5 Links to Consider | March 19, 2025
A round-up of this week's compelling and considered clicks, compiled from The Absolute Sound's veteran staff of experts and reviewers.
WASHINGTON, DC (March 18, 2025) – Last year, for the first time ever, paid streaming subscriptions hit 100 million in the US, according to Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA)’s annual recorded music revenue report. The digital milestone represents the largest source of revenue – coupled with vinyl’s nearly two-decade resurgence and emerging partnerships – and shows the variety of ways fans are interacting with music. The full RIAA 2024 Year-End Revenue Report reflects sustained and continued growth in recorded music, now valued at $17.7billion retail and $11.3 billion wholesale. Read the full report...
Vinyl’s eighteenth straight ascent scored nearly three-quarters of physical format revenue at $1.4B – the highest since 1984 At 77, I rediscovered a love of music. It changed my life
Growing up, I would listen to the radio for hours, playing my best “instrument” – air guitar. Repeatedly, I begged my parents for a real guitar, but their answer was always the same: “You won’t stick with it.” Despite their doubts, music remained a dream of mine, tucked away for decades. Last June, I decided to step into an entirely new world: at 77, I decided to master music. What seemed simple at first – a scale of just seven notes – turned out to be a vast and intricate universe. I knew nothing about music theory, but that only intrigued me more. Read the full article...
Illustration by Nijah Smith The 30 Most Intriguing Musicians of 2025 (Part 1 of 3)
I’m excited to share my picks for the 30 most intriguing musicians of 2025. This is a journey of music discovery you won’t find elsewhere.
I’m doing this in three installments. Below are the first ten artists on my list—and (as always) I cover lots of ground.
Joe McFadden, Veteran Sales Executive at EMI & Capitol, Dies at 77
McFadden launched his career at EMI in 1975 and later worked at Capitol Records as senior vp of sales and field marketing. While at the latter label, he worked with acts including Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Seger, Megadeth, Duran Duran, Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Coldplay and Iron Maiden.
“Joe McFadden was more than just a colleague; he was a dear friend and an invaluable partner in our journey together since we first met in 1987,” said Better Noise Music founder Allen Kovac, who worked with McFadden in various capacities for more than 30 years.
Amazing Grace by Doc Watson & Jean Ritchie - 1963
A live folk album showcasing the rich Appalachian traditions of Jean Ritchie’s delicate ballad singing and Doc Watson’s masterful guitar playing. Their performance captures an intimate, authentic blend of storytelling and musicianship, celebrating the deep roots of American folk music.
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