Tuesday, December 31, 2002

So long, year of the palindrome

That's assuming I'm not around come 2112.

As we get ready for festivities tonight, may I wish anyone out there a very happy new year. Stay away from the nog - it's toxic sludge on the way back up.

And to the person who gave us a Dr. Phil "Self Matters" desktop calendar...do seek help in '03! ~ L8TR! d

Saturday, December 28, 2002

Avoid the holiday hassle of tree setup and teardown

Patricia has an idea for a rapid deploy xmas tree. Here's another approach, from Joey - the upside down xmas tree. It can stay up all year and never be in the way. At the site, click on some of the xmas light strings to see more pictures.




















Monday, December 23, 2002

Ugh

Holiday gridlock. It's always the same. I've got too many things to attend to and barely any time left. Best intentions always seem more futile, this time of year. Back to kidding myself I can get everything done in time.

Sunday, December 22, 2002

2002 Holiday Compilation cdr

Boy, am I ever late with this. But super hero Mike Wolf comes to the rescue. He's lent me some storage space, so the compilation is available for download here!

Download "Homey's Holiday - 2002"

Please download the songs, then listen. In other words, please don't stream. He'll get charged if the bandwidth limit is exceeded. The tracks are encoded at 160kps, so if you know how, reconvert to WAV & burn your own cdr. I'll be sending some out, but obviously, they are way late now. There's a document and some label making materials at that link as well.

Here's the tunage details. Links are to more info on the bands and/or these releases. Of particular note, Ron Sexsmith's "Maybe This Christmas" is out on a comp of the same name, with proceeds going to Toys For Tots. The Brothers Figaro studio versions of the live songs included on this comp are great too, so definitely do check them out:

“Homey’s Holiday - 2002”

Hardly an interesting title, I know. But enough of the songs have some element of spending the holidays at home - which we are this year – I figured let’s settle for the obvious and move along. We covered the full spectrum this time, in terms of selecting songs from well-known, somewhat known and totally obscure artists. Also, at least one homeless and one departed musician are included. I also wanted to put in a little nod to our grandma Martucci, with the old Merle tune. We’ll always cherish memories of visits to her home, Christmas afternoon. The Brothers Figaro songs were from a house concert we had at our house a week ago. The poor quality is thanks to me forgetting to pick up some fresh DAT tapes. This is what old tape will do to an otherwise wonderful set. Bell Rays are awesome live – this track barely hints at how hard they rock the house. And finally, let’s not allow Bush to send our boys away this season - they too deserve to stay at home. Happy holidays! Love, dean & debra

1. K-Nock - Intro |download|
2. Rahsaan Peterson – Christmas At My House |download|
3. The Bell Rays – Rocket Ship Santa |download|
4. Joey Ramone – What A Wonderful World |download|
5. Daniel McCleod – I’ll Be Home For Christmas |download|
6. Big Tyme – Xmas Blues |download|
7. Fonda – Last Christmas |download|
8. Diana Darby – Jesus Was A Capricorn |download|
9. The Signalmen – Holiday Wine |download|
10. Mark Mothersbaugh – Blue Joy |download|
11. Aden – Silent Night |download|
12. Erik Voeks – Christmas Singles |download|
13. Matt Bruno – Merry Christmas |download|
14. Merle Haggard – Grandma’s Homemade Christmas Card |download|
15. Oblivion Seekers – Christmas In The City |download|
16. Friends Of Sound – Christmas Light, End A Fight |download|
17. The Starroom Boys – That’s How I Know It’s Christmastime |download|
18. The Brothers Figaro – Olde Tyme Christmas (live) |download|
19. The Brothers Figaro – Old Lang Syne (live) |download|
20. Ron Sexsmith – Maybe This Christmas |download|
21. coda
|download|


Friday, December 20, 2002

Coyote Magi

My typical early morning wake up routine is to grab a cup of coffee and bring the dogs out back. They have a pee while I check the birdfeeders. With all the rain we've been having here, the valley has taken on a fresh outlook. No mudslides either - knock on wood. It's been years since we had one. '95 was the last time. Can you be nostalgic for calamities?

There's a pack of coyotes living on the other, wooded, side of the valley. I've seen them several times now, on our side, since the rains began. I wonder why. My suburban spaniels wouldn't have the smarts not to get in a mix-up with them, so I have to do a fairly complete survey of the slopes before letting them run around.

This morning, three coyotes were there, munching on the fallen apples from our tree. After a while they noticed me and turned downslope to return to their side of the valley. There's a road in the valley bottom. Like well adjusted pedestrians, they lined up single file to make the crossing. If the clouds weren't overhead, Saturn could have played the part of the guiding star. We had one morning of clear skies this week and the view of the planet is fantastic right now. If you have a telescope, the rings are highly visible.

As the coyotes crossed, the early commuter traffic on the road paused. I hope the driving public enjoyed the view.

Wednesday, December 18, 2002

Throwing Muses info

this from the Throwing Music site:

Kristin Hersh will deliver two new albums in February. One is a solo effort titled The Grotto, which was recorded and mixed in Rhode Island in less than a week. Guests include Giant Sand's Howe Gelb on piano and Andrew Bird (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire) on violin. In addition, Hersh has reunited with Throwing Muses core bandmates David Narcizo, and Bernard Georges, as well as Tanya Donelly to record a self-titled album, their first studio release since 1996's Limbo and first release featuring Donelly since 1991's The Real Ramona.

TRR is an all time favorite of mine. And I think Donelly is just wonderful. Which reminds me, I can't believe I still haven't picked up her latest solo Beautysleep yet. Memo to santa...


Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Entrances To Hell

I'm borrowing this from the 3 Bruces blogsite (see sidebar), but it's just too good! I'll be on the lookout for more entrances in my vicinity. Entrances To Hell
There's still hope for the democrats...

...assuming Barbara Boxer gets the power, that is. After hearing her World Affairs Council speech last night, I'm even more of fan than before. Her talk is here: |part one| |part two|

Monday, December 16, 2002

Czenal Soundz

Ok, it's cumming on Kristmass. Here's a little chestnut, from a band called Pantz Noyzee. For all the hot metal babes that read this blog. heh. I wish!
The Revengers

Think you got what it takes to be a Revenger? |click|
(ps: ignore the 11:49:28 mess. my bad)
The Revengers

Do you have what it takes to

Sunday, December 15, 2002

The Wet Sunday Evening Post

We went back to NY for my grandmother's funeral. Flew on United; w/o problems. In fact, the flight attendants seemed almost courteous for a change. Too bad it takes a bankruptcy to break bad habits.

In the extended family, my grandmother was the last of her generation to go. Everyone attending the wake and funeral were a generation, or more, younger. The adage 'I hope I die before I get old' took on a new meaning: no matter how well integrated one might be in their offsprings', grandkids', even great-grandkids' lives, it still must be lonely not having peers your age around you. Ones whom you've known well, for a long time.

I wonder a bit about the quality of her final medical care. I know I'm not unique in thinking doctors could have done more, under these circumstances. Without going into details (what's the point?), it sounded as if the doctoral decisions were made with expediency as the primary concern. I know it's useless to second guess, using hindsight, something I'm far from qualified to have an informed opinion on. Still...

Anyway, it was good to see the family back east. Everyone moving onward, following Flo.




Rain, wind and blackouts awaited us, back home in San Mateo. I've lost track of how many times the power has gone off this weekend. The land is soaked, but things look stable - for now. No slipping at yee olde slipping acres.

Saturday, we hosted a holiday party, with house concert by The Brothers Figaro. Nice turnout, nice folks, good food and great music. That's one reasonable way to move it onward. Thanks everybody.




I'm currently on a small jag of reading older russian novelists. Just finishing some short stories by Dostoyevsky and Chekhov. Next up is Gogol & maybe Puskin. I probably ought to read a few current authors too. NaNoWriMo fans might be interested to know Dostoyevsky wrote the amazing "The Gambler" in one month! His wasn't a voluntary decision though. Under pressure from creditors, Dostoyevsky sold his publisher, Stellovsky, the right to produce a collected edition of all his previous works. The price Stellovsky paid for this priviledge also carried a demand for a new book, of at least 160 pages. The devil is always in the fine print: if D didn't produce in one month, S would be given the right to reprint all Dostoyevsky's past and future work at any time, without further payment.




Lastly, CDBaby has put together a few interesting collection lists of the CDs they sell. I'm finding them helpful.

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

Can This Get Any More Insane? Yes.

From today's news:
In a new defense strategy submitted to Congress on Wednesday, President Bush warned Iraq and other hostile countries that the United States is prepared to use "overwhelming force" — including nuclear weapons — in response to any chemical or biological attack.
Full story here.

International Answer is preparing for another set of demonstrations for Jan 18, 2003. The guy is talking nuclear now. Please help.

Monday, December 09, 2002





We love you grandmother. Rest peacefully.

Sunday, December 08, 2002

Yellow Magic Orchestra reuniting?

This bit of news from newmusicmachine.com

wednesday, dec 4, 2002
YMO reunites (again!)
Hot news off of the Japanese wire. Sketch Show (Hosono & Takahashi) did their first official show last night at Shibuya AX. They did 18 songs including tracks from their debut album Audio Sponge (nmm recommended!). Special surprise guests... CORNELIUS (!) and Ryuichi Sakamoto!! Sakamoto joined them for FOUR YMO songs, including Cue and La Femme Chinoise. Sounds like a full fledged YMO reunion can't be too far off. Actually, this is the second reunion this year. As told by Mr. Sakamoto in an exclusive NMM interview (to be published soon - honest), he joined them onstage at a live preview for one YMO song -- and it felt right. I wonder what Cornelius through into the mix??

Thursday, December 05, 2002

My Favorite 2002 music releases

Time for favorite music releases from 2002 I guess. The list is heavily in the comfort zone, it seems. I guess I feel more bruised than usual this year. I tried to link to impartial reviews. In alphabetical order:

Beck- Sea Change Heartache pure and simple.

Bjork- Greatest Hits The singles and a wonderful overview of a consistently intriguing talent.

Black Heart Procession - Amore del Tropico Here, the heartache gets a strange twist: a murder south of the border.

Boris - Heavy Rocks Japanese stoner rock godz.

Boy George - A Night In With Boy George. The chill room soundtrack.

Burning Brides - Fall Of The Plastic Empire Another retro-rocker outfit. The second half of songs is fantastic.

Pieta Brown - s/t. Nice voice, beautiful songs. Twangy.

Seana Carmody - Struts & Shocks. Indie singer/songwriter comes out back with a super strong set of songs.

Carquinez Straits - The Flat Earth Just Got Flatter. Local twangsters, with a edge.

Cornershop - Handcream For A Generation Mostly upbeat.

Cornelius - Point. Studio craftsmanship, par excellence.

Deerhoof - Reveille. Challenging in spots, but that's just another way of looking at originality.

Donnas - Spend The Night Straight ahead garage.

Genuine Electric Latin Love Machine - Introducing The Neat Beat. DJ samplists with a party going on.

Gold Chains - s/t. Hip hop for the new dawn.

Gomez - In Our Gun. I can't say why I like this band. But I do. Pitchfork hates it.

George Harrison - Brainwashed. Good night, sleep tight.

I Am The World Trade Center - The Tight Connection. What can I say? Lo fi, especially with a disco lean, sounds good to me.

Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights Joy Division inspired, but raw and tense. Very interesting.

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me. MOR jazz, but a comforting voice and tastefully subdued arrangements.

Kekuhi Kanahele - Honey Boy. Traditional Hawaiian. More roots than sweet side.

Kinky - s/t. Mexican band with the big beats. An amazing live show.

Lambchop - is a woman. Kind of in the Yo La Tengo vein.

Life Without Buildings - Any Other City Already disbanded, a churning band underpinning crazed skatalogical vocals.

Mates Of State - Our Constant Concern. Indie duo who sing their lungs off.

Mekons - Oooh! Still cookin'. Less punk, still incredibly inventive.

My Morning Jacket - Chocolate & Ice ep. Clever and intimate.

The Mooney Suzuki - People Get Ready.The Rock.

Sam Moore - Plenty Good Lovin' - the lost solo album. It took decades, but it finally came out.

Soniadada - barefootsoul. Woodshed funk.

Princess Superstar -Is. Party rap.

Radar Brothers - And The Surrounding Mountains. Slowcore, but with big ideas.

Smokey & Miho - EP. Samba sexy.

Emily Sparks - What Could Not Be Found. Not just your standard breathy indie gal, listen to I,Aquarius.

Spoon -Kill The Moonlight. Stark can also be upbeat.

Bruce Springsteen - The Rising.

Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter - Reckless Burning. Lovely voice. Bittersweet songs.

James Taylor - October Road. Guilty pleasure. His voice is as familiar and comfortable as an old dog.

Ugly Casanova - Sharpen Your Teeth. So unique and so heartfelt.

Tom Waits - Alice. I've been oscillating back and forth between Blood Money and this. This week, it's all about Alice.

Chuck E. Weiss - Old Souls & Wolf Tickets. Loose and real.

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Everyone has either decided to like this or pass on it. I like it.

Ronnie Wood - Not For Beginners. The real muscle left in the Stones.

Zmrzlina - Katastrophe, Vol 3. I hate the word quirky, but it fits.

v/a - More Oar - Skip Spence Tribute

v/a - Total Lee! Songs of Lee Hazlewood

v/a - Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down (K. Kristofferson tribute)

v/a - Nothing Left To Loose (another K. Kristofferson tribute)
Disposable DVDs

These are so not a good idea.

Wednesday, December 04, 2002

Selected Flashies

Just a few sites to pass along:


A burgerking holiday greeting.
Highly annoying.

OK, this is better. The Amazing Dare Dozen. A surprisingly engrossing game. Eggs aloft!

And finally Kunstbar. A slick Flash animation about a bar where the drinks are named after famous artists. Learn what one too many Jackson Pollocks chasing an Heironomous Bosch can do to you!

The Pew Global Attitudes Project

Here's a fascinating global opinion poll; findings just released today:

The Pew Research Center Global Attitudes Project - What the world thinks in 2002


Not surprising, but depressing nonetheless, the introduction's theme is "Global Gloom and Growing Anti-Americanism." The report is about 90 pages of evidence of a US foreign policy at an all time disfunctional low.

The Bruthers

I just heard from a friend that Sundazed Records will be releasing a retrospective disc of The Bruthers! This is the garage band that definitively influenced me at my most early, formative stage.

They lived a few doors down from us in Pearl River, NY, way way back in time. The four eldest brothers in a family of 13 siblings: Al Mike Frank & Joe. They signed with Sid Bernstein, as their manager in some very heady times: 1965. This is the same guy who managed The Young Rascals, Barry & The Remains and his crowning achievement - bringing the Beatles to Shea Stadium.

The Bruthers put out a few singles, but disbanded as the Summer Of Love kicked in in earnest. Joe remained a life-long musician - some of you might remember the great Killer Joe release with a bunch of E-Streeters. Sundazed has apparently gotten into Joe's tape library and are going through 20 reels of long unheard studio recordings.

Back when they were recording demos, they once borrowed my dad's monstrous Revere reel to reel. It was right around this time of year, because when they returned it, they included a little gift - the partriach of the Delia Family reading Twas The Night Before Christmas with the Bruthers providing musical backing. I doubt that will make it to the retrospective, but it would be great to hear that again.

The Sundazed release should be available in the spring.




Monday, December 02, 2002

How about The Last Word...

...on the novelating; for a while, at least.

Went to the NaNo wrap up party last night. Getting to meet a group of like-minded creationists was a wonderful way to wrap up an interesting month.

Attendees were asked to bring along a printed excerpt from their novels, for clothes-pinning to a string of xmas lights. A nice way to sample all the wares. As realtors say, location is everything. I put my excerpt near the bathroom door. As the beer and champagne flowed, I found my audience.

Chris Baty, lead NaNoWriMoid, spoke briefly; putting into words feelings I could relate with. He mentioned how we've all become accustomed to consuming art, rather than experiencing the joy of creating it for ourselves. Not that there's anything wrong with buying that CD, or book. But there's another approach that's available to us all - it's in the doing.

Although I would never be presumptuous enough to think of myself as a writer now, at least when people ask about NaNo, I can say "It's just something I do."