Happy Birthday, Keith Richards

Keith Richards turns 69 on December 18 (although he doesn't look a day over 100). While we're closing down library circulation for the end of the semester, library users still have full access to our periodicals and databases, both online and in person. Need your Richards fix? We have the full run of Rolling Stone as printable PDFs on the research computer at the reference desk. His most recent cover was October 28, 2010.

Ask to Keep Books and Scores Over Break

All library materials must be returned by Monday, Dec. 17. However, the staff can arrange for you to check books and scores out over break. Why not make use of our holiday score collection to add music to your Christmas gathering? Browse the stacks at MP1629.3 for holiday music. If you need a suggestion, the latest edition to our holiday collection is The Hilarious Holiday Songbook (MP1629.3.C5 H55 2011). It includes classics such as "Heat Miser" from The Year Without a Santa Claus and the Waitresses' New Wave hit "Christmas Wrapping" as well as the lesser-known "The Fruitcake That ate New Jersey." However, if you're looking for "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," you'll need Wonderful Christmastime (MP1629.3.C5 W66).

We also have plenty of more reverent options.

Ask at the circulation desk to make arrangements to keep these or other books or scores over break.

RIP Ravi Shankar

George Harrison called Ravi Shankar "the godfather of world music." The sitar virtuoso who introduced Indian classical music to a Western audience died on Tuesday, December 11. The New York Times has an obituary:

Ravi Shankar, Sitarist Who Introduced Indian Music to the West, Dies at 92

Shankar was scheduled to speak at the 2011 Berklee Teachers on Teaching, but health problems prevented his attendance.

Among the highlights of our materials by and about Shankar:

• Ravi Shankar in Portrait (DVD 2436-2437)
• The Complete Monterey Pop Festival (DVD 707-709)
• The Concert for Bangladesh by George Harrison and friends (DVD 1873-1874)
• Raga Mala: The Autobiography of Ravi Shankar (ML419.S498 A3 1999)
• Learning Indian Music: A Systematic Approach by Ravi Shankar (LHAN-346 Kachulis 5, CD 29236-29237)
• Full Circle: Carnegie Hall, 2000 by Ravi Shankar (CD 19932)
• Streaming audio via Naxos Music Library (access via our web site for Berklee authentication)

Let's Take Five to Remember Dave Brubeck

Dave Brubeck died Wednesday, December 5, a day shy of his 92nd birthday. Chicago Tribune arts critic Howard Reich remarks about the jazz pianist, "Throughout his career, Brubeck defied conventions long imposed on jazz musicians. The tricky meters he played in 'Take Five' and other works transcended standard conceptions of swing rhythm." Read the full obituary:

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck dead at age 91

Among the highlights of our materials by and about Brubeck:

• Dave Brubeck Anthology (MP22.B78 D32)
• Time Out (CD 3192)
• It's About Time: The Dave Brubeck Story by Fred M. Hall (ML410.B799 H3 1996)