Bleak & beautiful 2006

Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch

Thanks to Kristin for recommending this video in which the band becomes part of a classical Japanese winter landscape.

Tea & Temptation Society Meeting, Sunday, November 19th, 11am-3pm 2006

Dear friends, it's time for a very special gathering to welcome home Mr. Joseph Gratz from his around-the-world journey. He will have been to a dozen or more countries and have many stories to tell us all, as well as his pictures which will cause us to swear at him enviously.

Most of all though, he needs to be reminded of the charms of home and have one last burst of true decadence before the end of his 3 months of work-free days!

Please do stop by and join the celebration.

What: Tea & Temptation Society Meeting
When: Sunday, November 19th, 11am-3pm
Where: Dinah's place, in the Castro

What to bring? A bit of high quality tea, chocolate, bread, cheese, juice, or bacon to share.

What to wear? Indulge yourself and us. Little black evening dresses, pyjamas, suits, and superhero outfits would all be ideal.

How to get here? Often there is parking on my street, but there will also be some brunchy drinking - and the unveiling of a shockingly radical new cocktail! - so public transit and the 3 block climb up the hill is a good alternative. Take the #24 bus to 16th Street & Castro or Muni to Castro & Market and come on up.

Kiva Loan #2 2006

I just "diversified my portfolio" and made a second $25 loan through Kiva. In addition to helping George Bomboko in Uganda with funds for his business, I'm now also helping tortilla maker Melissa Gabriela Diaz Vilorio in Honduras with hers. Microloans are fun!

Favorite albums - L & M 2006

Last Word In

Last Word In
by Johnny Boyd

The lovely voice and marvelous style of the former lead singer of Indigo Swing. As you can imagine, it's hard to keep from tapping your feet to this. My favorite part though is hearing his smile as he sings "Honey-Dew"; simply enchanting.

5 star tracks: "I'll Do Right By You", "Last Word In", "Honey-Dew"
4 star tracks: "Angie's Song (Baby, Don't You Know)", "Some Eggs"

The Triplets of Belleville

Les Triplettes De Belleville
(movie soundtrack)

Great movie and the music makes me so happy. I love the musical era this evokes.

5 star tracks: "Belleville Rendez-Vous", "Belleville Rendez-Vous (Maquette)", "Belleville Rendez-Vous (Version Anglaise)"
4 star tracks: "Générique D'ouverture", "Cabaret D'ouverture", "Attila Marcel", "Thème Bruno", "Tout Doux Bruno", "Bach À La Jazz", "Cabaret Aspirateur", "La Jungle De Belleville", "Barbier 'Cieco Cieco'", "Pa Pa Pa Palavas"

Let It Be

Let It Be
by The Beatles

Not my favorite Beatles album, but it might contain my favorite Beatles song. "Across The Universe" is at least a heavy contender for the title.

5 star tracks: "Two Of Us", "Across The Universe"
4 star tracks: "Dig A Pony", "One After 909"

Let It Beast
by dj BC and The Beastles

Brilliant mashups of The Beatles and the Beastie Boys. Just go hunt up these tracks, they're bloody amazing.

5 star tracks: "Lovely NYC"
4 star tracks: "Belly Movin'", "Buildin My Life", "A Day In The Life Of A Beastie Boy"

Magazine

Magazine
by Jump, Little Children

I can't remember how I found this album - Pandora random track maybe? - but I really love their sound.

5 star tracks: "Come Out Clean", "Cathedrals", "My Guitar"
4 star tracks: "Say Goodnight", "Close Your Eyes"

Metro Stylee

Metro Stylee
by Metro Stylee

I found this one from one brilliant and terrifically sexy track ("Naked Reggae") on some collected album of ska from the BiB label. Had a hard time tracking down the full album. Finally was able to get it from Amazon Stores. How can you go wrong with lyrics like "I want to destroy everything, I want to destroy everything, passively, non-aggressively" sung by Trisha Verdolino's incredible voice?

5 star tracks: "Destroy", "Naked Reggae"
4 star tracks: "Lullaby"

Mink Car

Mink Car
by They Might Be Giants

Scintillating pop. In a TMBG sense, at least.

5 star tracks: "Bangs", "Man It's So Loud In Here", "Older", "Wicked Little Critta"
4 star tracks: "Mr Xcitement With Doughty", "Another First Kiss", "I've Got A Fang", "Hovering Sombrero", "Hopeless Bleak Despair", "Drink!"

Mock Tudor

Mock Tudor
by Richard Thompson

Brilliant songwriter, frequently able to make you squirm with the sharp edges of his lyrics. This one hooks me with the rhythms most of all, though.

5 star tracks: "Sibella", "Bathsheba Smiles"
4 star tracks: "Crawl Back (Under My Stone)", "Walking The Long Miles Home"

Moon over the Interstate

Moon Over The Interstate
by The Mollys

Good rollicking stuff. Favorite tracks for long night drives. Penny whistle & polkas are hard to argue with as fine tools for staying awake.

5 star tracks: "The Lang Town/Unfortunate Rake", "Holding On:I Want To Polka/Skoda Lasky (Beer Barrel Polka)/Carnival Mundo"
4 star tracks: "Rosie"

Moving Pictures

Moving Pictures
by Rush

My favorite Rush album. Amazing that so few guys can make so much sound.

5 star tracks: "YYZ", "Limelight"
4 star tracks: "Vital Signs"

Mule Variations

Mule Variations
by Tom Waits

Gotta love Tom.

5 star tracks: "Big In Japan", "Cold Water"
4 star tracks: "Low Side Of The Road", "Black Market Baby", "Chocolate Jesus"

Music 1968-1971

Music 1968-1971
by Mason Williams

This is a placeholder really for the album The Mason Williams Ear Show which has never come out on CD. The track about traveling with the refrain "how long has it been since I've been somewhere" will be in this list if it ever does.

5 star tracks: "$13 Stella"
4 star tracks: "Classical Gas", "Saturday Night At The World", "The Last Great Waltz", "Baroque-A-Nova"

Music for a Darkened Theatre, Vol. 1

Music For A Darkened Theatre
by Danny Elfman

Great stuff, but much better in a shuffle play world since the his tracks can really start to sound too similar. This is good early stuff, though.

5 star tracks: "Beetlejuice", "Hot To Trot"
4 star tracks: "Face Like A Frog"

Ocean's Eleven

Music From The Motion Picture Ocean's 11

Can't help it. I really like this album and the snappy dialogue clips.

5 star tracks: "Gritty Shaker (David Holmes)", "Dialogue: Pickpockets"
4 star tracks: "Caravan (Arthur Lyman)",  "A Little Less Conversation", "Dialogue: $160 Million Chinese Man", "Claire De Lune (Philadelphia Orchestra)"

Favorite albums - E, F, G, H, I, J and K 2006

Not a lot in this chunk of the alphabet, oddly.

Gordon's Non-Punk Faves
mix disc from a pal o' mine in January 2006

He's a big ol' ex-punk but  I just love how eclectic his taste is.

5 star tracks: Pink - "Get The Party Started", Gillian Welch - "Elvis Presley Blues"
4 star tracks: Talking Heads - "Life During Wartime", Sylvester - "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)"

Her Majesty

Her Majesty the Decemberists
by The Decemberists

Such a fine fine record.

5 star tracks: "Los Angeles, I'm Yours", "The Soldering Life", "The Chimbley Sweep"
4 star tracks: "Shanty for the Arethusa", "Billy Liar", "Red Right Ankle", "I Was Meant For the Stage"

Home in Halifax

Home In Halifax
by Stan Rogers

Great songwriter & folk singer lost prematurely in another damn plane crash accident. (Musicians, stay out of the tiny planes! They hate music!) Truly an astounding storyteller and a real Canadian treasure.

5 star tracks: "The Idiot", "Workin' Joe"
4 star tracks: "Field Behind The Plow", "Morris Dancers" (snarky dialogue intro to The Idiot), "The Mary Ellen Carter" (incredible song, but I like the version on Between The Breaks better)

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
by Neutral Milk Hotel

So odd, so great.

5 star tracks: "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea", "Two-Headed Boy"
4 star tracks: "King of Carrot Flowers Part 1"

QotD: On Podcasts 2006

Do you listen to podcasts?  Are there any you'd recommend? 
Inspired by Alex.

Merlin Mann and They Might Be Giants.

Favorite Albums - B, C & D 2006

Big Science

Big Science
Laurie Anderson

Haven't had this in iTunes long enough, I suspect, for it to settle to its eventual high ratings. A deep and abiding favorite album. Can't remember who turned me on to this but it was back in my undergraduate days at UC Santa Cruz, I think.

5 star tracks: "Born, Never Asked", "Let X=X"
4 star tracks: "From The Air", "Walking And Falling"





Blade Runner - Esper Edition or Sunetul Original Al Filmului versions
Vangelis

If I had these, which of course I don't, of course, I'm sure I'd rate them about like this:
5 star tracks: "Bicycle Riders", "One More Kiss, Dear"
4 star tracks: "Blush Response", "Memories of Green", "Esper Analysis", "Blade Runner Blues"

Castaways and Cutouts

Castaways and Cutouts
The Decemberists

Thanks to my pal Shannon for getting me turned onto this fine, fine band.

5 star tracks: "July, July!", "The Legionnaire's Lament"
4 star tracks: "Here I Dreamt I was an Architect", "A Cautionary Song", "Cocoon", "Grace Cathedral Hill", "California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade"






 

Do You Like My Tight Sweater?

Do You Like My Tight Sweater?
Moloko

Odd but tasty. Can't remember how I discovered this album.

5 star tracks: "Fun For Me", "Dirty Monkey"
4 star tracks: "Party Weirdo"

Duty Now for the Future/New Traditionalists

Duty Now For The Future / New Traditionalists

All hail Devo! I am so proud of my 14 or 15 year old self for perceiving the quality of their music (and I'm grateful to Dr. Demento for playing the band).

5 star tracks: "S.I.B. (Swelling Itching Brain)", "Timing X", "Jerkin' Back 'n' Forth"
4 star tracks: "Devo Corporate Anthem", "Strange Pursuits", "Pink Pussy Cat", "Redeye Express", "Through Being Cool", "Secret Agent Man", "Going Under", "Beautiful World", "Working In A Coal Mine"

Debit or Credit? 2006

Perhaps you don't know this, but it is usually far better for the merchant if you pay by entering your PIN instead of signing for a purchase. Debit card charges to the merchant are lower than credit card charges to the merchant and the same for you.

So, now you know why Wells Fargo (and probably other banks) are trying to sign you up for things like the "Exclusive Rewards" Program which only earns points for you when you pay the credit way.

Don't make small businesses bend over for you to get your stupid Starbucks latte reward for every $2600 you charge.

Support local business and say "Debit" when they ask how you want to pay or better yet just give 'em cash.

QotD: This Week's Top 25 2006

What are your top 25 most played songs? 
Submitted by Cooxie.  

1.  "Cashmere" - Nerf Herder

2.  (tie) "Big Time Sensuality" - Bjork
           "Man, It's So Loud In Here" - They Might Be Giants

4.  (tie) "Overture/All That Jazz" - soundtrack to Chicago
           "Om Namaha Shiva" - Sheila Chandra

6.  "Hem Of Your Garment" - Cake

7.  (tie) "Polythene Pam" - The Beatles
           "A Cautionary Tale" - The Decemberists

9.  "Bodysuit" - The Billy Nayer Show (from The American Astronaut soundtrack)

10. (tie) "Carry That Weight" - The Beatles
            "July, July!" - The Decemberists

12. (tie) "Here Comes The Sun" - The Beatles
            "Across The Universe" - The Beatles
            "Time Has Told Me" - Nick Drake

15. (tie) "The End" - The Beatles
            "The Baby In The Jar" -  The Billy Nayer Show (from The American Astronaut soundtrack)
            "ABoneCroneDrone1" - Sheila Chandra
            "ABoneCroneDrone3" - Sheila Chandra
            "Mr Xcitement With Doughty" - They Might Be Giants

20. (tie) "Golden Slumbers" - The Beatles
            "The Legionnaire's Lament" - The Decemberists
            "Wildest Pig In Captivity" - John Renbourn

23. (tie) "Because" - The Beatles
            "Mean Mr. Mustard" - The Beatles
            "Her Majesty" - The Beatles
            "Hey Bulldog" - The Beatles
            "I Wanna Be Adored" - The Stone Roses

The influence of the album or album side play is substantial.

Favorite albums - A & before 2006

6- and 12-String Guitar

Leo Kottke
6- And 12-String Guitar

Love this one. Always great to dive into working on a project with this.

5 star tracks: "Vaseline Machine Gun", "Busted Bicycle"
4 star tracks: "The Driving Of The Year Nail", "The Sailor's Grave On The Prairie", "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring"

1 Man Banjo
A Ghost Tree

Local musician Sean Lee gets me stomping my feet with his fine raunchy old time sound. Go see him live.

5 star tracks: "Blue Fool", "Ragged"
4 star tracks: "Mole", "Visque Devil", "Pixie Hop", "Magical Fire/Gobbelin Train"

Abbey Road

The Beatles
Abbey Road

Really just one of the best albums ever by anyone. This is one of the few that still gets me to turn off shuffle play and just listen to that second side straight through.

5 star tracks: "Here Comes The Sun", "Mean Mr. Mustard", "Polythene Pam", "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", "The End"
4 star tracks: "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", "Because", "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window"

ABoneCroneDrone

Sheila Chandra
ABoneCroneDrone

This album is always there for me when I'm too stressed or hectic brained to wind down for sleep. It unties my knots and reconnects me to my sense of wellness & safety. Abstract vocal therapy.

5 star tracks: "ABoneCroneDrone 3", ABoneCroneDrone 6"
4 star tracks: all of the other 4 on the album

Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band: Acoustic Swing & Jug

Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band
Acoustic Swing & Jug

Happy music I've been enjoying my whole life. It's pretty cool to have an album that you've loved every year since you were back in the single digits. Plus, listen, folks! Banjos, kazoos & washboards, how can you go wrong?

5 star tracks: "Beedle Um Bum", "I'm a Woman", "Rag Mama", "Richland Woman"
4 star tracks: "Jug Band Music", "Somebody Stole My Gal", "That's When I'll Come Back to You", "Never Swat a Fly", "My Gal", "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me", "Chevrolet", "Blues in the Bottle",  "Morning Blues", "Borneo", "Downtown Blues", "Wild About My Loving", "I'm Satisfied with My Gal"

Apollo 18

They Might Be Giants
Apollo 18

One of the best albums from a contender for the title of Dinah's favorite band. In addition to a bunch of great songs there are lots of just-a-few-seconds-long tracks that liven up my shuffle play life.

5 star tracks: "Mammal", "If I Wasn't Shy", "Turnaround", "What's That Blue Thing Doing Here?" , "Mysterious Whisper"
4 star tracks: "The Guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)", "Dinner Bell", "Hall of Heads", "Hey Now Everybody", "Aren't You The Guy?", "Leave Me Alone", "All Alone By Myself", "I Heard A Sound", "I Walk Along Darkened Corridors", "Space Suit"

Will sarcasm help get the idea across? 2006

Olbermann on the death of Habeas Corpus and the Constitution

(thanks to Uncle Larry for the link)

What the hell won't Fox stoop to? 2006

"Your World w/ Cavuto - Sex with underage boys: Could it be a good thing?"

If that screen shot is real, it only makes me think even more "Where's your moral high ground now, you conservative slimeballs? Monica Lewinsky was 22, yet you tried to bring the whole Clinton adminstration down and now it comes out you've been protecting a pedophile for over half a decade? Hypocrites."

Recommended book & reader 2006

In Cold Blood

Truman Capote

In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, is an amazing work. Truly an exceptional piece of writing. I consider it one of the defining works of U.S. 20th century writing of any genre, fiction or non-fiction.

This unabridged audio book edition is read by Scott Brick and he is perfect for the task with his classic American sound (American, that is, except when he switches to other accents). Something about his vocal style reminds me of the Narrator/Lee Harvey Oswald in the recording I have of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. That's not an inappropriate association.

Even without being well matched to this work, Brick is an excellent reader in general. I'll now be seeking out everything else that San Francisco Public Library has that's read by him.

I expect, by the way to return this copy to the library within the next couple days, so you locals can get your request in at sfpl.org now.

Here's the trick to making commuting or the gym or housework go easier: just get audio books on CD at the library, copy them to your computer, put them on your iPod, and then free up that hard drive space right away & return the discs for the next person. (It'd be nice if I could go straight from disc to iPod, but I don't know a method for that).

Venerable 2006

To my amusement this evening I received some spam with the subject line

when to stop blogging

and I just had to laugh because tomorrow is MetaGrrrl.com's 8th birthday.

When to stop? Not yet!

Thank you, Skype 2006

...for enabling the marvelous long phone call with my beloved Joe who is in the foothills of Himalayas enjoying the charms of Darjeeling. It appears that these consist of excellent tea EVERYWHERE, much relaxing reading of books, strolling about, a lovely hotel with an attentive butler (which is odd, but sort of pleasant), and the prospect of exciting views on a trip tomorrow morning.

The rest of the call was mostly sappy endearments and I shall spare you, dear reader, other than to remark again what truly excellent taste I have in men.

Goofy is more fun 2006

Hooray for Sugar Alley with all the quirky stuff at Castro Street Fair. I can't imagine that folks who went to Pride and/or Folsom didn't feel that the rest of the booths were a bit redundant and uninspiring.

My first pass through the fair was saved by the Harvey Milk Memorial booth, the fake Scientologists, drag queen musicians, insane cycle-based rides, butt darts, and all the bright sweet silliness down Sugar Alley.

On the way home it was all about Varla Jean Merman, baby!