One of the hidden Gems of this city is all the gala and special events that you can score tickets to once in a while for an amazingly inexpensive price.
Thus was the start of May when my good friend Stefanie calls me up at 6pm asking if I wanted to go to a Gala event at the Kennedy Center for the performing Arts at 8pm since they had a VERY last minute drop out. I knew that this involved The most Amazing living conductor of our time (IMHO) John Williams. So despite that I was down in Del-Ray, on my bike - did not stop me from saying no - I would get home, somehow fast enough to clean up, eat something and get to the Kennedy Center in time - and despite being well over 8-10 miles from home - by George I did it!
The event was the annual fund raiser for the Center itself - and the theme was THE ART OF FILM MUSIC and featured the films of David Lean (including personal favorites of Bridge Over the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia and my mom's favorite Dr. Zhivago) and the films of Steven Speilberg - of which was a treat since Williams has composed & directed soooo many of them, including JAWS, ET, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (which I remember seeing during a summer vacationing in Puerto Rico and was subtitled in Spanish as I remember seeing the original Batman that way also)
Anyway it was quite amazing to see Martin Scorsese, John Williams & Steven Spielberg in person - even if at a distance. Even more impressive was seeing Williams at work. It was probably as close to being *IN* the recording studio as possible when they record a piece for the movies.
Though I much rather have preferred "Belly of the Steel Beast" from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (that is the peice where Indy "battles" the WW1 era tank to save his father) - Williams chose the opening set piece of "Indy's Very First Adventure" (the opening sequence that gives good background to a young Indy played by River Phoenix).
Williams & Spielberg basically first showed the film without music, then - live with the National Symphonic Orchestra, Williams played to the film the corresponding music which (according to Spielberg) included over 45 music cues and other things I cant remember. Like I said - the closest to being in a recording studio with Williams. And although he played other pieces of Spielberg's films - he also did parts of ET's Finale, The complete Indy Close credits, a compilation from Hook, and so many in their performance and unheard of THREE (3) encores!
So needless to say - John Williams is rated #1 amongst my top modern composers/directors - not just for this - but he also gave me all the music for Star Wars (Main title, Imperial March & Duel of Fates in particular). Though I still give MAJOR props to Basil Polidorous for his Conan Soundtrack and Jerry Goldsmith for his 13th Warrior Soundtrack.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Re: Your Brains
“Commercial Break” / Nun Fight / Lullaby for your Vagina / Urinal Cakes
James Taylor on Fire / Randy Newman theme song for LOTR, Passion of the Christ (Go Hobbit Go & Go Jesus Go)
TMBG as the Ice Cream Man / The Captains’ Wife Lament (seamen everywhere!)
And then Jonathon Coulton was the main act. His songs as Paul and Storm's are found on their web sites (follow the links) as I cant explain them well - so listen to it yourself - they are hilarious! :
Future Soon / Ikea / Shop Vac / A Talk with George (Plimpton) / I’m your Moon (Pluto Song)
Baby Got Back (Cover) * / Soft Rocked By Me * / Code Monkey * / Chiron Beta Prime *
Creepy Doll * / I Feel Fantastic * / I Crush Everything * / Skullcrusher Mountain
Mandelbrot Set / Still Alive / You Ruined Everything /
Re: Your Brains
Encore: 1st of May (F*#$ Outside) * / Sweet Caroline (Cover) *
Check them out if possible
James Taylor on Fire / Randy Newman theme song for LOTR, Passion of the Christ (Go Hobbit Go & Go Jesus Go)
TMBG as the Ice Cream Man / The Captains’ Wife Lament (seamen everywhere!)
And then Jonathon Coulton was the main act. His songs as Paul and Storm's are found on their web sites (follow the links) as I cant explain them well - so listen to it yourself - they are hilarious! :
Future Soon / Ikea / Shop Vac / A Talk with George (Plimpton) / I’m your Moon (Pluto Song)
Baby Got Back (Cover) * / Soft Rocked By Me * / Code Monkey * / Chiron Beta Prime *
Creepy Doll * / I Feel Fantastic * / I Crush Everything * / Skullcrusher Mountain
Mandelbrot Set / Still Alive / You Ruined Everything /
Re: Your Brains
Encore: 1st of May (F*#$ Outside) * / Sweet Caroline (Cover) *
Check them out if possible
Friday, March 7, 2008
I Got the Fever!
Dengue Fever! yes its true - and I'm contagious! Well more like the band Dengue Fever (MySpace or Wiki) - not the disease. I got to go to thier show at the Black Cat almost a week ago with Exit Clov opening (though I missed Cordero's act ).
Exit Clov (who will be playing Austins SXSW festival soon), is definately a band to watch out for in the future - though thier sounds style is wide ranging and cohesive (which shows talent) it is too wide ranging to give them an identity. Lead singers (twin sisters of asian descent which I overheard fullfills 80% of the male populations 16-45 fantasies) are classically trained - violin & piano (translate synth). Using these tools and some good bass lines they put up songs that were melodic (the venue might have been too big for their sound - or maybe it was just drowned out in the rear where I was ), but others just poped out and worked the crowd well like MK ULTRA and DIY (Do It Yourself). Overall a neat little band that I want to give a second chance listen at a smaller venue - say ... March 22nd at IOTA in Arlington.......
But Dengue Fever was the real star of the show.
They are apparently getting rave reviews from Tapei from NPR and across to us here! Better described in others words (I can't do it justice) "vintage Cambodian pop, Western-influenced surf and psychedelic rock sounds".
Sounds complicated? Yes! And it also is FUN!! and very good!
I actually got into the gaggle near the stage , a rarity - but a well worth effort. Seeing lead singer Cchom Nimol in her cool silk Cambodian dress, and the rest of the band - gave it more energy, and you could enjoy the onstage antics of bassist Senon Williams and Lead Guitar Zac Holtzman (jumping up & down in sync as they played) even more. I even managed to grab the set list which was (with a few notes where possible):
Exit Clov (who will be playing Austins SXSW festival soon), is definately a band to watch out for in the future - though thier sounds style is wide ranging and cohesive (which shows talent) it is too wide ranging to give them an identity. Lead singers (twin sisters of asian descent which I overheard fullfills 80% of the male populations 16-45 fantasies) are classically trained - violin & piano (translate synth). Using these tools and some good bass lines they put up songs that were melodic (the venue might have been too big for their sound - or maybe it was just drowned out in the rear where I was ), but others just poped out and worked the crowd well like MK ULTRA and DIY (Do It Yourself). Overall a neat little band that I want to give a second chance listen at a smaller venue - say ... March 22nd at IOTA in Arlington.......
But Dengue Fever was the real star of the show.They are apparently getting rave reviews from Tapei from NPR and across to us here! Better described in others words (I can't do it justice) "vintage Cambodian pop, Western-influenced surf and psychedelic rock sounds".
Sounds complicated? Yes! And it also is FUN!! and very good!
I actually got into the gaggle near the stage , a rarity - but a well worth effort. Seeing lead singer Cchom Nimol in her cool silk Cambodian dress, and the rest of the band - gave it more energy, and you could enjoy the onstage antics of bassist Senon Williams and Lead Guitar Zac Holtzman (jumping up & down in sync as they played) even more. I even managed to grab the set list which was (with a few notes where possible):
- Hold my Hips
- Shave my Beard (cover of old Cambodian traditional song)
- N.Y.E.
- Tiger Phone Card (Fun
- Lost in Laos (lead Guitarist Zac made tha guitar sound like a sitar!)
- Sober Driver ( Sung by Zac w/ CChom, about a long distance relationship)
- Seeing Hands
- Clipped Wings
- Thanks A Lot
- Ah GoGo (Fun Cambodian Pop Song!)
- Pow Pow
- 1000 Tears
- Mr. Orange
- SniBong CChom brought 2 people up on stage from the audience to do the songs with her)
- Glass of Wine
- I'm 16
Friday, January 18, 2008
HOT HOT Editors!
I say never! As you recall back in September I saw the Editors. It was my introduction to them - so I left the review to Club D. This time around having acclimated to them, gotten their music (2007's An End Has a Start), and now attending there show again - I will come every-single- time! Only next time I will plan ahead. The Editors had sold out!
Well people are discovering how good they are, because last September I was walked up day of the show, and bought tickets. This time - 5 days before they sold out. That left a handful of us scrambling for tickets. We managed to snag two off Craigslist (Thanks Stefanie!!) - and I got mine for face value at the venue! Lucky me! I have a feeling that the DCist tipped off DC with a good article on the Editors....
The show started with Hot Hot Heat! a group I had kinda heard of... somewhere in my head... that was because it was actually In MY Music Library already ! So when their opener went on - I was WAIT I know them! (the song was a gift from my friend
Ruthie - pictured in pink with Cat - who were both also at the concert) . Hot Hot Heat (or HHH!) was a great energy band and opened up with Dirty Mouth (of which I just found out their Elevator album was produced by Neko Case of new Pornographers fame, and are an influence of the Eidtors ) and other great singles such as Oh Godammit and Goodnight. This group has some great melodies with which lead singer Steve (who I got to met later at DC9) pumps the crowd up - great performance guys!
The Editors though were truly the star & headliners. With lead Tom Smith smooth vocal (Ive heard a zillion people compare him to Robert Smith, but I say he is his own. His strange presence makes the girls go wild, and just (I guess from an untrained ear) sounds smooth & distinct from the music. That he didn't look like he was strung out on something made thsi an crisp - on target performance. But almost never mentioned is guitarist Chris Urbanowicz.
Chris's work really gives that music a frantic, energetic pace despite the dark lyrics (allot of death themes on this album). Its really quite a mix, but good enough that it garnered the group a best British Group Nomination from the Brit Awards. My bet is that soon they'll be hitting the grammys also!
Included in their set at the 9:30 club was An End has a Start, Racing Rats , Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors, Weight of the World, and Munich amongst others (click on the song to preview it below - especially An End has a Start cause all his strange quirks and hand motions etc. in the way Smith acts in the video is very much like he is on stage). This was well worth going to and will be going again. Of note for the 9:30 Club, they finally have a Dogish Brewery beer that I absolutely love: Raison D'Etre !! BRILLIANT!!
Well people are discovering how good they are, because last September I was walked up day of the show, and bought tickets. This time - 5 days before they sold out. That left a handful of us scrambling for tickets. We managed to snag two off Craigslist (Thanks Stefanie!!) - and I got mine for face value at the venue! Lucky me! I have a feeling that the DCist tipped off DC with a good article on the Editors....The show started with Hot Hot Heat! a group I had kinda heard of... somewhere in my head... that was because it was actually In MY Music Library already ! So when their opener went on - I was WAIT I know them! (the song was a gift from my friend
Ruthie - pictured in pink with Cat - who were both also at the concert) . Hot Hot Heat (or HHH!) was a great energy band and opened up with Dirty Mouth (of which I just found out their Elevator album was produced by Neko Case of new Pornographers fame, and are an influence of the Eidtors ) and other great singles such as Oh Godammit and Goodnight. This group has some great melodies with which lead singer Steve (who I got to met later at DC9) pumps the crowd up - great performance guys!The Editors though were truly the star & headliners. With lead Tom Smith smooth vocal (Ive heard a zillion people compare him to Robert Smith, but I say he is his own. His strange presence makes the girls go wild, and just (I guess from an untrained ear) sounds smooth & distinct from the music. That he didn't look like he was strung out on something made thsi an crisp - on target performance. But almost never mentioned is guitarist Chris Urbanowicz.
Chris's work really gives that music a frantic, energetic pace despite the dark lyrics (allot of death themes on this album). Its really quite a mix, but good enough that it garnered the group a best British Group Nomination from the Brit Awards. My bet is that soon they'll be hitting the grammys also!
Included in their set at the 9:30 club was An End has a Start, Racing Rats , Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors, Weight of the World, and Munich amongst others (click on the song to preview it below - especially An End has a Start cause all his strange quirks and hand motions etc. in the way Smith acts in the video is very much like he is on stage). This was well worth going to and will be going again. Of note for the 9:30 Club, they finally have a Dogish Brewery beer that I absolutely love: Raison D'Etre !! BRILLIANT!!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Return to Boulevard de Atlas
I.E. Flexing those Gastronomical Mussels…..
Haven’t been back to the Rock & Roll Hotel for a while, not since seeing The The’s. Went to see The RedWalls, Johnathan Rice, and The Whigs, of whom might have been nice to recruit into the newly formed WHIG Party, but alas they are not very eloquent. Just a small crowd of us went on the first day of snow of the year with A Rotten Rabi, Stef, and Club D, who has a nice and succinct review of the music of the night and the Sauce Boss (whom I see every year) from the previous Saturday night.
I vaguely remember hearing Jonathan Rice from somewhere before, and Behold – he is on my Walk the Line CD & Plays Roy Orbison in the movie. No wonder his sound was a little Country-ish – I though George Throughgood – but I’m no expert.
Of note for the night were the two new spots on H Street – First is the much touted Dr. Granville Moore’s. This place is attempting to rival Bistro du Coin in Dupont for their Mussels (which I think are the best in the city - price & taste factored in).
Well as the list of places for mussels (French style of course) increases in the city, I woefully fall behind on my list to try them: Montmartre, Brasserie Beck – I have been to them, but still remaining are: Hanks Oyster Bar, Bistro Italiano, Marvins, Les Halles and Belga Café I’ve been for drinks but not food.
SO I took up my quest again recently, when my best friend (& former roomy) from Miami, Mario came into town, and started at the beginning with the Bistro. OUTSTANDING!! as usual. In comparison Granvilles mussels tasted like mussels cooked in sauce, & Bistro’s mussels tasted like they were infused with the sauce YUM!! Plus they are always giving you more bread to sop up that sauce.
As for Montmartre, I cant remember them that well, so that doesn’t bode well (although I do remember their risotto with Calamari in Ink plate – 5 stars for that!), and Beck’s were very tasty indeed, as good as Bistro, but way pricier.
SO rating them:
Bistro du Coin *****
(better if you are in the mood for Wine)
Doc Granville Moores Brickyard ****
(better if you are in the mood for Belgian Beer)
Brasserie Beck ****
(better if you are in the mood for Fancy Restuarant)
Montmartre **
(better if you are in the mood for Other types of seafood)
The Hidden Gem of the evening is SOVA, which for full disclosure is owned by the Husband of a friend of mine (Frank – Kavitha’s hubby). He runs a cool Café/ Wine bar two doors down from the R&R Hotel. Well ok technically the wine bar portion isn’t open yet, but that’s just awaiting the liquor license. He has the same neat dispenser system that the pretentious Sonoma Wine bar has – without the pretentiousness or prices.
His Latte rivals mine (he uses good beans but no match for well roasted Dominican). The décor is R&R Hotel done nice – without the gaudiness – i.e big clunky but comfy couches, warmly painted walls in sage green or warm red colors. The backroom has a big ol' big screen tv and the upstairs has a HUGE Table where you could set up a game of World in Flames with room to spare if you wish.
I can definitely be seeing Granville’s & SOVA as part of my regular routine for visits to the venerable Hotel.
Haven’t been back to the Rock & Roll Hotel for a while, not since seeing The The’s. Went to see The RedWalls, Johnathan Rice, and The Whigs, of whom might have been nice to recruit into the newly formed WHIG Party, but alas they are not very eloquent. Just a small crowd of us went on the first day of snow of the year with A Rotten Rabi, Stef, and Club D, who has a nice and succinct review of the music of the night and the Sauce Boss (whom I see every year) from the previous Saturday night.
I vaguely remember hearing Jonathan Rice from somewhere before, and Behold – he is on my Walk the Line CD & Plays Roy Orbison in the movie. No wonder his sound was a little Country-ish – I though George Throughgood – but I’m no expert.
Of note for the night were the two new spots on H Street – First is the much touted Dr. Granville Moore’s. This place is attempting to rival Bistro du Coin in Dupont for their Mussels (which I think are the best in the city - price & taste factored in).
Well as the list of places for mussels (French style of course) increases in the city, I woefully fall behind on my list to try them: Montmartre, Brasserie Beck – I have been to them, but still remaining are: Hanks Oyster Bar, Bistro Italiano, Marvins, Les Halles and Belga Café I’ve been for drinks but not food.
SO I took up my quest again recently, when my best friend (& former roomy) from Miami, Mario came into town, and started at the beginning with the Bistro. OUTSTANDING!! as usual. In comparison Granvilles mussels tasted like mussels cooked in sauce, & Bistro’s mussels tasted like they were infused with the sauce YUM!! Plus they are always giving you more bread to sop up that sauce.
As for Montmartre, I cant remember them that well, so that doesn’t bode well (although I do remember their risotto with Calamari in Ink plate – 5 stars for that!), and Beck’s were very tasty indeed, as good as Bistro, but way pricier.
SO rating them:
Bistro du Coin *****
(better if you are in the mood for Wine)
Doc Granville Moores Brickyard ****
(better if you are in the mood for Belgian Beer)
Brasserie Beck ****
(better if you are in the mood for Fancy Restuarant)
Montmartre **
(better if you are in the mood for Other types of seafood)
The Hidden Gem of the evening is SOVA, which for full disclosure is owned by the Husband of a friend of mine (Frank – Kavitha’s hubby). He runs a cool Café/ Wine bar two doors down from the R&R Hotel. Well ok technically the wine bar portion isn’t open yet, but that’s just awaiting the liquor license. He has the same neat dispenser system that the pretentious Sonoma Wine bar has – without the pretentiousness or prices.
His Latte rivals mine (he uses good beans but no match for well roasted Dominican). The décor is R&R Hotel done nice – without the gaudiness – i.e big clunky but comfy couches, warmly painted walls in sage green or warm red colors. The backroom has a big ol' big screen tv and the upstairs has a HUGE Table where you could set up a game of World in Flames with room to spare if you wish.I can definitely be seeing Granville’s & SOVA as part of my regular routine for visits to the venerable Hotel.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Responses to Notes....
So Jon asked the question: “what songs would be good to listen to when getting over someone” SO I came up with my CD’s worth of songs.
Some of the songs don’t always truly apply to all situations/girls, but what the hey. Here's a list in no particular order:
Corazon Espinado Santana with Mana
Oh, broken/pierced heart – whatever you want to call it….
Esa mujer me esta matando
Por mas que trato de olvidarla
Me a espinado el Corazon
Translated (loosely):
That woman is killing me
But no matter how hard (she) treats (me) I cant forget her
She has pierced my heart
Let Your Troubles Roll By Carbon Leaf
Also on Jon’s list but mine for the first stanza – describes a forlorn heart readily.
Love endures, it clings away
When asked to leave, it begs to stay
Like the perfect song, at imperfect times
It's the way the chords struck with the rhymes
So let your troubles roll by...
Goin Nowhere Chris Isaak
Truly a “Getting over her” song!
Like the stance, like the sky, likes the way you shake it.
You’re the kind of a girl that looks better naked.
You’re the kind of a girl I would say is goin' nowhere.
You’re goin' nowhere.
Precious pain Melissa Etheridge
A way of taking that hurt, how do we deal with it.
Empty and cold but it keeps me alive
I gave it my soul so that I could survive
Keeping me safe in these chains
Precious pain
Royal Station 4/16 Melissa Etheridge
Melissa does it consistently in her early career songs –
This one makes one think of how we must forge ahead .
I ain't got nothing to soothe my aching soul
Except this screeching and screaming iron
To tell me where I ought to go
Breakdown Jack Johnson
A simple song – when you just need to let go.
I need this here
old train to breakdown
oh please just
let me please breakdown
Breaking up Rilo Kiley
Ohhh it feels good to be free – well until we need that urge otherwise
Very – almost disco-ey?? Not quite but very upbeat
am i breaking up?
is there trouble on the line?
did your heart break enough?
did it break enough this time?
ooh it feels good to be free..........
– not Breakin up – but still good! - Paints Peeling
Start a New Life Let’s French
Title says it all
1234 Feist (no thanks to that new Ipod commercial)
How dare does one reverse their feelings? Surprising lyrics found in another very upbeat song
you're changing your heart.
oh, oh, oh, you know who you are.
sweetheart, bitter heart,
now i can't tell you apart.
Anemone Brian Jonestown Massacre (BJM)
BJM a psychedelic 60’s retro – Stones/Byrds/Dylan inspired west coast band puts out some amazing songs many based on rejection, love, (including unrequited) - my choices were hard to peg, so I narrowed it down to two: this one because by the end of a relationship “dragging me down” is usually the feeling - remind yourself youre better of “up”, not down
i only play it for-real
you should be picking me up
instead you're dragging me down
flying over my head
you're landing all over town
F*cker Brian Jonestown Massacre
My heart is mine – you have no reason to mess with it!
i've been sitting in my room so long
i think about the ways you've done me wrong again
f*cking b*tch she tried to break my heart
the way she loves me i just fall apart
Stupid Girl Garbage
Yep the girl is dumb if she don’t like/want me ! LOL!
You stupid girl
All you had you wasted
Float On Modest Mouse
Jon is right on this I just didn’t realize why…
Artists of Honorable Mention
More songs by Melissa Etheridge, BJM, Carbon Leaf, Rilo Kiley, & Chris Isaak’s Blue album and missing the cut were songs by Dido, U2, Sublime, & The Cars.
I wanted to add something from the Decemberists (My current fave band) but it doesn’t quite fit this category.
Continue the thoughts – and responses ( Don’t forget to put it on Jon’s comments – he is the master of this after all.)
Since there are none of the standard pics here, I leave you with my rejected entry (due to length) in last years Screen on J&D G You tube video festival – warning – NSFW but only due to a few cuss words…… How To Take Revenge on Your Cheating Girlfriend :
Note to Jon:
"But actually it makes things clear, you see, 'cause now I know exactly what I have to do"
Some of the songs don’t always truly apply to all situations/girls, but what the hey. Here's a list in no particular order:
Corazon Espinado Santana with Mana
Oh, broken/pierced heart – whatever you want to call it….
Esa mujer me esta matando
Por mas que trato de olvidarla
Me a espinado el Corazon
Translated (loosely):
That woman is killing me
But no matter how hard (she) treats (me) I cant forget her
She has pierced my heart
Let Your Troubles Roll By Carbon Leaf
Also on Jon’s list but mine for the first stanza – describes a forlorn heart readily.
Love endures, it clings away
When asked to leave, it begs to stay
Like the perfect song, at imperfect times
It's the way the chords struck with the rhymes
So let your troubles roll by...
Goin Nowhere Chris Isaak
Truly a “Getting over her” song!
Like the stance, like the sky, likes the way you shake it.
You’re the kind of a girl that looks better naked.
You’re the kind of a girl I would say is goin' nowhere.
You’re goin' nowhere.
Precious pain Melissa Etheridge
A way of taking that hurt, how do we deal with it.
Empty and cold but it keeps me alive
I gave it my soul so that I could survive
Keeping me safe in these chains
Precious pain
Royal Station 4/16 Melissa Etheridge
Melissa does it consistently in her early career songs –
This one makes one think of how we must forge ahead .
I ain't got nothing to soothe my aching soul
Except this screeching and screaming iron
To tell me where I ought to go
Breakdown Jack Johnson
A simple song – when you just need to let go.
I need this here
old train to breakdown
oh please just
let me please breakdown
Breaking up Rilo Kiley
Ohhh it feels good to be free – well until we need that urge otherwise
Very – almost disco-ey?? Not quite but very upbeat
am i breaking up?
is there trouble on the line?
did your heart break enough?
did it break enough this time?
ooh it feels good to be free..........
– not Breakin up – but still good! - Paints Peeling
Start a New Life Let’s French
Title says it all
1234 Feist (no thanks to that new Ipod commercial)
How dare does one reverse their feelings? Surprising lyrics found in another very upbeat song
you're changing your heart.
oh, oh, oh, you know who you are.
sweetheart, bitter heart,
now i can't tell you apart.
Anemone Brian Jonestown Massacre (BJM)
BJM a psychedelic 60’s retro – Stones/Byrds/Dylan inspired west coast band puts out some amazing songs many based on rejection, love, (including unrequited) - my choices were hard to peg, so I narrowed it down to two: this one because by the end of a relationship “dragging me down” is usually the feeling - remind yourself youre better of “up”, not down
i only play it for-real
you should be picking me up
instead you're dragging me down
flying over my head
you're landing all over town
F*cker Brian Jonestown Massacre
My heart is mine – you have no reason to mess with it!
i've been sitting in my room so long
i think about the ways you've done me wrong again
f*cking b*tch she tried to break my heart
the way she loves me i just fall apart
Stupid Girl Garbage
Yep the girl is dumb if she don’t like/want me ! LOL!
You stupid girl
All you had you wasted
Float On Modest Mouse
Jon is right on this I just didn’t realize why…
Artists of Honorable Mention
More songs by Melissa Etheridge, BJM, Carbon Leaf, Rilo Kiley, & Chris Isaak’s Blue album and missing the cut were songs by Dido, U2, Sublime, & The Cars.
I wanted to add something from the Decemberists (My current fave band) but it doesn’t quite fit this category.
Continue the thoughts – and responses ( Don’t forget to put it on Jon’s comments – he is the master of this after all.)
Since there are none of the standard pics here, I leave you with my rejected entry (due to length) in last years Screen on J&D G You tube video festival – warning – NSFW but only due to a few cuss words…… How To Take Revenge on Your Cheating Girlfriend :
Note to Jon:
"But actually it makes things clear, you see, 'cause now I know exactly what I have to do"
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Addendum to Summer
1- Saw two genuine musical legends - the incredible Elvis Costello & the enigmatic Bob Dylan
2- Sally finally let loose some steam after all those summer trips. Than goodness it happened near a friends house and Darren & George helped me out in getting her back up and running for $20 bucks! Replacing a busted upper radiator coolant hose is simple work after all. (If you don't know by now - that's Sally pictured below after OBX, dont blame me for the name - My niece Alexia named her)
3- Finally watched my first Football Game of the season. Damm do the Dolphins SUCK!! ok I'm still giving Cam Cameron time to turn the team around - but come on boys - you let thata busted up Daunte Culpepper - whom we let go - score 3 TD's Running the ball in HIMSELF, and another 2 passing TD's??? Talk about embarrassment!
4- RAY knows how to cook !! My GAWD!!
5- Dave C. knows how to brew beer and have FUN!!! cant wait for that batch to be ready!
Yep that covers the last week of summer.....
2- Sally finally let loose some steam after all those summer trips. Than goodness it happened near a friends house and Darren & George helped me out in getting her back up and running for $20 bucks! Replacing a busted upper radiator coolant hose is simple work after all. (If you don't know by now - that's Sally pictured below after OBX, dont blame me for the name - My niece Alexia named her)
3- Finally watched my first Football Game of the season. Damm do the Dolphins SUCK!! ok I'm still giving Cam Cameron time to turn the team around - but come on boys - you let thata busted up Daunte Culpepper - whom we let go - score 3 TD's Running the ball in HIMSELF, and another 2 passing TD's??? Talk about embarrassment!
4- RAY knows how to cook !! My GAWD!!
5- Dave C. knows how to brew beer and have FUN!!! cant wait for that batch to be ready!
Yep that covers the last week of summer.....
Friday, September 7, 2007
An editorial on the Editors
If you get a chance - and you arent feeling too down - go see the Editors. My friend Stefanie 
convinced me to see them - and on her good (hopefull) taste I said yes. I am glad I did - effectively combining The Smiths and Interpol sounds these guys make depression sound uplifting . The lead singer, Tom Smith, sounds a little like Morrisey from the Smiths era, and makes me think of what Cosmo Kramer would look like if he were making music - very herky jerky motions that definately keep you entertained. The guitarist was totally sporting the Han Solo look... quite amusing!
convinced me to see them - and on her good (hopefull) taste I said yes. I am glad I did - effectively combining The Smiths and Interpol sounds these guys make depression sound uplifting . The lead singer, Tom Smith, sounds a little like Morrisey from the Smiths era, and makes me think of what Cosmo Kramer would look like if he were making music - very herky jerky motions that definately keep you entertained. The guitarist was totally sporting the Han Solo look... quite amusing!Additionally there were 2 other acts at the good ol' 9:30 Club; one of them was handing out these bumper stickers saying; "Who the F*ck is Biffy Clyro" well I wish I still had no answer to that question. I mean I have nothing against metal, but these guys sound like noise. ok a few songs were better, but still a mismatched pairng. Ra Ra Riot was good from the 2 songs I heard from them. Mental note to make a better effort to see them - I thought they were the second act & thus did miss them.
The tally: Editors 4/5; Biffy Clyro: 2/5; Ra Ra Riot 3/5 (based on 2 songs heard outside the club)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
A few quick reviews.... and notes of those gone by
Things to kep in mind from three restuarants I've eaten at lately:
Doungrats: Delicious Thai food - best meal/value south of Baltimore for Thai(4 out of 5)
Colvin Run Tavern: delicious and subtle flavors but maybe I just expected more (3.5 out 5)
Montmarte (Eastern market): Delicious scallops, amazing rissoto with calamari with squid ink sauce.... my absolute favorite! (4.75 out of 5)
and on to some sad news, The Cedars (of which I wrote about earlier) and Let's French - local bands I liked are no more...... The Cedars had alot going for them but Lets French was set!! They had a new kick butt full lenght album and everything.... wow interesting how things happen - I discover them a little before summer starts - and they are gone a little before summer ends....
Doungrats: Delicious Thai food - best meal/value south of Baltimore for Thai(4 out of 5)
Colvin Run Tavern: delicious and subtle flavors but maybe I just expected more (3.5 out 5)
Montmarte (Eastern market): Delicious scallops, amazing rissoto with calamari with squid ink sauce.... my absolute favorite! (4.75 out of 5)
and on to some sad news, The Cedars (of which I wrote about earlier) and Let's French - local bands I liked are no more...... The Cedars had alot going for them but Lets French was set!! They had a new kick butt full lenght album and everything.... wow interesting how things happen - I discover them a little before summer starts - and they are gone a little before summer ends....
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Shaken not Stirred
Location:
Wolf Trap
Target:
Pink Martini
Date:
Monday June 18th
For those of you who don’t know this group…. Yeah – catch them, buy their stuff, and spread the word. I’ll let the music do the talking….
The stage presence is a mix of; old style big band feel, lounge singer, latin jazz, and full orchestra! The main singer had this perfect name also: China Forbes!! Soo coool!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
So You Want to Start a Revolution
So, last night (Friday) I was invited at the very last minute to the SilverDocs Festival in Silver Spring. I had never heard of the movie Chicago 10. But I was not in the mood for a large crowd, and was informed of Dave Connelly’s Happy hour at RFD a bit to late.
The evening started off a little disappointed; great company with Jon, Darren & Ann at one of my favorite restaurant Cubano’s. Unfortunately I ordered the Masitas de Puerco, and this was the first time I have EVER been disappointed in the food there (luckily everyone else’s was very good, as usual). Surprisingly, we met up with Brandon, Candice & Kelly who had dragged the siblings to the Cubano’s on my recommendation from when I told her over the Memorial Day Weekend.
Anyway the whole point was to go see the Chicago 10, which as a minor aside should really be named the Chicago 8, and I still don’t get the number difference after looking up some of the history….
Basically in a nutshell, the movie depicts the events of the Democratic Convention of 1968, and the ensuing riots, and the trial that came after of 8 people who were charged with CONSPIRACY to incite riots across state lines, etc…. Now most people would think.. uughhh a documentary… and normally I am not one to shy away from them (former History Channel addict here). But this was definitely a new direction for this style of film.
The director Brett Morgen,
uses no current interviews – instead he uses extensive archival footage to let the viewer experience the events as one might have during that time, albeit from the safety of your theatre seat and condensed (supposedly from over 700 hours of footage). He then interspaces that with the trial, depicted in rotoscope animation style, with actors reading/depicting from the transcripts. It is a VERY UNIQUE way of presenting a documentary for sure. Although the director says (he was present and supposedly said) that he leaves the viewers to make their own conclusions from the material, there is an obvious editing process. He was also trying to draw some parallels between the situation in Vietnam and Iraq with some eerie footage of LBJ saying almost the same as GWB, and thus sets a nice POV to make the actions somewhat contemporary.
It was also, it would so seem to me an obvious miscarriage of justice. How common is it to bind and gag a prisoner in the court for requesting the ability to represent himself? I was left stunned needless to say.
I think one of the thoughts that still definitely swirls in my head is our true ability to influence politics in this country as the protest in Chicago was meant to be. It seems that our influence as a people is minimal – contribute to this – contribute to that. Only rarely do I see what I figure is a politician who really listens to the people. Its all about political wrangling and money…… I feel saddened, and disheartened. I mean if you really try to start something, it might just destroy you. Even though I don’t particularly like her, look what the anti-war campaign did to Cindy Sheehan – and to what avail… the politicians in charge continue to “stay the course” (I’m not saying I have the right or wrong answer, just an observation here).
So do we do enough for our voices to be truly heard?
(For those of you wondering - the title was inspired by: 1- Obviously The Beatles Song - Revolution - lyrics here and coincidentally was released in November of the same year, recorded just before July also, and... ; 2 - Those idiots who try selling you the "Stop Bitching, Start A Revolution T-Shirt... What revolution are they starting? a commercial revolution?? pppppffffftttt!!!!!)
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Necessity will Make us all Forsworn
Last night I got to see Micheal Kahn's production of Love's Labour Lost - a little know play of the the Bard's. Having been a fan of the Bard for a long time, I used to think Much Ado About Nothing was amongst his wittiest plays put forth, but now I think Love's has surpassed that in my own personal standings. Now mind you I still think Hamlet is his masterpiece, closely followed by Othello and then Richard III for his dramatic works. But for the more light hearted were I had Much Ado ranking first.. with Twelfe Night and Mid-Summers in close 2nd & third, Love's is definitely now in first for that category!
It was a perfect evening for the annual Free for all production run that is put on by The Shakespeare Theater Company here in D.C. (Last year they did Pericles). Even better was the fact that before hand I joined a great group of friends for a picnic. Best way to spend a Friday evening - I could do this all my life - sunny afternoon - full moon at night for the play. By the time I went to sleep I could hear the sound of beautiful thunder lolling me to sleep... so nice.
But the play has some very neat themes - both visually and in its words. Kahn (you've gotta love a guy who has that last name!!! KHAAAAAAANN!!!!!!) sets the play in the 60's in an Indian kingdom of some type. So the set is vibrant as the colors just pop out at you, and even though they use the Bard's words - I love it that they need not be the same old Englishmen, Italians, etc that we normally see adapted. One reason I love Shakespeare is because of his universitality.
There are a few themes that were summed up nicely in the play, one being the title of the post. The other is somewhat related quote is : "Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves,
Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths." It is an interesting concept and a question that can cut deep down, but that would take a dissertation of my thoughts here (versus a simple few paragraphs) and is in relation to a book I re-read occasionally called The Four Agreements. Of course there are themes aplenty about love, and how we hide and pursue it. How shallow and deep it can be etc...
I found this video clip which includes scenes from the original run of the production and also which talks about other themes in the play I find interesting - even if it is partially in a Hindi dialect - it was still good.Even if its not Kahn's production of this play, I suggest seeing it of at all possible! This one though was especially fun, if anything - to see some of the Bard's sonnets - put to Rock n Roll and girls in Go-Go Boots!!!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Maybe we should call them The The's
The last two nights were a great night for music. On Wednesday, I went to the Rock and Roll Hotel for the first time since I've been in D.C. Well I guess that can't be too hard since the place is barely a year old, if that. Three of us went to see The Cedars (a local DC band), The Changes (From Chi-town) and The Cinematics (pictured, from Scotland). This outing was initiated by Ray after being emailed in the afternoon saying these guys (all three) are God's next gift to music, well now I am using his style of exaggeration, but thats a different story. I was glad that Dana was also able to come along - so that made it three peeps to see THE Three bands.Needless to say, I passed by my good buddy's Wayne's row house before hand for "pre-club liquid consumption" and helped grill up some fantastic chicken that Jerry had brought and eat it of course! Along with salmon soft tacos, fresh pineapple, and delicious chips and guacamole -oohhh yeah I was happy.
Let me get back to the RnR Hotel! This place was VERY COOL. I wish I had taken more pictures but the upstairs has all these various "rooms" with couches, that look psuedo vintage, and all decorated with music posters (I would gamble they are high quality prints of them vs the real thing) schedules of different tours, even an ad for the 9:30 club when it was at its original location.
I think one of us mentioned, that these rooms almost looked like make out rooms, especially since the prominent color on the walls was a very RICH RED! Sadly the only pic I took was of the downstairs mens bathroom... Yeah!! This is by far one of the best club bathrooms thus far, and yes its weird that I noticed it, and even weirder that I took a PICTURE of it!!- this rocked!!! I mean look at it! It has:1. A place to put your beer
2. A Naked trucker women on the walls
3. The thing is CLEAN !!
4. One flush takes care of it all!
So from my untrained musical ear- here is my assessment of the three "The's" as i dubbed them since they all started with well .... "The". First up The Cedars - Good jam group, but they seriously need a lyricist... really dudes, when you only sing for a minute then play for 2 and call that a song... well you all need work. Second - The Changes - A little more cohesiveness would be good, but overall these guys did a good job. The lead vocals were clear and they really changed it up with their instrumentation without
compromising their overall sound. Most interesting was the drummer switching to the Xylophone, and the lead singer, Darren (pictured with Dana and me), using maracas on the drums. I am curious to see how hey sound in the studio (i.e. on the CD) - I have a feeling they are a more interesting live band than a studio band.Finally The Cinematics - These guys just pure jammed! Though typical of brit rock (IMO) where the vocals felt a little drowned out, the bassist more than made up for it & totally rocked the place. Overall they proved why they were the headliners.
Thursday I went to IOTA to see Paul Michel, and Two if by Sea. I like Iota, something about its simplicity. Unfortunately I missed half of Paul Michel's set, what can I say I was distracted by a pretty woman. When we got there we caught the last 2 1/2 songs of the set. From what I heard he was pretty cool - I will have to catch him again. Next up was Alphabetical Order, whom I quickly dubbed Alphabetical DISorder due to their chaotic sound changing the whole rhythm, tempo, sound in one song two or three times. It just sounded as if they didnt know their identity. On the bright side they had 3 decent singers, one of them being the very Tina Fey looking bassist. Finally the much touted Two if by Sea from Bal'mer (Baltimore for you out of towners).
I had heard of these guys from the Six Points Music Fest where I first heard the Roosevelts (this was the weekend before the Morris Cabin trip). I should have stuck around and heard these guys back then. They rocked!! First they were picky about the sound, and stopped the first song, because it didn't sound right - it got fixed, and they were very cool chatting personably with the audience while it got fixed. But once that was done they launched into an even better song that had the audience moving - a rarity for this city where people just.. stand around and listen... IT'S MUSIC PEOPLE !!! MOVE A LITTLE!!!! - yeah - that's my one rant for this post.
Well worth sticking around for!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)