Notice how the Brits say "Happy Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas"? I've always liked that better, maybe just because it is a refreshing change from what I've been hearing my entire life. I have a lot of non-Christmas material to catch up on- Raphael Saadiq, Fela!, the Robeson gingerbread cookie decorating party and other adventures- but I'll get back to those post-Christmas vacation.
I usually hate Christmas music but I discovered a couple tunes this season that warmed even my coal-black, anti-Christmas heart.
1. "Let Me Sleep It's Christmas Time" by Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder's voice rules
2. "Pimp My Sleigh" by Houseman of Galactic, no explanation needed
3. "12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser, an a capella medley of different Christmas carols that blend into "Africa" by Toto.
4. A live James Taylor recording that doesn't sound anything like normal James Taylor. He even drops the F-bomb. It came up in Veronica's Bruce Springsteen holiday Pandora station. I'll come back and include the title as soon as I can find it.
5. "Ain't No Chimneys in the Projects" by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Download it here.
And since it is the time of year for Best Of lists, I thought I would include a list of 10 great things I discovered in the past year.
1. Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion
2. Boomerang's in Jamaica Plain - I am continually amazed by the treasures within its walls
3. Galway House on Centre Street. It looks like an old man bar, and it is, but the steak is cheap and delicious. It is perfect to split with a friend or lover.
4. Grooveshark - I love being able to send song links via gchat, email, etc.
5. Patagonia socks- they are almost worth the $16 price tag
6. Juicing- apple, carrot and ginger juice is better than sex
7. "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes - Unlike Jason Derulo's "Whatcha Say", this song will still be good in five years
8. South Boston Yoga - this studio made me think about yoga in a whole new way
9. Helvetica and Trouble the Water - two of the best documentaries I have ever seen
10. My home grown arugula. I challenge you to grow a tastier bunch!
Top music RE-discoveries of this year included "'93 'til Infinity" by Souls of Mischief and It Is Finished, a stellar Nina Simone album.
Love and high fives to everyone in my life who made the past year a blast, through the peaks AND the valleys. I have high hopes for 2010. As Norm says, "It's the year, kid. It's the year."
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Crazy Lady
The winter just got real in Boston. A facemask would be ideal. Without a hat you can consider yourself dead.
I realized last week that as long as there isn't snow on the ground I can just run everywhere. I wear sneakers everyday anyway and this way I can stay warm, get places faster and get my heart rate up. The only downside is the sideways glances I get from the neighbors. : )
I realized last week that as long as there isn't snow on the ground I can just run everywhere. I wear sneakers everyday anyway and this way I can stay warm, get places faster and get my heart rate up. The only downside is the sideways glances I get from the neighbors. : )
Friday, December 11, 2009
COP15...party on America
After accepting his Nobel Peace Prize and noting the irony of it in his speech, President Obama heads to the climate negotiations in Copenhagen today. The likelihood of useful language leaving his lips is unlikely but I wanted to share with you this chart from the NY Times which breaks down the different stakeholders at the talks and what they are hoping to achieve.
I am not expecting a lot to come out of the talks, especially from the American contingent. Most probably can't tell you which Scandanavian country Copenhagen is in.
But, if you want to use your brain and help out, there is something you can do.
You can sign up for the Energy Action Coalition Rapid Response team here. There are only a few days left. Make a couple phone calls and feel better! And, if you're sick of seeing protesters get arrested and want to know what's really going on, check out live video coverage and tweet feeds at theuptake.org.
I keep telling myself we will get what we want, with or without a strong international treaty.
An update on the awesome work of MassPowerShift here. Good work Dan!
I am not expecting a lot to come out of the talks, especially from the American contingent. Most probably can't tell you which Scandanavian country Copenhagen is in.
But, if you want to use your brain and help out, there is something you can do.
You can sign up for the Energy Action Coalition Rapid Response team here. There are only a few days left. Make a couple phone calls and feel better! And, if you're sick of seeing protesters get arrested and want to know what's really going on, check out live video coverage and tweet feeds at theuptake.org.
I keep telling myself we will get what we want, with or without a strong international treaty.
An update on the awesome work of MassPowerShift here. Good work Dan!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Look Mom, I'm big time!
Wyatt and I are officially rock journalists, having just been published in the December issue of Performer, a music magazine for indie musicians. The magazine can be found at the Middle East and other music venues around Boston. (I'm not sure of distribution in other cities.) If you can find it, read my review and check out feature on Atlas Sound.
A review of The Painted Lights and Elliott Brood (also featured previously on Commandeered), with pictures taken by Wyatt, can be read here on the Perfomer Blog. Apologies for the typo in the last two lines, it's meant to say "Little," not Lohr.
Dirty dancing and my boy JT
Not everyone knows of my secret affinity for dirty, dirty dancing. One of my favorite memories from college is a drunken dance moment, specifically dancing especially close and suggestively with a closeted gay boy at a frat party. We may have talked once in the rest of our four years in school together. Since I no longer have ready access to the free beer, pop music and sweaty men that come with college frat parties, I make do by watching Justin Timberlake dance. I've found it is a really great way to distract myself from myself, and its less dangerous than looking at puppies. This video is particularly dirty, with one of the backup dancers actually sucking on his finger. Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
What your name is? Plus the Bowerbirds and Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Tonight my housemate Claire brought the Beyonce "Video Phone" video, complete with toy guns and a Lady Gaga cameo, to my attention. Beyonce makes Lady Gaga look small and silly, and the whole thing looks like a weird porn movie intro. I think it would be better suited for footage in the background at a hardcore show.
Monday, Wyatt and I saw the Bowerbirds and Elvis Perkins in Dearland at the Paradise. The Bowerbirds were neat. Both dudes, the lead singer/guitarist and the drummer, sported big fuzzy beards and pearl snaps, and the beautiful lady singer alternated between keys and accordian. Their folksy tunes favor environmental themes, i.e. "it takes a lot of nerve to destroy this wondrous earth." The music isn't cheesy though and being from North Carolina, their intersong banter was real nice and hearfelt, and all three of them smiled throughout the entire set.
Elvis Perkins really impressed me. His album stuff is good but he's much more impressive live, both alone and with the hilarious and energetic backing band Dearland. They took the stage only after making a loop around the venue, weaving in and out of the crowd while playing a gypsy tune. The joined Elvis on stage just in time for him bust out the first of many emotional, powerful and well executed songs. Their material ranged from gospel to old school rock n' roll to whatever you consider Jeff Mangum to be. Instrumentation included a trumpet, stand up bass, harmonium, harmonica, keys and 12 string guitar, in addition to the usual rock band set up. These guys really know what their doing but they aren't prententious and have an awesome time on stage. I felt like I was seeing something really special and it was a treat to be a part of it. I think the entire crowd felt that way and as a result we were graced with two encores. While it is a nerdy thing to say and you probably don't care, the sound for the whole show was excellent. It really makes all the difference and it was a refreshing break from some of my recent ear-twisting concert experiences. Thank you Paradise.
Monday, Wyatt and I saw the Bowerbirds and Elvis Perkins in Dearland at the Paradise. The Bowerbirds were neat. Both dudes, the lead singer/guitarist and the drummer, sported big fuzzy beards and pearl snaps, and the beautiful lady singer alternated between keys and accordian. Their folksy tunes favor environmental themes, i.e. "it takes a lot of nerve to destroy this wondrous earth." The music isn't cheesy though and being from North Carolina, their intersong banter was real nice and hearfelt, and all three of them smiled throughout the entire set.
Elvis Perkins really impressed me. His album stuff is good but he's much more impressive live, both alone and with the hilarious and energetic backing band Dearland. They took the stage only after making a loop around the venue, weaving in and out of the crowd while playing a gypsy tune. The joined Elvis on stage just in time for him bust out the first of many emotional, powerful and well executed songs. Their material ranged from gospel to old school rock n' roll to whatever you consider Jeff Mangum to be. Instrumentation included a trumpet, stand up bass, harmonium, harmonica, keys and 12 string guitar, in addition to the usual rock band set up. These guys really know what their doing but they aren't prententious and have an awesome time on stage. I felt like I was seeing something really special and it was a treat to be a part of it. I think the entire crowd felt that way and as a result we were graced with two encores. While it is a nerdy thing to say and you probably don't care, the sound for the whole show was excellent. It really makes all the difference and it was a refreshing break from some of my recent ear-twisting concert experiences. Thank you Paradise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)