Monday, March 7, 2011

Music for your Monday

I am thrilled to have recently come across the sounds of the Amsterdam Klezmer Band, a group known for combining klezmer (Eastern European Jewish music) with dub, jazz and other contemporary sounds.

Here is "The Immigrant Song" from their album Balkan Fever (it ends at just over 3:00). Listen for the "oys" on the backbeats (2 and 4), which is characteristic of reggae and ska.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Grammar Lovers, March Forth Proudly: it's National Grammar Day!

Yes, that's right. Today is actually National Grammar Day!!! (Well, it is in the US, at least). It is imperative we raise a glass to gerunds and infinitives, congratulate the conditionals and send a mazel tov to all the main verbs who agree with their subjects. You can read more about National Grammar Day here.

So, in homage to National Grammar Day (which I believe should be International Grammar Day!), enjoy this 'classic' grammar lesson from Monty Python's Life of Brian.