Recently in Music Category

Inspired by the iTunes Shuffle, I offer a little more Elijah Bossenbroek, this time from his Carpe Lumen album. The visuals aren't bad, either.

Elijah Bossenbroek

After an outstanding dinner at Liuzza's on a cold and rainy night in New Orleans, we went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at the New Orleans Arena.

First, Liuzza's: Patsy had a shrimp remoulade po-boy that she is still raving about this morning. I had a very messy, quite delicious roast beef po-boy. Pure heaven. I miss New Orleans food, particularly the po-boys, and especially Liuzza's. What we get on the NorthShore just isn't the same.

About TSO: We've seen them three years in a row now. I can't say that they get better every year but they surely get bigger every year. This is an enormous production. Love the HD flat screens but could probably do without the flames and the blinding lights and maybe they could cut down on the narration and chit chat a little. Would also like to see them do a better job getting the music mixes right (Leads a little more in the foreground, singer's microphone turned down a little, etc). It was still a great show. We had decent seats last night except for having a stairway between us and the stage. The audience's constant traipsing back and forth on the stairs blocked our view too much of the night to suit me. Katie, Lars, and Amy had better seats in the same section. The stairs were behind them in relation to the stage. It was all Christmas music and Night Castle music this year. No covers, no special guests. Catch them if you can.

New Orleans needs a better concert venue, one that is big enough to attract the good shows but not so big that it swallows them (SuperDome), one that is also built for great sound and where all of the seats face the stage.

Speaking of New Orleans, ESPN's Wright Thompson wrote a lovely tribute to New Orleans and the Saints. Fabulous read.

Janice asked me to post this for everyone. Great idea for a video and a fabulous song.

Quidam: "a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming, going, living in our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the "quidam" that Cirque du Soleil is celebrating."

From Shane MacGowan and The Pogues with the late Kirsty MacColl. MacGowan is an acquired taste. He has a harsh singing voice and an even harsher appearance (Google him). He's a great songwriter, though. I love Kirsty's contribution. The song is sad and sweet. Lyrics below the fold if you're interested. For best results, click on the play button on the lower left rather than the center, then click it again to pause. Let the song load. It'll only take a few seconds on a fast connection.

Patsy and I are going to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) in New Orleans on November 10 along with her sister, Bobette, her husband, and some friends. They were mentioned here by Nancy a couple of years ago and we've been hoping they'd come here. We have all of their CDs and are very excited about this. November 10 is the first day of a week-long vacation so we can stay out late just like grown-ups. TSO splits up their members and sends them out on two complete tours. On November 10, they will be appearing in New Orleans and in Worcester, MA at the same time. The lead guitarist in the sweet video below, Chris Caffery, will be in Worcester on the East Coast tour. We'll have someone else in New Orleans but there won't be any dropoff. They are all excellent. For best results, click on the play button at the bottom left rather than the one in the center and then click it again to pause it. Let it go for a minute or two (Watch the red line go all the way to the end) and then play it. What that will do is cause the video to load on your computer and you can listen to it and watch it without the normal blips of the internet. Enjoy.

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree

I've seen her perform this song about about 10 different times. It is always a treat.

U2 and Green Day Exclusive Performance by U2

I'm not usually a big fan of either of these bands but I thought this performance before the Saints-Falcons game on Monday night in the Superdome was electrifying. Crank up your speakers.

How many people can get this? I'm seeing these all over the web. Not sure about the copyright issues if there are any. Scott?

Just seeing if we can post this kind of music link here. Looks like we can. Turn up your speakers and enjoy.

This past Tuesday (the 27th), John took me,Zack,Anne, and Anne's boyfriend, Jake to see/hear the Trans Siberian Orchestra. What an experience! If you don't know and have never been, it's a rock orchestra complete with classically trained musicians, singers, and includes a laser light show, fireworks, pyrotechnics and loud rock style music. Some of the songs are rewritten Christmas songs in a rock orchestra format. There was a narrator telling a Christmas story that blended with the music. The narrator had the most beautiful speaking voice.

The kids said they enjoyed it and I know both John and I did. We are already saying we will go again next year. You can "google" them to get to their website and you may have even heard a song or 2 of theirs on the radio.

A little longer audio/video here. Crank up your speakers.

The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack is playing here as I type. My spellchecker doesn’t like Mohicans. Or spellchecker, either, for that matter. I digress. The movie is stirring and the music is equally stirring. I love great film soundtracks and have quite a collection of them. A good soundtrack will not make a bad film good. Empire Records has a great soundtrack but is only a guilty pleasure sort of film for me. Sometimes, its pure magic. Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous, You Never Can Tell in Pulp Fiction, Für Elise in Immortal Beloved, Ain't Too Proud To Beg in The Big Chill, and Burning Bridges in Kelly’s Heroes to name just a few are forever intertwined in my mind. I cannot hear the song and not think of the film scene that goes with it.

Have any faves?

The picture below was taken this morning.

When I bought these (I have two), I was under the impression that they were ground cover. Katie seems to think they're mums. They've been blooming for almost a month now. I like them but I don't remember what the store said they were but I think I would have remembered if it was some sort of mum. It does look like stuff I saw in Minneapolis and New England to me. Any ideas?

Kind of in a posting mood today. Something Kitty said made me think of High Fidelity. If you’ve never seen this movie, go down to your video store and rent it or set your TiVo to record it. I really don’t think you’ll like it much, Mom, but I think most everyone else who reads this would or already has. It is probably John Cusack’s last decent film and it is easily the best one he’s been in but not particularly because of him. The other characters make the movie, particularly the two lovable losers who work for Cusack at the record store played by Todd Louiso and Jack Black. There’s an exchange between Rob (Cusack) and one of them that goes like this:

Dick: “I guess it looks as if you’re reorganizing your records, um, what’s this? Chronological?”

Rob: “No.”

Dick: “Not alphabetical.”

Rob: “Nope.”

Dick: “What?”

Rob: “Autobiographical.”

Dick: “No ****ing way!”

Rob: “Yep, I can tell you how I got from Deep Purple to Howling Wolf in just 25 moves.”

That still cracks me up.