Sunday, May 25, 2003
Those of you with a (very) keen eye will have noticed that I added an e-mail link (please use it!) and that I reduced the font size slightly. At this rate I’ll have mastered HTML formatting in just 10 years or so.
Last night I saw the new Jim Carrey movie ‘Bruce Almighty'. Mediocre movie; great movie title.
For the first time in six weeks, I’m not currently listening to any Phish CDs. Anyway, here’s what now loaded in my CD player:
1) Bright Eyes – LIFTED or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
I got this CD when I noticed it appearing on a few critics’ ‘best of 2002’ lists. I now see it as further proof that you should not believe everything you read. Bright Eyes is 22 year old singer/songwriter Conner Oberst, and this is his sixth release since 1998. He appears to be a good songwriter, but that fact is obscured by the album's (lack of) production, as it sounds like it was recorded on a boom box in somebody's garage, with (very) unpolished vocals and botched guitar. Any talent is well hidden here.
2) Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue
I’ve read that this is the best selling jazz album of all time, and rightfully so. Smooth and relaxing while never boring, I want everybody I know to have a copy of this CD. While the original 1959 release had just 5 songs, my remastered version includes an alternate take of ‘Flamenco Sketches’. A true masterpiece.
3) The Album Leaf/On!Air!Library! – A Lifetime Or More
My friend Dave & I went to a Sigur Ros show a while back, and The Album Leaf was the opening band. Dave grabbed this CD (after a few too many Kilt Lifters) at the end of the show. Turns out it’s an EP (extended play) that has 3 songs by The Album Leaf and three by On!Air!Library!. The Album Leaf plays mostly agreeable new-age/ambient music, dominated by electronic piano. On!Air!Library! sounds somewhat similar, but they throw in some strange moaning vocals.
4) Neil Young – Silver & Gold
When I was just a little kid my dad once said to me “Son, never trust anyone who doesn’t like Neil Young”. Actually, he never said that and to my knowledge doesn’t know who Neil Young is, but that’s the kinda thing I wish he’d have said. This largely overlooked 2000 album finds Neil playing mostly acoustic and mostly solo, and pleasantly so. While this disc clearly doesn’t stand among Neil’s best efforts (what does?), even average Neil Young is pretty good.
5) Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
While it doesn’t have the loud guitars or crowd-pleasing sound of 2001’s Gold, I think this solo debut (circa 2000) of the former Whiskeytown singer carries more emotional heft. Highly recommended.
6) Bob Marley & The Wailers - Uprising
I remember first hearing this album while playing hackeysack at University Park (in beautiful Grand Forks, ND) while in college. This 1980 album turned out to be Marley’s last, as he died a year later. While many are content with his greatest hits album (Legend), digging a little deeper holds great rewards. This album is a good place to start.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
Peter Tosh – Wanted Dread & Alive
After listening to the Bob Marley CD described above, I pulled out this solo record by one of the original Wailers. This one’s got more of an R&B fell to it, with some rock guitar solos. Tosh’s voice is not as rich as Marley’s, but a good record nonetheless.
The Elevators - Frontline
After hearing this 1980 album one time in college, I bought it some six years later for 50 cents at Zia (the price tag is still on it). The Elevators were a Boston area band that copped the sound of The Cars, and this was their first and last record. These days, it sounds dated but quaint, in a time capsule sort of way.
Last night I saw the new Jim Carrey movie ‘Bruce Almighty'. Mediocre movie; great movie title.
For the first time in six weeks, I’m not currently listening to any Phish CDs. Anyway, here’s what now loaded in my CD player:
1) Bright Eyes – LIFTED or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
I got this CD when I noticed it appearing on a few critics’ ‘best of 2002’ lists. I now see it as further proof that you should not believe everything you read. Bright Eyes is 22 year old singer/songwriter Conner Oberst, and this is his sixth release since 1998. He appears to be a good songwriter, but that fact is obscured by the album's (lack of) production, as it sounds like it was recorded on a boom box in somebody's garage, with (very) unpolished vocals and botched guitar. Any talent is well hidden here.
2) Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue
I’ve read that this is the best selling jazz album of all time, and rightfully so. Smooth and relaxing while never boring, I want everybody I know to have a copy of this CD. While the original 1959 release had just 5 songs, my remastered version includes an alternate take of ‘Flamenco Sketches’. A true masterpiece.
3) The Album Leaf/On!Air!Library! – A Lifetime Or More
My friend Dave & I went to a Sigur Ros show a while back, and The Album Leaf was the opening band. Dave grabbed this CD (after a few too many Kilt Lifters) at the end of the show. Turns out it’s an EP (extended play) that has 3 songs by The Album Leaf and three by On!Air!Library!. The Album Leaf plays mostly agreeable new-age/ambient music, dominated by electronic piano. On!Air!Library! sounds somewhat similar, but they throw in some strange moaning vocals.
4) Neil Young – Silver & Gold
When I was just a little kid my dad once said to me “Son, never trust anyone who doesn’t like Neil Young”. Actually, he never said that and to my knowledge doesn’t know who Neil Young is, but that’s the kinda thing I wish he’d have said. This largely overlooked 2000 album finds Neil playing mostly acoustic and mostly solo, and pleasantly so. While this disc clearly doesn’t stand among Neil’s best efforts (what does?), even average Neil Young is pretty good.
5) Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
While it doesn’t have the loud guitars or crowd-pleasing sound of 2001’s Gold, I think this solo debut (circa 2000) of the former Whiskeytown singer carries more emotional heft. Highly recommended.
6) Bob Marley & The Wailers - Uprising
I remember first hearing this album while playing hackeysack at University Park (in beautiful Grand Forks, ND) while in college. This 1980 album turned out to be Marley’s last, as he died a year later. While many are content with his greatest hits album (Legend), digging a little deeper holds great rewards. This album is a good place to start.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
Peter Tosh – Wanted Dread & Alive
After listening to the Bob Marley CD described above, I pulled out this solo record by one of the original Wailers. This one’s got more of an R&B fell to it, with some rock guitar solos. Tosh’s voice is not as rich as Marley’s, but a good record nonetheless.
The Elevators - Frontline
After hearing this 1980 album one time in college, I bought it some six years later for 50 cents at Zia (the price tag is still on it). The Elevators were a Boston area band that copped the sound of The Cars, and this was their first and last record. These days, it sounds dated but quaint, in a time capsule sort of way.
Sunday, May 18, 2003
This is my first post, as I only recently discovered what a Blog is. Anyway, here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:
1) Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
This is the long awaited new Radiohead album due to be released in June (please don't ask how I got it already). The web reviews I've read are calling it a classic; I'm not so sure. Sounds like it's somewhere in between OK Computer and Kid A. Jury is still out on this one. Attention friends: If you don't already know who Radiohead is, you probably won't like them.
2) White Stripes - Elephant
Already my favorite album released this year. The sound is fleshed out (as compared to their last album) with keyboards and bass and (by their standards) lavish production. Good stuff.
3) Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears
First listen tells me that Lucinda's latest sounds a lot like her last one, albeit a little more bluesy than Essance was. Not bad, but not great either. Perhaps this one will grow on me.
4) Phish - Live Phish Vol. 13 Disc 2
At last count I had something like 18 CD's worth of live Phish music. Purely overkill, but I do like the band. This one includes a live version of The Beatle's "White Album". Not their best, but still kinda fun.
5) Phish - Live Phish Vol. 14 Disc 3
See 4) above. This one includes Phish's live version of the Who's "Quadrophenia". A much stronger effort than Vol. 13 (see above). Looking forward to the local Phish show on July 7th. Highly recommended for those that can stand the heat.
6) Bill Frisell - The Willies
A friend recently travelled to Oakland to see Bill Frisell perform. That kinda got me interested in this jazz guitarist again. On this 2002 album he again delves into folk/country/roots music. Pretty cool.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
While my wife was out of the house for a while this weekend, I pulled out two of the most difficult and inaccessible albums that I own (that alone is saying something). Here they are:
Pat Methaney & Ornette Coleman - Song X
I bought this jazz album in 1986 and have only listened to it a few times. Improvisational free jazz guaranteed to clear the room at most any party, yet I find it interesting (most would call it noise).
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica
This album was released in 1967, but I didn't buy it until 1985 or so. It's the kind of album widely lauded as a classic but seldom actually listened to. Blues & free jazz with Beefheart's vocals that sound like some kind of wild animal. This one will probably go back on the shelf for a few years.
OK..enough babbling for today. Pretty pathetic, huh?
1) Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
This is the long awaited new Radiohead album due to be released in June (please don't ask how I got it already). The web reviews I've read are calling it a classic; I'm not so sure. Sounds like it's somewhere in between OK Computer and Kid A. Jury is still out on this one. Attention friends: If you don't already know who Radiohead is, you probably won't like them.
2) White Stripes - Elephant
Already my favorite album released this year. The sound is fleshed out (as compared to their last album) with keyboards and bass and (by their standards) lavish production. Good stuff.
3) Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears
First listen tells me that Lucinda's latest sounds a lot like her last one, albeit a little more bluesy than Essance was. Not bad, but not great either. Perhaps this one will grow on me.
4) Phish - Live Phish Vol. 13 Disc 2
At last count I had something like 18 CD's worth of live Phish music. Purely overkill, but I do like the band. This one includes a live version of The Beatle's "White Album". Not their best, but still kinda fun.
5) Phish - Live Phish Vol. 14 Disc 3
See 4) above. This one includes Phish's live version of the Who's "Quadrophenia". A much stronger effort than Vol. 13 (see above). Looking forward to the local Phish show on July 7th. Highly recommended for those that can stand the heat.
6) Bill Frisell - The Willies
A friend recently travelled to Oakland to see Bill Frisell perform. That kinda got me interested in this jazz guitarist again. On this 2002 album he again delves into folk/country/roots music. Pretty cool.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
While my wife was out of the house for a while this weekend, I pulled out two of the most difficult and inaccessible albums that I own (that alone is saying something). Here they are:
Pat Methaney & Ornette Coleman - Song X
I bought this jazz album in 1986 and have only listened to it a few times. Improvisational free jazz guaranteed to clear the room at most any party, yet I find it interesting (most would call it noise).
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica
This album was released in 1967, but I didn't buy it until 1985 or so. It's the kind of album widely lauded as a classic but seldom actually listened to. Blues & free jazz with Beefheart's vocals that sound like some kind of wild animal. This one will probably go back on the shelf for a few years.
OK..enough babbling for today. Pretty pathetic, huh?
