“Hambone,” exclaimed Lou, “that’s what my sound has been lacking!”
Dec 242007
Dec 232007
From the collection of Townsman Mrclean comes the following, mysterious gift of music. He shares his thoughts following the track, which you are encouraged to open, contemplate, and comment on.
Mrclean Shares the Gift of Music
An old favorite that makes me think of rainy days or snow days and hanging out in West Philly. The LP cover is off putting with photos of some loutish looking lads with silly names that are odd compared to the LP title, itself a pretty bold and ridiculous statement. This vaguely intimidating package yields some lovely mellow pop. I love this whole album but was disappointed with their later releases. My guess is that at least one Townsman of my acquaintance in particular will immediately recognize this but I hope he withholds his comments until some others chime in…
Dec 222007
Today I watched two great old movies back to back: To Have and Have Not and Night of the Hunter. Each film effectively worked in live performances of music – with the characters singing in an otherwise nonmusical film – to enhance the story, the tone, the plot. This is a device that has been used to great effect in a number of films, including many by Robert Altman, Tender Mercies, O Brother Where Art Thou, but how often has it been done successfully using a rock song or rock songs? I’m not talking about rock soundtracks of the Martin Scorcese/Wes Anderson variety. I guess that long, excruciating cover a Van Morrison by Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character in Georgia is close to an example, but her character is a rock musician. Is there a movie in which a character simply picks up a guitar and bangs out a song? Will Ferrell does, come to think of it, in his “serious” film from the past year, when he plays “Whole Wide World”. Any other examples that are that casually woven into the plot?
Dec 222007
En route to an exotic, mysterious location, Townsman HVB asked that I post the following gift of music. A gamesman to the core, HVB has included a little mystery for us to solve!
Happy holidays from south of the border, fellow Townspeople! My holiday gift is here, under the palm tree, free for the taking. What do I like about it? Well, this mystery artist is justifiably reputed to be one of the greatest acoustic guitar players of the 20th century, but here he lets it all hang out with a touching, heartfelt, but downright ragged vocal performance. Telling you the name of the song would tip my hand on the mystery artist’s identity, but I’ll just tell you his wistful, earnest singing perfectly matches the lyric. I have an additional challenge for you: I’m currently in a nation next-door to this artist’s home — actually, the nation where this performer spent his formative years training with a classical guitar master before he struck out in his own revolutionary musical direction. What nation is that?
Your fellow Townsman and pal 4ever,
HVB
Dec 212007
Recently joined Townsman Hissing Fauna has boldly jumped in with his gift of music! Following the gift, he explains what the song means to him. Check it out, and don’t forget to return the gift with your thoughtful comments!
I really like this song for a number of reasons. It sounds like some modern wall-of-sound, without being annoyingly shoe gazey. The singer’s voice might be a little cloying but it has a really great melody. The lyrics are a highlight of the song for me. Unlike a lot of modern music, this song isn’t weighed down by depressing existentialist angst that can be heard in the Arcade Fire or Radiohead or whoever it is Pitchfork Media is hailing as the saviors of music. I think optimism in music is a great thing, because it can really be uplifting to the listener. That’s why I love songs like Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea”, or “Wouldn’t it Be Nice”, or Songs in the Key of Life. Lyrics like “and the question is, was I more alive/then than I am now?/I happily have to disagree;/I laugh more often now, I cry more often now,/I am more me” appeal to me a lot because as a teenager, I have to deal with the overwhelming pessimism all the people at my school seem obsessed with spreading.
Dec 202007
Earlier this week, the Al-Qaida #2 offered an interview to anyone that wanted one. Details here.
Essentially anyone can submit questions and that al-Zawahri would
…take questions until Jan. 16, after which al-Zawahri would answer them “as much as he is able and at the soonest possible occasion.” It did not say whether his answers would come in writing, video or audiotape.
We all know the power of music and I believe the time has come to take the RTH brand of healing to the world stage. In an effort to foster peace, love and understanding amongst all of Earth’s beings, I present this special Dugout Chatter exclusively for Ayman al-Zawahri. Let the music be your master, Ay, and give us your gut reactions to the following:
• Best effigy burning album?
• What about for the morning after?
• Parliament or Funkedelic?
• What album did you spin the most during your first Jihad?
• What do you sing when you’re beheading a capitalist pig?
• Gwen or Shirley?
• Do you prefer your Replacements with or without Bob Stinson?
• Which musician would you most like to see volunteer for a suicide bombing?
• What bands are you rocking to these days?
At this point, I open this historical opportunity to my fellow Townsmen (sorry Townswomen but, for this exercise we’ll need you to go ahead and put your RTH burqas on). What would you ask al-Zawahri?
Dec 202007
I’m curious to hear what you all think of this performance.
