Rhett Miller - if a picture's worth 1,000 words...

Here's my 5,000 word essay about last night's show at the Black Cat.

Takin' It To The Stores

I said I was going to finish the taxes today (my extension runs out next month), but yesterday was such a long day, with Post deadlines, errands and a community Board meeting (I’m the secretary, god help them and/or me), so I decided to use today to get caught up on emails and such.
For a change of pace, I plugged in the iPod and let the shuffle go wild, catching up on all sorts of things I had downloaded but never paid attention it. And, with my laptop right here, too, as I found tracks I didn’t care for, I could start cleaning up the iTunes clutter, too.
Which, in turn, inspired me to knock off a few more albums in the O/CD tally, specifically music that was sent to me for review but ultimately got put in the giveaway bag to take to the CD trade-in store.

Here’s what I dumped and (sometimes) why

It’s not always that I don’t like an album, or the band. Some things are fine while I’m listening to them, but I just know I won’t be revisiting them. And I need the space! For example:
The SAW DOCTORS - Live at the Melody Tent (Shamtown Records)
I’ve written about this band, seen them live and really enjoyed them. They do Irish folk-rock with a real kick, Springsteen-ian anthems to small-town life and large characters. Like many live albums, this one’s enjoyable as a one-time listen (kept me company on a long drive) but the songs that I liked best are ones that I will return to in their studio form, as these guys play to the crowd – as well they should- which is great when you’re in the crowd, but not so good for the listener after the fact.
The SAW DOCTORS - Clare Island to Cape Cod (Shamtown DVD)
For those considering making a live and/or documentary long-form, this is a great example of how to do both. A nice mix of off-stage conversations, interviews and general goofing off, plus footage from a raucous show at the Melody Tent in Cape Cod. Made with care and money and style. A lovely introduction to the uninitiated (though the accents are so thick at time, subtitles might have helped!) and a great souvenir for the longtime fan. And now that I've seen it once, I can pass it on.

Yep, there’s stuff I just don’t dig:
VIVA VOCE - Rose City (Barsuk)
I saw them open for The Shins last year and was unimpressed. Wrote about their show at the IOTA earlier this year – primarily ‘cause I wanted to spotlight opening act, Cut Off Your Hands – and, though I liked this album marginally better than the last one, it still didn’t stick.
The DUKE and the KING – Nothing Gold Can Stay (Ramseur)
The Duke is Simone Felice of the Felice Brothers and the King is Robert Chicken Burke, who’s worked with George Clinton, so I thought it might be good. But then again, it was touted as “country soul” and that’s not my bag.
PAT DINIZIO – Sings Buddy Holly (KOCH)
Although I could sing a number of Smithereens songs from memory – a sign of their hookiness – I can’t say I enjoy them. And the idea of frontman Dininzio rerecording Buddy Holly songs begs the question, why? Does he think he can improve upon them? I listened and there was just one track – “Listen to Me” - that I put on my iPod because Bobby Vee sings on it, and my sister used to listen to him as a teenager. Otherwise, nahhhh….

Of these, I’ll simply say, I’m just not that into them:
The BAND Of HEATHENS - S/T (BOH Records)
GRUPO FANTASMA - Sonidos Gold (Aire Sol Records)

Confession: I didn’t listen, I just got desperate to clear away space.
DANA FALCONBERRY – Oh Skies of Grey (00:02:59)
A time when the cover was so unappealing, I didn’t get past it.
DROWNING POOL – Loudest Common Denominator (Eleven Seven Music)
A live CD recorded at the San Diego House of Blues, described in press notes as “loud, raw and in your face.” Thanks, I’ll pass.

YTD O/CD Tally:270

Tomorrow, if I’m a good little blogger, I’ll post some pics from tonight’s Rhett Miller show.

Remember the O/CD Tally?

With all the zip files coming my way these days, the long-neglected O/CD Tally gets harder to keep track of. Until I unzip those digital files and put them into iTunes, they barely register. And with hard drive space on my (admittedly crowded) computer at a premium, I don’t always take advantage of the offers to grab new music. So, publicity people, keep sending those old skool discs!

But anyway, here are a few new albums that I’ve downloaded/unzipped and kept…

This first batch is associated with my examiner.com Digital Music column so you can check ‘em out there, too.
ANDREW BELLE – All Those Pretty Lights
He’s become one of my favorite new artists and the EP is a free download, as is a new track from his upcoming full-length. Go therenow!
AWESOME NEW REPUBLIC – Rational Geographic, Vol. 1
AWESOME NEW REPUBLIC – Rational Geographic, Vol. 2
Again, the music is available as a free download (do you sense a theme?), but I must admit that I haven’t found the songs to have staying power. Had the group pegged to a kind of Tears for Fears vibe, but the lyrics don’t hold up all that well.
NEW TALES TO TELL – Various Artists
A tribute to Love and Rockets. As usual, a mixed bag, but there’s a few good ‘uns.

AS TALL AS LIONS – You Can’t Take It With You
If you still haven’t subscribed to my (free!) examiner column (nudge, nudge),here’s what you missed. For the first few days, the link for the free single download actually took you to a page with a zip file of the whole album. I told the label rep that the story was up and that the link went to the whole CD, but he didn’t ask me to take it down; said he’d send another link. So, for a few days, early adapters got a bonus!

And here are some promos…
WILLIE NELSON – American Classic
This was sent from the PR dept. I don’t need to say much more than this - Willie sings some old standards, like “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” in his understated, well-arranged Willie way. You know what that means – easy listening in its true, best sense.
MATT and KIM – Grand
“Daylight” is a great tune and the album as a whole has a happy, summertime vibe. And the press pic is so cute!


I bought some digital albums, too:
BILLIE HOLIDAY – The Complete
Amazon.com offered this package – all 35 tracks - for a mere $2.99, so how could I resist?
COLDPLAY – Viva La Vida: Prospekt’s March Edition
Another amazon.com special. Yeah, I already have the CD, but not with all the extra tracks. Yeah, I’m a sucker.
RICEBOY SLEEPS – S/T
Bought this with my emusic account, in that near-the-end-of-the-month Use It or Lose It mode (if I don’t use my 30 downloads, there’s no rollover). New stuff that’s loosely connected to the Sigur Ros team. Have to remember to sync it up for nice bedtime listening
CAMERA OBSCURA – My Maudlin Career
Another emusic grab. Heard/like them on KCRW, saw them on the Craig Fergusen show and it sealed the deal.

And so, the long-delayed YTD O/CD Tally: 261

And finally, the latest Washington Post previews, posted at the end of August.
In the Arlington/Alexandria Extra section – Living Colour at the Birchmere.
For the Fairfax Extra - Wolf’s Blues Jam at Bangkok Blues

That "50 Bands" Facebook thingy...

I knew there was a reason I don't do those Facebook sharing games. The same reason I don't smoke dope - once I start, I can't shut up!

But I couldn't resist the chance to compile another list (remember the O/CD Tally?; I'll get back to that) - the "50 Bands/Concerts You've Seen" thingy. Rather than pluck them from my feverish brain, I found the glass jar into which I throw my ticket stubs (there are stragglers in other places relating to photo discs, set lists, etc.) and began to pluck 'em out at random. Given my penchant for yabbering on, I've only gotten to 25 in the last hour. This is gonna hurt me more than it does you...

1. Lisa Loeb – 9:30 Club, DC (March 1, 1996)
First one out of the jar and it was a show on my birthday! A favorite way to celebrate. I like Loeb just fine so we went with a bunch of friends. No offense to Loeb but it was more about the event than the music.
2. They Might Be Giants/NRBQ – Wolf Trap, NoVA (June 1994)
The two Johns once came to a birthday party (is this a theme?) Terry threw for me in our Bklyn basement apartment Back In The Day (they are friends of a friend, another musician). They complimented Terry’s coffee-laced chili and presented me with a cardboard hat with a toy camera attached. NRBQ are a kind of legendary band, but didn’t do much for me. TMBG are always great fun.
3. HFS Holiday Nutcracker , Patriot Center, NoVA (Dec. 1994)
Had to look up who played at this one - Simple Minds, Go-Go's, Veruca Salt, Big Audio Dynamite, Evan Dando, Pete Droge and Freedy Johnson. I remember B.A.D. best; they were doing great dance/pop/punk. When the girls were at the right age, we went pretty much every year.
4. John Sebastian – Barns of Wolf Trap (April 1998)
I was a huge Lovin’ Spoonful fan and, at age 17 or so stood, speechless, as JB walked past me on an NYC street. I kicked myself afterwards. I told him that story after this show, disappointingly light on Spoonful/solo material (he was in a jug band phase) but he signed my vintage 45 picture sleeve, “nice to see you again,” so he’s still a cutie.
5. The Edge/Universal/Hayden – Trinity St. Paul’s (June, 1998)
I’m writing the words as they appear on the ticket but I have no idea what it means. I was in London. A classical performance?
6. HFS Nutcracker – Patriot Center (Dec. 1998)
Hole, Soul Coughing, Eels, Garbage, Cake. I was with Emma (12 at the time) and we’re sitting in the press seats on the floor. Some jerk says to me, “You’re too old to be here. “ I say, “And you’re too rude to be here.” Got some great photos of Courtney Love (who wasn't very good) and Shirley Manson (who was/is a fun, foxy lady).
7. Brian Setzer Orchestra – Warner Theatre, DC (Nov. 1998)
I better remember a different show from BS with his Big Band group – one held during one of Terry’s conventions in California, on a military base. Big bands (good ones) are fabulous for dancing.
8. Ben Folds Five – 9:30 Club (Feb. 1998)
I saw BF5 a few times, the absolute best being a show at GMU Gunston Hall right before the album with “Brick.” This one was close to it. They were a terrific live band and, though I’ve seen and enjoyed Folds as a solo act, never as much as when he was with the other two guys.
9. Tibetan Freedom Concert – RFK Stadium, DC (June 1998)
This was the infamous 2-day affair during which a lightning storm stopped the show, put some fans in the hospital and caused travel chaos. Some fine music, though – Radiohead, Pulp, Pearl Jam, R.E.M... Two memories of the latter - Michael Stipe wore an Indian print skirt on stage and then deliberated stood where the photographers in the pit were blocked by his music stand (much grumbling). And I got into a debate with him in the press tent about producing a film from that vile "American Psycho" book. He seemed to enjoy having someone disagree with him for a change.
10. P.J. Harvey – 9:30 Club (Nov. 1998)
She’s so intense. I admire her, but don’t always enjoy her stuff.
11. Tori Amos – MCI Center, DC (Aug. 1998)
See above.
12. Paula Cole – 9:30 Club (Feb. 1998)
One of Grace’s first shows. She was eight. Cole was in a pissy mood and, since she was basically a one-hit wonder, too bad on her.
13. Ani DiFranco/Rebirth Brass Band – Wolf Trap (June 1998)
A lotta ladies this year! And she’s one of the best. Her stuff can get samey on the rhythm end, but she’s so cool. Lots of lesbian PDA's made it an interesting night for conversation with Emma.
14. Warren Zevon – Beacon Theatre, NYC (Feb. 1990)
Saw him open for someone in England as “Werewolves” was breaking, and at Birchmere (the best time), and at the State theatre (last time before he passed). He was a true original. Enjoy every sandwich.
15. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Radio City Music Hall, NYC (Oct. 1990)
Not sure if this counts as a concert (there was singing), or a play (there was a story of sorts), or anything that actually counts as entertainment. But we brought Emma, age 4, and she was thrilled. Now that I think of it, it was very close to the experience we had seeing Britney Spears many years later.
16. Avril Lavigne – Patriot Center (May 2003)
For Grace. I was actually quite impressed with her voice (Avril’s that is). Riot grrrl with training wheels. And then she got annoying.
17. Gaelic Storm – Birchmere, NoVA (Sept. 2003)
This Celtic band is great fun. Went with dearly missed (alive and well; she moved to England) friend Nancy, who was largely pregnant. I had interviewed the band and wrote about them, so we were invited backstage where I mistakenly said “we’re expecting…” and am sure the band thought we were a gay couple (not that there’s anything wrong….)
18. Good Charlotte/New Found Glory – Patriot Center (May 2003)
Emma, and later, Grace were both crazy about GC for awhile. And I appreciated them, too. They were sweet local misfits who played with great energy and joy And then came the day the Madden twins were curt with their fans when visiting Reston Town Center. What made it worse, that same night, they appeared at a different concert (which we also saw) and blathered between every song about how much their fans meant to them, we couldn’t be here without you, blah, blah, blah. And then they started dating supermodels and the music went south.
18. Ben Harper/Jack Johnson – Bull Run Park, NoVA (June 2003)
Not sure why JJ’s laid-back surfer dude music is so pleasant and soothing – in theory, that stuff makes me roll my eyes. But he’s pretty charming. I was alone and tired and got free tickets (another preview), so I stayed for a handful of BH songs and then split. I appreciate him in theory, but he doesn’t move me.
19. The Proclaimers – Birchmere (Sept. 21)
These guys are more than just “500 Miles.” Not a lot, lot more, but they can keep an audience fully engaged for a night. Went with my pal Matt (in a kilt!) so that was very cool.
20. Fountains of Wayne – 9:30 Club (April 1997)
The two songwriters here are among the smartest working in pop today. And though the band doesn’t have much to offer in onstage personality, they play great songs with great skill and that’s enough for me. Have seen them 3, 4 times.
21. Poi Dog Pondering – 9:30 Club (June 1997)
My friend Aries told me how much she loved this band, so I tagged along not knowing a note of their music. That’s usually a recipe for disaster but the band’s energy, good feeling, and Talking Heads-style smart dance music made it an amazing show. I have since bought many of their albums and still haven’t found the song I loved most that night (sample lyric: “I am exactly where I am supposed to be.”) Also notable for the German tourist who tapped me on the shoulder and said, “I want dancing. Dancing with you.” (I politely declined.)
22. Jane Siberry – Birchmere (Sept. 1997)
Oh, Jane. Jane, Jane, Jane. An extraordinary artist, an agreeable but obstuse interview. And an acquired taste. She can be brilliant, she can be head-scratchingly confusing, but she’s never dull. Terry and I have seen her a number of times, but one of my true concert regrets is that I did not see her “Bound By the Beauty” tour, since that album has some of her most accessible, euphoric songs.
23. Foo Fighters – 9:30 Club (July 1997)
One of the hardest-working, hardest-rocking and best live bands going. And the drummer is sexy cool. Seeing them at 930 was a major treat, though they never disappointed at the various arena fests where I’ve seen them.
24. Soul Asylum – 9:30 Club (June 1997)
SA were previewing material from a new album after going huge with “Grave Dancers’ Union.” It was fun, but I left the show to discover that my car was broken into and my checkbook stolen. Ensuing headaches over bounced checks wiped away whatever I heard at the show.
25. Ben Folds Five – Gaston Hall, NoVA (Dec. 1997)
Which takes us back to #8.

The Squirrel strikes again

Have you been following the story of the squirrel that inserted itself into a young couple's vacation photos?
The joy of the Internet is that silly little stories like this go viral and everybody can get in on the fun. People have been photo-shopping the furry little creature into all sorts of places. Here's my current favorite:

Just the Facts, Ma'am

No more house on the lake. (Well, the house is there but I am not.) I'm getting back in the groove, but it's a deadline week for the Post, so I am not blogging in full just yet. But I can share a few links from my recently published past...

First, the latest Washington Post previews, posted last week.
In the Arlington/Alexandria Extra section - Caravan of Thieves at the IOTA
For the Fairfax Extra - Prog rock violin/keyboard hero Eddie Jobson at Jammin’ Java

And here are the two latest stories on the Examiner site.
1. A free new Radiohead track – and a wonderful benefit single dedicated to the recently deceased last British soldier from World War One.

2. Two free downloads to preview the upcoming studio album from David Mead and a free live CD, too (in exchange for your email eddress).
DAVID MEAD - Live at Eddie's Attic 2/4/09
I downloaded the album myself and highly recommend it - a wonderful introduction to this skillful, beautifully voiced singer/songwriter.

And don't forget, you can subscribe to my examiner column so that you’ll be informed of each new story when it goes online. Although all digital music is fair game, I'm concentrating on free, legal downloads, so there's something in it for you!

House on the Lake - again!

It's been two weeks since the last blog entry? Oh, dear. And now I'm on "vacation," at the upstate NY lake house. Will that provide me with yet another excuse? No!

First, the latest Washington Post previews, which were posted last week.
In the Arlington/Alexandria Extra section, we have:
Keegan DeWitt, Annie & the Beekeepers at Galaxy Hut
and in the Fairfax Extra, there's:
Marina V at Falls Church Episcopal Church

And here are the latest stories on the Examiner site
(please subscribe so that you’ll be informed of each new one when it goes online):
New Tales to Tell: A Tribute to Love And Rockets
The Dodos - Time to Die
Both of these stories included zip files of the digital downloads being sent to me, so I'm including them in the tally.
And this story was inspired by an actual,physical CD.
Datarock - Red (Nettwerk)
Datarock plays tribute to Talking Heads

When John Hughes died, I thought he deserved
a little appreciation for the great music he used in his films.

The O/CD Report (long gone, but not forgotten)
Went to the Thrift store last week. Donated a throw pillow, a coffee pot, some videos, a few T-shirts and various castaway toys. Got five new CDs for $1.50 each.
SWITCHFOOT – Learning to Breathe (Rethink/Sparrow)
I like this band. They’re Christian rockers who celebrate their faith without pushing their agenda (although I don’t know whether they get preachy in concert). I didn’t recognize this CD cover (three stickmen with TV-type heads) so I thought maybe it was a rarity. Now I see (through the amazon listings) that it’s the standard debut release on their original Christian label, before they got signed to Sony. One slight change, though. Here, the hit single is called, “I Dare You to Move.” Sony dropped the “I” when they put the track on “The Beautiful Letdown” release.
(The Best of) NEW ORDER (Qwest/Warner Bros.)
No, not the deluxe box set thingy, but enough good music for the reference library in the meantime.
CAROLE KING – Really Rosie (Ode/Epic/Legacy)
The original TV soundtrack featuring the wonderful “Chicken Soup with Rice.” There’s a “Where the Wild Things Are” movie coming, which would have me really worried expect that it’s directed by Spike Jonze, and I saw a pretty good trailer, so there’s hope it may capture the whimsical magic of the book. It’s time to renew (or continue) our memberships in the Maurice Sendak Appreciation Society. Let the wild rumpus start!
SWITCHFOOT – Live in San Diego (Columbia Music Video)
It comes in a CD-size case, but it’s a concert video.
TRAVIS – Why Does It Always Rain on Me? (Independiente)
4 music tracks, including a live song and the band’s cover of “…Baby One More Time,” plus multimedia which I can’t play, since it’s for older/different computer platforms (I’m a mac). There’s a sticker on the cover, promising stickers inside but, alas, they are not included.

YTD O/CD Tally:244

The Other Blog

Dear CPF Blog 2009,
I know it's been awhile, and I can see why you feel I've been neglecting you lately. We've been together a long time and you deserve an explanation. It's not that I don't care about you, and I don't want things to end between us, but you see, there's been...a complication.
I've been seeing another blog.
Well, it's not actually a blog. It's almost like a job. This rich newspaper guy has started an online service and he's inviting writers to sign up and submit stories, picking a topic - mine is Digital Music - and then posting on a regular basis to build up traffic to the larger site.
What we have here is all about love, baby. You know that.
But this other blog...there's money involved. Not a lot. At least not now, but there's a chance that, if people like the idea and visit often, it might turn into something.

And just so you know that what we have together is truly special, I want to lay it all out on the table, so you can see where I've been. Here are the first 10 stories I've posted elsewhere...
Japancakes
Awesome New Republic
Amazon music samplers
Lily Allen, remixed
Lollapalooza CD
Owl City
Flaming Lips
R.E.M. live EP
Sonos
Coldplay live CD

See? It's not like it is between you and me.
Nothing has changed between us, dearest CPF blog, and I know we still have many great times to come.
But for now, I hope you will forgive me if I sometimes appear a little distracted and don't always seem like I'm there for you. I'll make it up to you, dear blog.

P.S. And just so you know, I've been tested. No viruses.

Too Many Downloads, Not Enough Time

The trouble, for me, with digital downloads is that they get pulled into my iTunes library and may never be heard from again. Publicists send zip files, which are quick and convenient, but they offer nothing to hang onto – there’s a line of text with a song and album title and an artist name. Unless I have a need to listen for a possible story, or a few favorable notices nudge me to check them out, they might as well be invisible (what is the audio equivalent of invisibility?).

People who seek, download and/or buy music are acting on a desire to have the songs. My reception is passive. There’s a folder on my desktop labeled, “Do I want these?” and I may pop in occasionally to see what’s taking up space on my hard drive. Or, as I am doing tonight, I tell the iTunes to list material by “Date Added” so that I can review what’s come over the network in the past few weeks. Either way, there are plenty of albums that may never get the attention – or the dumping – they deserve.

I know. Cry me a river. Too many free songs is a problem any music lover would like to have. This is not a complaint so much as an explanation as to why some recent releases have been overlooked. And why, even when they're tallied, they may not have proper record labels listed (another failure of the system). Here, for the O/CD Tally, are some of the albums that have arrived lately through digital delivery:

These are keepers:
WHITE RABBITS – It’s Frightening
Saw this band do “Percussion Gun” on Letterman and needed to hear it again ASAP; asked for a copy from the publicist the next morning. After almost daily repeats, it remains one of my favorite tracks of the year so far. Percussive (as the title foretells, with two big drums struck in tandem), energetic, quirky and recommended to Radiohead fans, as the lead singer’s voice is Yorke-ian and the songs refuse to bow to tradition.
WHITE LIES – To Lose My Life
A little bit of Killers glam, a touch of New Order moodiness.
COLDPLAY – LeftRightLeftRightLeft
You can complain about Coldplay if you want, but Chris Martin has a sense of humor about himself (check out his hilarious episode of “Extras” with Ricky Gervais) and the band is giving away a free download of this 9-track live album on their website. I wrote about it in my new “job” (hey, I got over 130 hits today) as Digital Music Examiner.
SONOS – SonoSings
Another story I did for examiner.com, sharing a stream of the a cappella sextet’s version of the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back” (it was in the can months before Michael died, so they weren’t jumping on the bandwagon/hearse). I was sent the full CD, due in September, which has a sterling array of songs from writers like Bon Iver and Bjork, though I would call the cover of the Bird and the Bee’s “Again and Again” a mistake, as there’s little point in trying to top Inara George’s sweet, layered vocals.
IGGY POP – Preliminaires
Iggy’s getting positively chanteuse-ary here. “I Want to Go to the Beach” sounds like something Leonard Cohen might sing, with bass notes that sound like a bullfrog’s croak. And I’m not sure that I mean that in a bad way. Hey, he’s freaking Iggy Pop. If he wants to sing slow, sad songs and someone wants to send it to me for free, I’ll give it a try.
The BLUE VAN - Man Up
Two great songs here (so far) – “Man Up,” which puts the grow-a-pair message to a great pop/rock beat, and “Silly Boy,” which sounds like a Supergrass rave-up.
STAX SAMPLER - Various Artists
If amazon is gonna keep offering free samplers from cool labels, I intend to keep taking them.

Purchased downloads:


The BIRD and The BEE – Please Clap Your Hands EP
Just grabbed this today, another amazon special - 5 tracks for 99 cents. The title comes from the first song here - “Polite Dance Song,” also on the recent full-length, “Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future.” Good stuff, including the lovely cover version of the BeeGees’ “How Deep Is Your Love” that is part of the pair's regular concert set list.


CONOR OBERST and The MYSTIC VALLEY BAND – Outer South
Oberst and Co. opened for Wilco at Wolf Trap earlier this month and it was a great way to see them. When he isn’t at the top of the bill, Oberst has to put aside the self-indulgence (and self-regard?) that tarnished his headlining show at DAR Constitution Hall a few years back. He’s damn talented, to be sure, but too many people have told him so and at the earlier show, he took the audience’s adulation for granted, which hurt the set. This album also seems to find him more relaxed and maybe even happy. And that makes for a better experience for us, too.

The PAINS of BEING PURE at HEART
I heard some buzzing about this band, so I got this from my emusic account. Gives me that happy, poppy but not sappy, Belle & Sebastian vibe.
EELS – Hombre Lobo (Vagrant)
Another emusic purchase and, despite having it on my playlist for three weeks now, I haven’t heard a note. Which kinda proves the point I opened with…

Year to Date O/CD Tally: 236

42 Years Ago Tonight...

...I was at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, watching Jimi Hendrix open for the Monkees. I won the tickets from the WMCA Good Guys, and my parents let me fly home from their upstate NY summer cottage to see the show, 'cause I had to be there to see my pre-fab four perform.

My sister's boyfriend's younger brother took me, as a favor. He could have cared less about the Monkees, but now he has bragging rights, too.
Although Hendrix didn't set his guitar on fire (damn), he did a lot of things that left us teenyboppers confused and the parents in the crowd somewhat shocked. He left the tour soon after.

Quick 1's and 0's

It's all about the digital stuff these days. There's so much actual live music I should be recapping here - Wilco (so good!) and a multi-act bill at Jammin' Java last week and the Mid-Atlantic Band Battle, also at J2 just the past two days.

But I'm pressed for time right now, so I'll just provide a few links.

First, the latest Washington Post previews, which went out today.
In the Arlington/Alexandria Extra section, we have:
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at the Birchmere
and in the Fairfax Extra, there's:
The Woodshedders at McLean Park

And, if you're the type who notices even minor changes, you might have seen the little notice on the top right of this page, asking you to visit my new online digital music column.

I've just started writing a regular thing, three times a week (or more; it's up to me) for examiner.com, an online group associated with the Examiner newspaper chain. I have the fancypants title of Digital Music Examiner and my aim is to point people to cool digital-only music and to legal downloads, esp. those that promote new artists. And I'm free to roam around other topics, too, provided there's some type of digital hook.

Please visit my home page and take a look at my first few stories. Even better, subscribe (just give an email eddress) and you'll get a quick email whenever I post a new story (I am spam; spam I am?) but no other junk. Unlike this blog, done for the sheer love of it, there's actual money involved in the new column. Not much yet, maybe never, but every hit helps the cause.

And please feel free to point me to cool online music sites, good music that is free and legal to download, or interesting news of the Brave New Digital, Musical World.

More anon!

Farewell, Trusty Harman Kardon T3OC

The old turntable is dead, long live the new turntable.

I’d been procrastinating about dealing with the very old Harman Kardon that ceased to function after I tested an equally old Fleetwood Mac bootleg on it (an editorial comment, perhaps?) but finally fought my way through the cords and wires to do a check on it. Having declared it officially dead and saying a few memorial words of thanks, I connected the new USB-compatible turntable that was my birthday present last year.
Having tested it once, I had it in storage for the days when I might have time to dive into major vinyl-to-digital conversion. And while I still don’t think I can devote myself to loading software and learning the process anytime soon, it was certainly fun to play with the sleek new component. Don’t tell my poor husband, who envisions those groaning shelves of LPs one day disappearing but, even after I convert any/all to mp3s, there will always be vinyl in my life. You can have my favorite records when you pry them from my cold, dead hands!

It seems only appropriate that, when speaking of vinyl, one should honor DJs, even if many are working digitally these days.I’m not sure how DJ Lobsterdust goes about creating his (could it be her?) stuff, but the
LOBSTERDUST VS. MOTOWN - Same Old Song EP(??)
that College Girl’s BF gave me is full of cool stuff. “Call Me Aready,” a mashup of Blondie and the Temptations “Get Ready” is way fun and “Train It Up,” where the Clash’s catchiest song is paired with a Marvin Gaye party groove, is another winner.
CG's BF also gave me a treasure trove of downloads:
ARCADE FIRE - B-sides and Live Tracks (???)
The live tracks come from various performances on KCRW (L.A.'s uber-cool NPR station) and BBC Radio, including a scorching 11+ minute concert finale starting with “Neighborhood #3,” and a cover of a most favorite Talking Heads tune, “Naive Melody.” The vocal here is even more fragile than Byrne’s original, but the steel drum is a nice touch and having a full-length CD-R full of new Fire is sweet, indeed!
And, in other gifties, he gave me:
GRIZZLY BEAR - Veckatimest (Warp)
The band’s myspace page, where you can stream the wonderful track, “Two Weeks,” and get free downloads of other songs, describes its sound as “Indie/Acoustic/Experimental.” That’s a good start, and you can add comparisons to Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills & Nash, thanks to the beautiful harmonies and maybe some Harry Nilsson, due to the occasional faux-naive bright pop. Could be a contender for one of the year’s top ten.

Actually it’s been a brilliant week for new music in our house, including two purchases with My Own Cash Money:
WILCO – Wilco (the album) (Nonesuch)
PHOENIX – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Glassnote)
When my husband buys flowers, I tease him that he’s not earning Brownie points with me, since I know he loves flowers himself. Likewise, though I bought these two CDs as “gifts” for him, he knows damn well I wanted the music, too. There is some sacrifice on my part, however, because he plays any new album he loves every single day, sometimes twice, and I am unable to escape repeated listening. Thankfully, both albums here show acts at the top of their game, so I'm cool with the repetition.
This Wilco is more straightforward than its previous experimental efforts, although the wonderful guitar work of Nils Cline still offers a bit of quirk factor - and some definite George Harrison homage - to ward off any sense of “same old.” And yes, that’s Feist singing on “You and I.” Still wishin’ and a hopin’ that I might score some tickets for the Wolf Trap show this Wednesday.
As for Phoenix, I was happy to find the band’s two previous albums in the deep files since this new one is so good I want to revisit and explore the sound’s evolution. Hubby and I both hear a happy Beach Boys summer vibe within the dance pop and he keeps talking of a Kings of Leon-style rock twist, but I don’t. We can disagree on the details and still agree that it’s worth hearing again. And again.

In other purchasing news, amazon had a steal of a deal last week -
DAVID BOWIE – Diamond Dogs: 30th Anniversary Edition (Virgin)
19 tracks for $5.oo. Much as I love deluxe editions in physical form (liner notes! photos! fancy slip cases!), I doubt I could afford to spring for this one in full format. And I didn’t realize until I got the confirmation email that it was really only $4.oo since I’d forgotten a one dollar credit, good for any download, thanks to a recent purchase, in physical form, of
IDA MARIA - Fortress ‘Round My Heart (Mercury/Fontana)
Ever since seeing this dynamo rock the house at CMJ two years ago, I’ve been waiting to take her Bjork-meets-Lily Allen music home. “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” has been getting airplay on KCRW, and it’s a cool song, but the hint of novelty act in the title doesn’t tell the whole story. I hope she’ll be coming ‘round again soon as I can only imagine how much fun she'll be to see now that I know the songs.

I’ll finish off today’s CD round-up with a handful of acquisitions from a visit to the trade-in store two weeks ago.
ANNIE LENNOX - Unplugged: Cold 3 CD Single Box (RCA/BMG)
Each CD has the same studio version of “Cold,” and then three additional live tracks. The first, marked “Cold,” features songs from the “Diva” release, including one of my favorite heartbreakers, “Why.” The one marked “Colder” offers Eurythmics cuts like “Here Comes the Rain Again.” And the final one (you guessed it) - “Coldest” - has the single track that sold me on the entire $11.99 package when I heard it on the store’s listening station - a ripping version of “River Deep Mountain High.” The packaging isn’t all that great, and amazon shows the Japanese import version going for $44 and up (this one’s from Holland) so I suspect I will ultimately burn a nice single CD of Lennox live and put the set up for sale.
10,000 MANIACS - Trouble Me CD single (Elektra)
Back in the Day, I used to do promotional writing for Elektra Records. The guy in charge of the marketing department, an old skool industry Class Act (at least in my mind) named Hale Milgrim, oversaw some of the coolest swag and promotional packaging ever. I worked for his associate, a clever woman with a stylist’s eye and they were nice enough to share some of the cool booty with me. I was there when 10,000 Maniacs released the album from which this song came, but I don’t remember this groovy CD single packaging. It was a time when vinyl was still the primary format, so who knows. Anyhoo, this 3-track, 3-inch CD single comes in a die-cut cardboard cutout of an elephant (elephants were a motif of the album) that’s about the size of 7-inch vinyl single and, when you move the elephant’s trunk, it pushes away the cardboard title card that covers the animal’s back like a saddle and the single is exposed. Too damn cool! ($3.99)
The OC MIX 5 - Various Artists (Warner Bros.)
The $1.99 clearance bins are now stacked beneath a table and hard to access, so it appears their days are numbered - although the guy bought every CD I had in my bags, including some that seemed doomed to the cheapie section, so who knows. At any rate, I saw few of the slimline or cardboard covers that indicate possible advance releases and a cursory glance at the big batch showed few reasons to dig in deeper. But I did find this “Harbor School Classbook ‘05-’06” with a few worthwhile tracks, like “Daft Punk is Playing at My House,” and songs by people I want to know better - Rogue Wave, Youth Group, Of Montreal. We listened to it on the long ride upstate and it was just what a compilation should be - like an hour spent with a hip radio station.
WYE OAK - The Knot (Merge)
This one is an advance CD, but I found it in the regular bins for $3.99 and deemed it worthy of the extra two bucks to get a jump on the the July 21 release date. I misplaced it soon after purchase and only recently found it, so no comments yet.

YTD O/CD Tally: 225

Isn't It Nice to Be Home Again?

It’s a long way from upstate NY to NoVA – 10 hours with food/pit stops – and it’s always nice to be greeted by a little stack of new music waiting to be freed from the puffy bonds of padded envelopes.
Some of the new acquisitions were sent in connection with this week’s Post previews which went online today. So we’ll start there, and do double duty with tally and links.
The TEXAS CHAINSAW HORNS – Whiskey & Knives (self-released)
You can read more about the Horns, and about Fools & Horses, a regional act that has the potential to break big, at this preview of a pair of free outdoor shows.
(Here's Fools & Horses)

BENJY DAVIS PROJECT – Dust (Rock Ridge Music)
Part of the joy of doing the Post column is being sent music I didn't know about previously but really, really like. The first song on this album, "The Rain," grabbed me right away - smart lyrics and rootsy, layered musical accompaniment in a Counting Crows vein. This is a Louisiana-based band that's been around a while but is new to me. Happy discovery!

BJD is playing on a multi-act bill at Jammin' Java along with
TIM BRANTLEY – Goldtop Heights (Blackledge Music)


There was also a CD late-comer from a previous Post story.
PAT McGEE – These Days (The Virginia Sessions) (Rock Ridge Music)
You can read more about him here.
LUKE MITCHEM – It Won’t Last Forever (self-released)
This one's sort of Post-related, too. When I was at the Gabe Dixon show mentioned last time, I got into a chat with the guy at the merch booth and it turned out he was a musician, too. When I mentioned my Post stuff, he quickly reached behind the counter to present me with a copy of his own album. It's a quiet, introspective set, mostly just him and his guitar. Fair game, indeed, for a possible preview down the road.

The rest of the Welcome Home booty:
The DONNAS – Greatest Hits Vol. 16 (Purple Feather)
I love that women rock, and attention must be paid to the Donnas, who are celebrating 16 years of fighting the good fight. This retrospective includes two new songs, some b-sides and live tracks, alternate versions and re-recorded tracks. I don’t know their catalog well enough to know if the re-takes are a good idea, but I’m glad to have a chance to get to know them better. Out July 7.
The CLARKS – Restless Days (Clarkhouse Entertainment)
These Pittsburgh guys are a cult favorite in my house, thanks to a catchy little tune called “Saturday” from an album some years old. The press rep was sending me something else for a preview story, and was kind enough to include this so I could hear what the band is up to more recently.
GREAT NORTHERN – Remind Me Where The Light Is (Eenie Meenie Records)
Thoroughly enjoyed this group’s debut album and can say after a few listens to this new one that they’ve still got it - big but not pompous, tough and dark but not oppressive.
CHEICK HAMALA DIABATE – Ake Doni Doni/Take It Slow (Grigri Discs)
Can’t say much here until I get a chance to listen, but there’s a story to this guy – a DC-based musician who is a “resident griot,” playing traditional Malian music while also jamming with the Afro-pop community.
The DYNAMITES featuring CHARLES WALKER – Burn It Down (Outta Sight Records)
Due out September 15, this generic advance forecasts cool by virtue of the comparisons made on the back cover by critics from Harp and the New York Times, who evoke the Dap-Kings, the Meters and Marvin Gaye in their comparisons.
BOULDER ACOUSTIC SOCIETY – Punchline (Nine Mile Records)
This one gets a prize for sheer packaging creativity. I liked it from first glance for the old-fashioned helmet die-cut cover with the real see-through lenses. Then I took it out of the plastic to discover that the whole thing unfolds and refolds into a working 3-D stereoscope! Also included, a handful of double-sided inserts that you put into the viewer so you can see 3-D images of the band, in group and solo shots. Very, very cool! I put the album on today and first impression is that of a solid, if not overwhelmingly original band that plows the field of gentle Americana. I will listen again and give them the benefit of the doubt. Anyone smart and playful enough to create this kind of album package may well have the kind of musical surprises that unfold slowly.

Year to Date O/CD Tally (adding in 3 from last posting): 214

And, circling back to the Post for a moment, the online version of the paper finally got around to uploading my story on the Strawbs show at State Theatre late last month. I did an email interview with front man Dave Cousins and was rather pleased with the results, so better late than never,
here 'tis.

Happy Fourth of July weekend, everyone!

There is a House on a Lake

In upstate New York, there’s a beautiful 33-mile-long lake that my family has been visiting every summer since before I was born. And now I am sitting there, on a screened-in porch with a great view of said Lake George, after having a grilled steak meal with daughters, mother, brother, cousins and friend, eating homemade brownies and watching a spectacular fireworks display over the water. Yeah, life is good.

And the music is, too. Listening as I type to
PURPLISH RAIN - Various Artists (SPIN magazine)
It’s a free, nine-track album celebrating the Purple One’s seminal (I rarely use that word, but with him it fits, especially the double-entendre) album. The download was offered free to SPIN subscribers. All I had to do was answer a few questions, based on the current issue’s cover story. I would tell you the answers here and now, but that seems unfair and I bet you can easily find out elsewhere. Go get it, and you, too, can enjoy the mariachi style version of “I Would Die 4 You," Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings’ take on “Take Me With U,” and Apollonia, Prince’s one-time protege and film co-star, on a cover of "When Doves Cry" recorded with Greg Dulli and his band, the Twilight Singers. Good stuff.

Last Monday, before hitting the road for this trip north, I had a great time at Gabe Dixon Band’s show at Jammin’ Java (my last entry had a photo of me and Gabe, and I forgot to give photo credit to the steadfast Sally. Sorry!) Anyhow, you’d probably rather see a photo of Gabe in concert.

I had seen the band previously at Jammin’ Java in March, after writing a preview for the Post. As previously mentioned, I named the trio’s eponymous Fantasy CD one of my Top Ten last year, after which Gabe himself sent a note thanking me. Then I interviewed him for a Post preview and then, with hubby’s permission and through our mutual friend, the band’s publicist, I offered the band a place to crash after the show.

The show lived up to my expectations, but it was a truncated 45-minutes set as openers for pop (and maybe Christian?) rocker Dave Barnes, who is amiable and funny, but not quite as compelling in his songwriting. Barnes and Dixon are friends, sometimes even writing partners, so there were times in the former’s set when the latter sat in, including a nice ending number in which the band walked in among the crowd for maximum OMG-ness from the predominantly young and female Barnes fans. (Last time I saw him, he opened for Hanson.)

There was plenty of post-show breakdown and pack-up to do before Gabe and Co. were done for the night, so I headed home and did some computer play until they rolled in around 1 AM. There was some quick socializing, but everyone seemed kinda beat, so I showed them to their accommodations (with two daughters’ bedrooms empty and the pull-out couch in the family room, each got his own room) and said goodnight.

The next morning, over breakfast, we had a real chance to chat and I got to know more about these lovely guys. It was hugs and good vibes all around when they left in their van the next day, with promises to stay in touch.

Sure enough, when the band came around again, Gabe called to invite me to the show and I invited them to stay at the house again. But this time, they were staying in one of those luxury touring buses, courtesy of another act on the bill, a singer/songwriter named Roy Jay who had made a killing on the web and could afford to travel in style and share the bounty (no wonder his album is called “Lucky Guy”).

It was great seeing Gabe and Jano Rix (his longtime drummer/percussionist) again. It’s a duo, not a trio touring this time; bassist Winston Harrison is concentrating on a duo of his own with his wife Julia. Actually, he gave me a copy of the CD last time around.
WHAT BIRD - Good Night, Good Riddance (self-released)
Here’s a little background: while Winston toured with GBD, Julia attended graduate school at CalArts in Valencia, CA and her 30-mile drives from LA and back, many at night through the winding, mountainous freeways, meshed with Winston’s ambient recording efforts to create what they call “late-night driving music," influenced by the likes of Everything but the Girl, Kristin Hersh, Eric Satie and Arvo Part.
She writes the lyrics and sings the original songs, plus there’s nice cover of “Under the Milky Way.” My own hubby summed it up best when he was listening, not knowing the source, and said, “there seem to be a lot of women lately singing in that key and tempo.” Where What Bird stakes its own claim is in some intriguing arrangements.
The GABE DIXON BAND - Live at World Cafe (Reprise)
This live recording predates the trio’s Fantasy debut and is sold at shows. But I got mine for hosting the band. I may never have the money it takes to build a museum wing, but stay overnight in my basement and give me an autographed album and I feel like a real patron/matron of the arts!

So, back at Jammin’ Java on Monday night - Gabe gave Sally and me a guided tour of the luxury bus and, while I didn’t think to take photos (damn), it’s all filed away as research for the music-based screenplay and young adult novel (the first is finished, the second underway) that I’ve been working on. And as for the show, you probably think I’m gonna tell you it was great but...yeah, it was. GBD headlined this time and was able to stretch out, showing just how versatile and melodic two talented guys can be. And since you may question my critical judgment based on my fondness for the individuals involved, I just spent 20 minutes trying to upload a video clip so you could see for yourself how good these guys are, but blogger is bagging on me again. (I need to move this thing to another blog platform, I fear). So instead, I'll tell you that Sally, who’s a skilled musician, will back me up. She even bought the band’s eponymous CD when she could have easily asked me to share songs.

It was a multi-act bill - besides Roy Jay, there was Jay Nash, Joey Ryan (try keeping those three names straight) and Madi Diaz. (Here's Jay Nash.)
I didn't see the latter, and only a few songs of Ryan's set, but he and Nash were both fine singer/songwriters and they often came onstage to support Gabe and Jano, along with Nash's bassist, giving the songs full, powerful readings. I bet that bus is a rolling hootenany.

Madonna, Gabe Dixon and Me

It's late and I need to get to sleep, but I meant to post a picture from last night's 11 o'clock news report all day and never got around to it. Anyway, I had the TV on, tuned to USA Channel 9 to hear the weather report while I was working on the computer. I wasn't paying much attention during the sports segment until I saw the word "Madonna" out of the corner of my eye and heard a woman's voice talking about the Nationals game (they lost). Thanks to the miracle of TiVO, I was able to capture this screen shot:

Hmmmm...maybe the divorce is taking its toll?

As for the other two names in tonight's headline, Sally (my loyal Plus One) and I were at Jammin' Java Monday night to see the Gabe Dixon Band perform. For now, I will simply say they were great and post the next picture, of me and the lovely, talented GD.

More shots from the show and tidbits of news from same ASAP. (I'd say "tomorrow" but there's a crapload of stuff to do before we depart Wednesday for upstate NY, so I'm trying to be realistic.) Until then, sleep well and play safe.

Disasters Big and Small

OK, so I exaggerate. The first thing on my list is not that big a deal. But it is the alternate Thursday when my previews run in two regional sections of the Washington Post. I like to link to them here and on the CPF web site, and send copies to the various PR people and/or musicians who helped with info, music, interviews, etc.

Well, I can give you only one today - the Alexandria/Arlington edition story about the Red Cross Waterfront Festival featuring an array of (mostly local) acts like Luke Brindley, Virginia Coalition, Pat McGee Band and some national types like Stephen Kellogg and Ivan Neville with his touring outfit, Dumpstaphunk.

But where is the Fairfax edition story, an interview with Dave Cousins, leader of the classic prog rock band, The Strawbs? It can’t be found on the Washington Post Extras home page, where it usually shows up, nor will the search engine call it up. It hasn’t been put online in any form!
This is only the second time that’s happened and like the first - an interview with Dave Wakeling of the English Beat - I thought it was one of my better pieces. Maybe someone in the Internet division has a thing against reformed “vintage" bands? But the Bangles preview of a few weeks ago ran. So whassup? Looks like I may need to drag out the scanner.

Freebie Time!
The hip Canadian indie label Arts & Crafts is (or was?) offering a free 15-track sampler on Amazon.com but now I can’t seem to find the direct link. I’m listening to it as I type and liking it a lot - The Bell Orchestre’s “Icycles/Bicycles” is as endearing as its title, Gentleman Reg has a bit of a Boy George/Antony vibe (in a good way) and you can taste the Constantines and the Stills, too. Sorry I can’t be of more help, but ARTS & CRAFTS SAMPLER VOL. 6/2009 is worth hunting down.

And here’s a single track that made a good first impression. It’s the MGMT remix of “Doomed,” from the band Violens. It’s a perkier sound than you might expect from the MGMT team, but the carefree pop bounce is what makes it great early summer fun.

Another track I like enough to pass on is from The Rural Alberta Advantage, whose debut full-length, “Hometowns” drops July 7 from Saddle Creek.
It’s called ”Don’t Haunt This Place."

And hey, it’s time we got the O/CD Tally-ometer to push to 200, so let’s add a few new CDs.
As part of the sysiphusian task of clearing out the Excess Stuff of my life, I took another few bags of clothing and housewares to Ye Olde Thrift Store today and, while I didn’t really expect that there’d be (m)any new offerings in the CD bins since the weekend, damn if I didn’t find three good ones:
The ROLLING STONES - Stripped (Virgin)
Another of those times when I wondered if I had this live CD already, but I felt like hearing it ASAP and, since it was in pristine condition, could always trade it off down the road. I’ve lost a lot of respect for the Stones over the past decade (Time to tour, boys! Mick has a lifestyle to support, so we’d better record something to give us an excuse to gouge fans in stadiums) but there’s no denying a time when they were the greatest touring band around.
Popping this disc in the car stereo, my worst fears seemed to be confirmed; the opening “Street Fighting Man” was anemic. But then, a cover of “Like a Rolling Stone” and a few of the band's early, bluesier tunes came up - “Not Fade Away,” “The Spider and the Fly” and I realized that the Stones always suffer when they have to compete with their own glory days. Better to do the deeper cuts (“Love in Vain,” “Sweet Virginia,” “Dead Flowers”) and cool covers (Willie Dixon’s “Little Baby”) to keep the comparisons away. By album’s end, I was with them again. But I still doubt the next new album will be worth a damn.
TRAVIS - The Invisible Band (Epic/Independiente)
“The Man Who...” was one of the best albums of its release year (and I’m just too tired and lazy to google that right now) and I remember Travis being the more enjoyable act when they toured with Oasis many years ago. And Fran Healy seems like such a likable guy. So why did I stop buying Travis’ albums? Perhaps this will show me what a fool I’ve been - or confirm that likable doesn’t necessarily mean compelling.
LONE JUSTICE - This World is Not My Home (Geffen)
I have a friend who’s mad for Maria McKee and frequently tells me to give her a try. All I really know about McKee is that the cover of her first album with Lone Justice imitated the Monkees' debut - and that’s a point in her favor. I will give this CD a fair listen and check with my bud to see where it stands in the McKee catalog. And if my pal doesn't have this CD (she might just have the vinyl), she can have this copy. (So stop lurking, Mark, and tell me whether I should walk down to give it to your wife!)

And here’s where I just toss off a few things that have been gathering dust. They didn’t make an impression, so they're destined for some other shop’s bins, where they can be happily adopted for a new home.
MOYA BRENNAN - Heart Strings (NA)
The voice of Clannad, a band I loved in its prime, sings in both English and Gaelic, but now it’s more of a new age-y sound than the soaring Celtic rock of those days.
Live with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, which adds a wider range of instruments, but still to rather drowsy effect.
ASHLEY DAVIS - Down By The Sea (Daisy Rings Music)
Despite being born in Kansas, she beat out over 400 women, most of them Irish, to win the lead vocalist slot for Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” show. Also features Moya Brennan, Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains, and Cathy Jordan of Dervish.
Why I got these: Brennan and Davis performed at the Birchmere back in May and my press contact at the venue reached out, sending this pair of CDs with a note asking if I might write about the show for...the Fairfax column? I’ve written previews of his shows dozens of times in the past five years, always in the Alexandria edition, ‘cause that’s where his venue is. Does he not realize this?
The SHIN - EgAri (JARO)
Tried a couple of tracks on a long drive, but got restless after four songs. The group hails from Georgia - the country, not the state - and sings in their “consonant-heavy” (says the bio) native language with some South Indian and flamenco accents. Good in theory, I suppose, but too agitated for my taste, Includes a video, but it’s for PC only - bah!
FEDERICO AUBELE - Amatoria (Eighteenth Street Lounge/Fontana)
It would be cool if this guy became famous just so we could see Andy Samberg impersonate him; based on the cover pics, they look so much alike. I could do without the artsy naked babe torso on the disc.

So, drumroll, please! The O/CD Tally is now: 200

Oh, and the big disaster...Have you seen the trailer for "2012"? Awesome!
And I'm not usually the action movie type. Looks like Big Dumb Fun!

They Don't Make 'em Like That Anymore

"You opened heaven's portal/here on earth for this poor mortal."
So sings Gene Kelly to Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' In the Rain," and it's totally corny and totally wonderful. The girls, College Girl's Boyfriend and I drove to the AFI Theatre in Silver Springs, MD for a delightful afternoon in the beautifully refurbished deco film palace to see a color-saturated, great sounding, clean print of the classic musical on a nice big screen. A splendid time was had by all.
Punk, classical, Broadway show tunes...it's all good music to us.

Yesterday included a visit to the Thrift Store, dropping off two bags of castaway clothing and housewares as an excuse to browse through the $1.50 used CDs. Some excellent choices to be had. If I didn't already have those Fountains of Wayne CDs in such nice condition, I would have swept 'em right up. I put back the Foo Fighters with the surface marks, and the double Indigo Girls live set (I know I owned it once; if it's not still with me it means I didn't care for it) and limited myself to the following:

HARRY NILSSON - Nilsson Schmilsson (RCA)
How nice to find such a classic, older album in such great shape! Listening on the car ride home, I was reassured to hear such bouncy singalongs as "Gotta Get Up" and "Moonbeam Song," the tender hit, "Without You," the goofy "Coconut" and the surprisingly forceful "Jump Into the Fire." R.I.P. Harry. You are fondly remembered.
RELIENT K - S/T (Gotee Records)
A 2000 release (their first?) in a cute digipack, to be passed on to College Girl. These guys have a charming way of making Christian pop/punk ("Benediction") sound like non-Christian pop/punk ("My Girlfriend" name checks Marilyn Manson to comic effect). Not preachy, just punchy.
JIMMY BUFFET - Songs You Know By Heart (MCA)
There isn't enough money in the government bailout to pay me to sit through a Jimmy Buffet concert. I'm sure I'd be in a fist fight with a drunken Parrothead before the night was over. But I can store these greatest hits on the hard drive for the time when I want to hear "A Pirate Looks at Forty" or make a joke tape with "Why Don't We Get Drunk," but I can't imagine I'll ever want to hear "Margaritaville" again as long as I live. And then I can sell/trade off the actual CD and no one will ever be the wiser.
EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL - Walking Wounded (Atlantic)
Ben Watt creates the gently throbbing soundscapes, Tracey Thorn provides the heartbreaking vocals. I don't always remember the melodies, but the effect is still somehow soothing and invigorating at the same time. This is from 1996 but still rather timeless.
The ROCK 'N' ROLL ERA: 1963 (Time Life)
I needed only see a few titles - "Easier Said Than Done" (The Essex), "Walk Like a Man" (The Four Seasons, and a recent family joke), "If You Wanna Be Happy" (Jimmy Soul) and "Tell Him" (The Exciters) to know that I had to have this one. 22 songs, not like some of those other, cheapie compilations and a source to be tapped for the Definitive Massive Oldies Compilation I plan on making. Someday.
ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION - New Favorite (Rounder)
The case is cracked - will need to replace it if I decide to Rip & Recycle. I'm not that big on old timey traditional songs like "The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn," but Krauss has such a lovely voice and light-handed style that she helps me crossover to bluegrass lite.

And speaking onf bluegrass, when I got home, there was a much appreciated package in the mail:
ELVIS COSTELLO - Secret, Profane Sugarcane (Hear Music)
I passed on requesting tickets for the Wolf Trap show last Thursday, having attended two shows there in the preceeding five days and being a little unsure of how much alt. country/bluegrass I could take, even from my beloved EC. Listening to the new CD didn't make me regret my decision, but not because I didn't enjoy it. Elvis is in fine vocal form here and the players are, as to be expected, impeccable. But I have such fond memories of his last, Early Greatest Hits tour, and the many times before that, and haven't yet given this new material, or the last("Momofuku") the attention they deserve. So I'll take a break and catch him on the next go 'round.
BTW, an album that needs to be purchased as a package, not a digital download, both for the great illustrations by Tony Millionaire, and the booklet of lyrics and intriguing subtitles. Example: "The Crooked Line: The Bough of the Family Tree Bends Near the River of Rough Damnation."

And now, a little reward for hanging in there,
Today's Freebie
The nice people at Six Degrees Records are offering a free digital download of a full album - your choice from 14 releases if you fill out a simple feedback form. I chose
EDEN: A COLLECTION OF GLOBAL CHILL (Six Degrees)

YTD O/CD Tally: 192
I have to write tomorrow, if only to carry this over the 200 mark!

Technical Difficulties

I was planning the "Matt and Dave Video Show," where I would share clips shot at the recent Matt Nathanson and David Byrne concerts at Wolf Trap, but every time I try to upload via Blogger, the thing hangs indefinitely. While I explore the options of setting up a You Tube account or rolling forward with my Apple account for iWeb (vote early and often if you have a preference), I will revert to the O/CD tally for a bit.

Today's Topic - CD swapping.
After I check to see if a CD I no longer want is worth anything on amazon, I take the cast-offs to the trade-in store. The ones that they don't want, I've been putting up for trade on SwapTree.com. (Look for comment from cousin John to follow soon, touting his preference for lala.com; tho' I've signed up there, too, I haven't really explored it.)

In the course of the last few weeks, I have sent off about a dozen CDs I didn't care to keep, got a few DVDs in the bargain and was pleased to receive the following Wanted Music:
RADIOHEAD - I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings (Capitol)
Replacement for a CD stolen from Hubby's suitcase during a business trip.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL - Soundtrack (Disney)
2-disc special edition, the second being instrumentals for karaoke. I still haven’t seen a full movie from the HSM series, though I’ve enjoyed the You Tube mash-up of Zac Efron's golf course scene with “The Sound of Music.” The daughters and I saw “17 Again” for Mother’s Day and all agreed that Efron is adorable - but I think Grad Girl would take Matthew Perry first.
The SECOND WAVE - Various Artists (Hear Music)
Great compilation of new wave songs from the Costello/Heads/Madness hey dey from the Starbucks people. While I have most of the songs already, it's a great car CD for days when I want to relive the NYC Glory Days.
LOGGINS & MESSINA - Mother Lode (Columbia)
Doesn't hold up as well as I remembered it, but the band is doing the reunion tour thing later this summer, with my dear Gabe Dixon Band opening, so I'm prepping for the show.
POSTAL SERVICE - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (Sub Pop)
Nice little EP I didn't know existed until I saw it on the swap site.
PILOT SPEED - Into The West (Wind-Up)
First CD from a Canadian band that Hubby and I are just getting into. The sound is very Coldplay/U2, and the band has yet to prove that they have their own musical vision, but there's catchy material here and real potential that starts to show in the second CD, which a press rep sent about the same time (will have to check whether I tallied that one yet...)
BRIGHT EYES - Lifted, Or The Story is In the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (Saddle Creek)
Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band will be opening for Wilco at Wolf Trap in July - whoa! - so I'm boning up on my Bright Eyes catalog. And once again, the packaging is great - a 30-page booklet and classy slipcase.
DEL AMITRI - Change Everything (A&M)
Replacing a cassette from times past; includes some great songs - “Be My Downfall,” “Surface of the Moon,” “Always the Last to Know.”
LOUIS ARMSTRONG - At Pasadena Auditorium (GNP/Crescendo)
A 1986 release from a swinging show that was light on vocals but high on fine rhythm.
ANNIE LENNOX - Songs of Mass Destruction (Arista)
My first-ever swap. I love the woman's voice and vibe, tho' I've yet to have a song from this one stick to me.
The MONKEES - Self-titled debut (Rhino)
My most recent swap. Disappointing, not for what it contains - the 1994 reissue of the original 12-track album plus 3 bonus tracks - but for what it doesn't. The swap listing said this was the Deluxe edition, but it doesn't include the second disc with unreleased alternate mixes, demos and a Kellogg's jingle that comprised the 2006 reissue. But since all it "cost" me was a reused puffy envelope, $1.90 in postage and a Sesame Street CD that I'd already ripped to a hard drive, c'est la vie.

and thus, the O/CD Tally: 184

This is Matt Nathanson. We Love Him.

Such a busy day - and so much music to discuss - that I can't get to it now. But the girls and I went to Wolf Trap to see our dear boy open for the Indigo Girls. Summaries and videos (and I have Byrne to revisit, too) and tales of emails with classic rock heroes when I catch my breath again.
In the meantime, some pics...

Same As It Ever Was - Wonderful

This past Saturday, David Byrne played at Wolf Trap. It was a beautiful early summer night, the venue is gorgeous, and our Renaissance Man was in fine form, appearing with a 10-piece troupe that included three dancers, whose interpretive moves added a new element to the always-intriguing music.

I plan on posting more about this show but, for now, here is one of the clips I shot during the concert.

Tonight, on "Dancing With the Chairs....!"