Last February, I posted a mini-review of a band I went to see, called Downtown Harvest. I was so excited when, in November, the band surfed onto my blog and left me a very nice comment on the post. (Check the comments link on the original post.) So, today, I am looking at DH's website, and realize that they put a link to my blog on their press page! Now I'm even more excited because, well, I am famous now. At least, I'd like to think so! Just let me have my moment, okay?
Nirvana's Unplugged in New York is finally getting released on DVD after almost 14 years.
This performance was recorded for MTV in December 1993, just 4 months before Kurt Cobain's death. I've had the CD since it's release back in November 1994. Every time I've listened to it, though, I've gotten a very sad and eerie feeling, and I'm sure the DVD will do much the same thing. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to buying the DVD anyway, as it is, in my opinion, one of Nirvana's best live performances.
I'll always remember a certain haunting camera shot of Kurt, where he looked up from his guitar...his blue eyes were piercing as he stared off into his own thoughts. Thinking back on that, it has always left me unsettled, as if he knew of things to come.
No, I'm not talking about massive freak waves...I'm referring to one of the best bands you've never heard of. Well, maybe you have. If you are a Heroes-watcher, you may remember hearing their song, Eyes, in an episode last season. (You can hear the track on their website, here).
I saw them in Philly last weekend with my friends, Patrick and Kendra, who also happen to be fans. We saw them at a small venue called Johnny Brenda's, which had a balcony overlooking the stage. Fortunately, Kendra and I pushed our way into a prime spot along the rail (we were standing at one of the balcony's pillars, which you can see just to the right of center in this picture).
In my opinion, it was an outstanding show. Rogue Wave has very melodic music and manages to use a range of tempo. Perhaps one of my favorite qualities, however, is their ability to incorporate harmony without it sounding overdone or out-of-place. It suits them perfectly.
Below are some pictures I snapped with my camera phone. (There are a few shots where it looks like there are about 15 people on stage. This is when the band invited the local Philly men's chorus group, The Silver Ages, on stage to add their harmony to the set.)
So, last night at work I was tutoring a 2nd grader in Math. We were doing word/story problems and we came upon one that talked about "rock music tapes." To this, my student replies, "Cool...rock music." I said, "Oh, so you like rock music?" He says, "Yeah, but I can't talk about my favorite band."
Well this clearly piques my curiosity, so I question a little further, wondering what his favorite band is and why he can't talk about them...The dialogue goes like this:
Me: Why can't you talk about them?At this point, I'm laughing inside because it's definitely an odd choice for an 8-year-old, and I'm figuring he probably knows them from his parents.
Him: Well, because they're inappropriate.
Me: Oh...It's okay though...you can at least tell me the name of the band.
Him: It's the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Me: Oh, I know the Red Hot Chili Peppers...I like them too.Such is my life working with kids. They crack me up. You never know what they're going to say or connect to next, which is half the fun of teaching.
Him: (wide-eyed, smiling) You do?!
Me: Yes, but tell me why you called them inappropriate.
Him: Well, because in their songs they talk about girls and stuff so I didn't think I should talk about them.
Me: I guess your parents know you like them, right?...Do they listen to them too?
Him: Well, they know...and my Dad also likes them. [I think he also muttered something about listening to them with his Dad in the car.]
Me: Okay....let's get back to work.
I still miss the days of WDRE (103.9). That's when I had to tape my favorite songs from the radio onto cassettes....I had various mix tapes in my collection. Here's a little tidbit for you too...Pearl Jam's "Alive" was the first (and last) song played on WDRE. You can hear the dramatic sign-off from "Bitterfest" here.
Thank God for WMMR (93.3) and WXPN (88.5) -- which features "Y-Rock" for fans of the former Y100 (still bitter about that one). Now, there's a new radio station for the Philadelphia-area listeners. It's at 104.5 on the frequency and professes to be entirely listener-controlled. So far, I like what I hear, with regards to the music. I don't know about the creativity though...It's actually called "Radio 104.5." I've been listening to it off and on while driving my car this week. I heard Pearl Jam's "Yellow Ledbetter" on it, so that's a plus. Just before the change-over, it was a Spanish station. However, I remember while I was growing up it was a pop/soft-rock station....wasn't it Sunny 104.5? Anyone?
Anyway, this new listener-driven 104.5 is yet another Clear Channel creation (surprise, surprise). I wonder how long it will take for them to jerk this one away or change it to a more pop-friendly theme.
In any event, I hope this one stays awhile. You can also listen online, so check it out, and tell me what you think!
I went to see J.G. in concert last night in Philly. One word to sum it up: AMAZING. He has an absolutely unbelievable voice. I've been a fan of his for a few years now. Those who know me might be surprised that I listen to him because, well, he doesn't fit into my usual taste of musical genres (rock, alternative, indie)...but, that really doesn't matter to me...I have a deep appreciation for all types of music, as long as it's good and the artist is talented! It's hard, though, to specifically categorize his music, because it's a little bit pop, opera, rock, instrumental.
Josh Groban definitely has talent...of course he has a very operatic, powerful voice, but he also plays piano and the drums (both which he played a little last night). Who knows, he may play other instruments as well. What I loved, though, about the concert was that, in addition to his own band, he had a string section of local Philadelphia musicians. His own band and backing musicians consisted of a drummer, percussionist, pianist/keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, cellist, and violinist. Together, they all sounded incredible.
A note about his violinist...her name is Lucia Micarelli. She is only 21 years old but sounds like she's been playing for 40 years! About halfway through the concert, she did a violin solo and it was none other than Led Zeppelin's Kashmir!!! As soon as I heard those oh-so-familiar notes, my jaw pretty much hit the ground in my disbelief.
In any event....the concert was one of the best I've ever been to.
I'll leave you with my favorite song from his new album, Awake..."February Song" which was co-written with John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting.
Listen at my Stickam site: February Song ENJOY!
It's not very often that you come across a local band that is easy to get into right away, especially the first time hearing them...many times, the band sounds a little rough. If they are just starting out on the scene, unfortunately they might be soon forgotten.
However, that is definitely not true for the band, Downtown Harvest. I saw them last Friday night and they were actually really good. They are not a cover band; they play their own music. They have a very refined, tight sound. What is most amazing is the fact that they've only been a band since 2002, but they sound like they've been playing much longer than that.
If Downtown Harvest ever comes to your neck of the woods, make sure to check them out.....they're well worth it! On a side note, they will be playing at Penn State's Dance Marathon (aka THON) on February 17th. You can read more about Downtown Harvest and preview some of their music on their website, here.
Did anyone see Grey's Anatomy last night? I cried like a baby when George's dad died. Of course, my sister laughed at me...I'll remember that the next time she gets but a tear in her eye.
Pearl Jam + The Who = Happy Colleen...
I've got some Pearl Jam-related news I must share. Browsing the popular fansite, The Sky I Scrape, today I discovered a link to a trailer for an upcoming Adam Sandler movie called "Reign Over Me." The news bit said Eddie Vedder can be heard singing The Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" in the trailer. I immediately went to check it out, and sure enough, a little past halfway through the trailer, I hear Eddie singing one of my favorite Who songs. (If you have never heard The Who's album, Quadrophenia...shame on you!). I'm not sure if this is a whole band cover or just an Eddie cover. Needless to say, I can't wait to hear the entire track...hopefully it will turn up on the movie soundtrack or as a single.
Oh, and the movie looks good too......it will be a serious role for Sandler, which we don't see too often. It also stars Don Cheadle and Jada Pinkett-Smith. It's current release date is March 9, 2007.
View the trailer here!
Pearl Jam recently recorded some music for Sessions at AOL. The set includes mostly tracks from their new album, with a couple older ones thrown in for good measure. There is lots to view at the site in addition to the sessions...there are photos, short video interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. All can be viewed at the AOL Sessions site.
Yeah, you know who he is. He's the former lead singer of The Verve. Does "Bittersweet Symphony" ring a bell? That was their big hit back in the mid-to-late 90s (they've since disbanded...yes, that's a word, Kel). I'll always remember that song from being in the movie, Cruel Intentions.
So, what about Richard Ashcroft? Well, he was the support act for Coldplay in Philly last week (see my previous post) and, at the concert, I got hooked on the song "Break the Night With Colour" from his new album, Keys to the World. I can't say I like all his music, but this one really struck me when hearing it live. He definitely has a Lennon-esque quality to his voice, which is actually quite powerful live.
You can listen to the entire track "Break the Night With Colour" on his website, under Media - Music Streams. Also, you can watch the video, under Video Streams.
Ever have a melody stuck in your head and can't figure out what song it is? Well, you must try The Song Tapper. Basically, it's as easy as tapping the rhythm of the song on your keyboard's spacebar. The site suggests humming out loud so you make sure to tap each syllable you hear. I tried tapping a couple different songs and had my results in less than a minute...each time, my song did show up on the list, if not as the first match. If you are not good at tapping well then, sorry...you might be SOL.
They also give you the option of listening to a midi of your tapped song afterwards. However, at first you may not even recognize the song you tapped! That's because it comes out sounding very monotone; it is only recording the taps themselves. However, if you pay attention to just the rhythm, you can hear it.
One of my tries was "Happy Birthday" (I wanted to pick something with a fairly simple rhythm). If you wish, you can listen to my tapping here. If it doesn't open for you, you might have to right-click and Save As, before opening in an external application.
I've added music by Dredg, Iron & Wine, Cary Brothers, and Remy Zero to my stickam player. These are songs that have been getting heavy play by me right now. I like my choices...hopefully you will too.
View my player here.
Occasionally, I need to brag just a little. This morning, I was in the car with my parents and sister on the way home from breakfast with some other family. We were listening to Breakfast With the Beatles, a 2-hour radio show every Sunday from 9-11 a.m. As we got into the car to leave breakfast, we happened to catch the very last song of the program, a solo acoustic recording of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." When the song was over, my dad said, "You know, that's not his song." I said, "Who? George Harrison? Yes it is his song, from the White Album, only this is an acoustic recording." My dad then replies, "Yes, that's George's song, but I meant that was John Lennon singing that version of it." To that, I said, "No, Dad, that is GEORGE!...That was not John...John has a more nasally voice!" So, we went back and forth on this a little bit. He insisted it was John and I insisted on George, and we left it at that. So later on, I got the idea to email the DJ to clear it up, because I knew I was right. Lo and behold, I already got a reply from the DJ not long ago. And all I can say is I AM SO GOOD. I was right...as per the DJ's reply, it was "Take 1, as performed by George." YESSSSSSS.
Okay, so if you were reading carefully in my previous post, I talked about how some family members have never heard of many music groups that I listen to. This seemed to be the general concensus on Christmas Eve. So, here's what happened. Before my cousins and I opened our polyanna gifts, the kids were playing some music on the radio. A song by the pop group Fall Out Boy came on and, immediately, my younger pre-teen cousins as well as my 17-year-old sister, Kelli, started singing along and professing their love for their music. I just kinda rolled my eyes and made some kind of noise that showed my obvious distaste...Kelli immediately starts questioning me, "What, Col, you don't like them?...What's wrong with them?"...and so on.
Now, fast-forward to about 45-minutes later...the polyanna gift-opening has begun and it is my turn to open. On top of the packages is what appears to be a wrapped CD...so, I go for that first. I have about half of the paper off when I see the words "...Out Boy" appear under the partially-ripped paper. I immediately freeze and carefully look over to my Aunt Mary who does all the wrapping for her kids' polyanna gifts. She wasn't paying attention at the time, so I lean over to my cousin Julianna (Aunt Mary's daughter) and say "Jules, is this gift supposed to be for me from Frankie, or is it supposed to be for Kelli from you?" She stammers (knowing full well that I didn't like this group) and then whispers something to her Mom. Aunt Mary instantaneously pipes up that she must have gotten my CD mixed up with the one meant for Kelli. So, of course, everyone had a good laugh at my expense...Kelli found it hilarious that I received a CD of a group I had slammed not an hour before. When I finally got the right CD, it was The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow...this led to even more snickers and questions from the peanut gallery..."What's a Shin? Are they anything like 'The Elbows?'" So, Kelli starts spouting off that I am a music snob because I like bands like Pearl Jam, The Beatles, Neil Young, Death Cab For Cutie, The Who, etc... My Dad immediately backs me up and says, "She just has good taste in music...she gets that from me..."
So, what do you think? Is there such a thing as a music snob? Am I one?
Usually every year at Christmas, I have a good-sized "wishlist" of music and movies that I hope to receive. My parents and other family members ask me to make a list because they always say they'll never remember the names of things I want or that they've never heard of half of the musical artists I put on my list (more on that issue later). It's not that I anticipate receiving my whole list either...I also keep the list for myself, because, many times whatever I don't get from family, I go out and buy for myself with Christmas money. Don't get me wrong, I don't only get movies and music, but ironically, my family seems to have a much easier time picking out clothes for me than some music.
So, here is my thought...music and movies are the perfect gifts for me for two reasons: 1-I love listening to/watching them, and 2-They're the gifts that keep on giving. Think about it, most music and movies you obtain as an adult (or young adult) will be ones you'll continue to go back to for years after. While I don't often reach back to my pre-teen years of listening to NKOTB or MTV Party to Go, I find myself listening to the same artists or watching the same movies that interested me starting in high school.
Anyway, here's the list of CDs and DVDs I was fortunate enough to receive for Christmas from various family members. Some were bought by me after Christmas, noted by ($):
U2 Comes to Philadelphia
So, last night, I got to see U2 in concert. It's really kind of a long story how it came to be that I went to see them...but, I'll spare you all the details of the backstory. Basically my friends, Keith & Michelle, had originally bought four tickets to the sold-out concert. As of last week, 2 tickets were still not spoken for. When they asked me at that time if I'd be interested in going, well, of course I was, but decided not to because I'm trying to save some money. Flash forward to yesterday afternoon (the day of the concert)...I'm in the grocery store with my Dad, shopping for my Gram. I get a call from Keith on my cell, explaining how they still had 1 ticket (his sister had taken the other) and asking if I was interested. My response: "You know what?...Yes, I'll go!" I started jumping up and down in the store (even though I got funny looks from my Dad and other shoppers). Yeah, money might be an issue right now, but how many times does U2 come to town?...especially since, I've never seen them live before.
Anyway, it was an excellent night...The concert lasted just a shade over 2 hours. We were on our feet the whole time (except for during the slow songs when we sat because the people around us were too). It's amazing because you don't realize how many of their songs you know until you see them in concert. I've heard people complain that U2 doesn't change up their setlist enough from night to night. That well may be true, but for someone who has never seen them live and has no previous U2 show to compare to, then it's just awesome.
The crowd immediately around us was pretty subdued (we were almost in the nosebleeds)...not too many annoying people except for the guy in front of Michelle and me...we decided he must be learning to count on his fingers or something because he held his hands up for long periods of time, constantly switching the number of fingers he was showing. The occasional fist pump...ok...but if you have to have your arms up through an entire song, it gets very annoying for the people behind you (especially because I'm not that tall and so his hand was pretty much right in front of my face).
Here is the setlist (from U2.com) :
Main Set: City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Electric Co., The Ocean, I Still Haven’t Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet The Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride (in the Name of Love), Where the Streets Have No Name, One
Encore 1: The First Time, Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Fast Cars, With or Without You
Encore 2: All Because of You, Yahweh, 40
