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Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things

Filtering what is happening in music to save you time, money and effort.

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Africa

Music History 

Lizzo gave a TED Talk on the history of twerking

October 1, 2021October 1, 2021 Alan Cross 0 Comments Africa, Black History, Lizzo, tradition, Twerking

Think twerking is just about shaking your booty. Not a chance. There’s some deep history here. Thanks, Lizzo.

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Music News 

Blur reunites! For four songs, anyway.

March 31, 2019March 31, 2019 Alan Cross 0 Comments Africa, Africa Express, Damon Albarn

Blur is still officially a going concern, but like that classic convertible in the garage, the members only take it

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Music News 

Random music news for Saturday, February 16, 2019

February 16, 2019February 16, 2019 Alan Cross 1 Comment #MeToo, 2 Live Crew, Africa, Amy Winehouse, Digital Radio, Fugazi, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Liam Gallagher, Lief Garrett, Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus, Ryan Adams, Streaming, Tommy Lee, Toto

Remember the NHL players’ strike of 2005-2006? On this day in 2005, the league canceled the rest of the season

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Recommended Music 

There is yet another cover of Toto’s “Africa” and it’s…er….

August 19, 2018August 18, 2018 Alan Cross 0 Comments Africa, Cover Song, Cover Version, Toto

Bobby Kimbal and the estate of Jeff Porcaro, the members of Toto who wrote “Africa” back in 1984 are due

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Music News 

This is the summer of Toto’s “Africa.” Here’s why.

August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 Alan Cross 2 Comments Africa, Toto, Weezer

Thirty-six years ago, Toto released their IV their (surprise!) fourth album. Tucked away at the end of side two was

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Recommended Music 

For reasons unknown to all but themselves, Weezer has covered Toto’s “Rosanna”

May 25, 2018 Alan Cross 0 Comments Africa, Cover Version, Rosanna, Toto, Weezer

Back in the 80s, Toto was reviled by alt-rock types for their corporate rock-ness. Over the years, though, some of

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Medical Mysteries of Music Music News 

Random Music News for Saturday, February 3, 2018

February 3, 2018February 3, 2018 Alan Cross 0 Comments Africa, Bon Jovi, Dancing, Hologram, Liam Gallagher, Reunion, Roy Orbison, Slayer, Smart Speakers, Sony, Spice Girls, Stone Temple Pilots, Streaming, The Smiths, Toto, Warner

Do Toronto newspapers have the absolute worst comics sections in all of North America? It’s embarrassing, really. Now let’s look

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Recommended Music 

Tuesday timesuck: a choral version of Toto’s “Africa” that’s–well, you’ll see

January 30, 2018 Alan Cross 1 Comment Africa, Choir, Cover Version, Toto

Is this the best-ever cover of Toto’s “Africa” you will ever see and hear? Maybe. More here.

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Music News
Music News 

Random Music News for Monday, July 18, 2016

July 18, 2016July 17, 2016 Alan Cross 0 Comments Africa, Chris Martin, Conrad Murray, Elton John, Guns 'N Roses, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mars, Michael Jackson, Motley Crue, NASA, Punk, Tom Morello, Vince Neil

An observation: In most of the world, a “lone wolf” is someone who commits a horrendous terrorist act. In Canada,

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Music News 

Bono’s New Op-Ed Piece in the NYT Above the Refugee Crisis in Africa

April 12, 2016 Alan Cross 1 Comment Africa, Bono, New York Times, Refugees, Shabab

This appeared in the New York Times today. Words … I love words and phrases, maybe because I’m a songwriter.

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Music News 

Visit Rwanda with Bono for a Real Look at the African AIDS Crisis

December 16, 2015December 15, 2015 Alan Cross 0 Comments Africa, Bono, Rwanda, Vice

VICE went along with Bono to Rwanda to see if any progress has been made fighting the AIDS scourge that

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Ongoing History of New Music Podcast

Music Tech MeetUp

Each week, the podcast looks at something from the alt-rock universe, from artist profiles to various thematic explorations. Whatever the episode, you’re definitely going to learn something that you might not find anywhere else. Trust us on this.

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