I honestly had no idea that R&B singer Adriana Evans was the daughter of Mary Stallings! It's one of those random discoveries that just blows your mind. I mean, how could someone as talented as Adriana just disappear off the map? She captured my soul back in high school, and I haven't stopped listening to her since. The other day, I was vibing to one of my all-time favorite live albums - Mary Stallings: Live at the Village Vanguard. It features Eric Reed on piano, Vicente Archer on bass, Carl Allen on drums, and Ron Blake on saxophone. This album perfectly captures that intimate, warm sound of the Vanguard. At the same time, I was also spinning some tracks from one of my favorite R&B singers from the 90s, the highly underrated Adriana Evans. Her self-titled debut was everywhere back then, with hits like "Looking for Your Love" and "Seeing is Believing." I spent countless nights driving around with that cassette playing in my car, and it brought back so many memories. Then, out of nowhere, I learned that Adrianna is actually Mary Stallings' daughter! I don’t know what happened to her, but it seems like her music career has been on hold for quite a while, which is such a shame. She was right up there with Erykah Badu and Mary J. Blige. It's a mystery I'll never quite understand.

I can hear clearly now A few weeks back, I was trying to swap out the cartridge on my trusty UTurn Audio Orbit Turntable, which I've had for a decade. I should've done a bit more homework on how to put it all together instead of diving in head-first... Seriously, these tasks need either a magnifying glass or superhuman vision, and I have neither. In a fit of frustration, I ended up destroying the new cartridge and the platter. Oops! But hey, silver lining: time to get a new setup! I headed over to Sweetwater and picked up the Technics SL-50C turntable—here's my initial review: Since I already had great powered speakers, I just had to find the right match for everything. I wanted the option to use an external pre-amp but didn’t want to deal with a spaghetti mess of cables. Technics has a solid rep for quality, and the SL-50C caught my eye because of its direct-drive feature and the ability to switch between record speeds (33, 45, and 78 rpm) with just a flick of a switch. One of the headaches I had with the Orbit was the external belt that had to be carefully adjusted to change speeds. It often slipped off the platter, turning the whole setup into a frustrating game of alignment. My favorite thing about the Technics turntable? The tonearm comes with a pre-assembled Ortofon cartridge, plus it has this handy anti-skating dial that a lot of people overlook when playing vinyl. What's the sound quality like? Honestly, I couldn't be happier with the sound quality. The Technics comes with a built-in pre-amp, so I can easily hook it up to my powered speakers using a line connection. I had the Orbit connected to a Vincent Audio Phono Stage preamp, which then went to my powered speakers (also from UTurn). You can definitely hear the difference compared to the stock pre-amp from UTurn. The audio quality really shines when you go straight from the turntable to the speakers. It sounds crisper and brighter, picking up every little detail in the grooves. Just the other day, I was jamming to "Disraeli Gears" by Cream, and there was this crunchiness that I hadn't noticed before. It was way louder but still super clear. Then I switched it up with some Freddie Hubbard, and I was really happy with how that sounded too. Overall, the build quality, sound, and versatility are all excellent – but I might just bring back the old preamp soon.

Lawrence Manchester at the mixing console during a live recording of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. I came across this awesome video with Lawrence Manchester from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He's such a cool dude and knows his stuff, having been the main sound engineer for years. People like Lawrence, along with the Front of House and behind-the-scenes crew, are the real MVPs of live shows, making sure everything goes off without a hitch. As someone who deals with audio, I can't even begin to imagine the planning and setup needed to get broadcast-quality sound with so many performers. Absolutely incredible.

Max's Wise Guy delves into David Chase's personal connection with The Sopranos. Alex Gibney's new two-part docuseries Wise Guy on Max is a treat for fans of The Sopranos. For me, it delves into the origins of the show and David Chase's personal connection to it. Beyond my admiration for what is arguably the greatest TV series ever created, I resonated with Chase's connection. It's rare to see shows authentically portraying the Italian-American experience, and I believe that's what makes David and The Sopranos special - it sometimes reflects aspects of my own family life (though not entirely). Before The Sopranos, Chase was recognized as an award-winning TV writer, but this documentary delves into the show's inception and production process. Another highlight of the show is his genuine bond with the cast, particularly the late James Gandolfini. Gandolfini's dedication to portraying Tony Soprano ultimately contributed to his premature passing in 2013. Definitely worth watching if you haven't already.

Common and Pete Rock, iconic figures in the world of hip hop, have once again joined forces to bring us their latest gem, The Auditorium Vol 1. As a fan, I have always admired the way they effortlessly blend soulful beats with powerful lyrics. Their recent appearance on Fallon and impromptu visit to the legendary Amoeba Records in Los Angeles for the "What's in my Bag?" series showcased their vast musical knowledge and eclectic tastes. It's truly inspiring to see how their passion for music continues to shine through in everything they do.

Subscribe for more trains & such >> As I set out on my train photography adventure in Connecticut, I grabbed my SLR camera and a hefty tripod. Back in those days before the internet and iPhones, I didn't have the luxury of a camcorder. I went on all sorts of adventures across Connecticut to capture Amtrak activity, even braving some of the most dangerous crossings in high traffic areas. There were always real-life horror stories associated with such spots. Luckily, I never witnessed any accidents firsthand, though I heard about them later. I have to be honest - seeing those powerful engines zoom by was absolutely mesmerizing, even if it came with a bit of danger. There was something thrilling about that element of risk that kept me coming back for more. Finding hidden spots for train photography, like secret dirt roads and unmarked spots only locals knew about, added an extra layer of fun. Lately, I've been checking out some cool railfanning spots along the Hartford Line, conveniently located next to Route 5 between New Haven, Springfield, MA, and beyond. In the video below I try to recreate some of that experience. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

New Orleans Store Owner Revives the VHS Tape in Style Step into the whimsical world of Future Shock Video, the brainchild of local New Orleans entrepreneur, Eden Chubb. As an advocate of small businesses, the resurgence of VHS tapes brings a wave of nostalgia that is simply irresistible. And for those who may scoff at the idea of reviving outdated technology? Picture this: It's 1995. Imagine being confined to a world of basic cable television. Then one afternoon, a mesmerizing trailer for a blockbuster film invades your TV screen. The movie promises an exhilarating experience, teasing its immiment arrival at video stores. As the anticipation mounts, you can almost taste the excitement of venturing to the store, surrounded by rows of mysterious cardboard cases, each concealing a cinematic treasure within. Drawn in by its captivating artwork and synopsis, will you dare pick one up or will you let the opportunity slip through your fingers?

Rediscovering Connecticut Railfanning Hotspots: Where Trains are the Real MVPs! Since I returned to New Haven, I've been rediscovering some of the railfanning spots in Connecticut that I used to visit in my childhood, particularly those along the Hartford/Springfield Line. These spots include less frequented areas like under bridges, behind gas stations, parking lots near the tracks, and some stations. It's a privilege to have a car and be located so close to these places. I can easily decide on a spot, hop in the car, and go, which is an amazing feeling, often therapeutic. In this video, we're once again exploring one of my favorite spots - Route 5 in Wallingford and the border of Meriden. What I appreciate about this area is the many stores along the turnpike where I can conveniently pick up groceries on my way home from catching trains. If that's not multitasking efficiently, I don't know what is.

Kiefer hosts synth musical maestro J3PO on his YouTube Channel Lately, I've been immersing myself in the creations of beatmaker and pianist Kiefer, recognized for fusing jazz and hip hop. He also imparts musical knowledge on his YouTube platform daily. His recent collaboration and interview with synth/keyboard wizard J3PO (Julian Pollack) is truly delightful. It seems like both artists listened to my wishes and collaborated to bring us a masterpiece of musical ideas and insights. Kiefer and J3PO wield significant influence in the realms of music production and live performances. The two together? Legend.

One of my all-time favorite actors of the stage and screen - Brian Dennehy - has passed. Growing up he was an inspiration to watch on TV and in movies. In high school, when I had an idea that I wanted to become an actor in some capacity, my parents took me to New York City to see him play Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman." Looking back, I can think of more than enough to describe what I saw: Masterful, Mesmerizing, Powerful, Nuanced, Raw, Inspiring. Without a doubt, it played a significant part in my desire to pursue a life in performing arts. Thank you Brian for sharing your talents with us and imprinting your legacy on the world. You will be missed.

NPR's Carl Kasell's iconic voice will be remembered Last week we lost a legend of public radio, NPR's own, Carl Kasell. Kasell's voice was a fixture of my childhood and young adult life. I would hear him on the radio every day before school or in the car. He made newscasts memorable by his unique sound and delivery, which had an unparalleled resonance and texture. Whether doing news updates or lending his talents to the popular show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" his sound was instantly recognizable, so much so that I would try to imitate it later on, lovingly of course. Thank you Carl for making the listening experience worthwhile. Rest in Peace. #carlkasell #npr #publicradio Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla New York Times.

In my nearly 20 years of navigating New York City's ever-changing transit system, I'd thought I'd seen it all, whether it was the revival of the Second Avenue Subway line, the extension of the 7 train to 34th Street Hudson Yards or the recent arrival of LIRR to Grand Central Terminal. Of course, just as I departed the city, the MTA unveiled Open Gangway cars to make things more exciting for subway riders on the C Line, a project years in the making. Stretching from 168th Street in Washington Heights to Euclid Ave in Brooklyn, riders will now be able to walk all the way through the R211T cars without feeling boxed in.