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STRATEGY FOR THE DAY: Be an individual.

I'm still fussing with the new music software. I took a poll at the Digital Performer forum on the Unicornation web site to see how other people were making out running Digital Performer with Reason in OS X. About half of those who responded were having problems similar to mine. I forwarded the info to MOTU tech support and will see if they can provide any help.There are only a couple more things I can think of to try. Then I give up!

I'm currently recording with two clients, rough demos for one and an album for another. I just boot up in OS 9 and use my old software which is steady as a rock. So much for upgrades.

I've had a few weeks off from songwriting workshops but they will start up again this month along with one of my songwriting groups which has been on hiatus for the summer. I've also begun doing online song evaluations for SongU.com, an online songwriting web site that offers instructor-led and self-paced courses. More on that another day.

New, interesting, entertaining, fresh, captivating artists I like:

MICHAEL J. MILES (CD: NEW CENTURY SUITE) - Banjo played in the traditional clawhammer style woven into jazz and classical compositions. It's simply original and utterly successful. Similar in some ways to Bela Fleck but more appealing in my opinion. I'm reminded at times of Sandy Bull's banjo version of "Carmina Burana" - a great favorite of mine. Check out Michael's web page at CDbaby.com where you can hear a good selection of samples from his "New Century Suite" CD. Opus 821 is my current fav. The Chicago trilogy and New Century Suite are outstanding. Pick 'em up for a buck each at iTunes!

ROMANTICA (CD: IT'S YOUR WEAKNESS THAT I WANT) - Intimate, acoustic-based arrangements beautifully played support smart, emotionally-honest songs like "On My Mind," "Oscar Wilde," and the song that got me intrigued in the first place - "Ophelia." There's no filler here, every song is compelling and vivid. Ben Kyle's voice is at once assured and vulnerable. Available on iTunes.

DAVID HELPLING (BETWEEN GREEN AND BLUE): Well, I'm cheating a little on this one because I've been a fan for quite a while and David has a couple of albums out on Spotted Peccary Music (Great label name, yeah?) His style is ambient New Age - lush pads, light grooves, pristine mixes with a lot of depth. His work reminds me of Patrick O'Hearn's early albums for Narada. His music is also available at iTunes. These are great soundtracks for life; whatever you are doing - working on the computer, paying bills, washing dishes - put on this album at it suddenly becomes enjoyable!

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Read A Brief History Of Love Songs by Robin Frederick at the Sound Experience Music web site.

Copyright 2006 Robin Frederick. All rights reserved.