This morning we aired an hour-long documentary about Ruth Seymour, KCRW’s fearless leader who is retiring after 32 years. There wasn’t a dry eye in the basement as we all listened to this heartfelt — and funny — tribute.  It’s up online and if you’re a KCRW fan, you must listen. Also, if you want to share your own thoughts on Ruth, go here.
RR

AM will be appearing on Morning Becomes Eclectic on Wednesday March 3!
The Swell Season will be performing at the Hollywood Bowl as part of KCRW’s World Festival on Sunday July 18

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Monday, March 1, West African singer and Grammy Award-winner Angelique Kidjo showcases songs inspired by her childhood when she returns to Morning Becomes Eclectic on the heels of her show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Tune in for a stunning set of songs at 11:15am.
Wednesday, March 3, Local favorite AM adds a Brazilian twist to the expertly-crafted songs on his new album. He’ll perform them live with a full band on Morning Becomes Eclectic before heading out on the …

Local singer – and Guatemalan native — Gaby Moreno is performing a free show at the Apple store on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica this Saturday. I saw her perform at one of the very last shows I attended at Temple Bar – the famed Westside venue that closed last year. She has a wonderful voice and I highly recommend checking her out. She also has a show at the Hotel Café on March 2.
RR
Saturday, February 27, 2010 ~ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Apple Store
1248 Third Street Promenade
Santa …

Tom really enjoyed the piece in Sunday’s LA Times on Afrobeat king Fela Kuti and sent this Letter to the Editor, describing some of his interactions with the artist.
From Tom to journalist Chris Barton:
Thanks for the piece on Fela. As Music Director at KCRW, I started playing Fela around 1980, and we’ve been playing him ever since.  We presented Fela at the Olympic Auditorium in 1986, and I interviewed him at that time.  KCRW was supposed to present a concert of his at the Hollywood Bowl earlier, in 1984, but Fela …

KCRW it presenting an intimate concert with songstress Corinne Bailey Rae on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at Vibiana, a stunning, historic cathedral in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Tickets, ranging from $55 to $125, will go on sale exclusively to KCRW members on March 2 at 10am. They will be available to the public on March 9.
This evening will feature a performance by the Grammy-winning singer, as well as an interview with Jason Bentley.
This is Corinne Bailey Rae’s first Los Angeles performance since the release of her new album …

With music in your blood, you’re bound to have eclectic taste. This is the case with Emmy and Golden Globe Award–nominated actress and poet Amber Tamblyn, whose grandfather was the master violinist for the LA Philharmonic.  (She is also the daughter of actor Russ Tamblyn!). She chooses everything from instrumental electronic music to a blues-infused track from a local singer in a very funny Guest DJ set. She even does her best “KCRW radio voice.”
Amber’s latest book of poetry is called “Bang Ditto.” The actress, who starred in the popular …

Goldspot returned to play songs off  their new album “And the Elephant is Dancing.”  Their music is indie pop with a dramatic, Bollywood flair that made for a great live performance. Check out “Call Center Girl” above and listen to the full session and interview here

KCRW TOP 50 FOR WEEK OF 02/22/2010
1 SADE == Soldier Of Love >> [Epic]
2 RJD2 == Colossus >> [Rj's Electrical Connections]
3 GAINSBOURG, CHARLOTTE == Irm >> [Elektra/because]
4 FIELD MUSIC == Measure >> [Memphis Industries]
5 GABRIEL, PETER == Scratch My Back >> [Realworld]
6 SPOON == Transference >> [Merge]
7 BUILD AN ARK == Love Part 1 >> [Kindred Spirits]
8 YEASAYER == Odd Blood >> [Secretly Canadian]
9 UNKLE == When Did The Night Fall >> [Surrender All]
10 OZOMATLI == Fire Away – Sampler >> [Mercer Street/downtown]
11 HOT CHIP == One Life Stand >> …

I first discovered Josh Rouse when his album “1972” was getting heavy airplay on Morning Becomes Eclectic and it has become one of the most played albums in my collection. Josh is an excellent pop songwriter who has a theme – lyrically and sonically — to each of his albums. This influences behind “1972” are obvious, but what you might not expect is the Latin sounds that the Midwesterner has been featuring on his current work. He relocated to Spain 5 years ago and his latest CD “El Turista” is …