A friend of mine jokingly refers to my music collection as "that hippie music" ... most notably after I lend it to his wife. He also notes that I stop listening to it when it starts to become popular, i.e. get regular radio or TV airplay.
If this is true, there are more folks I won't be listening to: Serena Ryder has a new one on the radio, and Matt Costa and Brett Dennen both are featured in television ads. Hopefully my remaining playlist remains incognito. Good new finds are hard to come by these days.
Working on a poster for an upcoming conference, I had completely forgotten about such loved folks as AFI, Wolfmother, The Red Thread and Blue October. Such joy my indie-alt playlist brought tonight.
Two new artists I've come to appreciate both have roots in Israel: Yael Naim (New Soul, featured in the MacBook Aircommercial) and Yamit Mamo (Love Our Time Today, Death at a Funeral). Both have an acoustic/folk/pop sound. Yael is Fiest-ish and Yamit is more Norah Jones-y. Both warrant a definite listen.
I'm sure I have heard his stuff before but last night it was like listening to City and Colour (aka Dallas Green) again for the first time. Sort of amazing too ... to slip into a new melody that feels exactly like slipping into your favourite pair of jeans. He's coming to the city at the end of May and I have a feeling there might be a few folks I know in the audience.
And I don't know why certain things get stuck in my head but lately I've caught myself humming "Lucy in the sky with diamonds". Just that one line. Over and over. And over.
I have a friend from highschool who won the 168 Hour Film Festival's award for Best Original Score last year. Another film (Ctrl Z) she scored is a finalist in the Sundance Film Festival 2008 Delta Fly-In Movies Competition. That's pretty cool IMHO.
In a related vein, I recently saw Dan in Real Life. While I wasn't aware of it until the end, the entire film was essentially scored by Sondre Lerche ... whose music I've been falling in love with for some time now. If you haven't heard of him, you should have a listen.
Other music currently on repeat: Vienna Teng ... pianist and singer/songwriter from Cali Brett Dennen ... singer/songwriter who toured with John Mayer this summer Paolo Nutini ... actually Scottish not Italian (& what could be better than a song with your own name in it)
And of course, I'm dusting off some classic Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell too. Wouldn't want to neglect some great Canadiana now, would we?
(If you want a great song for the holidays, find Sarah McLauchlan's cover of Lightfoot's Song for a Winter's Night.)
I am definitely enjoying some new tunes by Rosie Thomas. Her similar artists page at Last.fm is highly enjoyable as well (think Sufjan Stevens, Neko Case, Amy Millan, Regina Spektor, Aimee Mann, Sondre Lerche, Feist etc).
OK folks. This is really bugging me. The new Joe Fresh Clothing commercial with the woman who appears in multiple outfits reflecting the new fall line ... what's the song?
Some folks are suggesting Feist but that's not quite it. Someone else suggested The Kinks but I thing that's in reference to the other Joe Fresh commercial. Then another dude said it was an original (but only 30 second) composition for the commercial. I actually broke down and emailed Superstore/Loblaws but haven't yet heard back.
Updated - The lyrics are as follows:
Don't go looking for the same thing And I won't go looking for the same thing. Wear on me, wear me out Try on you I wanna get mixed up with you. Wear on me, wear me out I wanna get mixed up with you. Don't go looking for the same thing And I won't go looking for the same thing.
The CD is coming out in August. You might be familiar with his song "Wish you well" (Walmart's Walk for Miracles). Wander over to Justin Hines' myspace for a listen.
Alas no, this is not so much about love per se. I have found someone to share my "hippie music" with. We met for what became an extended breakfast and I left with a promise of new music to be supplied on a regular basis. She may not like everything but I am fairly sure that wasn't the intention. It would appear a loaned CD is fair payment for a few moments on her piano.
Love is like a magic penny: hold it tight and you won't have any. Lend it, spend it & you'll have so many, they'll roll all over the floor.
Tonight, during a few lone moments tucked between running back to the hospital, I managed to catch the end of House (a foramen ovale? unclosed since birth? did I miss something?).
After some searching, I located a great new tune heard at the end of the episode: Josh Ritter's "Good Man." He's got it available as a free download on his myspace. Enjoy.
Someone asked recently, "How do you find all that music you're always talking about?"
Here's a brief list:
1) Friends (they might refer to an online radio station [CBC's Radio3 is nifty], a musicians Myspace account, list via Blogmusik, or actually talk to you about it)
2) Commercials (What's that called is useful)
3) TV program and movie soundtracks (most TV shows list the music by episode on their website)
4) Online music programming ... identifies songs you may enjoy based on your input (Pandora [no longer available in Canada], Yahoo! Music, etc.)
If there's something I've missed, please let me know. Especially if someone's found something similar to Pandora ... I'm really missing it since it went to US listeners only.
Oh yes. They're coming. The new albums for Maroon 5 (May 22 - It won't be soon before long) and Feist (May 1 - The Reminder). This chickie-poo can hardly wait.
It's amazing. Tom Yu is coming back to Saskatoon for a concert in April. His site has a section where you can listen (look under "Music"). To think I had a crush on Tom in high school...those were the days.
I am finding myself in a state of loss. I came home from work today not really wanting to be a pharmacist. (It's ok - I waver on this point a fair bit. In just about no time at all I'll be speaking about the glories of it all.) I hid in my office today. Did manage get a fair bit of work done but didn't see very many people.
I have been avoiding MSN and letting phone calls go to voice mail.
I have just subjected myself to watching this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy for the third time. New fav songs: The way I am (Ingrid Michaelson), Falling awake (Garry Jules), Life in disguise (The Slip), Regina Spektor was on too, but she's not new[click links to listen].
On my way home I turned to CBC's "Disc Drive" for a friendly tune or two. And was I ever glad I did. I was privy to Chris Norman's Reel Montreal ... a traditional east coast ditty on flute. This was followed by Sarah Harmer's I am aglow.
While I should be studying for a certification exam at work (to manage anemia for our kidney patients), I have instead been catching up with old friends and searching for new music. I found a little slip of paper on my desk on which I'd written "Ootischenia". It can be found on track four of the Be Good Tanyas' latest disc, Hello Love. A catchy little tune that is now stuck firmly in my head.
That's another thing I miss about my trip to Africa ... it was thoroughly saturated with music. Local music--a mix of reggae, calypso and traditional rhythms. Singing around the house. Whatever happened to be in the taxi's tape player. Martin's Christmas music in the van (think Walking in a winter wonderland in 35+ Celsius [~100 F] afternoon sun). Making up endless top 20 lists complete with sleeper tracks. And it all so very varied: Pink Floyd to worship songs to Manowar. Just one more Gambian tidbit.
I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again ... I don't get hockey or football or baseball for that matter. I mean, I know the basic rules and I know the difference between periods, quarters and innings and I know a few team (and even player) names. I just don't get the passion behind undying support for "your" team. Until playoff time, and even a great deal into playoffs, I am as fickle as can be when choosing "my" team. Every so often I will try to follow the general happenings a bit. For example, the Riders won last night (against Montréal no less). There was even the Detroit/Phoenix game on last night during my dinner with Sarah at Moxies. I think Detroit needs new uniforms ... the red one does not make me want to cheer for them.
This evening, in continuation of my procrastination, I scanned the channels and was about to watch the Senators/Canadiens game this evening. But no. I cannot watch said game. Instead of options, I "get" to watch the Leaf/Flames game. And how is one supposed to pick a team from that match-up I ask?
Rather than pick between two equally unenchanting options, I have decided to quit procrastinating, sit myself down and work on this conference thing (5 more days and counting! -- the pressure's on).
That was incredible! The Stones were amazing. The seats, and they were even cheap ones, were right up by the stage. There were fireworks and flame-throwers and bright lights and Mick's signature dance moves and lyrics you somehow just know. And the weather was great -- although Rob was right in saying that snow would have been cool.
Anyways, it's late, I'm deaf, and this girl must get herself to work at some early hour tomorrow. If I can figure out how to get the pics off my cell phone, I see what I can do about posting them.
Sometimes I'm grateful that I live by myself. This weekend for example, just having picked up John Mayer's Continuum, I have been listening to it nearly continuously and, unable to resist the urges, bustin' a move or two in the living room. Make that grooving all weekend long -- while doing dishes, or hanging out in the living room, or cleaning up endless piles of papers or trying to get some work done in my office. (Don't get me wrong. I'm a fair bit better than Elaine's notable moves in a certain Seinfeld episode. But these particular steps won't been seen in public.) Nonetheless, John's new disc is quite enjoyable.
I discovered the perfect song for a lazy summer afternoon. And it did help to take my mind off the fact that I was unsuccessful in my quest for Stones tickets (not that I really wanted them all that badly in the first place though).
Here I am. Stuck in a moment. Yet it is just a moment and it's true, this time will pass.
I'm not afraid
Of anything in this world
There's nothing you can throw at me
That I haven't already heard
I'm just trynna' find
A decent melody
A song that I can sing
In my own company
I never thought you were a fool
But darling, look at you. Ooh.
You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight
'Cause tears are going nowhere baby
You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
I will not forsake
The colors that you bring
The nights you filled with fireworks
They just left you with nothing
I am still enchanted
By the light you brought to me
I listen through your ears
Through your eyes I can see
You are such a fool
To worry like you do.. Oh
I know it's tough
And you can never get enough
Of what you don't really need now
My, oh my
You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Oh love, look at you now
You've got yourself stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
I was unconscious, half asleep
The water is warm 'til you discover how deep
I wasn't jumping, for me it was a fall
It's a long way down to nothing at all
You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
And if the night runs over
And if the day won't last
And if your way should falter
Along this stony pass
There is a song by the group, 10,000 Maniacs, in which lead singer, Natalie Merchant sings (lucky for you, I won’t be singing it)
“Trouble me.
Disturb me with all your cares and your worries.
Trouble me on the day when you feel spent.
Speak to me when your silence is my biggest fear.
Don’t spare me anything.”
What if we prayed as though those were Christ’s words to us? And, in fact, they are. That is the difference that Christ’s ascension into heaven and place at the Right Hand of God as our mediator makes.
“Since, then, we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who in every respect has been tested, as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, approach the Throne of Grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Amen.
Thanks to Mark and to Tam, I have wasted several precious minutes of my life on the following ...
Music shuffle
Directions: Put your music player on shuffle. Press forward for each question.
Use the song title as the answer to the question. No cheating!
PS - I used my entire library, not just the current play list.
How am I feeling today?
Why does my heart feel so bad (Moby)
Will I get far in life?
One thing (Finger Eleven)
How do my friends see me?
Cruel to be Kind (The Raincoats)
When will I get Married?
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas (Gayla Peavy)
What's my best friend's theme song?
X & Y (Coldplay)
What is the story of my life?
Elevation (U2)
What is/was highschool like?
I'm in a hurry (Alabama)
How can I get ahead in life?
What's love got to do with it (Tina Turner)
What is the best thing about me?
I'll be home for Christmas (Amy Grant)
How is today going to be?
Miniature disasters (KT Tunstall)
What is in store for this weekend?
Love of another kind (Starfield)
What song describes my parents?
Dusting down the stars (Mobile)
What song descirbes my grandparents?
Wake me up when you're gone (Greenday)
How is my life going?
Salamandre (Sarah Harmer)
What song will they play at my funeral?
Loving me anyway (Jaylene Johnson)
How does the world see me?
When I look at the world (U2)
Will I have a happy life?
Alert Status Red (Matthew Good)
What song describes my relationships with my friends?
If things were perfect (Moby)
What song describes my romantic status?
The orphan (Newsboys)
Alphabet Soup
Accent: Canadian
Breakfast food: multigrain bagels
Chore I Hate: ironing
Dog or Cat: dog
Essential Electronics: computer
Favorite Cologne: nearly anything in moderation
Gold or Silver: White Gold
Hometown: Saskatoon
Insomnia: nope
Job Title: Hospital pharmacist
Kids: eventually
Living arrangements: condo with lots of room for visitors
Most admirable trait: in others - passion
Number of sexual partners: hmm...that'd be none
Overnight hospital stays: zero
Phobias: no real phobias ... generally not a fan of snakes, rats, canker worms, and serial killers
Quote: "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo
Religion: Christian
Siblings: 1 brother
Time I wake up: about 5:45 on a work day, 8ish on the weekend
Unusual talent or skill: I can make an a to z list of drug names ... but that sounds more like work than anything
Vegetable I refuse to eat: brussel sprouts
Worst habit: procrastination
X-rays: none
Yummy foods I make: spring rolls, ginger beef, frozen mocha cheescake, artichoke dip, corn chowder, 'macaroons au chocolat'
Zodiac sign: taurus
I am in the process of cleaning up my office (a horrible, horrible mess due to months of neglect). Anyway, in the process I came across a scrap of paper on which I had written a URL. A couple of years ago, I was heading back home from Winnipeg, and happened to be taking the same flight as Amber -- a girl from elementary and high school. We got a-talking about high school folks; the 'where are they know?' discussion. And from that, Amber mentions Cat, also in Winnipeg, and passes along her URL. I'm not sure if I ever looked it up at the time, but I wandered over there this morning and was pleasantly surprized at the melodious sound clips from her soon to be released CD. I highly suggest you check out Cat Jahnke.
I've complied a list of songs (in no particular order) to express the bitterness, angst, and cynicism that many people feel on a day like today [aka, anti-valentine's day songs] ....
1. Through with you - Maroon 5
2. You Oughta Know - Alanis Morrisette
3. Love stinks - J Geils Band
4. Love hurts - Nazareth
5. Tainted love - Soft Cell
6. I hope you die - Bloodhound Gang
7. Creep - Radiohead
8. White wedding - Billy Idol
9. Polly - Nirvana
10. She hates me - Puddle of Mudd
11. I hate everything about you - Ugly Kid Joe
12. I used to love her (but I had to kill her) - Guns N' Roses
13. What's love got to do with it - Tina Turner
14. Misery - The Beatles
15. I hate myself for loving you - Joan Jett
16. Only - NIN
17. Love is a battlefield - Pat Benetar
[Mind you, I'm not actually feeling all that bitter or depressed at the moment -- this is all in good fun. Perhaps I'll have to post the all time cheesiest love songs in the near future. I've now enjoyed an evening full of chocolate and ice cream and chatting with great friends and Valentine's specials on TV. A good sleep tonight, and then it's up early to hit the gym.]
Hope dangles on a string
Like slow spinning redemption
Winding in and winding out
The shine of it has caught my eye
And roped me in
So mesmerizing, so hypnotizing
I am captivated
[Chorus]
I am vindicated
I am selfish
I am wrong
I am right
I swear I'm right
I swear I knew it all along
And I am flawed
But I am cleaning up so well
I am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself
So clear
Like the diamond in your ring
Cut to mirror your intentions
Oversized and overwhelmed
The shine of which has caught my eye
And rendered me so isolated, so motivated
I am certain now that
[Chorus]
So turn
Up the corners of your lips
Part them and feel my finger tips
Trace the moment, fall forever
Defense is paper thin
Just one touch and I'd be in
Too deep now to ever swim against the current
So let me slip away [3x]
So let me slip against the current
So let me slip away [4x]
[Chorus]
Slight hope
It dangles on a string
Like slow spinning redemption...
On a bit of exploration into the dance/club genre, I've come across a couple of tracks worth a listen.
"One way" [Deep Effect] and "Take me to the clouds above" [LMC f U2] ("You get what you give" is due out on the 23rd)
I neglected to mention that Jamiroquai's new CD, Dynamite, came out back in September. Somehow, I missed it. However, it continues in the wonderful evolution since Traveling Without Moving and A Funk Odyssey. Smooth edges and a funkalicious groove await your listening ears.
So, at work, coffee breaks occassionally venture into a certain sub-set of Canadian music. There are some steady fans of Broken Social Scene and Feist ... to whom Arcade Fire is occassionally compared.
However, I dislike the burried lyrics of BSS and I'm only a fan of select Feist tracks. Arcade Fire is fantastic ... was even left playing for over a week. But what do I know? Have a listen for yourself.
The following demonstrates my inchoate abilities as a professional music reviewer. Actually, it's a tad on the crappy side, but it's all for Kathy. I promised her a full review of my two new CD purchases.
The first I've had for a while - Daniel Powter "dp" ... generally a funk/blues/urban sound throughout, pretty mellow, great for background music
(1) song 6: a great mellow track, catchy chorus, more upbeat than the rest
(2) free loop: fairly slow, not my fav
(3) bad day: we've all heard this one
(4) suspect: odd intro, a falsetto throughout - altogether oddly good
(5) lie to me: a bit of a funk groove, on the slower side of things
(6) jimmy gets high: junior high slow-dance ballad - imagine punch and a mirror ball
(7) styrofoam: way slow - remember when you drew that picture of a snowman in a snowstorm for art class - bleak as they come
(8) hollywood: some folks love it, it's just ok for me
(9) lost on the stoop: an average slow pop song & a bit of Danny-boy's piano interludes
(10) give me life: the falsetto breaks out again on top of a stronger beat than some previous songs
The second CD I just picked up today ... Franz Ferdinand "you could have it so much better" ... more of a Beatle edge, more rock than the last album, ever so slightly more refined
(1) the fallen: classic Franz guitar driven wonder
(2) do you want to: classic, but not my fav
(3) this boy: some say it parallels Michael but it's not spectacular
(4) walk away: has a bit of a 60's acoustic-lead-rock feeling
(5) evil and a heathen: a nice blend of punk and rock
(6) you're the reason i'm leaving: the boys back off a bit for this one
(7) eleanor put your boots on: what ... is that a harmony I hear?
(8) well that was easy: nicely guitar driven, they change the rhythm part way through
(9) what you meant: take the whole first album and smooth out the edges
(10) i'm your villain: well placed guitar riffs
(11) you could have it so much better: seemingly more vocals than the rest - likely great at a live show
(12) fade together: another ballad - two on one album!
(13) outsiders: the funk returns
So I finally went and got Jamiroquai's 'Traveling Without Moving' disc. It's taken me a while but I'm trying to fill the gaps in my collection. Slowly but surely. I also want to get Starfield's latest. That is not something they carry at HMV.
Read the extended entry for the actual quiz. It's a little challenging, but the first person to answer all 13 correctly gets to go out for coffee on me. (Unless you are a complete stranger, then you'll just get a fair bit of applause from me.)
The following are lines in some 'formerly' well known hymns.
Your job is to identify the hymn AND the lyricist. (Bonus points if you can tell me the name of the melody.) First person with all 13 correct wins.
[I am not the one who thought this up, it was a challenge from the pastor at my church.]
1. None can be nearer, fairer or dear, than Thou, my Saviour art to me.
2. O safe to the rock that is higher than I, my soul in its conflicts and sorrows will fly.
3. Even down to old age, all my people shall prove my sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love.
4. For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home; from His field shall in that day all offences purge away.
5. Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed. Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
6. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with His love He befriend thee.
7. Dear Name, the Rock on which I build, my Shield and Hiding Place, my never failing treasury, filled with boundless stores of grace.
8. The Church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend, to guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end.
9. Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay, Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.
10. Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight.
11. Come Thou incarnate Word, gird on Thy mighty sword.
12. The earth with its store of wonders untold, Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old.
13. He speaks and listening to His voice, new life the dead receive, the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
*sigh*
I just finished watching my fav cooking show (Oliver's Twist with Jamie Oliver) and the entire show was all about ...
chocolate.
He even made these chocolate sundays with some sort of alcohol instead of soda. Then he made truffles.
I think I need to head back to my kitchen. I already made a beef/tomato/mushroom dish for lunches this week.
I was going to make a chocolate cake for Bible study tonight, but I just got a call with a change of plans - Missions Fest at church tonight. So, alas, no cake will be made. Although, I am making "danties" for a baby shower on Friday. I think I might break out the ol' Macarons au Chocolat recipe. I also made some pie dough last night, and my mom used to make these things with leftover pie dough. Quite simple really - just sprinkle the rolled out dough with a little cinnamon and sugar, roll them up and bake in the oven. No extra butter or anything is needed. We'll see what I come up with ... if you have any ideas, please pass them on. (It's danties for about 20, by the way.)
Ooo, I (finally) picked up the U2 Best of 1980-1990 CD. Slowly my CD collection is becoming more well rounded. Here's my most recent fav cd's/artists list (in no particular order):
- U2 (Best of 1980-1990 & All that you can't leave behind)
- Just (Imposter)
- Moby (Play)
- Josh Groban (Josh Groban - although I haven't gotten his newest one yet [Closer] but what I've heard is great)
- Norah Jones (Come away with me)
- Evanescence (Fallen)
- I don't have Michael Bubl�'s CD yet, but folks keep mentioning it
Soft field of clover
Moon shining over the valley
Joining the song of the river
To the great giver of the great good
As it enfolds me
Somehow it holds me together
I realize I've been singing
Still it comes ringing
Clearer than clear
And here by the water
I'll build an altar to praise Him
Out of the stones that I've found here
I'll set them down here
Rough as they are
Knowing You can make them holy
Knowing You can make them holy
Knowing You can make them holy
I think how a yearning
Has kept on returning to move me
Down roads I'd never have chosen
Half the time frozen
Too numb to feel
I know it was stormy
I hope it was for me learning
Blood on the road wasn't mine though
Someone that I know
Has walked here before
