Tag Archives: Songs & Music

“Somewhere Out There” (not the Fievel one) (Song of the Week 11/9/10

The lovely Lucy Kaplansky covering one of my favorite Steve Earle songs, because I’ve been floating a bit in memories of people I kissed long ago, not nearly enough…

“Every Day I Write The Book” by Elvis Costello (NaNoWriMo Song of the Week, 1/11/10)

I’m in the midst of trying to pull my head out of my ass and finally finish my current writing project (it’s been a rough fucking year, more on that soon), and it seems a proper time for it, as National Novel Writing Month has now begun.

My participation will be more concurrent than participatory, but I’m with all you NaNo hacks in spirit all the same.

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“Take Me Out” by Atomic Tom Performed on iPhones (Song of the Week 8/25/10)

I don’t know this band, but really dig their song, and the fact that they’re playing it with various apps on their iPhones rather than actual instruments is tres cool. Not to mention great viral marketing.

Maybe it’s time to head for the MARTA train and read my book out loud from my iPhone…

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By Way of Sorrow (Song of the Week 3/1/2010)

I’m starting a new tradition here under the ol’ outlaw moon. Every week, I’m going to share a song with you. And I’m going to begin with one of my favorites, a song by the lovely Julie Miller called “By Way of Sorrow.”

This is a song that I’ve listened to hundreds of times over the years and it has never lost its power to move me. Aside from the elegant softness of the music and the gentle beauty of Miller’s voice, the song is like a shelter from the cold, a loving touch on a lonely night.

I suffer from depression, and just listening to Miller sing this song adds a bit of hope to my time in the abyss. This winter has been a time of crushing solitude and torpor for me (it’s become apparent that my depression is very cyclical, and the colder months damn near crack my bones spiritually), and I’m only just starting not only to see sunlight again, but to care whether I see it or not.

Julie Miller’s song helps me feel like perhaps there’s still someplace I’m headed besides base survival.

Lyrics after the break:

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Good Memories of 2009, Day 9: Springsteen

I already blogged about this (with multiple videos), but in April I saw the best concert I’ve ever seen, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Phillips Arena. This wasn’t my first Springsteen show (and hopefully won’t be the last), but it was the best.

As Jon Stewart said a couple of years ago, “If you like joy, go see Bruce Springsteen.”

Good Memories of 2009, Day 4: 1977

1977

My ex and I started a new tradition last year. Every Christmas, we’re both giving our son some of the music we were listening to the year we were his current age. He’s thirteen now, so she gave him music from 1965 and I gave him music from 1977, the respective years we were thirteen.

I gave him Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and ELO’s A New World Record. I also put together a two CD package of assorted hits I liked that year, which allowed me to revisit the year I really started getting into music in the first place and rediscover just how many great songs came out then.

There’s A Hot Girl In The Comic Shop!

Found out about this very amusing song thanks to Alan Gratz.

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Bobby McFerrin’s Amazing Musical Mind Control!

In an appearance on a panel at the World Science Festival, Bobby McFerrin uses his superpowers to turn a crowd into a huge musical instrument. Fascinating and entertaining.

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Carrie

I’ve never bothered with American Idol. But Carrie Underwood almost makes me wish I had, at least that season.

The first video you’ll need to click through to watch on YouTube. It’s worth it.

Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold

A live version of an old favorite, one of the more heartbreaking songs I know.

It takes a LOT to creep me out, but…

…this makes my skin crawl. He was creepy enough when he was alive.

Michael Jackson will live on as a ‘plastinated’ creature preserved by German doctor Gunther von Hagens.

Von Hagens has caused controversy with everyone from the Pope to the chief rabbi in Israel with his practice of embalming corpses with preserving polyurethane.

Yesterday, he declared: ‘An agreement is in place to plastinate the King of Pop.’…

Von Hagens said that he spoke with representatives of the Jackson family ‘many months ago’ and it was agreed that his body will be plastinated and placed next to Bubbles, his late pet monkey who was plastinated a number of years ago and is exhibited at The Body Worlds & Mirror Of Time exhibition at the O2 Centre in London.

Von Hagens also confirmed it was one of Michael’s final requests to be reunited with Bubbles. [Source: The Daily Mail]

Ew.

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

The latest literalization of an old video. It’s hilarious.

Karla DeVito – We Are Not Alone

Introduced the kid to BREAKFAST CLUB tonight to good reviews. So here’s an appropriate blast from the past. And hey, EVERYBODY goes with “Don’t You Forget About Me.”

I’m a rebel.

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It’s National Michelle Malone Day

Or it should be, anyway.

If you’re not familiar with Michelle Malone, she’s sixteen tons of rock and blues melted down to a scalding boil and poured into a whiskey bottle. She’s a world-class talent I’ve been listening to since the mid-1980s, and a nice lady to boot.

michelle_malone2

Today’s her birthday. To celebrate, everybody should buy her new album, Debris. It’s an amazing work. Here’s a taste:

And if you likey the blues, you really need to watch this one:

Happy birthday, Michelle!