september

Spoiler alert!

[This video contains a dancing granny.]

Eye in the Sky - Jonatha Brook

magical ukulele

Very interesting cover of Radiohead's Idioteque.

Canadian Girl - The Walkmen

I love this song.



Added: The Walkmen have a new album coming out in mid September.

the walkmen

I listen to this song quite a bit on my iPod but never pictured it this way. I never once thought of rabbits & hunters. Strange video. Good song.

summer's here and

I just want to swim...

The Books

Today's Song of the Day is Beautiful People by a band called The Books. The band's name caught my attention. Alt-techno-classical?

See this film - I am Trying to Break Your Heart

With this film, I urge you to see it with this caveat: you must really like Wilco and love their most excellent Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album. Otherwise, this is probably not a story you'd find compelling.

and now a musical interlude

Iron & Wine

Guess I do have a romantic side. Shhhhh...

What's your NPR name?

National Public Radio has an on-going series about Frederic Chopin (Chopin at 200). I love Chopin for the obvious reasons but I've also just now discovered a health reason to listen to more of this beautiful, passionate, playful and romantic music. I tested my blood pressure before listening to Chopin and then while listening to and watching this video. My blood pressure was improved while listening to Chopin. Try it yourself. Does watching this brilliant pianist's love and enthusiasm for the music he's playing do anything for you?

You know how NPR journalists have the best names, someone has come up with a quick formula so that you can create your very own NPR name. Mine's Sherrly Riomaggiore (lookout Sylvia Poggioli!). What's your NPR name?

See this film - 500 Days of Summer

Summer: We've been like Sid and Nancy for months now.
Tom: Summer, Sid stabbed Nancy, seven times with a kitchen knife, I mean we have some disagreements but I hardly think I'm Sid Vicious.
Summer: No I'm Sid.
Tom: Oh, so I'm Nancy...

I'm surprised by how much I liked this film. It's like a mash up of Annie Hall, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Garden State. I'm definitely getting the soundtrack. A strange coincidence...there was a quick reference to Salinger's "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" in this film and today I see that Salinger has died. Also, the lead actress Zooey Deschanel is named after a Salinger character.

now playing

Kathleen Edwards - Goodnight, California

See this film - It Might Get Loud

Loved it!

Indeed, Page is the star turn in It Might Get Loud, a documentary about a meeting between three iconic guitarists of different rock generations: Page, U2’s professorial effects master The Edge and garage-blues primitivist Jack White of The White Stripes. The film traces autobiographical journeys before bringing them together to swap secrets.

If you want a graphic demonstration of Page’s legendary status, try the look of giddy delight that appears on the faces of Edge and White as Page demonstrates the riff to ’Whole Lotta Love’. For a moment, professional reserve collapses into goofy fandom at the foot of the master. [Source: Jimmy Page: Whole Lotta Talent]

Carol of the Bells

For Sara

On Winter Solstice Eve

Happy Birthday, Karen

My pick for album of the year

Middle Cyclone by Neko Case



Many 30 mile bike rides listening to songs from this album on my iPod. Never tired of it, instead my love & appreciation for her music continued to deepen.

enjoy

BTT - Songs of heart & mind

This week it's all about those songs that speak to our soul.

If you’re anything like me, there are songs that you love because of their lyrics; writers you admire because their songs have depth, meaning, or just a sheer playfulness that has nothing to do with the tunes.

So, today’s question?

* What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love?
* Why?
* And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?

One word answer: nightswimming.

My favorite singer-songwriters: Bob Dylan (did you read the novel "The Dylanist?" I'm a Dylanist), Joni Mitchell reigns supreme, Patty Griffin, Greg Brown, Paul Simon, U2, Steve Earle, Leonard Cohen, Gillian Welch, The Beatles! with a special soft spot for George Harrison, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Pete Townsend, Ryan Adams, Sting ... and R.E.M. of course!

[via Deb @ Booking Through Thursday]

It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go

Nanci Griffith


Jill's review of Annie Dunne by Sebastian Barry made me think of this song by Nanci Griffith. I used to think of this song while I was reading Angela's Ashes years ago. Must be in some Irish mood today...