Guitar Instrumental - A Not-so-Silent Night

I'm a month late in putting this up but, nonetheless, here it is. I come from a pretty musical family and the holiday season always means music. As a guitar player, I love to listen to and play alternate versions of holiday classics.

Here's a one-take, non-rehearsed attempt at Silent Night. I'm playing against a backing track so only the guitar playing is mine. I hope you like it.

SxSW Interactive: And the Winner Is...

Lately, StrataLogica--a product I helped create and one that's close to my heart--has been getting some recognition. A few months ago it won Best Education App from the Mobile WebAwards. Last month brought the news that StrataLogica was a finalist for a prestigious SxSW Interactive Award in the Educational Resource category.

Though I've typically never put much stock into awards, the SxSW recognition truly is an honor. As a contact at Google said to me upon learning about our award status, "Wow! That's the only award left that actually means something."

I'm terribly proud of the people who have made StrataLogica what it is. They include cartographers, editors, marketers, product managers and developers from the Herff Jones | Nystrom teams in Chicago and Indianapolis. I'm also immensely grateful to the incredible team at Isobar (formerly Roundarch) for their inspiring work. They are a truly world-class agency.

Win or lose StrataLogica is great for educators and students. There's nothing else like it. Anyone interested can help vote it the People's Choice at SxSW here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SX14PeoplesChoice. Voting ends Sunday night, March 2.

See the Herff Jones | Nystrom blog post below to learn more about StrataLogica and SxSW:

The South by Southwest (SxSW) Interactive Awards are all about recognizing the most creative and innovative projects. With 15 categories and five finalists in each category, the finalists represent the best of their kind in 2013. We’re excited to share that the Herff Jones | Nystrom StrataLogica iPad app is a finalist in the Educational Resource category.

In an interview with Don Rescigno, VP of Marketing & Product Development at Herff Jones | Nystrom, Rescigno states, “The whole team that works on StrataLogica—from cartographers and editors, developers, and marketers—is tremendously honored to be a finalist for the SxSW Interactive Award. SxSW has a history of recognizing amazing achievements in technology so having StrataLogica named as a finalist makes our team very proud. I’m looking forward to attending the Interactive Awards in Austin with our development partners at Isobar who do amazing work.”

StrataLogica, powered by Google Earth, uses multilayered maps and e-book atlases to let educators and students get hands-on in an environment where they can create, collaborate and share content all on one platform.

According to Joan Pederson, Director of Product Development at Herff Jones | Nystrom, StrataLogica is an effective way to help students learn. “The interactivity is something that provides new surprises and new opportunities every time you get into StrataLogica.”

The recent release of the free StrataLogica iPad app has made it possible for educators to take learning one step further. “Our history has been built upon hands-on learning,” Rescigno says, “Studies overwhelmingly show that hands-on learning is very effective. We see the iPad app as the next iteration of hands-on learning. I’ve watched educators, students and my own children use StrataLogica on an iPad not just to learn but to share their own content and ideas in a unique and active way.”

StrataLogica uses interactive map layers to let students explore the world around them. Chris Bosacki, Director of Cartography at Herff Jones | Nystrom, says it’s important for students to be aware of the geo-spatial world around them. “Where we live, where we go, and what we see, in various ways, shape who we all are. We all tend to view the world through the lens of our own experience. The more we can experience other places through maps of all kinds, the better we can understand the mutual connections we have with others around the world.” Bosacki leads a team of cartographers to create the maps used in StrataLogica.

On March 11, SxSW will announce the winners of the Interactive Awards held in Austin. Finalists also have the chance to win the coveted People’s Choice Award, presented to the finalist who receives the most votes. If you haven’t tried StrataLogica yet, sign up for a free trial today, download the iPad app and don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award!

 Ukraine & Russia: The Basics...new on StrataLogica.

Living Colour Celebrates 25th Anniversary of "Vivid"

Discovering the music of Living Colour in the late 1980s was a significant musical moment for me--especially as a fledgling guitarist. The band's debut album, Vivid, represented many of the musical styles that appealed to me but that so few artists or acts could combine. The songs were brilliantly crafted--infusing elements of funk, rock, jazz, metal and more. Each musician was outstanding featuring top-notch playing and vocals.

Though it's hard to believe it's been 25 years since the release of Vivid, Living Colour is celebrating its anniversary by hitting the road to play the album from beginning to end. (I remember Joe Satriani doing the same for his Surfing with the Alien album.) Luckily, the tour passed through Chicago. Due to business travel, I've missed several of the band's Chicago performances. Most recently while working in Seattle I missed guitarist Vernon Reid performing the music of Jimi Hendrix at the EMP Museum. Attending the concert was a must.

The night started with local band Room 11 who did a nice job getting the crowd into their groove. Shortly thereafter, Living Colour took the stage to open with "Preachin' Blues" by Robert Johnson. From there the familiar voice of Malcolm X could be heard and the beautifully vicious riff of "Cult of Personality" filled the room (scroll down for video). "I Wanna Know" was next and I can honestly say the performance of it was so strong it outshone the original track. Other standout tracks were "Memories Can't Wait" and "Open Letter to a Landlord." Though the entire album was to be played in order, additional elements from James Brown, John Lee Hooker and an incredibly passionate Corey Glover performance of "Amazing Grace" simply added to the experience.

The entire night was simply an inspired clinic from a group of insanely gifted musicians. The songs held up and some were taken to new levels with subtle changes to arrangements. After the final album track, "Which Way to Your America," Living Colour included a few songs from albums Time's Up and Stain. This band really is like a fine wine--they keep getting better as the years go on.We're lucky to have them around and still making great music. By the way, their two most recent albums Collideoscope and The Chair in the Doorway are fantastic.

I've been lucky enough to see Living Colour several times. The first was in 1989 or 1990 in Chicago. Though he won't remember it, I met band founder and guitarist Vernon Reid after the show. Even though I was a young adult I was impressed with how down to earth and generous he was talking music with my bandmate and me. All these years later, Vernon (and the rest of the band) is just as generous. We know each other a bit due to the wonders of social media but it was great to connect face to face.

Chatting with Living Colour's Vernon Reid. ~ Photo via Don Rescigno

Here's the deal...I've been listening to Living Colour's and Vernon Reid's music for 25 years and they've never sounded better. Corey's voice is still a standout, Will brings the groove and thunder, Doug has the bottom and outer space fills, and Vernon's playing is jaw-dropping. You owe it to yourself to see these men play live. My one regret--I should have picked up a t-shirt.

Tour dates for the 25th Anniversary Tour can be found here: http://www.livingcolour.com/tour/

Check out Living Colour playing "Cult of Personality" live at the Park West on 4.11.13

Video via Nunu Zomot YouTube channel.

Purchase Living Colour's Vivid on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/vivid/id192967260

View the Living Colour iTunes catalog here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/living-colour/id517236

Visit the Living Colour YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LivingColourVEVO

StrataLogica Featured in InformationWeek

It's an honor to have StrataLogica featured in InformationWeek. I'm very proud of the work our team is doing to improve education for teachers and students. It's also great to see the efforts of both Herff Jones | Nystrom and Roundarch Isobar recognized. Don't miss the new StrataLogica iPad app--it's free.

Classroom Maps Find New Locale: iPads 

InformationWeekEducation

Classroom Maps Find New Locale: iPads

David F. Carr

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StrataLogica kept pace as classroom maps moved from the school wall to the smart board -- and now to the tablet.

David F. Carr | February 14, 2013 01:11 PM

A few years ago, as maps began to come down off classroom walls, a prominent classroom mapmaker decided to go digital, with content fit for a smart board. Now it's making the leap from the smart board to the iPad. StrataLogica released its iPad app in January, continuing an evolution begun in 2009 when the business was established as a unit of Herff Jones | Nystrom, which is best known for making classroom maps, globes and atlases, as well as other instructional materials for the K-12 classroom.

Don Rescigno, director of marketing at StrataLogica, said the business was launched in 2009 when Herff Jones recognized that "a lot of the normal real estate in the classroom started to be taken up by interactive whiteboards." Instructors wanted the same content, but now they wanted it digitally so they could manipulate it on screen. 

[ Smart boards soon a thing of the past? Read Why Tablets Will Kill Smart Boards In Classrooms. ]

The first StrataLogica products were designed for the desktop PC, with the smart board as touch-screen peripheral. Actually, the "desktop" version is a Web app designed for access from a desktop PC. Now, the demand for digital content is shifting again, from the desktop to the iPad.
"The whole catalyst for this is the customer base -- what educators tell us their needs are in the classroom," Rescingo said. "They've told of us of their plans to go one-to-one." In the education market, that means one computing device per child, he said, "and it's becoming very common both in the U.S. and abroad, where each child gets either a high-quality laptop or a tablet. The most popular thing we're seeing with tablets is the iPad." 

One advantage of a tablet is it gives students a chance to explore the content themselves, up close and independently. Our columnist Keith Fowlkes, CIO at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, is also predicting tablets will kill smart boards in university classrooms, at the same time iPads are becoming a bigger force at the K-12 level. 

Scott Judy, VP of user experience and creative services at StrataLogica's digital agency partner Roundarch Isobar, said his team has been impressed by Herff Jones' determination to discover the full potential of the medium to deliver content differently. "We really wanted to be part of this vision for how education is changing," he said.

Putting history on the map.

The tools StrataLogica provides for teachers to annotate maps and use them to create presentations are so far available only in the desktop version, although Rescingo said they will be included in the next version of the iPad app. Regardless, once created, the content is available in either mode. After showing me the basics of the program, Rescingo sent me a couple of fancier annotated maps that might be used in a history or social studies class -- one on major World War II battles and another on the Arab Spring -- which I had to load into my account through the website but then was able to view on the iPad. 

In addition to providing 3D maps with pinch-gesture zoom control, these maps were annotated with dates and names, plus push pin icons indicating the availability of additional media such as photos or video.

The World War II battle map let me access archival footage from YouTube about Rommel's campaign in Africa and how the Allies turned it back. For what it's worth, I actually learned something: Having never understood why the Germans (and Italians) would have gone into Africa when they were fighting on so many other fronts, I finally understood that it was all about access to oil. Duh.
Rescingo said StrataLogica had a head start on designing for touch -- because that's also relevant on interactive white boards -- but when students can access the content on their own iPads it "comes to life in an even greater way."

Follow David F. Carr on Twitter @davidfcarr or Google+.

David F. Carr is Editor of InformationWeek Education, covering online education and the technological transformation under way in universities and school systems.
Can data analysis keep students on track and improve college retention rates? Also in the premiere all-digital Analytics' Big Test issue of InformationWeek Education: Higher education is just as prone to tech-based disruption as other industries. (Free with registration.)

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Prince & 3rdEyeGirl Rock Out on Jimmy Fallon

"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Photo by Don Rescigno

Holiday Music: In the Mood to Rock & Swing

I have to admit I'm a sucker for holiday music. Being the son of a musician, the holidays always meant more music in the house. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my father playing holiday melodies on his trumpet. He had a smooth, beautiful tone. Because of this, I can't help but seek out new and exciting interpretations of holiday music.

These days my tastes range from traditional songs like Mel Torme's The Christmas Song (as sung by Nat King Cole) to the hard rock guitar instrumentals on the Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas albums that virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai put together years ago. I know Trans-Siberian Orchestra is popular today--and I enjoy some of their music--but hearing a guitar god like Jeff Beck play Amazing Grace or Steve Morse play Joy to the World gets my guitar-playing juices flowing. Who says you can't rock out during the holidays?

If jazz-flavored music that swings is more your style, there are a few albums that can really get you in a festive mood. The Brian Setzer Orchestra has several holiday releases that are simply must-haves. Each one features big band swing versions of holiday classics (with a little rockabilly thrown in for good measure). I dare you to listen to them and not at least start tapping your toe(s). See the video below to hear Setzer and his band's rendition of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite. Harry Connick, Jr. is another artist you can turn to for New Orleans style holiday jams. I highly recommend his first holiday album, When My Heart Finds Christmas. From Sleigh Ride to Let it Snow, he doesn't disappoint. Also high on my list is the the legendary Oscar Peterson Trio and their classic album an An Oscar Peterson Christmas. 

Can you tell I'm into this music? There are just too many to write about for a blog post. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the holidays stylings of Etta James, Ray Charles, Andrea Bocelli, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra. How can you go wrong with these artists? C'mon, it's time to start downloading a couple of these. To get you started, here are just a few links to some of the music I've covered.

For iTunes Customers:
Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas Vol. I (Various Artists)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/merry-axemas-guitar-christmas/id197986461
Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas Vol. II (Various Artists)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/merry-axemas-vol.-2-more-guitars/id190420716
An Oscar Peterson Christmas (Oscar Peterson Trio)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/an-oscar-peterson-christmas/id319171803
When My Heart Finds Christmas (Harry Connick, Jr.)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/when-my-heart-finds-christmas/id209700462

How about a little more? Thanks to YouTube, here are two more samples to check out. Listen to guitarist Steve Vai's take on the Peanuts cartoon classic Christmas Time is Here plus the BSO's version of The Nutcracker Suite.

Steve Vai: Christmas Time is Here

Brian Setzer Orchestra: The Nutcracker Suite

Have your own favorites? Leave some suggestions in the comments section.

Happy Holidays!