“…an improbable contrivance characterized by a sudden unexpected solution to a seemingly intractable problem.”

Only time will tell. As for now…

Commissioned to celebrate the launch of Light Rail in Phoenix and featuring “a distinctive amplified kazoo solo”, Michael Daugherty’s ‘March of the Metro’ will broadcast at Stations and in Rail Cars on the opening day, Saturday, December 26th.

Nothing says “you’ve arrived as a city” as much as a specially commissioned piece from a classical artist in celebration of a new mode of public transportation. In the old days we would have been happy with an irritating radio jingle composed by a second-rate hack before we started tagging the cars and not using the service. Aspire, Phoenix, aspire.

Here is a link to the full article. And here is a midi mock-up of the march in all its mutant Miss Marple meets Fantasia in a weird circus-sideshow glory (mp3). Oooh, maybe we could ask to have all the Light Rail drivers dressed like Juggalos and Juggalettes!

And speaking of kazoos, it would be remiss of me to let the opportunity slip by without referencing the giants of that particular medium, the Temple City Kazoo Orchestra. Here is their deconstruction - nay, total annihilation - of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’. The solo is just demented, in the best way. Screw a Zep reunion, we need to bring these guys back! Wild Man Fischer in support!

And as a special bonus, because we can: The Temple City Kazoo Orchestra - Sprach Kazoostra. Worth it alone for the look on Mike Douglas’ face. Enjoy.