'Elderly Man River' by Stan Freberg (1926-2015)

Stan Freberg passed away yesterday at the age of 88. I have long considered him one of the funniest people who ever lived. He will be missed.

In honor of Freberg's comedic brilliance, here is one of his best-known classics:

'Sleeping Tapes': New album from Jeff Bridges

There is little doubt that Jeff Bridges is one of the coolest guys on the planet. Who better to make an album designed to help you chill out and sleep better at night?


Why did he do it? The Dude explains:

The world is filled with too many restless people in need of rest – that's why I filled my sleeping tapes with intriguing sounds, noises and other things to help you get a good night's rest.

Check out Jeff's new album at DreamingWithJeff.com. Pay what you want. 100% of your donation goes to No Kid Hungry.

Check out the piano of the future

Hungarian pianist Gergely Bogányi has designed the piano of the future. The Bogányi is the result of over 10 years of research and 8,000 hours of engineering:

The new soundboard and the reconstructed agraffe system together with the new shaping concept of the cast-iron frame – all create a new quality that affects and provokes a novel perception of sound. The absolute distinction of tones let us reveal more of the inner structure of music – with a more refined tone sensation.

This is a piano rethought, reassessed: reinterpreted from the origins of classical piano. The new action of the piano, produced and delivered by Louis Renner of Germany is founded on years’ long, meticulous scaling and calculating of the Bogányi piano team.

The design minimises the piano into two legs, instead of the traditional three, enabling sound to reach the audience with higher efficiency and more clarity. The curved shape and structure of the leg creates a supporting effect, thereby conducting the sound, from below the piano, towards the audience.

The design also turns the piano into a piece of functional art and design. As spectacular architectural compositions have mastered the style of new performing arts centres and concert halls alike, the new approach to piano design may well enrich the tradition of instrument making.

The Bogányi piano design is a unique answer to a shift in time and style.

Hear the difference for yourself:


And, of course, its sleek, aerodynamic design makes it more wind-resistant. So there's that.

(via io9)

Maybe country music songs really do all sound the same

What do you think?


(via 22 Words)

Beautiful rendition of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' in a minor key

I'm usually tired of Christmas songs by November 30, but I think I could listen to this one all the way through New Year's Day...


(via 22 Words)

Orchestra performs while eating world's hottest chili peppers

If you like your classical music a little on the spicy side, then this performance is for you. Here is "Tango Jalousie" as it was meant to be played—by musicians eating some of the hottest chili peppers in the world:


Whew! Makes me thirsty just watching that.

(via St. Eutychus)

Reluctant dads at a One Direction concert

(via Tastefully Offensive)

Weird Al Yankovic's parody of Pharrell's "Happy"

"Weird Al" is premiering a new video every single day as part of his #8videos8days project. First up is "Tacky," a parody of the popular hit "Happy" from the film Despicable Me 2. Enjoy!

NoiseTrade now offers free ebooks and audiobooks

I have enjoyed discovering new music through NoiseTrade ever since it launched in 2008. The site, co-founded by singer/songwriter Derek Webb, was set up to help artists reach more people by giving away their music for free.

The platform worked so well for musicians that it has been expanded to include authors. NoiseTrade Books offers a large selection of free ebooks and audiobooks for download. You'll want to check it out.

Guy videos himself dancing across China

Jake Gaba spent 100 days in China as part of a school program to study Mandarin. Rather than simply snap a few pictures and post them on Facebook, he decided on a very unique way to share his travel experience...

A brilliant Christmas medley played entirely on iPads

Members of North Point Music performed this Christmas medley live at North Point Community Church using borrowed iPads:


(via The Tea Party Economist)

A tribute to space helmets in cinema, set to an intriguing mash-up of The Beatles and David Bowie

String theory explained to the tune of Bohemian Rhapsody

Singing scientist Timothy Blais explains string theory, a capella-style, to the tune of "Bohemian Rhapsody." And it actually makes much more sense than the original song.

John Williams will return to score Star Wars VII

If George Lucas represents everything that is wrong with the Star Wars franchise, John Williams represents everything that is right. And now it has been confirmed that he will continue in that role. He has signed on to score Episode VII.


(via Chris Knight)

Jimmy Fallon and Brad Pitt yodeling over the rooftops of NYC

Star Trek: The Middle School Musical

In a word: fascinating.

Scientists find a cure for earworms

Whenever I hear the term "earworm" I think of that creepy scene in Star Trek II in which Khan goes after Captain Terrell and Commander Chekov with a couple of Ceti eels. Not a pretty sight.

In reality, earworms are annoying tunes that get stuck in your head. But like Ceti eels, they burrow into your brain and drive you crazy. Fortunately, it seems someone has finally discovered a way to remove them.

According to a report in The Telegraph, researchers believe the best way to get rid of an earworm is to solve anagrams. If you don't have access to a book of anagrams, reading a novel may also help alleviate the suffering.

According to Dr. Ira Hyman, a music psychologist (that's an actual job?) at Western Washington University who conducted the research, the trick is to make sure the anagram isn't too difficult, otherwise the earworm may return:

The key is to find something that will give the right level of challenge. If you are cognitively engaged, it limits the ability of intrusive songs to enter your head.

Something we can do automatically like driving or walking means you are not using all of your cognitive resource, so there is plenty of space left for that internal jukebox to start playing. Likewise, if you are trying something too hard, then your brain will not be engaged successfully, so that music can come back. You need to find that bit in the middle where there is not much space left in the brain. That will be different for each individual. It is like a Goldilocks effect – it can't be too easy and it can't be too hard; it has got to be just right.

Interestingly, the research found that Lady Gaga (whose name cannot be spelled without "GAG") was the artist most responsible for creating dreaded earworms. Seems rather fitting to me.

Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno address 'Tonight Show' rumors by singing a duet

New iPhone app from They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants introduces a new app for your iPhone.

It's They Might Be Giants official and totally free song app. Like TMBGs original Dial-A-Song, the app has a different song every day. The app holds five of the freshest posted tracks at all times, and all are directly linked to iTunes. It also connects you directly to TMBGs social media and free MP3 club. From Don't Let's Start to Nanobots, the app even includes brand new tracks, GRAMMY-winning kids music and TMBGs beloved television themes.

Download it today!

Man playing Wagner on the trombone while skiing downhill

Playing the trombone is difficult. Playing "Ride of the Valkyries" on the trombone is even tougher. Playing "Ride of the Valkyries" on the trombone while downhill skiing is, well, no less than impressive.




I'm with Dave Barry, who asks, "Why is this not a Winter Olympics event?"