War IS Over! Inspired BY The Music OF John & Yoko

The 96th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and were once again hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The night was filled with excitement as the winners were announced

The 96th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and were once again hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The night was filled with excitement as the winners were announced

With The Means of Response, pianist/composer Randy Ingram’s intricate, virtuosic and powerful fourth record, the new father channels his concern over the terrifying racism, xenophobia and injustice that have come to define America today, and offers instead a message of solidarity and hope for his son. Inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s notion that “art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it,” Ingram uses the musical tools at his disposal to channel his feelings and to engage listeners, hopefully inspiring others to action.

With The Means of Response, pianist/composer Randy Ingram’s intricate, virtuosic and powerful fourth record, the new father channels his concern over the terrifying racism, xenophobia and injustice that have come to define America today, and offers instead a message of solidarity and hope for his son. Inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s notion that “art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it,” Ingram uses the musical tools at his disposal to channel his feelings and to engage listeners, hopefully inspiring others to action.

Out of all the Beatles, John Lennon had the most interesting – and frustrating – solo career. Lennon was capable of inspired, brutally honest confessional songwriting and melodic songcraft; he also had an undying love of straight-ahead rock & roll. But the extremes, both in his music and his life, were what made him fascinating. Where Paul McCartney was content to be a rock star, Lennon dabbled in everything from revolutionary politics to the television talk show circuit during the early '70s. After releasing a pair of acclaimed albums, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, in the early '70s, Lennon sunk into an infamous "lost weekend" where his musical output was decidedly uneven and his public behavior was often embarrassing.

Out of all the Beatles, John Lennon had the most interesting – and frustrating – solo career. Lennon was capable of inspired, brutally honest confessional songwriting and melodic songcraft; he also had an undying love of straight-ahead rock & roll. But the extremes, both in his music and his life, were what made him fascinating. Where Paul McCartney was content to be a rock star, Lennon dabbled in everything from revolutionary politics to the television talk show circuit during the early '70s. After releasing a pair of acclaimed albums, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, in the early '70s, Lennon sunk into an infamous "lost weekend" where his musical output was decidedly uneven and his public behavior was often embarrassing. Halfway through the decade, he sobered up and retired from performing to become a house-husband and father.

The long-out-of-print title gets its digital release as it marks its 25th anniversary. The sole holiday album by the late soul giant Teddy Pendergrass, This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love), will make its digital debut via Craft Recordings on November 3.
The long-out-of-print title, which will be marking the 25th anniversary of its original 1998 release, combines original songs such as “Happy Kwanzaa” and “Christmas and You” with such festive staples as “Little Drummer Boy,” “Oh Holy Night,” and “The Christmas Song.” To preview the set, Pendergrass’ pertinent and inspiring version of “Joy to the World” is available now.