This might well be just what the world was waiting for...
BLUE RIBBON GLEE CLUB:
www.myspace.com/theblueribbongleeclub
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Other Side Of Lillith Fair...
Much attention has been given to Sarah McLachlan's resurrection of the Lillith Fair Festival, a travelling concert series designed to level out the gender playing field on the shed circuit. In that spirit, here's a quick tip of the hat to 2 equally idiosyncratic young ladies who are most definitely doing it their own way...
Don't let the smooth soul jam fool you, this could only be the work of Erykah Badu...the first clue is her ride...Inspired by Matt & Kim's 'Lessons Learned' video, she puts her own particular spin on the business...
M.I.A.'s clip for 'Born Free' is lensed by Romain Garvas, son of Constantin Costa-Garvas (European political thriller 'Z'), and the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree cinematically. M.I.A. soundtracks the clip with a chopped up riff from electro-punk godfathers Suicide (Ghost Rider). On the heels of her chart conquering 'Paper Planes', she shows no sign of backing down from her more adventurous side.
Don't let the smooth soul jam fool you, this could only be the work of Erykah Badu...the first clue is her ride...Inspired by Matt & Kim's 'Lessons Learned' video, she puts her own particular spin on the business...
M.I.A.'s clip for 'Born Free' is lensed by Romain Garvas, son of Constantin Costa-Garvas (European political thriller 'Z'), and the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree cinematically. M.I.A. soundtracks the clip with a chopped up riff from electro-punk godfathers Suicide (Ghost Rider). On the heels of her chart conquering 'Paper Planes', she shows no sign of backing down from her more adventurous side.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Coachella Festival 2010, day three
Word again about the weather...Saturday barely scratched 90, and had overcast stretches, really damping down the impact...day for day, it was the most gloriously temperate weather i've ever encountered at Coachella. Also, the third day zombie hoard was much less 'fragrant' than years past...
Still had the feeling of being in idle, waiting for Something To Happen. Shortly after this thought, it would be more than seven hours before i found peace again...
I was pleasantly surprised that the tent was packed for his gig, a testimony to his twitter mobilization, and the good rep of his label Stones Throw records, no doubt.
Obviously in a new era when an artist pimps his Twitter feed (@MayerHawthorne) in a song intro.
Many questioned why they were on the Main Stage, and more hyped bands were seemingly exiled to the outdoor stage, but their fearless set answered every question, veering from chamber pop to pure noise...
They closed the set with a stunning version of 'Pass The Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind', paced by Ira's manic shredding, blowing it out past the 12 minute mark, leaving the audience breathless. The yin and the yang of Yo La Tengo...
The audience gave them a conquering hero's welcome, and they assayed a set of brutally chopped angular tunes...
Ladies and Gentlemen: Sly & The Family Stone...
Or Not...
In retrospect, what in the hell was i thinking...
Sly's only rival for cancellations/no shows in the '70's was George Jones. Sweated out some time until the inevitable 'delay' announcement, watched the crowd visibly sag, then had a good long laugh at myself. It ocurred to me that i recalled reading an article about a journalist trying to interview Sly that ended up being titled something like: 'And I Keep Waiting for Sly'...hmph...
Redemption came in the form of Pavement...As witnessed in a warmup show at the Fox Theater in Pomona thursday night, the reunited unit is in fine fettle. (complete coverage in an upcoming post).
Thoroughly drained in both the body/soul and camera battery/flash card departments, I skirted the edges of the mammoth turnout for the band Thom Yorke put together to support his solo record, 'The Eraser'. Teeming with great musical minds, but perhaps most notable for sporting Flea, the group added a welcome funkiness to a claustrophic laptop record, (in the very nicest sense), bringing new layers to the tunes...
It was a welcome bookend, having seen Radiohead at my very first Coachella, so many years ago...Yorke's siren song seemed a fitting soundtrack to my exit strategy from the desert.
Final thoughts: Interestingly enough, this seemed like the year Coachella finally came into it's own, eschewing the major celebrity bookings in favor of a micro.focus on the music. It's daring economic strategy, going to 3 day passes only, away from single day tickets, seemed foolhardy at first, but came up a cropper as the show sold out completely. What next? Rumors for the '11 lineup are already flying...but at this juncture, i'm shutting them out in favor of savoring what has just past...
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Coachella Festival: Randomness
Coachella Festival 2010, day two
Chugging water and still ended up dehydrated. Today fit the ideal...all the early shows were in tents.
Laid out on the grass in the tent shade, digging on England's Frank Turner, who was either over here touring already, or has God for a travel agent. His brisk set put the right spin on the day, and helped rouse me to life.
Good sloppy fun...
The volcano related cancellation of Frightened Rabbit was a shame, another one that I'd been looking forward to on the heels of their newest record: 'The Winter Of Mixed Drinks'.
One of the high points of the day for me.
Snuck over to see Band of Skulls...they were fine; it was me. Had to return to see the end of Beach House.
She owned the tent, and gave no quarter, controlling the band, and playing with, and off of the audience, culminating in a stroll through the front row, parting the sea of people like you know who...
Hard to explain the band's combination of African polyrhythms on electric guitar with an angular, Gang of 4ish tilt, over which is poured the elastic vocalise of the groups singers...Pretty polarizing for most, but right up my alley.
She came over and continued to stare, and she said: 'i think i know you', and suddenly all the pieces fell into place...It was Dru, who i worked with a dozen years ago, if it was a day. Since long decamped to the bay area, she had come after a friend bailed out on her. I never ceased to be amazed by the randomness of the world.
Presence being the operative word; Mike Patton hit the stage in a Pimp.a.licious red outfit, and restaked his claim.
Light flashed across the dark stage, and pin lights spotted various members as they took verses on Peaches & Herb's 'Reunited'...Absolutely...they had me from there on. Bonus points for inserting a riff from Stevie Wonder's 'Sir Duke' into the middle of obvious. The band was tight and hungry, and compelled me to listen to music that isn't in my wheelhouse. No higher praise can i give...if only for a night, Faith No More came back home.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Coachella Festival 2010, day one
Came in on the very end of Kate Miller-Heidke, who kicked the weekend off in style, following her partner's solo with an operatic high note...would like to have caught more of the set.
Cruised sets by Pablo Hassan in the dj tent, Jets Overhead, a young band from Vancouver, and Alana Grace on the outdoor stage (pictured above).
They went on to bash out an inspired set of shambolic roots punk.
Hid out in the mojave tent, and salved my bitterness with a rocking set from 'As Tall As Lions', (pic above)...
This set marked the first instance of major sound issues that randomly plagued the festival throughout the weekend. I'm not an engineer, so i won't speak as to cause, but i can certainly speak to effect...eww!
The Bros soldiered on, showing no signs of discontent, simply bailing on malfunctioning instruments and working harder to make up for it. Set built up to a rousing climax, then ended with a really touching sing a long. Never count out the Avett Brothers...
First volcano related scrub of the day was the Cribs, who now feature former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Was quite looking forward to them.
Back to the tents for Brooklyn's much heralded Yeasayer, fresh off their second album, and Syracuse's own Ra Ra Riot. (both pictured below) Yeasayer had a hugely packed tent, and their new material held up better live.
Ra Ra Riot didn't have the crowd, but played with a lot of heart...
Next up was the controlled chaos that could only be the Dillinger Escape Plan, (pict left), easily the loudest band to this point, who laid down an ecstatic barrage. Amazing energy, and certainly not for the faint of heart. Pictures don't even begin to suggest what went down, I really should have shot some video of these guys.
Just four songs left me absolutely drained, at which point it was back to the main stage to stake out a front and center spot...
Which ended up being a front left spot, but who am i to quibble...the moment i'd been waiting 30 years for was here...the legendary Specials, (above) reunited for a brief 30th anniversary tour, (with everyone but founder Jerry Dammers), and took the coveted sunset slot and turned the main stage into a whirling dance party. Losing none of their energy, they rarely stopped moving, and worked their way through an impressive catalog of hits. All the favourites were there, 'Monkey Man', 'Too Much Too Soon', 'Night Klub', and more.
Thus restored, i staked out a space next door in the Mojave tent for the triumphant return of Grizzly Bear, fresh off last years 'Veckatimest', and a followup to their '07 appearance here.
Grizzly Bear didn't disappoint, bringing the intricate record to life, and adding a lot more oomph to the songs in a live setting.
Finished off a long day with another reunion, Echo & the Bunnymen on the outdoor stage. Their majestic tunes fared well, and some well picked covers, (Doors 'Roadhouse Blues'), helped save the day for them.
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