The snow finally arrived. The dog and I, joined by the alpha’s mate, went for a walk in the park. Both the dog and the alpha’s mate love the snow. It’s too bad that 4 inches of the stuff shuts everything down, but who doesn’t love a snow day!
I picked up a LeMonde RevMaster stationary bike and have been logging some miles in the cave, in front of the tube, in an effort to make good on my New Year’s imagilutions. The dog’s smart enough to embrace her imperfections and accept her lot in life. She is at peace with the world while I continue to rage against the dying of the light, refusing to go gently into that good night.
The woodstove is cranked. The prodigy just finished filling the wood box. The dog and I are rotating through the artists listed below along with whatever else suits us on this wintery day as we putter around in the kitchen making pizza dough, sauce and prepping toppings.
One for the Deadheads; I just picked up a copy of The Grateful Dead’s complete European Tour from 1972, all 22 shows which include eleven versions of Dark Star. The dog loves Dark Star
In the Headphones
All We Are Saying… Bill Frisell
Frisell masterfully creates instrumental versions of John Lennon tunes.
Dennis Coffey - Dennis Coffey
The funkiest, most soulful R&B guitarist and band leader that you've never heard of.
El Camino – The Black Keys
Down and dirty, the boys from Akron do it again.
I’m With You - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The first Chili Peppers studio release since the Dead Sea was sick.
Hurry Up We’re Dreaming - M83
French combo's been around for a decade. This is their double disc release of mostly techno music. Very nice.
The Other Side of Midnight – Galactic
Galactic gets every musician in NOLA to show up on this live release. It's getting a lot of rotations on my playlist.
The Singing Mailman Delivers – John Prine
John Prine was an FM radio staple in the seventies sharing simple songs with simple lyrics telling simple stories. This release features some of his earliest live shows. Americana at it's best.
Visuals
Big Screen
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Loved the original, but this version seems to do a more complete job of telling the story.
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
The first was the best, but this is a close second.
On the Player
Beginners
A sad story of life beginning at 72.
Ides of March
Some people will do anything to win.
Moneyball
Loved the book, loved the movie and Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a god!
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
A dark and gory, very humorous take on the teen slasher movie.
Tube
Justified: Season 2
Rayland Givens, a local boy turned FBI agent, attempts to thwart crime in rural Kentucky and he's not too particular about how he does it.
Boardwalk Empire: Season 1
Prohibition-era Atlantic City
On the Night Stand
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Why didn’t any of my history teachers tell me that our 16th president was a skilled and successful dispatcher off the undead?
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Hope’s aunt cooks and Hope waitresses, after losing their café in Brooklyn they head to Wisconsin. Newbery winner and ALA Notable Book.
In the Garden of the Beasts by Erik Larson
William Dodd’s experience as Ambassador to Germany in the 30s.
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
Eli and Charlie Sisters are hired guns with a code. However, the code does not involve a social contract with any other human on the planet. A good, old-fashioned western.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Nu-Soul
I’m grateful to my dad because he’s a music lover. He loves the crooners (Nat King Cole), Big-Band Jazz (Benny Goodman) and he still sings in the church choir every Sunday. On car trips he made us listen to Country and Western. It was presented as a compromise between the Jazz he liked and the Rock we liked. However, after having my own kids I now know that the Country and Western stations were the only ones that came in and played music he liked.
My dad’s diverse musical taste coupled with growing up in a household with older siblings, prevented my earliest exposure from being limited to the bubblegum Pop sounds of The Partridge Family, The Osmonds and The Monkees.
My siblings had their radio stations and their 45s. WRKO out of Boston had the best signal on the AM dial (this was before FM’s popularity) for Pop music and they played everything, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and The Temptations to name a few. I was supposed to stay out of my brother’s and sister’s rooms, but could hear what they were listening to through the door (until my dad told them to turn it down) and when they weren’t home I’d sneak in and play their 45s. Through that experience I gained access to the songs of The Turtles, Cream, The Mamas and the Papas, pre-Disco-era Bee Gees and the sweet sounds of Motown and Memphis, Rhythm & Blues (R&B), Funk and Soul!
The term Rhythm & Blues was first used in the late 40s to describe any music produced by African Americans for African Americans. Time progressed and the definition narrowed. As with all forms of modern popular music R&B’s roots can be traced to the Blues. However, its complexity evolved from the three chords, five notes and the repetitive lyrical structure of its musical parent. Through the influence of Gospel and Jazz, R&B featured a toe-tapping groove from the bass and drums which set the foundation for great melodies from a combination of keyboards, horns and guitars and finished nicely with harmonizing, background vocalists. By the early 60s R&B was branching off into sub-genres such as Soul (Aretha Franklin) and Funk (James Brown).
Fast forward several decades and I am happy to call your attention to a resurgence in the classic sounds made popular by the Stax and Motown record labels. Several very talented artists are paying homage to the pioneers of R&B with a genre they call Neo-Soul or Nu-Soul. All I can say is that it’s about time!
Mayer Hawthorne - Don’t let the Budd Holly glasses and a cardigan fool you, this guy can sing. If you are a fan of Marvin Gaye you may enjoy A Strange Arrangement or How Do You Do?.
Raphael Saadiq - One of my favorites, former Tony! Toni! Tone! member channels The Temptations, Sam & Dave and the Miracles. Check out Stone Rollin’ or The Way I See It.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Aretha Franklin will always be the Queen of Soul, but Sharon could easily be the Princess. My favorite Dap Kings release is I Learned the Hard Way.
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears – Put on Joe’s latest, Scandalous, sit back, close your eyes and realize how much James Brown has influenced music. You’ll be out of your chair before the first chorus!
Kings Go Forth – This band reminds me of The Impressions along with Curtis Mayfield’s solo work. Outsiders Are Back is their most recent release.
Fitz and the Tantrums – I saw Fitz and the crew at Bumberhoot this year. They do a wonderful job of capturing the Philly sound made popular by Hall & Oats. Pickin' Up the Pieces is the first CD of, hopefully, many to come.
The next two are artists are from New Orleans, LA and tend more toward Funk, but really are a testament to the city’s musical heritage.
Galactic – Pick up any of their discs, put ‘em in the player and try to sit still. I double-dare ya. Ya-ka-mayand The Other Side of Midnight are the band’s latest two CDs.
Trombone Shorty – I saw Shorty and the boys twice at this year’s B-Shoot, they were hands down the best act I’ve seen in years. Please listen to Backatown or For True.
The New Mastersounds – These folks epitomize the funky, soulful instrumentals from soundtracks of late 60s, early 70s cop movies where the music was, more often than not, the best part of the film. Start with Plug & Play.
Quadron – Saw them at B-Shoot this year. I can’t get over how much they remind me of The Supremes and they hail from Denmark! They have one release, Quadron.
The last two groups are home grown right here in the damp, mossy, Pacific North West.
Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme – Sly Stone, James Brown and George Clinton rolled into one. Get Us Is What Time It Is and play it loud. You will no longer need your gym membership.
Maktub – Honestly, these guys were the first of the Nu-Soul movement to grab my attention. While Reggie Watts vocal acrobatics may be a show-stopper, the musicians are top-shelf and the band is tight. I love all of their CDs, but Khronosis still my favorite.
Did I mention that the dog loves R&B?
My dad’s diverse musical taste coupled with growing up in a household with older siblings, prevented my earliest exposure from being limited to the bubblegum Pop sounds of The Partridge Family, The Osmonds and The Monkees.
My siblings had their radio stations and their 45s. WRKO out of Boston had the best signal on the AM dial (this was before FM’s popularity) for Pop music and they played everything, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and The Temptations to name a few. I was supposed to stay out of my brother’s and sister’s rooms, but could hear what they were listening to through the door (until my dad told them to turn it down) and when they weren’t home I’d sneak in and play their 45s. Through that experience I gained access to the songs of The Turtles, Cream, The Mamas and the Papas, pre-Disco-era Bee Gees and the sweet sounds of Motown and Memphis, Rhythm & Blues (R&B), Funk and Soul!
The term Rhythm & Blues was first used in the late 40s to describe any music produced by African Americans for African Americans. Time progressed and the definition narrowed. As with all forms of modern popular music R&B’s roots can be traced to the Blues. However, its complexity evolved from the three chords, five notes and the repetitive lyrical structure of its musical parent. Through the influence of Gospel and Jazz, R&B featured a toe-tapping groove from the bass and drums which set the foundation for great melodies from a combination of keyboards, horns and guitars and finished nicely with harmonizing, background vocalists. By the early 60s R&B was branching off into sub-genres such as Soul (Aretha Franklin) and Funk (James Brown).
Fast forward several decades and I am happy to call your attention to a resurgence in the classic sounds made popular by the Stax and Motown record labels. Several very talented artists are paying homage to the pioneers of R&B with a genre they call Neo-Soul or Nu-Soul. All I can say is that it’s about time!
Mayer Hawthorne - Don’t let the Budd Holly glasses and a cardigan fool you, this guy can sing. If you are a fan of Marvin Gaye you may enjoy A Strange Arrangement or How Do You Do?.
Raphael Saadiq - One of my favorites, former Tony! Toni! Tone! member channels The Temptations, Sam & Dave and the Miracles. Check out Stone Rollin’ or The Way I See It.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Aretha Franklin will always be the Queen of Soul, but Sharon could easily be the Princess. My favorite Dap Kings release is I Learned the Hard Way.
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears – Put on Joe’s latest, Scandalous, sit back, close your eyes and realize how much James Brown has influenced music. You’ll be out of your chair before the first chorus!
Kings Go Forth – This band reminds me of The Impressions along with Curtis Mayfield’s solo work. Outsiders Are Back is their most recent release.
Fitz and the Tantrums – I saw Fitz and the crew at Bumberhoot this year. They do a wonderful job of capturing the Philly sound made popular by Hall & Oats. Pickin' Up the Pieces is the first CD of, hopefully, many to come.
The next two are artists are from New Orleans, LA and tend more toward Funk, but really are a testament to the city’s musical heritage.
Galactic – Pick up any of their discs, put ‘em in the player and try to sit still. I double-dare ya. Ya-ka-mayand The Other Side of Midnight are the band’s latest two CDs.
Trombone Shorty – I saw Shorty and the boys twice at this year’s B-Shoot, they were hands down the best act I’ve seen in years. Please listen to Backatown or For True.
The New Mastersounds – These folks epitomize the funky, soulful instrumentals from soundtracks of late 60s, early 70s cop movies where the music was, more often than not, the best part of the film. Start with Plug & Play.
Quadron – Saw them at B-Shoot this year. I can’t get over how much they remind me of The Supremes and they hail from Denmark! They have one release, Quadron.
The last two groups are home grown right here in the damp, mossy, Pacific North West.
Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme – Sly Stone, James Brown and George Clinton rolled into one. Get Us Is What Time It Is and play it loud. You will no longer need your gym membership.
Maktub – Honestly, these guys were the first of the Nu-Soul movement to grab my attention. While Reggie Watts vocal acrobatics may be a show-stopper, the musicians are top-shelf and the band is tight. I love all of their CDs, but Khronosis still my favorite.
Did I mention that the dog loves R&B?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Time for the Obligatory Best of the Year List
Or what the dog and I enjoyed in 2011
The dog and I were hoping for a walk, but it’s raining. I just drank my last eggnog latte of the season (well maybe not), the presents under the tree have been unwrapped, I’ve had way too much rich food and it’s nearly time to resolve to eat healthy and exercise, for a couple of weeks any way...
In the headphones:
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
A fuller sound than For Emma.
Death Cab – Codes and Keys
Ben and the boys whip up some more tasty tunes.
Foster the People – Torches
If MGMT had embraced the sound that made them popular, the sound that people liked, then this is what the follow-up to Oracular Spectacular would have sounded like.
Grateful Dead – Europe ’72, Vol. II
In 2011 the surviving members dug into the archives and offered all 22 shows from their 1972 tour of Europe on 60 CDs, but at nearly $500 for the set it’s reserved for the more committed Deadhead. Europe ’72 is one of the best live albums of the 70s whose only drawback is that it didn’t include Dark Star. Vol. II corrects that oversight and then some.
The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
While technically a 2010 release, Subpop remastered the Seattle Folk-Rockers tunes and re-released it in 2011. Do something nice for your ears and buy this disc.
Mayer Hawthorne – How Do You Do
Cardigan and Buddy Holly glasses aside, this guy can sing and leads the Nu Soul movement.
Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’
Another solid Nu Soul effort from Raphael and every bit as good as The Way I See It.
Rolling Stones - Brussels Affair
Live, download-only version of the Brussels show from the 1973 European tour and a steal at $4.99.
Trombone Shorty – For True
Two shows at Bumbershoot including the soundcheck and KEXP show at the children’s theater, these guys come to the game ready to play.
Vetiver – The Errant Charm
Named for a perennial grass native to India. Saw ‘em twice at B-shoot 2011, another creat collection of tunes from Andy Cabic and Co
White Denim - D
ZZ Top meets King Crimson. Especially pleasing, intricate guitar work, with nice harmonies and toe-tapping beats. White Denim is one of my new favorite groups.
Visuals: Big Screen
Cedar Rapids
Directed by Miguel Arteta, starring Ed Helms, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Directed by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore
Harry Potter and the End of the Series, Part II
Directed by David Yates, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
Midnight In Paris
Directed by Woody Allen, starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates
Super 8
Directed by J.J. Abrams, starring Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka and Kyle Chandler
Water For Elephants
Robert Pattinson shows he's more than a sparkling vampire glamoring winey teens on the edge of the Northwest rain forest.
Win, Win
Directed by Thomas McCarthy, starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan and Jeffrey Tambor
Visuals: Tube
Good Wife Season Three
A cuckolded Chicago politician’s wife makes her way in the world and a name for herself as a partner-tracked lawyer.
Modern Family Season Three
Best cast and writing in a sitcom since Seinfeld.
Sons of Anarchy Season Four
The trials and tribulations of a group of motorcycle enthusiasts from northern California makes for an interesting spin on the story of Hamlet.
Treme Season One
From the creators of The Wire, Post-Katrina New Orleans with an amazing soundtrack.
Walking Dead Season Two
The zombie apocalypse is upon us.
Visuals: Revisits
Friday Night Lights
Life and football in a Texas high school.
Star Trek Deep Space Nine
Gene Rodenberry's legacy lives on in my favorite of the Star Trek series.
The Wire
Balitmore cops wrestling with bureaucracy, nepotism and petty differences while trying to catch bad guys.
On the nightstand:
The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Ship Breaker (book 1 of 2) by Paolo Bacigalupi
The Hunger Games (book 1 of 3) by Suzanne Collins
The dog and I were hoping for a walk, but it’s raining. I just drank my last eggnog latte of the season (well maybe not), the presents under the tree have been unwrapped, I’ve had way too much rich food and it’s nearly time to resolve to eat healthy and exercise, for a couple of weeks any way...
In the headphones:
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
A fuller sound than For Emma.
Death Cab – Codes and Keys
Ben and the boys whip up some more tasty tunes.
Foster the People – Torches
If MGMT had embraced the sound that made them popular, the sound that people liked, then this is what the follow-up to Oracular Spectacular would have sounded like.
Grateful Dead – Europe ’72, Vol. II
In 2011 the surviving members dug into the archives and offered all 22 shows from their 1972 tour of Europe on 60 CDs, but at nearly $500 for the set it’s reserved for the more committed Deadhead. Europe ’72 is one of the best live albums of the 70s whose only drawback is that it didn’t include Dark Star. Vol. II corrects that oversight and then some.
The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
While technically a 2010 release, Subpop remastered the Seattle Folk-Rockers tunes and re-released it in 2011. Do something nice for your ears and buy this disc.
Mayer Hawthorne – How Do You Do
Cardigan and Buddy Holly glasses aside, this guy can sing and leads the Nu Soul movement.
Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’
Another solid Nu Soul effort from Raphael and every bit as good as The Way I See It.
Rolling Stones - Brussels Affair
Live, download-only version of the Brussels show from the 1973 European tour and a steal at $4.99.
Trombone Shorty – For True
Two shows at Bumbershoot including the soundcheck and KEXP show at the children’s theater, these guys come to the game ready to play.
Vetiver – The Errant Charm
Named for a perennial grass native to India. Saw ‘em twice at B-shoot 2011, another creat collection of tunes from Andy Cabic and Co
White Denim - D
ZZ Top meets King Crimson. Especially pleasing, intricate guitar work, with nice harmonies and toe-tapping beats. White Denim is one of my new favorite groups.
Visuals: Big Screen
Cedar Rapids
Directed by Miguel Arteta, starring Ed Helms, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Directed by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore
Harry Potter and the End of the Series, Part II
Directed by David Yates, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
Midnight In Paris
Directed by Woody Allen, starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates
Super 8
Directed by J.J. Abrams, starring Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka and Kyle Chandler
Water For Elephants
Robert Pattinson shows he's more than a sparkling vampire glamoring winey teens on the edge of the Northwest rain forest.
Win, Win
Directed by Thomas McCarthy, starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan and Jeffrey Tambor
Visuals: Tube
Good Wife Season Three
A cuckolded Chicago politician’s wife makes her way in the world and a name for herself as a partner-tracked lawyer.
Modern Family Season Three
Best cast and writing in a sitcom since Seinfeld.
Sons of Anarchy Season Four
The trials and tribulations of a group of motorcycle enthusiasts from northern California makes for an interesting spin on the story of Hamlet.
Treme Season One
From the creators of The Wire, Post-Katrina New Orleans with an amazing soundtrack.
Walking Dead Season Two
The zombie apocalypse is upon us.
Visuals: Revisits
Friday Night Lights
Life and football in a Texas high school.
Star Trek Deep Space Nine
Gene Rodenberry's legacy lives on in my favorite of the Star Trek series.
The Wire
Balitmore cops wrestling with bureaucracy, nepotism and petty differences while trying to catch bad guys.
On the nightstand:
The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Ship Breaker (book 1 of 2) by Paolo Bacigalupi
The Hunger Games (book 1 of 3) by Suzanne Collins
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Three days before B’s Bday (B the brother, not B the partner)
Just back from a short trip to Vancouver, BC. B and I walked around Stanley Park in the sun, got some reflexology on our feet while sipping jasmine tea in overstuffed chairs and listening to the Grateful Dead, spent a morning on Granville Island, saw As You Like It at Bard on the Beach, ate at a killer Afghani restaurant and enjoyed ourselves in a generally, laid back, mostly Canadian manner. The dog stayed home with E.
What the Dog and I are listening to:
The dog has been on a Jazz kick lately. She likes nothing better than to lie in the sun and let the music transport her to a place filled with steak bones, unlimited belly rubs and slower squirrels, but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying other music as well.
Joshua Redman – James Farm
I love Josh’s music. He borrows a bit from all who’ve come before and heads in his own direction.
Corea, Clarke & White – Forever
Return to Forever alum reunite for a two disc musical journey in which they really stretch their legs.
Al Di Meola – Pursuit of the Radical Rhapsody
Speaking of Return to Forever, Al has slowed his fretboard work down a bit and created something very nice.
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Orchestra – 40 Acres and a Burro
More jazz than Latin, but I like it.
Foster the People – Torches
This is what MGMT’s follow-up to Oracular Spectacular should have sounded like.
Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven
Former Blasters guitarist offers a rootsy sound.
Iggy Pop - Roadkill Rising: The Bootleg Collection
If punk has a grandpa it’s Iggy. Play this loud!
Vetiver – The Errant Charm
Named for a perennial grass native to India. Saw ‘em twice at B-shoot 2011, another creat collection of tunes from Andy Cabic and Co.
Gillian Welch – The Harrow & the Harvest
There’s no one quite like Gillian.
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
A fuller sound than For Emma
What the Dog and I are reading:
I Am Not Sidney Porter by Percival Everett
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
What the dog and I are watching:
The More the Merrier
1943, directed by George Stevens. Starring Joel Macrea, Jean Arthur and Charles Colburn. A housing shortage in war time DC leads to comical situations.
Sons of Anarchy Season Four
An interesting spin on Hamlet.
Even though the dog was born and raised in the Northwest, she’s a hardcore Sox fan with no love for the Yankees.
Derek Jeter terminated his engagement with Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights and she’s the newest Charlie’s Angel). Prior to the relationship with Ms. Kelly, I suspected Jeter was gay. Now there’s no negative connotation to him being gay, it’s an observation not a judgment. The reason for my suspicion; confirmed bachelor, well groomed, good dancer, drinks wine coolers and likes Cold Play. Since he’s broken it off with her, I no longer suspect that he’s gay (and there’s still no negative connotation to him being gay, it’s an observation not a judgment).
That being said the Red Sox are 3-7 in their last 10 games. Are they trying to finish the season the way they started it? Tampa Bay is four games out of the wild card and the Angels are five back with twelve games left to play. Boston has two more with TB, four with the Orioles, a day off, then three with the Yanks in the Bronx. They finish the regular season with three games in Baltimore.
The Yanks are 6-4 for their last 10. They have 13 games (12 tough ones) left, no days off, two to complete the series with Toronto, one against Minnesota then four against TB, three versus the Sox at home then they travel to TB to play three and finish the season.
If the Sox get their heads out of their asses and the Yanks put their heads further in their asses, the Sox could finish in first place and TB or the Angels could take the wildcard. Of course that’s a perfect world scenario.
Go Sox!
Ineffable – a PG-13 way of communicating that someone is not available for intimate contact.
What the Dog and I are listening to:
The dog has been on a Jazz kick lately. She likes nothing better than to lie in the sun and let the music transport her to a place filled with steak bones, unlimited belly rubs and slower squirrels, but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying other music as well.
Joshua Redman – James Farm
I love Josh’s music. He borrows a bit from all who’ve come before and heads in his own direction.
Corea, Clarke & White – Forever
Return to Forever alum reunite for a two disc musical journey in which they really stretch their legs.
Al Di Meola – Pursuit of the Radical Rhapsody
Speaking of Return to Forever, Al has slowed his fretboard work down a bit and created something very nice.
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Orchestra – 40 Acres and a Burro
More jazz than Latin, but I like it.
Foster the People – Torches
This is what MGMT’s follow-up to Oracular Spectacular should have sounded like.
Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven
Former Blasters guitarist offers a rootsy sound.
Iggy Pop - Roadkill Rising: The Bootleg Collection
If punk has a grandpa it’s Iggy. Play this loud!
Vetiver – The Errant Charm
Named for a perennial grass native to India. Saw ‘em twice at B-shoot 2011, another creat collection of tunes from Andy Cabic and Co.
Gillian Welch – The Harrow & the Harvest
There’s no one quite like Gillian.
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
A fuller sound than For Emma
What the Dog and I are reading:
I Am Not Sidney Porter by Percival Everett
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
What the dog and I are watching:
The More the Merrier
1943, directed by George Stevens. Starring Joel Macrea, Jean Arthur and Charles Colburn. A housing shortage in war time DC leads to comical situations.
Sons of Anarchy Season Four
An interesting spin on Hamlet.
Even though the dog was born and raised in the Northwest, she’s a hardcore Sox fan with no love for the Yankees.
Derek Jeter terminated his engagement with Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights and she’s the newest Charlie’s Angel). Prior to the relationship with Ms. Kelly, I suspected Jeter was gay. Now there’s no negative connotation to him being gay, it’s an observation not a judgment. The reason for my suspicion; confirmed bachelor, well groomed, good dancer, drinks wine coolers and likes Cold Play. Since he’s broken it off with her, I no longer suspect that he’s gay (and there’s still no negative connotation to him being gay, it’s an observation not a judgment).
That being said the Red Sox are 3-7 in their last 10 games. Are they trying to finish the season the way they started it? Tampa Bay is four games out of the wild card and the Angels are five back with twelve games left to play. Boston has two more with TB, four with the Orioles, a day off, then three with the Yanks in the Bronx. They finish the regular season with three games in Baltimore.
The Yanks are 6-4 for their last 10. They have 13 games (12 tough ones) left, no days off, two to complete the series with Toronto, one against Minnesota then four against TB, three versus the Sox at home then they travel to TB to play three and finish the season.
If the Sox get their heads out of their asses and the Yanks put their heads further in their asses, the Sox could finish in first place and TB or the Angels could take the wildcard. Of course that’s a perfect world scenario.
Go Sox!
Ineffable – a PG-13 way of communicating that someone is not available for intimate contact.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Bumbershoot 2011
Friends, the links to the MySpace pages of the bands mentioned below are in my Bumbershoot Preview column.
The Dog couldn't go to Bumbershoot.
Saturday
First up, Vetiver in the Bumbershoot Music Lounge (intimate, unplugged, 40 minute sets in a 100 seat theater). Unfortunately I had no tickets for Music Lounge show, there was a huge line to get into the festival and the food court (excellent idea One Reel) near the entrance compelled B to peruse because he was feeling puckish, truth be known, so was I. Once we’d knocked back the first of many gyros from St. Demetrios (a slice of heaven on a pita for $6) we proceeded to the KEXP booth to join the queue for the tickets. Our prospects looked bleak, but we got in. Vetiver played a mixture of new songs from their latest, The Errant Charm, and some from their previous four releases. It was the first performance of their new tour. I had hoped to hear More of This, but was denied that pleasure. I spoke to the lead guitarist after the Music Lounge set and he assured me that they’d play it during their performance at the Fountain Stage. They didn’t. In spite of that hollow promise Vetiver was great.
Next up, Kris Orlowski at Level 3, one of the two EMP stages. Unfortunately it was full. Note to EMP and One Reel, the Sky Church performances had room all weekend even after moving the barriers at the back of the room closer to the stage (WTF, four security guys need 25% of the floor space?) However, every Level 3 show was filled long before performers took the stage and huge lines continued to build outside. I’m just saying…
B and I made our way back the Mural Stage and proceeded to consume the first of many, many free Starbucks beverages. Howard, your plea to corporations to refuse to contribute to campaigns until Congress gets its collective head out of its collective ass, sponsoring one of the best stages at Bumbershoot and sharing free drinks with Bumbershooters are improving my opinion of you. Just get an NBA team to return or even better an NHL team to come to Seattle and we’re good.
We rendezvoused with J, D and R for Wagons, an Aussie C&W band with a great sense of humor. Good music and the front man’s between song banter reminded me of Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords.
While at Wagons my buddy T sent a text asking if we wanted in for the Bumbershoot Music Lounge show for Trombone Shorty. Since Shorty was on my list of must sees, I quickly replied ‘yes’. We sat three rows back, center stage. T and I got to catch up a bit during the sound check. Trombone Shorty came out with his band, none of whom looked to be over 30, and proceeded to melt our faces off with one of the tightest, sharpest sounding Jazz-Funk-R&B/Soul performances I’ve ever seen. The man channeled James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Dizzy Gillespie at various times throughout the show. They were fabulous!!!!! I bought their CD Backatown.
We walked the grounds a bit. T showed us the (hopefully) new home for KEXP. We grabbed a Starbucks, listened to a bit of Nortec Collective at Fisher Green and PS I Love You at The Fountain where two nice ladies gave us passes to the VIP beer garden where we enjoyed a tasty beverage and watched Shabazz Palaces. We couldn’t get in to see Pickwick or Jayme Stone, the previously mentioned Level 3 factor nixed those opportunities, but did see Trombone Shorty a second time and got another gyro from St. Demetrios. Our last act was Ray LaMontagne in Key arena. The Music was great, but I dislike the venue. It’s inside, the seats are not comfortable and the sound is sub-par. I appreciate the need to “weather-proof” the festival and understand that Memorial Stadium costs more, but the Key sucks for music. Once again I’m just saying…
We left Ray after four songs and made our way to Mavis Staples. Mavis did not disappoint. We arrived just as she was getting into The Weight. Mavis has a great voice, greater stage presence and always has a tight band. We missed her last couple of songs as we hustled to the ferry.
Sunday
I was lucky to have my Brother and my life-partner along for the day. Once through the gates we went straight to get comedy stage passes. We opted for The Improvised Shakespeare Company in Bagley Wright later that day. The comedy shows are so popular that you have to get passes to guarantee a seat and they “sell out” early. On the way back we caught a bit of Kore Ionz at Fisher then got another gyro from St. Demetrios and on to the Mural for the remainder of Kasey Anderson and the first of our many, many free Starbucks beverages of the day. Massey Ferguson, a good old Southern Rock band from Snohomish, was next at the Mural where we were joined by my old shipmate J.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company (at Bagley Wright) is a five man improvisation troop from Western Washington in Bellingham. They ask the audience shout out topics, they select one and create a one act play on the spot in Shakespearean tradition. The Unintended Mustache was brilliant to say the least!
I should mention that due to various construction projects on the Seattle Center grounds Bumbershoot was forced to move some stages and eliminate others. In addition the art installations, some of B’s (B the life-partner not B the brother) and my highlights, were smaller this year, but worth seeing nonetheless. And we always enjoy Flatstock, the poster art show next to the Fisher stage. This year was no exception. We made our way across the campus to EMP for Kaylee Cole, alas, the Level 3 factor was in play once again so we were denied. We returned to Starbucks and listened to Jessica Lea Mayfield at the Mural. She has a great voice, but her songs sound the same and she really didn’t talk much.
Let me be perfectly clear on something. I don’t expect a musician to perform like a wind-up monkey with an organ grinder. However, a little bit of between song banter, an effort to connect with the people who bought tickets (and maybe a CD) would be appreciated. If you’re Van Morrison, you can get away without talking to the crowd, but most of the performers at B-shoot aren’t Van. I’m just saying…
I got another gyro from St. Demetrios then back to the Mural Stage for several more tasty Starbucks drinks and Leon Russell. Leon played all his hits and then some. Most of the hits were reworked, for example Back to the Island was done a bit more up-tempo, so much so that I didn’t recognize it until the chorus. He’s a great showman with excellent musicians and the show rocked.
After Leon we tried to get into see Macklemore at the Key. As we spoke to security at the entrance we could see people coming out of the exit, but due to a lack of communication between the entrance and the exit, security was convinced that the building was at capacity. My only disappointment of the day, I didn’t get to see Pickwick in the Music Lounge.
Monday
Very tired. We didn’t get to sleep until 3:30 AM and rose at 5:45 AM to drive J to the airport. I met B, A and my old friend A at the ticket booth. We bee-lined it for the KEXP booth where we met R and queued up for Music Lounge tickets to see Charles Bradley. While in line for Charles, B went to get comedy passes, but they were “sold out”. We got in to the Music Lounge show. Wow! Charles Bradley has been around a long time and is one of the hardest working men in music, ‘nuff said! Denied for Fitz and the Tantrums show in the Music Lounge as the line we so long, but R got in.
Got another gyro from St. Demetrios, saw a bit of Quadron at the Fountain, Head Like a Kite at Fisher, and Grand Hallway at the mural. All good, Quadron was the best of the three, in fact I bought their CD and have been playing it a lot.
Dennis Coffey at Fisher was very good and he wasn’t even on my list. You Am I, a marginally talented, extremely profane gang from Aussie was at the Fountain. I left for more Starbucks and Ian Moore at the Mural.
Greensky Bluegrass followed Ian. The five man Bluegrass band from Michigan opened with Traffic’s Light Up or Leave Me Alone and proceeded to jam away like they’d been playing together since birth. Great stage presence, excellent musicianship and for Bluegrass, the tunes Rocked! No Ravenna Woods, once again the Level 3 factor, aka no room and long lines at EMP. I finished with Fitz and the Tantrums at the Key. By the time they took the stage I was running on fumes. I caught the first half of the set and boogied with Stu to the ferry.
Highlights:
Vetiver, Trombone Shorty, Massey Ferguson, Greensky Bluegrass, Improvised Shakespeare Company, free iced mochas and $6 gyros from St. Demetrio.
By the way, Dave Matthews still sucks a fat baby's ass for playing the Gorge opposite Bumbershoot.
The Dog couldn't go to Bumbershoot.
Saturday
First up, Vetiver in the Bumbershoot Music Lounge (intimate, unplugged, 40 minute sets in a 100 seat theater). Unfortunately I had no tickets for Music Lounge show, there was a huge line to get into the festival and the food court (excellent idea One Reel) near the entrance compelled B to peruse because he was feeling puckish, truth be known, so was I. Once we’d knocked back the first of many gyros from St. Demetrios (a slice of heaven on a pita for $6) we proceeded to the KEXP booth to join the queue for the tickets. Our prospects looked bleak, but we got in. Vetiver played a mixture of new songs from their latest, The Errant Charm, and some from their previous four releases. It was the first performance of their new tour. I had hoped to hear More of This, but was denied that pleasure. I spoke to the lead guitarist after the Music Lounge set and he assured me that they’d play it during their performance at the Fountain Stage. They didn’t. In spite of that hollow promise Vetiver was great.
Next up, Kris Orlowski at Level 3, one of the two EMP stages. Unfortunately it was full. Note to EMP and One Reel, the Sky Church performances had room all weekend even after moving the barriers at the back of the room closer to the stage (WTF, four security guys need 25% of the floor space?) However, every Level 3 show was filled long before performers took the stage and huge lines continued to build outside. I’m just saying…
B and I made our way back the Mural Stage and proceeded to consume the first of many, many free Starbucks beverages. Howard, your plea to corporations to refuse to contribute to campaigns until Congress gets its collective head out of its collective ass, sponsoring one of the best stages at Bumbershoot and sharing free drinks with Bumbershooters are improving my opinion of you. Just get an NBA team to return or even better an NHL team to come to Seattle and we’re good.
We rendezvoused with J, D and R for Wagons, an Aussie C&W band with a great sense of humor. Good music and the front man’s between song banter reminded me of Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords.
While at Wagons my buddy T sent a text asking if we wanted in for the Bumbershoot Music Lounge show for Trombone Shorty. Since Shorty was on my list of must sees, I quickly replied ‘yes’. We sat three rows back, center stage. T and I got to catch up a bit during the sound check. Trombone Shorty came out with his band, none of whom looked to be over 30, and proceeded to melt our faces off with one of the tightest, sharpest sounding Jazz-Funk-R&B/Soul performances I’ve ever seen. The man channeled James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Dizzy Gillespie at various times throughout the show. They were fabulous!!!!! I bought their CD Backatown.
We walked the grounds a bit. T showed us the (hopefully) new home for KEXP. We grabbed a Starbucks, listened to a bit of Nortec Collective at Fisher Green and PS I Love You at The Fountain where two nice ladies gave us passes to the VIP beer garden where we enjoyed a tasty beverage and watched Shabazz Palaces. We couldn’t get in to see Pickwick or Jayme Stone, the previously mentioned Level 3 factor nixed those opportunities, but did see Trombone Shorty a second time and got another gyro from St. Demetrios. Our last act was Ray LaMontagne in Key arena. The Music was great, but I dislike the venue. It’s inside, the seats are not comfortable and the sound is sub-par. I appreciate the need to “weather-proof” the festival and understand that Memorial Stadium costs more, but the Key sucks for music. Once again I’m just saying…
We left Ray after four songs and made our way to Mavis Staples. Mavis did not disappoint. We arrived just as she was getting into The Weight. Mavis has a great voice, greater stage presence and always has a tight band. We missed her last couple of songs as we hustled to the ferry.
Sunday
I was lucky to have my Brother and my life-partner along for the day. Once through the gates we went straight to get comedy stage passes. We opted for The Improvised Shakespeare Company in Bagley Wright later that day. The comedy shows are so popular that you have to get passes to guarantee a seat and they “sell out” early. On the way back we caught a bit of Kore Ionz at Fisher then got another gyro from St. Demetrios and on to the Mural for the remainder of Kasey Anderson and the first of our many, many free Starbucks beverages of the day. Massey Ferguson, a good old Southern Rock band from Snohomish, was next at the Mural where we were joined by my old shipmate J.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company (at Bagley Wright) is a five man improvisation troop from Western Washington in Bellingham. They ask the audience shout out topics, they select one and create a one act play on the spot in Shakespearean tradition. The Unintended Mustache was brilliant to say the least!
I should mention that due to various construction projects on the Seattle Center grounds Bumbershoot was forced to move some stages and eliminate others. In addition the art installations, some of B’s (B the life-partner not B the brother) and my highlights, were smaller this year, but worth seeing nonetheless. And we always enjoy Flatstock, the poster art show next to the Fisher stage. This year was no exception. We made our way across the campus to EMP for Kaylee Cole, alas, the Level 3 factor was in play once again so we were denied. We returned to Starbucks and listened to Jessica Lea Mayfield at the Mural. She has a great voice, but her songs sound the same and she really didn’t talk much.
Let me be perfectly clear on something. I don’t expect a musician to perform like a wind-up monkey with an organ grinder. However, a little bit of between song banter, an effort to connect with the people who bought tickets (and maybe a CD) would be appreciated. If you’re Van Morrison, you can get away without talking to the crowd, but most of the performers at B-shoot aren’t Van. I’m just saying…
I got another gyro from St. Demetrios then back to the Mural Stage for several more tasty Starbucks drinks and Leon Russell. Leon played all his hits and then some. Most of the hits were reworked, for example Back to the Island was done a bit more up-tempo, so much so that I didn’t recognize it until the chorus. He’s a great showman with excellent musicians and the show rocked.
After Leon we tried to get into see Macklemore at the Key. As we spoke to security at the entrance we could see people coming out of the exit, but due to a lack of communication between the entrance and the exit, security was convinced that the building was at capacity. My only disappointment of the day, I didn’t get to see Pickwick in the Music Lounge.
Monday
Very tired. We didn’t get to sleep until 3:30 AM and rose at 5:45 AM to drive J to the airport. I met B, A and my old friend A at the ticket booth. We bee-lined it for the KEXP booth where we met R and queued up for Music Lounge tickets to see Charles Bradley. While in line for Charles, B went to get comedy passes, but they were “sold out”. We got in to the Music Lounge show. Wow! Charles Bradley has been around a long time and is one of the hardest working men in music, ‘nuff said! Denied for Fitz and the Tantrums show in the Music Lounge as the line we so long, but R got in.
Got another gyro from St. Demetrios, saw a bit of Quadron at the Fountain, Head Like a Kite at Fisher, and Grand Hallway at the mural. All good, Quadron was the best of the three, in fact I bought their CD and have been playing it a lot.
Dennis Coffey at Fisher was very good and he wasn’t even on my list. You Am I, a marginally talented, extremely profane gang from Aussie was at the Fountain. I left for more Starbucks and Ian Moore at the Mural.
Greensky Bluegrass followed Ian. The five man Bluegrass band from Michigan opened with Traffic’s Light Up or Leave Me Alone and proceeded to jam away like they’d been playing together since birth. Great stage presence, excellent musicianship and for Bluegrass, the tunes Rocked! No Ravenna Woods, once again the Level 3 factor, aka no room and long lines at EMP. I finished with Fitz and the Tantrums at the Key. By the time they took the stage I was running on fumes. I caught the first half of the set and boogied with Stu to the ferry.
Highlights:
Vetiver, Trombone Shorty, Massey Ferguson, Greensky Bluegrass, Improvised Shakespeare Company, free iced mochas and $6 gyros from St. Demetrio.
By the way, Dave Matthews still sucks a fat baby's ass for playing the Gorge opposite Bumbershoot.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
DMB sucks a fat baby’s ass for playing at the Gorge the same weekend as B-Shoot.
I just got back from an extended stay in the northeast with family and some of my oldest, dearest friends. Two weeks in a log cabin nestled in the pines and spruce, boat rides (Damariscove Island, Google it), fishing trips (got a 26” striper) trivia (in the money two weeks in a row, but don’t know shit about state populations), college visits (maybe this time around I’ll join a frat), tons of seafood (Bet’s fish sandwiches, crabmeat rolls in Trevett and I ate the best fried clams I’ve ever tasted) and lots of beach time. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as swimming in the ocean on a hot day. Unless it’s Puget Sound, then you’ll freeze your nards off.
The dog stayed behind as there are deer ticks, tons of skunks and rabies back that-a-way. The place she stays is a great kennel, but I’m sure it was more like a season of Oz for her. Bummer. It took her a few days to get her out of her funk upon our return. Now we’re back in the swing of things; working outside, lots of walks, tennis balls to fetch and belly rubs, not to mention some very tasty rib eye bones.
What I am reading to the dog:
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Two flawed men, whose paths crossed as youth, are reconnected two decades later after a crime occurs in a rural, deep south backwater.
Iron House by John Hart
A former mob hit man reveals his checkered past to his girlfriend to protect her from the people who want them both dead.
Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson
Christine lost her short term memory. She wakes up each morning with no recollection of the past 2 decades. Her therapist calls her each day to tell her where she’s stashed her journal so she can reconnect with the present. She opens it one day to find she’s written, “Don’t trust Ben,” Ben’s her husband.
What the dog and I are watching:
Cedar Rapids
Ed Helms stars as an insurance salesman from Wisconsin who’s selected to attend a conference in Cedar Rapids, the big time! Ed gets a hard look at the seedy underbelly of big city insurance. John C. Reilly supports as the guy Ed’s boss warned him to avoid at all cost.
Potiche
French screwball comedy with Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu and Fabrice Luchini. Deneuve abandons her role as trophy wife to enter the work force.
What the dog and I are listening to:
The Secret by Vieux Farka Toure
The Bluesy influenced song stylings from Mali are some of my favorite World tunes. Tinariwen, Toumani Diabaté , Ali Farka Toure and his son, musician and songmaster, Vieux Farka Toure offer great selections of the area’s musical choices. All in all, the disc is a solid effort that will receive regular rotation in my latest playlist. Dave Matthews appears on one song. There was a time when I was a huge Dave fan. No doubt he’s a talented artist who supports many causes around the globe. Unfortunately Dave misses the bus when it comes to think globally, act locally. Dave lives in Seattle. Every year he plays three shows at the Gorge in eastern Washington over Labor Day weekend. Labor Day weekend is when Bumbershoot takes place at Seattle Center. It’s an annual, local arts and music festival.
Granted Labor Day weekend at the Gorge is a huge paycheck for DMB, Inc especially since the promoters have recently added a bunch of other bands to appear, creating their own Davefest. Dave can pick any weekend of the year to be at the Gorge (how about the 4th of July), after all he’s Dave Frigging Matthews, but he chooses to compete with a festival that’s nearly 40 years old and features local food vendors, artisans, performers and musicians. I no longer buy any of Dave’s CDs or merchandise. I would encourage all of you to boycott Dave until he begins to act locally.
Fits and D by White Denim
Not to be confused with Liz Taylor’s White Diamonds, Fits from 2009 starts out harder with distortion and near shouting sometimes growling lyrics, only to evolve into some great, melodic Rock’N’Roll. It’s almost like they had two different bands record the CD. The bonus CD is especially pleasing, some reasonably intricate guitar work, nice harmonies and toe-tapping beats. D, from 2011, continues as Fits ends. Some of the guitar work is reminiscent of Prog Rock guitar god, Steve Howe of Yes. This is one of my new favorite groups.
Revelator by The Tedeschi Trucks Band
Susan Tedeschi channels a younger, dare I say sober, Bonnie Raitt while her husband Derek Trucks shows why he’s the Mozart of slide guitar. Not every track is strong, but it’s a more hit than miss disc. Check out Midnight in Harlem.
The dog stayed behind as there are deer ticks, tons of skunks and rabies back that-a-way. The place she stays is a great kennel, but I’m sure it was more like a season of Oz for her. Bummer. It took her a few days to get her out of her funk upon our return. Now we’re back in the swing of things; working outside, lots of walks, tennis balls to fetch and belly rubs, not to mention some very tasty rib eye bones.
What I am reading to the dog:
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Two flawed men, whose paths crossed as youth, are reconnected two decades later after a crime occurs in a rural, deep south backwater.
Iron House by John Hart
A former mob hit man reveals his checkered past to his girlfriend to protect her from the people who want them both dead.
Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson
Christine lost her short term memory. She wakes up each morning with no recollection of the past 2 decades. Her therapist calls her each day to tell her where she’s stashed her journal so she can reconnect with the present. She opens it one day to find she’s written, “Don’t trust Ben,” Ben’s her husband.
What the dog and I are watching:
Cedar Rapids
Ed Helms stars as an insurance salesman from Wisconsin who’s selected to attend a conference in Cedar Rapids, the big time! Ed gets a hard look at the seedy underbelly of big city insurance. John C. Reilly supports as the guy Ed’s boss warned him to avoid at all cost.
Potiche
French screwball comedy with Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu and Fabrice Luchini. Deneuve abandons her role as trophy wife to enter the work force.
What the dog and I are listening to:
The Secret by Vieux Farka Toure
The Bluesy influenced song stylings from Mali are some of my favorite World tunes. Tinariwen, Toumani Diabaté , Ali Farka Toure and his son, musician and songmaster, Vieux Farka Toure offer great selections of the area’s musical choices. All in all, the disc is a solid effort that will receive regular rotation in my latest playlist. Dave Matthews appears on one song. There was a time when I was a huge Dave fan. No doubt he’s a talented artist who supports many causes around the globe. Unfortunately Dave misses the bus when it comes to think globally, act locally. Dave lives in Seattle. Every year he plays three shows at the Gorge in eastern Washington over Labor Day weekend. Labor Day weekend is when Bumbershoot takes place at Seattle Center. It’s an annual, local arts and music festival.
Granted Labor Day weekend at the Gorge is a huge paycheck for DMB, Inc especially since the promoters have recently added a bunch of other bands to appear, creating their own Davefest. Dave can pick any weekend of the year to be at the Gorge (how about the 4th of July), after all he’s Dave Frigging Matthews, but he chooses to compete with a festival that’s nearly 40 years old and features local food vendors, artisans, performers and musicians. I no longer buy any of Dave’s CDs or merchandise. I would encourage all of you to boycott Dave until he begins to act locally.
Fits and D by White Denim
Not to be confused with Liz Taylor’s White Diamonds, Fits from 2009 starts out harder with distortion and near shouting sometimes growling lyrics, only to evolve into some great, melodic Rock’N’Roll. It’s almost like they had two different bands record the CD. The bonus CD is especially pleasing, some reasonably intricate guitar work, nice harmonies and toe-tapping beats. D, from 2011, continues as Fits ends. Some of the guitar work is reminiscent of Prog Rock guitar god, Steve Howe of Yes. This is one of my new favorite groups.
Revelator by The Tedeschi Trucks Band
Susan Tedeschi channels a younger, dare I say sober, Bonnie Raitt while her husband Derek Trucks shows why he’s the Mozart of slide guitar. Not every track is strong, but it’s a more hit than miss disc. Check out Midnight in Harlem.
Friday, July 29, 2011
2011 Bumbershoot Lineup
The dog and I have been into pulled pork from the crock pot lately. There’s nothing like dry-rubbing a pork shoulder, letting it spend the night in the fridge, adding the BBQ sauce (we make our own) in the morning and slow cooking it until it falls off the bone. Shred that baby up, stick it on a roll with the sauce and you have a party!
We’ve been listening to a lot of live Grateful Dead from the Internet Music Archive.
There are a ton of soundboard recorded shows to stream as well as some very good quality, free downloads.
With the exception of the final Harry Potter, which B and I both liked, most of our recent viewing has been underwhelming so we’re revisiting Friday Night Lights via Netflix, beginning with the season one pilot. I happen to think it’s one of the most underrated shows in TV history, a great glimpse into small-town family life. The dog misguidedly thinks it’s just about football. It was filmed with hand held cameras. There’s scene structure, but no scripts and many non-actors. Sure some of the characters can be bit over the top, but what rose is without thorns?
The dog has been after me to read Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Cameron, a high school student who doesn’t quite fit in, gets mad cow disease and in the company of a dwarf and a lawn Gnome takes a journey to find a cure. Reminds me of early Tom Robbins.
We’ve been pouring over the MySpace pages of the bands who are coming to Seattle for Bumbershoot on Labor Day weekend trying to assemble our schedule. As usual we got our 3-day passes way back in March and thanks to Washington’s new service animal law, the dog can legally go (I had to sneak her in the past few years and it’s hard for her to walk on her hind legs for the day). She’s on pins & needles with anticipation. I can’t say as I blame her.
So our predicted Highlights for Bumbershoot 2011:
Ray LaMontagne
Trombone Shorty
Vetiver
School of Seven Bells
Fitz and the Tantrums
Greensky Bluegrass
And our sleepers, hopefully:
MarchFourth Marching Band
Jayme Stone: Room of Wonders
Charles Bradley
Legendary Oaks
AgesandAges
Kris Orlowski & The Passenger String Quartet
PS I Love You
Bumbershoot 2011 Lineup
Saturday 9/3
*Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs
I love this guy’s smoky tenor!
Minus the Bear
Reminiscent of the mid/late-80’s Post New Wave, retro-Pop
*Mavis Staples
Mavis will take you there, no doubt!
Little Dragon
If Bergman had been a songwriter instead of a filmmaker...
*Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Funky, R&B from NOLA. Oh Yeah!
STRFKR
Portland Electronica quartet, pleasant beats
Shabazz Palaces
Hippity-hoppity from one third of Seattle’s Digable Planets
Warpaint
LA girl group. Somber and slow, yet surprisingly appealing.
Vusi Mahlasela
South African Folk music.
*MarchFourth Marching Band
Sounds more like the Crescent City than the Rose City. John Phillip Sousa would be proud
Eyehategod
New Orleans metal.
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible
Disco-Pop with undertones of Mexican restaurant mood music.
Väsen
Swedish Folk music performed by very good Swedish Folk musicians
Champagne Champagne
Seattle Hip-Hop
Astronautalis
Seattle Hip-Hop
#PS I Love You
Ontario duo Rocking in the free world.
Yuni in Taxco
Seattle Pop-Rock, more Pop than Rock
#Campfire Ok
Seattle Pop-Rock, more Rock than Pop
Meklit Hadero
Jazzy, Funky Folk
Craft Spells
Smooth, Electro-Pop, strains of Style Council
Caleb Klauder Country Band
Mandolin centered Country and Bluegrass from the Rose City
Valient Thorr
Chapel Hill Metalish Rock
*Jayme Stone: Room of Wonders
Innovative Canadian banjo picker teams with a singer from Mali and plays Jazz
#Pickwick
Soulful caucasians from Seattle
Red Fang
Heavier Rock and Roll tunes from Portland
Scribes
Seattle Hip-Hop
Wagons
Country Rock from down under
Shelby Earl
This is the Country KMPS and The Wolf should be playing
Free the Robots
Techno with elements of Jazz, Rock, Classical
Witchburn
If the Wilson sisters had played Metal this may be what they’d sound like
Emancipator
Instrumentals with a Worldly feel
Nice Nice
Rose City duo with a very nice approach to Psych Rock
#Kris Orlowski & The Passenger String Quartet
Sounds a bit like Colin Hay, Folky
Tomten
Mostly catchy Pop Rocks from Seattle
#Pezzner
Syncopated, electronic bliss in the House
LawnChair Generals
More House
Natasha Kmeto
Technippity-Hoppity with an R&B feel
The Great Mundane
There’s a lot of Techno this year
DJ Nordic Soul
There’s a lot of Techno this year
Sunday 9/4
Wiz Khalifa
Oh Boy, another Rapper boasting of insignificant conquests
#Broken Social Scene
Interesting Pop/Rock with depth and range
*Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Seattle Hip-Hop with a conscience
The Kills
Punkish Rockers from London
Butthole Surfers
I had no idea they were still around and still loud
#Carbon Leaf
Virginian Indie-Folk-Rock
*Leon Russell
A musical legend
Toro y Moi
Mostly somber Techno-Pop with a little Soul.
Anti-Flag
If you can’t tell by the name, snarling, guitar driven Punk Pop
Das Racist
From their Myspace: Weed edge/hare krishna hard core/art rap/freak folk music trio based in Brooklyn, New York
*The Lonely Forest
Great stuff from Anacortes, WA, the Mecca of NW Rock.
**Vetiver
Jazzy, Folky, great music, great lyrics, I need more of this!
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Slow, somber Folky.
DåM-FunK + Master Blazter
Rap, Hip-Hop, Funk, Techno, nice beats.
NOmeansno
A spare approach to Metal with a Punk influence.
Atari Teenage Riot
Bands whose music blasts you as soon as their MySpace page loads are in the same category as white collar criminals and people who talk during movies. C’mon people...
Tennis
Upbeat, Pop Rock with an early 60s retro sound
Thee Oh Sees
Fairly simple songs dolled up with lots of effects, toward Punk-a-Billy Pop
Mad Rad
Electronic Hip-Hop
#The Jim Jones Revue
Sounds like good ole Rock’N’Roll to me
*School of Seven Bells
If the B-52s were starting today (and Fred didn’t sing any lead), this is what they’d sound like
#Joe Pug and the Hundred Mile Band
Very Dylan-like, but a much better voice.
Davila 666
More Pop with a Punk sound.
#AgesandAges
Folk Rock with some chorus work reminiscent of Grand Archives or Fleet Foxes
*Wayne Horvitz Cafe Paloma Band
If you’re a cool enough musician you don’t need to put your music on MySpace and this Jazzy, Bluesy stuff is really cool. It’s Grunge Jazz.
#Kore Ionz
Sweet Reggae Music!
Sol
Seattle Rapper with nice background music.
Whalebones
Rockers sound sometimes like Dylan and sometimes like Neil Young.
Allen Stone
Rather R&Bish
*Massy Ferguson
American Rock’N’Roll, nicely done
#Tycho
Ambient Techno, very pleasant
Thomas Marriott’s Human Spirit
Sounds like Jazz to me.
Kaylee Cole
Piano and voice, singer/songwriter
Com Truise
Techno
Lusine
Techno, nice enough
HTRK
Techno with vocals
Gail Pettis Quartet
Jazz vocal, What a voice!
*Kasey Anderson and The Honkies
Rock on Garth
Shigeto
Techno with some interesting percussion
The Sight Below
Techno
#DJ Justin Timbreline
Ambient Techno, nicely done
Monday 9/5
*Daryl Hall & John Oates
Sure we called 'em the Philly Fags in high school, but these two have a great R&B sound.
*The Presidents of the United States of America
Rock as it’s meant to be, up tempo and sweaty
*The Reverend Horton Heat
Twangy Western Swing leaning a bit more toward Rock
*Fitz and The Tantrums
They borrow the R&B sound of Hall & Oates and make it their own
#Over the Rhine
American roots
Phantogram
Kinda Techno Rock
Grant Lee Buffalo
Folky
Urge Overkill
Rocky with no Bullwinkle
*Charles Bradley
Old school Soul music from Brooklyn
Vendetta Red
West Coast Rock
Sharon Van Etten
Singer-song writer, nice enough
Brite Futures
Techno Pop
Dennis Coffey
Soulful, Funky and a bit on the trippy side.
Head Like a Kite
Shoegazer, I love that term.
YACHT
Pleasant Techno Pop
**Greensky Bluegrass
New Grass! Their version of Pink Floyd’s Time is brilliant!
#Quadron
Soulful R&B
#Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils
The one song that MySpace actually plays is a soulful Rocker.
#Grand Hallway
Seattle’s own Melodic Rock
You Am I
Pop Rocks
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Jazzy, C&W influenced Pop
My Goodness
NW Rockers
LAKE
Reserved Pop-Rock
Beat Connection
Techno-Pop
Purity Ring
Techno-Pop
Truckasauras
Punkish sounding, been around since the Dead Sea was sick
#Ravenna Woods
NW Indie Folk Rock
Lemolo
A slower, somber sound with great voices
SPLATINUM
Techno-Pop
*Legendary Oaks
NW Folk Rock, very nice
Mash Hall
NW Hip-Hop
The Horde and The Harem
NW Folk Rock
Curtains For You
NW Folk Rock
#214
NW Techno-Poppy, Hippity-Hop, nice beats
WD4D
NW Techno-Poppy, Hippity-Hop
Ill Cosby
Techno-Pop, Huxtable style
DJ Introcut
Techno
*Must See
#Maybe
We’ve been listening to a lot of live Grateful Dead from the Internet Music Archive.
There are a ton of soundboard recorded shows to stream as well as some very good quality, free downloads.
With the exception of the final Harry Potter, which B and I both liked, most of our recent viewing has been underwhelming so we’re revisiting Friday Night Lights via Netflix, beginning with the season one pilot. I happen to think it’s one of the most underrated shows in TV history, a great glimpse into small-town family life. The dog misguidedly thinks it’s just about football. It was filmed with hand held cameras. There’s scene structure, but no scripts and many non-actors. Sure some of the characters can be bit over the top, but what rose is without thorns?
The dog has been after me to read Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Cameron, a high school student who doesn’t quite fit in, gets mad cow disease and in the company of a dwarf and a lawn Gnome takes a journey to find a cure. Reminds me of early Tom Robbins.
We’ve been pouring over the MySpace pages of the bands who are coming to Seattle for Bumbershoot on Labor Day weekend trying to assemble our schedule. As usual we got our 3-day passes way back in March and thanks to Washington’s new service animal law, the dog can legally go (I had to sneak her in the past few years and it’s hard for her to walk on her hind legs for the day). She’s on pins & needles with anticipation. I can’t say as I blame her.
So our predicted Highlights for Bumbershoot 2011:
Ray LaMontagne
Trombone Shorty
Vetiver
School of Seven Bells
Fitz and the Tantrums
Greensky Bluegrass
And our sleepers, hopefully:
MarchFourth Marching Band
Jayme Stone: Room of Wonders
Charles Bradley
Legendary Oaks
AgesandAges
Kris Orlowski & The Passenger String Quartet
PS I Love You
Bumbershoot 2011 Lineup
Saturday 9/3
*Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs
I love this guy’s smoky tenor!
Minus the Bear
Reminiscent of the mid/late-80’s Post New Wave, retro-Pop
*Mavis Staples
Mavis will take you there, no doubt!
Little Dragon
If Bergman had been a songwriter instead of a filmmaker...
*Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Funky, R&B from NOLA. Oh Yeah!
STRFKR
Portland Electronica quartet, pleasant beats
Shabazz Palaces
Hippity-hoppity from one third of Seattle’s Digable Planets
Warpaint
LA girl group. Somber and slow, yet surprisingly appealing.
Vusi Mahlasela
South African Folk music.
*MarchFourth Marching Band
Sounds more like the Crescent City than the Rose City. John Phillip Sousa would be proud
Eyehategod
New Orleans metal.
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible
Disco-Pop with undertones of Mexican restaurant mood music.
Väsen
Swedish Folk music performed by very good Swedish Folk musicians
Champagne Champagne
Seattle Hip-Hop
Astronautalis
Seattle Hip-Hop
#PS I Love You
Ontario duo Rocking in the free world.
Yuni in Taxco
Seattle Pop-Rock, more Pop than Rock
#Campfire Ok
Seattle Pop-Rock, more Rock than Pop
Meklit Hadero
Jazzy, Funky Folk
Craft Spells
Smooth, Electro-Pop, strains of Style Council
Caleb Klauder Country Band
Mandolin centered Country and Bluegrass from the Rose City
Valient Thorr
Chapel Hill Metalish Rock
*Jayme Stone: Room of Wonders
Innovative Canadian banjo picker teams with a singer from Mali and plays Jazz
#Pickwick
Soulful caucasians from Seattle
Red Fang
Heavier Rock and Roll tunes from Portland
Scribes
Seattle Hip-Hop
Wagons
Country Rock from down under
Shelby Earl
This is the Country KMPS and The Wolf should be playing
Free the Robots
Techno with elements of Jazz, Rock, Classical
Witchburn
If the Wilson sisters had played Metal this may be what they’d sound like
Emancipator
Instrumentals with a Worldly feel
Nice Nice
Rose City duo with a very nice approach to Psych Rock
#Kris Orlowski & The Passenger String Quartet
Sounds a bit like Colin Hay, Folky
Tomten
Mostly catchy Pop Rocks from Seattle
#Pezzner
Syncopated, electronic bliss in the House
LawnChair Generals
More House
Natasha Kmeto
Technippity-Hoppity with an R&B feel
The Great Mundane
There’s a lot of Techno this year
DJ Nordic Soul
There’s a lot of Techno this year
Sunday 9/4
Wiz Khalifa
Oh Boy, another Rapper boasting of insignificant conquests
#Broken Social Scene
Interesting Pop/Rock with depth and range
*Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Seattle Hip-Hop with a conscience
The Kills
Punkish Rockers from London
Butthole Surfers
I had no idea they were still around and still loud
#Carbon Leaf
Virginian Indie-Folk-Rock
*Leon Russell
A musical legend
Toro y Moi
Mostly somber Techno-Pop with a little Soul.
Anti-Flag
If you can’t tell by the name, snarling, guitar driven Punk Pop
Das Racist
From their Myspace: Weed edge/hare krishna hard core/art rap/freak folk music trio based in Brooklyn, New York
*The Lonely Forest
Great stuff from Anacortes, WA, the Mecca of NW Rock.
**Vetiver
Jazzy, Folky, great music, great lyrics, I need more of this!
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Slow, somber Folky.
DåM-FunK + Master Blazter
Rap, Hip-Hop, Funk, Techno, nice beats.
NOmeansno
A spare approach to Metal with a Punk influence.
Atari Teenage Riot
Bands whose music blasts you as soon as their MySpace page loads are in the same category as white collar criminals and people who talk during movies. C’mon people...
Tennis
Upbeat, Pop Rock with an early 60s retro sound
Thee Oh Sees
Fairly simple songs dolled up with lots of effects, toward Punk-a-Billy Pop
Mad Rad
Electronic Hip-Hop
#The Jim Jones Revue
Sounds like good ole Rock’N’Roll to me
*School of Seven Bells
If the B-52s were starting today (and Fred didn’t sing any lead), this is what they’d sound like
#Joe Pug and the Hundred Mile Band
Very Dylan-like, but a much better voice.
Davila 666
More Pop with a Punk sound.
#AgesandAges
Folk Rock with some chorus work reminiscent of Grand Archives or Fleet Foxes
*Wayne Horvitz Cafe Paloma Band
If you’re a cool enough musician you don’t need to put your music on MySpace and this Jazzy, Bluesy stuff is really cool. It’s Grunge Jazz.
#Kore Ionz
Sweet Reggae Music!
Sol
Seattle Rapper with nice background music.
Whalebones
Rockers sound sometimes like Dylan and sometimes like Neil Young.
Allen Stone
Rather R&Bish
*Massy Ferguson
American Rock’N’Roll, nicely done
#Tycho
Ambient Techno, very pleasant
Thomas Marriott’s Human Spirit
Sounds like Jazz to me.
Kaylee Cole
Piano and voice, singer/songwriter
Com Truise
Techno
Lusine
Techno, nice enough
HTRK
Techno with vocals
Gail Pettis Quartet
Jazz vocal, What a voice!
*Kasey Anderson and The Honkies
Rock on Garth
Shigeto
Techno with some interesting percussion
The Sight Below
Techno
#DJ Justin Timbreline
Ambient Techno, nicely done
Monday 9/5
*Daryl Hall & John Oates
Sure we called 'em the Philly Fags in high school, but these two have a great R&B sound.
*The Presidents of the United States of America
Rock as it’s meant to be, up tempo and sweaty
*The Reverend Horton Heat
Twangy Western Swing leaning a bit more toward Rock
*Fitz and The Tantrums
They borrow the R&B sound of Hall & Oates and make it their own
#Over the Rhine
American roots
Phantogram
Kinda Techno Rock
Grant Lee Buffalo
Folky
Urge Overkill
Rocky with no Bullwinkle
*Charles Bradley
Old school Soul music from Brooklyn
Vendetta Red
West Coast Rock
Sharon Van Etten
Singer-song writer, nice enough
Brite Futures
Techno Pop
Dennis Coffey
Soulful, Funky and a bit on the trippy side.
Head Like a Kite
Shoegazer, I love that term.
YACHT
Pleasant Techno Pop
**Greensky Bluegrass
New Grass! Their version of Pink Floyd’s Time is brilliant!
#Quadron
Soulful R&B
#Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils
The one song that MySpace actually plays is a soulful Rocker.
#Grand Hallway
Seattle’s own Melodic Rock
You Am I
Pop Rocks
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Jazzy, C&W influenced Pop
My Goodness
NW Rockers
LAKE
Reserved Pop-Rock
Beat Connection
Techno-Pop
Purity Ring
Techno-Pop
Truckasauras
Punkish sounding, been around since the Dead Sea was sick
#Ravenna Woods
NW Indie Folk Rock
Lemolo
A slower, somber sound with great voices
SPLATINUM
Techno-Pop
*Legendary Oaks
NW Folk Rock, very nice
Mash Hall
NW Hip-Hop
The Horde and The Harem
NW Folk Rock
Curtains For You
NW Folk Rock
#214
NW Techno-Poppy, Hippity-Hop, nice beats
WD4D
NW Techno-Poppy, Hippity-Hop
Ill Cosby
Techno-Pop, Huxtable style
DJ Introcut
Techno
*Must See
#Maybe
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