The dying art of the last song on the also-dying art of the “album.”

The dying art of the last song on the also-dying art of the “album.”

Plus: A 59-song playlist of happy(-ish) endings. [This is an excerpt from “Hi. I’m Your Songwriting Professor,” from the ongoing story series “The Solo Show,” by Mike Errico, on Cuepoint.] “…I love the last songs on albums, the ones where the agendas and obligations lift like the dampers of the piano, allowing all creative strings to vibrate at once. This is when the artists reveal themselves, tell their inside jokes, and foreshadow their ambitions. I know that the whole idea of an “album” always was a construct — once upon a time, album length was determined by the amount of music a graphite disc could hold — and if that construct disappears completely, no one will even know what I’m talking about. There won’t be “last songs,” there will only be “unpopular” ones. UnPop music. Maybe that’s what I like.” Check out the rest of the article here: The dying art of the last song on the also-dying art of the “album.” And see what I’m talking about with this playlist of last songs from “albums”...
Hi. I’m Your Songwriting Professor.

Hi. I’m Your Songwriting Professor.

“Hi. I’m Your Songwriting Professor.” “Don’t throw your guitar down the staircase and tell me you’ve written a new song, because the artist in me will agree. The problem is only that there is no criteria by which I can inform or instruct you on that impulse, so that would be an example of something that falls outside the scope of the course. Informally, perhaps over a crisp ginger ale, could we talk about whether the staircase should’ve been carpeted? Or whether it’s a sonic metaphor of 20th-century iconography colliding with the noble architecture of the Federalist style? Could we title it something snappy like, “The Wisdom of the Staircase,” or “Soundtrack to ‘Nude Descending a Staircase’”? Oh, sure. I have all day for stuff like that. I am, after all, the one who assigned a book of blank pages.” Hi. I’m Your Songwriting Professor. BONUS: Last Songs on “Albums” Playlist “The real truth is that I love the last songs on albums, the ones where the agendas and obligations lift like the dampers of the piano, allowing all creative strings to vibrate at once. This is when the artists reveal themselves, tell their inside jokes, and foreshadow their ambitions.” – From “Hi. I’m Your Songwriting...
Response to “The Solo Show” Has Been Amazing

Response to “The Solo Show” Has Been Amazing

Thank you for the unbelievable response to “The Solo Show.” I’m overwhelmed by the number of people who’ve written me and shared the stories with friends. The Vince Guaraldi piece hit #7 on Medium’s Most Recommended chart – I don’t know what to say, except thank you, and I’ve barely gotten started. “The Solo Show” is an ongoing story series that is basically my live show, but flipped inside-out: The between-song talking is the focus, and music backs it up via sharable playlists that enhance each storyline. New story every other week. Meaning, one’s on its way. Best, M Mike...
On Tour, Don’t Ask the Lollipop Guild for Directions

On Tour, Don’t Ask the Lollipop Guild for Directions

In ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ the Yellow Brick Road arrives at an intersection. One road went to the Emerald City, but what about the other two? Here’s the next piece from “The Solo Show,” my biweekly story collection. If you want to follow it, you can sign the mailing list, or click ‘follow’ at https://medium.com/@mikeerrico Topics will vary wildly, but will always orbit music, and there will be photos and embeddable playlists to enhance each storyline. It’s like my live show, but flipped inside-out: The between-song talking is the focus, and the music backs it up. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m insanely excited about it. I hope that’s coming across. Finally (here comes a gentle prod…), if you like where this is going, PLEASE do what you can to push it out to others – share it, tweet it, email the link around. Thank you so much. Now: Check it out! On Tour, Don’t Ask the Lollipop Guild for...
“The Solo Show,” a biweekly story series by Mike Errico

“The Solo Show,” a biweekly story series by Mike Errico

It’s on, folks: Welcome to “The Solo Show,” my biweekly story collection on Cuepoint. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m insanely excited about it. Topics will vary wildly, but will always orbit music, and there will be photos and embeddable playlists to enhance each storyline. It’s like my live show, but flipped inside-out: The between-song talking is the focus, and the music backs it up. Please follow me and “The Solo Show” at https://medium.com/@mikeerrico The first pieces are up already. New one drops this Thursday. And if you like where this is going, PLEASE do what you can to push it out to others – share it, tweet it, email the link around. Thank you so much. Mike...
The Solo Show: An Unwritten History of Motel Rooms

The Solo Show: An Unwritten History of Motel Rooms

The next installment of “The Solo Show” concerns a trip to a motel and a tradition that is…untraditional. The accompanying playlist features former student Mree, along with Daughter, Cannonball Adderley, Max Richter, The XX, Portishead, Son Lux, and more. The idea is that you’ll click on it and listen as you read. If you like where this is going, PLEASE do what you can to push it out to others – share it, tweet it, Tumblr it, Pinterest it, email the link around to friends. Thanks, and enjoy – M The Solo Show: An Unwritten History of Motel Rooms [photo: Brownpau...