The rhythm genius of James Brown

Here's a terrifiic Los Angeles Review of Books podcast in which host Oliver Wang interviews R.J. Smith, author of "The One: The Life and Music of James Brown."

Smith shares great insight into Brown's colorful personality and long, varied career.

But Wang and Smith also spend a lot of time diving into the nitty-gritty of Brown's musical philosophy. Of particular note to me is a fascinating segment beginning at about 17:00 that breaks down the drum track on "I've Got Money" and debates Brown's impact on shifting rhythm patterns in popular music, the difficulty of playing a true shuffle and the contrasts and commonalities of Brown's two main drummers. 

Quick review: 'Street Player: My Chicago Story'

"Street Player: My Chicago Story" is Danny Seraphine's biography of his time as drummer in one of the world's most successful rock bands. 

What was originally Chicago Transit Authority quickly evolved into simply Chicago, and became a hit machine from the late 1960s through the 1990s. I've beeen a longtime fan of the band -- mostly the '60s and 70s output -- and particularly Seraphine's spectacular musicianship, so I read "Street Player" from a fan's perspective. 

To my knowledge there's no authoritative history of Chicago, so Seraphine's story shares a rich backstory about a prolific band whose blend of rock and jazz remain mainstays of American radio. And Seraphine hangs it all out, sharing warts and all of a band that lived the rock 'n' roll lifestyle 24-7 and had ups and downs you'd expect from any large family living under intense presssure to stay on top. Seraphine and co-author Adam Mitchell aren't gifted writers but the detail from 40 years in the music biz makes for a fast read.

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Celebrate the Olympics with '90s Britpop

I'm a regular listener of Grantland.com's "Hollywood Prospectus" podcast, so I wasn't too surprised when hosts Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan busted out a Britpop reference when discussing the London Olympics. 

Only, in typically creative Grantland fashion, Greenwald and Ryan -- using the news that Blur would close the Games -- took that news 10 steps further and shared separate Spotify playlists.

Their lists -- titled "Lorries, Torches and Flats" and "Handbags and the Lad Mags" -- highlight a very ripe period in British pop-rock history (and one that's a weak spot for me). You get the usual suspects like Radiohead, Blur, Oasis, New Order and Stone Roses, but there are lesser-known gems that hold their own. Greenwald even dips his toes into mainstream over-produced pop like Take That and Everything But The Girl, but their inclusion actually works. 

It's great fun, and I think will make for a nice backing track to the Games themselves. I mean, how much blather from the announcers can one take anyway?

You can find links to both playlists here (scroll to the bottom).