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I recently thinned out my collection of MP3s, whittling down the size by archiving and deleting music I never played. In many cases I had stuff I’d downloaded on a whim but never really got around to seriously listening to. Starsailor was one of those. Until tonight. This band is fantastic. I think the best comparison would be “Coldplay” meets “Oasis”. This is great stuff and I’ve been listening to all three releases this evening, intently, and I don’t think my foots stopped tapping or my head’s stopped nodding once.

Starsailor on iTunes

There’s no beginning to describe the chaos that has been the past few weeks at work, and last night, finally, I thought I’d wrapped up the final pieces of an effort that had come unravelled the day before. Unravelled, that is, from the wrapping up of the final pieces the night before that. As happened the day before that. And the day before that day. Seeing a pattern? Same as it ever was…. same as it ever was…

So today, I’m sitting here, going through these all too familiar motions yet again, and I’m in a dower mood. I’ve got my ipod on, headphones in, my office door almost shut and a “LMTFA” look on my face. I’m focused.

Or I was, that is, until the drum beat of “Girlfriend is Better” started playing in my ears. Suddenly, my grim face is atop a pair of slightly bobbing shoulders. The body takes the hint, the mind rewinds to the absolute greatest party I ever held (at which the entire “Speaking in Tounges” CD was on non-stop play while the room danced and shuffled about) and suddenly, the day is not so grey. With a little help from the Talking Heads, I’ll get through another long day.

♬ Stop making sense, stop making sense…stop making sense, making sense. ♬

There’s no beginning to describe the chaos that has been the past few weeks at work, and last night, finally, I thought I’d wrapped up the final pieces of an effort that had come unravelled the day before. Unravelled, that is, from the wrapping up of the final pieces the night before that. As happened the day before that. And the day before that day. Seeing a pattern? Same as it ever was…. same as it ever was…

So today, I’m sitting here, going through these all too familiar motions yet again, and I’m in a dower mood. I’ve got my ipod on, headphones in, my office door almost shut and a “LMTFA” look on my face. I’m focused.

Or I was, that is, until the drum beat of “Girlfriend is Better” started playing in my ears. Suddenly, my grim face is atop a pair of slightly bobbing shoulders. The body takes the hint, the mind rewinds to the absolute greatest party I ever held (at which the entire “Speaking in Tounges” CD was on non-stop play while the room danced and shuffled about) and suddenly, the day is not so grey. With a little help from the Talking Heads, I’ll get through another long day.

♬ Stop making sense, stop making sense…stop making sense, making sense. ♬

Mr McManus has a weekly “Podcast” on iTunes that you can subscribe to. So far it’s quite entertaining. Even if you’re not a huge fan. Check it out.

My recent chance to see Roger Waters live re-ignited a long standing interest in and curiosity about the live performances of “The Wall”. The tour they did was extremely limited and elaborate, and I failed to take the reins and make the journey to LA when they toured. I was so young then, but it could have been made to happen. And from what I’ve heard, it’d have been worth doing so. The show featured a complete building of and subsequent tearing down of a huge wall between the performers and the audience. As a kid I’d have been trilled to have seen it, but understanding the back story and motivations behind the story and music make it all the more intriguing. I have read that it was filmed but Roger Waters has yet to authorize it’s release on Video. Still, I stumbled across a really interesting documentary about it on YouTube that I though others might find entertaining viewing as well. It’s broken down into 7 segments and it’s worth watching.

YouTube – Pink Floyd – Behind the Wall

I had the great opportunity of seeing Roger Waters perform in Oakland last night. It’s now the following day and I want to capture these thoughts before the ringing in my ears subsides. I’ve seen some pretty incredible shows but this was, well, breathtaking. This was a loud, thundering assemblage of some of the greatest music even recorded by Pink Floyd, and the second half began with a full, complete performace of “The Dark Side Of The Moon”. It was incredible to hear and to watch. The staging, props and visuals were spectacular. I won’t go through the entire song list or all the little details, but from the thunderous opening of “In The Flesh” to the sweeping range of “Comfortable Numb”, this was simply one of the best shows I’ve seen. Roger Waters was in great form, playing and singing as powerfully as you’d expect. He was visibly enjoying hmiself and at times seemed to beam with pride that these iconic songs were primary his lyrical and musical creations. It was like watchig a proud parent on stage with his award winning son.

On a side note, one of the highlights was “the Pig” flying through a confetti covered arena during a section of the song “Sheep”. I shot some grainy video with my digital camera and posted it on youtube where you’ll find other footage from this tour as well. In addition, for trivia buffs, here’s an interesting back-story to the Pig, used in photographing the cover of “Animals”, from wikipedia….

The original Pink Floyd pig was designed by Roger Waters and built in December 1976 in preparation for shooting the cover of the Animals album. The forty-foot, helium-filled balloon planned to be flown over Battersea Power Station on the first day’s photo-shoot, with a marksman prepared to shoot the pig down if it broke free. However, the pig was not launched.

On the second day, the marksman wasn’t present because no one had told him to return, and the pig broke free due to a strong gust of wind (gaining a lot of press coverage). It disappeared from sight within five minutes, and was spotted by airline pilots at forty thousand feet in the air. Flights at Heathrow Airport were cancelled as the huge inflatable pig flew through the path of aircraft, eastwards from Britain, over the English Channel, finally landing on a rural farm in Kent that night.

I distinctly remember the first time I heard this song. I was with my wife, the kids were newborns, and we were driving over hwy 92 en route to Half Moon Bay. I’d downloaded a live recording of Glen Phillips, one of the original members of “Toad The Wet Sprocket” and somebody we’d seen live a year or two beforehand. His show was great, but I was unfamiliar with some of the tracks on this live recording, including this one.

Although they’re simple words, there is something about the mental image of the Vega, the father setting out with a vendetta against a neighbor’s dog, the kid silently praying that he fails in his mission… it’s just something that hits a resounding note of hot summer nostalgia. Not that I’d ever been in the exact scenario, but I’d imagine we all have one or two childhood memories of a cigarette smoking father wearing a short sleeve white T-shirt and smelling a bit of stale beer. Right? Anybody? Or am I completely alone here?

I was the driver for the drive-by of the neighbor’s dog
Dad had always hated him and he said “Come on son,
Get into the Vega now and I’ll go get my shotgun”
It was a military holiday and kids were everywhere
I hid behind the steering wheel and tried to disappear
I tried to speak but couldn’t, Dad was whistling and drinking beer

And I prayed “Dear God, if You save this dog
I will never get high, I will never jack off
I will do all the things that I should but have not
I’ll be a good boy from now on”

We turned around the corner soon and saw the neighbor’s yard
Dad lit up a cigarette and rolled his window down
And grinning like an idiot he stuck his head and body out

And I prayed “Dear God, if You save this dog
I will never get high, I will never jack off
I will be all the things that I should but have not
I’ll be a good boy from now on”

Well he popped in a shell and took aim with the gun
Then a flash and a bang and the dog it was gone. . .

…Listen to a live recording to hear “the rest of the story”

I distinctly remember the first time I heard this song. I was with my wife, the kids were newborns, and we were driving over hwy 92 en route to Half Moon Bay. I’d downloaded a live recording of Glen Phillips, one of the original members of “Toad The Wet Sprocket” and somebody we’d seen live a year or two beforehand. His show was great, but I was unfamiliar with some of the tracks on this live recording, including this one.

Although they’re simple words, there is something about the mental image of the Vega, the father setting out with a vendetta against a neighbor’s dog, the kid silently praying that he fails in his mission… it’s just something that hits a resounding note of hot summer nostalgia. Not that I’d ever been in the exact scenario, but I’d imagine we all have one or two childhood memories of a cigarette smoking father wearing a short sleeve white T-shirt and smelling a bit of stale beer. Right? Anybody? Or am I completely alone here?

I was the driver for the drive-by of the neighbor’s dog
Dad had always hated him and he said “Come on son,
Get into the Vega now and I’ll go get my shotgun”
It was a military holiday and kids were everywhere
I hid behind the steering wheel and tried to disappear
I tried to speak but couldn’t, Dad was whistling and drinking beer

And I prayed “Dear God, if You save this dog
I will never get high, I will never jack off
I will do all the things that I should but have not
I’ll be a good boy from now on”

We turned around the corner soon and saw the neighbor’s yard
Dad lit up a cigarette and rolled his window down
And grinning like an idiot he stuck his head and body out

And I prayed “Dear God, if You save this dog
I will never get high, I will never jack off
I will be all the things that I should but have not
I’ll be a good boy from now on”

Well he popped in a shell and took aim with the gun
Then a flash and a bang and the dog it was gone. . .

…Listen to a live recording to hear “the rest of the story”

I’ve managed to get my hands on the song “Working Class Hero” by Green Day, from a forthcoming 2CD set of Lennon covers. This particular song is quite well covered by Green Day. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of that set so I can hear other tracks as well. Compilations like this typically have a hit or miss outcome, but the lineup looks strong enough to expect a handful of tracks to be worth the money.

I’ve managed to get my hands on the song “Working Class Hero” by Green Day, from a forthcoming 2CD set of Lennon covers. This particular song is quite well covered by Green Day. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of that set so I can hear other tracks as well. Compilations like this typically have a hit or miss outcome, but the lineup looks strong enough to expect a handful of tracks to be worth the money.

Two really strong releases from two great artists. “Halfway, Pleased” is melodic and haunting. “American Doll Posse” takes Tori into musical realms I’ve not heard from her before.

Two really strong releases from two great artists. “Halfway, Pleased” is melodic and haunting. “American Doll Posse” takes Tori into musical realms I’ve not heard from her before.

As reflected in my “Now Playing” sidebar, I’m in the mood for some music from the Heartland. I’ve recently read a very interesting article in Vanity Fair about Mellencamp and it’s made me dust off his music (can one really dust off an MP3 file?) and put it on heavy rotation. This is some great stuff. I really have fond and strong memories attached to the music on “Scarecrow”, which I played constantly during the summer of ‘85. It was one of the CDs in my car that made me break out the drumsticks at stoplights. Yes, I mean that literally. I had drumstick in my car at one point, and for that CD, they were essential. Especially for the bridge in “Justice and Independence ‘85″.

You can read the article at vanityfair.com, and I’ve attached it to this post for posterity as well.
Read the rest of this entry »

As reflected in my “Now Playing” sidebar, I’m in the mood for some music from the Heartland. I’ve recently read a very interesting article in Vanity Fair about Mellencamp and it’s made me dust off his music (can one really dust off an MP3 file?) and put it on heavy rotation. This is some great stuff. I really have fond and strong memories attached to the music on “Scarecrow”, which I played constantly during the summer of ‘85. It was one of the CDs in my car that made me break out the drumsticks at stoplights. Yes, I mean that literally. I had drumstick in my car at one point, and for that CD, they were essential. Especially for the bridge in “Justice and Independence ‘85″.

You can read the article at vanityfair.com, and I’ve attached it to this post for posterity as well.
Read the rest of this entry »

Although I did not watch the show, I guess there were two big deals about the Grammy’s last weekend. One being a performance by and the announcement of a reunion tour of the Police, and the other being a broad sweep of awards going to the Dixie Chicks. And both have me thinking and wondering.
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My my my it’s a beautiful world
I like driving in my car
Roll the top down, sometimes I travel quite far
Drive to the ocean, stare up at the stars
I like driving in my car

All around is anger, automatic guns
It’s death in large numbers, no respect for women, or our little ones
I tried talking to Jesus, but He just put me on hold
Said He’d been swamped by calls this week
And He couldn’t shake His cold

And still this emptiness persists
Perhaps this is as good as it gets
When you’ve given up the drink, and those nasty cigarettes
Now I leave the party early, at least with no regrets
I watch the sun as it comes up, I watch it as it sets
Yeah this is as good as it gets

Listen to it here.

My my my it’s a beautiful world
I like driving in my car
Roll the top down, sometimes I travel quite far
Drive to the ocean, stare up at the stars
I like driving in my car

All around is anger, automatic guns
It’s death in large numbers, no respect for women, or our little ones
I tried talking to Jesus, but He just put me on hold
Said He’d been swamped by calls this week
And He couldn’t shake His cold

And still this emptiness persists
Perhaps this is as good as it gets
When you’ve given up the drink, and those nasty cigarettes
Now I leave the party early, at least with no regrets
I watch the sun as it comes up, I watch it as it sets
Yeah this is as good as it gets

Listen to it here.

With a subtle nudge by Bart Simpson, I’ve downloaded and have been listening to ‘Elephant’, a 2003 release by a duo known as ‘The White Stripes’. It’s fun, bouncy, and eclectic. It’s got a hint of the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, and a good dose of punk. It’s actually working… it’s pulling me out of my funk. That alone merits posting. Check it out.

The encroaching shades of gray skies and the bite of chilly mornings means one thing: It’s time for Tull. As I’ve referenced in an earlier post about seasonal music, when the winter lies ahead, and as the journey into this chilly phase of the year begins, an ideal choice of music so befitting the time between Halloween and the thaw of spring is Jethro Tull. There’s something about their sound, and the use of woodwinds and lyrical imagery, that just fits this time of year.

What can I say, I’m a child of the 70’s and have a sincere respect for the lyrical prowess of Bernie Taupin. Although my tastes had drifted when the ‘Captain Fantastic’ recording was first released, I came to circle back around to the entire Elton John catalog many years later, and consider that one of their finest efforts.

The release of ‘The Captain and the Kid’ expressly picks up on the auto-biographical nature of the first, and I have to admin, almost as a guilty pleasure, i’m enjoying the hell out of it! I can’t say that there’s any significant change in musical style from the last 3 releases, but this one does slightly ‘echo back’ to the sounds of the earlier songs, and the lyrics, well, it’s like listening to a musical version of ‘Behind the Music’.

I’d never been a big Jackson Browne fan growing up, although there were a few songs I liked, and “Running on Empty” is one of the few 45’s I remember owning. I stumbled across this recent acoustic release and thought i’d give it a try, and I’m quite impressed. This is a well played and heart felt solo session, with entertaining quips and comments interspersed between the selections. It has a small club sound and feel, and many of the lyrics, especially those of ‘Lives In The Balance‘, are as politically powerful and timely today as they were so many years ago.
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One way or another, we’ll all need each other
Nothing’s gonna turn out the way you thought it would
But friends and lovers, don’t you duck and cover
Cause everything comes out the way it should
Read the rest of this entry »

One way or another, we’ll all need each other
Nothing’s gonna turn out the way you thought it would
But friends and lovers, don’t you duck and cover
Cause everything comes out the way it should
Read the rest of this entry »

As an old friend once said, music can be seasonal. Example: Jethro Tull is really good winter music but doesn’t fit into a day at the beach. Or Steely Dan… ideal for a brisk Autumn or Fall afternoon but not quite right for a cold January night. And right now, the heavy rotation on my playlist is a mix of Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire. It’s the perfect music for a drive in the summer sun, or relaxing on the patio with a cool evening breeze.

Я испуган я имеет плохия новости. Верхний источник для моего собрания нот может идти прочь. Дни Thier могут быть пронумерованы.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/30/allofmp3_illegal/