Another Example

The Polybius Conspiracy is a perfect example of what I was mentioning in my previous post. The story is presented as a "factual" story, but the listener finds out later on that it is a fictional story.

Slate.com has a great article regarding their investigation into the production of the Polybius Conspiracy entitled "The Polybius Conspiracy Investigates an Urban Legend and Creates One". It is absolutely worth a read.

I will admit that even though the Polybius Conspiracy is fake, it was still a fun listen. But I was furious when I found out that the series was fictional. I felt like I was mislead. And in all honesty, I was.

Decoder Ring: The Incunabula Papers

I listened to a very interesting podcast today, which was produced by Slate's Decoder Ring. The episode is entitled: "The Incunabula Papers", and it explores the origins of an urban legend/conspiracy theory pertaining to a region of New Jersey called Ong's Hat.

I don't want to give too much of the episode away, because I feel that you should really listen to it. It's an outstanding episode, and I was really impressed with its production quality. For the past few years, I've been intrigued by the exploration of urban legends/conspiracy theories. I feel that this genre of storytelling really lends itself well to the realm of audio. When done well, these stories can take the  listener on a wild journey where they experience a heightened sense of fear, dread, and anxiety.

With that being said, I must admit that I see these types of stories as a double edged sword. While they can be entertaining, in today's social and media atmosphere, it can be quite difficult to differentiate between fact and fiction. So what is the responsibility of the storyteller? How do you intrigued your listener into listening to your story, without deceiving them on what is fact or not? This has been a concept that I've struggled with a lot recently. Maybe there should be some sort of announcement at the beginning of the episode informing the listener as to what they are listening to? Or maybe the format is the best way to address the issue. Documentaries may be the best way to showcase these types of stories.

Facts are facts, and the truth must always take precedent.

Arcade Fire The Suburbs

I re-listened to Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs" this past weekend. It's been a few years since I've "really listened" to the album as a whole, and I totally forgot how great it is. Like I'm literally blow away again by how great it is.

A New Song I am Obsessed With

I am currently obsessed with a new song from DeVotchKa. It's called "Lose you in the Crowd". It's absolutely beautiful. It's difficult to describe what it sounds like. I think the best words I can use is indie/alternative classical music. Listen for yourself.

John Lennon's Solo Music

Later this week a special ultimate box set of John Lennon's classic album "Imagine" will be released. To prepare for this happy occasion, I've gone back and I've been re-listening to some of his solo records. It's been awhile since I've listened to Lennon's solo catalog, so this is serving as a great reminder as to why Lennon is my favorite Beatle. Case in point, Borrowed Time. I LOVE this song. So fantastic. Happy John Lennon is always my favorite.

The Setlists from the Other Ringo Starr Shows I Went To

So I went back and found the setlist from the other two Ringo Starr concerts I've attended. Again, another nice reminder of how killer his shows are.

August 12, 2003 at the Rosemont Theater
1. It Don't Come Easy
2. Honey Don't
3. Memphis in Your Mind
4. How Long
5. Down Under
6. Isn't it Time
7. A Love Bizarre
8. Boys
9. Overkill
10. Act Naturally
11. You're Sixteen
12. Yellow Submarine
13. Love Will Keep Us Alive
14. Beautiful World
15. New York City Song
16. Here Comes the Sun
17. Never without You
18. Don't Pass Me By
19. No No Song
20. Tempted
21. When I See You Smile
22. The Glamorous Life
23. I Wanna Be Your Man
24. The Living Years
25. Missing You
26. Who Can It Be Now?
27. Photograph
28. Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go
29. A Little Help From My Friends

June 13th, 2008: Charter One Pavillon 
1. It Don't Come Easy
2. What Goes On
3. Memphis in Your Mind
4. Lonely is the Night
5. Free Ride
6. Down Under
7. Dream Weaver
8. Boys
9. Pick up the Pieces
10. Liverpool 8
11. Act Naturally
12. Yellow Submarine
13. Tobacco Road
14. Your Eyes
15. A Song for You
16. Are You Lookin' at Me?
17. In the Dark
18. Frankenstein
19. Never Without You
20. Choose Love
21. The Stroke
22. Work to Do
23. I Wanna Be Your Man
24. Love is Alive
25. Who Can it Be Now
26. Photograph
27. Oh My My
28. With a Little Help from My Friends/Give Peace a Chance.

The One and Only Ringo Starr

Photo Credit: Me

On Saturday September 22nd, 2018, I was lucky enough to see the one and only Ringo Starr perform  at the world famous Chicago Theater. This was the third time I saw him, and each time has been a truly unique experience. I think what makes a Ringo Starr show different from a Paul McCartney one is his sense of humor. Ringo is really, really funny, and his show is a perfect showcase of "The Beatle Humor". Think of the film A Hard Day's Night, only right in front of you, and that's a Ringo show.

For example, one of the jokes he cracked was when he just finished messing around with a keyboard on stage. He goes: "I wrote lots of songs while I was in the Beatles. None of them were recorded." Just a fun night all around. And a killer setlist too. Check it out below.


1. Matchbox
2. It Don't Come Easy
3. What Goes On
4. Dreadlock Holiday
5. Evil Ways
6. Rosanna
7. Down Under
8. Boys
9. Don't Pass Me By
10. Yellow Submarine
11. I'm Not in Love
12. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
13. You're Sixteen
14. Anthem
15. Overkill
16. Africa
17. Oye Como Va
18. I Wanna Be Ya Man
19. The Things We Do For Love
20. Who Can It Be Now?
21. Hold the Line
22. Photograph
23. Act Naturally
24. A Little Help from My Friends/Give Peace a Chance