Sweet Blog O'Mine

Category: Music

  • Ah, Elvis

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    Elvis Costello's voice still makes me swoon every time.  Last night's show was fantastic.  His new album definitely has a country feel to it, but some of my favorite moments last night were when he modified old favorites with a touch of the country style.  Indoor Fireworks was a natural, as was Brilliant Mistake, but I never would have predicted Every Day I Write the Book, lush with brilliant harmonies throughout the chorus.  Sigh.  And I still can't believe I didn't bring my camera.  I literally thought not to bring it, thinking I couldn't bring it in to the Beacon, somehow forgetting all the pictures I took of PJ Harvey.  Argh.  This cell phone picture is god-awful.

  • Elvis!

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  • Wise Words from Janis Joplin

    "Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got."  Amen to that, sister.

  • Lyrical Gangsta

    Have been enjoying music on the way to work these days, and finding peace, solace and strength in so many of the lyrics I've been listening to — Jill Sobule, The Pretenders, Joe Jackson, Cyndi Lauper (yes, I have an 80's problem, I know, I know) and hell, even REO Speedwagon (a.k.a. cheez whiz).  It's not necessarily the core message in the song — perhaps a snippet here or there that hits a particular thought or emotion in a given moment (I mean really, how deep can REO Speedwagon get?!).  Sometimes it's even just the little bit of happiness that comes from singing along to old favorites, like Elvis Costello (and hearing a lyric or two to identify with in there), getting a giggle from the Knack, or remembering all the times I rocked out to Chucklehead (and still not being able to hold still when I hear it).  Whatever the lyrics, I'm glad to be singing along, if only in my head — and because I'm the a cappella dork I am, it's usually the harmony rather than the melody.

  • Music for your Mood

    I've been listening to a lot of music lately — to soothe, to inspire, to heal, to calm, to let go, to strengthen.  I've even revisited this, which does many of those things all at once.  I still find that, for me, Elvis Costello is the best balm out there, and I'm looking forward to seeing him live on June 10th.

  • Lessons from Joe Strummer

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    I was out the other night at a brown booze "Tweetup" (yes, I'm that dorky — if you want more where that came from, follow me on Twitter) and was telling someone my Joe Strummer story.  I have always been a Clash fan and also really got into Global a Go Go when he was part of Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.  In 2002 (I think), Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros played a few nights at St. Ann's Warehouse in Dumbo.  I bought a pair of tickets assuming that someone would be interested.  I asked tons of people, but even those who were interested had conflicts that night.  Alas, when the night came I had no takers.  I debated for a while — I had never gone to a show by myself, and I was definitely uncomfortable with the idea, but I ended up going.  It was an absolutely amazing show — it blew me away.  A few months later, Joe Strummer died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart defect.  I am so grateful that I got to see him at that show.

    I actually learned the same lessons I carried away from the Joe Strummer story much earlier in my life.  My uncle lived in Washington when I was in college in Boston.  At one point, he sent me a check for train fare so I could come and visit him.  I kept meaning to come down, but I was always too busy.  As I think back now, I can't even remember what I was too busy doing — being in college, I suppose.  Classes, schoolwork, rehearsals or weekend gigs with my singing group, my boyfriend.  Time went by.  The next time I saw my uncle was when he was in a coma after an accident — I had come to say goodbye before he was taken off of life support.

    Never pass up an opportunity if you can make it happen.  Don't let your comfort zone restrict you.  Always make time for the people and things that are important to you in life — you don't know what tomorrow will bring.

    Photo by bassheaduk via Flickr

  • This, I Believe

    – Sunshine has healing powers, as does a long run, and the blossoms of spring. 
    – The internet can be a tough place sometimes.
    – Carol King is a wise woman.
    – Soft shell crabs can be a reminder that if you shed off your old skin, you can become something quite special, and often delicious.  They also pair quite nicely with a glass of white wine and the Beatles White Album.

  • Mental Note

    In the future, try not to schedule morning runs on garbage pickup days in the summer.  Blech.

  • Swoon

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    Now that this mess is over ($600 and a new refrigerator later), I was able to enjoy myself a little last night. Sure, my stomach is still recovering, but I was well enough to head out to Jones Beach with Caroline to see one of my all-time favorite concert lineups — Elvis Costello and the Police. Elvis started early and didn't play nearly long enough for my taste, but he sounded as fantastic as ever. The Police, who I saw back in November, were still amazing in my book. Sure, they lowered the key on some of their songs, but I'll cut them a little slack after 20+ years. And Sting . . . sigh. Damn he looks amazing — he's in his mid 50's and is still hot enough to take off his shirt and have the ladies drooling. Must be all that yoga. Many thanks to Caroline for the company and the VIP treatment!

  • Yaz!

    After Sunday’s trip back to the 80’s, I took another trip last night to see Yaz at Terminal 5.  After having “Nobody’s Diary” in my head all day, I was so excited that they opened their set with it!  Alison Moyet sounded pretty damn good.  Once again, the floodgates of my memory were opened, not just with the songs like “Situation,” “In My Room,” “Goodbye Seventies,” “Midnight,” “Bad Connection,” but so many others I had forgotten about — “Ode to Boy,” “Bring Your Love Down (Didn’t I),” and “Walk Away from Love” (how could I forget that one!?).  There was a bit of a false start to “Midnight” as she started in the wrong key (um,  Fourth of July, anyone?), but otherwise I was pretty impressed with the show — the crowd was fantastic.  Roopa, Rumona, Andrea and I ended up on the upper level having our own little dance party in the corner, and I ran into Jules and Leah for the second time in less than a week!  All that and I even got to bed early, which is a must as the tri is on Sunday.  Going to pick up my race packet today!