Oh, My Nola

How could you not love that man? Sigh. I needed a little music to work to. It's for the good of the house, honest.

And guess what? He's got not one but two new albums out.

Chanson du Vieux Carre

And guess what else? They're both on their way here!

Another reason I love Sirius radio.

I just realized that I have been happily singing along with Rocky Raccoon. How often do you get to hear that on the radio, huh?

Not often enough, dammit.

doo-da-doo-da-doo-da-duh-doot-dah..c'mon Rocky boy...

...The Decemberists were amazing! The opening act was, well, quirky and I was concerned that Sparky was starting to regret coming along. But once The Decemberists took the stage the whole atomosphere changed and it was heartpoundingly, brilliant music.

Besides their obvious showmanship (Colin in particular) I was impressed with the versatility and musicianship of the whole group. They all played multiple instruments and not just your run of the mill acoustic guitar but scads of wonderful and unique variations on keyboards, strings and accordians.

I was glad that I was warned about the encore. I think I would have been even more disappointed if I hadn't known there would be no Mariner's Revenge. Even being forewarned didn't take away all the disappointment but the show was as good as I had hoped or better. Even Sparky was singing along with the "anchorperson on TV."

The cost of this show, and the babysitting involved was a day with mom. Turned out to be lots of fun and I got started stamping my xmas cards.

Fun day. Loving the new album even more after the show as I hum along and create "art."

Am I the last one to find Pandora? It's a music genome project and it completely, well, rocks. Pardon the bad pun.

I am hopelessly and completely addicted and I blame Dr. Crazy. I read about it over there, doubted that anything could work so well, and bang! an addiction is born.

The fun part is while it is playing in the background,you wonder, "Hmmm. Who is that? I really like that song." Then you casually change windows so you can see who it is you're listening to and gasp in disbelief as it is someone you swore you would never listen to. Nope, no way. That's for those other people. You know...them.

But then again, you don't change the song. You just do a little discreet listening. Who's gonna find out and it really is a good song. It's like crack I tell ya.

Speaking of music--my music degree is apparently a waste since I have spent the entire afternoon getting my ass kicked by a 9 yr old at guitar hero.

A semi-annual cashing in of spare change provided the boys with two new PS2 games, a second guitar for head-to-head competition, and a hamster ('cause we needed another pet).

Ok, back to playing with Pandora. If you haven't been there go and take a look. It's amazing.

on edit: Other valuable lesson learned. Don't let Sparky make music station on Pandora....yowch!

Harry wrote me today to tell me about his new album. He does that you know because we are close and very dear friends.*

And do you know what that album is?

It's Harry on Broadway: Act I. It's Harry singing Pajama Game and Thou Shalt Not.

Some of my favorites. What a nice gift. I knew he loved me...

*Or perhaps because I am on the Harry Connick Jr. mailing list--one of those things.

I really need to step away from the computer. I was getting a bit carried away with the music store purchases. It's just so easy to get new music. Click...download. Click.....download. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

And then....

OMG!! How much did I just spend???

I got some music for the very, very long drive to Kalamazoo (like how I justify that?).

Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
Barenaked Ladies -Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits 1991-2001
John Mayer - Room for Squares

Nothing too new but just some things I didn't have and really, really needed.

just ordered james marsters' new cd civilized man.

yes, a bit geekish. but c'mon, i can't be the only one who misses spike.

i have been listening to my two new cds this afternoon and i was wondering...


how do you learn to love a cd? maybe that isn't quite the question because there are cds that i love immediately but then again, sometimes it's infatuation--i'm like that sometimes. so let me ask a little more clearly.


when you get a new cd what process do you use to "learn" it?
i usually give them a quick play through just to get the feel of them. then i peruse the lyrics (a little visual learning) and then go back and give it a closer listen maybe skipping certain songs for others.


with most cds it is a case of finding one or two songs i really enjoy and then working forward and back from there. suddenly i realize that the song that comes on right after--or right before--is pretty good as well and before long i am listening to the album as a whole.


i guess what i am getting at is that i spend time getting to know an album before i let it in. i will often play one song over and over 'til i learn all its ins and outs, the melodies and harmonies, the nuances of the lyrics, the timbre of voices and instruments.


i love downloading tunes, but i find that i just add them to the random shuffle and don't spend enough time to make them part of "the list." you know, the songs that evoke a time or a place or a feeling--the ones you have made a part of you.


just me? crazy music person? how do you "learn" a new cd? is it different when you download music? do you download whole albums or single tunes?


and if the comments are acting up again, which they seem to be doing, email me the comment and i will post it from here.

mail time!!!


my two latest cd purchases just showed up in the mail! one that i have wanted for a long time and one newer one on a recommendation.


Rilo Kiley - Take-Offs and Landings


Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
(have you heard this yet? no? then go and listen! i love, love, love this. thanks lara!!)


i am no longer feeling quite so much like smacking people. music is a good thing, yes?

know what helps with thursday morning afternoon lethargy?

finding an old favorite cd choosy mothers - headstorms

this cd is like an old friend. i thought i had lost it and it's no longer available anywhere***, so i did a little happy dance and popped it into the stereo (yes, a lot of dancing today from someone feeling so lazy--snow dance, happy dance, what next?)

also, the cd (and my "introduction" to james katz's music with and/or without choosy mothers) was actually a gift from an old friend who i have been missing--another reason finding the cd made me smile.

good find. good friend. good music.

if you ever see a copy of this cd get it right away! james katz has gone solo these days so you can always pick up his new cd. and for those that are local to nyc there are dates for local gigs on that site.

*** i found a place where you can hear some of this cd, get a little background info and purchase your very own copy!

a few new cds-three holiday and one for wallowing and drinking

today's random (-ish) ten brought to you by the paper that will never be finished:

keep coming back - edie brickell and the new bohemians
gracie - ben folds
blow, gabriel, blow - kevin kline (soundtrack from delovely)
rest in peace - once more with feeling soundtrack
blackbird - sarah mclachan
does he love you - rilo kiley
independence, indiana - eddie from ohio
tomorrow comes a day too soon - flogging molly
toast or tea - jeffrey gaines
t-shirt weather - the lucksmiths

bonus track - stupid american - eddie from ohio (just 'cause it was stuck in my head and i needed to hear it)

and yes, i am working. still not a lot of output, but things are coming together. there is a plan. and an outline. and there are quotes everywhere. so that's something.

and of course, i have a beautiful working bibliography all typed up. yes, i am odd that way. i have to do that first to get going. MLA citations just get me all giddy and charged up :-)

The "Oh Shit! I haven't packed anything yet and I have to leave tonight for vacation with my damn mother who is making me stressed and evil" edition...


You Don't Know Me - Harry Connick Jr
Rest In Peace - "Spike" - soundtrack Buffy - "Once More With Feeling"
Cabaret - Liza Minelli - Soundtrack "Cabaret"
Take Me to the River - Andrew Strong - Soundtrack "The Commitments"
Brace Yourself - Howie Day
Ding Dong Daddy - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Try a Little Tenderness - Michael Buble
You Happy Puppet - 10,000 Maniacs
Cold, Cold Heart - Norah Jones
Along Came Bialy - Nathan Lane - Soundtrack "The Producers"


appears to be soundtrack day over here! lol. I am going to have to turn it off and charge it up if I am going to survive driving to Maine with my mom and the boys.


***on edit: eee! my soundtrack to spamalot just showed up in the mail. that should make my mom crazy in the car, eh?

head over heels - to go-gos
corner of the night - billy vera
come by me - harry connick jr
reflections - tierney sutton
new slang - the shins
friends in low places - garth brooks
hazy shade of winter - simon and garfunkel
the wheel - edie brickell
what you feel - from "once more with feeling" - buffy
because i told you so - jonatha brooke

and a not so random "i've got a golden ticket" by harry connick jr and "pure imagination" by smoking pipes. hey! there's a theme, what can i say.

eek. it is way too easy to buy music online. i need to step away from the computer before i am completely broke.


pretty soon it will be just me with a pan and a little sign "will work for mp3s"

in another's eyes - garth brooks and trisha yearwood (hey, it's from my wallowing moody phase)
this ole house - brian setzer orchestra
wild flowers - ryan adams
medley: aquarius/let the sunshine in -- forest gump soundtrack
keep it gay (soundtrack from the producers) -- nathan lane/ matthew broderick
the light of a fading star - flogging molly
the way you love me - faith hill
jessie's girl - rick springfield (shut up!)
friendless summer - the lucksmiths
when i fall in love - james katz


hmmm. two country songs? sheesh. i swear the chances of that happening are slim. no really! now the fact that there is only one showtune...
see? lots of things i might not usually 'fess to. still waiting to hear what you "hide" on your mp3 player.

jonatha brooke has a new cd out!!

it's called back in the circus and i will have my hands on it within a day or two!

if you have never listened to her before you can hear all of her old cds on her site. 10 cent wings is one of my desert island cds. i never get tired of it. listen to the tracks for 10 cent wings, because i told you so, the choice...oh hell, all of them. her voice is so wonderfully sexy. love her, love her, love her!

i am going to try and give a review without gushing about wicked...but i don't know how well that will go.

if you don't know by now. i love musicals. big ones. small ones. corny ones. dramatic ones. i am happiest when belting out a showtune (just ask the poor ups man!) les miserables has always been my favorite show. i am not sure any more.

so i am going to follow the yellow brick road the grungy ol' nj transit train and go see wicked today.
i have been waiting to see this for a very long time. i read the book years ago and know the soundtrack note for note and word for word. should be a great show! my mom and i are heading in and the boys are going to stay home with hubby.

we are also going to trek over and see the cloisters which is one of my favorite places to go in the city.

weather looks great. and i am off to see the wizard a few witches ;)

he's baaaack...

look what's coming out on feb 3!!!!!!

that music, that voice, that accent, that crooked grin....
oofah. i love that man.

i love this part of getting ready! i am loading up the lyra with lots of fun music for my trip.
so....any suggestions? i am always up for some new fun music and i have extremely eclectic tastes so all suggestions are welcome.

(now i just have to remember not to sing outloud on the plane! lol)

I am not a child now.
I can take care of myself.
I mustn't let them down now-
Mustn't let them see me cry.
I'm fine.
I'm fine.
I'm too tired to listen.
I'm too old to believe:
All these childish stories.
There is no such thing as faith,
And trust,
And pixie dust.

- Jonatha Brooke I'll Try - Return to Neverland Soundtrack