_busk·er noun \ˈbəs-kər\
chiefly British
: a person who entertains in a public place for donations

I can never pass a busking musician without stopping to listen, if only for a few measures or so. Something about the raw performance gets me.

I was wandering Harvard Square yesterday. Ever so faintly, I heard what sounded like Bob Dylan's Knockin' on Heaven's Door. I needed to grab the train, but I couldn't keep myself from stalking out the source. I immediately hit RECORD on my iPhone (yes, it is still an all-consuming love affair with that thing) and followed the sound. I happened upon this musician on Brattle Street and sat down to listen to the end of the Dylan cover. I sat there while he tuned his guitar; listened to the clamber of the weekend bus shuttle service behind me.

And just like that, like manna from heaven, my divinely-appointed busker began to sing Simon and Garfunkel's I am a Rock. I am wholly convinced that he sang it just for me. It was such a poignant, painful and perfectly-positioned moment in time. And it is all captured

I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock. I am an island.
(Lyrics)

THE SUNDAY SOUND: November 27, I am a rock. I am an island.
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My life has changed. I got an iPhone 4S. OHMYGOSHMYQUALITYOFLIFEHASIMPROVEDATLEASTTENFOLD. My iPod, my cell phone, my planner, and a decent field recorder all merge in one device. ONE DEVICE THAT CAN DO EVERYTHING. I will never be the same. Once you go 32GB Black, you never go back.

I updated my Facebook status to commemorate our union (screenshot above). My dear friend Mary Webster was the first to comment, so this week's Sunday Sound is dedicated to her. I had my ICANDOEVERYTHING device with me at rehearsal for a Christmas concert (come!) and our mutual pal Carri Hulet sauntered by. I shoved my iPhone in her face and told her to say something to our dearest Mary. The amazing result proves three things: 1) Happy accidents are infinitely better than planned recordings, 2) Carri Hulet is a genius, and 3) Lots of people love and miss Mary.

THE SUNDAY SOUND: November 20, Have a Mary Christmas.
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Are you an audiophile looking to get revved up on a Sunday night?

My gift to you: seductive passages on the particulars of infinite speaker baffles. Expertly translated by Jordan Petersen from the original text.

Should this soothing rendition inspire you to design your own infinite baffle (IB) sub-woofer, I have excellent news. The world wide web is teeming with how-to's and FAQ's, most of which feature stellar photography (which I have on good authority is worthy of a look). Observe Al in the midst of IB construction, shared here for your convenience.

Unfortunately, the product of our inspired recording session amounted to less than the typical 60 seconds of sound I share each Sunday. To account for this unacceptable deficit, I have included a bonus piece which explores the woes of dissatisfaction.

THE SUNDAY SOUND: November 13, Infinite baffles and dissatisfaction.
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