Generally, we work better and smarter, and our organizations are more transparent and collaborative, when we can work "out loud." When we share work in progress with colleagues, they are better informed, and our work can inform their work. When we share what we don't know, or mistakes we have made, we can learn in … Continue reading Working Out Loud with The Boss
Music and Arts
Rock and Roll Easter Eggs
Wikipedia defines an Easter egg as a "hidden message, or a secret feature." In software, it could be a simple game that appears when a certain keyboard combination is used, or on a DVD, hidden features are revealed when a menu image is selected. Rock and roll is filled with wonderful Easter eggs. An Easter … Continue reading Rock and Roll Easter Eggs
One Perfect Song: When I Fall in Love
“When I Fall in Love” Written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman Recorded by Nat King Cole Released April, 1957 A perfect song is timeless. A perfect song is a song that spans years and generations, and will be free of style and instrumentation that identify it with a certain stylistic period. A perfect song … Continue reading One Perfect Song: When I Fall in Love
One Perfect Song: Johnny Come Lately
"Johnny Come Lately" Written by Steve Earle Recorded by Steve Earle Released October 17, 1988 "I'm an American, boys, and I've come a long way I was born and bred in the USA So listen up close, I've get something to say Boys, I'm buying this round." These first lines from Steve Earle's "Johnny … Continue reading One Perfect Song: Johnny Come Lately
9 Great Rock, Jazz and Soul samples in Rap Music
"Said a hip hop, Hippie to the hippie, the hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it out." Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang was released in 1980, and was the first rap song I ever heard. I was 14 years old, and growing up a white, Jewish kid in the suburbs … Continue reading 9 Great Rock, Jazz and Soul samples in Rap Music
One Perfect Song: Sweet Child o’ Mine
“Sweet Child o' Mine” Written by Guns N' Roses Recorded by Guns N' Roses Released April 17, 1988 I was working at The Wiz in Georgetown (in Washington D.C.), an east coast based chain of CD/Cassette Tape stores when I was a junior in college, back when there were record stores in every shopping mall and on almost every commercial street … Continue reading One Perfect Song: Sweet Child o’ Mine
One Perfect Song: Tears of a Clown
“Tears of a Clown” Written by Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Hank Cosby Recorded by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Released 1967 "Smokey Robinson is America's greatest living poet." Though this quote has been attributed to Bob Dylan, it has never been confirmed that our modern day Bard actually uttered these exact words. It may have been him, … Continue reading One Perfect Song: Tears of a Clown
One Perfect Song: No Surrender
"No Surrender" Written by Bruce Springsteen Performed by Bruce Springsteen Released June 4, 1984 There is something special about your teenage summer nights. Tapping on your buddy's window late on a Saturday night long after everyone in the house is asleep, because you absolutely have to talk. Driving around your hometown, looking in vain for something to … Continue reading One Perfect Song: No Surrender
Straight from the Gutter
My friend Michael had just come home after spending a college semester abroad in London. We met for lunch to catch up after his return home, and he handed me a cassette tape. "I heard these guys performing on the street in London, and they were great. Listen to the tape...You'll love it." Michael told me … Continue reading Straight from the Gutter
One Perfect Song: If I Had a Boat
"If I Had a Boat" Written by Lyle Lovett Performed by Lyle Lovett Released 1988 Michael Jordan, perhaps the greatest basketball player in the history of the sport, announced his retirement from the game on October 6, 1993. He was only 30 years old, and he had just led the Chicago Bulls to three NBA championships in … Continue reading One Perfect Song: If I Had a Boat
