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Mr. Tambourine Man: Benjamin Wagner’s “Forever Young” LP Track-By-Track
It may not be immediately apparent, but the “Forever Young” track list is intended to reflect the arch of the day. From from “Rainbow Connection” through “Moon River,” the lyrics, instrumentation, and production start bigger and brighter, then transition to more somber and sleepy. “Mr. Tambourine Man,” then, is all about the transition to night.…
Read MoreTop Seven “Forever Young” Benefit Show Moments
This weekend’s two “Forever Young” Benefit CD Release Shows were something special. We performed two: one for kids, and one for folks who like booze. Both were outstanding, and filled with inspiring, outrageous, and silly moments. Here are my top seven: 7 – Fundraising Is Fun We raised nearly $1000 for children’s media research and…
Read MoreThe Only Living Boy In New York: Benjamin Wagner’s “Forever Young” LP Track-By-Track
Growing up, “The Boxer” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” were in far heavier rotation than “The Only Living Boy In New York.” Sadly (perhaps), it took 2004’s “Garden State” to re-introduce this Simon & Garfunkle classic, the b-side to “Cecilia.” Apparently, Simon wrote the song as a thinly-veiled message to Art Garfunkel when he jetted…
Read MoreForever Young: Benjamin Wagner’s “Forever Young” LP Track-By-Track
In the summer of 1971, my mother was learning to play acoustic guitar. I was born in September, deep in the heart of the Singer/Songwriter Era: James Taylor, Carol King, Bob Dylan Jackson Brown, John Denver, Crosby, Stills & Nash were all on heavy rotation on The Wagner Family hi-fi. My birth announcement was the…
Read MoreBenjamin Wagner’s “Forever Young” Teaser Trailer Premieres
It’s arguable that I have no business covering Bob Dylan not once but twice on my new album (which borrows a title from Mr. Zimmerman as well), “Forever Young.” As Abbi and I counted down to Maggie’s birth, though, all I could wish for her was, well, everything. And no song that I’m aware of…
Read MoreGoodnight Moonlight Baby
Last night, I bumped into Justin Bieber just seconds prior to his VMA performance of “Baby.” Just twenty-four hours later, my own baby was back in my arms. This year’s awards marked my first prolonged absence from Maggie since she was born. I was in Los Angeles just five nights, but the days were jam-packed…
Read MoreWon’t You Be My “Forever Young” Neighbor?
Exactly one-month from today, on Saturday, October 2, I’m releasing a brand-new LP, “Forever Young.” It’s a collection of songs I loved growing up that I hope my three-month-old daughter, Maggie, will love someday too. Of course, I’m counting on you and your family enjoying it as well! The record features many of my dearest…
Read MoreWhere Are You Calling From? (Or, Virtual Rock & Roll)
I probably should have known better than to be working on a new album during MTV Video Music Awards season, but here I am, knee deep in “Forever Young” with less than two weeks to go until the channel’s big night. The timing was, of course, to be expected. As my colleague, Rachel, put it,…
Read MoreAm I Off The Rails?
With “Forever Young,” I may be off the rails. A few weeks ago, rock journos Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis aired a special episode of their weekly “Sound Opinions” program called “Off The Rails.” In the show, the two tallied artists who’d detoured unforgivably from the promise of their early career: Lauryn Hill, Metallica, Liz…
Read MoreBelieve In The Great Sound
I haven’t been listening to much music lately. As someone who is defined by my love of both making my own and listening to other’s, this is somewhat disconcerting. Years ago I lost my voice for no reason whatsoever. I wasn’t neither sick, not had I been talking too much. It just disappeared. Now, I…
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