Africa Archives | Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things

Blur reunites! For four songs, anyway.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s new iPad Day. Why did Neil Young pick today to announce the launch of his Pono Store? The Run

Being your Authentic Self – Richard Crouse in conversation with TBP Podcast EP 035 July 2, 2021
You would be given a free pass if you forgot that before the rise of the social media influencer there were already pundits and personalities on TV, radio and print. There’s just been that much exponential change in the media business over the last 15 years. Yet today, those who were formerly the audience are […]
Mark Silver
The Business of Radio – Elliott Hurst in conversation with TBP Podcast EP 034 June 21, 2021
The commercialization of streaming audio is not a new phenomenon. Going back 100 years, it was simply known by another name, broadcasting. With the launch, rise and now transition to digital and apps, the business models of audio-preneurs have generally been the same, mostly because of the challenge of measurement, a problem audio’s cousin television […]
Mark Silver
The Custodian of Toronto Sports – Richard Peddie in conversation with TBP Podcast EP 033 May 27, 2021
Over a 20+ year span, as the Toronto pro sports scene evolved from older venues and stands filled with blue and white (Leafs, Blue Jays, Argonauts) to a more intense red (Raptors, TFC), and grand coliseums that define the city’s skyline, there is one sports executive in particular who ownership looked to. We’re of course […]
Mark Silver