TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

The world is mourning the loss of Brian Wilson, the heart of The Beach Boys and a defining force in American pop music, who passed away at the age of 82 . His family shared the news in a heartfelt statement, stating, “We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world,” acknowledging the deep connection fans have to Wilson’s legacy. While no cause of death has been officially released, it was revealed earlier this year that Wilson had been living with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. Wilson wasn’t just a bandleader; he was a musical visionary . Drawing inspiration from producer Phil Spector’s signature sound, Wilson famously set out to create a “teenage symphony to God.” That phrase captured his belief that pop music could transcend its commercial roots and tap into something sublime. His songs often reflected a bittersweet yearning, grounded in an idealized vision of youth, while also leaving space for the sadness and complexity he lived with privately. Behind his ...

In the realm of music, few events carry as much weight and prestige as the Grammy Awards. Winning a Grammy is not just a trophy; it's a validation of an artist's impact and influence on the industry. The Grammy’s are never dull; at the 2024 Grammys this past Sunday, we got a remarkable performance from Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs showcasing their talents with a rendition of Fast Car, Miley Cyrus received her first Grammy Award , and Jay-Z gave a powerful speech about the division that categorization at the Grammy’s creates.  Taylor Swift won Album of the Year for 4th time , ending the night as 14-time Grammy winner. She'll now head back out on the road to continue her record breaking tour; the mystery of whether or not she will make it to the Super Bowl in time won't be solved until kick-off on Sunday. Although the Grammy Awards are exciting and help acknowledge innovative artists who deserve recognition, they can also be a source of much controversy. From surprising ...

With the positive news of Israelis and Palestinians being returned to their homes in the Middle East conflict , we wanted to take the time to highlight the documentary Beautiful Music streaming on TheArchive . Beautiful Music is a perfect example of how peace, love, humanity and art can help establish connections and friendships between Palestinians and Israelis even through geopolitical chaos and upheaval.  In this documentary, Rasha Hamad, a 36-year-old Palestinian girl hailing from the northern West Bank, grapples with blindness, mental disabilities, and severe autism. Her ability to play the piano is an extraordinary outcome of an unexpected partnership with Devorah Schramm , an Orthodox Jew, which commenced when Ms. Hamad was just 11 .  Devorah Schramm, an American-born pianist and composer who relocated to Israel in 1975 with her husband Lenn. Settling in Gilo, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Devorah, a devoutly religious woman, started teaching piano both privately at...