macedonia's BSOTS episode where I first heard Apes on Tapes
music from Iodapromonet/Jamendo/AllAboutJazz
The Shanghai Restoration Project & Amos Winbush
"Babylon of the Orient" (mp3)
from "The Shanghai Restoration Project"
(Undercover Culture Music)
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at appliedSB (Groupietunes)
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album
Euforquestra "Soup" (mp3)
from "Soup"
(reapandsow, Inc.) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album
The Shanghai Restoration Project & Dez "Miss Shanghai" (mp3)
from "The Shanghai Restoration Project"
(Undercover Culture Music) Buy at Amazon.com Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon MP3 Buy at appliedSB (Groupietunes) Buy at mTraks More On This Album
Balmorhea "The Winter" (mp3)
from "Rivers Arms"
(Western Vinyl) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks Buy at Amazon MP3 Buy at appliedSB (Groupietunes) Buy at mTraks More On This Album
The Jive Turkeys "B.A." (mp3)
from "B.A. - Single"
(Colemine Records)
Buy at Fat Beats Buy at Dusty Groove Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album
Antoine Dufour, Tommy Gauthier "Après le beau temps... La pluie" (mp3)
from "Still Strings"
(Candy Rat Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album
Andrew White "Tears Of Grace" (mp3)
from "Walk in Light"
(Candy Rat Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album
The Shanghai Restoration Project & Di Johnston "Miss Shanghai Revealed" (mp3)
from "Reinterpretations (Bonus Version)"
(Undercover Culture Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album
John Shannon "Somewhere" (mp3)
from "Somewhere (remixes)"
(ObliqSound) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album
Blog Action Day is every October 15th, when blogger are asked to post something about a single issue to show our strength and conviction as an online community. It's a great way to feel connected to the greater good, and the participation of so many bloggers to support the world's leading non-profit organizations is something you can do to help, right now. By blogging today, you're supporting some of the world's leading non-profits and sharing your voice for change.
This year's topic is climate change, and we'd love to read your thoughts on the topic. If you participate, leave us a link to your post in the comments, so we know to check out your post!
Go to www.blogactionday.org to learn more, get a badge for your blog showing your participation, and see some ideas for your post on climate change.
Can't wait to read your posts!
~ daisy
When
it comes to my relaxing digital mixtapes I rarely have many vocalist
included because not too many impress me in this day and time. There
are only a handful in this day and time that enjoy listening to I love
instrumental music. So imagine my surprise that I've put together a
podcast where not only is must of the tracks are vocalist but for some
reason I wanted to put together a show where all of the vocalist are
women (rather singing solo or duo). There are a handful of gifted
female vocalist that I have enjoyed over the years and in this line up
there are a couple that are new on the scene and are very talented.
T.J Brown, Muhsinah, when first hearing their talent made me stop in my tracks and say, "now that's sangin'". I first heard of T.J. late 2008 when my man BigLa made a remix of her song, "Chance of Rain" and I have been hooked on her since. We had a wonderful chat via FaceBook in regards to talking about how the music industry has change; how they try and paint female artists in a corner...if they do not fit a certain "image" they are not showcased. It's funny how the (music)industry does not want to take the time to help a talented artist "grow". I'm glad T.J. is marching to her own drummer and sometimes when making your "own" path it takes a little longer and this is another reason I enjoy being a music podcaster because I have always loved not only music but the talent behind the music and my mission is to showcase music where radio will not...I am so honored to have had a chance to touch base with a talent such as Ms. Brown
Muhsinah is a voice that is haunting, angelic, stunning. I first heard her when hearing the track "Daykeeper"(with Phonte). Her background work and vocal style is very refreshing in this day and time where the studio enhances the voices of vocalist in this day and time and to hear an young lady that sounds good whether in a studio or live is cool. One thing I dig about Muhsinah's voice is that she can hit the ground running whether if she has lead vocals, background vocals are performing harmonic vocals it's very beautiful, very subtle and in and era where many so called talent want the "spotlight" she does not mind stepping back and let someone shine and that is rare today. Many great vocalists have started off as background singers from Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Patti Austin...they grew over time into the vocalists there are today.
Along with track from these two wonderful singers I have in the podcast music from Sade, Oleta Adams, Tanita Tikaram, Santine, CeCe Winans(with her brother BeBe), Diane Schuur, Cherrelle(with Alexander O'Neal), Tamia, Tina Moore, Chante Moore, Sonja Marie, Brandy, Patti Austin(with Michael Franks) and Lalah Hathaway. Included in this wonderful relaxing mix is tracks from a guitarists that I have enjoyed for over 10 years. Paul Speer has two wonderful albums out and I am showing off his talent as an solo artist and a collaborator with and Paul LawlerSantine Orient from his "Oculus" and "Wonders" albums. I first heard Mr. Speer when working at The Nature Company from the album "Natural States" which he teamed up with accomplished pianist David Lanz. It's amazing the cassette LP is still in tack for the many times I played it so when he reached out to me to give me the green light to showcase his music I was thrilled and honored.
So for the next hour kick up your feet, pour your favorite beverage and take the sounds of these gifted artists.
Be Blessed/Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful day
~DarrenKeith
My Apologies: I think in the podcast I said, "Wintergreen Music Festival" and actually it's "Winter Garden Music Festival" which is starting today...for more information here is the official site, Winter Garden Music Fest 2009
{Title Track - Album - Artists}
[to listen: click here | to download: right click]
(to download my shows copy and paste this rss feed to iTunes)
01. Daykeeper - Leave It All Behind - The Foreign Exchange feat. Muhsinah
02. Love Is Stronger Than Pride - The Best of Sade - Sade
03. Spanish Steps - Oculus - Paul Speer
04. Rhythm of Life - Circle of One - Oleta Adams
05. You Make The Whole World Cry - Eleven Kinds Of Loneliness - Tanita Tikaram
06. Gobi - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
07. Lost Without You - Greatest Hits - BeBe & CeCe Winans
08. Louisiana Sunday Afternoon - GRP Presents The Wave 102.5FM - Diane Schuur
09. Patheon - Oculus - Paul Speer
10. Kiss Of Life - Love Deluxe - Sade
11. Sittin' Up In My Room - Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack - Brandy
12. Denali - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
13. Saturday Love - Cherrelle Greatest Hits - Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle
14. Firenze - Oculus - Paul Speer
15. Chance of Rain - Loves' Design - T.J. Brown
***Blog Upate!!! to check out a podcast dedicated to the love Sade, check out my brother-in-podcast Doug Fresh over at Vibes[in]Scribes.
Bonus Podcast
{Title Track - Album - Artists}
[to listen: click here | to download: right click]
01. House of Cards - Leave It All Behind - The Foreign Exchange feat. Muhsinah
02. Wey U - Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack - Chante Moore
03. Ganges - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
04. So Into You - Tamia - Tamia
05. Never Gonna Let You Go - Tina Moore - Tina Moore
06.Cinque Terre - Oculus - Paul Speer
07. Cigarette In The Rain - Rich and Poor - Randy Crawford
08. Somethin' - Lalah Hathaway - Lalah Hathaway
09. Tahoma - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
10. And I Gave My Love To You - Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack - Sonja Marie
11. A.M. - The Oscillations: Sine - Muhsinah
12. Construction - The Oscillations: Sine - Muhsinah
13. Festival in Terransini - Oculus - Paul Speer
14. Now You're In My Dreams - The Camera Never Lies - Michael Franks feat. Patti Austin
15. Mediterran Highway - Oculus - Paul Speer
16. Never Knew Love Like This - Best of Alexander O'Neal - Alexander O'Neal feat. Cherrelle
intro underscore music by Todd Kelley
outro underscore music by Nicolay
you can follow me on: Twitter | Facebook | Friendfeed | Plurk
photo by Luis
Three great windows utilities that you can use in regards to defragging your hard drive..and did I mention they're free! (thought you would like that)
What I really dig about Smart Defrag is that it gives you a option called "Deep Optimizer" where it digs deep in your hard drive to defrag it...this one may take some hours but in the end you will thank me for using that option. I recommend performing that one at least once a month.
I remember back in 1991 hearing Seal's
first LP and how I was so memorized with that sound I couldn't stop
playing it and especially the track "Voliet". I didn't know if I could
feel that way about another LP...until now. The new LP from Nicolay, "City Lights: Volume 2.
Two things I loved what Nicolay does, how he "bleeds" one song into
another and how he using different sounds to weave into many of the
tracks. I'm truly digging this LP because for me it feels like a new
beginning.
The track, "Lose Your Way" gives me the feeling of that when looking out the city at night it gives me that utopia feeling.
"Shibuya Station" for me is just that...traveling on a lightrail as the sun is coming up...hanging out with friends, shooting the breeze, not a care in the world. The blend of the sounds brings back memories of first crushes, puppy love, butterflies in the stomach.
The cool track, "Rain in Ueno Park" for me takes me along a peaceful walk enjoying the rain hitting the pavement. For me the rain has always been a since of washing the old thoughts away for me creativly to allow new ideas come into play.
"Saturday Night" is a beautiful track that captures a time of just having fun. With the lyrics written by the talented Phonte and beautiful voice of CARLITTA DURAND; she makes you want to be caught up in the moment and forget what has happened to you throughout the week, rather you are going to dance or just let the music wash over you just enjoy yourself.
I truly enjoy this wonderful LP from the first track to the playful Shibuya Epilogue track that puts me in mind of a Vince Guaraldi composition...where your weekend has been a wonderful and you are looking forward to do it all over again.
It's one thing to imagine about different places that may inspire you to write but when you have truly traveled to different parts of the world and to be able to share with the masses through music that is truly a gift in it's own right. It will not surprise me in years to come Nicolay will be sought after by film studios to write scores for them because he truly has that ear to make you feel what you are seeing because I know with his music he makes feel as if I were at a particular place at a particular time and when you can do that with every track no matter how many times you hear the composition you have accomplished your goal.
What I have always loved about Nicolay's gift is that his music is truly universal...you can put this in any mix and his music can do nothing but enhance it. I know Nicolay may venture into another genre of music in years to come but for now I am caught up in this style of music and I am so loving it. City Lights Volume 2 is a must have for your music library when just kicking back and just reflecting on the goodness of life.
Keep doing what you're doing Nicolay because this music lover is enjoying the journey you are taking me through the streets of Tokyo.
Tracks from City Lights: Vol. 2 LP
01 Lose Your Way feat. Carlitta Durand
02 Shibuya Station
03 Crossing
04 Rain In Ueno Park
05 Satellite
06 Saturday Night feat. Carlitta Durand
07 A Ride Under The Neon Moon
08 Omotesando
09 Meiji Shrine
10 Shadow Dancing
11 The Inner Garden
12 Bullet Train
13 Wake Up In Another Life
14 Departure
15 Shibuya Epilogue feat. Carlitta Durand
I know that one music program can not be everything but for a program that is close to 100MB you would hope it would be close it. Yes I know the more we add features to our gadgets the application is going to grow...but again, almost 100MB? This is what has happened to iTunes, with Quicktime being included it's a HOG. I wouldn't mind it so much but with iTunes two things irk me and I don't know if they don't care or they have overlooked this: why can't it find album are and why every time I go to sync podcast I have go into the view panel and have the browser show each and every time?
This is very annoying and if anyone have any suggestion that I can have this feature visible at all times please let me know. Maybe this does not happen on the Mac side but it's on the Windows side this is becoming tiresome. And with the Gi-Normous database Apple has I know it should have album art up the wa-zoo but on many of the albums I want I have to go and find the album art myself I'm asking myself, "why?" Do I mind doing this from time to time...no, but with Apple happens quiet a bit. So I have decided not to use Apple to keep my music library and will begin using a program that I have mentioned from time to time but this time I will stick to with all my might(I sound like a small child but hey I love music)
MediaMonkey has been around for a while and I have used it from time to time and I don't know why I keep abandoning this wonderful music application. It has all the features I need and so much more. First and foremost it's not near a hundred megabytes, you can download different skins(which for me, I dig eye candy as well as a solid application...why can't I have it all?) I love how MediaMonkey finds album art, I love how it is what it is...a music application. This may not be fair to Apple because I know MediaMonkey does not have to worry about hardware but still for me it comes back to one thing...size.
Another thing that is really nice about MediaMonkey is how you can subscribe to podcast. on the "Podcast Subscription icon you just right click and a window opens up for you and you just cut and paste the url in the field and it also gives you fields where if you wish to put your comments and give a brief description of the podcast. For us geeks this is really cool but for some you want this done for you automatically...if you don't like to get that anal about it then may want to stick with iTunes but I enjoy having choice when it comes to my music (I was that kid that read the liner notes on vinyl LPs so you may be able to relate)
I love how making a new playlist is really simple and how you can send tracks or LPs to a new playlist; I also dig how it give you the option of burning it to a cd(the free version speed is pretty low(4x) compared to the Gold version which burn time could be up to 48x...for the complete list of what you get for the free version and the Gold version, click here[http://www.mediamonkey.com/download/] )
Another cool feature with MediaMonkey is that it recognizes your iPod and if you wish to add music to your iPod or a playlist you can making it a "one-stop" music application. I really wish it was available on the Mac side but I'm pretty sure Jobs has something to do with this not happening. I know on the Windows side this is making me enjoy using an music application again...I love the control I have in regards the music in my library because in the end that is what a true music lover wants...control.
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