This new orchestral arrangement of “Magazine,” by Kaki King is too good to pass up. Give it a listen immediately One of King’s most well known solo compositions, “Magazine”, was originally released on her 2004 album Legs to Make Us Longer, and is now given a symphonic sendup by the Porta Girevole Chamber Orchestra. The …
Month: August 2017
This tune has a modicum of stone cold coolishness. Give it a listen. With their debut Lovegame, RMR made it clear that they’re not shying away from having a little fun in the bedroom. But, turns out the guys are kinda shy after all, since they prefer those games with the lights down low. With …
Eating from your yard tip ~ there are many basils with different tastes, colors of leaves and flowers. I have it on good authority from two elderly tipsy Italian women that purple opal basil is the key to a good marinara. Both the basil flowers and leaves are edible. A traditional basil pairing is tomato, …
“Service with a smile,” the customer said sarcastically as I opened the taxicab door for him. “Two months to live. Liver is gone,” he continued, apparently referring to himself. “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said, not knowing what else to say. “Once you get to know me, you won’t be sorry.” He chuckled bleakly. …
Two weeks ago the Wall Street Journal featured an article in its Life and Arts section called, “What Happened to the Negative Review?” Writer Neil Shah posited that critics these days are less able to interview musical artists; instead, they rely on self-promotion in this digital era. Shah also wrote that critics are more likely …
My Facebook friend Sharry Debolt (nee Konopski) left this earth August 25 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was a really nice, cool gal who said very lovely things to me before and after my wife died last year. Though we had little in common besides cancer and living in the same state, …
Photos of Houston posted this morning. Lots more rain to come. https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/08/hurricane-harvey-leaves-houston-under-water/538215/ – Chuck Strom
The Atlantic’s photo section just posted these pics of the damage from Hurricane Harvey on the Texas Gulf Coast: https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/08/photos-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-harvey/538143/ Reported casualties were minimal after the first day, but it’s usually in the days and weeks following that we get a true indication of the scale of the disaster. In this case, the critical factor …
Record collectors you may know or resemble: 1) can’t admit to not knowing an obscure band or LP: “Of course I know that private press from 1978, why wouldn’t I?” 2) Never likes anything you play for them: they always need to discover it themselves, then bring it to you. 3) Hates successful bands past …
In the recent discussion about San Francisco 49ers ex-QB Colin Kaepernick’s extended vacation, the focus has been much more on the politics of the situation than what he would likely contribute on the field. Some thoughts on the latter are in order. The Kap who came within five yards of adding a sixth Lombardi Trophy …
[Ed. Note – The author first penned these words on August 24, 2013] It’s so mindblowingly remarkable how our American society survives by avoiding realities. The middle class, the poor… will give another dollar for a problem to go away for another week. “Mister, we don’t want any trouble.” “Here, take it, it’s all I …
What are the mathematical chances of 4 Navy ships suffering nearly unheard of collisions in one year? Before this most recent deadly incident with the USS John McCain killed at least ten sailors, the previous collision was a direct hit to the Captain. His sailors had to use kettle bells from the ship’s gym to …
One of the most glaringly stupid ideas I have encountered is the assumption that if the society collapses the ability to shoot a gun will be key to survival. It’s not. The real race will be to go after the libraries. When the light goes out the only way to turn them back on physically …
Being influenced by African and European music is a damn good thing. Anybody who tells you any different has no clue about Western Music. It’s like this mighty river where two other mighty rivers combine; and as rough as the waters may be, the undercurrent is even stronger. As ugly as our past is, the …
Eating from your yard tip ~ Hooray the garlic chives are in flower! Few people are more fond of invasive plants than I am, but my friend it is in your best interest to utilize the garlic chives flowers before the prolific self seeders take over the garden. The leaves and flowers are edible garlic …
This last quarter of the season – depending on where you live – when you’re really trying to make every day without rain and cold count. No wonder so many yearn for the “Endless Summer.” As an aside, I remember the first time I went to a Southern California beach – Zuma, Malibu. Driving thru …
When I hear this song, I can smell the 80s. I can taste it. You can cut the wistfulness with a butter knife; the Beatles of my generation. Now I know why my mom would get so “weird” when a particular Roy Orbison or Everly Brothers song would come on the stereo. – Steve Stav
I’ve spent a bit of time in nursing homes over the last several years. There are two things I find especially fascinating. First is what people bring with them to this one little room. The condensing down of all worldly goods to the very most meaningful. The second is the deathbed gathering of relatives. The …
After 72 years, Sir George Ivan “Van” Morrison is still wandering through buttercup summers and playing new games down in the hollow. “Transformation,” (above) a song from his upcoming album, his 37th, forms his latest summer into fall meditation. It’s gold baby, this “Transformation,” and it comes to us just as northern hemisphere leaves turn …
Thirty-five years ago I discovered ska music – in particular, Two-Tone ska music. The Selecter was one of those Two-Tone bands who were my first real introduction to ska music. As far as I know they never played Seattle – not since I’ve known of them. Really, they’ve barely set foot on US soil. Though …
Tuesday eating from your yard tip~nasturtiums add color and a little taste of black pepper to your food. The leaves, flowers and seeds are edible. I have not eaten the seeds, but I have been told you can pickle them to substitute for capers. There is nothing tricky about eating nasturtiums you can eat them …
In July 2014, I had the privilege of visiting Charlottesville, VA to see Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the University of Virginia. I remember the visit fondly, but now my memory has to take into account the events of this past weekend. I attach these photos to remind myself that, in more peaceful times, it is …
Last Thursday evening, courtesy of a generous friend in the right place, I had the privilege of seeing the Oakland A’s three rows up from home plate. I’ve had some good seats in the past, but nothing nearly as up close and personal with major league ball players as this. The seats, in what is …
The sonic fireworks for this song start at 1:02. Be sure to stick with it at least that far. The Blow’s new album, Brand New Abyss, is a lightning rod. A wild assembly of frequencies produced out of a thrust of electroacoustic punk energy, the album is a search for a new sound of rebellion …
Last weekend my wife and I went to Northwestern University to attend the musical, Tommy, by The Who. Undergraduate students performed with a nine piece band, including a french horn. I retrieved my Tommy album upon return to the abode to check the liner notes. John Entwistle is credited with the horn playing. And then …
Tuesday eating from your yard tip~ Elderberries (Sambucus canadensis) are not a berry you pick and pop in your mouth. While birds can eat elderberry off the bush, it is best for us humans to remove the seed and heat it up a bit before eating them. I pick them when the cluster droops. Harvesting …
After spending the fifth and sixth of August watching the Blue Angels fly, I ended the weekend with yet another trip to El Corazon. This time it was to see a group called the Bombpops. This quartet from Ocean City, CA, has two very charming young women fronting the band. They shared lead vocals and …
On the night of August third I ventured out to one of my favorite haunts, El Corazon. This time it was a hard core punk show with He Is Legend headlining. He Is Legend is a five-piece from Wilmington, NC with lots of hair. They are fronted by the very energetic and dynamic Schuylar Croom. …
Great Politico podcast on the current catastrophe in Venezuela, which has flown under the radar a bit with all of the other international noise going on. You know things are bad when, as a journalist, you get picked up by the secret police and regard the situation with relief. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/08/07/democracy-die-venezuela-implosion-hannah-dreier-215467 – Chuck Strom
I am not going to lie to you. I have listened to ‘Peace Like A River’ seven times tonight. This song is so beautiful it’s cutting me. “You can beat us with wires, you can beat us with chains, you can run out your rules, but you know can’t outrun the history train” This song …