My Music - A to Z
Kind of Blue - Miles Davis (1959)
I can't remember if Larry or Stewart gave me this CD, but I know I have both of them to thank for introducing me to Miles Davis. They told me this was his best, and though I admit I have nothing to compare it to, I have to agree with them. This is a great album. It's good for background music, but also to listen to purposefully and dissect. I don't know a lot about jazz, but I know enough to know that all of the musicians on this album knew their stuff and probably couldn't recreate exactly what they did in this session ever again. I'm glad what they did got recorded and that I've got a copy of it. I'm not going to pick a favorite because it's only 5 songs long and it doesn't seem right to single any of them out.
Death Rides a Pale Cow - The Dead Milkmen (1997)
Kathie King made me a fan of this band and I am eternally grateful to her. They're obnoxious and loud and stupid and not really great singers or musicians, but I love them anyway. This album is subtitled "The Ultimate Collection," and while it's good, it leaves out many of my favorites. The songs are fairly short, so 23 of them are packed on the disc, which is nice. I missed my chance to see them live at last year's Fun!Fun!Fun! Fest, but was a little afraid that I would be disappointed.
Faves - Bitchin' Camaro, Stuart, Punk Rock Girl, Life is S***, Instant Club Hit
Castaways and Cutouts - The Decemberists (2002)
This is a band for English majors. I imagine many of it's members were English majors, or at least the lead singer was. Only English majors would use the imagery and vocabulary that Colin Meloy uses. Or they could have been theater kids - they like to wear costumes, especially nautically inspired pieces that are reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Whatever their degrees, they are among my favorite bands, although this is not my favorite album by them. I saw them at ACL a few years ago and they were really good, but I'd like to see them in a smaller venue some day.
Faves - July! July!, Grace Cathedral Hill, Clementine, The Legionnaire's Lament
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Music Monday
My Music - A to Z
August and Everything After - Counting Crows (1993)
This is one of my favorite albums - the song order, the pacing, the mix of styles, the lyrics. I like most of the songs independently, but prefer to listen to it as a whole. Adam Duritz does not have perfect pitch, but I can't imagine anyone else singing these songs. I saw them live once when I lived in Memphis, after the second album came out. They were good, but not as good as they are on this album. And I haven't really liked much of what they've done recently. But did I mention how much I like this particular album?
Faves - Round Here, Sullivan Street, Anna Begins, Mr. Jones
The Trinity Session - Cowboy Junkies (1988)
This is a really good album to listen to late at night. But probably not when driving late at night. It's MELLOW - in the best way. The arrangements are incredibly sparse (probably because it was all recorded in a church around a single mic), but that only emphasizes Margo Timmins's vocals. It's also a little bit melancholy. And it definitely works as a whole. Like the above album, I actually prefer it that way. There is an anniversary edition out there with musical guests, but I don't think I'll mess with a good thing.
Faves - Misguided Angel, Sweet Jane, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Easy - Cowboy Mouth (2000)
The two CDs in my collection with Cowboy as part of the artist's name could not be more different. Easy is pretty much the polar opposite of The Trinity Session. Cowboy Mouth is loud and irreverent and fun. Especially live. The lead singer is also the drummer and he sweats like a madman. He also breaks his drumsticks - a lot. And throws them to the audience. These guys are better live, but the album reminds me of the show and can always put me in a good mood.
Faves - Everybody Loves Jill, Marianne, Let Me Hold It Open
Photographs and Memories - Jim Croce (1975)
What is it with all these artists whose last names begin with C dying early? Jim Croce was another one that left this world too soon. This is his greatest hits album and it is truly great. I actually listened to it twice last Friday because I'd forgotten just how good it was. He could sing a love song and tell a story and make you laugh. And really play the guitar. His songs were part of my childhood and I will share them with my children.
Faves - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown; Time in a Bottle; New York's Not My Home; Lover's Cross
August and Everything After - Counting Crows (1993)
This is one of my favorite albums - the song order, the pacing, the mix of styles, the lyrics. I like most of the songs independently, but prefer to listen to it as a whole. Adam Duritz does not have perfect pitch, but I can't imagine anyone else singing these songs. I saw them live once when I lived in Memphis, after the second album came out. They were good, but not as good as they are on this album. And I haven't really liked much of what they've done recently. But did I mention how much I like this particular album?
Faves - Round Here, Sullivan Street, Anna Begins, Mr. Jones
The Trinity Session - Cowboy Junkies (1988)
This is a really good album to listen to late at night. But probably not when driving late at night. It's MELLOW - in the best way. The arrangements are incredibly sparse (probably because it was all recorded in a church around a single mic), but that only emphasizes Margo Timmins's vocals. It's also a little bit melancholy. And it definitely works as a whole. Like the above album, I actually prefer it that way. There is an anniversary edition out there with musical guests, but I don't think I'll mess with a good thing.
Faves - Misguided Angel, Sweet Jane, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Easy - Cowboy Mouth (2000)
The two CDs in my collection with Cowboy as part of the artist's name could not be more different. Easy is pretty much the polar opposite of The Trinity Session. Cowboy Mouth is loud and irreverent and fun. Especially live. The lead singer is also the drummer and he sweats like a madman. He also breaks his drumsticks - a lot. And throws them to the audience. These guys are better live, but the album reminds me of the show and can always put me in a good mood.
Faves - Everybody Loves Jill, Marianne, Let Me Hold It Open
Photographs and Memories - Jim Croce (1975)
What is it with all these artists whose last names begin with C dying early? Jim Croce was another one that left this world too soon. This is his greatest hits album and it is truly great. I actually listened to it twice last Friday because I'd forgotten just how good it was. He could sing a love song and tell a story and make you laugh. And really play the guitar. His songs were part of my childhood and I will share them with my children.
Faves - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown; Time in a Bottle; New York's Not My Home; Lover's Cross
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wacky Web Wednesday
Happy Veterans' Day!
What better way to honor our veterans than to show them being enthusiastically greeted by man's best friend?
Thanks to mental_floss (http://www.mentalfloss.com:80/blogs/archives/40324) for finding these and to The Attorney for passing them on:
What better way to honor our veterans than to show them being enthusiastically greeted by man's best friend?
Thanks to mental_floss (http://www.mentalfloss.com:80/blogs/archives/40324) for finding these and to The Attorney for passing them on:
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tasty Tuesday
Soup & Bread
When we lived in our apartment, the Attorney and I hosted themed food weeks. One of those weeks was dedicated to soup and bread. It's one of our favorite meals. Creamy, brothy, meaty, or tomato-y - we like them all.
Although it doesn't feel very "fallish" right now, it did last week and that, along with the time change, make me crave more substantial fare for dinner. Soup fits the bill, and has the extra perks of making enough to freeze for future meals and filling the house with yummy smells. Tonight I tried a new recipe for Spicy Minestrone. It was easy and I was able to use quite a few of the veggies from the farm in it. I will probably start including some kind of soup in my weekly menus for the foreseeable future.
I also made a yummy dill bread. I found the recipe when we were getting lots of dill early in the season. I guess the cooler weather and rain helped it make a resurgence because we got more last week. I have rediscovered the joy of using my bread machine and this recipe couldn't be easier and yields very good results. The dill taste isn't too strong so the bread could be used for sandwiches (just not PB&J).
I'm always looking for good soup recipes, so feel free to share!
When we lived in our apartment, the Attorney and I hosted themed food weeks. One of those weeks was dedicated to soup and bread. It's one of our favorite meals. Creamy, brothy, meaty, or tomato-y - we like them all.
Although it doesn't feel very "fallish" right now, it did last week and that, along with the time change, make me crave more substantial fare for dinner. Soup fits the bill, and has the extra perks of making enough to freeze for future meals and filling the house with yummy smells. Tonight I tried a new recipe for Spicy Minestrone. It was easy and I was able to use quite a few of the veggies from the farm in it. I will probably start including some kind of soup in my weekly menus for the foreseeable future.
I also made a yummy dill bread. I found the recipe when we were getting lots of dill early in the season. I guess the cooler weather and rain helped it make a resurgence because we got more last week. I have rediscovered the joy of using my bread machine and this recipe couldn't be easier and yields very good results. The dill taste isn't too strong so the bread could be used for sandwiches (just not PB&J).
I'm always looking for good soup recipes, so feel free to share!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Music Monday
We're back!!!!!!
My Music - A to Z
Wishbones - Slaid Cleaves (2004)
Obviously, I'm a fan of Mr. Cleaves since I own 2 of his CDs. This follow up album is stronger in some ways than Brokedown, but I'm not sure that I like it more. The songs are a little more produced and a little more "rockin'." But all of the emotion is still there and he tells some really good stories. I think I mentioned before that I have seen him live more than once, and I like the stripped down version of some of these songs from the live show better than the recorded versions. It works well as a whole - good pacing and mix of song styles.
Faves - Wishbones, Borderline, Quick as Dreams
12 Greatest Hits - Patsy Cline (1988)
Oh, Patsy, you left us too soon! She had the kind of voice that just gets better with age and I can only imagine what she would have sounded like with more life experience. As it was, she chocked her songs full of emotion. Many of them are perfect "cry in your beer" country songs. Obviously, I never saw her live, but she used to come to my dad's house outside of Washington, D.C. in the early days of her career. (I think that's right. Details, Daddy?) How cool is that?
Faves - Crazy, Why Can't He Be You, I Fall to Pieces
Greatest Hits - Nat King Cole (1994)
Yet another singer that was taken too soon. Cole's voice was like no one else's - smooth as silk. He made you believe every cheesy word he said, making this a perfect go-to CD for romantic songs. But he was more than just a romantic crooner, and that is represented here as well.
Faves - Straighten Up and Fly Right, Too Young, Nature Boy
Body and Soul - John Coltrane (1991)
I'm not sure whether I like this CD or not. I appreciate it and know that John Coltrane is, as the cover announces, one of the "Giants of Jazz," but I don't know if I like it. It's pretty loud and often dissonant. And the songs are really long - there are only 6 songs on the whole album. I will keep it in my collection, but I don't know how often I will listen to it.
Fave - Miles Mode
Only You - Harry Connick, Jr. (2004)
This is Harry's cover album of romantic songs from the 50's, 60's and 70's. He arranged, orchestrated and conducted them, so they all have his touch (although no piano solos). I miss those because he's definitely a better pianist than singer, but his arrangements are great and he picked good songs for his voice. It works very well as a whole and it another go-to album for not too cheesy love songs.
Faves - For Once in My Life, You Don't Know Me
We Are in Love - Harry Connick, Jr. (1990)
We go from one of Connick's newest albums to one of his first and, in my opinion, best. I thought I had more than 2 HCJ CDs, but this project has made me realize how much music I only have on TAPE! (That's a post for another time.) This album starts off with a bang and ends with a whimper. Literally. It's all in the horns. It's a great mix of fast and slow and standards and originals. I have never been lucky enough to see him live, but if I ever do, I hope he does most of this album.
Faves - We Are in Love, Recipe for Love, Heavenly
The Very Best of Elvis Costello (2001)
This double disc album was my souvenir after seeing Costello at the ACL Fest a few years ago. I admit to not being a fan when most of the older hits came out, but I am a convert. This album has all the ones you expect, and then many, many more. It's almost too much to listen to at once, but does a great job of showing Costello's range and his various experiments with different styles and sounds. There were sound issues when I saw him live, but he put on a great show in spite of them. And I'm intrigued by his newest album with, of all things, a bluegrass band.
Faves - Alison, Veronica, (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
My Music - A to Z
Wishbones - Slaid Cleaves (2004)
Obviously, I'm a fan of Mr. Cleaves since I own 2 of his CDs. This follow up album is stronger in some ways than Brokedown, but I'm not sure that I like it more. The songs are a little more produced and a little more "rockin'." But all of the emotion is still there and he tells some really good stories. I think I mentioned before that I have seen him live more than once, and I like the stripped down version of some of these songs from the live show better than the recorded versions. It works well as a whole - good pacing and mix of song styles.
Faves - Wishbones, Borderline, Quick as Dreams
12 Greatest Hits - Patsy Cline (1988)
Oh, Patsy, you left us too soon! She had the kind of voice that just gets better with age and I can only imagine what she would have sounded like with more life experience. As it was, she chocked her songs full of emotion. Many of them are perfect "cry in your beer" country songs. Obviously, I never saw her live, but she used to come to my dad's house outside of Washington, D.C. in the early days of her career. (I think that's right. Details, Daddy?) How cool is that?
Faves - Crazy, Why Can't He Be You, I Fall to Pieces
Greatest Hits - Nat King Cole (1994)
Yet another singer that was taken too soon. Cole's voice was like no one else's - smooth as silk. He made you believe every cheesy word he said, making this a perfect go-to CD for romantic songs. But he was more than just a romantic crooner, and that is represented here as well.
Faves - Straighten Up and Fly Right, Too Young, Nature Boy
Body and Soul - John Coltrane (1991)
I'm not sure whether I like this CD or not. I appreciate it and know that John Coltrane is, as the cover announces, one of the "Giants of Jazz," but I don't know if I like it. It's pretty loud and often dissonant. And the songs are really long - there are only 6 songs on the whole album. I will keep it in my collection, but I don't know how often I will listen to it.
Fave - Miles Mode
Only You - Harry Connick, Jr. (2004)
This is Harry's cover album of romantic songs from the 50's, 60's and 70's. He arranged, orchestrated and conducted them, so they all have his touch (although no piano solos). I miss those because he's definitely a better pianist than singer, but his arrangements are great and he picked good songs for his voice. It works very well as a whole and it another go-to album for not too cheesy love songs.
Faves - For Once in My Life, You Don't Know Me
We Are in Love - Harry Connick, Jr. (1990)
We go from one of Connick's newest albums to one of his first and, in my opinion, best. I thought I had more than 2 HCJ CDs, but this project has made me realize how much music I only have on TAPE! (That's a post for another time.) This album starts off with a bang and ends with a whimper. Literally. It's all in the horns. It's a great mix of fast and slow and standards and originals. I have never been lucky enough to see him live, but if I ever do, I hope he does most of this album.
Faves - We Are in Love, Recipe for Love, Heavenly
The Very Best of Elvis Costello (2001)
This double disc album was my souvenir after seeing Costello at the ACL Fest a few years ago. I admit to not being a fan when most of the older hits came out, but I am a convert. This album has all the ones you expect, and then many, many more. It's almost too much to listen to at once, but does a great job of showing Costello's range and his various experiments with different styles and sounds. There were sound issues when I saw him live, but he put on a great show in spite of them. And I'm intrigued by his newest album with, of all things, a bluegrass band.
Faves - Alison, Veronica, (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
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