TODAY ON THE BBC

Today on my pal John Barnes' UK radio show, we chat about MJ's memorial, Independence Day, and Spamalot.

The show runs every Wednesday at ten o'clock (22:00) in the UK, and my segment is about ninety minutes into the show -- meaning you can hear it in the U.S. at about half-past three, Pacific Standard Time.

You can listen on the internet at BBC Lancashire; look for John's show in the daily schedule, or just click the "Listen Live" link around three-thirty today, PST.

NYC FORECLOSURE MODEL

Artist Damon Rich used the 9,335-square-foot Panorama of the City of New York -- the intricate architectural model originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair -- and hundreds of neon-pink triangles to demonstrate just how the city has been marked by economic troubles.

(via ExpoMusueum)

MAIA SHARP - ECHO

My pal Maia Sharp was on NPR's All Things Considered today, and has just released her fourth album called Echo, produced by Don Was and featuring performances by Bonnie Raitt and Jim Keltner.

I've know Maia since the fourth grade (!) and am a huge fan of her awesome songwriting and signature alto voice. I've posted about her once or twice before -- she's had her songs performed by such artists as the Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Mindy Smith, Kim Richey, Edwin McCain, Lisa Loeb, Trisha Yearwood and many others, and in 2005 she also collaborated with Art Garfunkel. Some industry quotes regarding her own albums:

No Depression observed: "Sharp's free-wheeling approach recalls the spirit of Dylan's pre-motorcycle crash songs" while Performing Songwriter called her "one of the smartest songwriters out there." "Sharp wields her crisp, alluring choruses like a temptress," said Billboard. "Her tear-soaked lyrics and high-cresting melody conspire for a finely crafted lesson on invincible pop."

Take a listen to the NPR interview and some song selections, or stream songs from Echo on her website. From "Polite Society," a raunchy anthem that might have sprung from some communion between Carole King and Neil Young, to the hooky chorus and ironic wordplay of "Whole Flat World" and the heartbreaking candor of the somewhat-autobiographical "The Girl on Her Way," it's easily her best album yet.