classical CD liner notes

Je suis le hack.

There are levels to writing that I will never be able to come close to. This is cheerfully accepted . There are no Mount Everests in these pages, no E=MC2, nay. Merely meat-and-potatoes observations by an average guy (quoting Stephen King) trying not to mess things up too badly.

To quote the poet thus againe:

Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;

At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—

Almost, at times, the Fool.

Most scribblers, bloggers and local scribes surely recognize when they are outclassed when they read passages from Dickens or Tolstoy (or insert another name from the Gallery of Greats). But, one has to marvel at the writing style/level of liner notes of classical CDs. They have the unmistakable pungent air found frequently upon the bucolic fields of bovines, which we may regard in the vernacular as cow patties. In short, there may be nothing more useless than classical CD liner notes, except the equally trying-way-too-hard jer-no-lism of popular music magazines.

For example: (talking about Schumann's string quartets) "whose atmospheric qualitites managed to formulate the disquietude of the "poetic" as something new: not in the sense of heroic defiance, but in the-still subdued-forms of crumbling pathos."

Huh?

File this under: I'm a big boy now and gonna make mama real proud by writin' all these perty werds.

OR: Since this is serious music written by a dead European composer whose name is already on the roster of names we must revere, I must write something which sounds like saying something; which I'm not. Perhaps no one will realize this if I obfuscate (Nice, yes?) any meaning with verbal diarrhea.

The string quartet, like the liner note dude, was trying too hard. It ain't Beethoven man, let up on the gas pedal.

Crumbling pathos? Crumble some more feta on my salad, salad boy and snap to it!

To quote a great man:

Chop, chop, pussycat!

For those who need their quotient of quotes

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088258/quotes

Derek Smalls: We're lucky.
David St. Hubbins: Yeah.
Derek: I mean, people should be envying us, you know.
David: I envy us.
Derek: Yeah.
David: I do.
Derek: Me too.

TRUE QUOTE:"The first time Steven [Tyler] saw it he didn't see any humor in it. That's how close to home it was. He was pissed! He was like, That's not funny!" —Brad Whitford, Aerosmith (Spin, May 1997)

When I was interviewing an artist recently, I thought I'd be clever (There's a fine line....) and ask about Spinal Tap. I asked if whenever he was on stage, did he ever think about Spinal Tap, Nigel, et al? "No." was the clanging-like-a-lead-pipe-off-concrete answer. A real dud, that one.

A week or so later, in his online blog, he writes about the guitarist in his band leaving in a somewhat dramatic way. And in the middle of this post comes the golden words:

"this is spinal tap"

I envy me.

Yeah, I do.

Peter Boyle

Peter Boyle

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=244850&GT1=7703

Stocking Stuffers

Get off your cynical horse and get hoppin' out there in shopping land! Get those music lovers in your life some cool discs. I submit these for your kind consideration.

1. C.P.E. Bach: Symphonies 1-4/Cello Concerto in A with Andrew Manze, the English Concert

Yes, I actually like what I play on that "other show". If there is someone in your life that could appreciate this style of music or could grow to appreciate this, this disc is a winner. Andrew Manze and the fab-o English Concert are setting the gold standard of our times for this style of music. These are not boring academic performances, but performances that sound like the musicians are really having a good time playing old CPE. How could that have happened??

2. Nine Horses-Snow Borne Sorrow

Quite simply, one of 2005's best and one of Sylvian's best as well. Engrossing, innovative music matched with great lyrics. This is great music with a brain and a soul.

3. Novelle Vague-Bande a Part

What could be a musical joke-take 80's pop songs and arrange them with a 60's-bossa nova-lounge twist-becomes great music. Fun, ironic and downright sweet.

4. Kekele: Congo Life

I am new to these cats, but this album has some sweet music on it. Know anybody with an ear for world music? This is a good choice.
Is there any better Afro-Cuban harmony on the planet? Unlikely.

5. BT: This Binary Universe

For electronica fans
of the listening variety (I hate to say space music because that is such a baggage laden cliche.), BT is a solid choice. This is no mere bleeps and blips music, but well-crafted music. He's currently on tour with Thomas Dolby (Ye olde ones remember "Blinded Me with Science"?).

6. Astro Bar-Various Artists

Hands-down and one hand in the air, this is still the best little compilation of chill out music that I've heard. Water Music Records

7. Dom F. Scab-Binary Secrets

Electronic music, which may have the latest technology, but sounds warm and analogue old school to me. This is the stuff of exquisite sequencers percolating echoing synth lines that speak of contemplation of the celestial evening sky.

8. Gabriela Anders-Last Tango in Rio

If you want an album that sets a romantic mood, then baby, this is the one. Anders may not be the most gifted in the vocal department, and I don't mean that in mean way, but her delivery rules.

Others: Ursula 1000: Here Comes Tomorrow-Perfect urban party music. Brazilian Girls: Talk To La Bomb-BG album two is a little harder edged, but still a worthy follow-up to the debut.Urban Legend: tranquilidad cubana-more like an ep, but this reggaeton stuff is addictive. Joseph Arthur: Nuclear Daydream-Crazy Jo can sure write 'em. Memorable lyrics, great hooks and bear-your-soul singing. Good stoof.

I am the pickiest listener, but these may give you some ideas. Post your own!

The Wire is over

HBO's The Wire, Season Four, is over. If you missed it, I both envy you and feel sorry for you.

The Wire is one good reason to own a TV and put up with cable's high prices.

The Wire makes the argument that the best writing is on HBO.

Do yourself a favor. When you get the time, rent this series from the beginning.

Wolf At the Door

Be careful. There could be a wolf at your backdoor.


(Or a Wiggle Pie).



Or even a Blue Witch!

KLS Again!

Why I rule: because I'm sometimes, not always, ahead of the curve. Just kidding, but man, sometimes it's as if this stuff happens right after I blog about it.

When celebs act all precious and feud, I call it KLS: Kathie Lee Syndrome.

Clay Aiken and Kelly Ripa have now joined the ranks of those celebs who suffer from KLS. You can't make this stuff up: (my stuff in red, ok?)

NEW YORK — Kelly Ripa's definitely not a Claymate. (Hardy har har)

The talk show host went off on Aiken Monday morning on Live with Regis and Kelly. Ripa saying "I don't think he was respectful in any way." She said Aiken was hostile toward her when they shared co-hosting duties on Friday's show.

What hath Sir LightLoafe done? Ok, did he act disrespectful? I only saw a short clip, but maybe he was being a bit too familiar. There is an unspoken thing in radio where, if you are co-hosting with someone, you try to pick up your fellow host's fumbles and run with it. You always try to make each other look good. There also is an issue of partnership-one that has been established with Regis.

But disrespectful of not, just like her famous and disease founding predecessor, Kathie Lee, Ripa now sees herself as a TV diva. This is a shame because I really thought Ripa didn't take all this TV host stuff seriously. (If you want to really see how far afield Gifford has gone, please go here. Jesus. Narcissism on a nuclear level!) Ripa read this: sic transit gloria mundi (and so passes the glory of the world). Get over thyself.

She especially took issue with Aiken putting his hands over her mouth during an interview. She said you don't do that, even if it's for a laugh.
Ripa told Clay his actions were a "no, no," adding "I don't know where that hand's been, honey."

Let's address two things here. There was a program that researched the Reg/Ripa show and found that Ripa has done this same thing to Regis twice. That is, put her hand over his mouth. The whole "where that hand 's been" was a jab at Aiken's little secret and a slip-up on her part. Luckily, it was vague enough to get her out of PC hot water. Good going, morning Diva, Kathie Lee was cheering during that one!

Regis said he's shocked the pair didn't hit it off, saying, "In my wildest dreams would I ever think that one day you would have a feud with Aiken.

-Reg was shocked two Divas wouldn't get along? How naive is this dude? Get them both a saucer of milk NOW!

On The View" Tuesday, Rosie O'Donnell said Ripa's remark about Aiken's hand was homophobic. Aiken has been dogged by speculation about his sexuality but he's never answered.

-Thanks Rosie for A. making a jackrabbit out of your precious self again for our amusement and B. for letting the cat out of the bag. If there was any doubt before, there ain't none now.

In a call to "The View" Tuesday, Ripa blasted O'Donnell's comment as "outrageous." She said Aiken's actions were disrespectful and unprofessional -- and that he was spreading germs, since he'd just shaken hands with a lot of audience members.

You can't make this stuff up.

?

I won't add to the shame, but I still can't believe what I saw from that video. You'd figure that an old pro like Richards could handle some hecklers and not go racially ballistic. Ugly x 110.

The Laugh Factory's following press conference was one of the most mishandled press conferences I've ever seen. Total disaster from start to finish. Fiasco is not strong enough.

Then the "apology" on Letterman elicited laughter from some audience members. Seinfeld came to his friend's defense and told them not to laugh, that this was serious.

Yes, another serious disaster for the comedian.

The Seinfeld Curse?

Trouble in Paradise?

Well, it's not exactly paradise.

When the Eclectic Guy gets out every blue moon, on the rare occasion when the evening might include cocktails, he likes to go the Vandalia in Charleston. Ok, I recognize the pretensions of the joint and it ain't cheap and the music gets a bit monotonous, but hell, where can an old guy go? The Red Carpet Lounge?

From the Gazette:

Downtown nightspot closes abruptly Vandalia closes for
management change, majority owner says
Joe MorrisStaff writer
The Vandalia Lounge closed abruptly on Thursday for what its owner calls a management reorganization.

New thought: after scratching our heads over this one last night, one burning question remained. Why would a money making business close its doors on a Thursday night right before the holiday season? What business sense does that make. I don't mean to stir up trouble, but something is wrong in Vandalia land and we don't believe that this is the whole story. This certainly is none of our business and the real reason may never be revealed, but curiosity remains.

Majority owner Virgil Sadorra said the downtown bar at 212 Hale St. would be out of business for at least two weeks, but possibly longer, while a new management team learns the ropes.
Sadorra said he regretted having to close with the holidays coming up and the hardship that the closure would cause Vandalia’s employees.

“I feel bad for our servers and our regulars,” he said. “But I didn’t want to put a Band-aid on our problems.”

Sadorra would not comment on the problems that led to the closure except to say it was a mutual decision reached with Vandalia manager Pierre Charbonniez, a minority owner of the bar who is also Sadorra’s brother-in-law.
Charbonniez could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

“We need to step back and focus on the direction for the new year and develop a stronger management team,” Sadorra said.

Vandalia opened in September 2004 and quickly became a popular nightspot. Weekend nights tended to be standing room only, and Gov. Joe Manchin and first lady Gayle Manchin could occasionally be found there.

It pitched itself toward an upscale crowd, selling specialty martinis and enforcing a no-T-shirt dress code for men.

Sadorra owns Cilantros, a Tex-Mex restaurant downtown, and is working on opening two other restaurants in Charleston as well as another upscale bar.

Last month, he announced on his Web site that Vandalia would be adding a kitchen in order to start selling tapas dishes, or Spanish-themed appetizers, around the first of the new year.
On the Web: http://www.delish/
menuzine.com
To contact staff writer Joe Morris, use e-mail or call 348-5179.

Christopher Guest making another film

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/magazine/12guest.html?ex=1164085200&en=8a9f1b384423e121&ei=5070&emc=eta1

I had heard that Christopher Guest was up to something. A friend of mine sent me this link to the NY Times.

"Er....do I call you Nigel or Corky...or???"

Perhaps another reason dislike James Taylor? A small nugget from the above:

"It is that whimsy, tempered only by the insistence of human nature to exert itself, that characterizes Guest’s films, which are a departure from his baser beginnings in comedy. In a skit in “National Lampoon’s Lemmings,” he appeared as James Taylor and sang: “Farewell New York City/With your streets that flash like strobes/Farewell Carolina/Where I left my frontal lobes.”
He winced at the mention. “James Taylor came to the show with Carly Simon, and she was laughing and he wasn’t,” he said."

It goes on to say that Guest was a fan of Taylor. For me, if you can't laugh at yourself, then you become a joke.

Joseph Arthur interview just completed

Well, it's Monday, November 6th. I am still buzzing from talking to Joseph Arthur. If you don't know this guy yet, check out his website.

After some bumps which are unavoidable (the guy was AT a gig, in a small room in the basement,when I talked to him), we finally got to chat at length. The results? I could say surprising, even sublime, but I'll leave that to you.

Arthur is a creative guy. Creativity seems to flow from him. His answers were direct and a few threw me off my path. I have learned that that is a good thing. The interviewer has to abandon the plan for improvisations. Follow the flow. Just like music. You'll hear some surprising stories, even one about West Virginia.

So, stay tuned for updates.

KLS Has Struck Again

Kathie Lee tearfully begs:
"KLS, it's becoming more of a problem everyday. And folks, with your help, we can conquer this disease in our lifetimes. Then again, it's named after me, so doesn't that make it ok?"
No, Kathie Lee, it doesn't.

Kathie Lee Syndrome is when celebrities take themselves way too seriously and then begin to become self-appointed authorities on politics and other hot topics. KLS has struck the likes of Rosie O'Donnell (Remember the gun control hose job with Tom Selleck? Painful, but I couldn't look away.), George Clooney and a multitude of Hollywooders all making a point of subjecting everyone to their golden and profound opinion on the "issues." Why, because you are a talk show host/movie star/rock icon and you have an enthusiastic audience/fanbase, do you assume you now to try to influence public opinion by bullying everyone within media-shot with your overzealous opinion? Aren't entertainers supposed to entertain us?

Case in point: The Divine Miss B.

KLS has caused headlines again. And again. And then again.

Everyone not living under a rock knows Barbara Steisand's opinion of the Bush administration. Hell, I am beginning to see what all the Dems and Liberals are hollering about now, but Babs just can't leave it alone.
Why must she inject her rabid political opinions into her concert? Isn't this a concert not a political rally? And because she is a star, how does this make her an authority on political issues?

Eclectic Guy, I smell hypocrisy. Doesn't your beloved Peter Gabriel make political statements all the time??? Yes, you've got me, place the handcuffs on me now, guv. You've got me banged to rights.

Peter Gabriel has made political statements from the stage. Indeed he has, but they have always been about a specific abuse (the murder of Steven Biko, Apartheid, wars and famine in African nations) and showed no political party bias-at least none that this American can see.

When Amnesty International was doing concerts condemning the evils of Aparthied and other human rights abuses, where was Miss "Like Butter" then? What about Live Aid? What about aid to Africa concerts? What, no Queen o' Manhattan then? Call me cynical, but I think that most people who enter into the grand politics public mouth frothing that vehemently really don't care about the people that are affected by them, but it's more like rooting for your favorite sports team. They're not wearing your team's jersey, so let the ranting begin.

At a recent event, some unhappy ("angry" was a term used in the press release) concert goer threw a cup of liquid at NY's premiere prima donna after a skit that made fun of our beloved President.
From Yahoo news-
"Streisand's publicist, Dick Guttman, said a paper cup filled with some sort of liquid was thrown on stage but apparently did not hit Streisand during her second performance in this Fort Lauderdale suburb."

"It's at least the third time the skit, which includes a George W. Bush impersonator, has angered Streisand's audience. A heckler targeted her at the Philadelphia opening of her 20-city comeback tour (Come back from where? Her spacious, multi-million dollar Manhattan home? The Queen of New York? It was a self-imposed musical exile, yes? Babs has immense performance anxiety and choses to perform or not.) , Guttman said, and Streisand made headlines with her response to a jeerer at Madison Square Garden last month." (Who dares to jeer the Queen? Off with his head! This is Babs, baby. Who are you to question her authority? And during her show? The person should have been forced to watch The Mirror Has Two Faces as punishment.)

"Erlichman said Streisand, 64, believed the skit was in good fun and noted impersonator Steve Bridges, who wrote it, is a Republican."
(Proving what? The Pubs have a sense of humor? Could have fooled me. It's a ridiculous statement that clutches for straw. Babs needs no defense because she has a right to make an ass of herself in public if she wants, just as every celebrity does. More entertainment for us. Everyone wins the way I see it.)

"This skit has been so massively covered by media, it's impossible that it still could come as a surprise to any of the Bush admirers who bought tickets," Erlichman said."
(Anyone who bought a ticket should not be allowed to vote the way I see it. If you have such appalling taste in music and performers, then your choice of candidates is probably just as bad.)

Despite the controversy, Erlichman said the skit would remain a part of the tour. (Translation: Because the Queen of Streisland wills it so.)

Streisand, an outspoken liberal (Really? I hadn't noticed.), is touring the country after a 12-year absence from the stage (As previously stated, she's petrified about live performance. I have a deep appreciation of this, but she once tore up $40,000 dollars worth of carpeting at a venue because the sound wasn't right to her. That could have helped a lot of people, but the Queen was not happy, so money to burn is money to waste. She is a horrible woman used to getting her way.)

"...offering fans a repertoire of her four decades of hits." OH boy! Can't wait for that!