Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Perfect Songs Give Me Goosebumps
Two green bottles of beer down after nine hours of work completed and I am listening to an album that is so good that it takes me back fifteen years. Specifically, it's "Turn On Me" by The Shins. We all know what Natalie Portman's Sam said about them in Garden State: "You gotta hear this one song, it'll change your life I swear."
She was talking about "New Slang" from Oh, Invented World and she was dead on. But as close to perfect as that song was, "Turn On Me" hits just a bit more snugly into the heart of perfection. They just get those melodies so right. It reminds me of when I saw Jellyfish play at 328 Performance Hall so many years ago. Their debut was one of those great finds from my record store days. I popped in the promo cassette for Bellybutton and was a Jellyfish fan within three songs.
Over the next few months it was my mission to turn as many people onto that band as possible. One guy, Richard Smith, a regular customer, was one of the people who bought that CD thanks to in-store play and my enthusiastic sales pitch. (That makes it sound like dirty commerce, but it was more about the music than the sale.) Anyway, he was a musician in Louise Mandrell's band and other members of the band bought that awesome Jellyfish CD from me over the next few days. I was the record store guy version of the girl from that movie saying, "You gotta hear this one song, it'll change your life I swear."
Anyway, when Jellyfish played 328 Performance Hall in Nashville, the place was filled with people. I would suspect that there were very few in attendance who were not musicians themselves (easy call for a Nashville crowd, but it seemed more the case here than usual). It was a wonderfully amazing show. They were power pop at its finest, with nods to The Beatles, Queen, and classic Beach Boys harmony. What I remember most about that 328 show was the absolutely stunning sound of a thousand or so awestruck fans (a collective gasp that gave me goosebumps!) after one particularly moving bit of harmonizing by the band. It was like a packed room full of people who had lived in music studios themselves, knowing just how hard it was to capture for tape what the guys on stage were doing so precisely - live, for them, right then.
This post about The Shins seems to have become a post about Jellyfish. What I mean to share is that it is so rare and so special to find a band who just seems to be so great at making perfect pop songs that don't sacrifice the heart of good songwriting for the quest of sonic perfection. The Shins seem to be my new Jellyfish. It's like it's 1991* all over for me again.
*Jellyfish's Bellybutton CD was actually released in 1990, but like the '60s really didn't get started until 1964 and lasted into the early '70s, 1991 as I like to remember it started in 1990 and ran through early 1993.
She was talking about "New Slang" from Oh, Invented World and she was dead on. But as close to perfect as that song was, "Turn On Me" hits just a bit more snugly into the heart of perfection. They just get those melodies so right. It reminds me of when I saw Jellyfish play at 328 Performance Hall so many years ago. Their debut was one of those great finds from my record store days. I popped in the promo cassette for Bellybutton and was a Jellyfish fan within three songs.
Over the next few months it was my mission to turn as many people onto that band as possible. One guy, Richard Smith, a regular customer, was one of the people who bought that CD thanks to in-store play and my enthusiastic sales pitch. (That makes it sound like dirty commerce, but it was more about the music than the sale.) Anyway, he was a musician in Louise Mandrell's band and other members of the band bought that awesome Jellyfish CD from me over the next few days. I was the record store guy version of the girl from that movie saying, "You gotta hear this one song, it'll change your life I swear."
Anyway, when Jellyfish played 328 Performance Hall in Nashville, the place was filled with people. I would suspect that there were very few in attendance who were not musicians themselves (easy call for a Nashville crowd, but it seemed more the case here than usual). It was a wonderfully amazing show. They were power pop at its finest, with nods to The Beatles, Queen, and classic Beach Boys harmony. What I remember most about that 328 show was the absolutely stunning sound of a thousand or so awestruck fans (a collective gasp that gave me goosebumps!) after one particularly moving bit of harmonizing by the band. It was like a packed room full of people who had lived in music studios themselves, knowing just how hard it was to capture for tape what the guys on stage were doing so precisely - live, for them, right then.
This post about The Shins seems to have become a post about Jellyfish. What I mean to share is that it is so rare and so special to find a band who just seems to be so great at making perfect pop songs that don't sacrifice the heart of good songwriting for the quest of sonic perfection. The Shins seem to be my new Jellyfish. It's like it's 1991* all over for me again.
*Jellyfish's Bellybutton CD was actually released in 1990, but like the '60s really didn't get started until 1964 and lasted into the early '70s, 1991 as I like to remember it started in 1990 and ran through early 1993.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Dream A Little Dream of Q&A
All day long I've been trying to make sense of Sunday night's very vivid dream. In it, I remember an extremely detailed conversation with the resident ghost known to many family members on the beautiful family farm. I awoke knowing my every question to her and every answer from her. "How does one get to heaven?" It's reassuringly easier than I previously thought. "But what about...?" Yeah. No forgiveness for that little break in line. Straight down for that one.
This Interview With a Spirit stayed with me in every quiet moment from wake up time until I clocked out from the workplace tonight. The thing that finally settled me a bit was the realization that I went to bed last night with a bag of Doritos consumed along with a couple of cans of chili (and another can of Ravioli). I had watched the Super Bowl and pigged out without guilt. That stuff will bring tremulous dreams to anyone's sleeping hours.
Still...
This Interview With a Spirit stayed with me in every quiet moment from wake up time until I clocked out from the workplace tonight. The thing that finally settled me a bit was the realization that I went to bed last night with a bag of Doritos consumed along with a couple of cans of chili (and another can of Ravioli). I had watched the Super Bowl and pigged out without guilt. That stuff will bring tremulous dreams to anyone's sleeping hours.
Still...
She Handed Me a Cup From the Fountain of Youth
At the considerably young age of thirty-seven, it somewhat pains me that I was so in tune with the author of this nice piece in The New York Times.
Or click here if you are not a registered Times reader. Writer Andy Christie knows my near future pain.
Or click here if you are not a registered Times reader. Writer Andy Christie knows my near future pain.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
More On Prince
I read recently (in this great review) that Prince, a devout Jehovah's Witness, still plays "Sexuality" in his 3121 concerts. However, he changed the lyrics and title to "Spirituality." Well, it's his song and he can do with it as he likes, but I just cringed a bit to read that. I think I'd rather him just not perform it at all if he has to change it so much just to be comfortable with it.
I'm reminded of a time when my dad and I were walking along Myrtle Beach way back when. We came across a band playing a small show for about 60 people or so. It soon became apparent that it was a Christian band. But rock is rock and we hung around a bit to watch them play. The band soon launched into a cover of Jim Croce's "Leroy Brown." My dad and I shared a look and we knew we were wondering the same thing. How were they going to handle the whole "baddest man in the whole damn town" part? Well, they handled it all right. Apparently, Mr. Leroy Brown was still a bad dude, but he was the "baddest man in the whole downtown."
Ugh. They meant well, I guess. But it was time for Dad and I to roll our eyes and get on with our walk. If you gotta change it to play it, you might just want to skip it.
I'm reminded of a time when my dad and I were walking along Myrtle Beach way back when. We came across a band playing a small show for about 60 people or so. It soon became apparent that it was a Christian band. But rock is rock and we hung around a bit to watch them play. The band soon launched into a cover of Jim Croce's "Leroy Brown." My dad and I shared a look and we knew we were wondering the same thing. How were they going to handle the whole "baddest man in the whole damn town" part? Well, they handled it all right. Apparently, Mr. Leroy Brown was still a bad dude, but he was the "baddest man in the whole downtown."
Ugh. They meant well, I guess. But it was time for Dad and I to roll our eyes and get on with our walk. If you gotta change it to play it, you might just want to skip it.
Who's playing at Super Bowl XLI? Prince!
First, Prince makes the big move to Vegas, the betting capital of the world, and opens the 3121 lounge at The Rio. And now, he's the featured half-time act at the Super Bowl, the most bet on game in the world. (Resisting the urge to say something obvious like, "It's a safe bet that Prince is gonna rock!")
Anyway, I love that there was a press conference the other day and after interviewing several football persons, Prince came out for his turn to answer questions. But much to the surprise of the reporters on hand, he and his band played a 15-minute concert, just for them. At the end, he just said "Thank you," blew a kiss, told everyone he'd see them at the Super Bowl, and ventured off. (I read that at WTHR's Super Bowl blog.) If nothing else, I'd vote for Prince for elected office for that reason alone. At a press conference, if he started getting tough questions from the reporters, he'd just launch into "When Doves Cry" and everyone would be happy.
As for the playlist, WTHR goes on to say that he rehearsed "Let's Go Crazy" and "Purple Rain." I can't say that I'm too excited about hearing those old songs yet again, but it'll be cool nonetheless.
Anyway, I love that there was a press conference the other day and after interviewing several football persons, Prince came out for his turn to answer questions. But much to the surprise of the reporters on hand, he and his band played a 15-minute concert, just for them. At the end, he just said "Thank you," blew a kiss, told everyone he'd see them at the Super Bowl, and ventured off. (I read that at WTHR's Super Bowl blog.) If nothing else, I'd vote for Prince for elected office for that reason alone. At a press conference, if he started getting tough questions from the reporters, he'd just launch into "When Doves Cry" and everyone would be happy.
As for the playlist, WTHR goes on to say that he rehearsed "Let's Go Crazy" and "Purple Rain." I can't say that I'm too excited about hearing those old songs yet again, but it'll be cool nonetheless.
Introducing Joss Stone
I can't wait for the new Joss Stone. I first heard her as a young 15 year old performing for KCRW's popular Morning Becomes Eclectic (watch it here) four years ago and I was stunned at the rich, mature and soulful voice coming from that cherub faced British blond teen. On March 20, she'll release Introducing Joss Stone on Virgin Records. No covers, only her words.
I've heard two tracks. So far, pretty cool. "Tell Me 'Bout It" (hear here) is the stronger of the two. Musically, it reminds me of the Elvis Presley 2002 remix for "A Little Less Conversation." It's a bit simple but it does move. More importantly, her voice shines in typically strong and wonderful form. Gone is the element of surprise ("That voice? From that young girl?"), but it stands firm and impressive still.
The second track I've heard doesn't move me as much. Rapper Common guests on "Tell Me What We Gonna Do" (hear here) and the groove is good, but it sounds like a song I've heard a million times before as the credits roll for a typical Save The Last Dance starring Julia Stiles-kind of movie. It's good enough, but I hurried back to "Tell Me 'Bout It" for a few more listens as soon as it ended.
Here's hoping for a very good overall record by Joss. Her love for the soul music that has preceded her by generations is obvious and her respectful approach to the blending of sounds old and new is heartwarming for a listener like me. It's gonna be a Joss Stone kind of day around my house today.
www.Joss Stone.com
Friday, February 02, 2007
Tired Dad
I've been awake for 31 hours and counting. I couldn't sleep for anything last night. Was it the coming snow? I wasn't stressing or worrying myself over anything. Sleep was just a million miles away as I lay in bed, wide awake.
The kids got up around 6 A.M. or so and I have been going strong ever since. Playing in the snow in the morning and running errands in the afternoon, I am only now truly feeling the exhaustion.
I think I'll curl up with the new Adam Gopnik book and read a paragraph and fall asleep.
Good night.
The kids got up around 6 A.M. or so and I have been going strong ever since. Playing in the snow in the morning and running errands in the afternoon, I am only now truly feeling the exhaustion.
I think I'll curl up with the new Adam Gopnik book and read a paragraph and fall asleep.
Good night.
Will Chez Bez Really Go Blonde Today?
Seriously considering it. Well, it worked for that Casino Royale guy.
It might just come down to how much money it'll set me back.
News at eleven.
[Update: Wow! Hair coloring is expensive stuff. I got it cut short today but the color remains the same. I can't imagine dropping that kind of dough on my hair when I could buy so many beers with that money instead.]
It might just come down to how much money it'll set me back.
News at eleven.
[Update: Wow! Hair coloring is expensive stuff. I got it cut short today but the color remains the same. I can't imagine dropping that kind of dough on my hair when I could buy so many beers with that money instead.]
Nashville. Snow. Pictures. Happy.
JBez keeps it warm.
JBez invites the photographer to come play in the snow.
Another Nashvillian with his car stuck in the snow.
Black and white in the snow.
One is happy to see the white stuff. The other is not so sure.
Georgia considers frolicking.
Georgia frolics.
JBez and ABez (a.k.a. Snow Princess) behold a world covered in snow.
First snow angel of the year.
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