Great Lakes Boating From April 2015

When war broke out in 1812, neither the United States Navy nor the Royal Navy had more than a token force on the Great Lakes. However, once the shooting started, it sparked a ship-building arms race that continued throughout the war. This book examines the design and development of the warships built upon the lakes during the war, emphasizing their differences from their salt-water contemporaries. It then goes onto cover their operational use as they were pitted against each other in a number of clashes on the lakes that often saws ships captured, re-crewed, and thrown back against their pervious owners. Released in 2012 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the outbreak of the war, this is a timely look at a small, freshwater naval war.

"These ten originals show why fans continue to follow and support Great Lakes. Crum writes songs delivered with unique sincerity." - babysue

Timothy West and Prunella Scales return for series 3.

February 6, 2015, Kauai, Hawaii: Under a 6000 sq. ft. pavilion, Taj Mahal assembled a score of musicians and members of his red-hot traveling band next to lapping waves of the Pacific. Some were friends from the Hula Blues Band, others, jazz legends who, like himself, are at the top of their game. Two sold-out concerts packed with ecstatic audiences who swayed, danced and rocked out with that sweet, powerful aloha spirit brought yet another wonder. The acoustics of the open tent pitched there next to the ocean, created an extraordinary sound quality. The recordings were terrific! Two CDs are necessary to share the harmony of those events.

Newly formed Congolese seven-piece band Mbongwana Star releases its debut full-length album, From Kinshasa, on May 19 via World Circuit, distributed in North America by Nonesuch Records; vinyl follows June 9 July 31. The album is available for pre-order on iTunes and in the Nonesuch Store in North America (and in the World Circuit Shop outside North America) with an instant download of the debut single, "Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1)." Thump premiered a brand-new video for the track, which you can watch below; underground music site Boiler Room praises the song for its "eerie postpunk-sounding guitar work, and an altogether unique vibe." In April, the band embarks on a European tour in support of the album.

“Views from Ararat” - Masterpieces by great composers from Armenia and Turkey. Ararat is a famous mountain. Noah's ark is said to have been stranded on it after the flood. Christian Armenians see the mountain as a national symbol, even though it is not located in Armenian territory, but on Turkish soil near the Armenian border. The border crossing is closed, however, as relations between the two countries have long been strained because of the Armenian Genocide. This mass murder of Armenians in 1915 is denied by the Turkish government.