Musical Naivete

Although I have, and always have had, an insatiable interest in music there are some forms that I've never had much exposure to. For instance... opera. Everything I know about opera could comfortably dance a polka on the head of a pin. I never could see the point to the seemingly 'extreme singing' nature of it. So, imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago, when I found myself picking one out for myself at the library. Granted it was written by a composer I like and appreciate - Phillip Glass - but still; me listening to an OPERA??? (btw, it's titled 'The Voyage') It took a while to find the opportunity and open frame of mind to listen to it but last night and tonight it's been in the CD player. Gotta say - not bad.... though I don't expect I'll ever have a full appreciation for the genre as a whole.

For some examples of Glass' other instumental music; click on the link; hit the 'listen/watch' tab; make selections in the right hand panes. I enjoyed 'The Hours' and 'Etudes'.

http://www.philipglass.com/music/index.php

To-Do List - Get some music training and education.

Sound Waves

Courtesy of the local public library's collection here is what I'm listening to lately:

The Verve - 'Forth' (2008) http://www.parlophone.co.uk/forth/ here for audio samples.

Jack Johnson - 'Sleep Through The Static' (2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFaC07WEubA&feature=related
for video track "What You Thought You Need'.

Melanie Doane - 'A Thousand Nights' (2008) http://www.melaniedoane.com/music.htm webpage

Ron Sexsmith - 'Exit Strategy of the Soul' (2008)
http://www.ronsexsmith.com/music/discography/cd/ron_AlbumDetails.aspx?albumid=bb89ec22-899e-4b22-bf01-4f441950d633 webpage

Something for us older folks - Joe Cocker's 'Heart & Soul' (2005)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Cp8l396Lw performing U2's 'One'.

.... and something completely different for me... an opera by Philip Glass titled 'The Voyage' (2006)
http://www.philipglass.com/music/compositions/voyage.php webpage

There's some link love for you.

More Music Notes

While driving this week I've heard some more great tunes. The other day the announcer gave a great intro for a tune so I perked up my ears, turned up the volume and gave a good listen. It was Blitzen Trapper playing the title track from their CD 'Furr". They are out of Portland, OR and have a terrific sound. They come to Toronto Feb 21.

Yesterday the same announcer intro'd a track by Pink Martini saying they were playing in town last night, and went on to say about the huge following they have in France. I've written about them before, like when I first heard them on the radio, and I like everything I've heard so far. If memory serves they are based in Portland as well ( or somewhere close by.)

Thank god for radio cuz I'd need quite an income to indulge my love of music. Forking out for CD's and going to see performances can add up in an awful hurry.

** For the last 24 hours I had some wrong info posted here which goes to show me I shouldn't write when I'm only half awake. I referred to a band by the name of Pink Cadillac which does exist - it's a long time local 50's & 60's band - but it isn't the one I meant to include here. Mega-brain fart there. Mea culpa. So I added links to enable you to more easily check out Blitzen Trapper and Pink Martini. Have a look at their tour dates and if they are in your area in the next couple of months, go support them and have a good time. ** NM

Also on the music front..... woo-hoo!! I finally set up my Bose music system yesterday and I can listen once again to my music!! Hallelujah!! I thought Lynda was going to faint when she walked in the door and saw it was about ready to go. We re-christened it with disc 1 from The Eagles: Long Road Out Of Eden. Today might have to be a Jeff Beck marathon (which I'm sure all the pets will enjoy).

Infectious Melodies

Ya know when you get a tune stuck in your head that just keeps going round and round?? Some folks call them 'ear worms' and that seems pretty appropriate. Lately I've found each day there has been a musical theme running about upstairs; sometimes raising quite a clatter, and other times it's a soothing comfort. Usually they are the simplest of melodies. For instance, about a week ago I eventually identified the tune as coming from the theme music in the movie 'Babe'. It took quite a while even to figure out what the source was but once I nailed it I was satisfied. A little, 'Aahhh, okay...' moment and I proceeded to hum away the rest of the day.

One morning this week on the way home I heard Rufus Wainright's cover of The Beatles 'Across The Universe' and it continued to play across my mind as I fell asleep. Only trouble was that it played all the rest of that day once I'd risen from my bed once again. Man, am I ever glad that I like that intricate tune. I'd have hated to be humming, whistling and singing a song all day that I don't care for.

I do wonder why and how this happens from time to time.... a few notes or a simple musical phrase lock in and continue to hit the repeat button for hours on end. Sometimes from a popular release, other times a snippet from a commercial on TV, some jingle or theme music from a show.

'Can't get enough of those Sugar Crisp, Sugar Crisp, Sugar Crisp.....'

'I wish I was an Oscar Meyer wiener, then the world would be in love with me...' or, like me the other day...

'words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup' from 'Across The Universe'; John Lennon.

There - that should be enough to get you started. Heh, heh.... Pass it on.

Bonus!! Here's Rufus. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=H71Fv3PcQQY

Man of Few Words

It's been a quiet week on the blogging front as there hasn't been an awful lot going on. There are a couple of things I've been working on and working through..... indecision and procrastination are working against getting to a solution in either case. Primarily it's been another week split between work, sleep and a couple of hours daily spent with Lynda before coming to work. Oh, and there's that struggle to get any amount of decent sleep, too.

Most of the writing I've done this week has been email dialogue and I find those sorts of messages time consuming. Especially with people I don't know personally I try to take time and put proper thought into what I'm saying so that I'm not misunderstood. The thought process takes long enough; the actual typing takes at least as long. Speedy on the keyboard, I'm not.

There is a blog I've been visiting for the last couple of weeks that I'm impressed with and would recommend. A music blog written by columnist Simon Sweetman of New Zealand. He and I appear to have similar taste in music and I enjoy the way he writes. I came across him while doing seaches for Jeff Beck - Simon interviewed him recently. Find him at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/blogs/blogonthetracks?source=nav
One of his recent posts was about having seen Leonard Cohen in concert this past week - sounds like it was a great show. It prompted me to go searching on YouTube where I found some of his videos but I also came across k.d. Lang's version of Cohen's 'Hallelujah'. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE
Sheer bliss - such an incredible voice!! As in 'gift of God' sort of vocal abilities.... and when combined with Cohen's incomparible use of language in his writing you get amazing music.

Another artist whose music I've enjoyed lately is Habib Koite and his band Bamada. He is a brilliant young Malian guitarist. Check this out: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=K4VRGALZdBA&feature=related

Here's a tune, My Sweet Love, from John Mellencamp's latest CD - Life, Death, Love, Freedom. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_CAcJidaE

And a love song from Steve Earle and his wife Alison Moorer called 'Days Aren't Long Enough'. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=XBkimV4iQ9k

A treasure from an old episode of The Smother's Brothers show featuring Jefferson Airplane circa 1967. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1cfTMdjkYM&feature=related

If you don't like any of those there might be a problem with your ears.....

Musical Gift

CBC Radio 2 has been soliciting listener suggestions for a compilation of 49 'must-hear' Canadian songs which will then be presented to Barack Obama come Inauguration Day - a nudge to remind him he has neighbours north of the 49th parallel who can make great music. Here's a link to a list of some of the suggested tracks:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/obamasplaylist/

There are a great many here that aren't familiar to me. I assume they are classical music, jazz or by French artists / groups. But scanning through it there are plenty of reminders for iPod fodder.

Monday they announce the top 100 and will begin to pare the list down to 49. I'm looking forward to seeing the result. It should be quite a combination of great material.

A Quicky For Now......

Being Tuesday I didn't have to be here at work until a little later but I still had my work out of the way in no time flat. I've been all round the web but haven't got around to my regular reads as yet. Soon..... well, later on anyway.

After a couple of high pressure, cold, clear skies days it has socked in again and is snowing steadily. The forecast is calling for a few inches of the white stuff, then a period of freezing rain, and switching back for more snow. It ought to be an interesting ride home come morning. C'est la vie.

There was a music group that formed back in '68, I believe in California, called Rhinoceros. It was the first of the super groups drawing it's members from a few different name bands including Iron Butterfly and the Mothers of Invention. Their first album, self titled, knocked a lot of people on their butts with it's blend of rock, R&B, blues and ballads. Woo-Hoo, I just found a website for them!! Turns out some of the members eventually settled in the Toronto area and are still playing. A little more searching ought to turn up some future gigs. In case you're interested here is a link: http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/index.html

Last night I watched a movie - 'Girl Interrupted' (1999) with Winona Ryder playing the lead. Angelina Jolie won a best supporting actor Oscar for her work. Good film; thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the counsellors I work with is a real film buff and this is one of three he loaned me. In a few minutes I'm going to watch 'My First Mister' (2001) which is directed by Christine Lahti. The other one is 'Cinema Paradiso' which I think is an Italian production and which Ken says is his favourite film of all time. High praise.... hope it's to my taste. Ciao.

Randomness

This is going to be a catch-all post covering some recent stuff.

At tonights meeting I got the full lowdown on how those DVDs made it here to my work. My director friend Cindy also happens to be in recovery and was to pass the discs on to my coworker at last Saturday nights meeting. He left without them so Cindy and my 87 year old girlfriend Audrey decided to have an adventure and deliver them here. Without knowing exactly where they were going they eventually found the residence and presented themselves at the front door. They dropped the discs but not before being invited in for sandwiches and a cup of tea. Wish I'd been here for that - 2 women in a men's treatment facility along about 10 at night sitting yacking with a bunch of drunks and addicts in recovery.

Despite how little face time we've had lately Lynda and I have had some good times and conversations. I admitted to her last night that I've been smoking occasionally and she seemed to appreciate my honesty. Took the news well and asked a few direct questions about how long I intended to keep it up and how I was to go about quitting again. Hmmm.... good questions.... not sure about the answer though.

Had a phone conversation with my daughter Sarah on Christmas night out in Vancouver. She had called Lynda earlier in the evening to say she was having a dismal day after a run in with her sister-in-law and had removed herself from the situation. By the time I called her, her man and Zeph had returned home and things were running smooth again.

Due to the plunge in oil prices we're seeing some major relief at the pumps. Last summer we hit a high in the mid $1.30's per litre; tonight on the way to work I saw some stations at $.64 per litre. Incredible!!

On the heels of that series of snowstorms we have milder temps over the freezing point and today it rained heavily all day. With the thaw has come dense fog - pea-souper stuff lying close to the ground. Rivers on the rise - load the kids in the boat. At least we don't have to shovel this, T.G.

Particularly during my work weeks on nights I try to post here on a daily basis and most times that isn't a problem. Things haven't been that busy on the work front lately... to say the least. Last night though I simply wasn't in the mood to sit here and write anything. No tidbits of news, no opinions to share, no books or music to talk about. Neutral mood and more than a little bored not wanting to be here. I wound up watching an old favourite feelgood movie - 'Babe'. (yes, the one about the piglet) Even with that hiatus I was chafing at the bit to be on my way at 6. ** Actually, now that I recall, I was feeling 'seizure-ish'. Had a premonition that I may have one; weird visual shifts, hallucinations of odours. Never came about though. (For anyone new here - mine aren't of a serious variety; more discomfort than anything.) **

I was sitting here a couple of hours ago when out of nowhere a guy I don't know stuck his head into the office and said 'Hello'. Startled, I got up from the desk to say hi and shake his hand. He told me he had gone through treatment here 8 or 10 years ago and was in town for a party when he decided to stop by. We do encourage our program graduates to return to the centre but typically that invitation is for during business hours. Preferably clean and sober. This guy wasn't, smelling strongly of liquor. He maintained alcohol isn't a problem for him and that he is still clean of coke after all this time. Well, good for him and all that but I'd say his drinking impaired his judgment tonight.

When I'm done here I think I'll watch a DVD that I've owned for quite awhile but have never watched. 'Stevie Ray Vaughn - Live at the El Mocambo'. (recorded here in Toronto back in 1983, released in 1991) If there was ever a case of a talent being cut down way too soon this is it. Tragic loss, this one.

Time for a bite to eat and then the movie. Ciao.

** Here's a link to Stevie covering a couple of Hendrix tunes - Little Wing and Third Stone From the Sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAG-kX_IlUw

The DVD was recorded the year of Stevie's first record release and features all the material from his first album with Double Trouble. Stevie died in a helicopter crash following a concert on August 27, 1990 at the age of 45. In 2003 Rolling Stone ranked him #7 on their top 100 guitarist list.

What's New??

Well, my work week began on Sunday night and each morning the drive home has been a harrowing, white-knuckle experience. Black as pitch on mostly rural roads; roads so covered in snow that I couldn't make out where the centre line or shoulder were; spots so icy it was like skating; aggressive drivers who have no respect for the laws of physics. Arrggghhh!!! Man! Weather! You name it; we've had it. Driving rain, sleet, freezing rain, lots of snow, fog..... the whole shebang. When I got up this afternoon there was rare and glorious sunshine so, in my tracks, a t-shirt, slippers and my robe I sat with a coffee and basked on the steps outside our kitchen door and enjoyed the rays. Beautiful!

Just outside a moment ago checking out the almost full moon and noticed Jupiter and Venus are slowly trackinng further apart in the southern sky.

Here at work the guys have been quiet this week - a good, focused group intent on recovery - and no one in crisis or with other serious health concerns. It makes my job a lot easier. It has also allowed me time to watch a couple of movies - something I rarely do on the job, perhaps 4 or 5 times a year.

I posted about having rented a particular one and Amuirin from Stop & Wander directed me to a post about it she recalled having seen written by Quoin Monkey over at red Ravine. 'It' being, 'I'm Not There', the Dylan biopic. After having watched the movie I headed to red Ravine to check out the post and it made it a fuller experience for me getting other perspective on what I'd seen. Of the 6 portrayals I was most impressed by Cate Blanchett's performance - we're talking Oscar caliber acting here. Definitely not to all tastes but I would likely watch it again (to see what I missed the first time in this multi-layered production). Thanks to Quoin Monkey for a great post and to all her commenters as well - see QM's post here: http://redravine.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/im-not-there-the-6-faces-of-dylan/

When I dropped those movies back at the store I grabbed one that Amuirin had referred to months ago; I recognized the image on the cover and recalled the name - 'The Visitor'. This one wouldn't likely have a wide audience but I really enjoyed it. It's a good story, a good character and plot driven film , well told in a linear fashion. A half hour is spent laying the foundation where you're wondering where this is going.... and it draws you in, pulls you along and succeeds in making you care about the outcome. I won't give any clue to the ending but I left it at home tonight for Lynda to watch. She called and left a message on my cell during our meeting tonight - 'I liked it but you know I don't like movies that end like that. Damn it, why would you recommend I watch it?' Well, I recommend you search it out and watch it, too. And thanks Am for the heads up.

A couple of shout-outs for significant milestones hit by blog buddies. Robin of Bountiful Healing hit the 'Big 5-0' last weekend. Kel from Xfacta and her hubby Mr X celebrated 20 years of wedded bliss yesterday. And over at Stop and Wander, Amuirin's daughter 'S' turned 11 years old!! Happy times!! Congrats all around.

Of the music I borrowed from the library I've listened to just two of them so far. Just finished Leonard Cohen's '10 New Songs' (2001) and enjoyed it. I'll need to have another go with the lyric sheet in front of me to fully appreciate it. The other is a CBC Records recording titled 'African Guitar Summit' (2006) which is simply great; nimbly flying fingers up and down the fretboards. A completely different approach to guitar playing than Western artists. Love it!! More info here: http://www.africanguitarsummit.com/home.shtml

Th-th-th-that's all folks.

I Bow Down To....

... guitar god..... I am not worthy, etc, etc.....

I don't check Jeff Beck's site very often because frankly, it doesn't get updated very frequently so I was gladdened last night when I checked in at the 'WorldWideGlen' blog and found there is new JB product out NOW!! Woo-Hoo!!! CD on the shelves now and a DVD to follow in December or January. I'll hold out for the DVD I think. It is titled 'Performing This Week.... Live at Ronnie Scott's'

A quickie recap of info gleaned from Glen, Jeff's site and Eagle Records - 16 live tracks; best performances chosen by Jeff from a multi night stand at Ronnie Scott's club in London England. Standing room only shows; rave reviews; a guitar clinic put on by a master musician, a journeyman.

"the usually sedate London Times gushed, "…perhaps the greatest living guitar virtuoso…combining astonishing technique with a blissful nuance he exercised an almost supernatural control of his fretboard."

Here's a link to a performance at the Crossroads Festival in Chicago from last year which features the same band line up. Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Jason Rebello on keyboards and the amazing young Aussie lady Tal Wilkenfeld on bass. Jeff gets his guitar talking, singing and soaring on this one. (This features an impressive bass solo by Tal as well.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIFFRHBCPzA

Enjoy. I did.

Musical Interlude

Roaming about here I found this marathon version of 'Comfortably Numb' for Robin. It was released on David Gilmour's DVD 'Remember That Night'; recorded at London's Royal Albert Hall in May 2006. Released August 2007. This features vocals by David Bowie. (Beware the laser effects - they almost put me into a seizure.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM0Pl80Zf00&feature=related

JPW's and my favourite track from Gilmour's 'On An Island' CD - 'Take A Breath'. Video from an AOL Sessions recording done in New York two days before Lynda and I saw him perform at Toronto's Massey Hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KboVg6SEABM&feature=related

Back to the DVD for a short vocal 'Find The Cost Of Freedom' with David Crosby and Graham Nash. Beautifully done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Y0SMitMpk

I've run out of time - see ya!

Fair Is Fair

A week or so ago I was bitching here about the revamped CBC Radio 2 programming so I thought I'd better own up when I hear a gem. (..... and this is one more indication lately that Portland, OR is hot.) I was listening the other night and heard a segment from a concert recorded early this summer with a group called Pink Martini. They're a large ensemble of 12 core players and they play Jazz - jazz with a world flavour and a lot of well polished attitude. So they should as they are an incredibly talented lot of writers, arrangers, instrumentalists, vocalists and producers. Vocals in 8 languages!! Mon dieu!

This concert from Calgary should be added to the Concert On Demand page before the weekend is over so you can stream it at any time. (There is a wealth of other great material to be mined here as well which can be searched by the name of the act / artist, venue, city or genre.)

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/

Cuts I heard included 'Tempo Perdito', the Arabic ballad 'Bukra wba'do', as well as their current album's title song 'Hey Eugene'. Bookmark that page and don't say I didn't tell ya!!

Aural Gratification

No, I haven't bought any new music lately. Haven't spent enough time at the computer to download any either. So I followed my link to 'I Guess I'm Floating' to see what the boys are recommending these days. Natch, being on the slippery side of 50, not all of what I heard is exactly to my taste but I didn't come away disappointed. Each of these artists/bands have crafted a unique sound for themselves - some unconventional time signatures, interesting instrumentation, solid musicianship, good production, pop riffs, slashing guitars, sinuous synths etc, etc. See what you think about these mp3 streams.....

Arizona - 'Some Kind of Chill'

The Winks - either track

Starlight Mints - either track

Portastatic - either track

Brandson - 'Earthquakes and Sharks'

Pixies - 'Holiday Song'

I tend (like most people I suppose) to listen to what is familiar and will occassionally range up and down the radio dial to catch what is new in the various markets. I also need to stretch my musical ears sometimes by listening to tunes like these. It's a good way to clear the webs. Just the sort of fix I was craving.