For the two of you wondering whatever became of my CD, I am working on one more track that I plan on adding to the final product. The song is yet untitled, but I’m sure that I’ll come up with one before I finish it. If you can imagine new age orchestral smooth jazz, then you may have a vague idea of this latest composition.

One advantage that music has over writing is that with music I can communicate precisely my thoughts to you. That is, the music that I hear in my head I can transform into a medium that you can hear just what I was hearing internally. Although I believe I am an above-average writer, I may not be able to accurately convey my imagination to you. Have you ever seen a movie after reading the book, and were disappointed that the characters and/or scenes were not at all like you had imagined them?

All that to say that I really can’t describe the song to you, you’ll just have to hear it when its done.

Just a short note to remind those of you that have scored a feature film this year that Thursday, December 1 is the deadline to submit OSCs (Official Screen Credits) to the Academy (of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) for having your composition(s) eligible for nomination in the 78th Academy Awards. For eligibility in the Original Score, Original Song and Original Musical categories, the principal music writer(s) must submit an official music submission form for a feature film online or before December 1. Read the full press release here.

No, I’m not announcing a Johnny Cash Broadway musical. However, having just returned from an advance showing of Walk the Line (starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter), I’m offering this short review of the musical score. Being a biography of legendary recording artist Johnny Cash, I expected mostly Cash’s music and very little score. Although it was just as I expected in that respect, I was still favorably impressed with the score, composed by music producer and recording artist T-Bone Burnett.

While I doubt that people will be lining up to purchase the score that so moved them during the film, I will tip my hat to Mr. Burnett who had the challenge of providing music in a supporting role in the big, fat shadow of Cash’s songs. With a blend of acoustic and electric guitars, and occasional piano, Burnett provides a score that feels at home with the Cash genre, without sounding like just “more of the same” of the hit songs that surround it.

With most films that I see, there is a defining moment for the score, where it really bonds with the film in effective teamwork. In my opinion, that moment in Walk the Line is a turning point in the story taking place at the Old Hickory Lake home of Cash in Hendersonville, TN. The point in the story serves as a bridge between a “before” and “after” Johnny Cash, and the score supports that role well.

At 136 minutes, Walk the Line is slightly longer than the average movie fare, but an enjoyable film for the eyes, the heart, and the ears. Even if you’re not a Cash aficionado, I think that you’ll enjoy the show.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Grokster is liable for illegal sharing by its members of copyrighted music and movies. The decision will shutdown the service and tap them for $50 million, paid out to the MPAA and RIAA.

Now, I don’t know all the details. You may be thinking that the MPAA and RIAA attorneys don’t need any more money, and I wouldn’t disagree with you. $50 million is a pretty hefty fine (damages awarded to be accurate). Is a file exchange service responsible for the conduct of its subscribers? On the face of it, I think not – but if Grokster knew well that its users were actively engaged in unauthorized distribution of copyrighted digital assets and did nothing to curtail it, then there’s definitely some culpability there.

Perhaps before I analyze the case any further, I should go and read the Supreme Court’s opinion. I’m just hoping that some of that $50 million gets to the artists that were deprived of royalties every time an unauthorized copy of their creations were given away. Further more, I certainly hope that you don’t have any pirated music, film, or software on your computer. Thou shalt not steal.

With the re-launch (in print) of Film Music Magazine this fall, comes the re-launch of the Film Music Radio. Here’s an excerpt from accompanying news article on Sterophile.com:

Mark Northam, 43, FMMG’s founder and CEO, told Stereophile that less than eight weeks after the station’s launch, weekly listeners already numbered in the thousands. Core listeners, 25% of whom reside outside the US, tune in for an average of 30–60 minutes at a time.

“My goal,” says Northam, “is to get film music, including films utilizing classical and orchestral music, to a larger and wider audience. I also want to increase exposure and appreciation for film music present and past. Film composers deserve more appreciation, since a lot of the time they don’t get much recognition in Hollywood.”

Film music can be enjoyed outside of the theatre. Give it a listen.

When I was a kid, I waited all year for the Sears Wish Book catalog. It was hours of entertainment just looking through the pages of toys. These days I get a similar thrill every 6 weeks or so when one of the music eTailers sends out their latest catalog - only now I can’t spare hours to enjoy the contents. More of a quick scan to see what looks cool, then consider how it would make my desktop studio so much better.

Today, I took notice of the Novation X-Station. Turns out these things have been around for more than a year. Not sure how I missed it before. Anyway, its a combination synth, audio interface, MIDI controller, and FX unit all in one. Why is this cool? It could minimize the danger of RSIs (repetitive stress injuries) from all that moving of my hands back and forth between my synth, mixer, and mouse - as well as reclaim some physical desktop real estate.

All of the reviews out there seem pretty positive. From what I’ve read so far, my complaint is that the largest model is only 61 keys. If they issue a 76 or 88-key model, they just might have a buyer. Of course, the all-in-one construction does raise the “single point of failure” issue. If something went worng with the unit, and I had to get it repaired, my rig would be out 4 vital components instead of just one.

Such goes the paralysis of analysis - I’ll weigh the pros and cons of a potential purchase until the thrill of the prospect of new gear completely wears off. In the end, I am left wondering which gear is least likely to leave me with buyer’s remorse. Oh, for the days of the Wish Book.