For those who long for the sea

In case you hadn't heard, when they were working on the Pirates of the Carribean movies, the director and actors sought inspiration and, finding it in music, had it collected in a two disc set.

Find it and others here.

Note that John C. Reilly (sp?) has a song...
I think he should quit his day job becasue his singing of shanties is much better than any acting I have seen him do.

Enjoy, fellow riders of the Great Wave.

Dawn

A lot of changes going on, brothers and sisters.

I think I already explained that I was moving to the day shift at work and as of Monday have done so - to a dramatic and welcome change.

I have been getting up around 7 or 8 all week, working long hours that speed busily by, and been blessed with the product of the culinary skill of my lady wife (see Emily is an amazing cook, she just hates to do it. And seeing as she made me more than a few meals since switching shifts, I am exponentialy lucky this week). I like being busy and though am tired and somewhat irritable at the end of the day (sorry, Em), feel as if something has actually happened. And the river of time slows to a babbling brook in dappled light.

This is in addition to the approaching semester (one class this Fall, two in the Spring) and the coming of Autumn. I was driving across the Washington Ave. bridge and smelled the scent of sweetgrass on the river flats loosened and lifted by the rising fogs from the weeks rain.

AND...

Two of my most recommendable musical... groups(?) are releasing albums on Tuesday - Ray Lamontagne (a very secretive man, it seems) and The Roots (both linked above) - and from what I have heard of each, they are going to be purchases instead of something borrowed. That is, to some degree, a rarety these days. Unfortunately, neither is coming to town any time soon.

But if they were, they should get their wine and Belgian beer at Haskell's (also a link) in Saint Paul (good segue, huh?). I went there last night once again and stood befuddled as to what to try next. They have a massive selection and may even rival Surdyk's... Yeah, I said it... for quality of selection. They even have a bunch of the more popular ones in a cooler. This is in addition to their huge variety of liqours and wines, an in-store cheese shop, and a variety of odd crackers and imported food-y thingies - for lack of anything better to call them. They let you make a six pack of a variety of micro- and import brews and there people help you select wines instead of relying on wine magazine ratings. And if you are Beastie Boys fans, then they have the biggest selection of Chateauneuf du Papes I have seen in the city.

And for those who wonder why in hell I am hyping a place of business like an advertisement... I like to see places I appreciate do well...

Which reminds me... have I told you about Tea Source?

Maybe next time...

P.S. A late entry made it in as the video this week. It is a car-bike thing that I desperately want. You'll just have to ignore the eccentricities of the shows hosts.

Folk Festival Review

Emily and I and a friend from her workplace went to the Minneapolis Folk Festival yesterday at the Acadia Cafe (on Nicollet and Franklin). The venue was strange, but sufficient, I guess, for this sort of thing. Their beer selection was really quite good (a few Belgians and microbrews on tap and lambic in the bottle), though hugely overpriced.

The music:
Roma di Luna was just about to start their set when we sat down and they grew in my esteem. Though Alexei (the husband of the duo) still hasn't really found his voice in the way that I am sure he eventually will, his lyrics show the promise of good things to come. He also has a sensibility with the guitar that will develop as keep playing. Channy's voice is distinctive (though reminiscent of a lot of good female vocalists intermixed) and her songwriting abilities and skill with the violin really make the show. Keep an eye on them.

The second act was The Hogtown Stompers and I expected little after glancing over their website. They were fun to watch. They were a sort of swing-y, down-south hillbilly-sounding band complete with kazoos, banjo, fiddle, and a bass guitar made of a bucket, string, and stick. Their lyrics were humorous in their crassness and emphasis on infidelity and intoxication and the lead vocalist seemed at least a close cousin to the "Orchid Thief" character from Charlie Kaufman's "Adaptation." I wouldn't buy an album, but I might go see them as part of a festival for the novelty.

Third was a band, The Get Up Johns, that I expected about as much from as I did the Hogtown stompers. Another website-skimming told me that they are very, very bluegrass in voice and instrumentation and I normally run screaming from that sort of thing. But damn, were they good. They made me - if only for the hour they performed - somehow love bluegrass. And though I still would only buy an album as nostalgia for the performance, the show was phenomenal. Both musicians were so amazingly good at what they did, it was very apparent that they both were doing what they loved and as they might say, making the most of what the good Lord gave 'em. I will say that if you like bluegrass, you won't help but to see more of them.

The last bit we caught was Patrick Tearney before we went home to rest. Talk about bad positioning in the line-up. Being that he is more of a coffeehouse-style musician, he should have played way earlier in the set regardless of his experience and skill. After the speed, skill, and power of the Get Up Johns, and the huge change of pace, the poor guy couldn't help but to bring everyone down off of their high with very obviously felt emotional tunes that one had to be in the mood for. So I will pass judgment on him after a show where he is more in his element.

So that is my amateur review of what I saw and heard. It is good to see that a folk movement is happening in the area and I hope there will be some more of this sort of event in the future.

Musical explorations

With the feeling mentioned below, the computer beckoned me to scour its depths for new music to listen to this fall (new for me, if not others).

So here are some down-tempo electronic ecommendations:

Sia - She was a vocalist for Zero 7 as well as featured a couple of times on Sx Feet Under (the TV show). I didn't know she had solo work until today. Beautiful work. And she is touring with them - going to be here on Sept. 9th.

Boards of Canada - Out of Scotland actually. They are blood in the same vein as Air, Sia, Zero 7, etc, but they have heavier beats and lack the vocals.

Tosca - I have mentioned them before, but they are definitely worth mentioning again.

And some other stuff fitting the mod if you are interested:

The Album Leaf - Instrumental space rock.

Matt Pond PA - I have yet to digest their new-er album but what I have heard makes good on earlier musical promises.

Joze Gonzales - Just click up there on the left for a listen.

A little more uptempo but very, very, very good is:

The Two Gallants - which are... well... Dylan-esque, Black Keys-ish, White Stripe-aliscious but so much more than comparisons can capture. Check them out, damn it!

The Coming of the Fall

The weather we have been having seems to herald the coming of Autumn.

There is a definite sense of anticipation for the fall and it may harken back to the days of preparation for school (maybe "harken back" is not fitting considering that classes still start for me in a couple of weeks).

I love all of the feelings the fall brings.
The feeling of welcome as one moves from a chill walk to sit in a car warmed by the sun or into a house warmed by a fireplace...
Though I have none, I love the smell from neighboring houses as I walk about kicking through the leaves...
The leaves. I wished that no one raked them up that I might feel and hear and somehow taste them without tasting them. Their ruddiness reminds me of the music...
The music. There is no music that feels more fitting to me than when it fits the Fall mood. Whether it be the lulling sounds of Fiona Apple or Portishead's records scratching...
Scratching like the wool on my face as I tuck my chin into the folds of my scarf, my capped head tipped into the biting wind. And right now I can almost taste the food.
The foods of fall - the tubers and stews and meats and sauces and squash and apples and cinnamon - wrapping both hands tightly around a cup of something hot and, eyes closed, trying to catch the wisps of steam on my face.

Welcome, fall. You are so, so welcome.

Upcoming Events

I updated the list with some shows that I am rather excited about.

A Week in the Life

It was an eventful and relaxing weekend... for me.

Saturday, Emily, Ike, and I swung down to the Irish Fair on Harriet Island and it was a damn good time. The music by Gaelic Storm and Scythian was better live than their recordings and Emily and I strolled through the crafts areas chatting with the the craftspeople, making return trips to the food areas to refresh cups and eat Americanized "traditional" Irish food with names like Dublin Dogs (tried), Babies' Heads (didn't try), Soda Bread (I have had it before and it was great, but it was crap there) and Corned Beef Poppers (unfortunatley, didn't try)... but being washed down with Finnegan's made what we ate taste that much better for me. All the while, Ike snatched up bits from the ground and collected little coos from passers-by. He seemed pretty in-his-element and given that he is a... Boston Terrier...

By the way, Harriet Island, when an event is going on, is how I envision a good Saint Paul to be. I really, really, wish they would focus more attention on the river front. If you have a chance to go down there (even sans event) it is a nice little stroll... and houseboats are AWESOME!

So, given the spirit of the day, I found and posted a "live" performance of my favorite Irsh traditional folk band, Lunasa. They blow any other Irish folk band I have heard completely out of the water. Luckily they haven't decided they can sing, so they are up on most musically-talented, yet vocally-inept Irish bands. I highly recommend listening to them on a Saturday afternoon if you have need of a reason to get off your ass and get something done or when you need background for one of the Charles de Lint books you are reading due to my infectious admiration for him...
no?...
maybe someday...

As of late, Emily and I are taking some advantage of the good weather and our time together and have spent a couple of afternoon hours lazing about, reading, in the grass behind our place with Ike. That is the picture of us as we tried to make the camera work right ( that should explain the looks on our faces... well, maybe not Ike's.

And finally, I had thought I had promoted this before, but mybe not, so check out the Weekly Other Thing" there on the side bar or simply the link on the right labeled Spring City Diary. This is my brothers chronicle of his family going to China to help open an HIV/AIDS clinic... well, just read there for yourself. It is primarily about the experience of the journey and his impressions of such and since he has always been skilled with "the word" it is a good read. Plus he and his wife are great photographers, so enjoy the images.

...and as a "Bonus Thing," someone showed me a video of Brian Regan, a comedian whose name I always forget, but find particularly funny... but beware, my taste in Comedy has been criticised over the years... and he is only really good when on a roll (like in this clip). Saw him on Conan, I think, and he tanked.

I wish I was surprised

US 'knew of Israel bombing plan'

For lack of knowledge

I am sometimes humbled by the realization of all that I will never know.

...the details of science and technology- the product of millenia of thoughts that are taken for granted at every moment... even now as I portray language to you through a near unimaginable number of switches clicking on and off.

...the life and emotions and sacredness of every other soul that one passes every day, especially in the city. One sees thousands upon thousands and never gives more than a passing thought (or often a passing finger) to their lives even though it must be known that their hearts are just as valuable as ones own.

...the history of so many peoples lost to time and blood. Their names and individual stories and brilliant thoughts that will never be passed on because we believe that truth is now written not spoken or sung.

...the inner workings of space and time and the universe are so unfathomable as to make the logic of their mechanisms ever incomprehensible, but the awe at their mystery worth the imaginations of generations of generation of generations.

So I am starting to come to terms with the notion that I will never know everything...
as much as I might want to...
and as many wikipedia entries I read .

But I am glad that we, as these generations of generations of generations, have individually focused on what we love, because that is all that matters.

The Burning Cedar of Lebanon

I will not take a side on this issue.

There is too much involved about which I will never know.

But I will say that this is so deeply saddening to see a nation that has just begun to reseed itself after the last burning have its shoots scorched once again...

and I have lost a lot of faith in and hope for the nation of Israel.

Hatred and Pain are gluttons, fed by the fork of religious fervor.

Weeklies

The music is a band that I saw this weekend after hearing them on the Twin Town High CD I got at last week's release party at the Turf Club. Damn good stuff.

The place is the Irish Fair to which I will be going this weekend. You should all go whoever you are as it promises to be fun and I read that they are to have corned beef and cabbage on a stick. Only here in the midwest, friends.

And the picture is the Faerie Ring that sprouted up at Emily's parents' place. The gnome was tending to them.

Late Birthday Note

From right (me, Greg, and my other brother, Erik)

Damn! I forgot to note it here (though I did call on time at least), so here is a little extra effort thrown your way:

My brother is great,
my brother is good,
And I thank him for this food.

Yup.
THAT is the kind of poetry I bring to the table... and, no, that is not a hint at brother worship. He is cool and deserves all of the respect in the world and all, but well, Jesus isn't really even Jesus to me so...


Anyway...

Here's to you. You make a brother proud.(said without slang)

That's Greg on the left, Erik on the right, and me in the middle. Sorry about the cropping, it was not my doing.

In Flux

Feel free to enjoy the new additions to the blog side bars.
They may or not be there long...

The Pandora thing is good, but will be better (at least to me) as I listen and rate tracks. Memebership is free, it is an embedded player (no downloads), and you can share it very easily. Thanks, Derek, from work!

In the Shade of Catalpas

How come in the last three months or so, the Catalpa tree has made itself apparent to me in at least six forms?

must study...

must learn...

must swing from...

Starlight shining on new eyes

Meg won a photo contest at pamperedpuppy.com.

Actually, I should say that my sister-in-law won it as we are pretty sure she is the one that took the shot.

As a side note:
Is anyone else ready for a less sterile term for someone who isn't your brother or sister, but definitely moreso than simply a friend? Stupid English language...

Anyway, Emily sent in pictures of Meg and Ike as well as their respective stories and Meg got 4th place. Odd thing is that since Meg and Ike's pics came together, they assumed that they were together at some point and falsely quoted Emily as saying that Ike missed Meg. Strange, but whatever. I am sure that if he met her he would have missed her, so its OK.