I just gained 30 pounds, in one night!
Gloria had Dan, Dan, Junior & I over to her house for a barbeque this evening. Holy crap was it good. I don't think I could ever ask for a better meal. We had fresh summer squash, carrots, broccoli & radishes from the farmer's market with a killer dip, Boca Burgers (okay, I had boca burgers, everyone else had hamburgers & brats), watermelon, cheesy potatoes & strawberry pie for dessert. I don't think I can eat again for another week.
Gloria's backyard is something else, too, she's got a garden that won't quit, a little pond & the nicest grass you'll ever see. We played with her dogs, listened to the band playing in the park down the street & had a fabulous time. Three cheers for Gloria for giving us such a feast & for putting up with us idiots.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
It Could've Been A Brilliant Career-Belle & Sebastian
he had a stroke at the age of twenty four, it could've been a brilliant career!
Flatness-Uncle Tupelo, No Depression
Gethsemane-Richard Thompson, The Old Kit Bag
be something! be something fine!
License to Kill-Bob Dylan, the David Letterman Show, 1984
he worships at an altar of a stagnant pool...
This is one of Bob Dylan's greatest performances of the '80's. He should've stuck with this band throughout the entire decade, although not very technically proficient, they got to the heart of this music with no frills, & Bob's vocals match there playing all the way.
all he believes are his eyes, & his eyes they just tell him lies!
You Got Me-The Roots, Featuring Erykah Badu, Things Fall Apart
Happy Wednesday, friends, I hope your summer is filled with green lawns & smells of brats on the roast (it's in the spirit of the ones we miss the most!).
andrew
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Great Things Happen when Mom & Joyce Come to TownI got a visit from the Thelma & Louise of grandmotherhood today, well maybe not Thelma & Louise, maybe Lucy & Ethel. I showed them some of the finer sites of Grand Haven. Sometimes you don't realize how good your surroundings are until you get to show them off to other people. Rarely will I take a walk down the channel unless visitors are over. I know I never would've gone to the art fair downtown. It was a pretty good day, we even got to go up in uncle Mark's secret hideout overlooking Lake Michigan. That must be the coolest place on earth.
I'm sure by now your wondering what all this has to do with the pictures of the strange looking gentlemen that are shown here. I'd like to think that this blog is the only place that will bring you such diverse characters as Will Oldham, Leonard Cohen, John Updike, Joyce Patterson & Pam Schroeder. Maybe after it publishes I'll google all those names & see what I come up with.
While waiting for the travelling show to arrive, I stumbled upon the documentary about Leonard Cohen called "I'm Your Man", being released this month. Despite the fact that it features Bono of U2, it looks to be very promising, with performances by Nick Cave, Rufus Wainright & Antony & the Johnsons.
While at "the Bookman", I discovered that John Updike's latest novel, "Terrorist" was in, I'll be starting that tomorrow.
After they left, I hopped on the internet & found out that Will Oldham would be doing a summer tour of record stores, of all places, & that he would be playing at the best record store in the universe, Vertigo. You couldn't ask for a better artist playing at such a venue. The only thing better would be Bob Dylan playing in my living room.
So all in all, a great day, brightened as always by the adventurous spirits of "The Grandmas Two". Off to have dinner with Mike & Dan, I'm not sure what I'll call them.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
Freddie Freeloader-Miles Davis, Kind of Blue
I heard this song coming from the speakers outside of the DeeLite restaurant while walking around downtown Grand Haven's art fair today. It's always good to hear good music in public places. This is, without a doubt, the greatest jazz album of all time. I will accept no arguments.
In the Summertime-Bob Dylan
XM radio's deep tracks is the only radio station where you'll ever hear an obscure song like this on the radio.
Alexandra Leaving-Leonard Cohen, In My Secret Life
A great song about a husband missing his deceased wife. Everytime I hear that deep voice singing "As someone long prepared for this to happen..." I get the chills. What a great song. I hope they talk about this in the documentary.
Dr King-Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Exploration
Hokey folk music at it's finest.
Here Am I, Oh Lord, Send Me-Mississippi John Hurt, Revisited
"Well, sir, I just make it sound like I think it ought to." Mississippi John Hurt
That low thumping note of Hurt's guitar sounds like a battle drum, who will go & work today? you can say he died fo' usaa-ll...
Happy Saturday, friends, I hope it's filled with friendly visitors!
andrew
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Oh Sister!
Yesterday was my sister's birthday, 29 to be exact. I hear it passed with little fanfare, which I'm sure was fine with Emily. Teaching VBS, hanging out with the kids, visiting mom & dad would be a good day for anyone. I can't help but hope, though, that maybe after she has the third child, & moves into her new house that she celebrates her last year in the twenties with a little bit of craziness, maybe she'll have a drink or two or travels to some strange place. Here's hoping.
Here's a few things I love about my sister:
She taught me how to match my socks with my shirt (although I don't always follow her wisdom on this one).
She taught me how to have fun with any stupid little game, i.e. hanging your head upside down off the couch & calling it "truck".
She's the normal child of the three, the other two of us have always been a bit left of center, a bit strange (sorry Heidi), she always brought us down from the clouds.
She wasn't ashamed to call me her brother in high school.
She always makes everyone feel welcome in her house.
You'll never find a more graceful, more elegant sister. That's just a few of many, love ya, bubs.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
He Woke Me Up Again-Sufjan Stevens, Seven Swans
I've always had alot of respect for musicians that don't label themselves a "Christian rock band", but instead let their music do the talking. Sufjan certainly falls under this category, I love this song. Do yourself a favor & go get his "Greetings From Michigan"
All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands-Sufjan Stevens, Seven Swans
Gulf Shores-Bonnie "Prince" Billy sings Greatest Palace Music
Notes on Air-Alejandro Escovedo, the Boxing Mirror
Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie-Joanna Newsom, the Milk Eyed Mendor
Happy Thursday, friends...
andrew
Yesterday was my sister's birthday, 29 to be exact. I hear it passed with little fanfare, which I'm sure was fine with Emily. Teaching VBS, hanging out with the kids, visiting mom & dad would be a good day for anyone. I can't help but hope, though, that maybe after she has the third child, & moves into her new house that she celebrates her last year in the twenties with a little bit of craziness, maybe she'll have a drink or two or travels to some strange place. Here's hoping.
Here's a few things I love about my sister:
She taught me how to match my socks with my shirt (although I don't always follow her wisdom on this one).
She taught me how to have fun with any stupid little game, i.e. hanging your head upside down off the couch & calling it "truck".
She's the normal child of the three, the other two of us have always been a bit left of center, a bit strange (sorry Heidi), she always brought us down from the clouds.
She wasn't ashamed to call me her brother in high school.
She always makes everyone feel welcome in her house.
You'll never find a more graceful, more elegant sister. That's just a few of many, love ya, bubs.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
He Woke Me Up Again-Sufjan Stevens, Seven Swans
I've always had alot of respect for musicians that don't label themselves a "Christian rock band", but instead let their music do the talking. Sufjan certainly falls under this category, I love this song. Do yourself a favor & go get his "Greetings From Michigan"
All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands-Sufjan Stevens, Seven Swans
Gulf Shores-Bonnie "Prince" Billy sings Greatest Palace Music
Notes on Air-Alejandro Escovedo, the Boxing Mirror
Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie-Joanna Newsom, the Milk Eyed Mendor
Happy Thursday, friends...
andrew
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Home By Eleven
All in all, it was a pretty good day with a nice morning drive across the state, a good message from the good reverend, dinner with the family, playing with some nieces & nephews, a nice rainy afternoon drive back across the state, a nice dinner at the Shawmut Inn courtesy of the best waitress ever & one of the finest concerts I've ever seen.
Unfortunately, Alejandro Escovedo didn't play my favorite song of his that this blog was named after (it just happened to be that I got home by eleven), but I wouldn't have traded it for any other song in his set.
The Wealthy Street Theatre is a small, quaint place to see a show, with great acoustics, especially considering we were in the front row. When Dan & I arrived, it looked to be a poor crowd, with the 400 seat theatre only about a third full. After your average, run of the mill acoustic opening act, I decided we should seize the rare opportunity to sit in the front row (although there are no bad seats in the house) for a show with the caliber of this.
Alejandro Escovedo is one of those rare musicians who has garnered great critical acclaim among other musicians, but has a relatively small following & small album sales. Attending a show like this lets you know you're among kindred spirits, nobody goes to a concert like this because it's "the place to be", & there are no "hits" that attract the casual fan.
Alejandro looked to be in good health, & there was only one minor allusion to his near fatal illness that he recovered from. He said, "we'll be back, we're getting up & around alot more these days."
applause is kind of bullsh*t. it'd be something if everyone just stood there silent.
Bob Dylan, Don't Look Back
I kind of agree with this statement. I clap my hands at a show because it's rather impolite not to, but it has nothing to do with my enjoyment of a show. If there's any musicians reading this blog, if you are ever playing a show & there's a dude in the front row with a goofy grin on his face, tapping his toe like he's killing a million ants, there's a pretty good chance that whatever your playing is coming across to your audience.
This was certainly the case for me tonight. I didn't think much of the new album, but those songs came alive in a live performance. The band is as tight as any I've seen, with a cello & a violin that come up with a symphony & a jam in the same song. The quick smiles the band shoots each other during a song shows that things are clicking, & they clicked all night. Alejandro can break your heart with one song & kick you in the ass on the next. There was a sign for the radio station, that says folk, blues, jazz, rock & worldbeat. This band had it all.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
Dear Head on the Wall
Baby's Got New Plans
I Wish I Was Your Mother
Don't Know Why
Evita's Lullaby
Have a good week, friends, it was good to see everybody!
andrew
All in all, it was a pretty good day with a nice morning drive across the state, a good message from the good reverend, dinner with the family, playing with some nieces & nephews, a nice rainy afternoon drive back across the state, a nice dinner at the Shawmut Inn courtesy of the best waitress ever & one of the finest concerts I've ever seen.
Unfortunately, Alejandro Escovedo didn't play my favorite song of his that this blog was named after (it just happened to be that I got home by eleven), but I wouldn't have traded it for any other song in his set.
The Wealthy Street Theatre is a small, quaint place to see a show, with great acoustics, especially considering we were in the front row. When Dan & I arrived, it looked to be a poor crowd, with the 400 seat theatre only about a third full. After your average, run of the mill acoustic opening act, I decided we should seize the rare opportunity to sit in the front row (although there are no bad seats in the house) for a show with the caliber of this.
Alejandro Escovedo is one of those rare musicians who has garnered great critical acclaim among other musicians, but has a relatively small following & small album sales. Attending a show like this lets you know you're among kindred spirits, nobody goes to a concert like this because it's "the place to be", & there are no "hits" that attract the casual fan.
Alejandro looked to be in good health, & there was only one minor allusion to his near fatal illness that he recovered from. He said, "we'll be back, we're getting up & around alot more these days."
applause is kind of bullsh*t. it'd be something if everyone just stood there silent.
Bob Dylan, Don't Look Back
I kind of agree with this statement. I clap my hands at a show because it's rather impolite not to, but it has nothing to do with my enjoyment of a show. If there's any musicians reading this blog, if you are ever playing a show & there's a dude in the front row with a goofy grin on his face, tapping his toe like he's killing a million ants, there's a pretty good chance that whatever your playing is coming across to your audience.
This was certainly the case for me tonight. I didn't think much of the new album, but those songs came alive in a live performance. The band is as tight as any I've seen, with a cello & a violin that come up with a symphony & a jam in the same song. The quick smiles the band shoots each other during a song shows that things are clicking, & they clicked all night. Alejandro can break your heart with one song & kick you in the ass on the next. There was a sign for the radio station, that says folk, blues, jazz, rock & worldbeat. This band had it all.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
Dear Head on the Wall
Baby's Got New Plans
I Wish I Was Your Mother
Don't Know Why
Evita's Lullaby
Have a good week, friends, it was good to see everybody!
andrew
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Daddy Sang Bass
Tomorrow's father's day, so here's my favorite songs about fathers.
Old Man-Neil Young
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone-the Temptations
Birdland-Patti Smith (complete with red tractors!)
the Jackson Song-Patti Smith (this song is absolutely breathtaking)
By the Hand of the Father-Alejandro Escovedo
Seven Curses-Bob Dylan
Lord, Protect My Child-Bob Dylan
If You Never Got Sick-the Wallflowers
Hand Me Down-the Wallflowers
Honey Babe Your Papa Cares for You-Elizabeth Cotten
Father-the Why Store
You are a Runner & I Am My Father's Son-Wolf Parade
Lawyers Guns & Money-Warren Zevon
Sodom South Georgia-Iron & Wine
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road-Lucinda Williams
& last but not least, the one that hits closest to home...
Daddy Sang Bass-Johnny Cash
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
Don't You Take it Too Bad-Townes Van Zandt, Rear View
Windfall-Son Volt, Trace
Birdland-Patti Smith, Horses
the Jackson Song-Patti Smith, Dream of Life
Tangled Up in Blue-Bob Dylan, Cardiff 2000
Happy father's day, friends, I hope you have a great one like I do...
andrew
Tomorrow's father's day, so here's my favorite songs about fathers.
Old Man-Neil Young
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone-the Temptations
Birdland-Patti Smith (complete with red tractors!)
the Jackson Song-Patti Smith (this song is absolutely breathtaking)
By the Hand of the Father-Alejandro Escovedo
Seven Curses-Bob Dylan
Lord, Protect My Child-Bob Dylan
If You Never Got Sick-the Wallflowers
Hand Me Down-the Wallflowers
Honey Babe Your Papa Cares for You-Elizabeth Cotten
Father-the Why Store
You are a Runner & I Am My Father's Son-Wolf Parade
Lawyers Guns & Money-Warren Zevon
Sodom South Georgia-Iron & Wine
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road-Lucinda Williams
& last but not least, the one that hits closest to home...
Daddy Sang Bass-Johnny Cash
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
Don't You Take it Too Bad-Townes Van Zandt, Rear View
Windfall-Son Volt, Trace
Birdland-Patti Smith, Horses
the Jackson Song-Patti Smith, Dream of Life
Tangled Up in Blue-Bob Dylan, Cardiff 2000
Happy father's day, friends, I hope you have a great one like I do...
andrew
Thursday, June 15, 2006
The Broken Mirror of InnocenceWell, my honeymoon with maxxine is officially over. The other day, as I was backing out of the garage to go to work, I stayed a little too close to the the east wall & bumped maxxine's passenger side mirror into the side of the door opening. It cracked the shell of the mirror, but the mirror itself is still intact. If murphy's law holds true, I'll have to replace the whole mirror for one small piece of plastic. Maxxine's a bit angry with me.
In other news, after last week's 44, I came crashing down with a 53 at the golf league tonight. Maxxine must've been talking bad to my golf clubs, which've been in the trunk of the car all week. Yup, that's what caused it alright.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
Blind Hope-Son Volt, Wide Swing Tremolo
here's one for you, leave one for me...
Song for Myla Goldberg-the Decemberists, Her Majesty, the Decemberists
Heart of Gold-Neil Young, Harvest
Car Wheel's on a Gravel Road-Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Poets-the Tragically Hip, Phantom Power
don't tell us how the universe is altered, 'til you find out how he gets paid, alright!
Today's blog is brought to you by Boca Burgers, you either love 'em or you hate 'em! I love 'em, 'specially with some pepper jack cheese & some spicy mustard. Mmm, mmh!
Happy Thursday, friends, don't let the door hit you on your way out!
andrew
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