Absquatulate

Human Again

The weather has broken, finally. For the first time in over a week I feel alert, rather than dogged by the sloth-like pace that one must undertake in 95 degree heat with 80% humidity. I can actually think about getting on my bike without wanting to scream and thrust my sunburned-yet-still-pasty-white-middled-self into the pond.

So, yeah! I went to the Newport Folk Festival! It was beautiful, it was sunny, and the acts were all good. I don't think I've ever seen a more mellow crowd at a festival; I suppose that isn't entirely to be unexpected however. I mean, EmmyLou Harris sings alot of songs of heartache and loneliness. It's bound to make you reflective.

I wish there were some more acts there however that had a more traditional folk/bluegrass feel. Alejandro Escavedo, while okay and I'm certain a fine musician, was too rock for the festival. Where was Patty Griffin? Leo Kottke? Chris Smither? William Elliott Whitmore? I think about them performing at a venue like that and get all giddy! They would be perfect; they would fit in nicely; they would have a new following. In particular Leo Kottke, whom I deem as one of the finest musicians I have had the honor of seeing in concert. Chris Smither would also be a delight as his writing is some of the best you can come across. How can you deny a guy that has been described by Bonnie Raitt as "my Eric Clapton"? Right.

So I wish there were more performers there. That is, with the exception of the unbelievably good Carolina Chocolate Drops (which if you ever get the chance to see you absolutely MUST), most of the acts were perfectly fine but not terribly engaging. I want to learn something from the musician, not just hear their cd. I can save (or rather, my mom could save :) $65 and do that at home where the drinks are free.

But that's a minor problem. Because how can you hate spending a day outside on Newport Harbor watching the sailboats, tankers, and seagulls? You can't, even if they occasionally ran out of toilet paper in the (unusually clean) port-a-johns.

I Used To Live On The Moon

Who needs a drummer?

Not Tilly and the Wall, I'll tell you. Why get some over-egoed ass when you can enroll the services of a perky tap dancer in a tutu? Brilliant!

Via Kung Fu Grippe.

Audience Participation

Audience Participation
Originally uploaded by absquatulate.

A while ago a few folks were chatting about which concerty they've attended was the best they've ever been too. I had a hard time coming up with one... I haven't been to a ton of concerts, but they all sort of melted together and I couldn't come up with a good answer. Moxy Fruvous was really good. Billy Joel was good. Pink Floyd was good. But which was the best?

I'm ashamed that I couldn't come up with They Might Be Giants. I saw them in college at the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY and Oh My Gosh, did they roxors teh hoxors. At the end they had the whole place in a HUGE conga line! So when I heard they were coming to The Iron Horse (a delciously small venue in Northampton) I implored a friend to get tickets.

THIS my friends, is the best concert I've been to. TMBG, after all these years, still have unbelievable stage presence, they rock it out as hard as they can (or they put up a great front) and really get everyone involved. It looks like they're really into it, the band is tight, each of the Johns is going frantic on the guitar or on the accordian or keyboards, and everything is just ROCKING.

If you haven't seen them do yourself (and your brain) a favor and go. A great band that writes really smart music and gets everyone up on their feet. How can you go wrong?

Pearls Before Breakfast

The Washington Post performs a brilliant experiment:  plant a world famous violinist at a D.C. Metro Station and see what happens: Pearls Before Breakfast - washingtonpost.com From the article:

"But the behavior of one demographic remained absolutely consistent. Every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch. And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away."

For God's sake people, STOP every once in a while and appreciate something beautiful.  Life is just too short not to.

Paolo Nutini

I know someone who will probably laugh at the irony of me posting this song, but it always gets me in a good mood. Especially when it's 6:30am and I'm on the road to Worcester.

Amy Winehouse

Corey started it, and now I've got a whole new list of songs I can't stop listening to. Here's one; this gal's got one hell of a set of pipes on her:

Midlake

This is one of the better comments I've seen on Amazon and from the two songs I've heard, sums them up perfectly:

Imagine this: Thom Yorke, having just finished Emerson's "Self-Reliance," finds Neil Young (who is carving bars of soap into deer, elk and bear shapes) and they decide to go jam at Blue Oyster Cult's house (I assume Blue Oyster Cult all live in the same house). On the way, they pick up Lindsay Buckingham, who just happens to be out splitting kindling as Thom and Neil, hastily-packed bags slung over their shoulders, a bottle of clear, home-brewed liquid being passed between them, amble by rosy cheeked and smiling. Peeking from the woods on the other side of the (dirt) road is Sufjan Stevens, obscured by trees, who, though unnoticed, tips his hat as if to say, "I ain't mad at'cha."

The Young Folks

I can't say that I'm in love with this song, but I am somewhat obsessed with it. Does that make any sense?

Christopher James

This guy right here is, as they say, good people.  Take a listen to his album at Christopher James.  Reminds me a bit of Gregory Paul.  Congrats on the first album Chris; may it be the start of a long string of many.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

I simply HAVE to get more of their music.  The one song the local station plays is fabulous: Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

For Future Reference

I will never forgive myself for not going to see Beck when he played at the UofR my sophmore year of college.

Jvox

J is a guy I sort-of-know virtually. He writes very creepy and cool music that really ought to be used as a soundtrack for indie movies. But better than that, he makes his own indie-movie type animated videos. This is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to be creeped out by a pig.

Old School Fun

A highly recommended way to end the semester is on the bus on the way back to the apartment with They Might Be Giants playing on the little portable radio the driver has with her, and myself and another rider in the front spontaneously breaking into a chorus of, "(iTunes Link)... say I'm the only bee in your bonnet!!! Leave a little birdhouse in your soul..."

(Anybody know where one could find the Tiny Toons videos created for "Particle Man" and "Istanbul/Constantinople"?)

Foreign Language

I've made a small, delicious little rediscovery recently: music as a means of expression.  I can't say I've forgotten this but rather that the idea was squashed in my brain during the last bunch of years and has only recently elbowed its way out of the sylvian fissure and said, "Hey YOU.  Words are no good.  Try something different for a change." I'm a better person for it too.

Music in My Head

Lately I've been waking up with music playing through my head, often time mid song, mid-stanza, just as if I'd walked into a room with the stereo on. I can't say the music is in any related dream but rather I snap awake and there is the song playing in my head.

I also have not been sleeping well. I wonder if these things are related? That somehow my mind is busy updating and playing a playlist in my head while I'm sleeping and that takes precious resources away from the business of sleeping. Whatever the reason it has to stop soon; I'm tired.

Exotica

I was surprised to hear that Martin Denny was even still alive when I read his obituary. His music is perfect for hot summer days when a few friends, a cold drink, and a slight breeze are all you need to enjoy life. Check out some of his creations and oggle his cover art and enjoy the duclet sounds of the South Pacific.