The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s newest release on Surfdog Records, Songs from Lonely Avenue, is available today. The new project features Setzer and the orchestra doing a new set of self-penned “jazz noir” compositions, to capture the cinematic mood of film soundtracks from the 1940s and 1950s. It is released in a few different formats: a CD-only version, an LP version with CD, and a deluxe audiophile edition with the standard CD and LP, a 4-LP audiophile 45RPM version, and among other extras, a disc of multitracks where you can mix your own version of the album! It is also available as an Amazon MP3 download. The tracks so far sound pretty amazing–look for a full review here within a week or two!
Yearly Archives: 2009
Zen and The Art of Honda Maintenance
Call me a cheap Serb (or quarter Serb), but I always get the inspiration to do a lot of household chores myself to save money. ![images[1]](http://temp.rudyscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2009/10/images1.jpeg "images[1]")
In this case, maintenance on the CR-V was overdue, so I decided to bite the bullet and do the dreaded “90,000 Maintenance” that is legendary in Honda service departments around the world. My own 90,000 mile mark passed…a long time ago…105,000 miles ago!
What is the 90,000 Maintenance? The whole enchilada, baby! This means the timing belt, water pump, all fluids (oil, trans fluid, rear transfer case fluid, coolant, etc.), new belts, and even new ignition components if needed. Fortunately I have recent wires and distributor cap, but everything else was overdue. Especially the timing belt. The idea of the pistons crashing into the valves when the belt breaks is enough motivation to get it done. (And yet, some don’t! My buddy just lunched his ’95 Accord two months ago when the timing belt broke…and just sold it last week for $300. I can’t say I didn’t warn him!) I’ve just started on the project. So, how is the ordeal going?
In-Ear Monitor Quest, Part 3: Koss KE29R
Regular readers may recall that I’ve been trying some different “in-ear monitor” (canal-style) headphones, which fit into your ear canal. The fact that there’s a third installment should signal that there is “trouble in paradise”…or at least in my ears! Indeed–there were enough annoyances with previous IEMs, that I decided to try yet another set. I’m still convinced that I would prefer a set of Etymotic or Shure IEMs, as they have longer earpieces, but they’re not within the budget right now. I did find some Sony over-the-ear clip-on headphones, but after an hour or two, they became a bit uncomfortable. So, what made me change IEMs again?
The Internet Has Changed Everything
Do you remember what life was like before we had the internet in our lives? 
I certainly do. As a somewhat heavy internet user, there isn’t any facet of my life that hasn’t been affected by it. What I do on a day-to-day basis is enhanced by having access to so much information at my fingertips.
I can’t do everything on the internet, but there is plenty that I’ve found that has been helpful to me over the years. Being an early adopter, I was a member of Compuserve back before the internet became an avenue of public access. Compuserve’s information service was like a scaled-down version of the internet, but all contained in one place. Things have grown by leaps and bounds since them, but the basic premise is the same. How so?
Review: A Música de Edu Lobo por Edu Lobo
![5174Kg6UPtL._SL500_AA240_[1]](http://temp.rudyscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2009/10/5174Kg6UPtL._SL500_AA240_1-150x150.jpg "5174Kg6UPtL._SL500_AA240_[1]")
I grew up listening to Edu Lobo’s music. I didn’t have any of his own recordings up until the past decade or so, but by listening to Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66, and the Tijuana Brass, I became familiar with a few of his songs. Back then, I had no idea how influential he was to Brazilian music in general. After reading Ruy Castro’s Bossa Nova, I learned the roots of Brazilian music, and how the bossa nova originators and later Brazilian musical movements all fit in together.
Edu Lobo came onto the scene in the early to mid 60s, and he recorded his debut album in 1965: A Música de Edu Lobo por Edu Lobo. Even better: he’s accompanied by the Tamba Trio, which was already a well-known bossa nova group that leaned more toward the jazz side of the music. Do they fit well together?