NDIM Top Ten Posts of 2024
Here it is again. Once again we start the calendar on a new spin though time, and so we look at what were the top posts here on NDIM over the course of 2024. Hopefully, it gives some sense of the breadth of coverage you’ll find here and encourages new readers to find us and subscribe.
A lot of time, research, and eyestrain goes into these pieces and others just like them that have been published at NDIM, and that I’m honored if you sign up for a free subscription in order to keep up with my work. If you feel able and are so inclined, a paying subscription, whether short term or for a longer period, is greatly appreciated and helps to sustain the effort to bring you this newsletter.
I’m looking forward to an exciting and fascinating year here at NDIM, so take a look around and make yourself comfortable. Now, on with the show, good health to you!
Three Ellington Reissues From 2004
Duke Ellington’s career spanned most of the history of jazz in the previous century. Here I take a look at three classic Ellington albums that were all reissued in 2004: Masterpieces by Ellington, Festival Sessions, and Ellington Uptown.
In Ten Tracks: Linda Ronstadt
This was hands down the most popular entry to our In Ten Tracks series thus far. A list of interesting Ronstadt tracks that explore both her own albums and collaborations with others through the years.
My Life in the Cutout Bins: 1969: The Velvet Underground Live/The Velvet Underground
The most popular Life in the Cutout Bins entry this year was dedicated to this live document of the Velvet Underground recorded in two different venues and mixed together over four sides.
Pedro Bell: Art in the Service of the Groove
Pedro Bell, also known as Sir Lleb, the Maggot Minister of Funkdelia, was an original and major talent. Bell is known first and foremost for his brightly colored, cartoonish art that graced the covers of such classic Funkadelic albums as Cosmic Slop,
In Ten Tracks: Jethro Tull
A late entry in the year, Tull's In Ten Tracks list barged right up the list of our top posts, and it generated a more than average amount of commentary.
'Remain in Light' Goes Round-Trip with Angelique Kidjo
A look at how the histories of Talking Heads' 'Remain in Light' album and Angelique Kidjo's life journey from Benin to Paris collided when she decided to re-record the album in its entirety.
Chi Chi Rodriguez and Devo
When famous golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez died over the summer, I investigated how his image--sort of--ended up on the cover of Devo's debut album.
My Hot Chicha Summer
Chicha is one of the most potent cumbia adaptations, mixing the dance rhythms of Columbian cumbia with a style of electric guitar that borrows from American surf rock as well as the musica criolla that bears influences of African culture. I take a look at its roots, what makes it tick, and some of its best bands.
My Life in the Cutout Bins: The Kinks/Sleepwalker
So happy that there's a lot of love for The Kinks out there these days, and for this 1976 album release that revitalized their career, particularly in America.
Woodstock 55: Kerouac v hippies
Jack Kerouac never understood or liked the hippies, a group of young people who he had helped inspire. But Neal Cassidy did.
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