Music

The Recommendation Project Part 1

 

Summer is a great time for new tunes.  And unlike other times of the year, we actually have time to listen and savour the music we find.

But there’s still too much music out there for any single person to comb through.  That’s why music discovery and music recommendation are such buzz phrases these days.  Someone needs to listen to all the bad music so you don’t have to.

Sure, we can use robots like Apple’s Genius, Last.fm, Pandora or any number of algorithmic recommendation engines.  But there’s nothing like getting a tip from a real, live human being. 

Which brings me to The Recommendation Project.  Using Rdio as a platform, I’ve opened up the first what I hope is a series of collaborative playlists, each with a specific theme.  The playlist is open and can be shared with anyone on the service.

Before you ask, I don’t have any connection with Rdio.  I get nothing from them.  In fact, I pay the $10/month subscription like any regular user.  I could have picked Slacker or any number of other similar streaming services.  I just happened to pick Rdio.

And you don’t have to sign up right away.  There’s a 7-day free trial available before they ask for a credit card.  Go to www.rdio.com for more.

 

Here are the rules for The Recommendation Project.

1.  Look me up on Rdio (www.rdio.com/people/AlanCross) and find the playlist marked The Recommendation Project Part 1.

2.  Submit ONE (and only ONE) song to the playlist.  This time, I’m looking for the single most bewitching/enchanting/beguiling/pleasureable song you’ve discovered so far this summer.

3.  The song can be brand new or just new to you.  For example, if you’re recently discovered Motown and there’s a track from 1967 that you can’t stop listening to, feel free to add it to the playlist.

4.  Let your friends know about the project.  Get them to contribute.

5.  If this works–and I have no idea if it will–I’ll try and set up something once per month with a new theme each time.

Ready?  Let’s see what we can do for each other.  I’ve started things off with a song called “California” by EMA from her Past Lives of Martyred Saints album.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 37948 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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