“We knew the room we had on “Sgt. Pepper,” and our idea was to cram it full of value. Because what I particularly remembered is I used to go to a record store in Liverpool city center called Louis’, and I used to buy my record and then I had a half-hour bus journey back home, and I’d slip it out of its little bag and study it for the half hour. The more that was on there to study, the better. We designed “Sgt. Pepper” so there was always something for you to find. It’s doable now, but it’s not so obvious. The options have closed down in some ways. The space you’re designing for is smaller. On an iPod, the record cover is the size of a postage job. But the kids who listen to it have good eyes.”

Paul McCartney on the declining use of album cover art

A brutal review from Paste magazine about “August Rush” a cheesy Hollywood movie that has nothing to do with creativity and everything to do with schmaltz. Forget this junk and rent “Hard Day’s Night” or “Spinal Tap.”

Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth went somewhat acoustic on his solo outing, “Trees Outside the Academy” and here he discusses his favorite non-electrified guitarists with NPR. It’s pretty interesting stuff and not what most people might expect.

No one asked me to name my favorite acoustic guitarists but since this is my blog, I’ll give my top 10 off the top of my head anyway. Disclaimer: the musicians on this list aren’t just strictly acoustic, this is just who I like to hear unplugged:

1) Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis, but now with an active solo career),

2) Steve Howe (Yes)

3) Jimmy Page

4) Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)

5) Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)

6) Jerry Garcia

7) Neil Young (one note solos, but good at keeping time)

California Guitar Trio (actually three guys, but they play as one)

9) Anthony Phillips (also formerly of Genesis, before Steve Hackett with an active solo career in Britain)

10) Pete Townshend

Tomorrow I’ll think of three others who were far more worthy of being on this list…

Henry Diltz was the  leading photographer of rock bands on the music scene from 1966-1975. Whether it was Hendrix, The Doors, Eagles, The Who or CSN&Y (seen practicing backstage in 1970) he was the primary lensman shooting them in concert or taking the pix for the album covers. Now he has released a retrospective book of his work called “California Dreaming” from Genesis Publications.

Just in time for the classic rock fans on your Christmas list.

Christmas seems to have the market cornered when it comes to holiday music. Other than “We Gather Together,” (which I remember learning in Mrs. Dent’s third grade music class) I was hard-pressed to come up with much else that could be musically associated with turkey day.

Here’s a soundtrack suggestion for background music while you’re munching down on stuffing: “Appalachian Journey” by Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor. The recording dates back to 2000 and won two Grammy awards for production and classical crossover album of the year.

The recording is a rootsy American hybrid of folk, jazz, bluegrass and classical music with touches of Aaron Copland and Stephen Foster. Guests include current American musical icons James Taylor and Alison Krauss. Trust me on this one and pass the cranberry sauce.

Monroe native Dave Carducci has returned to play a show at Cafe Classics this Friday at 8 pm.  This will be Dave’s only performance in the area as his other scheduled performance has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.

If you ask Dave about Bee Movie he will sign your copy of his CD for free. You have to buy the CD, but he’ll sign it… for FREE!

We’re going to Steve’s Tavern afterword to watch/ participate in some karaoke.

In an effort to keep Revolving World readers apprised of the larger musical scene, new links have been added. Take a stroll over to the links bar and peruse, New Musical Express (online version of Britain’s popular music magazine), Hickory Wind (Americana) and Folk Alley.

If you ever listen to public radio you know that they have a lot of interesting segments on music and non-mainstream artists. Well now they’ve compiled all of it together on a new site. Check it out.

Happy birthday to Art Garfunkel and FM radio.

I know a lot of you younger kids don’t have any idea what I’m talking about.

FM radio was what we listened to waaaaayyy back in the 90’s before iPods and sattelite radio. Ask your history teacher or older brother. It was great.

Rolling Stone has concocted “The Almost-Impossible Rock & Roll Quiz” for diehard music fans with time on their hands. Tough test, cool artwork.