Great World of Sound

Over my holiday break from school, I've found various ways to amuse myself. One of the ways that I typically find to enjoy myself is by watching countless movies- good ones, bad ones, all of them. A preview of my Netflix history would inform you about my schedule during the year. For the first time in several months, I'm without a movie to watch. They typically sadly pile up on the table (yes, I'm one of those junkies that must have 3 at a time, all the time). Today, I didn't receive one in the mail and actually, I sent one back in.

While watching some ridiculous "indie" romantic comedy this past week (yes, we all have our weaknesses), we came across a preview for a movie called Great World of Sound. I was intrigued by the premise, as it involved music producers and aspirational musicians. As the preview played on, I had to essentially freeze frame each shot because it dawned on me that this film not only took place in Charlotte (my hometown), but involved many of the folks I knew from back home.

Here watch it.



Of course, I immediately logged on and moved it to the top of my list. It is a beautiful movie and I commend those folks I know that worked on this film.

Top Five of December...

The top five for December. Enjoy.


1. Portions for Foxes- Rilo Kiley















I don't remember when it was that I heard Rilo Kiley for the very first time, but I do remember being compelled by a singer that I felt understood what it was like to be a girl like me. I had long grown tired of the whisper-y, throat-y, delicate sounding vocals of female pop stars. And imagine my additional delight when I saw Rilo Kiley play for the first time and I discovered Jenny Lewis could actually play instruments. My love affair with Rilo Kiley began then. I only met both Jenny and Blake once at a Bright Eyes show in New York. It was at the beginning of their climb and I talked with Blake about how endearing he found the whole Saddle Creek crew.

This album in particular will always be one of my favorite Rilo Kiley releases. The reasons are far too complicated, but I enjoy it, from track to track- still to this day. One night, I remember three friends blasting it out of car radio on a dead-end street while dancing around the car.

"I keep on talking trash, but I never say anything."


2. You Get Yours- Bright Eyes and Britt Daniel & Spoon















The picture is undoubtedly not from the Oberst and Daniel version that recorded this particular song. The four track ep that this song comes from is beautiful for its immaturity on the part of both artists. What feels like many, many years ago, I made a trip to Wilmington to see Bright Eyes, Sorry about Dresden, and Britt Daniel perform. Britt Daniel at the time was performing solo with only a boom box of his recorded music as accompaniment. It was beautiful. And there is nothing better than "vintage" Oberst where he screams like a young man in pain into the microphone in the background.


3. Don't Misunderstand- Nancy Wilson










It was in this last year that Nancy Wilson entered my world. No, not that Nancy Wilson, but Nancy Wilson, the jazz songstress. I desperately wanted Wilson to end up on the holiday mix, but with numerous cuts and editing, she didn't make the cut. I could only make it up to her by putting her on the next top of ____ list following the holiday.


4. Wonderwall- Oasis



















Every now and then I like to revisit songs from the past, songs that I can vividly remember listening to when the stereo turned up all the way on some long Sunday drive back to school. I imagine these are the types of songs that I'll be listening to as "oldies" when I'm many years from now. And honestly, I don't care what anyone says, I adore this song.


5. New Year's Resolution- Otis Redding















It's true. I'm in love with Otis Redding right now. I can't help myself. And what better way to round out the end of the year of music, but with a thematic tune to help think about what will happen in the next 12 months. You can listen to the song below.

Multicollinearity: Holiday Music for Nerds

Here is the 2008 holiday mix.

Bye Bye Bye- Plants and Animals
Some Kinda Love- The Velvet Underground
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right- Bob Dylan
Sun Down- Nik Freitas
Everyone I Know Is Listening to Crunk- Lightspeed Champion
I Wanna Be Like You- The Morning Benders
You Have to Be Joking- The Flaming Lips
Teenage Kicks- Nouvelle Vague
Yeah Sapphire- The Hold Steady
Geography- Thao
Trouble In Mind- Sister Rosetta Tharpe
My Only Offer- Mates of State
Calling and Not Calling My Ex- Okkervil River
The Worm In the Apple- Ezra Furman and the Harpoons
I've Been Loving You Too Long- Otis Redding


I've also posted a link to the iMix in case you'd like to find the songs online or you forgot to thank me sometime in the last 5 years.

Top Five of November

Here we go...the top five of November...


1. Tabula Rasa- Rig 1



















Here's the thing. I don't really know anything about Rig 1. A few weeks ago, I attended the Conor Oberst and Mystic Valley performance in Atlanta. Upon arriving at the venue, I walked in and noticed that a fella was on stage "popping and locking." At first glance, I thought it was Conor himself. For some reason, I quickly decided that standing in the beer line was more necessary. So, I missed their entire set. And to be honest, it isn't really my style, though I can say it is interesting.

So, how did it end up in the top five? There are numerous reasons, though mostly, because my mom and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the fellas from the band at the hotel after the show. They were all friendly and funny. They gave us t-shirts and stickers. They listened to us talk about a myriad of things, while feigning interest. Plus I figured they could use a shout out.

2. I Melt With You- Nouvelle Vague


















If I know little about Rig 1, I know even less about Nouvelle Vague. But I can say this, I can't get enough of their cover songs. They are beautiful. This song in particular will always remind me of watching the movie, Valley Girl. I immediately fell in love with this song, who didn't?


3. Say Yes- Elliott Smith



















In an attempt to re-populate my Itunes library, I came across this album. Thankfully Tim still had the cd. I think my copy surprisingly was broken in some late night situation back in the St. Julien days. I thought cds were suppose to be indestructible? Wasn't that the selling point? Regardless, I came across this song- and I have the most banal memory. I was sitting in my truck, backing up in the driveway across my old apartment- listening to this song. It must have been 1998. That's it. I don't know what else it is attached with- just that moment. It's a fantastic song nonetheless.



4. Slip Away- Clarence Carter














Oh, how my Itunes Genius knows me. I was scrolling through suggestions earlier this month- and there it was. Genius informed me that I should love this song. And guess what? I do. But why not Strokin'? Why not, Genius?



5. Cocaine Blues- Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison
















I'm not having any type of wild graduate school experience, but rather I've become completely compelled by this particular performance lately. It might have something to do with public television in Nashville. A few nights in a row, they featured documentaries about Johnny Cash. One was about this performance. Can you imagine the sheer excitement of this concert?


So, what is happening with this list this month? It feels completely disjointed and odd to say the least. It has to do with the fact I've been writing and reading non-stop for the last month. It also has to do with the preparation of my annual holiday cd. I didn't want to expend all of my energy on this month at the detriment of my the holiday mix. So, check the mailbox, it'll be there soon enough.

We are the Champions!

Congratulations Obama and Biden!

I never knew I felt patriotic. Not until tonight.

Hint: Play Queen's "We are the Champions."

Top Five for October (plus one runner-up)...

Right, so I had trouble narrowing down- and this is even after dropping a song from Blonde on Blonde off the list...Again, in no particular order...


1. Fever- Takka Takka














For some reason, I like this song. I know that is a terrible way to start out an introduction, but this is the thing- I don't know the first thing about this band. Even upon downloading this picture of them, I thought, Really? I'm always the last person to know what a band looks like, so no surprise there. I bought the soundtrack for the movie Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and I haven't even seen the movie. Why did I buy the soundtrack? There seems to be a strong correlation between movie soundtracks that I enjoy and Michael Cera movies. Go figure.


2. Another World- Antony & The Johnsons













There is just something spectacular about Antony and The Johnsons. Moving. Spare. Almost desperate at times. And absolutely beautiful. While I'm listening to it again now, there is a train in the distance- and I had to take my headphones off to verify that the train isn't in the song- because it sounds like the type of song that should have a train in the background.

"I'm going to miss the sea. I'm going to miss the snow. I'm going to miss the bees. Miss the things that grow..."


3. I Won't Ever Be Happy Again- Bright Eyes














The story here- many, many years ago, I had a wonderful 3 song cd of Bright Eyes songs that were recorded with some random label. I loved those songs. They were raw. At some point in my many moves, I managed to lose this cd. When I find a random box of cd's in a closet, I always search through hoping to find this very cd...but to no avail. The other day, I looked on Itunes and discovered it had been re-recorded and was now available. Oh, the sweetness. In particular, I remembered back when I listened to this song numerous times in the course of one day (and often more than that on some late night drive home), I received a fortune cookie with the fortune that asked "Why does the apple fall to the ground?" I was perplexed by this fortune. And I seemed to find an answer here in this song.

"Well the forest fenced becomes backyards, like songs are born from sounds. And the apple fell and it taught us all that we are chained here to the ground. So I mean here we go, but there ain't no escape, no, these streets are just dead-ends..."

Yes, the apple falls to the ground because it's too heavy, right?



4. Mississippi- Bob Dylan


















Dylan. New Album. Rare recordings. I adore this song.

"City is just a jungle. More games to play. We are trapped in the heart of it, trying to get away. I was raised in the country, been working in the town. Been in trouble since I set my suitcase down..."



5. Ride into the Sun- Luna















When I hear this song, it is 1996. I'm sitting in a dorm room. I'm drinking coffee or maybe it was brandy- depending on the time of day. My mom introduced to me this song all those years ago. I think I also remember seeing Luna with my mom, while she simply screamed the title of this song over and over again until the band finally gave in and performed it. When I heard this song, I thought of the power of music to bring those memories bubbling to the surface. It is almost as if the narrative of my previous self is inscribed right onto every note and lyric. I can visualize my old room. I can voyeuristically remember myself at that age. Or wait, do they just call this getting old?


Runner Up. Bruises- Chairlift















I know, how completely un-cool of me to list a song that is probably driving everyone crazy from the Ipod commercials...but fuck, it is catchy. It is a good song, which is what makes those advertising folks so incredibly successful. Since I'm trying to salvage some hip-ness, I decided to place it at the runner-up position. It is the type of song that makes you happy to walk through the leaves, embracing the cold chill in the weather.

Oh, the fun we'll have tonight....

The anticipation is killing me, Craig.

Beauty and Sadness at the Ryman Auditorium

Since moving to Nashville, I had already started thinking about my first visit to the Ryman Auditorium. I knew that I wanted it to be a spectacular experience. I wanted it to be a show that I personally felt was worthy of entering this historic and beautiful building. I wanted to have the "sublime experience." I thought Conor Oberst and his new band would be perfect, but due to scheduling conflicts I was unable. When I found out that The Hold Steady would be playing on Halloween night- I knew this was the perfect event. It would create the exact experience I wanted to have inside the auditorium.

But in the most unexpected way- I ended up the Ryman this last week for an impromptu show. After a couple of drinks one night, I discovered that the one and only Dancing Outlaw would be opening for The Black Keys. Upon this information, I purchased two tickets within a couple of minutes. Finding out that for the first time and perhaps the only time in my life, I'd have the opportunity to see Jesco White perform, I knew I had better be there.

If you don't know about the cult legend that is Jesco White- take some time in the privacy of your own home to do a search. There are plenty of videos from the 1991 documentary, Dancing Outlaw online, if you so desire. Perhaps I should preface this entry by saying that I first saw this documentary when I was about 19 years old. At the time, it was one of the most hilarious pieces of cinematic documentation I had ever viewed. Now in retrospect, I realize not only that I have different feelings about Jesco, but that also the most hilarious thing I've ever seen is the television show, Words of Deliverance.

Regardless, now when I go back to view the footage of Jesco White, I find myself ambivalent. I feel voyeuristic. I feel embarrassed. Regardless, I still wasn't going to miss a chance to see him perform. So, it wasn't my picture perfect idea of my first show at the Ryman, but it would have to do.













I was immediately in awe of the Ryman upon entering. I plan to see as many shows at this venue as possible during my time in Nashville. It was rather spectacular and quite comfortable- though I wish I could say the same about some of the others in attendance.

Jesco performed in the middle, right before The Black Keys started. Apparently, he had been enjoying a bit of the sauce before waltzing on stage. Upon his appearance, he stripped off his shirt and began making all types of gestures (such as milking himself, smoking pot, and masturbating), while half tap-dancing and half-talking to the people in the first few rows. It was funny at first. Even his sister, Mamie, was there. It was shortly into his first couple of songs(?) and it seemed that the moment of complete and utter drunkenness was upon him. I also noticed that there were equal parts of folks at the show that knew of his legendary status and equal parts of folks who felt this "performance" was the most ridiculous experience of their young, privileged lives. I only know this affirmatively after an altercation with a loud-talker that was right behind me. Had I paid better attention, I should have picked up on the name of the couple that he and his friends were so loudly talking trash about, so I could feel a sense of justice by outing them.

By the end of the performance, when Jesco was almost literally dragged off stage by Mamie...I started feeling uncomfortable. He fell down on stage. People laughed. People clapped. I found out shortly afterwards, he was kicked out of the Ryman (perhaps it was a rite of passage for him?) The more I think about it, I wonder about the thin line between a form of entertainment and a voyeuristic train wreck. I wondered what The Black Keys expected to happen when this booking? I wondered what it was that I really thought would happen when I bought the tickets? Was I expecting this display of humiliation? Did I think he would just come out tap-dance and spew some of his incredibly odd translations on the philosophy of life? I'm not sure. And perhaps that is what makes me truly uncomfortable.

I plan to rectify this Ryman experience in a few short weeks with The Hold Steady show. I pray that Craig Finn doesn't do anything that makes me feel odd.

Five Songs for September

1. I Don't Want- Age Pryor and The Marvellous Medicine













This song comes from a fantastic movie by Taika Cohen that features Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords. An excellent film and an excellent soundtrack. In particular this song will always remind me of the first mix that I made for a new colleague within my first couple of weeks of school. This in addition to the fact that this soundtrack was one of the salvageable items from my Itunes after the hard drive crash of 2008 also means I've listened to it dozens of times in the last month.


2. Calling and Not Calling My Ex- Okkervil River




As it should be noted, I've been a fan of this band for quite some time. I had hoped to travel to Birmingham last week to see them, but due to the constraints of graduate school- I was unable. The entire album is brilliant, I do believe. The narratives of Okkervil River are stories that I find myself getting lost within. And then it just dawned on me, perhaps this is the nature of my musical taste now- I like the stories, the narratives.


3. Follow- Richie Havens


















I don't know how Richie Havens missed my radar, but I'm almost even more embarrassed to mention how I found out about Havens. Discovering on netflix that Time Life produced a series of History of Rock n' Roll dvds, I was immediately intrigued. Despite the fact there were times I felt ultimately disappointed by their choices and revisionist history of rock music- I must say, I'm ultimately happy that it was Time Life that introduced me to the music of Richie Havens.


4. Pledging My Time- Bob Dylan



















Perhaps I shouldn't follow up one folk song with another, but mid-September I was feeling awfully folk-y. Not to mention, I fucking love this picture of Dylan. I think just to spite Jason Bugg, I'm going to put one Bob Dylan song each month on my top five. Regardless, there is something about this song that reminds me of graduate school, the time here. Perhaps it is the first line about early morning and late at night. Now if only graduate school will also come through too.

"And if it don't work out, you'll be the first to know..."


5. Barcelona- Giulia Y Los Tellarini


















I absolutely adore Woody Allen. In addition to that, I adore Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson, and Penelope Cruz. So what could be better than all four of them involved in the same movie? I always find great humor in the way that Woody Allen movies are described..."his best movie in 20 years..." Did everyone forget about Match Point? What about the dozens of other films that he made? When I hear these sort of things, I always think about how even the worst movie by Woody Allen is categorically better than most of the crap that comes out and fills up the box offices. Regardless of where this film falls on the continuum of Allen's genius, I loved this film. And listening to the soundtrack reminds me even more of how much I loved it.

Where did August go?

I promised there would be music for August- and in my best attempt to recreate the songs that characterized by first month in Nashville is an exercise in nostalgia since I lost all my music from my computer and all my song lists created for the purpose of remembering. So here goes...yes, there are only four this month.

1. Stay Positive- The Hold Steady

Not only have I been completely obsessed with The Hold Steady (as you can tell from previous posts, but you'll be happy to hear that I'll be spending my first Halloween in Nashville with them at the world renowned Ryman Auditorium. It'll be my first show at the Ryman and I should say a perfect one at that. So, why this song? Why in August? During my last trip to Charlotte before moving, I made a make-shift ring tone on my phone by voice recording this song while it blared out of my radio. This means that I have a ring tone that sounds like a distorted, fucked up version of the song. Since this point, I've simply been busy to change it. Yes, it is still like this.

I think I have mentioned, but the day my computer died...I sat with my head in hands, frustrated...and there were tears. My mom called me to check in...and while in a moment of desiring to "give up" in some dramatic over-the-top sense, I heard this ring tone. And it save me from hours of frustration. I just gave in and wiped the computer clean. It was refreshing.

Not to mention, my absolute favorite line is "and the sing-a-long songs will be our scriptures..." I couldn't have written it better myself. How perfect.


2. Time to Move On- Tom Petty

My first visit to my new home in Nashville. It was before sunrise. Transitions. Change. It is all here.


3. The Breeze- Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog is one of the bands I've had the privilege of seeing now that I live in a town where bands actually stop and visit. It was at a cool little bar called 3rd and Lindsley. It was also one of the first albums I bought at the record store here.

"Do you feel like you are stuck in time, forever waiting on that line, if nothing ever moves, put that needle to the groove, and sing."

Brilliant.

And yes, they are fantastic live.

4. What You Become- Nik Freitas

Another album I bought shortly after moving to Nashville. One of my last days of orientation here at school, my entire cohort was given a speech about the process of graduate school. We were told to avoid worrying about the practical for the time being, to let ourselves soak up the experience of graduate school- and then to let it form us into what we'll become. I've heard that quite a bit since I've been here- that I'm apparently going to be different, molding and changing throughout the process. I think this song speaks to that experience.

"This is where you belong...This is what you become, this is what you become..."

And I promise, pictures will be back for September.